Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints means that I sustain President Thomas S. Monson. He is the Prophet called by God for these Latter Days just as Moses was a Prophet in his day.
The other day while getting my hair-cut from a friend of mine who is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, asked me what I thought if all the sudden the Church asked us to do something strange (I am omitting further details and just calling the request strange). I just replied with, "I hope that doesn't happen, that would be hard."
Then she said, "but what if President Thomas S. Monson said he was told by God to bring this strange request into the church, what would you do?"
I answered, "I would do it but it would be hard."
Now I really hope that this strange thing never happens but because I know the Prophet Thomas S. Monson is Jesus Christ's true Prophet, I would know it was right. I love it how Nephi in 1 Nephi chapter 2 responds to the strange request he was given:
12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew notthe dealings of that God who had created them.
13 Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father.
14 And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in thevalley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he commanded them.
16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.
Laman and Lemuel when asked to move to the wilderness by their father (aka Prophet of God) they complained and didn't want to. As Nephi explained, it was because they never knew their God who created them. They just thought it was strange and silly and that was that.
Nephi also had a hard time with the strange request to leave his home and move to the wilderness but he responded differently. Instead of complaining he prayed to be able to know for himself and by the spirit he was comforted and knew he that his father (aka- the Prophet) was right.
This is a really good way to approach this situation. If the Prophet ever asked something strange and possibly to a lot of people he already does, then ask God yourself. Get down on your knees and ask. Then the Lord will you know that it is not strange anymore and peace will flood through you. I know this is true, I have felt it for myself.
Love,
Becky joy
