Day 15 of 365 days of solace: Monday- Insights into Ether 3- glowing stones and journey to promised land

Tonight, during our family scripture study, we were reading in The Book of Mormon- in the book of Ether Ether 6:2-17  to be exact.  I was very surprised at some some symbolic insight I gained. This is a story about a family traveling toward their promised land, and the Lord helps to prepare them for their journey, and also helps to ensure all the little details of safety and well being are first worked out--- Just like he did for us, before we began our journey here to earth!!

I have bolded and highlighted scriptural points. The regular formatting are some of my feeling and personal insights of the scriptures.  This is not interpretive law- these insights are merely my understanding of God's blessings, but I leave the potential open that you may take away a different perspective.  Read it with a prayer in your heart, to get insights to help you in your life. :)

 2 For it came to pass after the Lord had prepared the stones which the brother of Jared had carried up into the mount, the brother of Jared came down out of the mount, and he did put forth the stones into the vessels which were prepared, one in each end thereof; and behold, they did give light unto the vessels

3 And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.

Heavenly father gives us stones of truth to our light our way through the darkness of this world. We read and hear this truth through scriptures, prayer, Prophets, apostles, and sources of righteousness.

4 And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God. 

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

6 And 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. 

7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark 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.

Buried, to me, is symbolic of baptism! Baptism is a covenant-- a promise from God to His children. I love that it says that "no water....could hurt them" for their vessels were waterproof, because of appropriate preparedness! When we are sufficiently prepared, we are shielded and defended against the power of the adversary, and God will protect us. It doesn't matter how we are encompassed about by the waters (trials) of life, Heavenly Father will "bring (us) forth again upon the top of the waters." These are promises of God! He will deliver us to safety!

8 And 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 driven forth before the wind.

Waters of faith!

As we remain faithful to Heavenly Father, and place our lives in his hands, and literally and figuratively allow him to encompass us in his vessel of safety, he will direct us toward our promised land. If the people hadn't of gotten in the boat, they would have shown their lack of trust- BUT, they prepared, they entered into the boat (compared to how we enter into covenants with Heavenly Father). They turned their life over to God, and showed Heavenly Father complete trust!

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

I love to read that they sang! I know that singing can mean to pray...but I think this was literal singing! And those songs were beautiful songs of praise to Heavenly Father. Songs which were always in their hearts!

I think there is a correlation of song and righteousness...that might be partial, because I love music, and song! But I do know there is music in heaven, because the angels sing to me daily! Of course, scriptures say "a prayer of the heart is a song unto the Lord." I hope that, even in my darkest hours of life, that I will have the voice to sing praises to the Lord.

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

I love this! I love seeing how "no monster of the sea could break them." I love reading that they had "light continually (even when things were going well- they still had revelation)!" The light of the Spirit can be our constant companion, as we are righteous. It doesn't matter how dark our lives, or how overshadowed by grief, worry, or pain-- we have access to the light of God continually, and he will protect us from any monsters that would seek to destroy. I am thankful for that blessing. Even at this time of sadness in my life, I feel those promises fulfilled, and I TRUST Heavenly Father. I will be protected, and brought forth to my promised land!

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

12 And they did land upon the shore of the promised 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 tender mercies over them.

Humble before God

I love that as soon as "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 tender mercies over them."

They had not lost their vision of God's goodness and mercy. They prioritized their life and made sure that Heavenly Father came first. If we would do more of this, we would grow in our capacity to hear the word of the Lord.

17 And they were taught to walk humbly before the Lord; and they were also taught from on high. 

I hope to teach my children to "walk humbly before the Lord," so that they too maybe "taught from on high." Revelation from on high is a gift from God, and is far greater than any earthly source of truth!

I am thankful for the blessings of gospel covenants, righteous examples of men and women of faith, and music. I am thankful that I have the gift of life, so that I can sing to the Lord.  I am praying that I will grow in my trust of God, and learn how to sing songs of praise- even in my darkest hours of life.

I hope you will join me in songs of praise!
Christine.

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