He likened them to a vessel with no sail or anchor or any way to steer.
When we read this scripture it reminded me of another kind of vessel that didn't have a way to steer, but rather than being blown about by satan, it was guided carefully toward the promised land.
When the Lord commanded the brother of Jared to build barges to take his people across the ocean to the promised land, there was not a way to steer them - no sail, no anchor, no rudder.
The brother of Jared asked the Lord:
The Lord's answer is instructive:
The Lord comforts the brother of Jared and instructs him - they do not have to worry about steering the vessels because God will steer them.
The difference between the ill-equipped vessels of the Jaredites and the ill-equipped figurative vessels of Mormon's people is the connection with God.
Mormons people had hardened their hearts and were not influenced by the Savior anymore, which left them to be influence by satan.
The brother of Jared and his people were humble, seeking the Lord, and so they were guided by His hand - their vessels were steered by Him.
Have you ever felt as if the Lord was guiding you even though you may not have had the resources to steer?
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That's actually the lesson I get to teach next week!
ReplyDeleteI hope it goes well!
DeleteHi Becca
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to hear from you again, I hope you are well,xoxoxo
I love reading Ether, and I am endeavoring to teach my 12 year "young ladies" in Primary. I feel that this book, if read prayerfully can help to anchor their hearts and souls in the coming years of their lives.
Ether 2:25 is a verse that is near and dear to my heart: And behold, I prepare you against these things:for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you.....
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.
I have literally "pinned" this verse to my heart and soul, when I am being swallowed up by trials, which lately seem to have been stepped up a notch. Some trials have situations that seem like "water" that needs to be crossed carefully. So I need that "light" which for me is prayer, prayer and more prayer. In these situations, the preparation of my heart is when the Comforter comes, and he is the guide.
Thank you
I love the idea of preparation for trials. Sometimes I don't feel completely prepared for trials I have faced, but I have to have faith that Heavenly Father has prepared me for them, and turn to Him for help to access the preparation.
DeleteBecca, I LOVE these verses. My thoughts as I read them were, 'for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods, have I sent,' the Lord planned the trial they faced as they traveled to their destination. He knew what needed to be put in place to get them there and to make them successful. He knew ALL the details and had already set them in motion. And then this: '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.' Knowing what is ahead and having planned it, the Lord also planned a way for them to be successful. He planned their preparation. That has helped me immensely in times of trial. The Lord knows what is required to get me/my heart where He wants it. He has planned for it. And He has also given me the tools necessary to be successful in the trial. He has prepared me for what is to come or what I am in the middle of and He will see me through to the other side until I land in the promised land of that particular personal journey.
ReplyDelete<3 this. Thank you!
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