Notwithstanding the Miracles (Helaman 10:12-19)

"but where they have been convinced by the outpouring of the spirit of God, … they have been more likely to stand, more likely to endure persecution and trial"

NotWithStanding: in spite of : adverb nevertheless; in spite of this : conjunction although; in spite of the fact that :

Signs do not convert. Miracles do not convert. Faith alone convicts us.

Growing up in the deep south, I had ample opportunity to share the gospel with my neighbors and classmates. On different occasions someone would challenge my beliefs on faith based issues. One afternoon on my mother's dock, an older neighbor boy from down the street decided to hang out for a bit. Our conversation turned to my recent conversion and my decision to attend church. I ended up bearing my testimony to him. He told me I could not know. I told him I did know.

His lack of belief in a God caused us to get into a somewhat heated debate that ended when he said to me.. rather foolishly. "You can't know. And to show it to you, I am going to throw these rocks at you. If they hit you then you are wrong. I am sure that you are wrong and I am sure that you will get hit." (He didn't chose to throw them so that they would hurt me, but rather just to prove a point.)

I took my stance and said "Fire away". We both agreed that I would stand about 5 feet from him so that it wouldn't be too difficult or too easy, and that I would stand perfectly still. He chose several small stones and began unloading his arsenal upon me. He never hit me. Not once. He was dumbfounded. So I said.. "Well then I guess I am right".

He said that there was something wrong. So I moved closer. Still he could not hit me. Eventually he left as I had refused to argue with him. And he could not hit me. He had asked for a sign, but it did not convince him that I was protected, that God lived, or that I was right. It really did nothing more than entertain me and frustrate him.

Signs and miracles come from God as a gift to the faithful. It is not our place to ask for them. It is our place to look for them and to recognize them.

I attended a beautiful Missionary Fireside this evening where two recent converts spoke to this very topic. BrB spoke on how he had been raised by an active atheist who worked to disprove the faith of others. When he decided to give religion a try, he only knew to ask for signs. He went through this several times and each time he was awed, he was stunned, he was entertained, but he was not convicted through his faith. It was not until he asked for help, (not signs) that he learned to recognize God's love. When God's loved wrapped itself around him, his conviction changed his life forever.

God's love is not to be found in signs. It is not to be found in gimmicks or things that "prove" as if it were a science experiment. God's love is not an experiment. It is within us and can only be accessed through humble prayer.

Words and Phrases

vs 12 did not go unto his own house .. - Nephi was so obedient (remember he had gained the trust of God) that he did not stop to gain food, accessories, supplies, etc. He left immediately and returned to the multitudes.

vs 12 declare unto them - This time they were not mystified by his prayers for them (on the tower), they were not stunned by his knowledge of murderers amongst them( judges murder), nor did they witness a sign (the confession of the true murderer), instead they had to listen with their ears and their hearts to his words.

vs 13 notwithstanding that great miracle - Miracles tend to bring on power plays. I'm more powerful. I'm more knowledgeable. Miracles oftentimes can be misunderstood or explained away by the witty or learned. Miracles are for those that reason, they are not for the believers. The believers experience miracles all the time. But they do not rely on miracles to build their faith. Believers understand that it is God's love that keeps them bound to their faith.

vs 14 declare unto the word of the Lord ... In the end, we must learn to listen to God's word. We must learn to love God's word. We must learn God's love and keep it close to our hearts. Then and only then will it have sway on our minds.

vs 15 revile against him -Not only did they criticize him, but they became angry with him and tried to seize him and throw him into prison. They no longer cared about the Judge, nor the evidence, nor the truth. This was not about truth. It was about power. They wanted the power for themselves and Nephi stood in their way.

vs 16 he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away..- I don't understand if he was translated, protected, or died, but I do know that he was protected and was able to give his message

vs 17. go forth in the Spirit - Was he a spirit? Was he in his body and he carried forth with the spirit of God in him? ??

vs 18 they were divided - If it is not of God it will divide you. If it is not of God it will bring contention. They bring upon themselves their own destruction.

The following is from Dallin H. Oaks June 2001 Ensign

Why Don’t We Hear More about Miracles?

Why don’t our talks in general conference and local meetings say more about the miracles we have seen? Most of the miracles we experience are not to be shared. Consistent with the teachings of the scriptures, we hold them sacred and share them only when the Spirit prompts us to do so.

The revelation on priesthood affirms the biblical teaching in Mark 16:17 that “signs,” including miraculous healings and other wonderful works, “follow them that believe” (see also D&C 84:65). Similarly, modern revelation directs that “they shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation” (D&C 84:73). Another revelation declares, “Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit” (D&C 63:64). President Brigham Young explained, “Miracles, or these extraordinary manifestations of the power of God, are not for the unbeliever; they are to console the Saints, and to strengthen and confirm the faith of those who love, fear, and serve God, and not for outsiders.” 7

Latter-day Saints generally follow these directions. In bearing testimonies and in our public addresses we rarely mention our most miraculous experiences, and we rarely rely on signs that the gospel is true. We usually just affirm our testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel and give few details on how we obtained it. Why is this? Signs follow those that believe. Seeking a miracle to convert someone is improper sign seeking. By the same token, it is usually inappropriate to recite miraculous circumstances to a general audience that includes people with very different levels of spiritual maturity. To a general audience, miracles will be faith-reinforcing for some but an inappropriate sign for others.

There are good reasons why we do not seek conversions by exhibiting signs. “The viewing of signs or miracles is not a secure foundation for conversion. Scriptural history attests that people converted by signs and wonders soon forget them and again become susceptible to the lies and distortions of Satan and his servants (Hel. 16:23; 3 Ne. 1:22, 3 Ne. 2:1, 3 Ne. 8:4.). …

“In contrast to the witness of the Spirit, which can be renewed from time to time as needed by a worthy recipient, the viewing of a sign or the experiencing of a miracle is a one-time event that will fade in the memory of its witness and can dim in its impact upon him or her.” 8

President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), who served for more than a quarter century in the First Presidency, observed: “It has been a matter of remark among those who have had experience in this Church that where men have been brought into the Church by such manifestations, it has required a constant succession of them to keep them in the Church; their faith has had to be constantly strengthened by witnessing some such manifestations; but where they have been convinced by the outpouring of the spirit of God, … they have been more likely to stand, more likely to endure persecution and trial than those who have been convinced through some supernatural manifestation.” 9

I was led by the Spirit

1 Nephi 4: 6-11

I was led by the Spirit ...

Remember Wednesdays post Plan A, Plan B... This is Plan C. God's way. Nephi does not know where he is going or what he is doing. He is going on the cuff? Or is he? He believes God will deliver them. Did God tell Moses all that would transpire when he freed the Hebrews? No. Did God tell Aaron what to say before he opened his mouth? No. Did God tell Noah how complete the flood would be? Who taught Noah how to build the ark? God. These prophets were all led by the spirit.

It takes faith to be led by the Spirit. To know that with every moment God is with me. With every prayer there is an action that answers. We may not see. We may not realize immediately how the Lord has taken care of us, but he does take care of us. We must have faith, an open heart, and an ear to listen. We must be obedient to the basic laws that help shape our desire to know God.

This is really a beautiful story. Nephi tried mans way.( Plan A Plan B) How did Plan C unfold? He hid his brethren in the wall, he crept toward Laban's house, and he found Laban unconscious in a drunken stupor. The spirit says slay him. "it is better than one man should die than an entire nation should dwindle in unblief".

But this went against every thing that Nephi had ever known. The laws of civilization say "thou shalt not kill", (and yet Jerusalem had sought to slay the prophets?) He knew that this was wrong. But then why was it right for men of God to be put to death for stating the truth and giving warnings to Jerusalem's wickedness?

Laws are only good as long as the majority of the people are agreed of their value. Case in point.. Blue laws still exist in the deep south. Liquor can not be purchased on Sunday and many stores of all kind remain closed. South Carolina is one of the last strong holds of this law? Why? Because the people value its worth. A movement to repeal these laws failed not once but twice. Laws rely on the people to determine their value. Another law to consider in this regard is prohibition. After the law was passed, people found ways around it. The people could not live without their alcohol.

My point is this. Jerusalem valued not the truth the prophets gave and blatantly disregarded the laws when they sought to slay the prophets. Nephi, as a man of God chose to obey the greater law. He had to choose between man's law and the Lord's law. God had given him perspective and he saw the wisdom in having the law (the brass plate) to teach with. The spirit led him to help him retrieve the law of Moses so that Lehi's family could know and then teach the law of Moses and hence know God.

I wonder if Nephi would have acted so boldly if he had known beforehand what the Lord's plan was? I wonder if it is necessary for us to always know all that we are to do? Being led by the spirit is just that, it is not always knowing what is just around the corner, but believing it is the Lord's will anyway.

I beheld his sword (vs 9) hilt was of pure gold ...workmanship exceedlingly fine ..most precious steel..... -

Who was Laban? He was a man of great power. I know this because of Nephi's description of his sword. I think that a sword might have been like a car in our days. I noticed that everything about Laban's sword was the best of the best. This tells me that it was not going to be easy to get these plates without a fight.

Why didn't Nephi just go and steal the plates? Who was Laban? A man of great power and influence. What might have happened had he not obeyed the spirit? Lehi's family (only 3 days journey) might have been slain. This was a serious matter to consider.

I was constrained (vs 10) - compel or force (someone) toward a particular course of action - Who constrained Nephi? I am reminded that he is being led by the spirit, so I believe it is the spirit within him. And the spirit reasons with Nephi.. shows him the wisdom in this action.

dwindle in unbelief (vs 13) - Without God's law I dwindle in unbelief. When I take time each day to read his law, his words, and understand his ways, I discover "his righteous purposes." I don't want to dwindle in unbelief. I want God's love and law in my life.

I remembered the words of the Lord (vs 14) - When I read the words of God and I have to make daily choices I am glad to remember the words of the Lord. They serve as a guide post to help me through my day. Here Nephi remembers the words and they help him make a decisive choice. He remembers that it is better to serve God. God will keep His promises. God will help you prosper. When we have to make choices we need to remember the importance of keeping our covenants with God. We have his promise.

This section of 1 Nephi contains many deep subjects that could be discussed in great depth. I enjoyed contemplating these verses because they helped me see how God's love helps us preserve that which is vital for our survival. Lehi's family had everything physical that they needed for their trek into the wilderness. They needed God's law. His promises. His love written down in story. They needed to know so they could continue the traditions and "always have his spirit to be with them ." (Moroni 4:3)