I Will Go and Do

One of my favorite scriptures is 1 Nephi 3:7.  When I was little my parents had us kids memorize it.  Since then it has guided me throughout my life. When I was 13 I was asked to accompany my ward during hymn practice right after sacrament meeting. (They did this for a while in the old days.) As you know I am not a piano player. I took lessons but never devoted much time or energy to it. At 13 I did not feel accomplished enough to play for the ward. I had been taught to always accept any calling I was given, I accepted and went home and cried.

My mom later came and talked to me.  As I complained and cried she finally quoted 1 Nephi 3:7 "And I said unto my father, I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He hath commanded them."

When she said those words I knew that I had to do my best.  It was hard, I did have to play the piano a few times and I survived.  But I did learn a lot that day about doing what my Father in Heaven asks of me.  It is hard to do His will sometimes but I have also learned that when we do everything will work out.

My parents have been called on a mission to Kurdistan, Iraq.  They are not exactly sure what they are going to do there.  They have lots of questions, no mission president there to help them just one other couple in a neighboring city a full days drive away.  Lots of people have told them that they are crazy, that it is too dangerous, that they are risking their lives by going.  They will be speaking a language they have never heard and that has no Church publications in.  Not even the Book of Mormon.

The Stake Presidency came to their home to set them apart.  Before the blessings the President read them 1 Nephi 3:7 and changed it as follows:

And I said unto Father in Heaven.  Bill and Jolene Dew will go and do all the things which the Lord hath commanded.  For He knows that the Lord giveth no commandments unto Bill and Jolene, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

That really summed up the lessons my parents have taught me over the years about being obedient.  As I read those words that "he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."  I realized that my parents will be taken care of.  It gave me great comfort and peace.  My parents teachings began by memorizing a scripture and continues with faith and obedience to our Father in Heaven.