And Thus We See
And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.
The phrase “thus we see” shows up in the Book of Mormon 23 times and once there is the phrase, “thus we may see.” The phrase is not found anywhere else in scripture, making it unique to the Book of Mormon.
Perhaps Mormon, who uses it 17 times as he abridged the Nephite and Jaredite records, picked it up from Nephi who first used it in 1 Nephi 16 and 17. Or maybe he got it from Alma’s discourses on the Atonement of Jesus Christ to the people of Ammonihah and later his son Corianton.
Whatever the case may be, the phrase is a powerful tool used to emphasize important principals and lessons learned. When I see the phrase I perk up, ready to feast upon a principal Nephi, Alma, or Mormon wanted to emphasize while writing their history and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Here are a few examples.
Writing about the blessings of the Lord upon Nephi’s family as they traveled in the wilderness, Nephi wrote, “And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them.”
Later, reflecting upon the miraculous conversion of thousands of Lamenites after the preaching of the Sons of Mosiah and wars amongst the Nephites and themselves, Mormon records, “thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people.”
To share one more example, in Helaman chapter 3, after “tens of thousands” of Nephites were converted and baptized unto repentance, Mormom wrote “Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name. Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.”
As you study the scriptures keep an eye out for phrases like, “and thus we see.” You never know when a prophet, seeing the bigger picture, found a principal or a lesson he wants to emphasize to the reader.
And of course never forget to liken and apply those lessons into your own life, so that they may be for your profit and learning.