Nephi bowed Himself Before the Lord and Did Kiss His Feet

Bryan Richards

Nephi had been a righteous prophet, described by Mormon as cleansed every whit (3 Nephi 8:1). He had been given great power and had performed many great miracles in the name of Christ (3 Nephi 7:15-20). Still, his righteousness was only possible through the atonement of his Master. All the penitent, from the most righteous to the least, feel humbled in the presence of the Great Redeemer. In contrast to righteous Nephi's humbling kiss, the New Testament records the kiss of a woman plagued with sin, she…stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment (Lu 7:38). Humbled by our own sins and imperfections, we relish the same opportunity.

We know of scriptures which promise that every knee shall bow—even the wicked knees (Isa 45:23). But those who appreciate his atoning sacrifice ask, "How could anyone stand in his presence? How could anyone look into his piercing eyes, witness the wounds in his hands and feet, and not fall to their knees? What else could be done except to worship at his feet, bathing them with tears of gratitude?" Certainly, it will be a time when those who have sung "I Stand All Amazed" will be able to stand no longer.

Bruce R. McConkie

"I testify that he is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of any other person.
"I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears.
"But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God's Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way." (Conference Report, May 1985 Ensign, p. 9)

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