So this week I have thought on what it means to be tested, and why we need to be tested of the Lord. I thought on great stories from the Scriptures, including those of Helaman, the Brother of Jared, Abraham, and the Prophet Joseph Smith. Note the account of the most former:
Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy.
And it came to pass in the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that
And Helaman said unto him: Yea, I believe.
And
And he said: Yea, I believe all the words which thou hast spoken.
And
And he said: Yea, I will keep thy commandments with all my heart.
Then
But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say.
And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief.
Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall become extinct—
Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come. And when that great day cometh, behold, the time very soon cometh that those who are now, or the seed of those who are now numbered among the people of Nephi, shall no more be numbered among the people of Nephi.
But whosoever remaineth, and is not destroyed in that great and dreadful day, shall be numbered among the Lamanites, and shall become like unto them, all, save it be a few who shall be called the disciples of the Lord; and them shall the Lamanites pursue even until they shall become extinct. And now, because of iniquity, this prophecy shall be fulfilled.
--Alma 45: 1-14
We see that Alma was only willing to divulge one of his most important recorded prophecies after Helaman was tested of his faith. It seems that this is a common thread, that greater blessings and commandments are only awarded after we have proven ourselves worthy of the "next level." Another example is when the Savior petitioned Peter ad nauseum (well, to Peter, at least), "lovest thou me?" Only after Peter confessed his love for Jesus did Peter receive further instruction on how to more effectively manifest that love.
So what is the take-home point? I think it lies in first realizing that Heavenly Father has plans for us that we are not even close to conceptualizing. After that (yes, it is easier said than done), we must relish in difficulty and trial (also easier said than done). We must realize the following that we receive no witness until after the trial of our faith (Ether 12:6), and that we surely do want to receive more knowledge, more responsibility, and more blessings. But it must always come through the refining process that tosses and turns us, until our faith is "finished" (Hebrews 12:2) sufficient for us to be instruments in the hands of the Lord. It is my hope that this week we may more objectively look at our trials, and see them as tests that we must pass so that the Lord may bless us even more. Have a great week!
No comments:
Post a Comment