I prepare ye against these things

Sisters and Brothers, This week in our studies from 'Come, Follow Me', we read about the brother of Jared and his and his family and friend's experience as languages were confounded at the time of the tower of Babel and their preparations for their journey to a promised land. I love the story of his inquiring of the Lord regarding three matters pertaining to the barges or vessels they had built (tight like unto a dish) to cross the great sea. In Ether 2:19: And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light; whither shall we steer? And also we shall perish, for in them we cannot breathe, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish. The Lord's response is so interesting. First he addresses the important item of air. In verse 20 He instructs the brother of Jared to make a hole in the top and in the bottom and what to do when they "shalt suffer for air". The brother of Jared followed these instructions. Air, check. The second, light. The Lord asked the brother of Jared "what will ye that I should do"?. Yet before the brother of Jared could answer that question the Lord opened to the brother of Jared the challenges; no windows, no fire, mountain waves, depths of the sea, the rains and the floods. And this is where the Lord answers the brother of Jared's third concern, how to steer; "I will prepare you against these things". Steering, check. The Lord then asks in the end of verse 25: "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?" (Ok, that right there would scare me!) In Ether 3 we read about the experience the brother of Jared had with the Lord touching the sixteen small stones that he had molten out of rock to give light in the barges and his seeing the Lord's finger and then Him in the body of His spirit. Provide light, check. This interaction between the Lord and the brother of Jared when the brother of Jared sees His finger is so good. I'll save it for you to read and study. Please do so. It is so good! The three ways the Lord responded to the brother of Jared's concerns are so beautiful;

1. Here's what you can do or "thou shalt" (air)

2. What do you suggest be done or "what will ye that I should do" (light)

3. I'll take care of that or "I prepare you against these things" (steering).

Oh that we would have the faith like that of the brother of Jared. I know the Lord allows these means to answer our questions and concerns that we present to our Heavenly Father in prayer. The Holy Spirit has a very important part in this. In one of the sections of this weeks 'Come, Follow Me' titled "I can receive revelation for my life." we read a quote from the address given by President Russell M. Nelson in the April 2018 General Conference as the newly set apart and sustained President of the Church. From this address we read: "One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since my new calling as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children." President Nelson continues: "Imagine the miracle of it! Whatever your Church calling, we can pray to our Heavenly Father and receive guidance and direction, be warned about dangers and distractions, and be enabled to accomplish things we simply could not do on our own. If we sill truly receive the Holy Ghost and learn to discern and understand His promptings, we will be guided in matters large and small." I know the Lord loves us! He is mindful of our struggles and He does and is helping us. Pray to the Father in Christ's name. Have faith. Look for those small miracles and tender mercies every day. They are there. "Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (3 Nephi 14:7) I testify these things are true! President Jackson Stake Presidency First Counselor.