Having the Eyes to See

Back in 2020 I read the story of Lucy Mack Smith where she fell down the stairs, received a concussion and lost her eyesight.  She requested a blessing but because she had worn glasses, she asked that instead of restoring her eyesight to what it was, that she receive perfect vision. Her blessing was granted and she never needed glasses again.  When I read that story the Holy Ghost moved me to ask for the same blessing of perfect vision. As I prayed I was told that I will receive this blessing once I have the eyes to see.

In the last 3 years I have acted in faith and tried to understand what it means to have the eyes to see and due to my troubling eyesight have been looking forward to this blessing with much anticipation. Today I would like to share some of the things I've learnt and my hope is that if you're not already, that you will join me in this journey to have the eyes to see.

As we study the laws and doctrines of the gospel and grow in knowledge and faith, the Holy Ghost will show us all things we should do (2 Nephi 32:5). Another word for show is reveal, Joseph Smith taught that a man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 231, 217) and so I have come to understand that as I study the Lord will reveal to me through the Holy Ghost those things that I should do to receive exaltation. 

Elder Bednar shared in the October 2019 General Conference, "Focusing our lives on the Saviour and His gospel enables us to….. be 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." (Watchful unto Prayer Continually)

Adam and Eves eyes were opened due to their transgression. We know the principle of opposition in all things but how much have we internalized this? Elder Holland taught us in the 2013 Mormon message entitled Wrong Roads that opposition can be the quickest way to the right road. The roads of valuable experience are designed to build our faith but so often we lament when we are on them.

Elder Wirthlin in his 2008 talk "Come What May and Love it" taught us that having an eternal perspective and understanding the law of compensation is vital. He said "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."

In Jeremiah (5:21)we read that the "foolish have eyes and see not", knowing how God works and having a "correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes" enables us to have the faith to see things as they really are. (Lecture third, Lectures on Faith) This knowledge leads us to follow the Lord’s direction in obedience and love.

Knowing the mind of God is fundamental to becoming like Him. As Pres Kimball said, the spiritual laws of today must be obeyed if blessings are to be realized. As we study and learn, the Holy Ghost will teach us line upon line, precept upon precept and as we hearken unto the Lord's counsel we will learn wisdom and be given more knowledge until we comprehend all things. (2 Nephi 28:30)

In D&C 88:67 we read:

And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.

In Matthew 6:22:

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light

D&C 88:11

And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;

And D&C 76:12

Joseph Smith shares, "by the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God".

The eye reflects our capability to see God and know and understand who He really is. As we keep our eyes solely focussed on Him rather than giving our attention to the world, we will receive His light. Light is knowledge and truth. Light is Jesus Christ.

In Isaiah 33:6 we read

And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of Zion, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.

Here we understand that wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability or foundation of Zion and those that fear or love and obey the Lord are His treasure.

In the Book of Mormon Jarom(1:3-4) is sharing his struggle with the people who had blindness of mind and in D&C 121 the Lord is speaking to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail and telling him He(the Lord) will blind the minds of the wicked so they will not understand his marvelous workings. Moroni in Ether 4:15 teaches us when we rend the veil of unbelief, which causes a blindness of mind, we will receive Ether's marvelous workings.

Even though we might accurately judge the wicked for their blindness of mind, we too will be relieved of our blindness when we receive the sealed portion of the gold plates. How do we rend the veil of unbelief? Through our faith and obedience. (Ether 4:7)

In 1 Chronicles 28:9 we read, to know the Father is to serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. It takes humility to be willing to open our hearts and minds, and this is exactly what we will need to do to live celestial law, receive the promised blessings and dwell in Zion. As we study the words of our Prophets, past and present, we can see that we are being prepared for this and more.

In 2022 Pres Nelson taught:

"But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory,” He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful."

"One crucial element of this gathering is preparing a people who are able, ready, and worthy to receive the Lord when He comes again, a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this fallen world, a people who rejoice in their agency to live the higher, holier laws of Jesus Christ. I call upon you, my dear brothers and sisters, to become this righteous people."

(Overcome the World and Find Rest)

In Doctrine and Covenants we read:

68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.

In the beginning of receiving this revelation I was madly trying to learn how to have the eyes to see so I could receive the blessing of perfect eyesight. However in my study I have come to learn that having the eyes to see is actually to receive the promised blessings made to covenant Israel, namely the blessing of receiving Zion, receiving the Saviour on earth and receiving exaltation. 

I know as we demonstrate our faith and obedience our eyes will be opened and our blindness will be healed. We will participate in the redemption of Zion, abide in celestial law and prepare for the Millennium. As a result, we will eventually receive the best blessing of all; to be ordained a member of the Church of the first-born.

As I do all I can to prepare, it is my joy to help others open their eyes to the coming events to also receive the Lord's marvelous works and glory. I am grateful for the gift of sight. I am grateful to be on this journey with each of you and I pray that we may continue in faith and obedience, knowledge and wisdom and in strength and power so that we may be counted as the Lord's treasure, ready to receive all he has for us.