Joseph wasn’t powerful enough, clever enough, sneaky enough, or quick enough to keep the gold plates hidden from everyone.
But. . . he could try his best.
And that’s exactly what he was asked to do.
Angel Moroni promised Joseph,
“If I [Joseph] would use all my endeavors to preserve them . . . they should be protected.” (JS-H 1:59)
Joseph had to try his absolute best to keep the plates from being stolen by the many curious neighbors who attempted to view these ancient records multiple times, sometimes even with extreme violence.
As long as Joseph kept his efforts up, God would make sure they were not discovered.
I’ve seen this time and time again in my life.
I make a tiny, imperfect effort to improve my prayers…
And then I can feel God’s strength being added to mine.
I start telling my kids a scripture story, and then someone is distracted because they need a snack.
But I can still feel my Savior’s grace magnifying my efforts.
God didn’t say that He would protect the gold plates if Joseph carelessly left them on his front porch.
And God’s not going to step in and teach my kids what I’m deliberately neglecting to do.
But when we give Him an inch, He takes a mile in the best way possible.
“God magnifies those He calls, even in what may seem to you a small or inconspicuous service.” – President Eyring
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
One Response
But how did all the curious neighbors and folks around know about the plates in the first place?? Why did ANYONE in the Smith family say anything to anyone? Pretty sure it wasn’t Moroni chatting it up.