Helaman 10-16, That was the chapters of
the Book of Mormon we studied this week.
If you've read
my blog in the past (or know me) you have probably gained some insight to who I
am or at least some of m y past and what I have been through. You also
might know that this time as I am studying the Book of Mormon I am looking to
make it personal to me. It was written in a "simpler" time for us now
in these latter days. Just like the savior sacrificed and died for each
of us personally, this Book was written for us. So as I think about what I read
and discussed this week the faith of Nephi and Samuel the Lamanite stood out to
me.
Both of these
men believed in the Lord and had prayers answered and their lives guided by the
Lord. It seems to me that they did not hear Him in a still small voice. They
heard him speak to them in a way I have never heard for myself. They knew
without one bit of doubt the word they were speaking were true. They believed
in them with all of their being. They were blessed for their unwavering
faith.
Helaman 10:15-16
The Nephites try to take Nephi and put him into prison but they can't. "…for he was taken by the Spirit
and conveyed away out of the midst of them.” Chapter 16 vs 11 talks about the arrows that
could not hit Samuel because he was protected by the Lord. 2 thoughts - 1. Could you imagine this day
and age people literally trying to shoot arrows at someone they disagree with
who is preaching or teaching something? Probably not, but we have all sorts of
relatable, figurative arrows that we see being shot when people take a stand
for righteousness or their beliefs.
2. Why are we told
this? What do these things mean to me? I know I will never be given the power
to flatten a mountain as this Nephi was in these chapters. At least not in this
earthly life. I know there will most
likely never be a time when a Godly force field will be around me to protect me
from weapons of war being fired upon me. I also know that there is something
that is speaking to me about these 2 men and these moments.
I have faith. I
think. I know I have a Father in Heaven who loves me and wants me to return to
him. I know there is a way we can return to live with Him again. I know there
is joy and peace this knowledge. I know there is life after I leave this Earth.
I know I will see my son Abraham who was born too soon and died within minutes
of being born. I know my sister Jeaniece who died 2 ½ years ago is going to
laugh with my again one day.
Then, I
read about these men and the faith they had that was so much more than faith.
It wasn’t a hope or belief in something unseen. It was knowledge of the truth
they were teaching and spreading. I know
the things I just mentioned are true. I just know. I also know I come short. My
knowledge in these things does not help me move a mountain or have me stand on
a city wall and shout for all to hear the teaching of the Lord. I hesitate to
even share these things out loud. They are precious truths to me and I don’t
want others to hurt them. I don’t want to feel bad about these things I know. I
don’t want to have a Google search done and sent to me disproving what I know.
So, maybe, maybe
this time in this reading of these chapters and pondering these verse what I am
learning is to not be afraid. Know my truth. Others have the right to believe
how, where or what they may, but I can talk about what I know and have faith
that the Lord will protect me and not let my wall of truth be broken. Both of
these prophets prayed or conversed with the Lord prior to these experiences. That
tells me something else. Pray. I need to always pray.
I didn’t know quite
where I was going when I started writing this post. Thank you for reading it. I
hope it made a little sense.
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