“Not Knowing Beforehand the Things Which I Should Do”

K. Douglas Bassett

D&C 112:10; 124:97; 100:6; 84:85; 28:15-16; Moses 6:32; Alma 21:16; 22:1,4

“More than ever before, I understand what the ancient prophet Nephi felt when he had been given the seemingly insurmountable task by his father, Lehi, to gain possession of the brass plates… . I must go on many occasions, as did Nephi of old, being ‘led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.’ Yes, though the night be dark, ‘I do not ask to see the distant scene—one step [is] enough for me.’” (Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, Apr. 1970, pp. 125-126)
“Without knowing what he would do, Nephi began moving forward while his brothers sulked outside the city walls… . He was moving by faith—confidence in the unknown, hope in things unseen… . Notice that faith and trust in the Lord came first. Then came action. He had no plan except confidence in the Lord. It was really a ‘ready, fire, aim’ approach, the opposite of conventional wisdom. Laman and Lemuel thought it foolhardy. Then the Lord’s plan unfolded with Nephi being guided by unseen hands.” (John K. Carmack, Ensign, May 1993, p.42)
“President Harold B. Lee gave some marvelous advice for modern pioneers: ‘Walk to the edge of the light, and perhaps a few steps into the darkness, and you will find that the light will appear and move ahead of you’ (as quoted by Boyd K. Packer, in Lucile C. Tate, Boyd K. Packer: A Watchman on the Tower [1995], 138). We must walk by faith. That means stepping into the dark unknowns because we believe that Heavenly Father is awaiting us… .” (Bonnie D. Parkin, Ensign, May 1997, p. 85)

Latter-Day Commentary on the Book of Mormon

References