Write at the Heart

The first time I remember reading that the brother of Jared was chastened by the Lord- for THREE hours- I was like, wait, wait, back up the trolley, what?! The brother of Jared? The guy known for the stones of light, the guy who saw the finger of God, and ultimately, God? The guy to whom the Lord said, “Never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast” (Ether 3:9)? The man who “could not be kept from within the veil” (3:20)?  My mind was blown. You mean, like, the brother of Jared wasn’t PERFECT? He “remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord” (2:14), he forgot to... pray? It was like I’d never read that part of scripture before. For 4 years the journey halted at the seashore. For 4 years their progression ceased. For 4 years they didn’t think to call upon God. I have so many questions about those years. What were they doing?? All we know is it at the end of those 4 years, the Lord came down to chasten the brother of Jared.  And he immediately repented...

Moroni had EVERY reason to be upset at the lack of governmental support for the Nephite armies. And he took it all out on Pahoran in a scathing letter! Pahoran had EVERY reason to be upset with Moroni after being falsely accused of “neglect," "slothfulness," "idleness," being a "traitor," and “transgress[ing] the laws of God." He was innocent! He'd done NONE of the things Moroni thought he'd done! Moroni had jumped to conclusions, unfairly judged him, and attacked his very character. And yet, Pahoran is NOT upset. WHAT. He doesn't focus on Moroni's huge mistake! He focuses on Moroni's HEART. "Now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart." Alma 61:9 The greatness of his heart! ❤️ It brings me to tears. Instead of bitterness, resentment, and division, Pahoran chooses understanding, forgiveness, and unity. "My beloved brother, Moroni,...