Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery described the Savior using biblical imagery: eyes like fire, hair like the snow, a countenance like the sun, and a voice like great waters. These metaphors remind us that the Savior knows us perfectly, that He is pure and holy, that He radiates light, and that He speaks with power.
Blessed by God’s Mercy
In the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer, Joseph Smith repeatedly pled for mercy. A week later, the Savior promised to manifest Himself in mercy in His house. We find mercy in the temple through covenants which bind us to God, sealing ordinances which unite us with our families, and a deeper appreciation for our Father's plan.
Accepted of the Lord
God loves all of His children perfectly. We please Him when we are humble, when we repent, and when we make every sacrifice He asks of us. In that way, we prepare for the ultimate manifestation of His acceptance—to be welcomed into His presence.
Receiving Gifts from God
Elder Patrick Kearon taught that receiving a gift is more than accepting it. It includes valuing it, putting it to use, and strengthening our relationship with the giver. Jesus was a good receiver of gifts from the Father, and we can follow His example, receiving grace for grace until we receive a fulness.
Seeing the Face of God
The first verse of Doctrine and Covenants 93 lays out a simple formula: Those who follow Christ will come to know Him. He promises that we will "see [His] face and know that [He is]," which implies far more than being in His presence. It means that we will understand and recognize Him.
Beautiful Garments
Isaiah expressed the joy he wanted his people to feel by encouraging them to "put on [their] beautiful garments." The phrase appears several times in the Book of Mormon and in Doctrine and Covenants 82. God wants us to celebrate our bright futuree. Temple worship and covenants can help us prepare for the Savior's return.
The Stone Cut Out Without Hands
Nebuchadnezzar saw a stone cut from a mountain without hands that grew until it filled the earth. In modern revelation, the Lord identified that stone as the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Book of Mormon authors labored over that stone, writing to “the ends of the earth,” although their efforts seemed small at the time.
Reason and Revelation
God invites His disciples to blend sound judgment with spiritual direction. Nephi and Moroni taught that we can learn "all things" from the Holy Ghost, yet Jacob teaches us to "be wise." D&C 62:8 fuses these concepts, encouraging us to decide “according to judgment and the direction of the Spirit.” This combination facilitates spiritual growth.
Unspotted
James urges us to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. In modern revelation, the Lord explains that regular worship enables us to "more fully" keep ourselves unspotted. Moroni describes a process in which we intentionally "deny [ourselves] of all ungodliness," inviting God's grace to sanctify us, so that we eventually "become holy, without spot."
“Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts”
Paul, Moroni, and the Savior encourage us to seek spiritual gifts. Moroni in particular urges us to "deny not the gifts of God," or in other words, "Don't turn away the gifts God is giving you." Many of President Nelson's invitations are essentially encouraging us to accept the gifts God is offering to us.