3 Nephi 19

This chapter is about prayer. The word prayer is mentioned at least 24 times in this chapter. At the end of chapter 18, the Savior ascended into heaven. While he is gone, the first thing the people did was spend the night spreading the word to others about the Savior's visit. People hurried to the temple because the Savior was returning. It says a huge number of people came from the surrounding regions to be there. In the Savior's absence, the people are told they should prayer. What they prayed for is the key to this chapter and that key is the Holy Ghost. Why would they pray for the Holy Ghost? Well having heard the voice of the Father, having seen the Savior and listened to him, they know that to have this kind of communication continue after this is all over, they must have the Holy Ghost because revelation only comes through the Holy Ghost.

So the first thing that has to happen is they must be baptized. Nephi and the 12 take care of this and then give the Gift of the Holy Ghost to the people. Once this is done, the Savior appears again and he commands the people to kneel and pray again. He doesn't tell them what to pray for, and even though they prayed "without ceasing... they did not multiply many words. This tells me two things. One, you don't have to say a lot. The Lord answers to feelings as much as to words. And two, they were listening because they were seeking revelation. We can only receive revelation if we are listening for it.

As they pray, they are consumed in light and their countenances and clothes are as white as the Savior and his apparel. Angels appear and as this happens, the Lord prays and thanks the Father that the people have believed and been sanctified. They are pure inside and out. Now it should be remembered that these people were basically the righteous and had endured persecutions and threats of death because of their faith. They had proven their worthiness. There are a large number of accounts that tell how people saw the Prophet Joseph Smith appear to be filled with light, to be white in the same manner when he was receiving revelations or having visions. There are accounts of other prophets in the Bible and Book of Mormon being white and filled with light. The lesson for me is, while this is an unusual occasion in the Book of Mormon, the promise of sanctification is there for all of us. The difference for us is, it's a lifetime process. The great thing is, the journey is as rewarding as the goal. But here are some examples of the promises:
"If you keep my commandments, you shall receive of his (the Father's) fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father."
"If your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light... and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things."
"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:
"My presence shall be there (the temple), for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into shall see God."

Think of the Nephites in chapter 19 as you read this next verse from the D&C:
"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."