"Arise and Come Forth Unto Me"

In the Book of Mormon there is a touching account of Christ's visit to the American continent.  It is shortly after His ressurection and ascension into heaven.  The Nephites and Lamanites had just been through terrible hardships.  There were many eathquakes, fires, and other natural disasters and a great darkness covered the land the entire time.  All the survivors gathered around the temple.  While they were there Jesus Christ appeared to them.  Shortly after He arrived, Christ invited the entire multitude to "Arise ad come forth unto [Him]" (3 Nephi 11:14).  Accepting his invitation, the entire crowd, one by one, approached Christ and felt the prints in His hands and side.  I love the reaction of the people, they "did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come" (3 Nephi 11:15).  These people knew Christ before He came to them.  They read the words of the prophets, they knew what He would be like. 

Jesus' plea, "arise and come forth unto me" is applicable to all of us today!  We must read of Him, learn of Him, and speak of Him.  We must arise from the darkness of sin, the confusion of the world, and the very real temptations of Satan.  We must understand our true potential and go forth unto Jesus Christ.  I know Christ lives!  As we learn more of Christ and truly "arise and come forth unto [Him]" we, as the Nephites  can "cry out with one accord saying, Hosanna!  Blessed be the nameof the Most High God!" (3 Nephi 11:16-17)