“Believest Thou the Words Which I Shall Speak? I Show Myself Unto You”

Ed J. Pinegar, Richard J. Allen

When Nephi desires to see the things that his father Lehi has seen in vision, the Spirit asks him a question not unlike the one posed by the Savior to the brother of Jared: “Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?” And Nephi answers with words similar to those of the brother of Jared, “Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father” (1 Nephi 11:4–5). Nephi, having confirmed his faith, beholds the magnificent sequence of visions concerning the plan of salvation and the design of God for the blessing of His people (1 Nephi 11–14). And the brother of Jared, a millennium and a half earlier, having established his consummate faith, passes through the veil into the presence of the Lord. We too can know our God and our Savior. We can pray and put away our fears and jealousies and humble ourselves before God. The veil will be rent and, in the Spirit, we can see God (see D&C 67:10). If we continue faithful and gain true charity, we can become the sons and daughters of God so that when the Savior appears we will be like Him and see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie confirms this point of doctrine using additional scriptural references:

“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” [John 14:20.] They will be one with him as he is one with his Father. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” [John 14:21.] The promise is not theirs alone—the Twelve are but the pattern; all that they receive will come also to every faithful person who abides the law that entitles him to receive the same gifts and blessings. Jesus, after his death and resurrection, will manifest himself to all who have faith enough to rend the veil and see their Lord.

Jesus was then asked: “Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?” His reply: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:18–23.) Not only will the Lord Jesus appear to the faithful, but he, in his goodness and grace, will also manifest the Father. Mortal man will see the Father and the Son. (The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1982], 678)

And as with the prophets and seers of ancient and modern times, so with all the saints who will obey the same laws, all shall see the Lord, for God is no respecter of persons. “Verily, thus saith the Lord,” he decrees: “It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am.” (D. & C. 93:1.) And again: “Sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.” (D. & C. 88:68.) See 2 Pet. 1:1–19. (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–1973], 3:400)

Commentaries and Insights on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 2

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