"Have Ye Inquired of the Lord?"

Lehi partakes of the fruit of the Tree of Life

2 And it came to pass that I beheld my brethren, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them.
3 For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought.

(Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 15:2 - 3)

8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

(Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 15:8 - 9)

So often we align ourselves with Nephi but when we honestly evaluate our behaviors we sometimes come out looking more like Laman and Lemuel.  

How often when a subject of controversy arises do we get together and hash it out with others who have no more inspiration than ourselves.  We have many conversations but in the end we go our way having never inquired of the Lord. 

Alma and Mormon are examples to us.   

6 And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. 

(Book of Mormon | Alma 16:6)

7 For immediately after I had learned these things of you I inquired of the Lord concerning the matter.  And the word of the Lord came to me by the power of the Holy Ghost.....

(Book of Mormon | Moroni 8:7)

Is our first response when we hear something we do not understand to "immediately" inquire of the Lord before we muddy the waters of our mind and spirit with the multitude of others' opinions?

I have found that the Lord does give me answers through the still, small voice when I remember to inquire openly without a preconceived agenda and if I am willing to receive what he gives me.   If I am honestly seeking truth with my heart it often removes me from the hubbub being hashed out in the information sphere.  

Remember, remember!

"...and him that seeketh so to do;"

9 For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 46:9)

The Lord honors those who are trying and those who are seeking along with those who have more fully mastered the commandments.   He loves us equally wherever we might be on the path.   It is comforting to know that if we will just continue to seek we will eventually arrive.  There will always be those ahead of us and those behind us.  God's path is eternal and it will always contain travelers.  Does God love one more than another because they began the trek later?  As a parent, do we love a last child less than a first?  We just find trouble for ourselves when we look ahead and wish we were in another's place or when we look behind and judge the speed of another's journey.  Our own journey is sufficient for the day.  When we treasure our individual experience we develop our own relationship with the Lord and we do not miss out because our attention is placed upon another's journey.  We can joy in those who have journeyed ahead and be grateful for the light they shine on the path and we can also be that light for those who are coming behind. 

Those Who Know & Those Who Believe Upon Their Words....

Christ Visits the New World - Walter Rane

8 I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 45:8)

13 To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.

14 To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 46:13 - 14)

Knowing and believing are two different gifts and both come from God through the gift of the Holy Ghost. There are those who know from their own experience that Jesus is the Christ and there are those who have the gift of believing the words that come through the Holy Ghost from those who know.  Both bring forth good fruit and lead to eternal life.  We often think of belief as the lesser of the two gift but perhaps not.  Belief exhibits a pure faith, a willingness to walk by faith without site and sure knowledge. The Savior told Thomas "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Again in 3 Ne. the Savior speaks of the great gift of belief:
,

2 And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am.  Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.

(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 12:2)

Laman and Lemuel both witnessed angels standing before them yet that did not change their trajectory.  Indeed, seeing without believing only leads to our condemnation so though belief may be a preliminary path, it is essential in helping us build the faith and strength we need to sustain a testimony of sight.  We should cherish our valuable time on the path of faith.  It blesses and strengthens our souls.  Eventually we will all stand before God with a sure knowledge.  Until that time seeking and believing through the Gift of the Holy Ghost will lead us on.