“Behold, Thou Art Nephi” – Helaman 10:6

I’ve been thinking this week about a simple statement in an 1829 revelation directed to David Whitmer. After affirming who was speaking (“Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God”), the Lord affirmed whom He was talking to:

And behold, thou art David, and thou art called to assist; which thing if ye do, and are faithful, ye shall be blessed both spiritually and temporally, and great shall be your reward. 

Doctrine and Covenants 14:11, italics added (See also Doctrine and Covenants 3:9-10, 11:23.)

This passage reminded me of two other passages of scripture, one in the Book of Mormon, and the other in the New Testament:

After preaching the gospel to his cynical neighbors, the prophet Nephi participated in a miracle which left them with no doubt of his power. However, even after this experience, they ignored him, “leaving Nephi alone, as he was standing in the midst of them” (Helaman 10:1). As he walked back toward his house, discouraged, he heard the voice of the Lord, praising him for his “unwearyingness” and fearlessness in declaring God’s word. Then, the Lord said, “Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God.” (Helaman 10:6, italics added). What a powerful reminder of Nephi’s worth and of God’s awareness of him.

During His mortal ministry, Jesus gathered His disciples and asked them what other people were saying about Him? After hearing their answers, He asked, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter immediately responded with his personal testimony: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirmed that Peter had learned this truth by revelation. Then He said, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church…and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:13-19, italics added).

These three passages are a powerful reminder that God is mindful of us, that He knows our names, that He knows what we are capable of, and that He is willing to let us help Him accomplish His work.

Today, I will remember that God knows me personally. I will be grateful for the trust He has placed in me, and I will strive to live up to that trust.