The Great Deep

In the book of Ether, in the Book of Mormon, we read of the account of the Jaredites, a group of people preserved at the time of the Tower of Babel who were led to the promised land. They lived and grew in number for thousands of years, and eventually killed each other off in civil wars. It's a beautiful, yet tragic tale of faith and war.

Amidst their story are hidden treasures of truth. One of my favorites is in the beginning of their story. At the time the languages were confounded at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:9) there was a man named Jared. He had a brother who was a mighty man. Jared asked his brother to cry unto the Lord, that their family might keep their language and be spared. The brother of Jared did so, and the Lord had compassion on them. The Lord also promises to lead them to a promised land and make them a great nation. Here is where I find one of the first jewels- in Ether 1:43 "...And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me." Another testimony of the blessings that come through faithful prayer.

But, the one that struck me particularly deeply was found in chapter 2. The Lord had given them instructions to build barges to take the brother of Jared and his family across the waters. Jared builds the barges and approaches the Lord with the issue of lighting. How will they see if there are not windows in the barges? During a three hour conversation, the Lord puts it back on the brother of Jared and asks him and interesting question: "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?" He asked Jared to figure it out. But before he left Jared to find an answer, the Lord reassures the brother of Jared that He is over all. Ether 2:24 "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."

Then the Lord goes on to share with the brother of Jared the most simple, eternal truth. Vs 25 "And behold, I prepared 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."

The brother of Jared was living in a time of great turmoil and disruption. He had the faith to approach the Lord a "long time" for help. The Lord prepared him for his journey to the promised land. And though the journey would be long and difficult, he extended his merciful hand which ensured a safe arrival. I have written next to this verse in the margin the word "life".

At times I feel like life is a "great deep". How am I to cross it? How will I see? As I seek the Lord for guidance, at times he gives me direction. But, at times He lets me work it out, in hopes that I will learn and grow, all the while watching over me. No matter how hard I try, I cannot cross this great deep unless I am prepared against the waves of the sea, and the winds and floods. I cannot get through this life unless I am strengthened through Him against the tragedies, frustrations and temptations life requires.

How comforting to know that the Lord, my Savior, is always there, preparing me, supporting me and guiding me through my "great deep".

We hope you'll share your thoughts on how the Savior has prepared you to make it through your "great deep" with all of us! Simply click the comments button below.

A Savior's Prayer

Our Relief Society Lesson on Sunday was about prayer. Through prayer we can communicate with our Father in Heaven our fears, dreams, desires, gratitude, and all that is nearest and dearest to us.

I was looking in the Book of Mormon today in 3 Nephi chapter 19, where the Savior visited the Nephites after he was resurrected. After he called and set apart 12 apostles to serve him on the American continent, he offered up a prayer to our shared Father in Heaven on their behalf. He prayed that they would have the Holy Ghost with them that all shall believe their words.

The next part of our Savior's prayer, I believe, was for us today as much as it was for the people then. It goes as follows:

23: "And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe of their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them, as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one."

I find it so touching that not only did Jesus Christ sacrifice for us, but even after the Atonement had been completed, he prayed to our Father in Heaven that we may believe in Him- that his sacrifice might not be in vain. He prayed for us.

Above is a picture that hangs in my hall at my children's eye-level. It is a reminder to them, and to me, that prayer is powerful. Even the Savior prayed- for us.

I would love to hear any comments or stories you sisters might have regarding prayer.