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.
No comments:
Post a Comment