The Jems of Ether 12

I hadn’t thought to write more. But as I read and pondered Ether 12 again this morning, I felt another entry would be appropriate.

Ether 12 is filled with many precious gems of truth, not the least is Moroni’s thought provoking account of a personal appearance of the Savior. Even now, after reading it many times, I still marvel at the expression “… and that He told me in plain humility even as a man telleth another…”. Imagine the Savior appearing and speaking in plain humility to you.

It is also a great dissertation on faith and how it works and why it is so important for us to live by faith. There is a weighty warning and a promise in the statement “…dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” If you ever wonder, “why hasn’t God heard my prayer?” keep this in mind. In reality, He has heard your prayer, it’s just that in His wisdom, which I strive not to second guess, He’s chosen the response He has. It’s still worth it to stay faithful… to stay in the game.

Lastly, I feel to comment on a passage in verse 37, “…if they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful…. Because thou has seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong….” What a great promise to those who acknowledge their dependance upon God and remain faithful through the adversities of this life!

2 Nephi - The End

Nephi knows he is coming to the end of his life. His writings at the end of 2 Nephi show that by not only what he says, but by its doctrinal density. This is rich, weighty material. Again, books could be and have been written on the teachings here. I’m just touching on the highlights.

Baptism: Christ set the example of showing obedience to the Father by being baptized Himself. Nephi pointedly asks, “if He, being perfect, has need of it? How much more do we?”

Enduring to the end: He gives this beautiful promise. “Ye must press forward with steadfastness in Christ… If ye shall, feasting upon the words of Christ and endure to the end… Ye shall have eternal life.” Doesn’t get much better. I read this and I think of the powerful promise in Helaman 5:12.

The role of scripture and the Holy Ghost in enduring: “Wherefore, feast upon the words of Christ, for behold [they] shall tell you all the things which ye should do.” Studying the scriptures teaches us what to do. Be honest. Be forgiving. Repent. The list goes on. You know it as well as I. Reading it and pondering gives the Holy Ghost an opening to teach us and bring to our mind all these things. Which leads to an even better promise, “If ye will enter in by the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show you all things what ye should do.”

There is a subtle, wonderful, and powerful difference in these two phrases. As a writer, the mantra in writing is to “show not tell.” When we “tell” something we use words like “it was hot”. When we show something, we immerse the reader in the situation: “sweat ran in rivulets down his face, burning his eyes and soaking his thin cotton shirt. Holding his hand to his head to shield his eyes from the blinding white sun, he searched in vain for shade.” Do you see the difference?

This is what is promised to us. The scriptures give us the goals and objectives. If we let Him, the Holy Ghost is in the trenches with us dealing with each moment so we can achieve those goals. How cool is that?

All this and more awaits in the end of 2 Nephi.