It was John who recorded the words of the Savior to two disciples of John the Baptist who wanted to learn more about Him. When they asked, “Rabbi, where dwellest thou?” Jesus responded, “Come and see” (John 1:39). It was about 4PM, and they accompanied Him to His house and spent the rest of the day with Him.
He certainly could have simply answered the question, but He knew that they were looking for something more than information. They were looking for engagement. They wanted to have some firsthand experience with Him, to spend time with Him and get to know Him better.
The next day, Philip extended the same invitation to his friend Nathanael. “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” asked Nathanael. Rather than answer the question directly, Philip said simply, “Come and see” (John 1:46).
So John was familiar with this phrase when he heard it repeatedly during his vision on the Isle of Patmos. As he watched the Lamb of God open multiple seals on a book, four heavenly beings invited him to experience for himself the meaning of each seal with the words, “Come and see” (Revelation 6:1, 3, 5, 7).
In the Book of Mormon, Nephi describes a similar vision, narrated by an angel. The angel doesn’t use the phrase “Come and see,” but thirteen times in that vision, the angel or the Holy Ghost says to Nephi, “Look!” (See 1 Nephi 11-14.)
When I’m teaching, whether in a classroom or in an informal setting, I love answering questions. When I have experience with a topic that is confusing or unfamiliar to one of my students, I’m excited to share what I know and give them the information that has been useful to me.
But thinking about John’s and Nephi’s visions, providing direct answers to questions may not always be the optimal teaching technique. Instead of simply delivering information, it may be more effective to guide students through a process of discovery, inviting them to observe and experience things for themselves.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf added two additional invitations to the one shared by John:
- “Come and see! Find out for yourself how walking the path of discipleship will be rewarding and ennobling.”
- “Come and help, as we try to make the world a better place.”
- “Come and stay! We are your brothers and sisters. We are not perfect. We trust God and seek to keep His commandments. Join with us, and you will make us better. And, in the process, you will become better as well. Let’s take this adventure together.”
(“Your Great Adventure,” General Conference, October 2019, emphasis added)
Today, I will extend invitations. I will look for ways to help others experience things that will help them learn, grow and find joy. I will remember that a direct answer to a question may be less valuable than an invitation to observe and to act.