Do you ever lose hope because of all the commotion in the world?
1 Nephi 19:24 has a nice formula for hope:
(hear ye the words of the prophet) + (liken them unto yourselves) = have hope
Let’s break down the formula.
Hear Ye the Words of the Prophet
The footnote for the word hear in this verse refers us to the Topical Guide under ‘Scriptures, Study of’, which implies more than a casual read of the prophets’ words.
The third listing for ‘hear’ in the 1828 edition of Webster’s Dictionary states: “To attend; to listen; to obey.”1
So, hearing the words of the prophets is more than passive listening. It means studying, pondering, internalizing, and ultimately acting on what we hear.
The first part of Nephi’s formula for hope is not simply to hear the words. It is to let them into our hearts.
Liken Them unto Yourselves
To liken is to compare them to our own lives and apply what we learn.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said:
“May we then do . . . what Nephi did when studying the scriptures, namely, to ‘liken all scriptures’ unto ourselves (1 Nephi 19:23). This is something that doesn’t happen often enough in the Church. We read the scriptures, but often we do not ‘liken’ them.”2
If we are truly likening the scriptures, we are asking how their principles and doctrines apply to our circumstances. We are looking for ourselves in their pages. And then we use what we learn to become more like the Savior.3
Reading gives us knowledge.
Likening invites that knowledge to change us.
Have Hope
But why would this pattern give us hope?
I think it is because, as we study and apply the words of the prophets, we begin to understand the purpose of life more clearly. We better understand God’s mercy. We see that life is a process of continual growth and improvement.
Most importantly, we come to understand Jesus Christ more deeply.
We learn that He does not fail us. We learn that through Him we can be redeemed, healed, changed, and ultimately saved, both physically and spiritually.
That gives me hope.
Perhaps that is why Nephi’s formula is so powerful. Hope is not simply something we try harder to feel when the world becomes overwhelming. Hope grows as we hear truth, apply truth, and allow that truth to bring us closer to Jesus Christ.
Hear. Liken. Hope.
Hear + liken = hope. This seems like a pretty good formula to remember when the commotion of the world gets loud.
Grounded and Reaching High
- Main idea: Hope grows as we study the words of prophets, liken scripture to our lives, and let those truths lead us more deliberately toward Jesus Christ.
- Practical takeaway: Don’t just read scripture. Study it, ponder it, ask how it applies to your life, and then act on what the Spirit teaches you each day.
- One question to ponder: Am I simply reading the words of prophets, or am I allowing those words to change how I see Christ, my life, and the future ahead?
Lead image by Yianni Mathioudakis for Unsplash+
- see Websters Dictionary 1828, “Hear“
- Neal A. Maxwell, “Jesus, the Perfect Mentor“, Ensign, February 2001
- see Teaching the Gospel: A Handbook, 33–34
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