BOOK OF MORMON: DAY 57: COME YE, AND LET US GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD

Today’s Reading:  2 Nephi 11-13

2 Nephi 12:3  AND MANY PEOPLE SHALL GO AND SAY, COME YE, AND LET US GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD, TO THE HOUSE OF THE GOD OF JACOB; AND HE WILL TEACH US OF HIS WAYS, AND WE WILL WALK IN HIS PATHS; FOR OUT OF ZION SHALL GO FORTH THE LAW, AND THE WORD OF THE LORD FROM JERUSALEM.

I love the words of Isaiah.  They weave an intricate cotton-candy like web between my mind and heart that slowly melts into sweet understanding.  I must confess, I do not pretend to understand all that Isaiah is teaching us, but I love his use of metaphors and symbols – it takes me back to my poetry writing days.  What I DO know, is that in today’s scripture, Isaiah is talking about the temple, both the ones that we enjoy now and the magnificent temple that will be the center of Zion in the last days.  And while, I love the temple and have an abiding testimony of it, that is not what struck me about this scripture as I pondered it.

Look with me at the verbs in the scripture:  GO – SAY – COME – GO UP – TEACH – WALK – GO FORTH.  As I thought about it. I realized that Isaiah is not only teaching us about the temple, but is also teaching us one of the basic principles of discipleship – action.  Our actions, what we need to do and where we need to go to receive teachings from the Lord.  So much of our gospel learning requires this sacrifice of us – TIME.  And, indeed, the things we are asked to do as disciples are not always convenient or easy.  We GO to church, to seminary, to the temple; we TEACH the children and sisters in our stewardships; we WALK the road of being a peculiar people amidst the current world views.  And why, why are we asked to give so much and do so many different things? Joseph Smith answers us in one of my favorite quotes:

“Let us here observe that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” (Lectures on Faith 6:7)

Admittedly, there are times when I have thought that it would be nice to have gospel growth and knowledge handed to me (and I don’t even need a silver platter!) but that is not the Lord’s way.  He desires that we show Him that we are ready to receive those truths from Him – through our actions, our sacrifices – then, and usually only then, do the dews of heavenly knowledge more easily distill upon us.

I ask you to consider, with me, what gospel-oriented ACTIONS are you missing in your life and possibly, what teachings might you be depriving yourself of?

I am grateful to Isaiah for reminding me that I must go up to the mountain and must walk in his paths to receive His glorious truths.  May we all do so and partake on a daily basis is my prayer.

Laurel Mizell

I am a wife, mom of 5, dancer, business woman and most of all I love to serve the Lord. When I’m not teaching dance or running kids around, you can usually find me reading deep thinking material or the scriptures. I love learning and sharing and growing in the gospel. I also make some mean chocolate chip cookies!