Written by: Scott J Wakefield, Bishop
Mosiah 4:6-12
Moses 1: 1-11
Have you ever been faced with a situation that reminds you of your own insignificance?
This happens to me at airports. I usually feel pretty important in my home, at work, in my service, etc. But the usual airport scene, with thousands of people flying above the earth to their important homes and jobs – reminds me of how small and insignificant my little world really is.
Have you ever had a moment where you realize how much control you actually have in your own life – and it seems to be very little!?
Maybe you felt this when you were watching a powerful storm, sliding in a car that was out of control, or getting pushed under a powerful wave. Or maybe you have had to stand by and watch a loved one go through a debilitating medical challenge, with no way to fix it or make it go away. Or maybe…you are living through a global pandemic.
In any case, this is good. It is good because it leads to joy. (see Mosiah 4:12)
It may not feel good in the moment. But as long as you and I, when noticing our “own nothingness,” simultaneously remember “the goodness of God, and his matchless power,” it is a good thing. In fact, King Benjamin teaches us that if we do this, “we shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God.” (a)
Perhaps this is why our modern-day prophet can firmly say:
"When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.” (b)
Let’s explore another example in scripture. As recorded in the Pearl of Great Price, Moses had an experience that caused him to say; “Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.” (c) To put it lightly, he had just had an airport moment!
So, what had happened to cause this feeling in Moses? Remarkably, he “saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon [him.]” And God showed him, “the world upon which he was created…and all the children of men which are, and which were created.” (d) In our modern world, we are used to the idea that we share this small planet with millions upon millions of people. But most likely, Moses did not have that understanding until God showed him.
Ironically, even though Moses felt that “man is nothing,” he did not describe feeling depressed, frustrated, or in despair. Maybe it was because God told Moses that he had a work for him to do. And that he was “his son,” created in the “similitude” of the Only Begotten. I believe that it was also because Moses had come to a knowledge of his Savior, who is “full of grace and truth.”(e)
Perhaps less dramatically, you have had an experience that taught you about the goodness of God. Maybe he sent you a feeling of peace, answered your prayer, or blessed you in a way that caused you to acknowledge his wisdom and patience. Maybe he showed you his matchless power and you knew without a doubt that He had intervened in your life. Do you remember a moment when you felt the burden of sin lifted? Do you remember that feeling of forgiveness and moving forward without the weight of your own sin upon you?
What do we do with these memories and experiences? Do we explain them away or wonder if it really happened the way that you thought? Do we let them slowly fade into the business of our everyday? Do we forget to put our trust in him?
If so, the solution is simple: “always retain in remembrance the greatness of God, and your own nothingness…and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith” of Jesus Christ.(f)
Elder Neil L. Anderson recently taught, “Embrace your sacred memories. Believe them. Write them down. Share them with your family. Trust that they come to you from your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. Let them bring patience to your doubts and understanding to your difficulties.” (g)
And so, we humble ourselves and we remember. Elder Dale G. Renlund described the blessings that come to us as we do:
“Reflecting on God’s goodness and mercy helps us become more spiritually receptive. In turn, increased spiritual sensitivity allows us to come to know the truth of all things by the power of the Holy Ghost.” (h)
I have come to know that this process is real. I believe in God; I believe that he is, and that He created all things. I believe that He has all wisdom and all power.(i) I strive every day to humble myself before God, to call on the name of the Lord, and to recognize my unworthiness, shortsightedness, and forgetfulness. When I recognize His goodness and come to a knowledge of His hand in my life, I am filled with His love. And then I know in whom I can trust.
If you want to feel joy (even in uncertain times), remember that you (and I) are nothing – and that Christ is everything.
footnotes:
A. Book of Mormon, Mosiah; Chapter 4:12, pg. 155
B. Joy & Spiritual Survival, Russell M. Nelson, October 2016, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/joy-and-spiritual-survival?lang=eng
C. Pearl of Great Price, Moses; Chapter 1:10, pg. 2
D. Pearl of Great Price, Moses; Chapter 1:8, pg. 2
E. Pearl of Great Price, Moses; Chapter 1:7, pg. 2
F. Book of Mormon, Mosiah; Chapter 4:11, pg. 155
G. Spiritually Defining Memories, Neil L. Andersen, April 2020, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/15andersen?lang=eng
H. Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God, Dale G. Renlund, April 2020 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/26renlund?lang=eng
I. Book of Mormon, Mosiah; Chapter 4:9, pg. 155