How Does God Lead Us?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to 1 Nephi 16-22 in a lesson titled “I Will Prepare the Way before You.” The lesson was introduced with the following information.

As Lehi’s family journeyed toward the promised land, the Lord made them this promise: “I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments” (1 Nephi 17:13). Clearly, that promise did not mean that the journey would be easy—family members still disagreed, bows broke, people struggled and died, and they still had to build a ship from raw materials. However, when the family faced adversity or tasks that seemed impossible, Nephi recognized that the Lord was never far away. He knew that God “doth nourish [the faithful], and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them” (1 Nephi 17:3). If you ever wonder why bad things happen to good people like Nephi and his family, you may find insights in these chapters. But perhaps more important, you will see what good people do when bad things happen.

The principle for this discussion is “God guides me through small and simple means” (1 Nephi 16:10-16, 23-31; 18:11-22). When God commanded Lehi’s family into the wilderness, “He did not give them a map showing every detail of the journey.” However, He did give them an instrument or compass called the Liahona to guide them on a daily basis. First, we will look at the actual scriptures: 1 Nephi 16:10-16, 23-31; 18:11:22.

10 And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.

11 And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever things we should carry into the wilderness, and all the remainder of our provisions which the Lord had given unto us; and we did take seed of every kind that we might carry into the wilderness.

12 And it came to pass that we did take our tents and depart into the wilderness, across the river Laman.

13 And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days, nearly a south-southeast direction, and we did pitch our tents again; and we did call the name of the place Shazer.

14 And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our arrows, and go forth into the wilderness to slay food for our families; and after we had slain food for our families we did return again to our families in the wilderness, to the place of Shazer. And we did go forth again in the wilderness, following the same direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness, which were in the borders near the Red Sea.

15 And it came to pass that we did travel for the space of many days, slaying food by the way, with our bows and our arrows and our stones and our slings.

16 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness.

23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?

24 And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.

25 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow.

26 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.

27 And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives.

28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.

29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

30 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball.

31 And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families.

18 Because of their grief and much sorrow, and the iniquity of my brethren, they were brought near even to be carried out of this time to meet their God; yea, their grey hairs were about to be brought down to lie low in the dust; yea, even they were near to be cast with sorrow into a watery grave.

19 And Jacob and Joseph also, being young, having need of much nourishment, were grieved because of the afflictions of their mother; and also my wife with her tears and prayers, and also my children, did not soften the hearts of my brethren that they would loose me.

20 And there was nothing save it were the power of God, which threatened them with destruction, could soften their hearts; wherefore, when they saw that they were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea they repented of the thing which they had done, insomuch that they loosed me.

21 And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold, I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it. And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord; and after I had prayed the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm.

22 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did guide the ship, that we sailed again towards the promised land.

God gave the Liahona to Lehi and his family to guide them on their journey to their promised land. He has also given a great gift – even the gift of the Holy Ghost – to those people who are baptized and confirmed as members of His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When we are faithful and obedient to His commandments and to the instructions given to us by the Holy Ghost, we can be led along our earth’s journey back into the presence of God. When we humble ourselves – like Nephi did -- and ask for guidance, He will give it to us. He loves us and cares about us. He will guide with both small and large concerns.

 

 

 

 

Line of Demarcation

                    Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when we teach the rising generation about the line of demarcation, a line that we must never cross.  Children and teenagers must be taught that there are thoughts, words and actions which are appropriate and other which are always inappropriate.  In addition, parents, leaders, and teachers must distinguish - and then teach - which thoughts, words, and actions are merely "youthful mistakes which should be corrected and sins that require chastening and repentance."  (See Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Sins and Mistakes, Ensign, Oct. 1996, p. 62.)

                    When Lehi and his family were traveling through the wilderness to reach their Promise Land, Lehi arose one morning to find "a round ball of curious workmanship" made of fine brass.  There were two spindles in the ball, and one spindle pointed the direction for the family to travel.  The family learned that the pointers in the ball "did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them."  The ball also contained words which gave the family "understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it."  (See Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 1 Nephi 16:10, 28-29.)

                    According to the Book of Mormon records, Lehi passed the ball down to his son Nephi; the ball was then passed down through the Nephite prophets.  Mormon recorded that King Benjamin passed the ball to his son Mosiah along with the Plates of Brass, the Plates of Nephi, and the sword of Laban.  Mormon indicated that the ball "was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him."  (See Book of Mormon, Mosiah 1:15-16.)

                    When Alma passed the ball down to his son Helaman, he told him, "And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director - or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.

                    "And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship.  And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.

                    "And it did work for them, according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day."  (See Book of Mormon, Alma 37:38-40.)

                    Doctrine and Covenants 17 contains a revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, at Fayette, New York, June 1829, just before they saw the engraved plates that contained the Book of Mormon record.  After Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, learned that three special witnesses of the Book of Mormon would be designated (see Ether 5:2-4; see also 2 Nephi 11:3; 27:12), Oliver, David and Martin expressed their desires to be those witnesses.  Joseph Smith inquired of the Lord and received this revelation through the Urim and Thummim. 

                    The revelation began, "Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of the plates, and also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, … and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea.

                    "And it is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them, even by that faith which was had by the prophets of old.

                    "And after that you have obtained faith, and have seen them with your eyes, you shall testify of them, by the power of God."

                    In teaching my children and various classes about the Liahona, I often desired to an object to show them.  On a recent vacation in Salt Lake City, Utah, I happened to find a brass Liahona and purchased it.  Although I understand that the maker of this Liahona probably did not make it as a replica of the real thing, it is still a good teaching object.  It even contains good counsel that if followed will lead me in the ways of God.  Some of the sayings on it are: "Trust the Prophet" and "Let the Holy Spirit Guide."

                    Just as the family and posterity of Lehi had the Liahona to guide them, we have the words of the prophets and the scriptures as well as the guidance of the Holy Ghost to keep us moving in the right direction.

                    President Thomas S. Monson once said, "May I provide a simple formula by which you can measure the choices which confront you.  It's easy to remember:  `You can't be right by doing wrong; you can't be wrong by doing right'" ("Pathways to Perfection," Ensign, May 2002, p. 100).

                    The counsel of President Monson works exactly the same way as the Liahona worked.  We must exercise faith and be diligent in keeping the commandments of God in order to receive proper guidance in our lives.

                    Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Seventy stated, "As we study the scriptures, we learn that the promises made by the Lord to us are conditional upon our obedience and encourage righteous living.  Those promises must nourish our soul, bringing us hope by encouraging us not to give up even in the face of our daily challenges of living."  (See Ensign, May 2012, p. 40.)

                    Elder Soares then quoted President George Albert Smith, who was repeating counsel from his grandfather when he said, "There is a line of demarcation well defined between the Lord's territory and the devil's territory.  If you will stay on the Lord's side of the line you will be under his influence and will have no desire to do wrong; but if you cross to the devil's side of that line one inch you are in the tempter's power and if he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly because you will have lost the Spirit of the Lord" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  George Albert Smith, [2011], 191).

                    The Savior focused on His mission and always put the will of the Father before His own.  He gave us the perfect example, and the prophets give us words of counsel.  We must remember President's Monson's words, "You can't be right by doing wrong; you can't be wrong by doing right."  We must not only stay on the Lord's side of the line of demarcation, but we must stay as deep as possible in the Lord's territory and as far away from the line as possible.  We can strengthen our homes, communities, and nations by teaching the rising generation to trust in the Lord, to listen to the prophets, and the difference between "youthful mistakes" and "sin." 

Patriarchal Blessings

                    Lehi and his family left Jerusalem and went into the wilderness in 600 B.C. in order to save their lives.  One morning as they awoke to continue their travels through the wilderness, Lehi found a strange object on the ground in front of his tent door.  The object was "a round ball of curious workmanship" made of "fine brass," and they called it the "Liahona."  "Within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way" that Lehi should take his family.  Lehi followed the directions given on the ball and was led "in the most fertile parts of the wilderness."

                    The family learned that the "pointers, which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them."  The writing was "plain to be read" and gave "understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it.  And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things" (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 1 Nephi 10, 16, 25-29).

                    We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father who desires to guide us and help us to return to His presence.  Just as the Lord provided the Liahona to help Lehi and his family find their promised land, God also provides guides for us on our journey through life.  One of those guides available to us is a patriarchal blessing.  A patriarchal blessing can help us understand what the Lord expects of us and can motivate us to live for the promised blessings. 

                    President Ezra Taft Benson counseled, "Receive a patriarchal blessing.  Study it carefully and regard it as personal scripture to you, - for that is what it is.  A patriarchal blessing is the inspired and prophetic statement of your life's mission together with blessings, cautions, and admonitions as the patriarch may be prompted to give….  Receive your patriarchal blessing under the influence of fasting and prayer, and then read it regularly that you may know God's will for you" (in Ensign, May 1986, 43-44).

                    Lehi's Liahona was a kind of compass, which showed them the way they should go, and it operated according to their faithfulness and obedience.  A patriarchal blessing is also a type of compass, which can show our way through life, and it operates according to our faithfulness and obedience.  A patriarchal blessing is a personalized compass or Liahona that is a gift from Heavenly Father, works according to faith, and leads us in the right direction.

President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency stated:  "The same Lord who provided a Liahona to Lehi provides for you and for me today a rare and valuable gift to give direction to our lives, to mark the hazards to our safety, and to chart the way, even safe passage - not to a promised land, but to our heavenly home.  The gift to which I refer is known as your patriarchal blessing.  Every worthy member of the Church is entitled to receive such a precious and priceless personal treasure" (in Ensign, Nov. 12986, 65).

A patriarchal blessing is an inspired blessing, which declares a person's lineage or the tribe of Israel to which we belong, and gives insight about our individual lives.  It may include promises of blessings we may receive, warnings about particular temptations or weaknesses, or counsel about how we should live.  We receive only one patriarchal blessing, and we must receive it through a stake patriarch.  The blessing is recorded; one copy is given to the person and one copy is kept in the archives of the Church.  It is a sacred and personal document that should be read and studied often but should not be shared casually with others.

President Monson said:  "Your patriarchal blessing is yours and yours alone.  It may be brief or lengthy, simple or profound.  Length and language do not a patriarchal blessing make.  It is the Spirit that conveys the true meaning.  Your blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away.  It is not to be framed or published.  Rather, it is to be read.  It is to be loved.  It is to be followed.  Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night.  It will guide you through life's dangers" (in Ensign, Nov. 1986, 66).

                    Any worthy member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can receive a patriarchal blessing when he or she is old enough to understand the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany it.  Patriarchal blessings are given by stake patriarchs who are priesthood holders ordained to the office of patriarch. 

                    President Joseph F. Smith, sixth President of the Church, said, "It is [a stake patriarch's] business and right to bestow blessings upon the people, to make promises unto them in the name of the Lord, … by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to comfort them in the hours of sorrow and trouble, to strengthen their faith by the promise that shall be made to them through the Spirit of God" (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 181).

                    Members of the Church should seek a patriarchal blessing in order to know God's will, promises, and warnings for that particular individual.  Elder John A. Widtsoe, a former member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated:  "Those who seek patriarchal blessings should ask for them with faith in the reality of the power of the Priesthood.  They should seek them with an earnest, prayerful desire to become, through the blessings, more completely happy in their lives, and more perfectly serviceable in the work of the Lord." (See Evidences and Reconciliations, arr. G. Homer Durham, 3 vols. in 1 [1960], 323).

                    A patriarchal blessing is given when a person is mature enough spiritually to appreciate the significance of the blessing and desires to receive it.  People often receive a patriarchal blessing during their teenage years, when they are old enough to understand the importance of the blessing yet young enough to use it as a guide in making important decisions in life.  Teenagers should counsel with  their parents regarding when it would be appropriate for them to receive a patriarchal blessing.

                    The usefulness of the Liahona was dependent on the faith and righteousness of Lehi and his family.  When there was contention or harshness among the members of the family, the Liahona stopped working.  Patriarchal blessings are similarly conditional on faith and righteousness.  We can receive the promised blessings only when we follow the counsel and commandments given by the Lord and his servants.  We must also realize that the promises made in a patriarchal blessing may not all be fulfilled during our earth life.  If we are righteous, however, we will eventually receive all the blessings promised us.

                    Elder John A. Widtsoe, formerly of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated:  "Men [and women] have stumbled at times because promised blessings have not occurred in this life.  They have failed to remember that, in the gospel, life with all its activities continues forever and that the labors of earth may be continued in heaven" (Evidences and Reconciliations, 323).

                    A patriarchal blessing will not answer every question about our lives.  Patriarchal blessings vary widely in length and detail; some are very long and some are quite short.  Through the patriarch, Heavenly Father will tell each of us what He knows we need to know.  The length or detail of a patriarchal blessing is in no way an indication of the recipient's worthiness or Heavenly Father's love for him or her.

The best way to prepare to receive a patriarchal blessing is to live righteously.  When we decide that the time is right to receive a patriarchal blessing, we will meet with our bishop to obtain a recommend for the blessing.  After the recommend is obtained, we will make an appointment with our stake patriarch.  We may take our parents or a close family member or friend with us.

                    Any person who will be receiving a patriarchal blessing may want to spend some time in prayer and fasting before receiving the blessing, although it is not necessary for a person to be fasting at the actual time he or she receives the blessing.  Sunday dress is recommended for all those attending the blessing.  Everything done in connection with the blessing should invite the Holy Ghost.

                    "My whole life I had heard about the importance of getting a patriarchal blessing….  To me, it was kind of frightening.  What if I didn't hear anything I wanted to hear?  What if there were no great promises for me?  I worried about being prepared enough.

                    "I decided that I needed to have faith and that all would be well.  I prayed many times, was interviewed by my bishop, and set up an appointment with the stake patriarch to receive my blessing.  Then I waited, while trying to prepare spiritually for this important date.

                    "On the day I was to receive my blessing, I fasted all day.  I thought I would have this super spiritual day, but Satan was working on me and I had a bad day at school.  I was a wreck.  I came home after school and paced the floor.  I thought back … to when a man and a woman in our ward whom I admire told us how to prepare, suggesting that we pray for specific things we want to know.

                    "I went to my room, knelt beside my bed, and prayed that Heavenly Father would tell me what he knew was best for me to hear.  I asked that he take away my fears and calm my troubled heart.

                    "Everything turned out fine.  In fact, it was a personal miracle.  It seemed that the patriarch knew me so completely, even better than I knew myself.  I knew he was speaking for Heavenly Father, and when he spoke, I felt the assurance that Heavenly Father did know me.  He heard my prayers….

                    "Now I know why Church leaders are always emphasizing the value of a patriarchal blessing.  When we learn the worth of something and pay the price to obtain it, we begin to better understand its value.  For me, my blessing and the experience of receiving it was one of the best experiences of my life.  I know my patriarchal blessing will continue to guide me to fulfill its promises" (Rebecca Rose, "My Miracle," New Era, June 1995, 54).

                    I know that patriarchal blessings contain promises and counsel from our Heavenly Father.  Once we receive our patriarchal blessing, we must study it often, follow the counsel it gives, and live worthy of receiving the blessings it promises.  I am very grateful for my patriarchal blessing.  I read it often and find wonderful counsel, comfort and direction from it.