Labor Exceedingly

After Christ’s visit to the Nephites, word spread fast!

“And it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark, that the multitude had seen Jesus, and that he had ministered unto them, and that he would also show himself on the morrow unto the multitude.” (3 Ne. 19:2)

Yep, people were talkin’!

And they didn’t just sit there; they acted!

“Yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude.” (19:3)

They knew when and where He would be. So they did everything they could to be there! There was no time to waste. 

Guess what? We know when and where His prophet will be this weekend.

Do we “labor exceedingly” to be there?

When people gathered to see Jesus again, there were SO many that they divided up into 12 bodies, and the 12 apostles divided up, each teaching a section, each “minister[ing] those same words which Jesus had spoken—nothing varying from the words which Jesus had spoken” (3 Ne. 19:8)

We gather this weekend, divided up, but hearing the SAME word. HIS word! Do we believe that? Do we see how wonderful this is?

“Whether by mine own ​​​voice​ or by the ​​​voice​ of my ​​​servants, it is the ​​​same​.” (D&C 1:38)

Today He will be broadcast all over the world. There is nearly no effort on our part to be there- in our own home! But maybe the true laboring comes in our actions afterwards. What will we DO with His words? What sacrifices do we need to make? Will we make the choice to seek Him- even if it means leaving things behind to “labor exceedingly” through the night? 

Elder Uchtdorf said, “Discipleship is not about doing things perfectly; it’s about doing things intentionally. It is your choices that show what you truly are, far more than your abilities..

Today is the day to follow God’s Son and our Savior...

Now is the time to commit fully to seeking God... 

Leave behind your hat, walking stick, handkerchief, and messy house.”

The multitudes FIRST listened to His servants proclaiming HIS word. Then, He came! And they cried and gloried in Him! (20:9) Their journey was worth it. 

Ours will be, too.