The One Who Dwells On High

Let me start by saying that our church study this year will be the Doctrine and Covenants which is a book of revelations given to Joseph Smith and then the some of leaders who followed him. It is a book that contains the “tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew in the dispensation of the fulness of times.” (Introduction to the D&C)

So we begin in Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) Chapter 1 which is the preface to the book of compiled revelations.

I didn’t get past the first sentence of the first verse before I was stopped and struck by a thought I hadn’t had before. The full verse says this:

1 Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.

When I have read that before I have always considered that Jesus Christ, who is the one speaking, was just introducing himself. telling us all who He is and where He is. But today, I got a new picture.

When we are elevated like in a tall building or on top of a mountain we can see what feels like everything. We have an overview of the countryside or the city layout or whole groups of people. When we are on the ground as usual we have a very limited view. We really can’t see that far without someone or something blocking our view.

The Lord can see everything. He knows the big picture. He sees the end from the beginning and He is there to help and guide us. This is not a Jesus who is telling us how much greater He is than us, this is a Jesus who is reassuring us that He is in ultimate control and even though things on the ground might feel out of control He will make sure that in the end things go right and for our good. Even when things are hard He can see us and will comfort, help and bring peace even if we are not taken out of the hard things. We can feel peace and joy through the most difficult times if we believe and have faith that He is on High and can see the good at the end of the journey.

Faith is Hard

Sometimes that faith is hard. Because our view is blocked we ask a lot of questions that might contain the word why or we pray prayers asking for whatever burden we are currently carrying to be taken away. Believing that it will benefit us in the end and believing what He says to us is so hard sometimes. And I have no advice about that other than to keep trying, keep praying and stay close to the Lord and the scriptures for help and guidance.

We are ending the year 2020 which has been so so difficult and yet so many of us have learned and stretched and grown so much more this year than we ever could have if we weren’t living through this stupid, stinking, terrible for so many reasons pandemic. Let’s try to look back on this year and see what growth has come to us.

I have learned so much more about technology. I have learned to think about things in different ways. I have learned that sometimes approaching things in a new way rather than how it’s always been done can be good. I have obtained an even firmer belief that most people just want someone to talk to. They don’t need to be rescued from their hardships. They need a sounding board, a listening ear, a friend they can trust. This is true ministering.

I have also learned once again that the Lord is aware of each of us and He wants to send that help, peace and comfort. Sometimes in the form of a person and sometimes in the form of a quiet mind and sometimes in the form of a few words on a page that unexpectedly jump out with a clearer meaning and teach us a new lesson about who Jesus Christ really is.

Photo by Dimitry Anikin from Pexels

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