“The Newborn” by Georges de la Tour
Shared by Lauren Richie, Elliott Bay Ward
Much of 3 Nephi 1-3 deals with the danger the believers of Christ are in: the nonbelievers in Christ are rejoicing that the signs of the coming of Christ given to them by Samuel the Lamanite have passed and later (ch 1), the Gadianton Robbers are getting stronger and actively fighting against the people of God (ch 2-3). However, 3 Nephi 1:12-14 are some of the most beautiful, hopeful passages of scriptures. The believers are looking “steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night”, the sign that Jesus has been born. Nephi receives an answer from Christ: “Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand…on the morrow come I into the world.”
I’d like to think that the light reflected on the baby Jesus in this painting is reminiscent of the light the Nephites were experiencing. Christ is the light of the world, and there is no better metaphor for his mission, his teachings, and his entrance into the world. Are we praying steadfastly for the sisters in our community? The sisters and families we minister to? The work of the missionaries? We know that Jesus has come, pray for that light, and share it with others.
George de la Tour uses candlelight to illuminate his paintings, primarily focusing on religious paintings. Some of my favorite pieces by him are Joseph the Carpenter, The Education of the Virgin, and Nativity.
“Are You Sure” by The Staple Singers
Shared by Marni Campbell, Thornton Creek Ward
At the grand opening of 3 Nephi, on the verge of Christ’s long-awaited arrival to the people of the Book of Mormon, we read of uncertainty. The faithful are weary. They are fearful. They are impatient and uncertain, and they are persecuted, for while “the prophesies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully . . . but there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled . . . and they began to rejoice over their brethren saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been in vain.” (3 Nephi 1:4-5)
In this time of doubt, we read of the mighty prayer of Nephi, son of Nephi, on behalf of his people, a prayer that lasted “all that day,” after which the voice of the Lord comes saying, “Lift up your head and be of good cheer.”
It is this moment of joy, this command to be of good cheer, that connects me to the beautiful hymn in the gospel tradition recorded by the Staple Singers, “Are You Sure.”
Are you sure your prayers haven’t been answered? Now think, brother think.
But don’t you dare
Say the good Lord
Didn’t stop to hear you
He hears and sees
Everything you do
Stop right now
And take the inventory
You’ll come up
With a different story
Because He sees
Every move you make
Every wiggle of your head
Every wink of your eye
He sees
The laugh you’re laughing
And it’s His tears you cry
You may not know
How to pray
But He loves you
When you try
So raise your voices high
And the Lord will hear you!
Spotify link at: https://open.spotify.com/track/1paWB93HOc8W9RAZRooFg4
In our journey back to God we must enter by the gate. We must hold to the iron rod. We must pass through thresholds, doorways, dark nights, wave-tossed oceans, wildernesses, and bright sunrises. And through it all, our God reminds us to “be of good cheer,” for we are seen, known, loved, and Christ will come “to fulfill all things.” (3 Nephi 1:14) Let us bring this good cheer to all, particularly to those to whom we minister, and abide in the spirit of hope.
One by One 