“And It Came to Pass”

Today’s article is the first in a three-part series:

1. The question

2. The answer

3. The reality. 

We will explore these over the next three blogs.

First, the question. 

“And it came to pass when Jesus had said these words, he spake unto his disciples, one by one, saying unto them: What is it that ye desire of me, after I am gone to the Father?” (3 Nephi 28:1)

Life is full of questions and choices or answers. One person makes approximately 35,000 choices in any given day, some very simple, some not-so simple, and some complicated.

There is always a Q&A going on in our lives and in our minds. Should I get up and move? Do I read or watch TV? Should I go to work? These are simple questions we ask ourselves each day. 

A little more complicated: How do I deal with a person who is bothering me? How do I solve a problem at work? Think about it—everything we do starts with a question that requires an answer. Our answers, whether audible or in the form of an action, tell us what we are going to do next from moment to moment.

Questions are made by groups as well as individuals. 

Some questions are open-ended and require a longer explanation. For example: What happened in church today? Closed questions require only a simple yes or no, such as: Did you like the sermon today? Sometimes we don’t answer the question…but that is actually an answer in itself.

In 3 Nephi 28, when Jesus asked His disciples on this land, “What is it you desire of me?”, it was an individual question asked of them, one by one, requiring an answer. Nine of them answered with a desire we all should have: “We desire that after we have lived unto the age of man, that our ministry, wherein thou hast called us, may have an end, that we may speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom.”(3 Nephi 28:2) 

Salvation! A place at the right hand of God for all eternity. The Apostle Paul said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). When our earthly work is done, we all want to be with Jesus in heaven forever. The disciples answered and Jesus responded, “You got it. When you turn 72, I’ll meet you in the kingdom.”

Great Answer!

Jesus said the nine were “blessed” in this answer and that this desire would be given them.

Then Jesus turned to the three who did not answer, those who were quiet and sorrowful in their hearts, thinking, “We could never ask Jesus for the thing we really want the most.” (But you can’t hide anything from Jesus.)

Now the Three’s Answer:

Jesus knew their thoughts and said, “Behold, I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me.

Therefore, MORE BLESSED are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven.” (3 Nephi 28:6-7)

Let’s put this in perspective: The year is 34 A.D. Almost 2,000 years ago, what were they really asking and what did the answer really mean? Never die. Live to see the working of God until Jesus comes again.

The question has been asked. 

The question has been answered. 

And in the next blog, we will find out what that answer means. 

Now, ask yourself some questions: More blessed? Never taste of death? See what God will do? Waiting until Jesus comes again?

Stay tuned, and don’t change that channel.

“And it came to pass.” (Well, not quite yet.)

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.