"O be wise; what can I say more?"

This simple verse, penned (or engraved, as it were) by the prophet Jacob (Jacob 6:12) sums up many feelings that I have about living the Gospel to its fullest. I know that I have received great knowledge and experience related to the Gospel, and will yet obtain knowledge and experience in greater abundance. However, I know that often I (and others) seem to want a road map for every turn, wanting to know exactly what to to do in every situation.

For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned. (D & C 58: 26-29)

Sometimes it is hard to go about one's daily walk, not knowing if one is on the right course. That is where faith comes into play:

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. (Ether 12:6)

Here we read Moroni's parenthetical statement, drawing light on the issue that Ether was having with getting through to his people, the Jaredites. Moroni wanted us to not be like the Jaredites, who did not believe in God because they could not see Him. The Jaredites at this point were unwise, because they no longer had the faith of their fathers, which carried them across the seas in airtight barges. The Brother of Jared, the religious father of the people named after his brother, knew what it meant to be wise through personal experience. His people built barges under the direction of the Lord, which would carry them to the Promised Land. However, after the following the Lord's specifications there still was no light in the barges. The Brother of Jared inquired of the Lord, asking what they should do to have light. Then, the Brother of Jared was given a great lesson:

And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.

For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.

And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea? (Ether 2: 23-25)

In this instant the Lord volleyed the inquiry back to the Brother of Jared, asking what he would have Him do to put light in the barges. And in this volley we learn a great, even seminal point of doctrine: God lets us choose for ourselves what we should do. Now, the Lord knew that the Brother of Jared would not fail, having ultimate trust in him, as the Brother of Jared had greater faith than all men who lived to that point (see Ether 3: 15). And the Brother of Jared did not fail, mining out a pure, glass-like ore into small stones, taking those to the Lord that He might light them. The Brother of Jared found a solution, and then took it to the Lord for ratification.

I believe that as the Lord gains greater trust in our ability to perform His will, we are given greater rope to do so. I also believe that as we gain His trust, we also acquire knowledge and experience that enables us to act in greater wisdom; we learn how to keep the commandments and how to listen to the Spirit, thereby recognizing the appropriate avenues by which we may be instruments in the Lord's hands. We also learn how to repent when we falter, discerning how and when we need to apply the Atonement in our lives.

Perhaps my words seem to indicate that as the Lord gains trust in us we no longer need His power and influence; I wish this to never be confused! We always need the guidance of the Spirit, and we always need to turn to the Lord; wisdom comes in knowing how to tun to Him. We receive inspiration from the Spirit about what to do, feel it is good, and then turn to God for ratification of our righteous desires. That is what the Brother of Jared learned to do, and I believe such a skill is still required of us in these the latter-days.

Have a great week!