He Prepareth a Way – 1 Nephi 9:6

6 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. And thus it is. Amen.
(1 Nephi 9:6)

Because Nephi knew that God has all knowledge and power, he was able to avoid the fruitless effort of worrying about things he couldn’t control and focus instead on the work he needed to do. In this chapter, which functions as a brief editorial note, Nephi explains to us that the Lord had commanded him to make two sets of plates: one to record his ministry, and the other for the history of his people, including kings, wars, and contentions. He knew that both sets of plates were necessary, and he knew what kind of content belonged in each. What he didn’t know was why: “Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not” (1 Nephi 9:5). And so, in the passage above, he reaffirms his faith in God. There were plenty of things which Nephi did not know, but he was willing to trust in a God who “knoweth all things” and who “hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words.” As a result, he knew that God would prepare a way for him to be successful, just as he had previously affirmed to his father. (See 1 Nephi 3:7.)

A number of years ago, Gordon B. Hinckley shared how he had learned this same principle:

Recently while wrestling in my mind with a problem I thought to be of serious consequence I went to my knees in prayer. There came into my mind a feeling of peace and the words of the Lord, “Be still and know that I am God.” I turned to the scripture and read this reassuring statement spoken to the Prophet Joseph Smith 150 years ago: “Let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.” (D&C 101:16.)

God is weaving his tapestry according to his own grand design. All flesh is in his hands. It is not our prerogative to counsel him. It is our responsibility and our opportunity to be at peace in our minds and in our hearts, and to know that he is God, that this is his work, and that he will not permit it to fail.

We have no need to fear. We have no need to worry. We have no need to speculate. Our imperative need is to be found doing our duty individually in the callings which have come to us (“He Slumbers Not, nor Sleeps,” General Conference, April 1983).

Today, I will remember that my efforts operate within a larger context. God really is at the helm, and I can confidently move forward, doing my duty, and trusting that the grand architecture is being executed by an omniscient, omnipotent, and perfectly loving Father in Heaven.