The Lord Will Provide

I love the witness that we have in 1 Nephi 17 that the Lord will provide for us as we keep His commandments. 

I feel the truth of this in my life every single day. 

I love the quote given in 2015 General Conference as Elder Neil Anderson stated in his talk titled, " Thy Kingdom Come " ;

" As we are spiritually awake and alert w see His hand in our own personal lives and across the world." 

often times I know that I have been blind to the ways that He was desperately trying to help me. After the fact I was sorry that I didn't recognize His hand at the time it was given. 

I hope to be spiritually awake to give thanks as help is given. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

1 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our women did bear children in the wilderness. 2 And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings. 3 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; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

Personal Revelation

In 1 Nephi 16, we can recall the account of Lehi's group receiving the Liahona outside of Lehi's tent. The Liahona told them which direction they should travel in the wilderness to get to the promise land. As individuals now whom live in such a convenient time in history, as we can get in our cars, and call moving companies to help us, we can sympathize with Lehi's family complaining as they were traveling to the Promise Land. One thing we can consider as we sympathize with their struggles is how often we do these same kinds of ungrateful behaviors? Lehi's group had sacrificed many comforts and were following the directions of the Liahona even when Nephi's bow broke. They had hunger and fatigue even when following what the Lord had directed. Sometimes we will follow our own Liahona or personal directions that have been given in our own lives, and we can have our own broken bow experience. We might not be as strong as Nephi and feel to complain as his family did? We might even feel to blame our struggles on our leaders as Nephi could have done as he watched his father complain? But the answer lies in these verses as we see that Nephi did not doubt if he was on the right path because of a trial along his path. Instead Nephi sought for further direction from his Father , and the prophet and the Lord, as he prayed and continued to follow the directions given in the Liahona.  I am reminded of a conference talk given by Elder Bednar about revelation from God.  In 2011 Elder Bednar explained how we learn what the Lord wants us to do here a little and there a little.  As Nephi's bow broke, it did not mean his first instructions were wrong , or that the personal revelation received by way of the Liahona was not correct....it only meant that there will always be trials even as we do what is right, and as we continue in faith, further light and knowledge will be revealed.  Elder Bednar explains: "A light turned on in a dark room is like receiving a message from God quickly, completely, and all at once. Many of us have experienced this pattern of revelation as we have been given answers to sincere prayers or been provided with needed direction or protection, according to God’s will and timing. Descriptions of such immediate and intense manifestations are found in the scriptures, recounted in Church history, and evidenced in our own lives. Indeed, these mighty miracles do occur. However, this pattern of revelation tends to be more rare than common. The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30). Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45). This pattern of revelation tends to be more common than rare and is evident in the experiences of Nephi as he tried several different approaches before successfully obtaining the plates of brass from Laban (see 1 Nephi 3–4). Ultimately, he was led by the Spirit to Jerusalem, “not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do” (1 Nephi 4:6). And he did not learn how to build a ship of curious workmanship all at one time; rather, Nephi was shown by the Lord “from time to time after what manner [he] should work the timbers of the ship” (1 Nephi 18:1). Both the history of the Church and our personal lives are replete with examples of the Lord’s pattern for receiving revelation “line upon line, precept upon precept.” For example, the fundamental truths of the restored gospel were not delivered to the Prophet Joseph Smith all at once in the Sacred Grove. These priceless treasures were revealed as circumstances warranted and as the timing was right." 1 Nephi 16: "16 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. 17 And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents for the space of a time, that we might again rest ourselves and obtain food for our families. 18 And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food. 19 And it came to pass that we did return without food to our families, and being much fatigued, because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food. 20 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord. 21 Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, having been afflicted with my brethren because of the loss of my bow, and their bows having lost their springs, it began to be exceedingly difficult, yea, insomuch that we could obtain no food. 22 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lord their God. 23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food? 24 And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul." I have often made the mistake of doubting personal revelation that I received for myself, as things did not go as I expected, but through this account I can see that it was wrong of me to doubt answers that I know I received , just because there was a trial along the way. I am sorry that I have not been as faithful as Nephi. What a wonderful example that I have in him. I hope and pray that I will never doubt personal revelation that I received and followed just because things don't always go smoothly as I would like.  I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Beautiful Upon The Mountains

This day there is not a thing as special to me as this scripture being fulfilled through my children. You might think after an entire day of spirituality at temple square that Brooke and Will would be done talking about Jesus and the gospel, but they were not. As I always desire to show everyone love of God I began speaking with a friendly hotel worker at dinner tonight. Upon hearing that she felt she was told by God to move to SLC , although I knowing that I would see her again, I did not feel at the moment to speak to her about This "Zion"...but Brooke whispered to me that she felt prompted to give this woman two particular pass a long cards. I quickly said she should follow her feeling. She did with courage and love, and then her brother decided to follow and publish peace with an offering to this lady, of his dessert. She asked Will for a hug instead.

I see the witness of this scripture that those who seek to build Gods kingdom are given the Holy Ghost as Brooke was, and oh how beautiful the headquarters of Zion sit here upon the mountains...this woman was seeking peace and she was led to these mountains.

I pray she will take Brooke gestures full heartedly...

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ.Amen.

1 Nephi 11:

 37 And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.

Minds Being Swallowed Up

As we read in 1 Nephi 15, we are taught that insights pertaining to our journey can be missed. As we are doing good, but perhaps not taking  time away from good things, for those things that spiritually feed us, causes us to miss Divine messages for our personal lives.

Lehi saw the vision of "The Tree of Life,"    but Nephi mentions that his father Lehi did not see the water was filthy.

1 Nephi 15:

27 And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water.

28 And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God.

In our own lives we will each have personal insights that The Lord will have for just us, but if we spend our time even in good things, but do not take the time to search, Ponder and pray, then we can miss important insights and instructions that the Lord could give us.

Today Will was having a very hard time. I felt so much desire to help him but I didnt know what else I could do? I decided that there was something that I could do....pray and ask one whom would know, My God. I went into a closet and asked humbley , out loud,  and on my knees, what I could do to help Will? The thought came quickly that Will needed a Priesthood blessing. 

Once the time was right, I asked Will many questions about his behavior. I told Him that I  thought maybe a blessing from Grandpa would help him?

 Will responded, " I want a blessing , Will it help me be happy?"

 I answered , " Do you think it will? " 

He said , " Yes." 

 I explained , " Then it will help because you believe. " 

Will stood up and went straight away to ask Grandpa for a blessing. Timidly he asked on his own and was able to receive that blessing.

Later as I was putting Will to bed , his last few hours of the night had gone better and he was reflecting on that as he told me , " Mommy, I listened to the voice in the blessing." 

I asked, " What voice? "

 He said, " The one who told me that if I was nice, then you guys would be nice to me." 

I said, " You mean Grandpa's voice?" 

He said, " No, the voice in the blessing."

 I asked, "whoes voice was it?" 

He said , " Jesus's voice." 

My Father had not given Will that message, but the spirit did, through the Priesthood.

I am very thankful that I took the time to pray and recieve my own insight as Nephi counseled his brothers to do. 

1 Nephi 15:

8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?

11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

I witness of the importance of gaining additional insight into God's instructions for us personally. I also have great desires to serve Him with all the energy of my soul, as Nephi did.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. amen.

1 Nephi 15:

25 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things.

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Glory in My God

Oh how these words are not only heard by me, but felt with great acquaintance in my heart as I too desire to be an Instrument in the Lord's Hands. Truly there is nothing that makes me happier than seeing someone turn to Him that I love, because I too do remember the merciful arm that He has extended towards me, and still extends towards me in my life. I am a witness that miracles do exist today, and they are made possible by His Son Jesus Christ....If you ever weren't sure if there were miracles, come see me...and I will tell you that you are looking at one.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• Alma 29:9

  9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

 10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me