A Major Theme of the Book of Mormon
An Introduction to the Coming Book:
“The Presence of Christ - Receiving the Second Comforter”
The Second Comforter is both the presence of Jesus Christ with you continuously along with occasional visitations by Jesus Christ. This is our privilege after we have received our Calling and Election made sure. (This is discussed in detail in a future book.)
One of the main themes and challenges of the Book of Mormon is that each of us should receive our Calling and Election made sure and the Second Comforter.
This is why the prophets and apostles today preach so adamantly that we must study the scriptures-especially the Book of Mormon; because it will teach us how to come unto Christ [Second Comforter].
This is also why Joseph Smith testified,
“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book,” - Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ed. B. H. Roberts, 2nd ed. rev. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1957), 4:461
Joseph literally meant that we would get near to God because we would meet him and receive the Second Comforter!
The Book of Mormon is littered with examples of people receiving or telling us they have received these great gifts.
Nephi received it at a very young age and so did his brother Jacob:
"And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.
And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words." - 2 Nephi 11:2-3
Mormon saw the Savior when he was only fifteen:
“And I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus." - Mormon 1:15
Of course, the classic story of the Brother of Jared when he receives the Second Comforter is found in Ether 3. We will include Moroni's summary of the incident:
"And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting.
Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him." – Ether 3:19-20
Moroni goes on to prophecy concerning the day when the Book of Ether should be brought forth to us. This is a personal challenge to us from the Lord through Moroni,
"And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are." : Ether 4:7
So we are to exercise faith and strive to receive the same revelations that the Brother of Jared received, which assuredly includes receiving the Second Comforter.
A less known witness and receiver of these blessings is Emer, a Jaredite king,.
"And after he had anointed Coriantum to reign in his stead he lived four years, and he saw peace in the land; yea, and he even saw the Son of Righteousness, and did rejoice and glory in his day; and he died in peace." - Ether 9:22
In Ether 12, Moroni testifies that many saw Christ before he came in the flesh:
"And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad." – Ether 12:19
In Moroni’s closing remarks of this great and powerful book, he adds his final witness saying,
“And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood.
And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things;" Ether 12:38-39
We hope that you may soon join your voice with us and these many witnesses in testifying of Christ having also become a firsthand witness.
All these blessings are within your reach. You have but only to seek the Lord and let Him guide you out of darkness to the tree of life. This is your inherent right as a child of God, if you will only look and live.