“Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so? And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled. And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them? And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written. And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be written; therefore it was written according as he commanded.” (3 Nephi 23:9-13)

If this was a day or two after the resurrection, it would indicate that important things are to be recorded immediately–details dim with the passing of time and we can remember things differently than when they occurred.

Think of all the details we’d now have had Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery kept daily journals during the early history of the Church!

Some believe that Jesus didn’t appear until almost a year later (3 Nephi 10:18); some that it happened after His 40 days of teaching the apostles; however, I believe it occurred within a day or two, more or less, from when Jesus visited Mary at the tomb:

“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” John 20:17)

From this it appears Jesus ascended soon after talking to Mary. Was Jesus’ first ascension the important one, since He ascended many times–after each time He visited anyone, including Joseph Smith?

“And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto them—“(3 Nephi 10:18)

Is “soon after” a year later?

Think how many today also benefit from journals kept by their ancestors. Then think how your posterity might benefit from lessons you have learned, your experiences, thoughts and feelings.

He told the story of his first night of journal writing. His sole purpose was to ponder each night what gifts God had given him that day. He said he never missed a night since.

I submit that the radiance of this humble man is a direct result of years of finding and searching out the subtle miracles God provides us each day. So many of us do not take the time, and so go to sleep thinking that was our doing, and not giving credit to the Lord. Time to ponder and reflect begets understanding, understanding begets gratitude, gratitude begets humility, and humility begets understanding . . . This cycle enlightens us and draws us closer to God. And Pres Eyring is a living example–Christ-like.