Made to Prosper

I’ve never done much with the Pearl of Great Price, except for the last few weeks. It started when Elder Bednar came to stake conference and in a brief passing comment said we should study carefully Moses 6-7. So I did and was amazed at its fullness. I’ve also been reading Genesis and Exodus because I want to learn more about Adam and Eve; Abraham, Sarah and Hagar; Isaac and Rebekah; Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah; Joseph and Asenath; and Moses and Zipporah. So because of those readings, I’ve gone to the books of Moses and Abraham.

Of course, the Book of Mormon is my favorite, but I’m discovering the strength and power of these ancient prophets. Yesterday while I was looking for another book in the library, I stumbled on Hugh Nibley’s Enoch the Prophet. I’ve checked it out and look forward to reading.

Last night I finished reading Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer prize winning Gilead. I mentioned it a couple weeks ago when I was reading its sequel Home. The two novels parallel each other told from the two points of view of two aged ministers. In Gilead, the 73-year-old Reverend John Ames is writing a journal to his young 7-year-old son, so his son will remember him after what will soon be this good man’s death. It’s also the story of Reverend Ames’ forgiveness of John Ames Boughton, his best friend’s wayward son.

In one of the most touching scenes in all of the literature I’ve read, Reverend Ames sits on a bus stop bench to bless the troubled but good John Ames Boughton—his simple prayer: “The Lord make His face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. . . . Lord, bless John Ames Boughton, this beloved son and brother and husband and father.”

The 40+-year-old prodigal John Boughton has suffered so very much in his life, yet he always seems to fall far short. The aged Reverend Ames has learned over the years the power of the Savior’s Atonement. He explains that the Greek word sozo, which is usually translated “saved,” and also mean “healed” and “restored.” In Gilead, there is sense of being saved, and healed, and restored.

While reading about ancient Joseph this week, I was encouraged by the repeated statement: “Because the Lord was with [Joseph], and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper” (Genesis 39:23).

So,we all need to be saved, healed, and restored. And that is only possible through the Savior’s atonement. And we are also given the same promise as Joseph’s: with Heavenly Father’s and the Savior’s love and help, our attempts will be made to prosper.

May we prosper this week.