Book of Mormon: Day 316: Quick to Observe

Today’s Reading:  Mormon 1

 2 And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe…

THE ELECTION.

What American can hear those two little words today without having a powerful emotional reaction? I know I can’t.

To be honest, I have been a bit surprised at how much I have been emotionally affected by the events of the recent campaigning season and subsequent presidential election. Never before have I cared so much about who ended up in the White House. Never before have I researched, studied, prayed, talked, and listened to so many sources in preparation for my day in the voting booth. And never before have I felt so utterly spent and dejected at the end of it all. Am I alone in these feelings?

If you, like me, are looking for peace and direction in this post-election season, I invite you to follow Mormon’s example. Why Mormon? Well, Mormon lived in a time of great wickedness and unrest, yet he himself remained so valiant, pure, and faithful that he was “visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus” (Mormon 1:15). How and why did he receive this great privilege? I believe the answer lies in how Mormon was described in Mormon 1:2—namely, that he was “quick to observe.”

For a long time, I thought that the phrase “quick to observe” meant that Mormon was simply better than most people at noticing and remembering the events around him and would thus make a great record keeper. While that is certainly true, there is another meaning of the word “observe” that also qualified Mormon to do the Lord’s work.

As Elder Bednar explains, the word “observe” has two primary uses in the scriptures: 1) to look, see, or notice and 2) to obey or to keep. Says Elder Bednar,

… [W]hen we are quick to observe, we promptly look or notice and obey. Both of these fundamental elements—looking and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe. And the prophet Mormon is an impressive example of this gift in action.[1]

So, as we Americans survey the post-election scene, let us recommit to being “quick to observe.” Let us seek to be informed, aware, and involved (let us see), but most of all, let us obey the counsel given to us by our living prophets, the modern-day watchmen on the tower whose perspective is blessedly superior to our own. Specifically, let us follow this directive issued by the First Presidency on the morning following the presidential election:

We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to join us in praying for the president-elect, for his new administration and for elected leaders across the nation and the world. . . . The men and women who lead our nations and communities need our prayers as they govern in these difficult and turbulent times.[2]

In obeying, let us find safety and peace.