God's Mysteries

This is one of the first insights in Messages from the Scriptures. It was originally posted at my publisher's blog (and of course, it can be found in the book itself).

Through the Holy Ghost, God will reveal His mysteries to those who diligently seek them.

For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. (1 Nephi 10:19)

Alma taught that “it is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless, they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him” (Alma 12:9). Apparently Mormon was in this same situation, for he “was about to write these things” (we know from the context that he was speaking of spiritually sensitive information), “but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people” (3 Nephi 26:11). The Lord promised, “Unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom” (D&C 63:23; see also Alma 12:10). There are many things God will teach us if we search diligently. Nevertheless, we must remember that it is in the Lord’s time, and that sometimes we simply have to say, as Alma did, “these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear” (Alma 37:11).