This past year we studied the Book of Mormon in church. I have read the book several times. I don't always study the way I need to, but I have read it several times nonetheless. As 2012 came to a close, I found myself looking back over the year and pondering the things that I have learned in my study. I came up with a few things.
First, my testimony of this book strengthened. One of my favorite books in the Book of Mormon is 2 Nephi -- Chapter 9 to be specific. This one simple chapter has comforted me in so many instances. The words spoken there have spoken to my heart. In the early days after my sister's death, I began to pray to know whether or not she had actually seen Christ. I began reading my scriptures and I happened to be in 2 Nephi. When I reached chapter 9, I could not contain my emotion. Nothing was making me sad, but I was spoken to beyond anything that I can ever deny. Tears flowed freely. The plan that God has for his children is remarkable. "For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God." Oh how glorious are those words to me.
Towards the end of this past year, a dear friend lost her mother to a vicious disease, ALS. I attended her funeral and sat pondering God's plan for each of us. While I do not understand why a mother would be taken from this earth so soon, I can only find hope in the words of the scriptures.
In the Book of Mormon, an entire people traveled across the seas to a new land. They were inhabitants of the city that built the tower of Babel. The language had been confounded and there was confusion. They approached God in prayer, and asked Him to allow them to be able to communicate with their family. Their wish was granted. They were also led away from this land to a 'land of promise'. What is remarkable to me about this story is that they were instructed to build vessels that would transport them. The vessels were like a dish, having no windows. They needed light so they did not travel the seas in darkness. A key character in this story, the brother of Jared, gathered stones and took them to the Lord asking if he would please illuminate these stones so that they might have light. Again, because of his faith, his wish was granted.
Whether or not you believe this story could possibly be true, or even believe that there is any truth to the Book of Mormon, it speaks volumes about our relationship with God. We are not commanded to do anything beyond that which we are able. We are only asked to bring all that we have to God and ask Him in faith, knowing that he will grant us our righteous desires if it be His will. Just as the brother of Jared laid it all out on the table, we too must do the same. As we do so, we will not travel our stormy seas in darkness. We will be provided light.
The lessons to be learned in the Book of Mormon are beyond the words of Man.
