Asa started his reign on a high note. He rested on God, he and his people sought God, and God blessed him. But somehow, his faith slipped. He sought help from a Syrian king instead of God, and he imprisoned a prophet who chastised him. It's important not to become complacent during good times.
He Trusted in the Lord God of Israel
The Flight of the Prisoners, by Jacques Joseph Tissot "In the ninth year of Hoshea," writes the author of 2 Kings, "the king of Assyria ... carried Israel away into Assyria." Then, in an extended editorial note similar to Helaman 12, the author explains what led to this tragedy. For so it was, that the... Continue Reading →
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.
Judges and the Pride Cycle
The Book of Mormon, like Judges, shows us many occurrences of the Pride Cycle. Unlike Judges, it also provides the answer. Prosperity need not lead to pride. With intentional effort, we can remain humble even when the Lord has blessed us abundantly.
The Lord Raised Up a Deliverer
Like the Book of Mormon, the book of Judges relates events which illustrate the pride cycle. Many of Mormon's observations explain what Judges leaves unsaid. Both books also have heroes, some deeply flawed. Even so, they are blessings from God, sent in response to the people's heartfelt prayers.
Plagues
The plagues were divinely architected in a sequence intended to achieve God's objective: the liberation of Israel. But this fact doesn't minimize the pain people suffered as a result. We can sympathize and hope at the same time, mourning with those that mourn even as we hope with those who have reason to hope.
Enoch and the Power of Words
For a self-described slow speaker, Enoch became an extraordinary orator. He prophesied, and he performed miracles by commanding the elements. Words externalize our thoughts, representing commitment and therefore evidencing our faith. Maybe that's why Jesus promised that if we have faith, we can move mountains with our words.
Seeing the Face of God
The first verse of Doctrine and Covenants 93 lays out a simple formula: Those who follow Christ will come to know Him. He promises that we will "see [His] face and know that [He is]," which implies far more than being in His presence. It means that we will understand and recognize Him.
Filling the Measure of My Creation
In Doctrine and Covenants 88, the Lord reveals that the earth "filleth the measure of its creation" and will be sanctified. Mormon contrasted the earth's obedience to God with human stubbornness. We fill the measure of our creation by fulfilling our God-given missions and becoming what God created us to become.
The Voice of Thunderings
Adversity is an invitation from God. Calamities and trials may be His call to repent and turn our hearts to Him. Rather than ask, “Why me?” we might ask, “What can I learn from this experience?” If we listen with humility, we may hear His voice even in the "thunderings" of our lives.