Today I read 3 Nephi 23 which is a very short chapter but it highlights how important the scriptures are. The bulk of this chapter is taken up by the Savior reviewing the scriptures that the Nephites have kept I assume for accuracy. The Savior comes across the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite and finds that some of his prophecies had not been written.
I have often wondered why the Savior made such a big deal out of making sure the prophecies were recorded as He instructed them to. A few thoughts come to mind on it. First, it was a commandment of the Lord so it must be obeyed. Now the Lord of course already knew that Samuel had made the prophecy in question and that it had been fulfilled, this is one of those questions that is asked to get the listener to think for themselves instead of the speaker just telling them.
The second thought that comes to mind as to why the Savior would have cared if that particular prophecy was recorded is because this is the first time in the history of the human race that resurrection has occurred. This is still a very new thing for them and it proves the veracity of not only Samuel's words but ALL the prophets words from the beginning. The people had never seen Jesus before and even though they knew from the prophecies that He was a resurrected being, I think it might have made just as powerful, if not a more powerful, impact on the saints to see someone they read about from their own culture or perhaps even someone they previously knew rise from the dead. Think about it, which would be more impactful to you, having Winston Churchill appear to you, or George Washington? Moses or Joseph Smith? The one you can relate to more is going to have the most impact on you.
The final, and probably correct, thought is to show the fulfillment of prophecy. Have you ever realized that our entire existence is actually contingent upon one very, important yet very small fact? All of creation hinges upon one simple fact, God keeping His word. If God goes back on His word, even once, He will cease to be God, and guess what happens to the rest of us? Yup, that's right, that's all she wrote! So I think that anytime God can reaffirm to us that He always keeps His word is a very, very good thing. And this particular scripture reaffirms not only Samuel's prophecy, but all the prophets who ever taught about resurrection. So it is actually quite significant.
The one thing we can most definitely take away from this chapter is that the Lord cares about the scriptures. He cares that we read them, He cares what is in them because they are written for us, not for Him. If we don't take them and study them, it's like taking an open book exam without your book! Why do it? It's silly. Use your cheat sheet and make this life as easy, and enjoyable, as possible. For sure I can promise you that if you don't use them, you will have some tough questions to answer for once this life is over and you stand before the Savior. No one wants to be asked why we did not take advantage of the scriptures. And I can also promise you that the more you immerse yourself in them, the more you will enjoy them! Until tomorrow.
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