Ether 6

What is going on in our world today? Why all the divisiveness, anger, incivility, decadence?

What happened to common decency?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It used to be possible to think that hate-filled behavior was an isolated occurrence, common to a particular nation-state or time and to specific politicians, oligarchs or social classes.

However, as a result of public media, social networks, and smart phones, it is now obvious that people everywhere are susceptible to hate. The cruelty and bigotry in the egos of human beings and its violent and fanatic expression is evident and suffered globally.

 

 

 

 

Whom do we trust – political leaders, church leaders, coaches, teachers, parents?

 

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

John 2:23-25

 

Ether 6 :4 in the Book of Mormon says:

 4 And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.

The word commend means to entrust their care to. So, in other words, the Jaredites entrusted their care to God. By commending themselves to the Lord, they demonstrated their faith that He could and would deliver them. “The wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters” (Ether 6:8).

 

There are many examples of when people have not trusted God such as  Nephi’s brothers as they crossed the sea with their family. When Laman and Lemuel bound Nephi, the family’s compass, the Liahona, ceased to work and their boat was “driven back upon the waters for the space of four days” (1 Nephi 18:15).

 

Both the Jaredites and Lehi’s family sought to commend themselves to the Lord’s care; however, some members of Lehi’s family were disobedient. The contrast between these two accounts shows that we must exercise faith and keep the commandments to receive all the blessings the Lord would give us through His care.

 

Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy said, “ In the eyes and hearts of many people in the world today, there is evidence of doubt, fear, and hopelessness. Much of the insecurity in the world has filtered into our homes and personal lives. No matter what our age or circumstance, we all have a need to know that we have power in the present and hope in the future.

Every one of us needs to know that we can go on in the strength of the Lord. We can put our hand in His, and we will feel His sustaining presence lift us to heights unattainable alone.

We must trust in the Lord. If we give ourselves freely to Him, our burdens will be lifted and our hearts will be consoled.”  (“The Lord Thy God Will Hold Thy Hand” Ensign, November 2003).

 

Listen to the words of Mormon: “Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power?” (Morm. 5:23).

 

 

Elder Richard G. Scott counseled: “Trust in God … no matter how challenging the circumstance. … Your peace of mind, your assurance of answers to vexing problems, your ultimate joy depend upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ” (“The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2003, 76, 78).

The only one we are called to “entrust” ourselves to is God, and all other trust relationships should only be through that filter.

3 Nephi 27

Here is a question that people throughout all time have asked themselves – “What kind of person should I be?” I struggled with this question, especially during my teenage years – kind of like the question “what am I going to be when I grow up?” only much deeper.

 

There are those that don’t care who or what they are in this life. They don’t care what others think.  They live day to day and whatever happens, happens.

 

And then there are those who define what they expect others to be in their judgements of them. They seem to know exactly how everyone else should be. Something else I have struggled with – judging others.

 

The Savior posed the question in a far more profound way, making it a vital doctrinal question for each of us: “What manner of men [and women] ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27)

 

There are many things we need to do. But we also need to be.

 

Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy in his talk “What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye To Be?”, says, "be and do are inseparable". If we aren't both being and doing, then we're hypocrites. To give very simple examples, I can go to church every Sunday (do) but if I don't believe in the gospel then what's the point- there's no be. Or, maybe I believe in my heart the truth of the gospel (be) but if I never act on it by going to church, I'm not doing. Those are over-simplified examples, but you get the point.

 

Elder Robbins said “To become as He is, we must also do the things He did: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do” (3 Nephi 27:21).

 

To be and to do are inseparable. As interdependent doctrines they reinforce and promote each other. Faith inspires one to pray, for example, and prayer in turn strengthens one’s faith.

The Savior often denounced those who did without being—calling them hypocrites: “This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6). To do without to be is hypocrisy, or feigning to be what one is not—a pretender.”

 

Ezra Taft Benson taught “To be like the Savior—what a challenge for any person! He is a member of the Godhead. He is the Savior and Redeemer. He was perfect in every aspect of His life. There was no flaw nor failing in Him. Is it possible for us … to be even as He is? The answer is yes. Not only can we, but that is our charge, our responsibility. He would not give us that commandment if He did not mean for us to do it”

 

 

I love this quote from Zig Ziglar:

You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness. Zig Ziglar

 

 

This world is filled with people who think they know best. Everyone has their opinions and they have opinions about everything!

 

Focus on what is important and don't be distracted by what may be in the winds of public opinion. Focus is so essential in achieving our goals. Too many of us are concerned about what’s on the right and what’s on the left, and we fail to adequately focus on what we should that is right down the middle. When we fail to focus on the right things, it is difficult to become the manner of men and women that we desperately want and need to be!