When Jesus Christ visited ancient America after his resurrection, he took time to heal the people, bless their children, and pray for them. The people who heard Jesus pray on their behalf bore record that “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; 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” (3 Nephi 17:16-17).
This language echoes that found in this week’s “Come, Follow Me” reading in 1 Corinthians 2:9, which is in turn a modified quotation of Isaiah 64:4. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
This painting by Kathleen Peterson visualizes the tender care that Jesus stands ready to provide for each of us. Just as He took time to stay and minister to the Nephites, so He desires to minister to each of His Father’s children. These scriptures inspire me to express my gratitude for Christ’s offer of love and salvation by following his example and offering love and service to others.
-Jenny Champoux, Director