Am I My Brother's Keeper?

In the Book of Genesis, after Cain killed his brother, Abel, we read,

“And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)

I find it interesting that Cain replies that he doesn’t know, and his further response shows that he doesn’t really care either. I have found that sometimes in my own life it is so much easier to stay in my own little bubble and not worry about the world outside. It is easier to get so involved in my own life and crowd out any desire to walk outside see how my neighbors are doing, or call my visiting teachers. I think the natural man is very content with sticking with the comfortable.

Opportunities to serve often come unexpectedly and are oftentimes inconvenient. One of the challenges I have is how to make being aware of others needs, and doing something to help, an automatic response. 

I was driving on the freeway one day and saw a broken down car. As I took my exit I saw a man walking by the side of the road. I thought “I wonder if he needs help”, but was taking my exit and the traffic was getting busy, and I continued driving, and thinking about whether he needed help or not, but didn’t pull over. How simple it would have been to stop and help had I been looking for an opportunity to serve—had my heart been wanting to serve someone else rather than getting done those things I wanted for me.

There is a story from the life of the Savior that really made me think about how He served. In the book of Matthew we read of how Jesus exemplified serving others even when it is inconvenient.

John the Baptist, cousin and good friend of the Savior, has just been killed. Jesus wanted to go somewhere to be alone. He wanted some time to mourn the loss of his cousin so, “he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities” (Matthew 14:13). The people found Him and instead of sending them away He, “went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them” (Matthew 14:14). He then takes the time to focus on others, rather than His own mourning and grief, and heals those there who are sick.

“And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals” (Matthew 14:15).

With evening drawing near, and His disciples requesting him to send the multitude away, how easy it would have been to send away the people. “But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat” (Matthew 14:16). He then feeds all 5,000 man (along with their wives, and children) through a miracle. We then read,

“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone” (Matthew 14:22-23).

After our perfect Example took care of the needs of others He took time to care for His own sorrow. This teaches me that  when I am mourning or struggling with something if I focus on the needs of others (rather than wallowing in my own sorrow or self-pity) miracles can happen.

In the scriptures we can find many examples of how we should treat others. King Benjamin, in the Book of Mormon, teaches,

“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).

Wisdom comes when we apply our hearts to understanding (see Mosiah 12:27). My struggle is getting what I know to be part of what I do automatically. I think that King Benjamin is trying to teach us something in these verses about service. If we back up a little we find his opening remarks, 

“[O]pen your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view” (Mosiah 2:9).

He then teaches us, with examples from his own life, of what we should do (see Mosiah 2:11-15).

1. “[S]erve…with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto [you]”
2. Service should not be done for monetary gain
3. Be merciful, but don’t allow sin or wickedness to prevail—teach the commandments
4. Labor with your own hands to lift the burdens of others
5. Make sure your heart is in the right place, and you are serving for the glory of God and not the honors of men

The Savior taught, “That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12). He is our example of perfect love and service. He approached the leper. He did not wrongfully judge the widow and her meager offering of a mite. He was merciful to the woman caught in adultery. He was compassionate to the throngs of people following Him. Sheri Palmer, in a BYU Devotional, expressed it this way,

“What was Jesus doing? He said, ‘I will,’ He ‘touched,’ He ‘arose,’ He ‘turned him about,’ and He ‘was moved with compassion.’ These are characteristics of kindness and love. He was not inconvenienced. It was His way of life. When we act and serve as Jesus did, we become more like Him” (link to talk).

Jesus expressed His love so readily because it was a part of who He was—something that He had to develop through His own practicing. I love the way that Tad R. Callister expresses the process the Savior went through as He became who He was meant to become.

“[T]he great Jehovah, creator of worlds without number, infinite in virtue and power, made his entry into this world in swaddling clothes and a manger.

“Be that as it may, no one could mask his godhood. One might clothe his spirit with flesh and blood, wrap him in mortal garb, draw the veil of forgetfulness across his mind, but no one, absolutely no one, could rob him of his divinely inherited traits. They could not be buried in his mortal frame. They could not be silenced. Every moment of every day his godly attributes were etching themselves on his outer shell. They manifested themselves in every smile, every glance, every spoken word. Godliness exuded itself in every though, every action, and every deed” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p64).

The same can be true for us. Even though we have been born of mortal parents, we still have an eternal Heavenly Father—the literal Father of our spirits. Etching our divinely inherited traits onto our physical body may be difficult, but depending on the decisions we make in this life our countenance will be our witness as to whether our choices were for, or against, our Heavenly Father's plan (see 2 Nephi 13:9).

I found an interesting story in the Book of Mormon about serving even when things are difficult. From Nephi 's account we learn that Lehi and his family have joined with the family of Ishmael and, by following the Liahona, are headed into the wilderness.

“And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents for the space of a time, that we might again rest ourselves and obtain food for our families” (1 Nephi 16:17).

While the men are going to obtain food Nephi’s bow breaks—they have no food to bring back to their families. They return tired, worn out, and hungry. There were some in the group that began “to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness” (1 Nephi 16:20). I find it very telling about the character of Nephi that even though “I, Nephi, having been afflicted with my brethren because of the loss of my bow” (1 Nephi 16:21) he did not complain. Even though he is afflicted just as much as they are (or more so because of their anger against him) he decides to act.

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?” (1 Nephi 16:23).

Lehi, and his family, humble themselves and turn to the Lord because of Nephi. At this time they learned that the Liahona “did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto [it]” (1 Nephi 16:29). Elder David A. Bednar said,

“The description…of the Liahona…specifically was included in the record as a type and a shadow for our day and as an essential lesson about what we should do to enjoy the blessings of the Holy Ghost” (David A. Bednar, Increase In Learning, pg63 - not sure how to reference the page numbers on an iBook)

Nephi served his family even though his situation was just as dire. Through his faith, diligence, and heed to the promptings of the Holy Ghost he was able to bless his family—insomuch that they were provided with food. Similarly, as we serve others—despite our own trials and circumstances—we can be blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost. President Thomas S. Monson taught,

“My brothers and sisters, the Lord’s purposes are often accomplished as we pay heed to the guidance of the Spirit. I believe that the more we act upon the inspiration and impressions which come to us, the more the Lord will entrust to us His errands” (link to talk).

And along with the companionship of the Holy Ghost, we can earn the trust of the Lord.

As we listen to the Holy Ghost we can work toward perfection (although we never will attain it in this life). In the story of the rich young man, he professed to keep all the commandments and came to the Savior wanting to know what else was required of him. We read,

“The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

“But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:20-22).

If we set our hearts on the things of this world, instead of on the things of God, one day we may also walk away sorrowing.  Along those same lines, if we are dutifully carrying our lamps, but neglecting to bring oil with us, one day we will be left on the outside of the closed door (see Matthew 25:1-10). Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught,

“We are the Lord’s people, his saints, those to whom he has given much and from whom he expects much in return….We have covenanted in the waters of baptism to love and serve him, to keep his commandments, and to put first in our lives the things of his kingdom” (link to talk).

I remember hearing a story about a teacher who had been teaching about the Life of Christ for a semester. As he taught he explained the need to truly incorporate the teachings of the Master in their lives. 

When students showed up for the final exam there was a sign indicating that the exam location had been moved to a building on the other side of campus. As the students raced across campus there were many people along the way. Among those were a girl who was distressed, someone with a broken down bicycle, and an elderly gentleman who was having a difficult time picking up some books he had dropped. 

As the students showed up to the new location the teacher informed them that they had all failed their final exam. Surprise and shock filled the room. The teacher had explained that throughout the course he had been teaching them about applying those things they had been taught, rather than just mentally knowing them. The distressed people, mentioned above, had been placed there by the teacher to see if these students had internalized the teachings of the Savior.

One of the well-known parables taught by the Savior is known as the Good Samaritan. A man is robbed, beaten, and left for dead. There are those who came but “passed by on the other side” (see Luke 10:31-32).

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

“And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34).

There was much tension between the Jews and the Samaritans during the time of Christ. The Savior was teaching them that they should be loving even those they considered to be their enemies. “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?” (Matthew 5:46).

When I focus on my sorrows, challenges, problems, trials, or heartaches, I feel weighed down and less inclined to think of—let alone help—others. When I focus on what I can do for others, and completely forget about what I will get in return, my burdens are somehow lifted. As we turn our lives and problems over to the Lord we can be blessed. 

Elder Carl B. Cook shared an experience that I want to relate here.

“Recently Sister Cook and I attended a women’s conference in South Africa. After we listened to some inspiring messages on applying the Atonement in our lives, the stake Relief Society president invited everyone outside. We were each given a helium balloon. She explained that our balloon represented whatever burden, trial, or hardship was holding us back in our lives. On the count of three, we released our balloons, or our 'burdens.' As we looked up and watched our burdens float away, there was an audible 'Ahhhh.' That simple act of releasing our balloons provided a marvelous reminder of the indescribable joy that comes from looking up and thinking of Christ” (link to talk).

As we look to the Savior we can let go of our own burdens and turn them over to the Lord. By doing what we can to serve others our hearts can be lifted above our own worries and sorrows. We can then gain a greater perspective on what we are really dealing with in our own lives (especially if we can step away from it for a time).

I remember the day I learned that my baby would need to have surgery. Nothing life-threatening, but still serious. As the day of surgery drew near I prayed to find someone else that I could help, someone else that I could focus my energies on—so as not to become consumed with a ‘woe is me’ mentality. 

I found her. She was on the other side of the curtain in our shared hospital room. 

Our babies were in the same room because they had both had the same surgery. I had previously complained about the several weeks that I had a 20 minute drive (twice a week) to the doctor to make sure the pregnancy was going well. She had a 3 hour drive, each way. I had only 1 child needing surgery. This was the second time she had to go through this. I had the support of family, friends, and ward members in the hospital as well as at home. She was alone. My heart yearned to know how to help. I wasn’t sure what I could even do to help her; but the Holy Ghost did. What a great teaching experience for me.

Jon M. Huntsman once taught,

“The Holy Ghost acts within each of us as a moral compass. It tells us what is right and what is wrong. We always know when we are not doing the right thing….The Holy Ghost is there to prompt us, and we never have to reason through those promptings. Acting on them can have a positive and powerful and remarkable impact on our lives....

“[A]bove all else, believe in yourself, and between you and the Lord your dreams can and will come true, and in your pursuit of your dream, never, never forget others. It is a privilege to serve others” (link to talk).

As we remember that we are the literal spirit children of God, we will realize the infinite potential that lies within each and every one of us on this earth. We can do anything that is required of us—with the Lord’s help. 

I was reading the story of the loaves and fishes and something stood out to me this time.

“And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

“And they did all eat, and were filled.

“And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes” (Mark 6:41-43). 

Sometimes I feel like a very small fish in a very big world. But I have learned that by trusting in the Lord, and obeying Him, I can be transformed from a single, small fish to something much, much greater than I had ever thought possible. 

We are the offspring of God. We have the potential to become like Him. As we look for opportunities to help and serve each other while here on this earth we can become more like Him. As we continually strive to be like Him we can “[receive] his image in [our] countenances” (Alma 5:14), we can be a light to others, and we can discover the purpose for our creation.

Why Are We Here...On Earth?

I have been thinking about life lately. It’s amazing to me that there are so many people in this world, and each of us is a spirit child of God - known personally to Him. What I find even more astounding, and incomprehensible, is how the Atonement of Jesus Christ covered for all the sins of everyone on this earth. Sometimes I will be sitting in a room and think of all the problems that the small group of people I can see are dealing with, and it can be almost overwhelming. There are those who will embrace the power of the Atonement and become so much more than they ever could become in this life, and there are those who will openly reject it. Despite what our choice may be the Atonement was made for all, and was prepared before we came to earth.

In the Book of Abraham we read about the council in heaven pertaining to the earth upon which we live and the souls that would populate it.

“Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;

“And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.

“And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

“And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

“And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever” (Abraham 3:22-26).

I want to contrast this with what we read in the Book of Moses about Cain. The Lord tells Cain, “thou shalt be called Perdition; for thou wast also before the world” (Moses 5:24, emphasis added). Before we came to earth there was a vast spectrum of loyalty to the Lord among His spirit children: ranging from “one like unto God” to “Perdition.” In Alma 28:13 we read, “And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression.” Thus we had agency in our first, or pre mortal, estate.

Prior to the great council in heaven we were tutored and taught by our Father—as His children. We learned and grew through our obedience. Greater obedience yielded greater knowledge and understanding. In Doctrine & Covenants 130:19 we read, 

“And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.”

If the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever I feel that this principle of intelligence applied before this earth life as well.

We saw our Father. We saw His glory. We wanted to be like Him. We, through our agency, chose our own path “according to the dictates of our own conscience” (Article of Faith 1:11). Elder Tad R. Callister explains, 

“All premortal spirits commenced their spirit sojourn innocent (i.e., meaning free from sin), but all such spirits lost their innocence through individual sin….Such concepts as agency, expulsion, and foreordinations, all of which were present in the pre mortal life, imply a choice and an opportunity to obey or to sin” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p 77).

And Joseph Fielding Smith taught,

“God gave his children their free agency even in the spirit world, by which the individual spirits had the privilege, just as men have here, of choosing the good and rejecting the evil, or partaking of the evil to suffer the consequences of their sins. Because of this, some even there were more faithful than others in keeping the commandments of the Lord” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:58-59).

In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn how blessings of obedience were received then, and now:

“There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

“And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (Doctrine & Covenants 130:20-21).

From these statements we learn that there were established laws in heaven and we had the agency to obey or disobey, and we would receive spiritual growth or stagnation according to our actions.

Before we came down to earth we knew that Jesus Christ would be our Savior and Redeemer. A grand council was called in which our Heavenly Father’s plan was laid out before us. We were overjoyed! Elder James E. Talmage wrote,

“In that great concourse of spirit-intelligences, the Father’s plan, whereby His children would be advanced to their second estate, was submitted and doubtless discussed. The opportunity so placed within the reach of the spirits who were to be privileged to take bodies upon the earth was so transcendently glorious that those heavenly multitudes burst forth into song and shouted for joy” (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p 8).

Sometimes, when weighed down with troubles and heartache, I think we forget the eternal joy that this life is set up to offer us. Despite our heartaches, challenges, frustrations, unmet expectations, unfulfilled dreams, tragedy, or anything else of that nature, we all chose to come to earth and embraced the opportunity to live the life that would be given to each of us. 

I want to share something I learned while listening to a girl named Meg Johnson tell her story. Meg was a girl who loved life and loved to dance. When she was in her late teens she had a tragic accident that left her a quadriplegic. I remember her telling of a dream she had after her accident about the pre earth life. She was sitting at a table with a man who was dressed in white. They were looking at a book and she knew that it contained what she would experience here in mortal life. She remembers the man saying “you will be paralyzed” and she saw herself exclaim, “I am so excited!!” 

She didn’t know what being paralyzed would really entail, but she knew that if it was required to help her become like her Heavenly Father then she was willing to do it. No price would be too great. (Link to Meg's Website)

Hearing Meg’s story has reminded me that we chose to come to earth because we knew it was the only way that we could return to become like our Heavenly Father. Elder Richard G. Scott taught,

“[S]o that the period of mortal testing and growth would yield its greatest benefit, you were taught and prepared for the circumstances you would personally encounter in mortality” (link to talk).

Sometimes there are those who may think that the Lord threw us down here on earth without a reason, but that is not so. He has walked this way before and knows what it takes to become like He is. As President Lorenzo Snow taught, “as man now is, God once was; as God now is man may be” (link to quote). 

In his book “A New Witness For the Articles of Faith”, Bruce R. McConkie quoted Joseph Smith (see also King Follett Address, History of the Church 6:305-6). He said,

“'If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by His power, was to make himself visible, -- I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form -- like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form of a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with Him, as one man talks and communes with another.’ Oh, how great the importance to make these things known unto all men so that they no longer worship gods of their own creating!

“'It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty the character of God,’ the inspired word continues, ‘and to know that we may converse with Him as one man converses with another, and that He was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ Himself did.’ The Father is a glorified, perfected, resurrected, exalted man who worked out his salvation by obedience to the same laws he has given to us so that we may do the same” (Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p 64).

I remember when I first heard that I thought, "He is there cheering for us and saying, you can do it, and it is SO worth it!". He has done what we need to do, and He knows how to help us get there. What peace and comfort to know that God has a plan for each of us, and it is one that He has already walked.

Growing up I always imagined the council in our pre-earth life as one where there was a large gathering and a plan was presented.

“And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first” (Abraham 3:27).

Naively I thought Jesus and Lucifer both approached the throne, volunteering for the position of Savior. One was chosen and the other was not. I didn't quite understand how it could be fair that Lucifer was cast out.

I now realize my misunderstanding. God, our omniscient Father, knew the plan from beginning to end. He was not looking for volunteers. Jesus Christ had been foreordained to fulfill the role as Savior and Redeemer. John Taylor said,

“It is evident that at the Council certain plans had been proposed and discussed, and that after a full discussion of those principles, and the declaration of the Father’s will pertaining to His design, Lucifer came before the Father with a plan of his own, saying, ‘Behold [here am] I; send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore, give me thine honor’….Lucifer wanted to introduce a plan contrary to the will of his Father, and then wanted His honor” (John Taylor, Mediation and Atonement, p 93-94).

The Lord explained,

“And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.

“But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

“Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;

“And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice” (Moses 4:1-4).

Agency, the ability to choose for ourselves, is an integral part of our Heavenly Father’s plan. Because of His love for us he allows us our agency. And because of agency our Father watched as one-third part of His children followed Lucifer, of their own free will, to their own eternal condemnation. I was struck by something Elder Robert D. Hales said about relating the pre-earth life to this life when he said, 

“In choosing whether we will obey [in this life], it is always helpful to remember the consequences of our choices. Did Lucifer and his followers understand the consequences of choosing to reject Heavenly Father’s plan? If so, why did they make such a terrible choice? We might ask ourselves a similar question: why do any of us choose to be disobedient when we know the eternal consequences of sin?” (link to talk).

Those who followed Lucifer were very aware of the consequences of their actions, but they chose them anyway. It made me wonder how I am doing at keeping my current actions aligned with where I really want to end up after this life.

In the pre-mortal council we understood that we would be able to come down to earth and choose for ourselves whether we would hearken to the voice of the Lord or not. Whether we were born into poverty or wealth, slavery or freedom, the Lord has an individual purpose and plan for each one of us. The circumstances and challenges that we each face are specifically tailored and designed to help us attain eternal life and salvation with God. How we respond to this life is a sign of who we are becoming.

Elder Jörg Klebingat reminds us,

“Accept trials, setbacks, and ‘surprises’ as part of your mortal experience. Remember that you are here to be proved and tested, ‘to see if [you] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [your] God shall command [you]’—and may I just add, ‘under all circumstances’” (link to talk).

We each have differing trials and abilities to accompany us during this life. Just as you would never wear oven mitts to perform surgery (or surgical gloves to remove something from a hot oven) we are each here with specific talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts that complement perfectly with our purpose here on this earth. We should never wish for anyone else’s trials or joys. We each have a plan that is specifically outlined for each of us to help us reach our divine destiny. We will never make it back to our Father in Heaven by taking someone else’s path.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught,

“You will meet challenges, adversities, and temptations that seem to be more than you can bear. In times of sickness, death, financial need, and other hardships, you may wonder whether you have the strength, courage, or ability to continue….

“However, be sure you understand that God will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to resist. He does not give you challenges that you cannot surmount. He will not ask more than you can do, but may ask right up to your limits so you can prove yourselves. The Lord will never forsake or abandon anyone. You may abandon him, but he will not abandon you. You never need to feel that you are alone” (link to talk).

We each have a specific role to play as well as a specific purpose for being here on earth. In Alma he speaks of his desire to be an angel so he can cry repentance to the whole earth (see Alma 29:1). He then states, “But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me” (Alma 29:3). Allot means “to assign, as a share or a portion” (Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 10ed).

In Alma we read, 

“And after God had appointed that these things should come unto man, behold, then he saw that it was expedient that man should know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto them” (Alma 12:28).

We have each been assigned specific tasks, duties, assignments, and responsibilities while on this earth. One way to find out what our allotment in this life is can be found in our Patriarchal Blessing (click here to learn more about Patriarchal Blessings). We can also be guided by personal revelation through prayer. I think the Lord expects us to do the best we can with what we have, and He will intercede if needed.

I remember a story my dad told that was shared by his mission president. When he first arrived in the mission the Mission President said that it was almost too easy—when missionaries needed to be moved or transferred he felt impressed with the exact details. After a while, however, he stopped receiving the specific impressions, and was left to figure things out on his own. After a while, and a little frustrated on not knowing the specific action that he needed to take, he prayed. The answer he received was something along the lines of, “How can you expect to rule worlds without number if you can’t run a mission?” I think the Lord was teaching this mission president that he needed to think things through, apply the principles of the gospel to his decisions, and learn from his own trial and error so that he could make better decisions now, and in the eternities to come.  

We are here on this earth to be proved, tried, and tested to see if we will do what the Lord asks. I think the Lord is letting us discover what we can do ourselves. At times we may also be a little frustrated by not knowing which direction to turn, or sometimes worrying about choosing the wrong way. I know I have had times in my life where, regrettably, I have done nothing because I wasn’t sure what to do and I feared that I might do something wrong. What I have learned since that time is that we need to pray for guidance. If we receive no answer then we just keep moving in the direction we intended to move (as long as it is in line with gospel teachings). I remember something my brother used to say, “If you don’t get a ‘no’ when you pray just keep moving forward. The Lord has ways of stopping you if He needs to.” How true that is.

One of the great challenges of this life is to see if we will choose good over evil and, while being surrounded by the innumerable good and better choices, will choose the best choices (see Elder Oak's talk entitled “Good, Better, Best”). Everyone on this earth has been blessed with the Light of Christ, which helps them know good from evil. Alma teaches us that whether or not we use that light will determine what we receive in the end.

“Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience” (Alma 29:5).

Staying on the straight and narrow path is difficult at times. There may be times that we  want to, or even feel justified in briefly stepping off for a quick breather. President Uchtdorf spoke of the  tragedy that can come from changing course just a few degrees in our long-term (and eternal) pursuits.

“The difference of a few degrees…may seem minor. But even small errors over time can make a dramatic difference in our lives.

“Let me share with you how I taught the same principle to young pilots.

“Suppose you were to take off from an airport at the equator, intending to circumnavigate the globe, but your course was off by just one degree. By the time you returned to the same longitude, how far off course would you be? A few miles? A hundred miles? The answer might surprise you. An error of only one degree would put you almost 500 miles (800 km) off course, or one hour of flight for a jet.

“No one wants his life to end in tragedy. But all too often, like the pilots and passengers of the sightseeing flight, we set out on what we hope will be an exciting journey only to realize too late that an error of a few degrees has set us on a course for spiritual disaster” (link to talk).

The little things do really make a difference. 

Are we do the daily, seemingly small, things that will keep us on course to return to live with our Heavenly Father? The Lord taught the importance of this principles to the children of Israel,

“Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no” (Exodus 16:4).

As we liken these scriptures to our own lives, and apply the principles we are taught, we can ask ourselves if we are gathering our daily ration from heaven through daily prayer and daily scripture study.

Another example of the Lord testing the children of Israel can be found in the Book of Deuteronomy.

“And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no” (Deuteronomy 8:2).

Sometimes the trials and struggles that we face can feel like wandering in the wilderness for forty years. But, as we are wandering are we humbling ourselves so that the Lord can lead us out of the wilderness, or are we trying to find our own way out? Are we continuing to trust in the Lord, and continuing in the faith, despite not seeing any results? President Henry B. Eyring taught,

“If we choose the right, we will find happiness—in time. If we choose evil, there comes sorrow and regret—in time. Those effects are sure. Yet they are often delayed for a purpose. If the blessings were immediate, choosing the right would not build faith. And since sorrow is also sometimes greatly delayed, it takes faith to feel the need to seek forgiveness for sin early rather than after we feel its sorrowful and painful effects” (link to talk).

What we choose to do each day will determine where we will end up in the eternities—no matter what others may choose. I love the counsel that Mormon gives to his son Moroni,

“And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay” (Moroni 9:6).

No matter what anyone else says or does, or the opposition that we face, we need to keep pressing forward in those things the Lord has asked of us. We will not be judged by the actions of other people, but we will be judged by our own actions.

We are here on earth to be tested, and whether we press forward with steadfastness or sit back and take the easy road we will eventually receive those things that we most sought after. 

I read a quote by Joseph Smith a while back that often comes to mind and helps to remind me to think about if I really am doing what I really am supposed to be doing.

“The great misery of departed spirits in the world of spirits, where they go after death, is to know that they come short of the glory that others enjoy and that they might have enjoyed themselves and they are their own accusers” (History of the Church 5:425).

Once we pass out of this life our “time...to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32) will be over. May we use this time on earth that has been allotted to us to strive to do the best we can. When we fall short, and we will, the Atonement of Jesus Christ was part of our Heavenly Father's plan that we can rely on.  I try to remind myself that once this life is over I will be able to finally see and obtain all the things that I am now hoping for in faith.


Click here for several videos about Our Heavenly Father's Plan, produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Armor of God (Part 8: Prayer)

“Praying always” (Ephesians 6:18)

Sometimes lost at the end of this long list of very visual armor is the simple admonition to pray always. Too often, I feel, we may overlook the protection and power that come from prayer.

Elder M. Russell Ballard taught, “one of the most important ways to clothe yourselves in the armor of God is to make sure that prayer—earnest, sincere, consistent prayer—is part of your daily lives” (link to talk).

PRAY ALWAYS

When we put on the whole armor of God we must remember to don what I feel is an immensely protective force field. We can read about the power it provides in scripture.

“Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work” (Doctrine & Covenants 10:5).

The footnote for “come off conqueror” references self-mastery. Pray for the strength to conquer whatever challenges you face each day, whether they be internal or external. Elder Tad R. Callister asks,

“[Who] in Book of Mormon times would have let their sons march out to the front of battle without a breastplate and shield and sword to protect them against the potentially mortal blows of the enemy? But how many of us…march out the front door each morning to the most dangerous of all battlefields, to face Satan and his myriad of temptations, without [our] spiritual breastplate and shield and sword that come from the protective power of prayer?”

Another scripture I found repeats this admonition.

“What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you” (Doctrine & Covenants 93:49).

Praying always does not mean that we need to continually be kneeling. Whatever our circumstances we can “pour out [our] hearts to [the Lord]; and He [will] know the thoughts of [our] hearts” (Mosiah 24:12). We truly need heaven’s help in this battle of life. Through prayer we can gain access to that help and protection.

WATCH AND PRAY

Amulek, in the Book of Mormon, exhorts us to “be watchful unto prayer continually, that [we] may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower [us]“ (Alma 34:39).

Prior to His suffering in Gethsemane the Savior taught of the need for prayer when He told His disciples to “watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). 

After His resurrection He repeated this same counsel to the Nephites—twice. 

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him….[and again] Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” (3 Nephi 18:15, 18-19).

Later, in a revelation through Joseph Smith to Thomas B. Marsh we again read, “Pray always, lest you enter into temptation” (Doctrine & Covenants 31:12).

This injunction to pray is repeated over and over as a way to find protection from the continual assault of the adversary. Elder Lynn G. Robbins taught,

“This entreaty of the Savior to avoid temptation consists of two acts of faith: to watch and to pray. The Guide to the Scriptures teaches us that to watch means ‘to be vigilant, to [be on] guard,’ which is wise advice in defending ourselves against a very real and ever-lurking enemy. And the corollary to the Savior’s wise advice to pray to avoid temptation is that without prayer, we will not have the spiritual strength or stamina to win this battle on our own” (link to talk).

In the Bible we see the great courage of Daniel. His enemies, through the king, have instilled a decree “that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of [the] king, he shall be cast into the den of lions” (Daniel 6:7). Daniel is a man who has built a relationship with the Lord and is not afraid of the king. In fact, Daniel realized that he would need the Lord’s help even more, as he knowingly defies the mandate of the king—so he prays.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

Despite his obedience and faithfulness to God’s laws he was still subject to the laws of the land. He was found guilty of praying to Someone other than the king and was thrown into the lion’s den. However, because of his faith and prayers, the Lord “sent his angel, and…shut the lions’ mouths” (Daniel 6:22). His life was spared, his trust in the Lord increased, and his faith in the power of prayer expanded.

PROTECTION FROM REBELLION

The Book of Mormon prophet, Lehi, was a wealthy man. He warned the people in Jerusalem of their wickedness, and they wanted to kill him. Through the Lord's tender mercy Lehi was commanded in a dream to take his family into the wilderness, and he obeyed. 

“And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness” (1 Nephi 2:4).

This must have been a very sudden, unexpected change for the family. We learn that Laman and Lemuel, his two oldest sons, “did murmur against their father” (1 Nephi 2:12) but followed him into the wilderness. Lehi’s son, Nephi, did not. murmur, but it was because of where he turned for help. Nephi explained, 

“I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers” (1 Nephi 2:16).

If Nephi was crying unto the Lord it may have been due to questioning thoughts he had about his father's dream—thoughts  or feelings of doubt. When faced with these doubts Nephi prayed (and I’m sure it wasn’t the first time he had gone to the Lord for direction). I love the scripture that illustrates to me the manner in which Nephi prayed.

“Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (Doctrine & Covenants 112:10).

Through his humble petition Nephi's heart was softened—which means it must have previously been hardening. Through his prayer he was protected from the same hardening and doubt his brothers dealt with from this point on. Such is the protection provided through prayer.

POWER THROUGH PRAYER

I have heard it said that the Lord is influenced by our faith. The way we ask anything of the Lord is through prayer. The power of sincere prayer can have amazing, even miraculous, results.

In the Book of Mormon we read the account of Aaron (one of the sons of king Mosiah) teaching Lamoni’s father about the Plan of Salvation. The king told Aaron that he would be willing to forsake his kingdom for the joy of the gospel (see Alma 22:15). Aaron told him that to receive this joy he must pray.

“And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:

“O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee” (Alma 22:17-18).

This king recognized a greater power than he had and humbled himself because of Aaron's words. Through this king’s prayer of faith he and “his whole household were converted until the Lord” (Alma 22:23).

Men cannot stop the work of God, but it is through the works of men that He will move His work forward. Another story is of Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni—sons of king Mosiah, and Alma the Younger (son of Alma the prophet) who were converted to the truth after a lifestyle of wickedness; including active persecution against the church. Alma the Elder prayed for his son (many times, I am sure). 

On one day, in particular, Alma the Younger and these sons of Mosiah “did go about secretly…seeking to destroy the church [when] behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them….And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the earth” (Mosiah 27:10-12). The angel tells them that his appearance is because of “the prayers of [the Lord’s] people, and also the prayers of [the Lord’s] servant, who is [Alma’s] father." The angel continued speaking to these wayward sons saying, “therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith” (Mosiah 27:14, emphasis added).

The prayers of the faithful must have touched the merciful heart of the Lord, giving these rebellious souls another chance. Because of faithful prayers their hearts were changed.

“And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them.

“And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer” (Mosiah 27:35-36).

Through much prayer, scripture study, fasting and obedience (see Alma 17:2-3) they were blessed with their own miracle. We read,

“And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord…

“And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away” (Alma 23:5-6).

Bear with me while I share a few examples of the power of righteous people petitioning the Lord, and His answer to them. 

In the Old Testament we read about the prophet Abraham. One day he is visited by holy men and learns that the Lord is going to destroy the city of Sodom—the city where his nephew, Lot, is living. According to the Lord’s own words, Abraham is a righteous man (see Genesis 18:17-19). 

Abraham asks the Lord if He will spare the city of Sodom, if he (Abraham) can find 50 righteous people, and the Lord says He will. Abraham then asks if He will spare Sodom for 45, 40, 30, 20, and finally 10 righteous people (see Genesis 18:23-33). The Lord said, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake” (Genesis 18:32). 

It does not specifically say that Abraham prayed, but I am assuming he did because the way to ask the Lord for something is through prayer. Because of Abraham’s obedience, and his petitioning, the Lord’s heart was softened as shown by him being willing to not destroy it per Abraham's request.

Now, I want to turn to a story in the Book of Mormon. Mormon was also a righteous man, and “being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore [he] was visited of the Lord” (Mormon 1:15).

At the young age of 16 Mormon began leading the Nephite army. Describing the people he is leading, Mormon recounts, “And it came to pass that my sorrow did return unto me again, and I saw that the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually” (Mormon 2:15).

He was leading a very wicked army, and their day of grace was passed, and the spirit of the Lord will no longer help them in their battles. Yet Mormon keeps leading them. It doesn’t specifically say that he prayed to the Lord, but he must have prayed for them, because we read,

“And it came to pass that the Lord did say unto me: Cry unto this people—Repent ye, and come unto me, and be ye baptized, and build up again my church, and ye shall be spared” (Mormon 3:2).

I don’t think the Lord would have just come to Mormon with this statement unless Mormon had asked. I am sure Mormon had many heartfelt prayers in behalf of those he led. I find it significant that in the previous chapter their day of grace had been passed, but through the petitioning of a righteous, obedient servant the Lord was willing to give them another chance.

Another story can be found in the book of Esther. Esther feels that she should go talk to the king to save her people; at the risk of losing her own life. She asks that her people fast for her for 3 days before she approaches. Again, it does not specifically mention prayer, but prayer combined with fasting can bring about miracles. I believe that such was the case in this situation. Esther approaches the king and is able to save her people (see Esther 4-5).

PATTERNS OF POWERFUL PRAYER

I listened to a talk by Diana Hoelscher entitled “Prayers That Reach Heaven”. In it she pointed out examples of patterns of prayer found in the scriptures where someone has been able to receive a powerful answer to their prayer. 

One example is in the book of Enos. What I remember about Enos when I was younger is that he said a really long prayer, and received an answer. I think the pattern that he followed before praying made much more of a difference than the amount of time he spent praying. 

Notice the pattern:

Enos went to hunt beasts in the forest. As he went he prepared to pray by pondering on the words that his father had taught him “concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints” (Enos 1:3). He was in a quiet place where he could be alone. He “kneeled down…[and] cried unto [God]” (Enos 1:4) out loud. Afterwards he listened, because “there came a voice unto [him]” (Enos 1:5).

Another example of the heavens opening came because of the petition of a young boy who had a question and knew not where to turn. In his confusion he turned to the scriptures to find answers. He read, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). Young Joseph prepared to pray by "reflect[ing] on [this scripture] again and again" (Joseph Smith History 1:12). Alone in a quiet grove he knelt down, and began to pray vocally (see Joseph Smith History 1:14-15). He recounts, 

“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me….

“When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith History 1:16-17).

Joseph is then blessed to get a glimpse of what he was foreordained to do. With the task of helping to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ—something that I am sure never crossed his mind—millions have been brought to a knowledge of the truth.

Using the patterns above: pondering before we pray, going somewhere quiet where we can be alone, kneeling down, praying vocally, and listening; we will find that our prayers can reach heaven. As I have taken time to do these things it helps me think about who it is that I am talking to, and it changes my focus. I am able to be more sincere and heartfelt in my gratitude and in my petitions. I have also felt much closer to heaven.

President Marion G. Romney taught, 

“We are children of God. As such, we have the potentiality to rise to his perfection. 

“No one shall ever reach such perfection unless he is guided to it by Him who is perfect. And guidance from Him is to be had only through prayer” (link to talk).

As we take time to commune with the Lord each day—setting aside time specifically to pray, rather than as a last-minute afterthought—we can arm ourselves with the protection, direction, and guidance that we so desperately need in this battlefield of life.

The Armor of God

Elder M. Russell Ballard taught,

“I like to think of this spiritual armor not as a solid piece of metal molded to fit the body but more like chain mail. Chain mail consists of dozens of tiny pieces of steel fastened together to allow the user greater flexibility without losing protection. I say that because it has been my experience that there is not one great and grand thing we can do to arm ourselves spiritually. True spiritual power lies in numerous smaller acts woven together in a fabric of spiritual fortification that protects and shields from all evil.

“It is a common expression to talk about the 'chinks' in a person’s armor. The definition of the word chink is 'a small cleft, slit, or fissure.' Should an arrow strike exactly one of the chinks in one’s armor, a fatal wound can result” (link to talk).

No piece of armor is more important than the other. They are all essential to our spiritual protection. 

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12).

As we lay aside the natural man, standing as men and women of God, putting on the whole armor of God, and leave our entangling nets of this world, we can be protected and will be led more powerfully than ever before to become who we are meant to be.