Why did Nephi pray loudly on top of a tower in his garden? Mormon explains to us that this garden was “by the highway which led to the chief market” and that the tower was “near unto the garden gate which led by the highway” (Helaman 7:10). Just as Daniel might have assumed that he would be heard when he prayed with “his windows being open” (Daniel 6:10), Nephi might reasonably have expected to be noticed as he “[poured] out his soul unto God” in such a visible place (Helaman 7:11).
When a curious crowd gathered, he took advantage of the opportunity to teach, to testify and to prophesy.
Later that day, after being part of an extraordinary miracle, as Nephi walked “towards his own house, pondering upon the things which the Lord had shown unto him” (Helaman 10:2), he heard the voice of God praising his work and promising him great power. In response to this revelation, “he did stop and did not go unto his own house, but did return unto the multitudes who were scattered about upon the face of the land, and began to declare unto them the word of the Lord” (Helaman 10:12).
I’ve been thinking today about the role of our homes. I’ve looked at some passages about our homes from the Book of Mormon and from modern prophets and have drawn the following conclusions:
- It is important to have a place of security and peace which can serve as a foundation for our spiritual growth.
- After Lehi experienced an outdoor vision, “he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed” (1 Nephi 1:7), where he saw the rest of the vision.
- Benjamin, Limhi, and Jesus all encouraged groups of people to go home after hearing a sermon in order to think about what they had heard. (See Mosiah 6:3, Mosiah 8:4, 3 Nephi 17:3, 3 Nephi 19:1.)
- After preaching the gospel in the city of Gideon, Alma “returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself from the labors which he had performed” (Alma 8:1).
- Moroni’s army fought for their homes. A safe place for your family is worth fighting for. (See Alma 43:45.)
- We ought to invite other people into our homes.
- When Amulek met Alma and recognized him as a prophet of God, he “received him into his house” (Alma 8:21), just as the angel had commanded him to do. (See Alma 10:7.) The angel went so far as to tell Amulek that he and his family would be blessed by having Alma in their home, which he testifed had proven to be true. (See Alma 10:11.)
- Alma later invited Amulek into his home and cared for him as he recovered from the trauma of losing his own home. (See Alma 15:18.)
- He also hosted the sons of Mosiah upon their return from a fourteen-year mission among the Lamanites. (See Alma 27:20.)
- Sometimes, we need to leave our homes and serve people where they are.
- After giving guidance and blessings to each of his sons, presumably in his home, Alma “could not rest,” and he went out again to preach the gospel (Alma 43:1).
- As we’ve seen above, Nephi changed his plan after being blessed by God, continuing to preach instead of returning home.
In 2018, President Russell M. Nelson invited us to convert our homes into sanctuaries of faith. He promised:
As you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.
“Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints,” General Conference, October 2018, italics in original
A year later, President Henry B. Eyring provided the following assurance:
You will find some of your greatest joys in your efforts to make your home a place of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a place that is permeated with love, the pure love of Christ.
“A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells,” General Conference, April 2019
Today, I will continue to transform my home into a sanctuary of faith. I will do so for the benefit of my family, for the benefit of others whom we will be inspired to invite into our home, and for the benefit of those we will serve outside of our home. I will remember that the foundation created by a righteous home can strengthen my family, help us grow, and empower us to serve others more effectively wherever we may go.
Leave a Reply