Joseph Smith--History 1:35 -- On Standing in Awe

"Also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted "seers" in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book."
Joseph Smith-History 1:35


I like this whole story... finding ancient records, translator stones, etc. It has the flavor of magic, but with the cool twist that it is 100% real. :) The brother of Jared story about the sixteen light stones (Ether 3:1) gives me that same feeling... and there are several other scriptural stories like that.

Mind you, I'm not saying that it *is* magic... only that it seems that way to us because we don't understand the science behind all the things that God can do.  To me, that's a total bonus actually.  It reminds me that we as humans are very low on the understanding-the-universe-and-reality spectrum, and it is another reason just to stand in awe of God.  I think we forget to do that sometimes, and we (perhaps without meaning to) lessen God in our eyes by thinking that he has some of our limitations or considering scriptural claims ridiculous just because we don't fully understand them.

Personally, I love that there are more things to learn... and some really amazingly cool things like walking on water etc. or maybe learning how the Liahona worked (or getting one??!?) just make it all more awesome to look forward to.  Not that we shouldn't work to understand... we totally should.   Today though, let's remember that the wonders that God has in store are truly greater than we can imagine, and our current knowledge barely touches on what God knows and can do.  Let's stand in awe this day and always, and not make the mistake of thinking that God is on our level.  Instead, let's do the work of trying to rise to his the best we can, and trust that he will teach us as we go. :)