1 Nephi 3:7 He Prepares A Way

1 Nephi 3:7  "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."

Sometimes we are asked to do difficult things.  If they have anything to do with being obedient, I know that there are ways prepared for us to accomplish those things.  Those situations may stretch us, stretch our beliefs, stretch our minds, stretch our hearts.  But those experiences are never impossible.  We are the only ones who make them impossible, and sometimes we get in our own way.  It sometimes takes a few steps of faith into total darkness to propel us forward before we can find the sure footing that's there.  

I used to be one of those people who wanted a sure, clear path before her.  I wanted everything spelled out and I wanted to be prepared for what came next.  It was only in the experience of having my world turned upside down that I had to take this walk of faith of which I speak.  

After 30 years of marriage, the confirmation finally came that I needed to part ways with my ex-husband.  I no longer knew what my future held; I no longer could see a few months ahead.  My comfortableness of having my future financially secure was taken away and I couldn't see how finances would work out.  I wasn't sure where I was going to live.  I had never been a burden to society and I didn't want to start now!  

So I lived a day at a time, an hour at a time.  My security became a deeper faith in my God, who had promised to provide if I did my part.  It was difficult -- I felt displaced, unsure of myself.  I wasn't scared, but uncomfortable at not knowing.  Over time I felt at peace at not knowing.  I became 'okay' with not having everything figured out.  People used to ask me my future plans, and all I could answer was "I can't see that far anymore."   I still can't see very far in the future, but doors and windows have slowly opened up for me again.  I'm able to financially support myself and my children.  I'm back in my home and know I can afford to stay there if I need to.  I'm making goals and plans and working towards those things.  I'm no longer in a limbo state and I'm putting together a future.  I love where I'm at, but I hope to never forget where I've been.  

My testimony of my Father in Heaven and his infinite love and concern are etched ever deeper on my soul.  He asked me to walk into the darkness and He guided me onto a more sure, safer, healthier path.  The God I worship prepares all scenarios ahead of me, He makes the way possible even though at times I can't see the next step ahead.

1 Nephi 2:19 God Speaks to Us

1 Nephi 2:19. "And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart."

I believe God speaks to us. It may take time to understand how He speaks, and it may take practice to understand the various ways and means, but I firmly believe He does.  I know that we can come to a place in our spiritual development where we can have this undeniable communication.  

For me there are times when words that aren't my own come into my mind.  There are times when scriptures LEAP off the pages and get my attention.  There are also other people's words that penetrate and sink so deep that I know they are being instruments in God's hands.  He can also speak peace and comfort.  I remember kneeling in prayer one day and physically feeling a cocoon of love and warmth and peace envelop me.   The God I worship speaks to us if we seek Him.

1 Nephi 2:16 Answers to Questions

1 Nephi 2:16. "And it came to pass that I, Nephi...having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers."

I have a testimony that our prayers and desires are heard on high.  Whenever and whatever we question can be given us if it's for our good.  Sometimes "tradition" and rebelliousness can harden our hearts, and I believe that at times it's only the power of God that can help us get to a place where we can have a soft, believing heart.  Our understanding and perspective is not God's perspective, and it may take a very long time to get a glimpse of His perspective.  We strive to have full faith in Him, but it takes line upon line to build that relationship.  Until then, we sometimes succumb to relying on our own power and our own knowledge.  This sometimes puts us in a position contrary to the will of God.   

I remember having a question for God where I wouldn't get the answer for 10+ years.  It wasn't troubling me every day, but I was confused and sometimes let it bother me.  Looking back, now that I have the answer, I think God was waiting for me to accept that there will be questions in this life that won't get answered.  There are times when we aren't "ready" for the answer to come.  Luckily for me, I was sitting in church one day listening to a 14-year-old give a talk about temples.  In ONE sentence he answered my 10-year-old question.  He said, "If you are not worthy to go to the temple, and go anyway, you WILL NOT bring home the blessings."  All of a sudden for me all the puzzle pieces fell into place.  My understanding broadened and things started to make sense in my personal life. God "visited" me by answering my question that day.  Maybe I needed that long of a time to have a soft enough heart that was ready to hear the answer.  The God I worship hears me and answers me in His perfect timing.

Preface -- John 17:3 That We Might Know Thee...

Some time ago in South America, a seasoned group of missionaries was asked, “What is the greatest need in the world?” One wisely responded, “Is not the greatest need in all of the world for every person to have a personal, ongoing, daily, continuing relationship with Deity?” Having such a relationship can unchain the divinity within us, and nothing can make a greater difference in our lives as we come to know and understand our divine relationship with God and His Beloved Son, our Master. (James E. Faust -- I added the italics)

I began this blog with the intent of sharing what I personally know and have learned about God and His Son Jesus Christ from the pages of the Book of Mormon.  I need to say upfront that while I may talk about God separately at times from Jesus Christ, I believe that they are so intimately connected that to speak about one is to speak about the other.  I believe the Son has developed all the qualities and attributes of His Father.  Although they have different roles, I believe their interests in us are the same. They are "one" in all ways imaginable, yet physically they are two separate glorified beings with tangible bodies of flesh and bone.  Have you ever known a couple that could finish each other's sentences?  That knew where each other's thought processes were going with one or two words, or even a look?  THAT is intimacy, and I believe that Jesus Christ shares the highest sense of intimacy with His Father.  Could I ever get to know God this well?  John sure seems to think this would be a good idea: He records in John 17:3 some of the words of a prayer that came from Jesus' lips:  "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Bruce R. McConkie, a modern day apostle, wrote in his book Mormon Doctrine: "Man’s purpose in life is to learn the nature and kind of being that God is, and then, by conformity to his laws and ordinances, to progress to that high state of exaltation wherein man becomes perfect as the Father is perfect." [s.v. “God,” 318]

Brigham Young, 2nd President of the Restored Church believes  that we used to know God.  He said, "When you . . . see our Father, you will see a being with whom you have long been acquainted, and He will receive you into His arms, and you will be ready to fall into His embrace and kiss Him. . . . "  (Journal of Discourses 4:54–55)     If we knew God before coming to this earth, isn't possible to come to know Him again?

Lastly, Joseph Smith, the first prophet of this Last Dispensation said, "Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to approach Him, and how to ask so as to receive an answer. When we understand the character of God, and know how to come to Him, He begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to Him, He is ready to come to us.” (History of the Church, 6:303–5, 308;  from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Apr. 7, 1844, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, Thomas Bullock, and William Clayton).

Modern day apostles and prophets believe that it is possible for mere mortals to come to know God on a personal level.   Doctrines of men have invented all sorts of interpretations of God, so it's no wonder the world is starving for truth.   Joseph Smith revealed in Doctrine & Covenants 123 that "For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—"

My relationship with my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ is a real, tangible thing.  This has brought me peace and it flows like a river, steady, sure, moving in and around stumbling blocks, bringing me closer and closer to my destination.  Learning about these two deities has made ALL the difference in my life.  Where did I find this truth?

We have two written witnesses of God and His Son Jesus Christ - The Bible and The Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon is an ancient record of compiled accounts that records God's dealings with America's inhabitants long ago.  I have learned much about the God I worship in its pages, and I have felt the sweet testifying influence of the Holy Ghost letting me know that it is a sacred, true volume of scripture.  

So . . . . this blog.  Again, my purpose is to share what I know and have learned about my Father in Heaven and His Son.  And I wish to share through a second witness of Jesus Christ, The Book of Mormon.  I have learned these things (that will follow) by the Spirit which has testified to me of many wonderful things that have infused a sense of deep peace into my life.  The knowledge I have of the God I worship and His Son the Living Christ, is one of the most precious gifts I have.