During the Saviors mortal ministry “he went about doing good”1. Some of the notable deeds that he performed was with people who were sick and afflicted both in body and in spirit. The scriptures talks about the miracles that was performed by Him. We read about a blind man receiving his sight2, we read about a deaf being healed 3 and we also read about Him opening the understanding of his apostles. In speaking to his apostle he said “Therefore speak I unto them in parables, because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.”4
This scripture made me to ponder the challenge we have in seeing, hearing and understanding. The Apostle Paul in writing to the Corinthians said “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”5 How could this scripture help us see?
We as mortal beings are subjected to seeing things as temporal and not eternal. Our life will become more meaningful if we take this counsel from Paul to our hearts. We will attend our sacrament, priesthood and other meetings more diligently. We will show our zeal in attending all meetings irrespective of the presiding authority. We all need the healing touch of the Savior to open our eyes that are blind to the things of eternity. If we show our faith and seek His hands to touch our eyes, we will surely be able to receive sight and see the things which are not seen.
The opening words of this last dispensation to Joseph Smith is “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”6. The counsel to hearken closely to the commandments and the word of God will lead to eternal life and exaltation. Moses counsels Joshua and all Israel to be strong and of good courage. He said “Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law” 7 Listening, hearing and pondering the word of God will bless us with increased understanding of the gospel and will help us learn his ways. The key is to prepare ourselves and our ears to be sensitive to the still small voice, so that by hearing we can still “HEAR”
hearIn conclusion I want to touch on the piece: of understanding. This usually is a final outcome if we see and hear properly. Paul again in writing to the Corinthians said “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” 8 Abinadi in rebuking the priests of King Noah said “And now, did they understand the law? I say unto you, Nay, they did not all understand the law; and this because of the hardness of their hearts; for they understood not that there could not any man be saved except it were through the redemption of God. 9 As we soften our hearts and learn to understand like men we will be able to understand and be edified. It is my prayer that we may do so in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Notes:
- Acts 10:38
- John 9:1-7
- Mark 7:32-35
- Mathew 13:13
- 2 Corinthians 4:18
- Joseph smith history 1:17
- Deuteronomy 31:12
- 1 Corinthians 14:20
- Mosiah:13:32