The following is an excerpt of the Gospelnomics manuscript. It follows up our discussion last time of marginal benefit and costs (Posted July 8, 2011).

[dropcap]Being able to weigh costs and make good decisions is an important part of our experience on this earth. We learn from Abraham that we will be “[proven] . . . herewith, to see if [we] will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them,” (Abraham 3:25). It’s important to note that in order for us to prove our obedience to what the Lord commands, we will be tested. We will face ambiguity and challenge in the process. It will not always be so easy to figure out where it might lead or if it will not end well. We will need help along the way. That help might come in many forms, but the ultimate source of all assistance is the grace and love of the Savior Jesus Christ.
[/dropcap]

Part of ‘[doing] all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]’ involves relying on the mercy and guidance of the Savior. When we cannot fully judge the costs before us, we must be ever ready to defer to his perfect judgement.

The Savior instructed the early leaders of His restored church on this principle when he said unto them, “But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if itbe right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right,” (D&C 9:8).

Joseph, months previous to that revelation, learned the importance of always trusting in the Lord’s guidance through a very difficult experience.

Many of you will recall that Martin Harris was the first man to serve as Joseph’s scribe in translating the golden plates. After many pages were completed, Martin asked that he be allowed to show the translated pages to his wife, that she may be persuaded and convinced as to the work they were about.

Joseph inquired of the Lord and the answer came back “no.”

Martin wouldn’t let it go, and pleaded that Joseph ask again. He did so and the answer came back again, “no.”
And still Martin pressed and Joseph yielded, asking the Lord a third time that Martin may be allowed to show the pages to his wife.

This time the Lord consented, requiring that Martin only show the pages to his wife and to guard them closely.
Martin Harris did not keep his promise to Joseph and the Lord, resulting in the loss of the 116 pages of the Book of Lehi.

Perhaps neither Joseph or Martin could forsee any harm in the request for Martin to take the pages, but the Lord did.

When the Lord finally did give Joseph the plates again, he counselled Joseph saying,
“Marvel not that I said until you: Here is wisdom, show it not unto the world—for I said, show it not unto the word, that you may be preserved.

“Behold, I do not say that you shall not show it unto the righteous;

“But as you cannot always judge the righteous, or as you cannot always tell the wicked from the righteous, therefore I say unto you, hold your peace until I shall see fit to make all things known unto the world concerning the matter,” (D&C 10:35-37).

Take a moment and consider what decisions you might want to make where the Lord might have a different answer or solution than you’d like to hear. What wisdom can we gain from Joseph’s experience?

• It’s highly unlikely that we will not be able to weigh the hidden costs of our actions. Because the Lord has perfect foresight, we should recognize His promptings and direction as loving warnings to shield us from the adversaries intent to destroy us.
• To ‘marvel not’ and ‘to hold our peace’ might suggest that we should avoid complaining or murmuring against the direction of the Lord because we don’t see what the Lord sees.

Nephi teaches us that we are saved by grace after all we can do. I’d like to apply that passage here too. After all we do, we need the Savior’s assistance in making good decisions. We should do what we can but realize that it is not enough. We need His grace, His wisdom and His perfection to help us make it home.

“For my thought sare not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

“For as the heavens are highter than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts,” (Isaiah 55:8-9).