“With the Power of God in Great Glory”

Nephi saw in a vision a stark contrast between two “churches.” The first, which he called “the great and abominable church,” represents worldly organizations that oppress and deceive to obtain power. He saw this church covering the earth and “[sitting] upon many waters” like the whore described by John in the book of Revelation. (See 1 Nephi 14:9-13, Revelation 17.) In contrast, “the church of the Lamb of God” would be relatively small and “scattered upon all the face of the earth” (1 Nephi 14:12, 14).

But Nephi saw something else which gave him hope, even in the midst of these seemingly insurmountable odds:

I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

1 Nephi 14:14

Like the prophet Elisha, who assured his servant, “They that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:14-17), these humble followers of Jesus Christ are in a much stronger position than you might think. In worldly terms, they may seem weak, but spiritually they are strong.

President Russell M. Nelson said:

We have front-row seats to witness live what the prophet Nephi saw only in vision….

You, my brothers and sisters, are among those men, women, and children whom Nephi saw. Think of that!

“Hear Him,” General Conference, April 2020, italics in original

Today, when I feel powerless or outnumbered, I will remember Nephi’s vision. I will remember that God will empower those who enter into a covenant relationship with Him, and that we can overcome even apparently impossible challenges with His help.