Asking, Complaining, and Cutting Corners

Book of Mormon Reading: 1 Nephi 15–17

Today’s reading took me through 1 Nephi 15–17, where Nephi is speaking with his brothers. They don’t understand the things their father, Lehi, has taught them. Nephi’s response is simple—almost startlingly so: “Have ye inquired of the Lord?” (1 Nephi 15:8).

What a simple thing. And yet, why is it so hard to remember?

When we don’t understand, we are invited to ask God. That same invitation was what led Joseph Smith to his prayer after reading James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…” That prayer led him to the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This counsel wasn’t just for Nephi’s brothers or for Joseph Smith—it is for us.

And yet, so often we get stuck in our lack of understanding instead of moving forward by asking.

Another thing that stood out to me was the complaining. Ugh. Nephi’s brothers complained, and even Lehi complained when Nephi’s bow broke. Why is this one so hard? I pray daily to be rid of this sin, because complaining does absolutely no good. It adds nothing. It has no value.

Verse 28 makes it clear that complaining interferes with revelation. The Liahona worked only “according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.” The pointers; the direction they should go to get to where they were headed. Revelation works the same way. If we stop paying attention to the promptings we receive through the Spirit, eventually we stop receiving them. The "pointer" is inactive.

I was also stopped short by the phrase that the pointers on the Liahona would change “from time to time.” Isn’t that exactly how scripture study works? Every time I read the Book of Mormon, I see it from a different lens. I’m older now—hopefully wiser, though not always—and sometimes I need correcting in ways I didn’t recognize before. This isn’t unique to me; we hear it spoken of in General Conference regularly. The scriptures don’t change, but we do.

And then there was another lesson this morning—one that may be the most uncomfortable for me, because I am so guilty today.

Yesterday was a long day. We left the house at 10:15 a.m. and didn’t return until 7:00 p.m. I was determined to make the day “count,” as I was driving around. So, I listened to the scriptures while driving, thinking I could cover all my reading for the day. Big mistake!

This morning, I paid for that shortcut.

As I sat down to read, I had a complete stupor of thought—both in the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament. I couldn’t remember where I had left off or even what I had been reading. Really? That was the lesson. There is no shortcut to scripture study. People who get something out of reading the Book of Mormon are actually reading, pondering, and learning.

[sigh]

I went back to the table, opened my scriptures, and started again where I had left off. Maybe I’m different, but I can’t cut corners. I was reprimanded. Lessons were taught. And I know better now.

I will do it the right way.