Whenever
I read about the gathering of Israel, I can’t help but reflect on how I was
“gathered/rescued” and those of my loved ones who have strayed from the Gospel
path. It is so sad as a parent to know
you have children who have totally rejected the teachings of their youth.
This
entire chapter is talking about the gathering of Israel and the covenant people
of the Lord. In v26 Christ is telling
the Nephites he has come to turn them away from their iniquities. Why?
Because they are the children of the covenant. My love for my Savior and the covenants I
have made with him, definitely turn me away from iniquities. My children are covenant children. I don’t know how this is going to work, but I
have total faith that my covenants and my faithfulness in keeping them will be
instrumental in bringing my children back into the fold.
Jesus
tells the people in v41 (as he’s quoting from Isaiah) “. . . be ye clean that
bear the vessels of the Lord.” At first
I read this and then just went on. Then
I started to wonder: What is the vessel of the Lord? When I noticed it is taken from Isaiah, I
pulled out my book “Understanding Isaiah” by Parry, Parry and Peterson. The word refers to the sacred vessels of the
temple. I was at first satisfied with
that answer, then I spoke out loud “What vessels of the Lord do I bear?” Without going into detail, it would be the
tokens, signs associated with the promises I make in the temple. TheTopical Guide in the scriptures refers to
a token as a sign and Genesis 9:12 “God said, This is the token of the
covenant. . .” Alma 46:21 the people “.
. . rending their garments in token, or as a covenant of peace;”
So
why did this snag me? I’m getting in the
habit of asking myself questions as I read.
What is a vessel of the Lord, and how do I carry that vessel – or do I? The answer is I do carry the vessels of the
Lord. How do I carry these vessels? I hold sacred the covenants I have made with
the Lord. I fully expect the blessings
that come from doing so. I renew these
covenants frequently. I use every
opportunity presented as a parent to encourage my children to do the same. The way I wear my covenants is an outward
expression of my inward commitment.
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