pattern for revelation.

I know I talk about revelation and getting answers fairly often, but as I read D&C 138 today I thought about the first time I read this section and was struck by the extremely important and profound answer that came from Joseph F. Smith following this pattern for revelation.

He starts out talking about how he was pondering the scriptures and reflecting on the sacrifice and atonement of Jesus Christ to redeem the world.

While pondering and reflecting his mind was drawn back to scriptures he had previously read.

Then he opened the Bible and read those sections in 1 Peter (3:18-20, 4:6).

As he continued to ponder those words the eyes of his understanding were opened.

He then received a vision of Christ's visit to the just dead in the Spirit World for the three days between his crucifixion and resurrection. Pretty important and heavy stuff. And it all came from pondering and opening the scriptures.

Love me some scriptures.

bountiful.

I read this passage today and it struck me:

1 Nephi 17:3-5

3. And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

4. And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness.

5. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish.

It was a nice reminder that when God asks us to do something or has a specific plan for us that he gives us help.

Nephi and his family were in the wilderness for eight years. That is so long. That is longer than any difficult thing I've ever had to deal with. But God had commanded them to leave Jerusalem, so he didn't  leave them on their own. He provided for them while they were righteous and called them to repentance when they weren't.

Then came the payoff/blessings: the land Bountiful. All prepared by the Lord so they wouldn't die.

Just a thought.