promises.

Before I start, I want to say this: God always fulfills his promises.

While reading in the Book of Mormon this week in 2nd Nephi, I was impressed by something in the 10th chapter.

Jacob, Nephi's brother, is talking to his people (circa 559 BC) about Christ's future coming among the Jews. He mentions that they (Nephi's people) have received a promise, and despite prophecy of the consequences of future disobedience, that God will be merciful and that their descendants (in his own time) will eventually be restored and know their Redeemer.

The promise? That God will give future generations a fullness of knowledge of Christ. The time table? More than a thousand years . . . But the promise was fulfilled, and the descendants of the Book of Mormon, wherever they are, have access to the complete and full knowledge of Christ's sacrifice.

But what most intrigued me most was this:

Jacob talks about the Lord leading groups of people to different areas at different times, he even emphasizes "isles of the sea," saying, "the Lord God has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure. And now . . . the Lord remembereth all them . . . wherefore he remembereth us also" (10:22).

I feel like, at least in my own life, God has had a very direct hand in leading me sometimes. I feel very good about a direction and path I'm taking, or a destination that I have "arrived" at. Then it feels like I'm on my own for a little while. God expects me to act and use what he's given me; to exercise my own free will.

In these times, and in times of challenges we wonder, when is this going to be like He promised me? Often times, we get clear promises from God, or the council that everything will be alright. We wonder, "well right now would be a good time for that to be true. God promised me. I'm ready for it to be better already."

As Jacob points out, those promises always come, "for [God] hath spoken it, and who can dispute?" (10:9)

I definitely don't know God's timetable for fulfillment of promises he's made with me. But I know that if I am righteous and strive to use my agency wisely . . . the promise will be fulfilled. Tomorrow. Or in 5 years. The Old and New Testaments, and the Book of Mormon are clear evidences that God remembers and keeps his promises.