Elijah decreed a drought in Israel. How did he do this? The Book of Mormon explains that before the prophet Nephi did something similar, God conferred on him the authority to seal or loose the heavens. God expressed confidence that Nephi would use this power according to His will.
How Long Halt Ye?
Elijah and Nephi both summoned famines with the intent to turn their people's hearts back to God. Nephi's people eventually responded on their own. Elijah's people needed a nudge in the form of fire from heaven. But in both cases, the famine persisted until the prophet saw evidence of repentance.
If the Lord Be God, Follow Him
Why weren't the Israelites permanently converted to God after seeing Elijah call down fire from heaven? For the same reason that Elijah didn't find God in the wind, earthquake, or fire. Miracles may show us God's power, but listening to the still small voice brings us closer to Him.
“Remember This Day, in Which Ye Came Out from Egypt”
Passover represents not only miraculous deliverance, but prolonged discouragement leading to liberation. It represents not only escape from a devastating plague but also the end of the plagues. It reminds us that God is there, as we pass through difficult challenges, and that if we don't yet see Him acting on our behalf, we will.
Multiply and Replenish
God wants His children to marry and raise children. When that is not possible, we can follow the example of Adam and Eve while they were still in the Garden of Eden: multiplying and replenishing the earth by tending the personal gardens in which God has placed us.
“He Began to Remember”
Coriantumr refused to respond to prophetic warnings from Ether for a long time. When he finally saw the wisdom in those warnings, it was too late to avoid the consequences of his unwise decisions. It is so much better to heed warnings and repent early!
The Sealing Power
Nephi taught that we should focus on eternal treasures, not temporary ones. God promised that whatever he sealed on earth would be sealed in heaven. God has made it possible for us to enter into permanent covenants with Him and with other people.
Stronger and Stronger in Humility (or Pride)
Our spiritual fitness improves gradually through consistent effort. Church members in Helaman's time grew "stronger and stronger in their humility" as they engaged in fasting and prayer. Later, they grew "stronger and stronger in pride" through negligence
Rain
As the children of Israel prepared to enter the promised land, Moses promised them that God would bless them in their new home, including providing the moisture needed to grow crops: It shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with... Continue Reading →
“I Only Remain”
Elijah was lonely. After initiating a famine, he went into hiding, living in the wilderness with ravens bringing him food (1 Kings 17:1-7), and then traveling to the Phoenician city of Zarephath and staying with a poor widow and her son (1 Kings 17:8-9). After three years evading the servants of King Ahab, who had... Continue Reading →