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Look!

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Audio: "Look!"
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My friends, I love you. I feel the weight of this opportunity. I pray for and invite the Holy Ghost to teach us as I share a message with you today.

In 1 Nephi 11–14, Nephi sees and speaks with the Spirit of Lord. In these chapters, he also receives a repeating invitation—13 times in fact. The simple, single-word command was to “look”!

Nephi was perfectly obedient to each command as he consistently replied, “And I looked.”

Have you ever considered what Nephi would have missed out on and how it may have even changed his life and testimony had he not “looked” and seen in vision the many things that were revealed to him?

He would have missed seeing in vision:

  • Mary, and the birth of baby Jesus. [1]
  • Christ’s personal ministry to the children of men. [2]
  • John the Baptist baptizing Christ, and the Holy Ghost descending upon the Savior in the form of a dove. [3]
  • The original Twelve Apostles called by Jesus Christ. [4]
  • Angels descending out of heaven and ministering to the children of men. [5]
  • The Savior performing miracles by healing the sick and afflicted and casting out devils and unclean spirits. [6]
  • Christ being judged of the world. [7]
  • Christ being lifted up on the cross and slain for the sins of the world. [8]
  • The persecution of the Apostles. [9]
  • Multitudes gathered together in the promised land. [10]
  • Wars and rumors of war—destruction. [11]
  • The resurrected Christ showing himself to multitudes of people. [12]
  • Apostasy and pride. [13]
  • The restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. [14]

And much more, as Nephi wrote that these were “a small part of the things [he] saw.” [15]

Again, can you imagine the impact seeing those things in vision must have had on young Nephi? Consider the influence for good that taking the time to look has had or could have in your life.

My hope is that we will follow Nephi’s example by praying and seeking for—the “desire to behold.” [16] In other words, strive to have the eyes to see the Lord at work in your life.

I invite you to: Look Back, Look Around, Look Up, and Look Unto Christ.

Look Back

Let’s begin with my first invitation: Look Back.

If you are anything like me, oftentimes it is hard to recognize the Lord’s hand while in the wild whirlwinds of life. In the wild whirlwinds, I will often find myself asking, ”Why?,” “Why me?,” or, “Why is this happening?” For me, and I suspect you, many of these questions go unanswered. However, when the whirlwinds ease to a calmer breeze, and I choose to look back, I can more clearly see and better understand the “why.” I can see that the Lord was and is a very active Architect in my life. Looking back helps us see the many tender mercies the Lord has blessed us with. When I fail to look back, I risk feeling alone, confused, or frustrated, or becoming too self-reliant. Remembering and recognizing the Lord at work in our lives helps us move forward in faith as we know He will help us in the future because He has in the past.

Elder Robert D. Hales taught, “As we stand atop any peak, let us enjoy the moment of satisfaction in the present. Look at the remarkable view and the progress we have made. Then turn around to see what new peaks are now in sight and set a course to climb higher in the future. When we do this, we see clearly how the achievement of one goal paves the way to higher achievement in the future. Looking back and contemplating the sacrifice and hard work that were required to achieve past goals, we gain confidence and determination that we can do more and climb even higher.” [17]

Look Around

My second invitation is to: Look Around.

A wise district president once taught President Henry B. Eyring when he was a young man that “when you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble, and you will be right more than half the time.” [18]

However, before we meet someone, we need to notice them, we need to see them.

Matthew 13:16 reads, “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.”

Elder Boyd K. Packer has counseled, “If all you know is what you see with your natural eyes and hear with your natural ears, then you will not know very much.” [19]

We need to pray and seek for the spiritual gifts to have eyes that see and ears to hear.

Elder Bednar has shared that “as we are blessed with eyes to see and ears to hear, the Holy Ghost can increase our capacity to look and listen when we may not typically think we need to look or listen or when we may not think anything can be seen or heard.” [20]

The following experience shared by Sister Michelle D. Craig, former first counselor in the Young Women's General Presidency teaches us so well about praying to see things that we may not normally see:

“As I pray for the Lord to open my eyes to see things I might not normally see, I often ask myself two questions and pay attention to the impressions that come: What am I doing that I should stop doing? And what I am not doing that I should start doing?

“Some time ago, during the sacrament, I asked myself these questions and was surprised by the impression that came: Stop looking at your phone when you are waiting in lines. Looking at my phone in lines had become almost automatic. I found it a good time to multitask, catch up on email, look at headlines, or scroll through a social media feed. …

“The next morning, I found myself waiting in a line at the store. I pulled out my phone, and then remembered the impression I had received. I put my phone away and looked around. I saw an elderly gentleman in line ahead of me. His cart was empty except for a few cans of cat food. I felt a little awkward but said something really clever like, ‘I can see you have a cat.’ He said that a storm was coming, and he did not want to be caught without cat food. We visited briefly, and then he turned to me and said, ‘You know, I haven’t told anyone this, but today is my birthday.’ My heart melted. I wished him a happy birthday and offered a silent prayer of thanks that I had not been on my phone and missed an opportunity to truly see and connect with another person who needed it.

“With all of my heart, I do not want to be like those in the parable of the good Samaritan. Those who see a need, but then pass by. But too often, I think I am.

“I witness that Jesus Christ loves us and can give us eyes to see. Even when it’s hard, even when we’re tired, even when we’re lonely, and even when the outcomes are not as we hoped, through His grace He will bless us and increase our capacity.

“Through the power of the Holy Ghost, Christ will enable us to see ourselves and see others as He does. With His help, we can discern what is most needful. We can begin to see the hand of the Lord working in and through the ordinary details of our lives. We will see deeply.” [21]

I invite you to pray and seek for the eyes to see—then look around, and serve someone in need.

Look Up

My third invitation is to: Look Up.

Elder Uchtdorf has shared, “My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most.” [22]

Elder Carl B. Cook has also taught us well about Looking Up:

“At the end of a particularly tiring day toward the end of my first week as a General Authority, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question ‘How can I possibly do this?’ I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building. As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor.

“The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, ‘What are you looking at down there?’ I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson.

“I quickly looked up and responded, ‘Oh, nothing.’ (I’m sure that clever response inspired confidence in my abilities!)

“But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, ‘It is better to look up!’ As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, ‘Now, remember, it is better to look up.’

“As we parted, the words of a scripture came to mind: ‘Believe in God; believe that he is … ; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth.’ As I thought of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s power, my heart found the comfort I had sought in vain from the floor of that descending elevator.

“Since then I have pondered this experience and the role of prophets. I was burdened and my head was down. As the prophet spoke, I looked to him. He redirected my focus to look up to God, where I could be healed and strengthened through Christ’s Atonement. That is what prophets do for us. They lead us to God.” [23]

Elder Cook went on to explain that “President Monson’s encouragement to look up is a metaphor for remembering Christ. As we remember Him and trust in His power, we receive strength through His Atonement. It is the means whereby we can be relieved of our anxieties, our burdens, and our suffering. It is the means whereby we can be forgiven and healed from the pain of our sins. It is the means whereby we can receive the faith and strength to endure all things.” [24]

Look Unto Christ

This leads us to my fourth and final invitation: Look Unto Christ.

One of many definitions for the word “look” is to direct one's gaze toward someone or something or in a specified direction, to think of or regard in a specified way. [25]

Let’s look back to the story of Peter when he left the ship into the troubled waters and walked towards the Lord. Of this account, Elder Holland said, “While his eyes were fixed upon the Lord, the wind could toss his hair and the spray could drench his robes, but all was well—he was coming to Christ. It was only when his faith wavered and fear took control, only when he removed his glance from the Master to look at the furious waves and the ominous black gulf beneath, only then did he begin to sink into the sea.” [26]

Please consider the following questions: How do you look to the Lord? Do you look to Him with faith? Are you directing your gaze towards Him or is it being directed to someone or something else? How do you think of or regard Him?

The youth theme for 2025 is Look Unto Christ.

In Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, the Lord invites us: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”

Let’s look unto Christ. You and I cannot save ourselves—no matter how hard we might try. After our very best righteous efforts to be and do good—it is still only Jesus that saves. It is only through His grace, the enabling and strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that we can transform into a new creature by putting off the natural man and becoming a saint.

Elder Bednar has taught, “I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities.” [27]

“Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints—for good men and women who are obedient and worthy and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully.” [28]

I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is for you and for me—a group of sinners striving to become saints. He and heaven will help us.

My hope and prayer is that the Holy Ghost will help us to have eyes that see, eyes that “look!”—and that we can say, like Nephi, “I looked.” Look Back, Look Around, Look Up and Look Unto Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.


Notes

[1] 1 Nephi 11:13, 20.

[2] 1 Nephi 11:24.

[3] 1 Nephi 11:27.

[4] 1 Nephi 11:29.

[5] 1 Nephi 11:30.

[6] 1 Nephi 11:31.

[7] 1 Nephi 11:32.

[8] 1 Nephi 11:33.

[9] 1 Nephi 11:34.

[10] 1 Nephi 12:1.

[11] 1 Nephi 12:2.

[12] 1 Nephi 12:6.

[13] 1 Nephi 13:4.

[14] 1 Nephi 14:5.

[15] 1 Nephi 14:28.

[16] 1 Nephi 11:3.

[17] Robert D. Hales, Return, 372.

[18] Henry B. Eyring, “In the Strength of the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2004.

[19] David A. Bednar, “Quick to Observe,” BYU Speeches, May 2005.

[20] David A. Bednar, x.com/BednarDavidA/status/1180623159956889600, May 2005.

[21] Michelle Craig, “Pray for Eyes to See as He Sees,” YouTube, August 27, 2021, youtube.com/watch?v=5oGvNVX3C2o; Michelle Craig, “Eyes to See,” Ensign or Liahona, November 2020, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/14craig.

[22] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Things That Matter Most,” Ensign or Liahona, November 2010.

[23] Carl B. Cook, “It Is Better to Look Up,” Ensign or Liahona, November 2011.

[24] Carl B. Cook, “It Is Better to Look Up.”

[25] https://www.google.com/search?q=definition+of+look

[26] Jeffrey R. Holland, “Broken Things to Mend,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006.

[27] David A. Bednar, “In the Strength of the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, November 2001.

[28] David A. Bednar, “In the Strength of the Lord.”