One of the most fun things is teaching the gospel and having people “get it.” In Institute last night we were teaching that the Book of Mormon prophets saw our time and wrote the things that would be of most worth to us. And the end of class, a student asked, “How does this verse apply to our day?” And one of the other students explained a modern day application.
We taught about the attitudes of Lamon and Lemuel (I’ll try to get the brass plates… along with murmuring and complaining and just sitting around when the bows broke) as opposed to Nephi: “I will go and do the things God commands.” I’ll go make another bow. And finally in 1 Nephi 17:50 : “I can do ALL things the Lord commands me.” There was some discussion about if trying to keep the commandments was good enough and the realization if God commands, we need to have faith enough to DO… not just try. We may have to stretch, change, try new ways, but ultimately have the faith that we will accomplish it. After class, one member said, “I’m going to stop trying. I’m going to do!”
In applying the scriptures to us, we talked about how we all have our own “wilderness” that we must cross—our own trials and difficulties—in order to reach our own “promised land”—where the Lord wants us to be either spiritually, emotionally, or temporally. Thus 1 Nephi 17:13 takes on new meaning:
And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led toward the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.
Thus, the Lord promises to prepare the way before us, to lead us in such a way that we will know God is leading us, as long as we will obey Him and keep his commandments. Is that not awesome? Now students get to look for the way the Lord has prepared for them and for evidences that they are being led.
One member was struggling to get his school going. The landlord was supposed to fix the building then start charging rent. Then the landlord called—you have to move out while I fix. AKK. Where to move? They had previously arranged to move next door, but now that was in question. So in the concern, the member looked for other options. He checked with the city. It seems he can get a plot of land at very reasonable rates so he can build on it. For what he would be paying in rent to the landlord, he could soon construct his own metal building. So what originally seemed like a crisis has turned into a blessing and he can see the guidance of the Lord’s hand.
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