Navigating the Last Days with Light
Are you concerned about what’s happening in the world today? Maybe you’re watching the signs of the times and seeing things that are making you wonder: “Is it getting close to Christ’s coming? What are we going to have to go through to be able to handle that?” If so, I have a word of encouragement for you from The Father. This message draws from one of my favorite books of scripture, Ether in The Book of Mormon. This profound book offers insights that are incredibly applicable to our day. This is what I discuss in this episode of “Encouragement from the Father“
Key Points To Navigate The Last Days
- Faith and Participation in Divine Light: The brother of Jared’s story teaches us the importance of active participation in receiving divine light.
- Preparation and Trust in the Lord: Just as the Jaredites prepared temporally and spiritually for their journey, we are also called to prepare and trust in the Lord.
- Enduring Adversity with Faith: The fierce winds and monstrous waves represent life’s challenges, which drive us towards our promised land with steadfast faith.
- Praising the Lord Continually: Maintaining an attitude of praise and gratitude helps us stay focused on our divine purpose and strengthens our connection to God.
Faith and Participation in Divine Light
The Lord didn’t just provide light effortlessly for the brother of Jared. Instead, He asked him to come up with a solution. The brother of Jared’s idea to have stones touched by the Lord’s finger so they would shine represents our role in actively bringing something to the light. We must participate, allowing Christ to touch us, so we can shine and illuminate the path for others.
“And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.”
Ether 6:3
Our role as disciples is to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ into the world, ensuring that people do not navigate dark times alone.
Preparation and Trust in the Lord
The Jaredites prepared all manner of food for their journey, demonstrating the importance of temporal preparation. After doing all they could, they commended themselves to the Lord. As stated in Ether 6:4:
“And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food… they got aboard of their vessels or barges and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.”
Ether 6:4
This teaches us to prepare practically and spiritually, trusting in the Lord to guide us.
Enduring Adversity with Faith
The fierce winds and waves can seem daunting, but they are necessary to drive us towards our promised land. In Ether 6:5-7:
“And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that the wind should blow… when they were buried in the deep, there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like a dish.”
Ether 6:5-7
Our faith and spiritual preparation are like these tight vessels, providing peace and security amidst life’s tumultuous challenges. When our personal vessels are “tight like a dish” we keep the world and its false philosophies out. We may be in the world, but we are not “of” it. How can you keep your home and soul “tight like unto a dish?”
Praising the Lord Continually
Throughout their journey, the Jaredites did not cease to praise the Lord. This continuous praise kept them connected to divine light and power. In Ether 6:9, it highlights:
“And they did sing praises unto the Lord… they did not cease to praise the Lord.”
Ether 6:9
Praising the Lord, regardless of our circumstances, helps us remember His greatness and strengthens our faith. There is a difference between praise and gratitude. Gratitude is seeing and thanking and acknowledging God in all things. Praise is remembering who He is and drawing on His power by remembering His attributes, mercy and power.
Navigating With Light: Conclusion
As we navigate today’s challenges, let’s focus on enduring with faith and praise, embracing the adversities that propel us towards our divine purpose. Staying tight like a dish, we allow Christ’s light to guide us securely to our promised land.
For more Encouragement from the Father, please like and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
If finding more personal peace in the last days, especially by hearing God and Christ’s messages in and through Nature,
is important to you, you’ll enjoy Marnie’s book:
“Finding Peace in a Turbulent World: Living in Sacred Nature.”
Featured Image: The Brother of Jared Sees the Finger of the Lord image (Brother of Jared Seeing the Finger of the Lord), by Arnold Friberg (62478); GAK 318; GAB 85; Primary manual 3-55; Ether 3:1–16
