Feel and See...

Jesus Christ in America by Walter Rane

Third Ne. has some interesting descriptions of the Savior's visit to the Nephites.  One of the first things He did was to have the Nephites come up one by one to touch the wounds in his hands and feet and thrust their hands into his side that they "may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world."  He not only wanted them to see him but to have a tangible, person, intimate experience with him. 

He repeats this pattern of wanting them to have a full witness.  In Chapter 18 He instructs the disciples:

25 And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world;
(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 18:25)

Again he wants us not only to see but to feel.  It reminds me of the instruction in the D&C to Oliver Cowdery on receiving revelation:

2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 8:2)

Our testimonies are based on both intellectual knowledge and upon those things felt deeply in our hearts.  And at some point our personal testimony of the Savior will be a full and sure witness based upon both sight and touch.


Other verses in Third Nephi that indicate the multi-sensory nature of the Savior's visit to the Nephites are:

16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.

(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 17:16 - 17)

As Elder Holland indicated in a talk a few years back, how did the Nephites "see" Jesus' prayer as well as hear it? 

There are spiritual dimensions that seem to be left untapped by most if not all of us.  The Book Mormon gently prods us to continue to seek greater faith, further light and knowledge.  We have been promised more will come forth unto us when we fully live what we have been given.  That will be a glorious time!

 Walter Rane