Eyes vs Ears.
In our study of scripture, we seek patterns so we can recognize the Lord's dealings with men. Patterns teach us history & prepare us for the future.
In short, we ought to identify order as we await the Lord's Second Coming. God is the same yesterday/today/forever.
Jesus' disciple, Thomas, was incredulous that Christ had returned. He refused to accept the word of others.
God allows us to grow in faith. If we were always first presented with only what we see, our downstream decisions would lead to condemnation.
The Word causes faith growth
Signs follow faith. Faith doesn't follow signs.
So let's investigate a pattern.
Before Jesus is seen, what happens? We'll start in the garden. Adam and Eve first hear a voice, then they see.
A voice announces his coming.
The Brother of Jared hears the voice of the Lord for hours before he sees the Lord's finger as one of flesh and blood.
Voice precedes vision.
What about Christ's first arrival? We know through prophecy and pattern that a voice should precede this event as well.
In this case, the Baptist provides the word for faith to grow before Christ's arrival.
Ears before eyes.
We're starting to see the brilliance in the prophecy of @NelsonRussellM.
The call he made to all Christ's followers was that we strive to #HearHim.
Can you see why? The Lord is preparing for his return, and we must hear before we see.
Christ's arrival to the Nephite people follows suit. The mourners hear Christ's explanation of destruction before they see him.
We spend so much time studying what they saw, we can forget to study what they heard.
Continuing on this thought, hearing Christ gives occasion for the faithful to receive the promised Holy Ghost's confirmation of truth.
This is how a witness is developed - words to faith to confirmation - all before seeing.
Can you see why the order is important?
If we saw first, we would be robbed of the normal growth of things of faith.
God will have a faithful people.
Ears before eyes.
Even Mary at the tomb.
You'd think that of anyone on earth, she would be able to recognize the Savior by her eyes.
But even in this moment, she required her ears to believe.
Of course we should analyze the First Vision. Here the Father sees fit to use his voice to clarify the arrival of Jesus Christ. Herein lies the inception of #HearHim.
We learn that by faith, all things are materialized.
That's the faith of the Saints at bountiful caused the arrival of the Savior. Joseph Smith's faith that he would receive an answer to his prayer preceded the arrival of the Father and the Son.
In these days of wars and rumors of wars, the earth and commotion, and men's hearts failing them, we follow the scriptural patterns of the millennia.
If we can #HearHim now, we'll be prepared to SeeHim soon
/End
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