I Will Go and DO

I Will Go and DO

     I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We believe in the bible to be the word of God. We also believe in the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. It is a second testament of Jesus Christ our Savior. 37 years ago I attended BYU-Utah but now I am 56 years old and have returned to the college education system. I am attending BYU-Idaho the first year through the Pathway program. It is 2 online college classes a semester with college credits for 3 semesters. The program introduces you into or back into college. It is also an affordable option to college and I can stay here at home to complete the classes and work towards a degree.  One of the cool things is that my husband is also in the program. We are each other’s cheer leaders.

     One of my classes is a religion class. We are studying the 1^st half of the Book of Mormon. I have read the Book of Mormon many times and have felt the truth and power of that book. Even though I have read it many times their will be many things to discover, nuggets to glean and truth to be learned as I study and discuss the things we are studying and learning with others.  Sharing with my husband, with my family, with my friends, with my online classmates and with the other students that gather each Thursday. As one of our assignments we are to share and teach some nugget of learning that was of worth to us from this week’s lesson. Many things were taught and all the truth is of worth but I will choose something that touched me this time. Each time you read something you respond to something different. Depending on what may be happening in your life or where you are at spiritually.

     We studied from 1 Nephi 1 – 5.  One of my favorite scriptures is 1 Nephi 3:7 “I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. “

     I started seminary which is a LDS gospel learning class for 9^th grade to 12^th grade students before I was baptized a member of the church. I joined the church not long after I started class. This was the first scripture I ever memorized.  I learned “I will go and do.” I realized I wanted to do what the Lord commanded.  As I read, watched the videos, studied and listened to my classmates this week I was touched by several things.  

     Lehi and his family escaped Jerusalem because they were in danger because of Lehi’s prophesying to call the people of Jerusalem to repent. God told them to leave. Nephi’s father, was told by God to send his sons back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates, which was scripture. Two of Lehi’s sons were murmuring and complaining and said it was a hard thing required of them.  Lehi told Nephi that he was not requiring it but that God was.  Nephi was told he shall be favored of the Lord because he did not murmur and that is when Nephi told his father that he would go and do as the Lord commanded. 

     I crossed referenced that scripture with other scriptures Philippians 4:13 “ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”   1 Nephi 17:3 “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…” 1 Nephi 17:50 “…If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them…   Doctrine and Covenants 5:34 “…I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee.”

     It took Nephi and his brother’s 3 times before successfully getting the brass plates from Laban. The man who had them at the time.  After the 1^st try was unsuccessful the young men were becoming exceedingly sorrowful. Laman and Lemuel were ready to turn around and go back to their father in the wilderness.  Nephi refused and said in 1 Nephi 3:15 “…As the Lord liveth as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded us.” Nephi refused to leave until he accomplished what God wanted him to do. The question was asked in a media clip I listened to by Stan Kevett “how do we handle our challenges?” 

     Not only our challenges but how do we handle our day to day life? Do we go and do? Do we have faith that Our Father in heaven and his Son Jesus Christ will be there for us in all aspects of our life. Do we believe that the way will be open to accomplish the things which He desires from us? I believe that it is possible. In fact I know it is. I have accomplished difficult things in my life knowing the Savior was there helping to open the way for me.  I know that we are a child of God and we are loved by him and our brother Jesus Christ.  You and I can do all things through Christ who will strengthen me and you.