Here’s something I discovered this past week that I am so excited to share with you all. It’s from Alma 26. (Last week’s reading for Come, Follow Me was Alma 23-29). Even though I’ve read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover at least two dozen times I am still discovering new truths and gems of wisdom. So here we go…

This is from Alma 26:22:

“Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.”

This is a tremendous promise! Anyone who follows this procedure of the following outlined in the above verse:

1. Repent
2. Exercise faith
3. Bring forth good works
4. Pray continually without ceasing

Will have 1) things revealed to that person that “have never been revealed” before, thus 2) bringing “thousands of souls to repentance.”

Wow….could it be that maybe many of the inventions and truths discovered so far in the history of the earth have been from people who have followed this formula?

I think so. Numberless people have come to know Christ throughout our world’s history. Many people have been called by God so to speak, not to reveal gospel truths or act in God’s name, but to solve mysteries and reveal truths in their area of study that were never before revealed. People like Isaac Newton and Columbus. These men didn’t live when the priesthood power was on the earth, allowing them to get baptized. Could it be, however, that they did these things in the list above, and that’s why they were blessed with the knowledge they received? Most of us who went to public school don’t realize that these men were deeply religious, even devout Christians.

Newton said the following (see https://www.icr.org/article/newton/):

“No sciences are better attested than the religion of the Bible.”

He also said, “This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being….This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all; and on account of his dominion he is wont to be called Lord God ‘pantokrator,’ or Universal Ruler…” (see Newton, I. General Scholium. Translated by Motte, A. 1825. Newton’s Principia: The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. New York: Daniel Adee, 501. The Greek word pantokrator is most often translated as “Almighty” in the King James Version.)

Columbus said the following (see https://duoparadigms.com/2013/10/14/rare-collection-quotes-christopher-columbus-christian-statesman/):

“It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel His hand upon me) the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because he comforted me with rays of marvelous illumination from the Holy Scriptures, a strong and clear testimony from the 44 books of the Old Testament, from the four Gospels, and from the 23 Epistles of the blessed Apostles, encouraging me continually to press forward, and without ceasing for a moment they now encourage me to make haste.”

“No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Saviour, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service.”

“I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvellous Presence.”

This gives me so much hope! We have so many good people on the earth today who are doing this formula. They are bringing forth answers to the mysteries of today! On top of this, we will continue to see more answers to mysteries that we don’t even know are mysteries yet. Yes, as rich as this life is, more exciting times are to come! Keep reading the Book of Mormon and don’t give up hope for these hard times.