Preparation

The conversation I had with Tess a few years ago about what she remembered about Jesus (see here & here) has spurred a study on the topic of organization and the two sister topics of order and preparation. Something from my study journal I feel like I need to post:

June 2010

Subject: Order, Preparation

Source: Alma 13:3 (my own interpretation is inserted)

"And thus is the manner {order} after which they were ordained--being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding great faith and good works. . . "

Heavenly Father taught us and watched us premortally for long enough to know which of his children would exhibit great faith and good works while on the earth. And then he organized us into families and time periods and set into action experiences that would shape us and mold us to become mortally what we need to become. He also put into place responsibilities and "missions" for us to accomplish while in mortality. We were called and set apart premortally to these responsibilities. And then we were prepared. Now that is an awesome thought! Each of our spirits were trained and conditioned, probably extensively to meet the challenges and demands that we would experience here. What a kind and loving Father!!

When I think about one way that Heavenly Father prepares us for challenges I think of the Brother of Jared and his people. It says in Ether 6:5-7:

5And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a ^afurious wind blow upon the face of the waters, ^btowards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.

6And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.

7And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being ^atightlike unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ^bark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.

The Lord had prepared these 'furious' winds to take the Jaredites to the promised lands (as is typically the ONLY way to promised lands. . .) BUT, he had also prepared them. In Ether 2 we learn of a few of these preparations. They had seed and animals (at least honey bees). They had water-tight vessels. They had a way to get air. They had been promised that they would be taken to the promised land (therefore not needing to map their direction and steer). They had light. And I might add: they had been obedient--so other blessings were allowed to flow.

These preparations were sufficient. We read in Ether 6:8-12:

8And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were ^adriven forth before the wind.

9And they did ^asing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did ^bthank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.

10And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither ^awhale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.

11And thus they were driven forth, ^athree hundred and forty and four days upon the water.

12And they did ^aland upon the shore of the ^bpromised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his ^ctender mercies over them.

If you haven't noticed, life is challenging. Unending in challenges in fact. But preparations have already been laid for our success--mortally and premortally. For me, there is comfort in that. I can trust Heavenly Father to the end. His plan is sufficient. I just need to trust and allow His plan to shape me.