I have had the story of the Brother of Jared - specifically the lights in the barge section - in my mind a lot the last few days. We are considering some big choices at this time and we're trying to do the right thing. I think the principle in these verses is really profound and applicable to many of the problems and situations we face. We sometimes struggle because we "think" that there is "one right answer". The brother of Jared could have just said to himself, "Well we'll just have to cross in the dark because the Lord didn't say anything about lights."
BUT he didn't. He saw an opportunity to make life a little easier an better quality. So he approached the Lord. Did the Lord hand out a free answer? Nope. He said, "[W]hat will ye that I should prepare for you?"
I believe that the Lord expects us to believe that He can and will help us achieve goals, dreams, desires that are good. He can build our faith when we need and want to accomplish some great thing - whatever it is. This whole situation the Brother of Jared found himself in was because he wanted to help his family. It was his desire - the Lord was there to help and offer assistance to righteous desires. So...what does that mean for us?
If it worked for the Brother of Jared, it will work for us. We need to be prayerful and counsel with the Lord about what we desire, about what we feel impressed to do, but I believe the Lord will be there to help us. I think He's happy about us being "agents unto ourselves" (D&C 58:28) and He knows our abilities and strength will grow as we pursue things we want that will benefit our families and the people around us. We need to trust Him more. He's not just a law-giver, he's a helper, a friend, a builder, a guide.
So the actual scriptures are right here. Read them for yourselves, they are pretty awesome:
BUT he didn't. He saw an opportunity to make life a little easier an better quality. So he approached the Lord. Did the Lord hand out a free answer? Nope. He said, "[W]hat will ye that I should prepare for you?"
I believe that the Lord expects us to believe that He can and will help us achieve goals, dreams, desires that are good. He can build our faith when we need and want to accomplish some great thing - whatever it is. This whole situation the Brother of Jared found himself in was because he wanted to help his family. It was his desire - the Lord was there to help and offer assistance to righteous desires. So...what does that mean for us?
If it worked for the Brother of Jared, it will work for us. We need to be prayerful and counsel with the Lord about what we desire, about what we feel impressed to do, but I believe the Lord will be there to help us. I think He's happy about us being "agents unto ourselves" (D&C 58:28) and He knows our abilities and strength will grow as we pursue things we want that will benefit our families and the people around us. We need to trust Him more. He's not just a law-giver, he's a helper, a friend, a builder, a guide.
So the actual scriptures are right here. Read them for yourselves, they are pretty awesome:
22 And he cried again unto the Lord saying: O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?
23 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.
24 For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.
25 And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?
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