Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t just make things easier?

Last week when I was studying the Book of Mormon, I couldn’t help but think about the huge struggle for Nephi and all the keepers of the plates down through Moroni’s lonely quest to compile and preserve the Book of Mormon. Moroni, the last of the inspired writers, actually saw our day and time. "Behold," he said, "the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you. "Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing" (Mormon 8:34-35).

I then thought about Joseph Smith and his difficulties as he translated the same ancient plates in order to have the Book of Mormon published and shared with others. Joseph didn't have the money needed, so his friend, Martin Harris mortgaged part of his farm to finance the printing.  If this was the work of God, why wouldn’t God simply provide the money to make things easier?

I then thought of missionary work and its challenges.  It is and has 

always been a difficult task over the centuries. 

Why is the work of gathering Israel so hard?  Especially when we have the Savior  who is all powerful and can create “worlds without number  (Moses 1:3, 33)?”  If this is God’s work, Why doesn’t He help us out more?

Elder Uchtdorf gave the following statement at the Mission Leadership training that Dave and I attended last June 2022.  He said:

Let me suggest something that may seem counterintuitive.  

Sometimes not having the answers is a blessing.  Allow me to explain.

“We all want answers.  You do. I do.  Your missionaries do.  Your investigators and members of the Church want answers as well. And it is frustrating when those answers seem not to be available right away and are not quite satisfying.

Personal involvement is essential to our finding meaning not only in our work but in our personal lives and especially in our spiritual lives. Giving people all the answers to every question restricts creativity, limits the influence of the Spirit, and suffocates growth.

It is in wrestling that we emerge from darkness into the light –that we receive divine inspiration and revelation.  Our growth and increase often come because of the struggle.  The journey is part of the goal.”

As I was thinking about Elder Uchtdorf’s ideas, it occurred to me that God never intended the Book of Mormon or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to be obvious to the world. The Savior never moves his children like a flock of sheep being herded by a sheepdog. Rather, the Savior walks his path as the good shepherd, and those who make an effort to know Him, follow Him because they desire to be with Him. He gathers His children as individuals, one by one, and as they develop a relationship with Him, they then choose to seek after Him. 

It then finally occurred to me that this must be the way of God! It has always been the divine design!  Even when Christ lived on the Earth,  most people did not recognize Him or follow Him. He simply invites all to come unto Him, and it is up to every individual to make their own decision as to if they choose to follow Him.

And so it goes with the same restrained and quiet strategy with the Book of Mormon, the restored church, and in the work for missionaries. Through seemingly small and simple people, and things, God brings about powerful and effective ways to gather His people.  (Alma 37:6-7) ( Isaiah 55:8-9) ( D&C 64:33)

He doesn’t just want numbers, he wants disciples, and he wants you.

I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon inspired by God to proclaim His gospel on earth in these last days. (Moroni 10: 4-5)  There is no doubt in my mind that it is an authentic and accurate translation of the words of the ancient prophets because it would be impossible for any man to create it - especially to deceive others. And because I know the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, I have a testimony of everything else this church professes. It all falls into place because I know the book of Mormon is true.  

I have a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his divine mission to restore the gospel to the earth.  I have a testimony that President Nelson is today's prophet on Earth. I am so thankful that we have Him and other leaders to guide us in this confusing world. I know that by following Him I will have a safe path to my Heavenly Parents. 

I know that God loves all mankind and that He manifests Himself through His creations. I know that God finds much joy in each of His children and sees their divine value and potential. That is why He gives us the opportunity to come to Earth to gain the experience necessary to become what He knows we can be. I am so grateful for a Loving Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Scriptures mentioned:

Mormon 8:34-35

34 Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.

35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.

Moses 1:3, 33

3 And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless?

33 And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.

Alma 37:6-7  

6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

Isaiah 55:8-9 

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

D&C 64:33

33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

Moroni 10:4-5

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.