Dear Family and Friends,
This week I've been reading all over the place, but today I'll mostly be focusing on the classic brother of Jared story in Ether 2 and 3.
I've read this story quite a few times while I've been on my mission, but this last time I was particularly interested the response the Lord gave to the brother of Jared's plea as to how he could give light to his people as they crossed the sea.
Instead of telling the brother of Jared exactly what he should do he does something, that to me seems a little unique, he asks the brother of Jared what he would have him do that he might receive light, following it by saying, "behold ye cannot have windows, for they shall be dashed in pieces, and ye shall not take fire with you, for you shall not go by the light of fire.... therefore what shall ye have me prepare for you that ye may have light?"
The Lord knew how it would be that the people could receive light, of that there is no doubt, but instead of telling the brother of Jared right out what he should do, he makes him exercise faith, both being trusting in the Lord's purposes that he will guide them, and acting, sometimes even stepping into the unknown, demonstrating that faith.
As a result of this, not only does the brother of Jared receive a way by which to receive light, but also as a result of his increased, and tested faith, he sees the Lord.
This had some particular application for me this week.
One of our investigators, a super cool kid had been taught all the lessons, been to church tons, saw why baptism was important, had a desire to be baptized, but just couldn't seem to get over that hill of just making the commitment to be baptized.
We'd set him with date after date, each time coming and going without interest, and though we'd asked him to pray to know whether baptism on that date was something the Lord wanted, he continued to say, that he just didn't feel right about it. This went on for a couple of weeks, until finally, this week, we asked, "alright bob, all things aside, we want you to pick a date within the next two weeks for your baptism."
He stopped, thought about it for a second and said,"....thursday the 29th."
The second it left his lips the spirit overwhelmed the room, and he was more excited than I'd ever seen him to be baptized.
Sometimes we sit around waiting for answers or inspiration, we say, show me the way to go Lord, and I shall walk it, when sometimes the Lord asks us to act in faith first, stepping into the unknown, working, within those parameters that he has already given, just like he told the brother of Jared, not windows or fire, or like he tells our investigators, you need to be follow me and be baptized, and then as we strive, he guides our hands, and as we step forth he catches us, our faith in him and our willingness to act is increased, and we receive much more than we ever imagined.
Love you guys,
Elder low.
I've read this story quite a few times while I've been on my mission, but this last time I was particularly interested the response the Lord gave to the brother of Jared's plea as to how he could give light to his people as they crossed the sea.
Instead of telling the brother of Jared exactly what he should do he does something, that to me seems a little unique, he asks the brother of Jared what he would have him do that he might receive light, following it by saying, "behold ye cannot have windows, for they shall be dashed in pieces, and ye shall not take fire with you, for you shall not go by the light of fire.... therefore what shall ye have me prepare for you that ye may have light?"
The Lord knew how it would be that the people could receive light, of that there is no doubt, but instead of telling the brother of Jared right out what he should do, he makes him exercise faith, both being trusting in the Lord's purposes that he will guide them, and acting, sometimes even stepping into the unknown, demonstrating that faith.
As a result of this, not only does the brother of Jared receive a way by which to receive light, but also as a result of his increased, and tested faith, he sees the Lord.
This had some particular application for me this week.
One of our investigators, a super cool kid had been taught all the lessons, been to church tons, saw why baptism was important, had a desire to be baptized, but just couldn't seem to get over that hill of just making the commitment to be baptized.
We'd set him with date after date, each time coming and going without interest, and though we'd asked him to pray to know whether baptism on that date was something the Lord wanted, he continued to say, that he just didn't feel right about it. This went on for a couple of weeks, until finally, this week, we asked, "alright bob, all things aside, we want you to pick a date within the next two weeks for your baptism."
He stopped, thought about it for a second and said,"....thursday the 29th."
The second it left his lips the spirit overwhelmed the room, and he was more excited than I'd ever seen him to be baptized.
Sometimes we sit around waiting for answers or inspiration, we say, show me the way to go Lord, and I shall walk it, when sometimes the Lord asks us to act in faith first, stepping into the unknown, working, within those parameters that he has already given, just like he told the brother of Jared, not windows or fire, or like he tells our investigators, you need to be follow me and be baptized, and then as we strive, he guides our hands, and as we step forth he catches us, our faith in him and our willingness to act is increased, and we receive much more than we ever imagined.
Love you guys,
Elder low.
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