Akron Ohio Stake News

by Phillip Evans, Stake Sunday School President

Have you seen pictures of the Grand Canyon? My family and I visited the Grand Canyon when my kids were still teenagers. I had seen pictures of it, viewed beautiful art that was inspired by it, and spoke to many people who had been there. All these images and words inspired me to go and see it for myself.

I remember coming through the trees and walking to the edge of the Grand Canyon. It took my breath away. Words, photos, and art could not describe what I saw and felt as I looked over at what seemed to be the edge of the world. You simply had to see it for yourself.

We are truly blessed to be here on earth when the fulness of the gospel is all around us. With a click of a mouse, we can access talks, videos, manuals, music, and more. We listen to modern prophets almost daily. We can hear the voices of Prophets and inspired leaders at General Conference, Stake Conference, and local meetings.

Although we may listen, read, or even teach wonderful principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ until we truly “experience them,” it is as though we are looking at postcards of eternity.

I am reminded of the Brother of Jared, who was presented with a struggle to provide light inside the barges for the long trip across the ocean. When he sought the Lord for instruction, the Lord replied, “What will ye that I should prepare for you?” The brother of Jared came up with a plan. He molten 16 clear stones, gathered them together, took them to the Lord, and asked the Lord to touch them to give them light. The Lord touched the stones. The brother of Jared saw the finger of the Lord and could not be kept back from the veil (Ether 3).

Those stones provided light in the barges that enabled all to see, but for the brother of Jared, he saw more than glowing stones; he saw the hand of the Lord.

I find it interesting that the brother of Jared‘s name is not revealed in the book of Ether. His experience was “one by one,” much like those of the Nephites at Christ’s appearance following his death and resurrection.

With all the knowledge the Nephites had of Christ, as the days of destruction had settled, as they were gathered about the temple “conversing about this Jesus Christ” as he descended,” they thought it was “an angel that had appeared unto them.” His invitation to “Arise and come forth“ brought them to him “one by one,” and then they knew, they knew it was he, Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah (3 Nephi 11). It was very personal.

So my fellow disciples, we too come “one by one” to the Savior. How will we be able to “one by one” apply the principles and teachings of Jesus Christ? Like the brother of Jared, we come up with a plan, a personal plan, and act upon it and ask the Lord “to touch it.”

Nothing can truly replace being there, to see it for yourself, to feel the prints of nails in his hands and feet, to place your hand in his side, to kneel before him.

Is it enough to see the light, or do you desire to step in it?

I know that there is only one Savior, Jesus Christ. To know the Father is to know the Son. He has established his kingdom once again on the earth, “the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” I bear humble witness of these things in his Holy Name, Jesus Christ, Amen.