God promised Israel "bread from heaven." The Israelites called it "manna," which means "what is it?" It sustained them for forty years, but as Jesus explained, this bread was symbolic of the true Bread, which offers us eternal life. Each week, as we partake of the sacrament, we remember Him, our Bread from heaven.
A Way for Moses, a Way for Nephi, and a Way for the Jaredites
God helped Moses, Nephi, and the Jaredites all to cross large bodies of water. He helped them each in a different way, tailored to their needs and circumstances. God will always provide a way for us to accomplish His purposes, but it isn't always the same way, so we need to be adaptable.
Stand Still, and See the Salvation of the Lord
Nephi strengthened his brothers' faith by reminding them of multiple miracles God performed on behalf of their ancestors: parting the Red Sea, providing manna, and bringing water from a rock. As we remember these events, our faith can also be strengthened, so that we can invite miracles into our lives.
God Remembered His Covenant
God called Moses because He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus prophesied that God would gather His people and teach them His gospel because He remembers that covenant. For God to "remember the covenant" means that He will act on behalf of His people, in accordance with the promises He has made.
“I Have Remembered My Covenant”
When the children of Israel prayed for relief as they suffered in slavery, God remembered His covenant with their ancestors. The Book of Mormon testifies that we never need feel isolated or rejected because God will remember His covenants.
Abraham, Tent-Dweller
Abraham lived in a tent, even though he was in the promised land. The author of Hebrews explained that he lived in a tent because he was looking forward to a permanent home that only God could provide. The tent indicated that he was rooted in God's promises, not in his current circumstances.
Jacob on Economic Inequality
Jacob decried the burgeoning inequality among his people by reminding them that all people share a common origin, value, and purpose. This reasoning echoed Nephi’s earlier rejection of claims to preeminence and his insistence that because God created all humanity, He remembers and speaks to all nations.
The Heaven and the Earth
Faith in God can begin with a sense of wonder at His creations. Nephi, Benjamin, Ammon and Aaron, Jesus, and Moroni all emphasized the Creation as a basis for belief in God.
Your Most Holy Places
Nephi, the brother of Jared, and Moses all climbed mountains to speak with God. Joseph Smith entered a grove of trees for the same purpose. We build temples to give us similar spaces, where our prayers may be more easily answered and where we can draw closer to God and be changed by Him.
Still and Small
God has all power and controls the elements, but Elijah, Nephi, and Joseph Smith all testified that God spoke to them through a still small voice. What distractions can we remove from our lives in order to hear that voice and receive God's most powerful messages?