To Truly Prosper

Today I started 2 Nephi of the Book of Mormon over again (I like to read a book and then repeat it over and over during a year). In chapter 1 of 2 Nephi, Lehi is giving his last thoughts to his children before he passes on. One thing he keeps repeating is the covenant that the Lord made with him concerning the promise land that they had inherited. For example, in 2 Nephi 1:20, it says,

“And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.”

Lately as I have read this scripture, I have been particularly struck by the second part - the consequence of not keeping the commandments: “…ye shall be cut off from my presence.”

If being cut off from the presence of the Lord is the consequence of disobedience, then surely, we must assume that the Lord’s version of prosperity truly means to be brought INTO his presence!

Often I think we have interpreted prosperity as wealth, safety, strength, etc. And because the first part of that scripture says, “in the land”, there seems to be a very physical, real temporal aspect to what prosperity means. And I think that is correct to a degree. Even earlier in the chapter (v. 9-12, etc) it talks about liberty and protection from other nations, etc as being part of the blessing of the covenant.

However, we know that the Lord has, “…not at any time…given unto you a law which was tempora; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created.” (Doctrine & Covenants 29:34)

So, while there are temporal results/blessings/consequences, all covenants and commandments are spiritual first in nature. And that makes sense in the case of the verse in 2 Nephi because the consequence certainly is spiritual in nature.

And when put in a greater context of the entire Book of Mormon, you do see both prosperity evident as wealth and safety, but not always. temporal wealth usually comes to the people who were able to maintain peace and happiness through obedience for some extended periods of time - even if it were a few years. The temporal wealth FOLLOWED the spiritual prosperity.

BUT…and I mean a BIG BUT….temporal wealth and saftey/peace are not a requirement for that prosperity. For instance, just look at the lives of Jacob and Nephi themselves - the children of whom the covenant was originally given…

Nephi was beaten, harrassed, surely made fun off, nearly killed, and put through many hardships many of us would fail (try 8 years in the wilderness with most of it without fire). And then after getting to the promised land, he is then chased for fear of his life, out of that land to another place and never quite lives in peace.

Jacob describes that lack of peace and ease by saying,

“…the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out of Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our bretheren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days.” (Jacob 7:26)

When I consider this, I realize the truth about prosperity. You see, the Lord didn’t fail Jacob or Nephi. No. What he provided was the true prosperity…the the presence of the Lord through His Spirit.

Prosperity truly is measured by our ability to “come unto” Jesus each day through the presence and companionship of the Holy Ghost. Prosperity should truly be measured by this because the only real, valuable return for us should be to become like God. To become more like our Savior by learning from him, from being close to him. And nothing I know assists in that process more than the presence and gift of the Holy Ghost.

What a great gift we have. I hope we all seek it more, and find the prosperity of peace of heart, spiritual safety, and wealth of knowledge that it brings us.

Love ya. Have a Great day out there!