“And Thou Hast Beheld in Thy Youth”

George Reynolds, Janne M. Sjodahl

Most of the great men of God have been called in their childhood. The age of youth is the age of vision.

Youth sees, age tests,

Youth soars, age rests.

While Youth is out for detection,

Old age is in for perfection.

And both are one, as flower and pod,

Both serving well the kingdom of God.

His glory. Jacob had beheld his coming in the flesh, his ministry, his atoning sacrifice, his resurrection, and his glorious return to the Father. All this constituted his glory. Jacob, therefore, knew the plan of salvation by revelation, just as we know it by the inspired proclamation of the Gospel. He could look forward toward Calvary, as we are looking backward in history to that central place of interest both in heaven and on earth. (See Pearl of Great Price, Mos. 5:4-9)

Salvation is free. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) And that reminds me of a twice-told tale.

A young missionary had preached a powerful sermon on "free salvation." He felt sure that the audience had been impressed with his explanations and exhortations. Consequently, at the close of his effort, he turned to a woman who seemed especially moved upon by the good spirit and asked her if she had enjoyed his talk. "Well," she said, "to be frank, I remember only the text. What a wonderful text! The Spirit of God was filling my heart so full of the love of God, while you were speaking, that I felt as if I were in the divine Presence all the time." That was a good missionary. A good missionary always brings the Spirit of God with him to his meetings and gives Him a chance to speak.

Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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