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God Is, Not Was

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1 Nephi 10 is the first time in the Book of Mormon when anything specific is actually prophesied about the life and mission of Jesus Christ as the Son of God to come to Earth. It seems that it is the first time that Lehi and his family really learn about what Christ would come to do. It teaches of his role as a Redeemer, "Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer." Lehi also prophesied about John the Baptist who would prepare the way, and Christ's ability to take away the sins of the world. He went on to talk about the scattering of Israel and the way that they would be able to come to a knowledge of Christ. I can't imagine what listening to this for the first time might have been like if you had been living the Law of Moses your whole life and not really known anything about Jesus Christ... I think a lot of times when our prophet says something new, we are much more eager to listen than when we hear the same thing over and over. I wonder if Nephi felt that way. When it came down to it, however, it was the tried and true practice of prayer that allowed him to understand and accept the new teachings of his father, Lehi. Whereas the others lacked this simple understanding of a principled which they had been taught all their lives. They were not able to embrace the new idea of having a need for a Savior because they had not yet mastered the simple art of personal prayer. Joseph Smith had learned his lesson. He knew that if he had a question, he could ask and he would be answered. I am sure he received but more than he was expecting, but he had prepared himself for more knowledge because he acted upon what he already knew. I am grateful, as Nephi points out that the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will always reveal what we need to know to our current prophet. We will only be able to understand what he teaches us through the Holy Ghost. I hope when something new comes along, I have ears to hear and a heart ready to learn.

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