The interaction between our personal agency and God’s divine will is a central theme throughout the Scriptures. While God’s wisdom and plans are infinitely beyond our own, He actively encourages us to develop our capacity for independent thought, creativity, and problem-solving, even as we strive to submit to His will. The story of Jared and his brother, particularly in their journey to the Promised Land, demonstrates this balance between divine guidance and human agency. In many ways, it is a call for each of us to embrace our role as co-creators in God’s divine plan, learning to think, act, and choose as we seek to align ourselves with His purposes.
In the book of Ether, Jared and his brother feel inspired to travel to a new land that is described as “choice above all the earth.” The initial spark for this journey seems to come from Jared, who entreats his brother to ask the Lord for guidance. When his brother prays, the Lord grants the request, saying, “Thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me.” (Ether 1:38–43) Here, the Lord responds not only to a faithful petition but to the proactive idea of Jared, affirming the value of a righteous initiative brought before Him.
The brother of Jared’s interaction with God further illuminates how the Lord encourages us to seek solutions within our agency. When the issue of lighting the enclosed barges arises, the Lord asks, “What will ye that I should do?” (Ether 2:23) The Lord’s question redirects the prophet’s mindset, inviting him to think deeply and consider potential answers, demonstrating that God values our thoughts and insight. By encouraging the brother of Jared to engage in this process, the Lord makes clear that our thoughts and ideas are valuable to Him. He desires our involvement in creating solutions, even when the answers might seem beyond us.
Such stories illustrate a significantly deep truth about God’s nature and our purpose. He does not ask us to have blind obedience; instead, He wants us to be active participants, to wrestle with questions, and to build faith through personal involvement. This partnership is echoed in the words of Jesus Christ in the New Testament: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7) By dwelling in Him, we gain confidence and insight to approach the Lord with bold questions and faithful petitions, trusting that, as His will becomes our own, we will see His hand move in our lives.
Christ’s invitation to abide in Him connects to the notion of removing our “veil of unbelief,” as described in Ether 4:15. Our limitations are often not due to God’s silence but our own lack of faith or willingness to ask and believe. Faith invites us to move beyond passive acceptance to actively seek answers and spiritual understanding. If we can “rend that veil” of doubt or hesitancy, we may find that the Lord is ready to reveal blessings we had not even imagined, waiting to provide answers as soon as we approach Him with faith.
President Russell M. Nelson emphasised this concept when he said, “I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. … Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 96). Spiritual work is more than prayer alone; it requires serious study, action, and a willingness to consider how we can solve problems according to God’s will. President Nelson’s words remind us that revelation often involves a partnership — the more we actively prepare our minds and spirits, the more readily God will respond.
Think about how the Lord’s invitation to seek and ask applies to our own lives. We may have moments when we feel uncertain about our capacity to solve a problem or know His will. Yet, He has given us principles and talents, as well as the Holy Ghost, to guide us. The Lord delights in a “broken heart and a contrite spirit” (Psalm 51:17) that seeks His guidance. But He also values the heart and mind that actively engages with His principles, offering up ideas and actions in faith.
Study and Activity
Below are some study and activity suggestions for reflection on the themes of personal agency, divine guidance, and the Lord’s invitation to think and act as co-creators with Him. Each of these studies builds upon the principle that while God’s will is sovereign, He lovingly invites us to act, think, and create in accordance with His guidance. Reflecting on these themes helps deepen understanding of how we can be faithful, thinking disciples actively participating in His purposes.
Balancing Agency and Submission to God’s Will
- Matthew 26:39, where Jesus prays, “Not as I will, but as thou wilt,” demonstrating His submission to God’s will even as He personally wrestled with His task. Consider how Jesus serves as a model for exercising agency within divine submission.
- How can we discern when God is inviting us to act and when He calls us to wait in trust?
- Journal a time when you had to balance your own desires with seeking God’s direction. Reflect on how that experience strengthened your faith and understanding of agency.
The Story of the Brother of Jared: Initiative and Divine Partnership
- Ether 1:38–43, 2:23. Reflect on how Jared and his brother approached God with an idea and received divine endorsement and support. Consider the courage it took to suggest their journey and the growth that came from their boldness.
- How does the Lord’s response to the brother of Jared’s proactive approach show His appreciation for human agency and initiative?
- Think of a current challenge and prayerfully consider what ideas you might bring before God as potential solutions.
Faith to “Rend the Veil of Unbelief”
- Ether 4:15; Mark 9:24, where a man exclaims, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” This plea acknowledges that belief and doubt can coexist, yet with faith, we can push past doubts to reach God.
- How can we become more aware of our own “veil of unbelief”? What practical steps can we take to break through it?
- Make a list of blessings you are seeking. Then write out ways you might demonstrate greater faith, such as fasting, praying with intent, or changing a specific behaviour.
The Importance of Active Spiritual Preparation
- John 15:7; Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9, where the Lord teaches Oliver Cowdery about studying an issue in his mind before seeking divine guidance.
- How do preparation and spiritual effort affect our ability to receive revelation?
- Identify an area in your life where you desire greater clarity or direction from God. Take time to study and reflect on this area, applying effort and action before bringing it to the Lord.
President Nelson’s Call to Increase Spiritual Capacity
- 1 Nephi 10:17, where Nephi describes his desire to “see, and hear, and know” the things of God. This echoes President Nelson’s challenge to do the “spiritual work required” to receive revelation.
- What “spiritual work” can we prioritise to open our hearts to greater revelation and spiritual understanding?
- Evaluate your current habits of scripture study, prayer, and reflection. Set a goal to deepen one of these practices with the intent of inviting more revelation.
Actively Seeking God’s Guidance in Our Daily Decisions
- Proverbs 3:5-6, which instructs us to “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” It encourages seeking God’s direction in daily choices, showing how trust and agency combine.
- How does actively asking God for guidance change our approach to daily decisions? In what areas of life do we tend to forget to invite His counsel?
- Begin each day with a prayer asking for specific guidance in your plans, and note how this practice impacts your decisions and outlook.
