Rend That Veil of Unbelief Ether 1-5
The idea that my own "veil of unbelief" is holding me back from the Lord's blessings has been on my mind a lot this week. In fact, the whole story of the brother of Jared has held some important messages for me this week as I've been contemplating how it might be possible that I could rend that veil of unbelief, because I definitely have one.
Crossing My Own Great Deep
That phrase, the "great deep" has come into my mind over and over again this week, especially as I have watched the complete and total chaos happening around me regarding the election.
I definitely have my own "great deep" to cross. As a matter of fact, some days it seems that just as I cross one great deep, I turn around and am faced with another one.
Last Monday when I started reading through these chapters for the first time, it was Ether 2: 25 that really stood out to me.
And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. 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?
This question has been with me all week.
What do I want the Lord to do for me? The truth is, I don't know if I know the answer.
With everything that has been going on through this year, I have found myself praying a lot, begging the Lord to help me navigate this unknown and chaotic world. But I realized as I read this particular verse that maybe I am waiting too much for Him to take unknown action in my life. Rather than proactively creating scenarios where he can bless me, I'm just waiting for miscellaneous blessings to rain down from heaven. Hoping that somehow He will just "save me" in some generic way.
And so...I have been honestly asking myself this question all week, over and over. What do I NEED the Lord to do for me? And what do I NEED to do for myself?
It has led to some very heartfelt prayers in and of itself, as I ask the Lord to open my mind to find the answers for myself, to help me think clearly. To discover for myself what I can do for myself so that He can then do the parts I am not able to do alone.
As I face my own Great Deep
It's possible that I have spent more time in deep thought about this lesson and what I need to learn from it than I have any of the lessons so far this year. It is an area where I know I need to work hard to improve.
I don't know what is coming in the days ahead. I feel like we are living in dark times, and things are not going to be getting better. In fact they may even be getting worse. But the one thing I am certain of is just because times are dark doesn't mean I have to stay in the dark. I can't have the light of Christ to lead the way through it.
I was thinking about how I have been praying so hard for things to go back to normal, for things to be the way they were a year ago...and I realized something today.
These things that we are going through now are necessary. They have been prophesied, and they are part of a bigger plan. I know who wins in the end, even though I have no idea when that end will be here.
In the meantime, Heavenly Father will guide me through it, but I do need to rend that veil of unbelief and ask Him to help me.
This Week's Challenge Cards
I had quite a time picking the talks and activities for this week's challenge cards! I read so many great talks and articles, and watched so many videos it was hard to know which to include. I picked my favorites, but I will add some links below for some additional resources in case you'd like even more!
The Brother of Jared (from the Friend)
Light in Our Vessels: Faith, Hope and Charity
Faith Through Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy
Did You Get the Right Message?
“Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds”
How Were Jonah and the Brother of Jared Able to Find Comfort?
Heavenly Father Hears and Answers My Prayers
How Can the Story of the Brother of Jared Help You?
The Brother of Jared: An Expert at Learning
The Come Follow Me Scripture Project: The Brother of Jared
Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayers
As Many as I Love I Rebuke and Chasten