King Arad, after learning Israel camped nearby, feared their presence, imprisoned some and fought mightily against them. Alarmed, quick to repent, Israel turned to the Lord, vowing such a vow, that Heaven delivered them from the entire Canaanite population.
Still reeling and recovering from the latest battle, the camp of Israel unmoored and continued marching over the harsh landscape. When apprising Israel that they would travel to Moab by marching around Edom rather than taking a shorter route, the people bemoaned discouragement because of the chosen way.
“Why hast God brought us out of Egypt, to die in the desert?”
“Moses, where is our Bread?”
“Where shall we find water?”
“We have to eat the same awful manna day after day, we hate it.”
Hearing such complaints after facilitating another escape from its enemies, the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people of Israel. The serpents bit thousands and many died.
“Moses!” Cried those who remained, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee. Pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.”
Ever faithful, Moses prayed and received healing instructions, “Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.” (Numbers 17)
Numerous looked and were healed. Many, because of the simpleness of the way, did not perform the easy labor and perished. (1 Nephi 17:41)
In the wilderness Moses raised a symbol of a future atonement that literally saved the lives of those who would look. “But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them.” (Alma 33:20)
Thousands of years later, when comparing the brazen serpent of the past to the tangible scriptures we easily access today, the prophet’s call to heal the soul remains, “if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish? If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he [came] to redeem his people, and that he [suffered] and [died] to atone for their sins; and that he [rose] again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.” (Alma 33:21-22)
“Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high…They are always available when needed.” (Richard G Scott, General Conference, October 2011)
In Mosiah chapter 4, King Benjamin testifies that daily look into the scriptures matures over time into a course of study that allows the reader to:
• Believe in God
• Believe that He is
• Believe He created all things
• Believe that He has all wisdom
• Believe that He has power
• Believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend
And if the reader believes all these things:
• Believe that they must repent of sins and forsake them
• Believe that they must humble themselves before God
• Believe that they must ask in sincerity of heart
• Believe that He would forgive
Then as the reader:
• Comes to the knowledge of the glory of God
• Knows of his goodness
• Tastes of his love
• Receives a remission of sins
The reader:
• Will enjoy exceedingly great joy in the soul
• Will remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God,
• Will remember their own nothingness
• Will remember God’s goodness and long-suffering
• Will humble themselves even in the depths of humility
• Will call on the name of the Lord daily
• Will stand steadfastly in the faith
• Will always rejoice
• Will be filled with the love of God
• Will always retain a remission of sins
• Will grow in the knowledge of the glory of Him
• Will grow in the knowledge of that which is just and true
• Will not have a mind to injure one another
• Will live peaceably
• Will render to every man according to that which is his due
• Will not suffer that children go hungry or naked
• Will not suffer that others transgress the laws of God
• Will not fight and quarrel one with another
• Will not serve the devil
• Will teach all to walk in the ways of truth
• Will teach soberness
• Will teach all to love one another
• Will teach all to serve one another
Looking upon the word daily, as Brigham Young taught, gives here a little and there a little. Thus the Lord increases wisdom, and they that receive a little, and are thankful for that, shall receive more and more and more. (Times and Seasons, July 1845)
“The word of God, as found in the scriptures… has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life.” (Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, April 1986)
Strive to never let a day pass without uttering a prayer similar as that articulated by the Brother of Jared, “O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these [scriptures], O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us… that we may have light. Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men”.
Then shall that day come when “the Lord stretche[s] forth his hand and touche[s] the [scriptures] one by one with his finger. And the veil [will be] taken from off the eyes…” and the Wonderful Voice of Eternity declares, “I am He who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.” (Ether 3)
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