Sep 22, 2024

Jesus Teaching in the Western Hemisphere by John Scott

In an 1884 discourse to the Saints, President Wilford Woodruff said, “There [is] no higher calling on the face of the earth than to become a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Each of us has opportunities to witness the Savior. The people in 3 Nephi 11 had the special experience of physically witnessing Him. Jesus Christ appeared to the people and invited them to “arise and come forth” to Him so they could know for themselves that He was their Savior (3 Nephi 11:14). Although we are not physically with Jesus, He taught us many ways we can come unto Him in 3 Nephi 8–11. 

First, we can come unto the Savior through repentance. Jesus Christ invites us to come unto Him with “a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 9:20). I feel most connected with my Redeemer when I come to Him with a sincere and humble heart, ready to accept His help as I strive to become better. 

Second, recognizing the hand of the Lord in our lives connects us with heaven. Christ invites us to consider His influence: “How oft have I gathered you . . . and have nourished you” (3 Nephi 10:4). With a million things shouting for our attention, it is often difficult in our busy lives to recognize Jesus Christ. As I take time to pray, study the scriptures, or express gratitude, I am more aware of the Lord’s nourishment and His awareness of me. He is in the details! 

Finally, we can come unto Christ through personal revelation. Before the Savior descended from heaven in 3 Nephi 11, Heavenly Father introduced Him, and it took the people three times to hear and understand God’s voice (3 Nephi 11:3–8).Our own personal revelation can be very similar. Practice and time can help us tune in to the Spirit and understand what the Lord wants us to know. As we become more experienced in understanding and receiving revelation, we come to Christ.

I know that we will experience so much joy as we “arise and come forth” to the Savior (3 Nephi 11:14). He loves us and knows us, and we can deepen our testimonies of His love as we repent, recognize His hand in our life, and seek personal revelation. 

Kamryn Maughan is studying Family Life at Brigham Young University. She joined the Wilford Woodruff Papers and was drawn to its mission to deepen and strengthen faith through President Woodruff’s documents and history. Kamryn has a big, loving family who she recently reunited with after serving in Oklahoma as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loves hiking, playing card games, and watching movies with her family and friends. 

The Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation’s mission is to digitally preserve and publish Wilford Woodruff’s eyewitness account of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make his records universally accessible in order to inspire all people, especially the rising generation, to study and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, please explore