Christ is Drawing Us Unto Him

“And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works” (3 Nephi 27:14-15).

What does it mean to be drawn unto Christ? Through Christ’s atoning sacrifice and resurrection, we will all be resurrected and brought back into His presence to be judged. However, Christ is drawing us unto Him not just to be resurrected and granted immortality, but that we might be blessed with eternal life, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God (D&C 14:7). “Eternal life is a gift of God given only to those who obey His gospel. It is the highest state that we can achieve. It comes to those who are freed from sin and suffering through the Atonement of Christ. It is exaltation, which means living with God forever in eternal families. It is to know God and Jesus Christ and to experience the life they enjoy” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service, Ch. 3, lesson 2).

In Doctrine and Covenants 19, God explains the meaning of eternal or endless punishment: “Behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore—Eternal punishment is God’s punishment. Endless punishment is God’s punishment” (D&C 19:10-12). If we apply this same meaning of “eternal” to the phrase “eternal life” it would follow that eternal life is God’s life. In other words, eternal life is the life of God. It is living as God lives and enjoying all of the blessings that He enjoys.

How does Christ draw all men unto Him? “According to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me” (3 Nephi 27:15). The power of the Father is the priesthood of God. “The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God...Through this power he redeems and exalts His children” (True to the Faith, p. 124). As priesthood holders, we act in the name of God to help bring to pass the “immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 3:19). We administer and participate in sacred priesthood ordinances to help others come unto Christ and receive the blessings of His Atonement.

What are some of the ways in which Christ draws us unto Him?

One priesthood ordinance that draws us to the Savior each week is the sacrament. Preparing for, administering, and partaking of the sacrament worthily each week grants us greater access to the redeeming and enabling powers of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Both those who administer priesthood ordinances and those who receive priesthood ordinances are drawn to the Savior. “In the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest” (D&C 84:20).

Another way in which Christ draws us unto Him is through the temple. He invites us to attend the temple frequently and participate in the ordinances of the temple. Of this prophetic priority, President Thomas S. Monson has stated: “There is no more important goal for you to work toward than being worthy to go to the temple” (“The Holy Temple-a Beacon to the World”). Despite our busy schedules, we must make it a priority to attend the temple. Much can be learned from the example of King Benjamin’s people: “And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple” (Mosiah 2:6). We must pitch our tents, or other priorities in life, around our priority to go to the temple. “Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings” (“The Holy Temple-a Beacon to the World,” Thomas S. Monson)

How does the Book of Mormon help us feel drawn to the Savior? The prophecy that the Book of Mormon “shall shine forth out of darkness...by the power of God” came to pass through the prophet Joseph Smith (Mormon 8:16). Joseph Smith stated that “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth...and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (The Book of Mormon, Introduction). The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is full of teachings about the Savior and His Atonement. As we read and ponder about the doctrinal principles contained in this holy book of scripture, we will feel drawn to the Savior. As we apply the teachings of the Savior in our lives and strive to follow His example, we will become more like Him.

Why is it important for us to draw near unto the Savior? Christ is drawing us unto Him, but we must choose to be drawn. We cannot be a passive recipient of the great blessings of the Savior’s Atonement. We must choose to draw near unto Him. Elder Dale G. Renlund stated, “As we draw closer to God, the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ will come into our lives” (“That I Might Draw All Men unto Me”). Let us be drawn near unto the Savior by taking full advantage of the blessings of the sacrament, the temple and the Book of Mormon. As we draw near unto Him, He will draw near unto us (D&C 88:63).