Another way of saying it is like this: "In your patience, win mastery of your souls." (Thanks Pres. Uchtdorf)
I have recently started the Pathway program through BYU Idaho to further my education. One of my classes is the study of religion, and this semester we are studying the first half of The Book of Mormon. Part of my assignment this week is to share what I've learned. In order to do that, I decided to create a blog. Please be "patient" with me as I learn how to master the art of blogging.
This week my study assignment was 1 Nephi 1, 2, 3, 4. and 5 found in The Book of Mormon. I also watched 8 video clips from various speakers, and attended a gathering with my peers. I have chosen patience for this post, because I can see where patience has played a part in all aspects of my studies this week. The driving force in this for me was a clip of a talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who is an apostle of the Lord in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Here is the link to the transcript, as well as the video of the talk that President Uchtdorf gave during the April 2010 General Conference.
President Uchtdorf said something in his talk that really stood out to me. He said, "Patience means to abide in faith, knowing that sometimes it is in the waiting rather than in the receiving that we grow the most."
I thought about what President Uchtdorf said and how it applies to my own life, especially over the past few months with some trials and difficulties my family has been facing. I see now that by continuing to wait in patience for answers to our prayers, that my husband and I have grown closer to one another, as well to our Heavenly Father; and we have really been listening for the promptings of the Holy Ghost. We exercised faith by continuing to DO the things that the Lord has commanded us to do.
So, I'm going to be really real here for a minute, because I don't want you to think that it has been easy by any means. There were times that I just wanted to give up, throw in the towel, and cry for days. I couldn't see that God was going to answer our prayers. I felt abandoned, confused, alone, and fearful. I didn't want to seek His counsel because I was tired of waiting "patiently" for something to change. Little did I know that the biggest something to change would be me. I've taken to heart the things that I've studied in the scriptures, watched in different videos, and read in talks. I see that I have not been alone in my trials, that God has not left me, but that He continues to bless me with His tender mercies. My vision had become very narrow, focusing on the trials instead of the blessings.
President Uchtdorf said, "Patience means accepting that which cannot be changed and facing it with courage, grace, and faith." I agree, with my whole heart. One of the definitions of courage that I love is that courage is the choice and willingness to confront uncertainty or intimidation. Grace in facing trials means to me, a spirit of goodwill and kindness, and then faith calls us to action.
So for example, in 1 Nephi 3 we can see the evidence of Nephi and his brothers exercising patience in trying to obtain the brass plates. Nephi and his brothers were not happy to go back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates from King Laban, but they exercised faith and courage by devising a plan that I would imagine also included grace to get the plates. When the first plan didn't work, Nephi, with great patience towards his brothers, was able to help them see another way to try again. If Nephi had handled the situation differently, by losing his patience with his brothers, he may not have been able to persuade them to go back with him. To see how or if they end up getting the plates, continue reading chapter 4 of 1st Nephi.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights about patience, the talk I referenced, and/or the example I used. The only thing I ask is that you be respectful in your language. Thank you so much for taking the time to ponder some things with me.
