We often do not understand the Lord’s motives or methods, but it is enough to recognize and appreciate His love.
I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will. (Words of Mormon 1:7)
Mormon was a precocious individual. When he was “fifteen years of age . . . [he] was visited of the Lord” (Mormon 1:15). A short time later, “the people of Nephi appointed [him] that [he] should be their leader, or the leader of their armies” (Mormon 2:1). He was exceptionally talented at a young age. But despite this, he was still commanded to wait until he was twenty-four before retrieving the record that he would later abridge as the Book of Mormon (see Mormon 1:3, 16–17). We might wonder why he was capable of leading a nation’s army but not allowed to obtain the sacred plates until he was older. It’s not something that is explained—nor does it have to be. The Lord has stated, “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8). But we can rest assured that he “hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation” (Acts 17:26). He is in control. Consider Nephi’s response when an angel questioned him concerning a point that he didn’t understand: “I know that [God] loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:17). Sometimes we simply do not understand aspects of life, but it is enough to know that God loves us.
As we LOVE to learn we will learn to LOVE and thus LOVE to live. Where there is little knowledge there is little LOVE. No wonder why there is nothing worse than ignorance in action (dc 131.6). The more KNOWLEDGE the more possibilities for LOVE (dc 93.33-36). God so loved the world (Jhn 3.16) and if not for Our Eternal Father's omniscience the marvelous work of what is required to 'cleanse every whit' would not of been accomplished; yet, He KNEW in whom He could trust re: His choice pre earth Son, the first born of all His spirits (dc 93.21). People can often throw the word LOVE around like they are throwing out candy and pretzels to one and all and some think of our Supreme Creator as some kind of great Santa Claus in the clouds (Heavens); yet, unless knowledge is attendant according to that which doth edify (dc 10.52) love, religion, and every other kind of endearing phraseology will never compensate for a lack of KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH (things as they really are, Jac 4.13). I have seen, experienced, and witnessed more things done in the name of so-called love and religion than I'd like to have to recall. Just like no amount of sincerity can ever compensate for a lack of the Spirit! (that teaches all things, Jhn 14.26,15.26) what to do (2 NE 32.3-5).
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