"3...Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do."
Nephi continues in verse six saying that this is the doctrine of Christ. If we don't understand we need to ask and it will be shown unto us by the Holy Ghost.
2 Nephi 33:14 is a powerful statement from Nephi. "And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day." This is his final testimony of the words that he wrote on the Gold Plates. If we will read the Book of Mormon and ask if it is true then we will gain a testimony of the truthfulness of it. That is what Nephi is telling us to do.
When Laman and Lemuel didn't understand Lehi's dream, Nephi asked them if they had asked God what it meant. They said they hadn't because why would God answer them? Sometimes I think we feel like this as well. "Who am I to ask to understand? He wouldn't tell me anyway." If we don't ask of course we aren't going to understand. That is why it has been suggested to pray before reading the scriptures for insight and enlightenment as well as after for any additional communication we might need.
ReplyDeleteI think it is noteworthy that even though Nephi felt inadequate in writing (see 2 Nephi 33:1), he still did it, and he esteemed it of great worth (verse 3). When we teach our children, we must do so by word and example, but we should also teach them what prophets have written (see Helaman 5:13). And we should follow the example of prophets and keep our own written records.
ReplyDeleteSomething I have thought a lot about is Pres. Eyring's admonition to pray/ask WITH THE INTENT TO OBEY. When we ask to know the truth of something, when we ask for an answer to a problem or question, when we seek His guidance....are we prepared and willing to follow and obey what is given to us?
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Ghost is an AMAZING gift, that each of us can receive and have as a companion. And as I ponder these verses, it reminds me of the importance of receiving and following what is given. That may often be difficult, but will be what is right and the Lord will help us through!