Appearances

He Will Appear strives to open horizons. It relates to promises made by Christ that he will manifest himself to his people in this life and the next. 'For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.' Job 19:25-27

Amazingly, God is inclined toward us at the very moment we are inclined toward him. 'Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me...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.' Doctrine and Covenants 88:63,68 Why then do we not seek the face of Jesus? Though we cannot choose how or when, striving to become one, through grace, who could see Christ is unspeakable. 'Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am.' Doctrine and Covenants 93:1

A place stands prepared. Sanctuaries built through ages have become monuments to man's attempt. Prophets climbed mountains. They met and spoke with God 'face to face, as a man speaketh with his friend.' Instructed, they built tabernacles or temples among their people. There they could invite others to come and meet with the Lord. 'Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.' Psalms 118:26 ... 'Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord...And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice...If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.' 2 Chronicles 7:11-15

In 1836 a temple was built at huge cost and sacrifice by a small community following Joseph Smith. In this building on 6 April 1836, Jesus Christ appeared saying, 'I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments...Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out.' Doctrine and Covenants 110:7-9

Writing this song, I felt it needed calm. His presence is peace. Time fades between phrases, our cares to one side. Fear flees in the face of hope. Hearts forgive. We love as he loves. The quiet testimony of this song is that Jesus lives as real as noon day. He will appear, he will speak, by his voice, to those who seek.

He will appear

He will speak

By his own voice

To those who seek

The heart of thousands will rejoice

As blessings pour out

In temples here

He will appear

He will fulfil

He will fight

From the dark

We see a light

Unhallowed hands cannot withstand

His power to bless you

Though battles sore

He conquers all

He will forgive

So forgive

Make me whole

Restore thy soul

Open hearts, come and see

He will forgive

He will fulfil

He will appear

References

Even to the rebellious he calls... 'Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by[His] name. [He has] spread out [His] hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts' (Isaiah 62:1-2).

'The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.' Malachi 3:1

'I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men. For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.' 1 Nephi 10:17-19

'The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught...my work shall go forth, for inasmuch as the knowledge of a Saviour has come unto the world, through the testimony of the Jews, even so shall the knowledge of a Saviour come unto my people' Doctrine & Covenants 3:1,16

'The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.' Isaiah 9:2

'I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.' Doctrine & Covenants 64:10