Monday, February 27, 2017

Mormon 9:36-37 -- On God's All-Encompassing Plan

"And behold, these things which we have desired concerning our brethren, yea, even their restoration to the knowledge of Christ, are according to the prayers of all the saints who have dwelt in the land.
And may the Lord Jesus Christ grant that their prayers may be answered according to their faith; and may God the Father remember the covenant which he hath made with the house of Israel; and may he bless them forever, through faith on the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
Mormon 9:36-37


These verses, written by a man who knew he wouldn't be alive to see them fulfilled, offer an overarching perspective of the gospel, and highlight the fact that God's plan is vast and comprehensive.  God's plan encompasses all things.  Our prayers aren't only effective while we're alive, but they stay powerful, working even after we're dead... all part of God's plan to change the world, and save all of us. :)  God's promises to the Nephites concerning their brethren would be, and will be, fulfilled.  Likewise, God's covenant with Abraham wasn't just for Abraham, but the covenant continues to be in force, through his descendants.

Sometimes, with our limited vision, we look at God's plan and we think that it is broken or flawed.  We think, how could God allow this, or why would God force me to endure this?  Often only in hindsight do we see the real truth, and the vast beauty, of God's plan, and his incomparable love for us.  Looking back we understand that we wouldn't be the people we are without the challenges that we faced.  We see ourselves remade in the forge fire as God's true servants, more powerful and strong than we could ever be without facing and overcoming loss, and doubt, and pain.  Even as we face forward after that realization though, sometimes we ignore that the same holds true for our current challenges as well.

Today, let's remember that God's plan is all-encompassing and perfect.  Let's remember that many promises are fulfilled over time, and not instantly... and that's okay, because God's timing is better than our impatience.  Let's remember God's mercy and goodness in our lives, and that God's love will show through in everything that we learn and everything that we face.  With him, we will overcome and become more than we could ever dream.  Nothing will be left out or undone in the fulfillment of God's plan.  We might not live to see all of God's promises fulfilled, but that doesn't mean that God has failed.  Only that the plan is bigger than we are.  God knows exactly what he is doing, all the time.  Let's keep the faith, and trust that "all things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28).  

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