June Homefront Message, Brother of Jared

In our recent Stake Conference Elder Holland counseled us to put into practice the things that we learned from our living prophets in the last General Conference. Elder Holland admonished us to be doers of the words not hearers only (James 1:22). In 2 Nephi 2 13-14 we are taught that among all of God’s creations there are things to act and things to be acted upon. Elder Bednar has taught us similarly that we are “endowed with agency, [and therefore] you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not to be acted upon.” (And Nothing Shall Offend Them, David Bednar Oct 2006)


So often in our busy lives it can feel as if this call put out by Elder Holland is just one more thing we have to add to our plate or one more thing we are failing to do. In other words we can feel overwhelmed as we juggle the daily obligations with our own spiritual growth and development. In these moments of despair it is paramount that we not forget the Lord’s promises to us as his children. Although there are several examples in the scriptures for us to refer to, the story of the Brother of Jared is a favorite. The Brother of Jared was similarly chastened by the Lord for the space of three hours for failing to call on the Lord (Ether 2:14). The brother of Jared repented and turned to the Lord for direction. The Lord then proceeded to give direction on how to build the barges to cross the deep providing very detailed instructions on not only how to build the barges but also how to get air and supplies. However, the Lord left it to the brother of Jared to determine how to provide light to each barge. In Ether 2:25 the Lord in his loving way stated, “And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?”

Brothers and Sisters, the Lord has not left us alone. He knows we will face our own storms, floods and winds in our lives but he also has asked that we turn to him and let Him know what He should prepare us that we may carry His light with us through the storms. This light may be strength, it may be endurance, it may be patience or for a friend to reach out on His behalf. Let us all repent as did the brother of Jared and turn to the Lord for the light that we need Him to prepare for each of us. This is our prayer.