The prophet Jacob urged his people, “Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand.” Then, he added, “Ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works” (Jacob 4:10).
Nephi and Mormon both lamented the human tendency to “set at naught” God’s counsel. (See 1 Nephi 19:7, Helaman 12:6.)
When Joseph Smith asked the Lord three times for permission to let Martin Harris take the manuscript of the Book of Mormon home, I’m sure he didn’t think he was setting God’s counsel at naught. But he did receive an answer the first time he asked, and still he kept asking.
Elder Dale G. Renlund said, “If we have received personal revelation for our situation and the circumstances have not changed, God has already answered our question” (“A Framework for Personal Revelation,” General Conference, October 2022).
After Martin lost the manuscript, Joseph received a revelation in which the Lord said:
You should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words—
Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble.
Doctrine and Covenants 3:7-8
It was a good reminder for Joseph, and it’s a good reminder for us. Have you already received an answer? Is it different from the answer you were hoping for? Are you truly interested in receiving direction from Him, or are you stubbornly committed to your preferred outcome?
Today, I will seek to receive counsel from God’s hand. When I have a question, I will consider whether I already know the answer. I will pray with the intent to learn, not with the intent to persuade.
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