The image of “the prisoners” is often used in scripture. It conveys to the mind bondage or entrapment in a snare from which they cannot extract themselves. This image is often used in relation to the Spirit World, where people who are unprepared to return to the eternities find themselves “prisoners” in the sense their forward progress has been impaired. They carry a weight which cannot be shed.
But it also applies to us, here in mortality.
Whether in mortality or in the grave following mortality, all who fail to receive the power of Christ’s atonement labor under an imprisoning burden of sin. We are “prisoners” even though no one shackles us. We carry our own chains. To anyone who is captured in such a state, having the Gospel tidings to “go forth” from the prison is a welcome, even joyous, event. It unlocks the prison door. It is the voice of God, and the power of salvation. Whenever Christ sends authorized ministers to deliver people from prison through the ordinances of the Gospel, there is the resounding invitation to “go forth.”
The image of “showing themselves” is another interesting picture to contemplate. It reminds one of those who, in the world of spirits, chose to see Christ. It was a voluntary meeting with Christ in the world of spirits. Some were anxious to meet Him and assembled to greet Him, and others cowered and stayed in the shadows. The account reads: I saw the hosts of the dead, both small and great. And there were gathered together in one place an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality; And who had offered sacrifice in the similitude of the great sacrifice of the Son of God, and had suffered tribulation in their Redeemer’s name. All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand. They were assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world, to declare their redemption from the bands of death. Their sleeping dust was to be restored unto its perfect frame, bone to his bone, and the sinews and the flesh upon them, the spirit and the body to be united never again to be divided, that they might receive a fulness of joy. While this vast multitude waited and conversed, rejoicing in the hour of their deliverance from the chains of death, the Son of God appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who had been faithful; And there he preached to them the everlasting gospel, the doctrine of the resurrection and the redemption of mankind from the fall, and from individual sins on conditions of repentance. (D&C 138: 11–19.)
In contrast to those who were “assembled, awaiting the advent” of Christ, there were others who elected not to assemble. As to these, it is written: But unto the wicked he did not go, and among the ungodly and the unrepentant who had defiled themselves while in the flesh, his voice was not raised; Neither did the rebellious who rejected the testimonies and the warnings of the ancient prophets behold his presence, nor look upon his face. Where these were, darkness reigned, but among the righteous there was peace. (Id., 20–22.)
This image of those who would not assemble, who rejected Him in mortality, and would not “assemble” to meet Him in the spirit world, rings a familiar chord. Freedom to choose is immutable. God does not force anyone, although He invites everyone. Relative few even want the invitation; and fewer still accept and follow it.
The image reminds us of Mormon’s query about eternal judgment when he poses the question: “Do ye suppose that ye shall dwell with him under a consciousness of your guilt? Do ye suppose that ye could be happy to dwell with that holy Being, when your souls are racked with a consciousness of guilt that ye have ever abused his laws? Behold, I say unto you that ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell.” (Mormon 4: 3–4.)
With these other images in mind, Nephi’s use of the phrase; “Go forth; to them that sit in darkness: Show yourselves,” takes on a richer image. Having the confidence to go forward boldly to behold the very person of this inviting Christ suggests spiritual confidence. It suggests a new feeling of comfort at the presence of our Lord. It reminds us of the phrase from D&C 121: 45: “let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.” This hardly describes the pornography-addicted “whoremongers” who infest the priesthood quorums of the Church today; nor those who, pretending to be sheep for business, political or social reasons, lack all spiritual gifts.
The concept Nephi is conveying to us is newfound freedom, confidence and power of redemption through the Lord’s atonement. The redeemed, covenant people are no longer standing back, but fully receiving what He offers freely to us all. He is generous in His offering. Unfortunately, we are reluctant to receive His gifts.
The words “feed” in “the ways” and “pastures in high places” also suggest powerful images. Being “fed,” even as you move along in your daily tasks, suggests the nourishment offered by Christ is sufficient to accompany even the most mundane of times and responsibilities. He can join in our lives and in our responsibilities. We can be “fed” at any time and in any place. When we are, we find our “pastures” are now “in high places.” Life itself is elevated. We draw closer to heaven itself by following Him. No matter where or how our lives are lived, they can be filled with “high places” if we will allow Heaven to reach into our thoughts and deeds. Give mercy to others, relieve their suffering, and you become a ministering angel to them. Angelic action brings heaven to others through you. You cannot be charitable to others without making the ground on which you stand holy. Holy ground is always a part of heaven, even when you find it in a cheerless desert.
Temples are always the “mountain of the Lord’s house” even if located on a valley floor. Latter-day Temple building, and being “fed” in “high places,” is also foreshadowed by these words.