LDS Alive in Christ …my blood shall not cleanse them if they hear me not

The Savior Could There Do No Mighty Work…He Marvelled at Their Unbelief

The Savior while in mortality drew many people after Him because of the mighty works he did. However, in his home town of Nazareth the scriptures teach something different occurred there:

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

And he marvelled because of their unbelief... Mark 6:5 - 6

I’m trying to understand more about the challenges we face, and God faces, due to the lack of faith had among those who have been given much—people like the Latter-Day-Saints.

Limiting Mighty Works of the Savior by Quenching the Spirit

From scriptures like the one above (Moses 7:28, Alma 33:16), we learn that God is “limited” and “challenged” by our lack of faith. He wants to bestow greater blessings on us, but many among us won’t have it. Nephi, seeing our day, may have had those members in mind that get lost in the labyrinth of the intellect (precepts of men), and turn away (deny) the gift of the Holy Ghost, when he wrote:

Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost! 2 Nephi 28:26

We’re taught to diligently seek the Holy Ghost, instead many seek diligently to emerge themselves in the precepts of men and thereby bring “wo” to themselves.

Nearly all church members struggle with denying Him at some level. The Lord teaching this said:

“...your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker...and you have not given heed unto my Spirit...” D&C30:2

Increasing Mighty Works of the Savior by Repenting

Not giving proper heed to the Spirit is less of an offense than denying the Spirit, but in either case repentance is needed. Both of these offenses decrease faith thereby limiting the Lord’s ability to extend blessing to us.

I'm persuaded that all who would follow Christ fall short of our potential. When I have, which happens often, I hear the Spirit saying:

“...canst thou be humble and meek, and conduct thyself wisely before me? Yea, come unto me thy Savior.” D&C 19:41

When I seek to follow this counsel, and repent, I feel an immediate renewal of faith, hope, and charity well up in my heart and soul. This renews me and allows me to move forward.

The people of Nazareth limited the works the Savior did among them because of their lack of faith. I hope all church members in our day can avoid this dilemma by diligently seeking the things of the Spirit.  As we do, I hope the Savior will marvel at our great faith.

Summary and Conclusion:

How many of those who are reading this post feel that they have limited the blessings the Savior has for them because of their lack of faith? I think those who are serious about their relationship with the Savior will answer yes to this question.

How many suffer health problems unnecessarily due to lack of faith, not only the lack of faith of the ones who are sick, but the lack of faith among those who exercise their faith and priesthood in behalf of the sick? How many have not obtained guidance from the Holy Ghost because of their lack of effort in seeking the gift of the Holy Ghost? How many Bishop's, Stake Presidents, even General Authories, could do more mighty works if they enjoyed greater faith?

The Lord may be describing the source of anemic faith in the following verses:

They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.

In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me. D&C101:7–8

For behold, he said: Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son. Alma 33:16

What is one to do when they realize they have not heeded, or even denied the Holy Ghost? I have learned to rely on the words of the Savior to those who were spared after the destruction that took place when He came among the Nephites:

O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.  Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. 3 Nephi 9:13 – 14

My prayer is that we may all be converted and healed by doing as the Savior invites us to do in these verses of scripture.

About Jared

Thanks for coming by. The primary reason I write this blog is to increase awareness and understanding about the doctrine of Christ as taught in the Book of Mormon. Click here to read about, "My Experience with the Savior" to understand my reasons for doing a blog.