Monday, April 25, 2011

Our Savior Jesus Christ's Visit To The Americas As Found In the Book of Mormon

Easter week was a spiritual feast for me as I attempted to post messages about our Savior Jesus Christ. This past week would not be complete until I posted today on the Jesus Christ's visit to the people who lived on this American continent as recorded in The Book Of Mormon Another Testament of Christ

In August of 2008 Roger and I were asked to be part of a Stake Youth Conference. The theme was Book of Mormon Live. We were assigned to teach to the youth in our group the Scriptures of Christ's visit to American in the Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 8 - 23. The youth were divided into groups and assigned to tents. As instructors we would teach sections of the these scriptures throughout the day. In our tent we had 7 youth from the ages of 12-17. This was one of the sweetest assignments my husband and I have shared together. As we worked on a script for this day we shed many tears in the preparation process. To bring it to fulfillment that day was a very spiritual moment in our lives.
We taught this portion of the scriptures through reading the scriptures, using quotes, movie clips, and music. We dressed in costumes representing Book of Mormon times. During the day we allowed time for the youth to write their feelings in a journal. We felt very blessed to have been assigned the scriptures that taught of our Savior's visit to the Americas.
I will share only a portion of this visit. The visit in it's fullness can be found here: 3 Nephi 8 through 23 -
After the Savior Appeared to the Americas; He spent time teaching them of his gospel.


 1. Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my time is at hand.

2. I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
3. Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again.
4. But now I go unto the Father, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.
5. And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
6. And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.
7.Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
8. For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.
9. And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.
10. And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.
11. And it came to pass that he commanded that their little children should be brought.
12. So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.
13. And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground.
14. And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.
15. And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.
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.
18. And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome.
19. And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise.
20. And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And anow behold, my joy is full.
21. And when he had said these words, he awept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and bblessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
22. And when he had done this he wept again;
23. And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

24. And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.
25. And the multitude did see and ahear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know that the Prophet Joseph Smith restored the gospel and translated the Book of Mormon. I love reading the Book of Mormon and know that it is true.
I know that we have a living Prophet today; President Thomas S. Monson.
I know that the Savior loves all of us. He is the Savior of the World. He will return again.

9 comments:

Marie Rayner said...

Beautiful post Leanne. I am so very grateful for my testimony of the church and the truth of the Book of Mormon. It truly is life changing and life enriching. xxoo

Susan Anderson said...

I'm glad you thought to add this part of the beautiful Easter story.

=)

Darlene said...

How fortunate those youth were to have you two teaching them at Youth Conference. You are so spiritual, LeAnn and I love that about you. This whole post was truly beautiful.

Shauna said...

Love it! Hope you are having an amazing day! Shauna from http://www.trying2staycalm.com/

Ardith Haws said...

What a gorgeous and powerful blog! What a blessing to be here. Thank you, and thank you for following Ardith's Quest. It is nice to find others that understand who I am and what I am trying to do.

Ardith
http://www.ardithsquest.blogspot.com

Dolly said...

Love this part of the Book of Mormon-especially since the Lamanites are of my lineage. I feel so close to the Savior when I read these words. My husband has been called into YM's-and our stake is doing this Live program also:) Wish I could of heard you speak!

As Sistas in Zion said...

What an awesome Youth Conference. Thank you for sharing your testimony of the Gospel and of the Book of Mormon.

asliceofsmithlife said...

So glad you are having a blessed Easter season with family and friends! Thank you for linking up to NOBH!

Jocelyn Christensen said...

That is so neat! I love that you dressed up and what an awesome presentation!~!! Happy Easter and thanks again for all of your wonderful comments!!! I am always excited to read what you have to say!