Prepared from the Foundation of the World (Come, Follow Me)

In this week's Come, Follow Me reading (Ether 1-5), we get to glimpse the brother of Jared's sacred experience where he learned from Christ himself of the plan of redemption and the Christ's redeeming role in that plan.  I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who prepared a way for my return to Him and provided a Savior to bring me home.

Ether 3:14

Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name;

Come, Follow Me resources this week include:

 - The Book of Mormon: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/1

 - The Come, Follow Me manual: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-individuals-and-families-book-of-mormon-2020/44

 - The Ensign: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/11/come-follow-me-book-of-mormon-support-articles-and-activities/ether-1-5

 - The Friend: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/friend/2020/11/come-follow-me-for-little-ones

He Hath Risen (Come, Follow Me)

After witnessing the tragic downfall of the Nephite nation in last week's Come, Follow Me reading, we get to read Mormon 7-9 which brings a message of hope, that the Book of Mormon would come forth in the last days, preceding and preparing us for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Mormon 7:5.  "Believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up."

 

The Presence of God (Come, Follow Me)

In last week's Come, Follow Me reading (Mormon 1-6), I found a sad but insightful contrast that brings me hope in trying times.  Just as we see the Nephite nation descending into chaos and destruction, we see how turning to the Lord and quickly obeying Him can lead us to His presence.

Achieving unity, peace, and prosperity (Come, Follow Me)

We learn in 4 Nephi that following Jesus Christ can lead to real unity, peace, and prosperity for all:

Focusing on Jesus Christ …

• 2 The people were all converted unto the Lord….
• 12 They did
• walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God,
• continuing in fasting and prayer, and in 
• meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord.
• 15 The love of God … did dwell in the hearts of the people.

Leads to unity, peace, and prosperity …

• 2 There were no contentions and disputations among them, and 
• Every man did deal justly one with another.
• 3 They had all things common among them; therefore
• there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but 
• they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.
• 4 There still continued to be peace in the land.
• There were great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, … they did 
• heal the sick, and 
• raise the dead, and 
• cause 
• the lame to walk, and 
• the blind to receive their sight, and 
• the deaf to hear; and 
• 5 All manner of miracles did they work among the children of men … in the name of Jesus.
• 7 The Lord did prosper them exceedingly in the land
• They did build cities again where there had been cities burned.
• 10 The people of Nephi 
• did wax strong, and 
• did multiply exceedingly fast, and 
• became an exceedingly fair and delightsome people.
• 11 They were
• married, and given in marriage, and 
• blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them.
• 13 There was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but 
• There were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus.
• 15 There was no contention in the land…. 
• 16 And there were no 
• envyings, nor 
• strifes, nor 
• tumults, nor 
• whoredoms, nor 
• lyings, nor 
• murders, nor 
• any manner of lasciviousness; and 
• Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
• 17 There were no robbers, nor murderers…. 
• Neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites….
• They were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.
• 18 And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered….
• There was no contention in all the land.

Ye shall be lifted up (Come, Follow Me)

I love our Come, Follow Me reading this week (3 Nephi 27–4 Nephi).  We continue to learn so much about the Savior, how we can become more like him, and how we can build our lives on His sure foundation.

3 Nephi 27:21-22

 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.