1
Nephi 18:9
Accepting
the Lord's Will and Timing/Courage
What
9 And
after we had been adriven forth
before the wind for the space of many days, behold, my brethren and
the sons of Ishmael and also their wives began to make themselves
merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak
with much brudeness,
yea, even that they
did forget by what power they had been brought thither; yea, they
were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness.
Why
They
slipped back into their rebelliousness. Things got a little dull and
they didn't have faith. They were ungrateful for their blessings.
They forgot about the power of God that they had seen and that had
taken them forward. They did not accept the Lord's will and timing
and they were rebellious cowards.
Pattern
Exodus
Chapter 32
Rioting
and rebelliousness
Aaron
makes a golden calf, which Israel worships—Moses serves as a
mediator between God and rebellious Israel—Moses breaks the tablets
of stone—The Levites slay about 3,000 rebels—Moses pleads and
intercedes for the people.
Driven
Ether
6
The
Jaredite barges are driven by the winds to the promised land—The
people praise the Lord for His goodness—
Christ
Matt.
Chapter 27
Jesus
is accused and condemned before Pilate—Barabbas is released—Jesus
is mocked, crucified, and buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathæa.
Matt.
8
25 And
his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying,
Lord, save us: we perish.
26 And
he saith unto them, Why are ye afearful,
O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and brebuked the
winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Conference
Elder
David A. Bednar
From
a Church Educational System devotional, “That We Might ‘Not …
Shrink,’” delivered at the University of Texas at Arlington on
March 3, 2013.Accepting The Lord's Will and Timing
In his October 1997 general conference message, Elder Maxwell taught with great authenticity: “As we confront our own … trials and tribulations, we too can plead with the Father, just as Jesus did, that we ‘might not … shrink’—meaning to retreat or to recoil (D&C 19:18). Not shrinking is much more important than surviving! Moreover, partaking of a bitter cup without becoming bitter is likewise part of the emulation of Jesus.”1
Elder
Maxwell also did not shrink. This mighty Apostle pressed forward
steadfastly and was blessed with additional time in mortality to
love, to serve, to teach, and to testify. Those concluding years of
his life were an emphatic exclamation point to his example of devoted
discipleship—through both his words and his deeds.
I
believe most of us likely would expect a man with the spiritual
capacity, experience, and stature of Elder Maxwell to face serious
illness and death with an understanding of God’s plan of happiness,
with assurance and grace, and with dignity. But I testify that such
blessings are not reserved exclusively for General Authorities or for
a select few members of the Church.
Many
of the lessons we are to learn in mortality can be received only
through the things we experience and sometimes suffer. And God
expects and trusts us to face temporary mortal adversity with His
help so we can learn what we need to learn and ultimately become what
we are to become in eternity.
But
some things I absolutely do know. I know we are spirit sons and
daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. I know the Eternal Father is
the author of the plan of happiness. I know Jesus Christ is our
Savior and Redeemer. I know Jesus enabled the Father’s plan through
His infinite and eternal Atonement. I know the Lord, who was
“bruised, broken, [and] torn for us,”2 can
succor and strengthen “his people according to their infirmities”
(Alma
7:12).
And I know one of the greatest blessings of mortality is to not
shrink and to allow our individual will to be “swallowed up in the
will of the Father” (Mosiah
15:7).
Though
I do not know everything about how and when and where and why these
blessings occur, I do witness they are real. And I know that as you
press forward in your lives with steadfast faith in Christ, you will
have the capacity to not shrink.
Eliza
R. Snow
(from
Daughters In His Kingdom)
“I
will go forward, I will smile at the rage of the tempest, and ride
fearlessly and triumphantly across the boisterous ocean of
circumstance and the testimony of Jesus will light up a lamp that
will guide my vision through the portals of immortality.”
Apply
Elder
Bednar asked “do you have the faith NOT to be healed?” I think
that is far more important than having the faith to be healed because
it signifies real faith and submission. Praying with all of our
hearts for what we want but being willing to accept His will. As we
understand the plan of salvation we are strengthened.
Not shrinking under
our trials as Nephi's brothers did but being strong like Nephi and
Lehi even though they went through the same trials.
If
we are humble and submissive we can be strong and face our trials
with courage and know that he will drive our ship through the “ocean
of circumstance” and we will go forward with faith and we will
reach that promised land/ celestial kingdom.
Hymns
105
Master The Tempest Is Raging
24 And,
behold, there arose a great atempest in
the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he
was asleep.
26 And
he saith unto them, Why are ye afearful,
O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and brebuked the
winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
27 But
the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the
winds and the asea obey
him!
Children
120-
Nephi's courage
Nephi
3:7
7 And
it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go
and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the
Lord giveth no commandments unto
the children of men, save he shall prepare a
way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth
them.
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