Ether 5

The story of the brother of Jared is one of my favorites in the Book of Mormon. I love how the family of the brother of Jared had enough faith to do what the Lord commanded, even though it was a really frightening thing to do, let alone comprehend.

The end of verse 7 makes me think of life. "When they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters." I think I've heard of the this analogy before, but it's always more meaningful when you realize it for yourself. Sometimes I feel encompassed about by the waters of life and I feel I'm drowning or fighting a battle I can't win. Like the family of the brother of Jared, every time I call upon Heavenly Father to save me, He brings me to the top of the waters.

The very end of verse 10 also made me think of another analogy that has probably been used before. "And they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water." The brother of Jared went through a bit of trial to get the light in the barges. Heavenly Father didn't just give the light to the brother of Jared, he had to think of a way to invite the light into his life on his own. I think it's the same for us, we need to find ways to invite the light of Heavenly Father into our lives on our own, He's not going to force the answer on us. That's part of our agency in finding the path for ourselves.

Humility

I've been terribly lonely lately. With these feelings came bitterness. I'd wonder why I didn't have any friends. People would get up in fast and testimony meeting and say what a wonderful ward they were in and how grateful they were for their dear friends and I would scoff in my mind. Friends? How is it everyone can have friends but me?

Then I started making more of an effort to go to Relief Society and paying attention to when activities were and trying to go to them as well. With that small amount of effort came a huge amount of answers to my unspoken questions. I realized that I was being prideful and, instead of wondering why I wasn't making friends, I started making more of an effort to say hello to people at church. I started praying for the sisters I visit teach with meaning. I prayed to be a friend to someone who might need it as bad as I thought I did. I prayed to reach out to someone instead of thinking about how no one went out of their way to say hello to me.

The changes were almost night and day. I've made friends since then and they are amazing people. The ward we are in is pretty spectacular, I just needed to try and lose my pride before I could realize it.

I'm always baffled by how Heavenly Father knows me so well that He answers the prayer in my heart, even if my mouth can't quite voice what I it's trying to say.

Rough Times

Every now and then, life gets really hard. Nothing in particular is different, but things get rocky. This happened to me. It's amazing how the scriptures seem to have been written for you and your life. How is it that when I needed to read a certain scripture, it just happened to be in my reading that day? I know my mind isn't ready to comprehend the answer to such a question, but it's amazing how it always happens as long as I am doing my part and reading the scriptures like I should.

The scripture I'm talking about is found in 3 Nephi 18. Verse 20 says:

"And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you."

The promise in this verse given by Christ's own voice is amazing. I've read it before, but never has it impacted me the way it did. It's comforting to know that I can ask Heavenly Father for help, or for anything.