Crying repentance

Have you ever hesitated because it doesn’t seem like the “right time” to bring up a topic?

I think a lot about Ether being prompted to leave his cave and go preach repentance to the king one last time.

Doesn’t it seem a little futile?

Not many people react well to someone walking into their house and calling them to repentance.

Or even giving them a prophecy that if they didn’t repent, their entire civilization would be destroyed.

And Coriantumr sure didn’t respond well.

He sent his guards to kill Ether.

Ether was able to escape back to his cave, but I’m sure he spent some time thinking, “That was pointless. The king wasn’t ready to hear anything that I said.”

Fast forward a few years and a few brutal wars, and we find Coriantumr on the battle field, watching his friends and loved ones being slaughtered by Shiz’s army.

And all of a sudden, he remembered Ether’s words.

Which then caused him to reflect on all the words that previous prophets had spoken, and how every prophecy had come true.

And he began to repent. To change. To turn his heart to the Lord.

It didn’t matter that Coriantumr’s heart wasn’t ready to hear the message when Ether was ready to preach.

It didn’t matter that Coriantumr thought Ether was crazy and rude.

It didn’t matter that Ether might have thought he was wasting his time.

I think there is an important distinction to make, though.

Ether listened to the Spirit when he went to cry repentance.

Tact and timing and sensitivity can be important. Essential even.

But the Spirit can tell to override our usual reasoning and share the gospel. Or give that advice. Or give that warning. Or tell that story. Or share that talk.

When we listen to the Spirit, he will do his part to bring it to their remembrance at the time that they need.

Have you ever had an experience where the Spirit brought something to your remembrance that you disliked at the time, but were ready to hear later?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black