The Anti-Nephi-Lehies were walking out onto the battlefield.
Completely sword-less.
They began to praise God.
I imagine they lifted their voices in prayer.
I imagine they pondered on the goodness and mercy of God.
I imagine they thought about His all-knowing power, and accepted His will be done.
I imagine some of them started to sing some hymns.
I imagine they sat there, solemn and happy.
And they never stopped.
Even in the very act of perishing, their hearts were still communing with God in gladness and peace.
While they were perishing.
What an impressive but important feat – to be able to praise God at all times, completely independent of what we are going through.
Even when we feel like we are perishing.
We can still find joy in pondering on, speaking of, singing about, and praying to our loving God.
We can praise His goodness and His mercy.
Even as we perish.
Many are mentally and emotionally perishing. Especially right now.
And it’s hard. And painful. And we can plead for a different cup than the one we’ve been asked to drink.
But we can still choose to praise God, even in the hardest of times.
Because ultimately, our praising and our worshipping is for our benefit.
Praising brings us peace, and joy, and happiness, independent of what we are enduring.
Praising allows God to send His Spirit to stay with us and bring comfort.
And so we, as these brave men did long ago, can praise God in the very act of perishing.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
2 Responses
I very very rarely comment on blogs, but I have been reading each one of your sweet thoughts for many months now. This one, today, made me weep. I am so thankful for the beautiful messages you send out and look forward to them throughout the week. They have aided me in my own personal scripture study and help me to internationalize the scriptures and apply them to my own life more than ever before. I am also a mother of young children and love to hear how you apply the scriptures in your own journey as a young mother. We all find ourselves in times when we may be “perishing” emotionally and this story is for everyone out there! Thank you!!!
Oh thank you so much for commenting! I’m so glad that you can relate. It’s a strange phase of life right now, but I think we need that support from the scriptures so much haha. Thank you for your kind words <3