According to the faith and diligence we gave to it

Before lehis family began their long journey across the desert, god gave them the liahona, a mysterious compass that always pointed in the direction they should go.

When nephi breaks his bow, the entire family is upset because that was their livelihood. Even lehi, the patriarch and prophet of the family. Nephi, however, takes ownership and replaces his bow. Then,he ask his father where he should go find food. His father looks at the liahona and finds that there is writing that has changed.

Nephi makes these two conclusions about the liahona: "the pointers did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them" and "it had writing which did give us understanding concerning the wats of the lord and it was changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto them." later it also says that they were led into the more fertile parts of the land.

I imagine the compass only gave them direction for a few feet or maybe a few miles. Then it would probably change their course. I wonder if ther was ever a time that they were heading into a part that looked prosperous then suddenly have the liahona direct them into an area they looked barren. I'm sure laman and lemuel wouldve said it wants us to go there, but this way looks so much better. Who knows what lays down that better trail though, could be thieves, could be a longer stretch of desert, or could just be better blessings on the otther trail.

My wife has been having a hard time because the liahona (scriptures, prayer, etc) told her to persue school. She made a deal that she would continue school until we had another child. When we didn't get pregnant for several years after ben was born and discovered some medical problems we assumed we were done. She had her journey all laid out. She would graduate in may and continue on to get a phd in psych. It looked like such a great path.

One semester before she



We can do as lehi and most of his children did and complain, murmur, and hate the lord for leading us into a harder trail or we can follow nephi's example and go make our bow and find where the lord would have us go next.

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If Thou Believest, thou canst be healed

I've always been intrigued by the story of Zeezrom in the Book of Mormon; however, I've never seen the parallel that exists between the wicked, unrepentant citizens that he inspired and the penitent, humble Zeezrom in Alma chapter 15.

The chapter starts out with a sick Zeezrom. He's not sick because he caught the swine flu or any other physical ailment; he's sick because of his mental and emotional anguish. Here you have one of the most wicked men of the day. He's convincing everyone in the village that there is no Christ; therefore, you don't have to repent. The reason for this claim wasn't because he believed it, but he was a lawyer and was seeking for money and power. He contends with Alma and Amulek and as a lawyer convinces many, but he ultimately is convinced by Alma and Amulek that he is wrong. Despite all of his efforts to reverse what he had said, the people ultimately throw Alma and Amulek in prison, beat them, burn all of the scriptures, and throw their followers in the fire while forcing Alma and Amulek to watch.

Zeezrom leaves the city with the full knowledge of what he has done. He also believes that Alma and Amulek have been killed. This is the cause of his sickness. He sees no way for to repay for what he has done. Then, he hears that it's only 99% as bad as he thought because Alma and Amulek are still alive and in the very city where he is staying. Then, he sends for them. Now imagine this. You've just had a heated argument with these two missionaries. You left them in the hands of a murderous people who treated them harsh. And you've been the cause of great agony to these two men of God. Yet, he sends for them because he knows they are men of God. That takes some guts.

The scriptures say that Alma and Amulek went to him immediately, obeying him. I think that takes some guts as well. If this had been me, I'd be more likely to say, "I hope he never recovers from his illness. Let him rot. Do you know what I just went through because of him-not to mention those poor people who were burned alive. (Amulek may be able to add, "I lost my wife and children because of him" just speculation though)." Instead of saying this, they simply obey his message and go to him immediately.

Then, comes these important words, "Believest thou the power of Christ unto salvation." Finally, Zeezrom answers in the affirmative. Alma tells him, "If thou believest in the redemption of Christ, thou canst be healed." And so it is that Zeezrom was healed both physically and spiritually.

Mormon proceeds to contrast Zeezrom to his followers. "But...the people of Amoniah did not believe in the repentance of their sins."

For a wise purpose in him, which I know not

For the lord has commanded me to ... For a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not. But the lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. -1 nephi 9:6

The lord often answers our prayers by telling us to do something. Sometimes we are then told to do something else that either seems contradictory, redundant, or impossible to accomplish both commands. But as nephi says he will make it possible if we have faith and go and do what he says.

We may never find out why he told us to do something. Nephi never knew that a guy named Martin Harris would lose the manuscript. He only knew that he was told to make two plates even though his dad already had this record. It probably wasn't easy to find and refine gold as he was travelling (assuming that's when he wrote it) but aren't we glad he did write; otherwise we would only have the book of Mormon starting in mosiah 400 years after nephi wrote.

Obey god, even when you don't know why or if it's possible, he will prepare a way for you. As nephi says "and thus it is. Amen." that's how it is folks whether you like it or not.

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