How cool to be able to handle pages the actual original translation of the Book of Mormon.
As followers of Christ we are not spared challenges in this world. For me, the challenge of having no influence or opportunity for service is very taxing. I think the Lord is burning away my pride. I have to trust the outcome.
Notice that Lehi didn’t leave the tree to bring his family to partake of it’s fruit – he stayed at the tree and called to his loved ones. I need to remember that as people I love may invite me to leave the tree and join them.
Nephi knew that if he continued to stay focused on the Lord, he would be successful in fulfilling what the Lord commanded him. He remained focused on the Savior throughout his life even though he suffered temptations, physical trials, and even the betrayal of some in his immediate family.
Knowing what the Lord command us to do is critical. So is the recognition that what He commands is often not going to be accomplished in a short timeframe.
We understand clearly that not every trial we face will have a result we wish for. However, as we remain focused on Christ, we will feel peace and see God’s miracles, whatever they may be, in His time and in His way.
There will be times when we will not be able to see any way that a current situation will end well and might even express, as Nephi, “My heart sorroweth because of my flesh.” There may be times that the only hope we have is in Jesus Christ. What a blessing to have that hope and trust in Him. Christ is the one who will always keep His promises. His rest is assured for all who come unto Him.
“In His time and in His way” and “there will be times when we can see no possible positive outcome.” I’ve definitely been taught those truths.
As we labor with Christ, our most deeply focused efforts should be within our own homes. There will be times when family members and close friends will face challenges. The voices of the world, and maybe their own desires, might cause them to question truth. We should do everything we can to help them feel both the Savior’s love and our love. I am reminded of the scripture verse that has become our beloved hymn “Love One Another,” which teaches us, “By this shall … men know … ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
In our love for those who are questioning truth, the enemy of all joy might try to make us feel that we betray those we love if we ourselves continue to live the fulness of the gospel and teach its truths.
This is another one I have been living recently.
If our true desire is to rescue those we love, we ourselves must stay firmly with Christ by embracing His Church and the fulness of His gospel.
It can be so inviting to take an “easier” path.
The adversary would entice some to leave the joy of the gospel by separating Christ’s teachings from His Church. He would have us believe that we can stay firmly on the covenant path on our own, through our own spirituality, independent of His Church.
In these latter days, Christ’s Church was restored in order to help Christ’s covenant children stay on His covenant path.
Another appealing falsehood. We may think we are strong and that the church is adding nothing to our ability to stay strong but I have felt over these months of isolation – where we meet infrequently if at all and I do not even have a calling to help me think of the church much – that without the strength of the institution my faith can become watered down through the intense challenges of life.
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