2 Nephi 11

I guess I had in my mind today that this chapter is short, so I kept putting off writing, because I had read it really quick this morning, so I didn't really think that it would take that long, so here I am, bathed in personal problems with my kids, and I only have about 10 minutes to make this happen. I waited too long and got distracted. Clearly put, I didn't make it a priority tonight, and I should have. This is an interesting chapter to me because, up until my reading this time, I had only considered Jacob as a child still, or very young and immature in the gospel at most, because unlike Nephi, we don't really watch him grow up or see how he matures and learns, which he clearly does. But to suddenly hear "for (Isaiah) verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him. And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seem him." The IM talks about the witness of 3 to establish the Lord's doctrine, and here is is done, only 30 or so chapters into the Book of Mormon, the testimony of the 3 is set forth. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland teaches that "by the time one has read Nephi, Jacob, and Isaiah in these first pages, a strong foundation has been laid for what Nephi called 'the doctrine of Christ." It makes me wonder, just how many people have seen Jesus in the history of time. How generous is the Lord with showing himself? I want to see him, not to prove anything, but just to say hi, and that I love him, and to learn more. But then again, there's a lot of responsibility that comes with seeing him and I think that's pretty scary to me. When Nephi says that he "delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ," I wonder what he considers proof. Is he referencing spiritual confirmations, is he talking about study and analysis of the scriptures? Elder Dallin H. Oaks is quoted in the IM as saying "I wonder if we fully appreciate the enormous significance of our belief in a literal, universal resurrection. The assurance of immortality is fundamental to our faith. The Prophet Joseph Smith declared: 'The fundamental principles of our religion are... that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things... are only appendages to it.'" This is true, but so very simple, and probably easy to overlook in the complexity of every other issue, but this is truly the most vital aspect of our religion and really our purpose of life.