“Have ye inquired of the Lord?” Asks Nephi
“We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.” Answers Laman and Lemuel (1 Nephi 15:8-9)
This seems to be a common feeling and conversation. I am not sure why it is difficult at times to seek the Lords wisdom and advice. Maybe because it is easier to battle it out in our own minds or to find council with our friends? “I beheld my brethren, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken.” (1 Nephi 15:2) Maybe it is scary to approach the Lord, in case His will isn’t in line with the “praise of the world.” (1 Nephi 13:9) Maybe the “pure and most precious” ways of the Lord are too simple for our educated, secular minds. (1 Nephi 13:26) Maybe all these feelings have been subtlety placed in our hearts and minds from the “devil, who is the father of all lies.” (2 Nephi 2:18)
1 Nephi 13:27 27 And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.
The truth is the Lord promises us that “If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.” (1 Nephi 15:11) Spiritual knowledge, and the mysteries of God, can be “hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord,” 1 Nephi 13:15) which opens the heavens, (1 Nephi 11:14) and allows for personal communication/revelation.
1 Nephi 11:14 I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
Inquiring of the Lord starts with a simple desire to know, and then trusting that the Lord will give the answer. “I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain.” (1 Nephi 11:1) Through the Holy Ghost, the Lord will show us all things that we desire, here a little, there a little, but we have to be willing to see and hear, with humble-teachable hearts “Look… I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove. And I beheld that he went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory.” (1 Nephi 11:26, 27-28)
We need the Lord in order to escape the fountain of filthy water, the mists of darkness, the large and spacious building and the terrible gulf that divides the world. (1 Nephi 12:16-18) As we follow Him, and seek to know His will, we will be like those “who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them.” (1Nephi 13:16) Let me say it again, “power of God was with them.” (1 Nephi 13:18) It’s absolutely true, those who had “gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.” (1 Nephi 13:19) This is the power that we want to be endowed with, which is the only power that we will keep us from being one of the “many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.” (1 Nephi 13:29)
1 Nephi 13:34 I will bring forth unto them, in mine own power, much of my gospel, which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb.
There is nothing that can bring God more joy than to have his children ask him for direction and then follow that direction. “the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, (enter your name), because thou believest in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired.” (1 Nephi 11:6) He always returns that joy 200%, with his endless, infinite, amazing love, “love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things…and the most joyous to the soul.” (1 Nephi 11:22-23)
1 Nephi 12:10…they are righteous forever; for because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood.
-Written Sherri Jorgensen
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