What is it that Ye Desire of Me?

My reading today in 3 Nephi 27 through 29 was a little scattered—I didn’t read it all at once—but as I revisited my notes from over the years, I found myself marveling at how my thoughts have matured. Some reflections are exactly as I wrote them years ago; others have grown in depth and understanding.

One question stood out again: What would the Church of Jesus Christ be called?

Seriously—why is this even a question? Today, churches abound with names honoring people or ideas, many unrelated to Jesus Christ. Years ago, I scribbled in the margin: Don’t be fooled. There are churches that claim to be in Christ’s name, but the real question is authority. If the answer isn’t that it came directly from Him, then that church cannot truly be built upon Him.

What sets His Church apart? Divine authority. Apostles and prophets. The power to act in the name of Jesus Christ. Without that authority, a church may be sincere and good—but it is just another organization that will eventually fade.

I love how these chapters summarize the gospel so simply:

• He came to do the will of His Father.
• To be lifted up upon the cross.
• That all might be drawn unto Him.
• That we might stand before the Father to be judged.
• To introduce repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

And we cannot forget endurance. Jesus promises that those who repent will be held guiltless before the Father. Those who do not endure well face the justice of the Father. The choice is ours: receive His blessings, or forfeit them by choosing another path.

Verse 20 captures it perfectly: repent, be baptized, and be sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Modern apostles often add: endure it well. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ in its purest form.

So how do we “sell” Christ today (3 Nephi 27:32)? Perhaps a better question is: What do you treasure? Our priorities reveal why sealing families in temples across the earth is urgent. If our greatest treasure is not family, we risk poverty in the life to come.

Chapter 28 is full of remarkable moments. One of my favorites is when Jesus asks His apostles:

"What is it that ye desire of me, after that I am gone to the Father?" (v.1)

What would I ask? Looking back at notes from different years, my answer is consistent: Please let me work—right up to my last breath—in building God’s kingdom and increasing my knowledge.

As I grow older, I feel the weight of that desire even more. Aging is like trying to hold back a river. Good health is a blessing, and I do my best to care for myself—but ultimately, it is in His hands.

Three apostles asked something astonishing: they asked to remain on the earth until the Lord’s work is finished. Imagine the courage that requires. Think of all they’ve witnessed—wars, revolutions, moral shifts over centuries.

And today? We may be living in one of the most spiritually dangerous times in history. The world is flooded with influences that spread darkness quickly. Perhaps this is exactly why the Lord has reserved some of His choicest spirits for these latter days. This is not just a difficult time—it is a spiritual war.

It is awe-inspiring to realize that at least four individuals—the three Nephites and John the Beloved—have witnessed the changes of centuries. To endure that long in a world filled with both light and increasing darkness must have changed them in ways we can hardly comprehend.

Yet their mission reminds us of a fundamental truth: The Lord’s work continues, and it will continue until it is finished.

And in the meantime, Jesus’ question still echoes for each of us:

"What is it that ye desire of me?"