Hard or Soft?

After Nephi's vision, he returned to his family where he could hear his brothers bickering.  They were having a dispute over the things that Lehi had taught them, things from his vision. 

For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, 

save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts,

therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought.

When Nephi asked them why they were arguing, they told him that there were some things that they did not understand.

And I said unto them:  Have ye inquired of the Lord?

What a simple question!  All of the boys had previously seen an angel of the Lord.  They had to have known that He was there, yet they - except for Nephi - forgot to call upon him with their concerns.  I have never seen an angel, or had a vision, but I also know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real and they are there whenever I need them.  But, just like the brothers, I sometimes forget to call on the Lord.  

Life is so busy and so loud!  Hardly a minute goes by where I don't have to make some sort of decision.  Some decisions are easy - what to wear, what to cook, what TV show to watch.  Some are harder - is it time for another baby? (I promise you, it's not), should we buy this house?, should I take this job?.  I really don't think that there is anything too trivial to take to the Lord.  I've prayed over where to find my car keys.  I've prayed over which direction to go when I've been lost - literally and figuratively.  I've helped my children pray for help on a test at school.  I've helped them pray to find a lost shoe.  

Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said? - If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

I believe that our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can even comprehend.  I know that the love that I feel for my children pales in comparison to the completely unconditional love that my Heavenly Father has for me.  He does not like to see me fail.  He does not like to see me hurt.  My happiness is of the utmost importance to him.  But if I do not ask, he cannot intervene.  I must do better.  I must soften my heart.

In the Grotto, Portland OR          ©Darrell Wyatt

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