As I read the heading for Chapter 9 of 3rd Nephi,
it hit me like a brick. The Nephites
have been in darkness for three days.
For three days they haven’t dared to move because the layout of the land
has changed. They had no way of knowing
if this was going to be their lot until what?
Death? Or maybe this was hell and
the eternal fire and brimstone that had been taught. How could they know what their future held?
This is a very interesting scenario to me and very easy to
relate to. If we turn away from our
Savior and righteous living, we can be guaranteed we are in darkness. It is cold and dark in that place – maybe not
as literal as the Nephites had it, but it is nonetheless. It is in this darkness – when it becomes dark
enough, that the Savior speaks to us, and we are finally ready to listen. If we’re smart enough, we go to our bishop
and ask for help to get out of this dark place so we can hear the Lord’s
voice. Our bishops are inspired to help
us on this path and we will eventually see the Lord’s hand in the process. Just like the Nephites heard the Savior’s
voice three times and didn’t have a clue what they heard, the third time they
did “look steadfastly towards heaven from whence the sound came. . .” (3 Nephi
11:5). I got a little ahead of myself
for this. I guess that happens when you’ve
read the Book of Mormon a few times.
And this is where I am hanging my faith for a daughter who
is in total darkness and so very cold, frightened and miserable. I know eventually she will be miserable
enough to reach out for help. I pray
with all my heart she will remember the Family Home Evening lessons we’ve had
on repentance. I pray that like Alma the
younger, she too will remember the Savior’s power to save. I pray she will listen and obey the
promptings. In this I am no different
than any other parent who watches the speedy destruction of a child who had
such promise.
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