2 Nephi 33:1-4

Oh my goodness, I can't believe that I'm at the end of Nephi! It's only taken me 4 months, but it has been amazing. I'm so grateful that the Lord has given me this opportunity, that he has led me and taught me, even if it was sometimes kicking and screaming. I only have a little bit of time tonight, I stayed over chatting for too long, so this might be a two night endeavor.

33:1-4 - It's interesting to me that Nephi says that he is mighty in speaking but not mighty in writing because he speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost, because sometimes when I'm writing, I feel more the Holy Ghost, so it's just interesting that we all have different ways and means that God uses to move his work along. I'm not trying to imply that I'm moving his work along for anyone other than myself, I'm just saying that there are different methods. In verse 1 Nephi says that the Holy Ghost "carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men" similar to the reference that you can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Elder David A. Bednar speaks about this verse "please notice how the power of the Spirit carried the message unto but not necessarily into the heart. A teacher can explain, demonstrate, persuade, and testify, and do so with great spiritual power and effectiveness. Ultimately, however, the content of a message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrate into the heart only if a receiver allows them to enter." I read something last night saying something to the effect of "God respects our agency by not intruding where he is not welcome." I believe this, and it makes sense and I think we've even talked about it before. In verse 3 Nephi shows this a little bit by saying "but behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught." It was always confusing for me when it said that people "harden their hearts" even in the light of angels, the Holy Ghost, miracles, etc. I always think "how do they not at least think about that?" But I'm probably guilty of the same thing. Also confusing for me as a child was in the story of Moses, the Bible says that "God hardened Pharaoh's heart" and I thought "what? That doesn't make any sense." So the "hardening the heart" concept has always been pretty abstract for me. But I guess if we think about the idea of the Holy Ghost burning in our hearts, when things get hot, they are easily shaped, they don't typically turn hard, like lava, cool it is jagged rock, hot it is molten lava. So if the Holy Ghost presents knowledge and truth to someone, the warm, open heart will accept it and grow, but the cold, closed heart will not receive it and "the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them." A quick thought on verse 3 is the use of the word "pillow." Very interesting to me. Nephi prays for his people "continually... by day... and I cry unto my God in faith... and I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people." This is new for me, if there is agency and people can make their own choices, how do the prayers of others impact them "for their gain?" Does it send an added measure of the Spirit? Prayer for me is a difficult concept to master, I understand praying for yourself and your family, thanking and asking, but I don't understand how your individual prayers can impact others, especially if the Holy Ghost can't enter a hardened heart, what does my prayer do for someone who is hard hearted? I like that Nephi says "and the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them." I think this is an excellent example to all of us who accept callings but feel inadequate. The Lord will take our efforts, however flawed and strengthen them to accomplish his tasks. It really is a statement that nothing is too hard for the Lord and that as long as we do our best, we will be moving the work along, and it will be pleasing to him.