In Catherine Thomas’ book, Light In the Wilderness, she talks about how before we were born “many arrangements were put in place…to ensure our success in a dangerous world. Among these, a revelatory system was engendered in each child.” As I have been thinking about this sentence the last few days, I have pictured something out of a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale. There are a long line of boats with dear little newborns in them ready to sail on their mortal journey at the edge a dark tunnel. Carefully, carefully, into each vessel, the King and Queen place an inestimable treasure. The ability to receive communication from our Parents and Elder Brother meant that “the Great Creator could be with His children individually as a mentor, a revelator and an empowerer” said Catherine Thomas. She then quotes Ether 6:3.
“And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in the darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.”
She goes on to say:
“He promised that He would arrange life situations, would intervene in earthly circumstances , and would provide means to help us accomplish the plans and covenants we entered into in the premortal stages of our existence.” That sentence alone makes me feel so prized and treasured. She finishes with this scripture from the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 17:13:
“And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness .”
What a beautiful doctrine to teach your children! The doctrine of Revelation. There are things we need to do in order to receive it. We need to keep the commandments so His light can reach us. We need to follow His counsel so that it becomes easier and easier to obey the quiet voice of the Spirit. The more we listen to His Voice the easier it is to hear It. We need to be looking for the signs of love He gives us each day and how He blesses us with the things that we need. My son told me the other day he was walking up the long quarter-mile road to our house. He looked hopefully at the cars at the stoplight and was surprised to see his sister waiting there ready to go up the hill. She was engrossed in some deep thought because she hadn’t seen him. He was able to get her attention and get a ride up the hill. We had a great talk about how Abby “happened” to be there just as he was facing the long walk on a hot summer day. He also was “directed” to look over at his sister in a sense, because he could have just kept walking and completely missed her. Because we often have these discussions of how we can be lead and directed, and that we need to be watchful and ready, hopefully he will keep looking for them in his life, to encourage him and sustain him through his journey in the wilderness away from his Father.
It’s hard in the thick of thin things to pay attention. Make time to reflect early or late in the day—whenever it is quiet in your house. Catherine Thomas asks, “And all this Light, all these temporal and spiritual gifts—what is their meaning? The chasing of food, clothes, shelter, possessions, and busyness, even spiritual wonders, so often become ends in themselves.” Meaning they become the focus of our lives and all of our energies. Stop and reflect on the gifts given you for your journey through the wilderness, especially the power to receive personal and comforting messages from your Heavenly Father, every single day.
I was so happy to watch this video on lds.org yesterday and to hear Elder Uchtdorf’s voice as I was thinking about Catherine Thomas’ words:
“The Creator of the seas, sands, and endless stars is reaching out to you this very day! He is offering the grand recipe for happiness, peace, and eternal life!”
In what ways do you and your family talk about the revelation you receive?
"Peace Like A River…" 