Mosiah 4 – Same Chapter; Different Journey

This is almost embarrassing, but perhaps it's instructive. There are reasons to read the Book of Mormon every day. 

I read Mosiah 4 yesterday and came away with an entirely different message because President Oaks' conference talk sent my thoughts in another direction. This morning I returned to the very same chapter and found myself seeing things I completely missed yesterday — important things, like the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Mosiah 4 is a remarkable sermon on the Atonement of Jesus Christ—what He has done for us, what He asks of us, and what we can experience as we follow Him.

King Benjamin reminds us of God's matchless power, wisdom, patience, and longsuffering (verse 6). From the foundation of the world, Jesus Christ was prepared to save us. Our responsibility is to believe in Him, remember Him, pray daily, and remain steadfast and faithful (see verses 9–12).

It is almost impossible to summarize the importance of this chapter.

One promise especially stood out to me: if we continue in faith and care for those in need, we can retain a remission of our sins and walk guiltless before God (see verse 26). What an extraordinary promise.

As I read, I found myself asking, How do I view myself today?

I know I am a child of God. I know Jesus Christ died for me. I know He considered me worth the infinite price He paid. I know He loves me and is involved in the details of my life. I've seen too much evidence of that to deny it.

But I also know where I struggle.

My mind wanders. I work hard not to judge others, but that thorn isn't easily removed. I've been told I complain too much, and I sincerely pray for help with that. I can be critical. Those weaknesses remind me how desperately I need my Savior. I need His mercy. I need His atoning blood to forgive the sins I recognize—and probably many I don't.

Verse 3 touched me deeply. After the people prayed for forgiveness, they were filled with joy and received a remission of their sins.

That made me wonder, What is a fulness of joy?

For me, it is the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is knowing I have been forgiven. It is peace of conscience that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

I also noticed something I had never really paid attention to before. The Spirit came after they spoke the desires of their hearts. Those words matter.

That has certainly been true in my own life.

After I prayed for help, I began to recognize the help that had always been there. After I bore testimony of Jesus Christ, I experienced something I have never forgotten. I felt what seemed like warm liquid flowing through my chest. It was real. It wasn't imagined. That witness still burns within me today.

Jesus Christ truly is the only way.

Verse 9 reminds us to believe in God. He knows everything. Sometimes we become rather impressed with ourselves when we solve a difficult problem or create something beautiful. Yet He knew it first.

That thought has changed the way I think about writing music. Whenever I compose a song, I remind myself that the melody was never really mine. He knew it before I ever discovered it. Perhaps my prayers should more often be, "I know You already know how to do this. Will You show me?"

I've actually prayed that way. More than once, He has.

King Benjamin also speaks directly to parents (verses 14–15), reminding them of their responsibility to teach their children. Clyde and I tried. Like every parent, we sometimes wonder if we did enough. But I still believe that when the time is right, our children will remember what they were taught, desire to walk with God, and seek Him sincerely.

The greatest lesson for me this morning wasn't found in a single verse. It was realizing that this is the very same chapter I studied yesterday.

The chapter hadn't changed.

I had.

Perhaps that's one of the greatest blessings of daily scripture study. The Lord can teach us something new from familiar verses because each day, we come with different needs. His word is living, and if we keep returning to it, He keeps teaching us.

 

What We Forfeit

One word stopped me as I finished President Oaks' conference message, The Need for a Church.

 

Forfeit.

 

It's an interesting choice of words. A person doesn't accidentally forfeit something. To forfeit is to give it up—to walk away from something that could have been yours.

 

President Oaks wasn't talking about simply being good. He was talking about everything we give up when we step away from the restored gospel and the covenants that lead us back to God.

 

As I've begun committing the blessings of the temple endowment to memory, I've been surprised at how little attention I've given them in the past. Those promised blessings aren't just beautiful words. They describe the life Heavenly Father wants for His children—greater power, greater peace, greater capacity to become like Him, and the promise of eternal increase. Why would anyone willingly forfeit that?

 

President Oaks also reminds us that the Church isn't simply a place to attend. It is where we grow.

 

We receive callings that stretch us. We work beside people we might never have chosen. We learn patience, forgiveness, compassion, and humility. Sometimes we are taught by those around us. Sometimes we're tested by them. Usually it's both.

 

I smiled when I thought about my mother. She spent countless hours practicing the organ before church. Her goal wasn't to impress anyone. It was to make sure she never distracted from worship. That standard of service became part of who I am.

 

Sometimes that same desire for excellence gets in my way. I see things I want to fix. Staying in my own lane continues to be one of the Lord's lessons for me. Thankfully, He is patient, because He's still teaching me.

 

I also thought of a family reunion years ago. One of my uncle's families had been assigned to prepare a meal for everyone. Unfortunately, they ran out of food long before they ran out of hungry relatives.

 

Without hesitation, my mother and aunt who had both had plenty of experience feeding the hungry, gathered food from their trailers and created a wonderful meal for everyone who had been missed.

 

Was that a matter of salvation? Of course not.

 

But it illustrated something President Oaks teaches. Years of serving in wards, preparing dinners for hundreds, accepting assignments, and learning to think of others had quietly prepared them for that moment. They had developed skills because of life in the Church.

 

Then I opened Mosiah 4. This fit so beautifully with Pres. Oaks' talk.

 

King Benjamin describes people who have experienced a mighty change of heart. As I read, I realized I know exactly what he means.

 

I remember discovering that there really was a way back after I had wandered. I could be forgiven. I could once again enjoy full fellowship in the Church. That knowledge filled me with joy I had never known before. I didn't fall to the ground as King Benjamin's people did, but I certainly fell to my knees in gratitude.

 

I also remember bearing my testimony the Sunday before the day I received my temple endowment. The Spirit rested on me in a way I had never experienced before. It was unmistakable. I have never doubted it. That moment is my “go to” whenever I feel weak.

 

King Benjamin speaks of retaining a remission of sins, continuing in humility, caring for the poor, and remembering that we are all beggars before God.

 

Beggars? This become deeply personal to me.

 

I have begged Heavenly Father to free me from old images, old thoughts, and old habits that lingered long after I chose a different life. Forgiveness came quickly. Cleansing my mind has been a process that has taken years. Even now, I'm careful about what I allow into my heart through entertainment and media.

 

Yet through it all, the joy has been real.

 

Everything I have is because of God's goodness. Nothing I possess is really mine. It all belongs to Him.

 

King Benjamin wisely teaches that we should impart of our substance "in wisdom and order." As I reread a note I had written in the margin two years ago, I was taken right back to that season of life. We were serving in our mission, and I wrote that I finally had the time and the means to help others, but my energy seemed to be slipping away. I had concluded, "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

 

There is an irony in growing older. We spend much of our younger years wishing we had more time to serve. Then, just when time finally becomes available, our bodies begin placing limits on what we can do. King Benjamin's counsel to act "in wisdom and order" has become increasingly meaningful to me. The Lord doesn't ask for more than we are able to give. He asks for a willing heart.

 

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Mosiah 4 is the perfect companion to President Oaks' message.

 

The Church isn't merely an organization. It is the Lord's school for disciples. It is where covenants are made, where the Holy Ghost changes hearts, where we learn to serve, where we discover joy, and where we become more like Jesus Christ.

 

When people choose to walk away, they aren't simply leaving meetings on Sunday.

 

They are forfeiting blessings that cannot be found anywhere else

A Prophet's Prayer—and Heaven's Answer

As I read Mosiah 3 this morning, I found myself wondering what King Benjamin had been praying about. The chapter doesn't tell us directly, but if the angel's message was God's answer, perhaps we can glimpse the questions that weighed on the king's heart.

Was he burdened by the wickedness of his people? We all tend to think of "the world" as the little corner we can see and understand. At least, that's what I do.

A couple of years ago, I saw something disturbing on the news. It was only a brief snapshot of the evil in our world, but it stayed with me. I went to bed thinking about it and woke the next morning with the same images still on my mind.

Then I wondered: What was it like for Jesus? He didn't see one troubling news story. He saw every act of wickedness that ever was or ever would be. He also saw every broken heart, every injustice, every loss, every sorrow. When I think about the trials my own children and grandchildren have faced, my heart aches. Jesus carried the weight of every one of His Father's children. No wonder His suffering in Gethsemane was beyond our comprehension.

King Benjamin reminds us that Jesus would be born, live among men, suffer, die, and rise again the third day. Because of all He experienced, He alone can judge us perfectly. He knows why I stumble. He knows what will help me repent. He knows my strengths, my desires, and the gifts He has given me. That thought brings me tremendous comfort.

King Benjamin also warns about open rebellion against God. What would that look like? It would mean turning away from my testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and choosing another path. The thought feels so foreign to me. I honestly don't know what I would do with my life without the gospel. The things of the world simply don't compare with the joy the Savior has given me. "Men are, that they might have joy." The Gospel brings me joy!

Then comes one of the most quoted verses in all of scripture:

"For the natural man is an enemy to God..." (Mosiah 3:19)

King Benjamin doesn't leave us there. He teaches us how to overcome the natural man: become as a little child—submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, and willing to submit to the Lord.

Finally, I noticed how concerned King Benjamin was about the fairness of God's judgment. What about little children who die before they can choose? What about those who never hear the gospel? The angel's message answers those questions too. The Atonement of Jesus Christ reaches every circumstance that would otherwise seem unfair.

Perhaps those were the very things King Benjamin had been praying to know. If so, Mosiah 3 is much more than a sermon. It is the answer to a prophet's heartfelt prayer.

What a treasure!

 

Preserved

Today I finished the Words of Mormon and began Mosiah - a serious mood change. It feels like the middle of the Book of Mormon, even though it really isn't. Mormon is preparing to close his record after witnessing the destruction of nearly his entire civilization. Imagine carrying that burden. Yet his message isn't one of despair. It is one of faith.

Mormon reminds us that every prophecy concerning the Savior's first coming was fulfilled. Because God kept those promises, Mormon had complete confidence that every prophecy still awaiting fulfillment would also come to pass. The scriptures don't simply tell us what happened long ago—they help us understand where we stand in the Lord's plan today.

Then Mormon makes a remarkable statement: not even a hundredth part of his people's history could be written. That stopped me. If President Nelson could share only one-hundredth of his lifetime of teaching, we would lose almost everything he has given us. No wonder every page of the Book of Mormon feels so rich. It is a carefully chosen witness, boiled down to the truths the Lord knew we would need. Someday we'll learn the rest. That thought is exciting.

King Benjamin understood the same principle. As he prepared his sons to lead, he first taught them language so they could read the scriptures and understand the prophecies. He taught them their history and the commandments recorded on the plates. Why? So they would not "suffer in ignorance."

That phrase struck me. King Benjamin knew that ignorance isn't harmless. Truth protects us. History teaches us. Covenants anchor us. Parents who teach their children the gospel aren't restricting their freedom—they're giving them the knowledge they'll need to make wise choices.

Later King Benjamin speaks of those who reject God's commandments and says the Lord will "no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power." At first that sounds harsh. But perhaps preservation has always come through obedience. The commandments aren't arbitrary rules; they are loving protection. As we keep our covenants, we place ourselves where the Lord can guide, strengthen, and preserve us.

Benjamin also gave his people a new name. That made me think about the names I bear. I have a given name and a family name that connect me to people I love. But the name I treasure most is the name of Jesus Christ. Each Sunday, as I partake of the sacrament, I willingly take His name upon me again. I belong to Him. He knows me. He paid the price to redeem me.

The scriptures preserve God's word. Our covenants preserve our relationship with Him. And the name of Christ reminds us whose we are.

Those are the things that keep us from drifting. Those are the things that preserve us.

More Wonderful than We Can Comprehend

In Elder Oaks' April 2022 General Conference talk, he reminded me of Moses 1:39, which has always been one of my favorite verses:

"For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

President Oaks quoted Elder Quentin L. Cook, who said God's plan includes blessings "all of which are more wonderful than we can comprehend." I stopped when I read those words. More wonderful than we can comprehend. Perhaps that's exactly what faith requires us to believe.

As I pondered that thought, I realized the song I'm nearly ready to share is about this very kind of faith. Believing Christ and believing in Him are essential to our happiness in this life and to eternal life in the world to come.

President Oaks reminded us that the glory we receive in the Final Judgment will correspond to the laws we choose to live. President Nelson added another beautiful perspective: "Salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter."

That naturally led my thoughts to The Family: A Proclamation to the World, which teaches that gender is an essential characteristic of our premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. This subject is never very far from my thoughts.

As a grandmother who deeply loves a grandchild who struggles with gender identity, I admit this is difficult for me. His struggle is real. I've known others whose feelings began as early as they can remember. It doesn't shake my faith, but it does leave me with questions. It feels unfair.

Then I remember that mortality has never been about fairness. Some are born with physical limitations. Others wrestle with mental illness, chronic pain, abusive parents, loneliness, or powerful temptations they never asked for. Every one of us carries something that reminds us why we need the Savior.

The encouraging part of President Oaks' message is that God's plan has already accounted for every challenge mortality brings. We may not understand every circumstance, but we do understand the path. The doctrine of Christ remains the same for every child of God. As we come unto Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and make and honor sacred covenants, He changes us. He carries us. He promises that every injustice and every unanswered question will one day be made right.

I had a relative who was born with a severe physical disability. She endured numerous surgeries and painful treatments that left her extremely unhappy. She was difficult to be around because life had become such a burden. Then she found Jesus Christ.

Nothing about her circumstances changed, but she changed. She radiated joy. I was too young then to understand what had happened, but I understand it now. She had come to know and love the Savior. She remained faithful for the rest of her life and became a bright spot in the lives of everyone who knew her.

Jesus Christ changes people. My own handicaps have been very different from hers, but He has changed me too. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

I still don't have all the answers, and perhaps I never will in this life. But I do know this: God's work and His glory are to bring His children home. If His plan is "more wonderful than we can comprehend," then I can trust Him with the things I cannot yet comprehend myself.

I Am Blessed. I Need to Bless.

The book of Omni is short, but it left me with a powerful impression today.

As I read, I was struck by the chain of faithful men who preserved the records—from father to son, brother to brother, and eventually into the hands of King Benjamin. I am grateful for those who understood the importance of preserving God's word. Because they did, we have the Book of Mormon today.

One verse especially caught my attention:

"There is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord; and that which is evil cometh from the devil." (Omni 1:25)

The following verse invites us to offer our whole souls to God. As I followed the scripture references, I was reminded that one of the ways we make that offering is through service. Good thoughts, good desires, and good opportunities come from Him.

My challenge is rarely idleness. I enjoy being busy and productive. My challenge is balance. There is no end to good causes, and I can easily become absorbed in whatever I am doing.

My study then led me to then Elder Oaks' address, Helping the Poor and Distressed. He reminded us that we should be anxiously engaged in good causes and united in relieving suffering among God's children.

That led me to a scripture I memorized years ago but could not remember where to find:

"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil." (Moroni 7:16)

Mormon continues by teaching that everything which invites us to do good, love God, and serve Him is inspired of God. Sometimes we ask for guidance when the answer has already been placed quietly in our hearts.

Last week I received $100 from the Church for two songs that received awards. This morning I received a message about Temple Bound, an organization that helps people participate in temple excursions who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

The impression came immediately.

Send it forward.

I love moments when the scriptures, conference messages, and personal circumstances all point in the same direction. The Holy Ghost often speaks quietly, but His message can be unmistakably clear.

I am blessed.

I need to bless.

The Lord is speaking. Am I Listening?

When President Oaks spoke in General Conference a few years ago, his entire talk consisted of scriptures. As I read it again this morning, I had the thought that every paragraph could stand alone as guidance worthy of posting on a mirror and memorizing. What a worthwhile goal—to memorize that talk one scripture at a time.

That thought was still on my mind as I read Jarom this morning.

Jarom tells us that he writes for the benefit of the Lamanites. Who were they to him? They were his relatives who had wandered from the covenant path. That struck me because it is one of the main reasons I write. I hope that somewhere down the road a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild might read something that awakens a memory and rekindles a desire to follow Christ.

Jarom describes the Lamanites as having hard hearts, deaf ears, blind eyes, and stiff necks. Yet he also testifies that God is exceedingly merciful. I love that contrast. No matter how far we wander, the Lord never stops reaching for us. The moment we show even the smallest desire to turn toward Him, He is ready to help us change.

Jarom also teaches that those who are not stiffnecked and who exercise faith can receive the Holy Spirit. That matters deeply to me. The Spirit of the Lord guides me in what I do and say. When I follow those promptings, I experience a joy that is sometimes difficult to express.

The Nephites, despite their imperfections, were striving to be a covenant-keeping people. They sought to do the will of the Lord and live in peace with one another. Because of their faithfulness, they were prepared when the Lamanites came against them.

That sounds familiar.

Our prophet has repeatedly warned us to prepare against the power of the destroyer. The dangers may look different than they did in Jarom's day, but they are no less real. We may not face javelins and armies, but we face influences that attack faith, distort truth, weaken families, and distract us from God. The battle is still being fought.

One verse especially caught my attention. Jarom says the prophets "threatened" the people that if they would not keep the commandments, they would be destroyed. Our prophets today usually emphasize promised blessings more than warnings, but the principle remains the same. God lovingly teaches us the consequences of our choices because He wants to spare us unnecessary suffering.

I wondered if that isn't still the answer today. The Nephites looked forward to the Messiah and believed in Him before they had seen Him. We look back with the knowledge that He came, and He lives, yet we are also looking ahead. Much of what our prophets teach is helping us prepare for the Savior's return. We are trying to become a people who know Him well enough that when He comes, we will recognize His voice and rejoice in His presence.

It still works today.

As I finished the chapter, I realized that nearly 240 years had passed since Lehi's family left Jerusalem. Through wars, trials, and opposition, the Nephites still had prophets among them because there were people willing to hear and follow God's voice.

Perhaps that is the lesson I needed today. The Lord has always reached out to His children through prophets, scriptures, and the Holy Ghost. The question is not whether He is speaking. The question is whether I am listening.

 

Conviction Without Contention - Jacob 7 and Pres. Oaks

As I read Jacob 7 this morning, I was surprised how naturally it connected with President Oaks' October 2024 conference message. His talk was about following Christ, but it was equally about becoming peacemakers.

President Oaks reminds us that we are all alike unto God—brothers and sisters, beloved sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents. In a world filled with differing opinions, competing beliefs, and constant noise, that perspective matters.

How do we stay grounded?

The answer is simple, though not always easy. We follow the doctrine of Christ: faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. We study the scriptures and follow prophetic counsel. We submit ourselves to what the Lord asks of us, trusting that His commandments are given for our good.

President Oaks also taught that contention is not from Christ. That is worth pondering.

The opportunities to choose peace come dozens of times every day. They may seem small—a driver cutting in front of us, a slow clerk at the store, a difficult neighbor, or even a sharp exchange with someone we love. Yet contention is often a choice, just as peacemaking is a choice.

President Nelson once asked, "Are you willing to let God prevail in your life?" Perhaps one way we answer that question is by deciding, again and again, to be peacemakers.

Then we meet Sherem.

Oh, Sherem.

He was educated, persuasive, and confident. He taught flattering things and challenged Jacob's testimony of Christ. What strikes me is not merely that Sherem was wrong, but how Jacob responded.

Jacob never lost his cool.

He did not argue. He did not mock. He did not try to overpower Sherem. He simply testified of what he knew through the power of the Holy Ghost.

When Sherem demanded a sign, Jacob left the matter in the Lord's hands. Do we think to do that in the heat of the moment? We get plenty of practice at it.

The result was dramatic. Sherem received the sign. Did it end as he wished? Asking for signs is a dangerous thing.  Eventually he confessed that he had denied the truth, and then died. But what interests me most is that Jacob did not overcome Sherem through contention. He overcame him through calm testimony and unwavering faith.

Sometimes we are tempted to prove our point, win an argument, or overwhelm someone with our intelligence of evidence. Some call this "Bible bashing." Once you enter that arena, the Spirit leaves. It rarely changes hearts.

Jacob's example is so instructive: Speak truth. Bear testimony. Trust God.

The people who witnessed these events were astonished, leading them to return to the scriptures. Peace was restored among them, but there were still enemies. There will always be enemies to truth!

Jacob records that the Nephites fortified themselves and trusted in "the rock of their salvation."

I love that image.

The lesson applies spiritually as well as physically. We cannot eliminate every danger, every false philosophy, or every voice that opposes Christ. We can only fortify ourselves. We can anchor our lives in the Savior, and trust that He didn't bring us this far to bring us this far.

For now, that is enough.

We prepare. We trust. We wait.

And with anxious but hopeful hearts, we look forward to the day when Christ returns and peace will be the order of the day. Oh, how I want to be there.

Jacob 6 - Be Wise! Stair Steps and Guardrails

Jacob 6 doesn't bring me as much comfort as I wish it did.

As I read it, my thoughts turn to my covenant children who are far from the covenant path. I've heard many promises over the years that covenant children remember and that, though the journey may be difficult, they will return. I hold tightly to those promises.

Yet Jacob's words sometimes feel so final. Perhaps I'm still learning what he understood so well.

One phrase that stood out to me was Jacob's warning against becoming a "gainsaying people"—people who are quick to resist or dismiss the things of God. I found myself asking not who around me fits that description, but whether I am willing to hear and follow the Lord's voice.

Jacob ends with a simple plea: "Be wise; what can I say more?"

That counsel connected perfectly with President Oaks' General Conference message, Divine Helps for Mortality. God has not left us alone to navigate this life. Through the Restoration, covenants, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost, He has provided help for our journey back to Him.

I especially loved President Oaks' description of commandments as "required steps and guardrails." The world often sees them as restrictions, but they are really expressions of God's love. They keep us on the covenant path and lead us toward joy.

President Oaks also reminds us that spiritual strength comes through simple, consistent practices: prayer, scripture study, and frequent repentance. It isn't a complicated formula, but it is a powerful one.

I finished my study thinking about Jacob's final invitation to be wise. Perhaps wisdom is not found in knowing everything. Perhaps it is found in trusting the Lord enough to stay on the path He has marked out for us.

"The Lord doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him" (Helaman 12:1).

 

Jacob 5 - Trusting the Gardner; He sees the roots

Jacob 5 is the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees—the scattering and gathering of Israel. Years ago, I wrote in my margin: “A covenant handbook of horticulture for spiritual gardening.” The olive tree is a symbol of Israel, and the Lord is the Master of the vineyard.

As I studied this morning, I kept trying to stay focused on the scattering and gathering of Israel, but my heart was heavy. I had just learned of some beliefs one of my children has embraced, and I found myself grieving. It may have influenced my thoughts more than I realized.

Like the Master of the vineyard, I grieve at the thought of losing one of my trees.

At one point I wrote in my notes: The trees in the vineyard are God's children—you and me. That thought resonated with me today.

Trees grow best when they are tended by a gardener. They are dug about, pruned, nourished, and sometimes transplanted. None of those things sound particularly pleasant. In fact, they often involve discomfort. Why are they necessary? Because the gardener is trying to preserve the tree and bring forth fruit in its season.

The same is true of God's children.

Certainly the House of Israel has been scattered throughout the vineyard. The Lord has transplanted His covenant people to many places and circumstances. Sometimes we question His methods. In verse 22, the Lord tells His servant, “Counsel me not.” We often look at the inequalities of nations, circumstances, and opportunities and wonder if things are fair. The Lord knows what He is doing. We may not understand the digging, pruning, dunging, or transplanting, but He is working for our growth and ultimate good.

Verse 25 feels especially relevant today. I don't know a single covenant family that doesn't contain a mixture of tame and wild branches. It hurts to invest so much of ourselves in our children and then watch some of them embrace ideas or paths we cannot understand.

One of the most touching parts of this chapter is that the Lord Himself weeps over His trees.

As parents, we weep over our children. Sometimes concern for them consumes our thoughts and even distracts for a time. I found myself wondering: Do we sometimes get in the way of God's work when we try too hard to save our children from themselves?

Jacob 5 offers an interesting perspective. The servants work in the vineyard, but the Master directs the work. The servants do not decide where to plant, when to prune, or how to save the trees. Their responsibility is to labor where they are sent and trust the wisdom of the Master.

Perhaps that is true for parents as well. We nourish, love, teach, pray, and plead, but we are not the Master of the vineyard. Our children belong to Him. He sees things in their roots that we cannot see. He knows where pruning is needed, where nourishment is needed, and when more time is needed.

That doesn't remove the heartache, but it does remind me that this is ultimately His work, not mine.

Another thought came to me: God's purpose is us.

He wants to preserve us, teach us, and prepare us to dwell with Him and become like Him. This beautiful earth was created specifically for that purpose. Here we learn through experience. Sometimes we choose wisely, and sometimes we lose our way. It must grieve the Lord to see some of His choice children make foolish choices, yet He never stops working to reclaim them.

As the chapter draws to a close, it becomes easier to recognize our own day. We are living in the time of gathering. My role is simple: Gather! I will gather my family whenever I can, and I will continue gathering families through family history work. That is my charge as a servant in the vineyard.

When questions arise that I cannot answer, I return to a truth that steadies me. This earth is a proving ground where agency reigns. Some waste their opportunities. Some face challenges that seem terribly unfair. Some people's trials become tests for those who love them. Yet through it all, agency remains at the center of God's plan.

The Master of the vineyard never stops working with His trees.

Taking Counsel from God’s Hand (Jacob 4)

I wondered this morning if I was going to be taught about real sacrifice.

I don't want that to become my focus because I addressed it recently, but I continue to be fascinated by the drive Book of Mormon prophets had to write and preserve their records. It was hard work. There were no pens, paper, notebooks, or binders—just their own hands to make the tools and then engrave the words. Would I have been that faithful? I don't know. But I do understand the drive to write.

Another question came to mind: How do we worship the Father (Elohim, God) in Christ's name?

Moses 5:8 makes it clear that everything we do must be done in the name of His Son. We repent. We call upon God. The sacrifices Abraham offered were certainly a reminder of the sacrifice God Himself would make if, as we are taught, all things are given in similitude of Christ.

That led me to another thought. Jesus was the one who performed the atoning sacrifice, but Heavenly Father was the one who sacrificed His Son. That is a huge thought and not always where my mind goes when I think about the Lamb of God. The Father had an eternal perspective great enough to ask it of His Beloved Son and then allow it to happen.

I also love the thought that if God fulfills one prophecy, we can trust Him to fulfill all His promises. The people knew Christ would come because they had seen other prophecies fulfilled. Jerusalem had been destroyed just as the scriptures foretold. Likewise, we know Christ will come again because God has always kept His word.

Jacob 4:9 will forever fascinate me. When I ponder the Creation, I often think in physical terms. Yet the Lord created by priesthood power—the power of His word. Think about that for a moment. It is the same power He shares with His covenant children. We have so much to learn before we are truly like Him. For now, I need to work on overcoming my human weaknesses and trust that the rest will come in the Lord's time. Today, I must be content to practice what I already know.

Then the very next verse teaches us to take counsel from the Lord's hand. What does it mean to let God prevail in our lives?

First, we seek to understand His desires. We ask for His counsel. I love the visual Jacob gives us. I can't fully put it into words, but I picture the Savior extending His hand and me willingly receiving what He offers, almost as if I were feasting upon it.

I sat with that thought for a few minutes. Then I held out my own hand as if I were offering something to someone. Suddenly a light went on. I made a temple connection. I won't elaborate on that here, but the image of giving and receiving through an outstretched hand deepened my understanding of what it means to take counsel from the Lord's hand.

The Nephites had faith that Christ would come. They worshiped Him and rejoiced in His resurrection as though it had already happened. They believed completely. It is hard not to marvel at that kind of faith.

Sometimes my margin notes give me as much to ponder as the verses that inspired them.

When we disregard the plainness of the scriptures and the counsel of living prophets, we are turning our backs on God. It follows naturally that we begin to lose our understanding of His words. Jacob explains why:

". . . God hath done it, that they may stumble."

At first glance, that seems counterproductive. Why would the Lord want us to stumble?

But perhaps stumbling is one of the ways we learn. When life becomes hard enough, a glimmer of memory returns. Like Alma, we remember what we have been taught. We remember Christ. We remember that He can heal us and help us.

So it is with all of us.

That thought leads me to an uncomfortable question. Should we always rescue our children when they stumble? The lessons they need to learn rarely come through our attempts to remove every consequence. Even when our rescue succeeds, the relief is often forgotten as soon as the pain passes.

The rescue that lasts is Christ's rescue.

He saves.

He heals.

And then Jacob leaves us with a cliffhanger.

To be continued.

(I did peek ahead.)

The allegory of the tame and wild olive trees deserves a blog of its own.

Seen by the Lord — My Miracle

After reading from the Book of Mormon this morning, I turned to Come, Follow Me. I'm trying hard to stay current with the lessons. Balancing all my study goals can be a challenge at times.

As I was reading this week's lesson electronically, I noticed several member submissions in the "Related Content" section. I clicked on one almost at random. It was a violin and vocal arrangement of "Let Us All Press On." I listened, but my mind wandered.

Years ago, I received an email from the Church Music Committee telling me that one of my hymn arrangements had been used in the French version of Come, Follow Me. Since I don't speak French, I never pursued it. I had no idea which arrangement they had used, and eventually I forgot about it.

As I listened this morning, the thought came into my mind: I wonder which song it was?

I dismissed the idea almost immediately. I'd have to dig through old emails, and honestly, it didn't seem important. I had sent that arrangement on its own path years ago. I had better things to do today—or so I thought.

When the first song ended, I hesitantly clicked another one that appeared to be in a foreign language. Why I clicked it, I have no idea. But click it I did.

The first few notes told me it was a piano solo. I kept listening, and suddenly I recognized it.

It was my arrangement of "Let Us All Press On."

I don't believe I have ever looked through the "Related Content" section of a Come, Follow Me lesson before. I literally laughed out loud.

Earlier that morning, I had prayed that I might see the Lord's hand in my scripture study. Well, that answer was more than I had hoped for.

I felt seen—truly seen by the Lord.

I felt guided—truly guided by His hand.

And something unexpected happened. I felt a renewed confidence in my determination to finish the song I'm currently working on, a piece that has caused me more grief than I care to mention.

Yes, the Lord is involved in the details of our lives. He cares about the things we care about. He answers prayers.

Watch out when you ask.

This was actually the third time this week that I've received an answer after being very specific in prayer.

The first involved FamilySearch. Lately the pickings have seemed pretty slim. I can spend hours searching and only find one or two ordinances that need to be completed—and almost never an entire family.

That morning I specifically prayed that I might find a family whose work I could do. Almost immediately, I stumbled onto a family loaded with green lights. I stayed busy for several hours. I knew the Lord had heard my prayer. That hadn't happened in months.

The second answer came yesterday.

I could feel my stress level increasing by the minute. I was trying to purchase something for a possible family gathering in a couple of weeks. Between the noise of a remodeling project and my growing frustration, I was wound tighter than a drum.

So I offered one of those "on-the-fly" prayers that I seem to pray far too often.

"Oh, Heavenly Father, help me figure out how to buy something on Marketplace."

It seemed like such a silly prayer.

Really?

Within minutes, Cymony sent me a text.

"Mom, I can help you. Let me take this one."

Yes!

And she did. She handled it beautifully.

You may think the Lord isn't involved in your life. Sometimes I think that too.

But try asking Him to help you see His hand.

Then watch what happens.

Seen by the Lord — My Personal Miracle

After reading from the Book of Mormon this morning, I turned to Come, Follow Me. I'm trying hard to stay current with the lessons. Balancing all my study goals can be a challenge at times.

As I was reading this week's lesson electronically, I noticed several member submissions in the "Related Content" section. I clicked on one almost at random. It was a violin and vocal arrangement of "Let Us All Press On." I listened, but my mind wandered.

Years ago, I received an email from the Church Music Committee telling me that one of my hymn arrangements had been used in the French version of Come, Follow Me. Since I don't speak French, I never pursued it. I had no idea which arrangement they had used, and eventually I forgot about it.

As I listened this morning, the thought came into my mind: I wonder which song it was?

I dismissed the idea almost immediately. I'd have to dig through old emails, and honestly, it didn't seem important. I had sent that arrangement on its own path years ago. I had better things to do today—or so I thought.

When the first song ended, I hesitantly clicked another one that appeared to be in a foreign language. Why I clicked it, I have no idea. But click it I did.

The first few notes told me it was a piano solo. I kept listening, and suddenly I recognized it.

It was my arrangement of "Let Us All Press On."

I don't believe I have ever looked through the "Related Content" section of a Come, Follow Me lesson before. I literally laughed out loud.

Earlier that morning, I had prayed that I might see the Lord's hand in my scripture study. Well, that answer was more than I had hoped for.

I felt seen—truly seen by the Lord.

I felt guided—truly guided by His hand.

And something unexpected happened. I felt a renewed confidence in my determination to finish the song I'm currently working on, a piece that has caused me more grief than I care to mention.

Yes, the Lord is involved in the details of our lives. He cares about the things we care about. He answers prayers.

Watch out when you ask.

This was actually the third time this week that I've received an answer after being very specific in prayer.

The first involved FamilySearch. Lately the pickings have seemed pretty slim. I can spend hours searching and only find one or two ordinances that need to be completed—and almost never an entire family.

That morning I specifically prayed that I might find a family whose work I could do. Almost immediately, I stumbled onto a family loaded with green lights. I stayed busy for several hours. I knew the Lord had heard my prayer. That hadn't happened in months.

The second answer came yesterday.

I could feel my stress level increasing by the minute. I was trying to purchase something for a possible family gathering in a couple of weeks. Between the noise of a remodeling project and my growing frustration, I was wound tighter than a drum.

So I offered one of those "on-the-fly" prayers that I seem to pray far too often.

"Oh, Heavenly Father, help me figure out how to buy something on Marketplace."

It seemed like such a silly prayer.

Really?

Within minutes, Cymony sent me a text.

"Mom, I can help you. Let me take this one."

Yes!

And she did. She handled it beautifully.

You may think the Lord isn't involved in your life. Sometimes I think that too.

But try asking Him to help you see His hand.

Then watch what happens.

Eyes to See

Eyes to see. That's what's on my mind today. I'm trying hard not to be offended by the blindness of my children. This morning, that's taking considerable effort.

Our family is experiencing some turbulence right now, and one thought keeps marching across the stage of my mind: Bless my children to have eyes to see. Bless me to have eyes to see as well.

Jacob 3

Several phrases stood out to me this morning:

• Firmness of mind; exceeding faith
• Console in your afflictions
• Plead your cause
• Send down justice

Now that's one we could use. The infraction isn't enormous—just a little blindness and a little selfishness—but those things can still cause deep hurt.

Then Jacob counsels us to feast upon the love of God. One of the places I most clearly see God's love is in the teachings of His prophets.

Another reminder: remember your own faults. I have things to work on too.

Jacob also warns us to teach our children, lest we be accountable for neglecting that responsibility. That naturally led me to ponder President Oaks' recent conference message.

One phrase especially caught my attention: "Arouse the faculties of your souls." What a powerful invitation.

What are faculties? Inherent mental and spiritual powers. How do we arouse them? By exposing ourselves to goodness, truth, and light. Jacob teaches that doing so helps us avoid becoming subject to the adversary.

President Oaks — The Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ (October 2025)

President Oaks taught that Church doctrine centers on the family, the temple, and the ordinances that enable us to return to Heavenly Father as families.

Family is pivotal to God's plan. Everything Heavenly Father does is for the benefit of His spirit children.

He also spoke of opposition. There certainly seems to be plenty of that in the world today. Marriage and childbearing continue to decline, and one observation from his talk struck me as particularly sad:

Modern conveniences have caused many homes to become little more than boardinghouses—places where we sleep and occasionally eat, but where there is far less parental direction and family interaction.

We have a God-given responsibility to teach our children and prepare them for their eternal destiny.

As I reflect on our own family, I wonder, Did we do enough? My parents' generation taught largely by example. Family life was woven into everyday living rather than formal lessons. We tried to do the same. Yet the world has changed dramatically, and it's not hard to see why prophets have repeatedly emphasized a family-centered, Church-supported gospel.

President Oaks reminded us that God will consecrate our afflictions for our gain. I hold onto that promise.

Family is where we learn life's essential lessons. As we currently struggle with an intense display of selfishness, I find myself wondering how effectively any of us teach kindness, forgiveness, self-control, patience, love, and responsibility. These lessons take a lifetime to learn.

Families flourish when they learn together. Counseling together should be a regular family practice.

One statement made me smile—and wince a little:

What children really want for dinner is time with you.

That isn't always the norm today. It was when we were raising our family. Breakfast and dinner around the table were expected, not exceptional.

President Oaks encouraged families to pray together morning and night, pray for shared concerns, attend church together, tell stories, and create traditions.

As I worked through his counsel, I found myself holding a mental checklist: How did we do? How are we doing now?

The questions can feel daunting.

But perhaps the better question is this:

Do we have eyes to see what the Lord is trying to teach us through our current afflictions?

I'm praying that we do.

Jacob's Warning, President Oaks' Remedy

This morning's study took an unexpected turn.

I began reading Jacob 2, certain I knew where my thoughts would lead. Jacob's words are powerful. As the newly appointed prophet, he stands before his people carrying a heavy burden. The Lord has shown him the wickedness in their hearts, and Jacob admits that it causes him to shrink with shame. I found myself wondering if modern prophets ever feel something similar as they confront the spiritual struggles of our day.

Jacob speaks boldly, not because he enjoys correction, but because he feels the pain of innocent wives and children who are suffering because others have wandered from the covenant path. That thought touched me. There have been times when I have gone to church or opened the scriptures praying that the Lord would speak to my own struggles. It is a beautiful thing when we have eyes to see that He has answered those prayers.

Much of Jacob's message centers on pride. Some of the people had become prosperous and began to trust in their riches rather than in God. It is a recurring pattern throughout scripture. Again and again, individuals and entire nations are blessed, become prideful, and eventually fall. Jacob's warning is simple and timeless: riches are not the problem. The problem comes when we seek riches before seeking the kingdom of God. When God comes first, our blessings become tools for serving His children rather than monuments to ourselves.

As I studied, I felt impressed to revisit President Dallin H. Oaks' recent BYU address. Interestingly, he referenced President Ezra Taft Benson's classic talk on pride. President Oaks emphasized that humility is the antidote. One of the ways we develop humility is by focusing less on ourselves and more on the needs of others.

I was struck by his description of humility as a "master virtue" that helps us develop many other Christlike attributes. He also quoted President Spencer W. Kimball, who described humility as teachableness, repentance, forgiveness, and freedom from contention or the need for recognition. What a remarkable list of qualities.

President Oaks also expressed concern for those whose faith is wavering. His counsel was practical and hopeful: draw closer to the Savior, associate with faithful believers, renew covenants weekly, attend the temple regularly, serve others, and be patient with yourself and with those around you.

One statement especially stayed with me: "Keep humble and balance in all things." Balance has never been easy for me, but perhaps balance becomes easier when Christ is at the center.

By the end of my study, I realized that Jacob and President Oaks were teaching the same lesson from different perspectives. Jacob warns us about the dangers of pride. President Oaks points us toward humility. Both invite us to trust the Savior more fully.

In a world filled with voices competing for our attention, I am convinced that faith grows best when we surround ourselves with believers, hold fast to our covenants, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.

Windows of Heaven - The Choice has always been ours!

This morning I was in Jacob 1. Fifty-five years have passed since Lehi left Jerusalem. Nephi has died, Jacob is now the prophet, and the responsibility of preserving the sacred record rests on his shoulders.

What struck me is that Lehi's family knew the history of Israel. They had the scriptures. They knew about the repeated cycle of rebellion during Israel's wilderness journey. Because of that knowledge, Nephi and Jacob labored diligently to persuade the people not to rebel against God.

That made me stop and ask: What does rebellion against God look like today?

Often it isn't dramatic. It begins when we stop listening to prophets and begin following other voices. We allow ourselves to be led by the world, by pride, or by our own desires. Jacob's people were beginning to do exactly that. Their hearts were hardening. They were becoming preoccupied with wealth, status, and immorality.

Yet Jacob and Joseph took their responsibilities seriously. As priests and teachers, they understood they would answer before God for how faithfully they warned and taught the people. Jacob spoke of wanting to be free from the blood and sins of his generation so that he could stand spotless before God.

As I read, I couldn't help but think of temple covenants. We are not responsible for the choices others make, but by honoring our covenants and following Christ, we can stand clean before the Lord despite living in a troubled world.

Later, while reading Elder Jorge T. Becerra's conference message, "Tithing—Putting God First," I was directed to Malachi 3:10. That verse has special meaning to me.

Years ago, after spending nine years away from the path I knew I should follow, I asked my father for a priesthood blessing. It was something rarely done in our family except in cases of serious illness. During that blessing, he quoted Malachi's promise that if I continued on the course I had chosen, the Lord would open "the windows of heaven" and pour out blessings beyond my ability to receive.

Those words pierced my heart, and I have never forgotten them.

I loved Elder Becerra's insight:

"Windows allow natural light to enter into a building. In like manner, spiritual illumination and perspective are poured out through the windows of heaven into our lives as we honor the law of tithing."

The thought that came to me is that this principle extends far beyond tithing. Every act of obedience opens a window. Every covenant kept allows more light to enter. Every time we put God first, we receive greater spiritual perspective.

Jacob 1 shows what happens when people close those windows through pride and rebellion. Elder Becerra reminds us what happens when we open them through faith and obedience.

The Lord rarely forces us in either direction. He allows us to choose. The consequences follow naturally. We can move toward darkness, or we can open the windows and let heaven's light pour in.

The choice has always been ours.

Nephi's Last Plea - Jeus is the Way

After teaching the Doctrine of Christ in 2 Nephi 31, Nephi spends chapters 32 and 33 answering the question, "What comes next?"

The Doctrine of Christ is beautifully simple:

• Humility and baptism
• Obedience to God's commandments
• Repentance
• Receiving the Holy Ghost
• Pressing forward with faith in Christ
• Feasting upon His word
• Enduring to the end

What strikes me is that after all of these steps, Nephi's focus turns to the Holy Ghost.

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 32:3).

If I want to speak words that bless, teach, and testify, I need to fill my life with the words of Christ until they become familiar to me. That has always been a desire of my heart. I'm not someone who thinks quickly on my feet. I ponder. I study. I search. I long to be able to draw upon scripture and truth when someone needs encouragement or understanding.

Nephi gives simple counsel when we don't understand: ask. Sometimes the answers are far less complicated than we make them.

One of my favorite promises is found in 2 Nephi 33:1. When we speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost carries the message into the hearts of others. For me, that witness often comes to the speaker as well. Nearly fifty years ago, while bearing my testimony, I felt that witness so powerfully that I could hardly continue speaking. In that moment, I knew the gospel of Jesus Christ was true. That experience still compels me to testify of the Savior whenever the Spirit prompts me.

Nephi says he glories in plainness, truth, and in Jesus Christ. I understand that. The gospel is not complicated. It is plain. It is true. It changes lives.

As I read these final chapters, I hear Nephi making one last effort to convince his people—his own family—that Jesus is the Christ. His message is straightforward: come unto Christ. Follow Him. Seek truth. Do good. Keep moving forward.

One note I wrote years ago in my margin caught my attention: If we reject the words of the Book of Mormon and the testimonies of God's servants, those very words will stand as witnesses against us.

That is a sobering thought.

Nephi's final testimony is both an invitation and a warning. More than anything, it is a witness that Jesus Christ is the only way back to our Heavenly Father. The message is plain. The path is clear. The choice is ours.

The Plain and Precious Doctrine of Christ

I'm short on time this morning and a little frustrated that I couldn't spend longer in such an important chapter. There is so much to explore in 2 Nephi 31. Nephi lays out the doctrine of Christ in a way that is clear, simple, and impossible to misunderstand. Following Jesus Christ is the way back to our Heavenly Home.

One thought stood out to me: if Jesus Christ, who was perfect, needed to be baptized, how much more do I need baptism and its accompanying covenants? His example shows us the path:

• Repent.
• Be baptized by immersion of water. It matters.
• Receive the Holy Ghost.
• Follow Jesus Christ with a full purpose of heart.
• Endure to the end.

Nephi adds another phrase that caught my attention: be willing to take upon us the name of Christ. Why "willing"? Perhaps because discipleship is not a single event but a daily choice. The Lord honors our willing hearts as we strive to follow Him.

We're also promised that if we follow this path, we will "speak with the tongue of angels." I've pondered that phrase before. How do angels speak? They speak God's words. They bring hope, truth, kindness, and direction.

Then Nephi tells us to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Hope, love of God, and love of others—those qualities lead us toward eternal life.

As I read, my mind wandered to 1 John and its promises of confidence in Christ and confidence in eternal life. Eternal life is more than living forever. It is life with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. To me, that means Christ will be with us in all that we do.

That thought led me to the promises made to Abraham and to the blessings offered through sacred covenants. God promised Abraham posterity, priesthood, and eternal blessings. Through Jesus Christ, those same promises are extended to all who follow Him.

There is much more in this chapter than I have time to write today. Perhaps I'll come back to it tomorrow. For now, this simple truth is enough: the doctrine of Christ is plain, precious, and powerful. The path home has been clearly marked by the Savior Himself.