EVEN AS I

 

 

Towards the end of His visit the Saviour commanded the Nephites to record all their doings because out of the books that are written shall the people be judged ‘for by them all their works will be known unto men’ (3 Nephi 27:25).

He also mentioned that the Father likewise keeps a record of all our doings and the whole world will be judged by that which He has caused to be written (v 26).

The idea of being judged seems to bring up a negative connotation of fear as we reflect on all our failings and short comings. Rarely do we look forward to it because we want to be excited about our good works and good character coming before the Father….to bring Him joy……but this is exactly what the pursuit of our lives should be.

The Saviour himself said to the Nephites as He parted from them, that His joy was great, ‘even unto fulness’ and that ‘even the Father rejoiced and all the holy angels’, because none of that generation was lost (v 30,31). Our salvation is their joy and I surmise this is what they look forward to experiencing on Judgment Day…..and there is a reason for their hope.

The Saviour asked the Nephites a crucial question in connection with the judgment we will one day face: “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?” and then He answered: “Verily, I say unto you, even as I am” (v 27). Elder John M. Madsen of the Seventy had this to say about this answer:

“The meaning of the word OUGHT, as used in His question….is crucial to understanding His answer, “Even as I am”. The word OUGHT means ‘to be necessary’ or ‘to be held or bound in duty or moral obligation’…….., suggesting and the holy scriptures, ancient and modern, confirm – that it is ‘necessary’ and that we are ‘bound’, as by covenant, ‘to be’, as He declared, ‘even as I am’ (3 N 27:27; see also 3 N 12:48; Matt 5:48; 1 John 3:2; Moroni 7:48)” (in CR April 2002, Eternal Life Through Jesus Christ).

Being like the One ‘who, being in the form of God, took upon himself the form of a servant, and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient unto death’ assures us of a joyful judgment because He is the blue print, He is the map, He is the way….’wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father’ (Philippians 2:6-11).

We are bound to Him by covenant and He to us by the cross: “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands….” (Isaiah 49:16).

 

I sorrowed for Your pain

As You entered the Garden’s gate.

I sorrowed for it

As You hung on Calvary’s cross.

Now that our hearts beat as one,

I rejoice my soul will never to be lost. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Then Sings My Soul by LDS Art)