This episode is about being part of a Great Work and how lucky we are! It also includes a warning about not getting caught up in the trap that tells us that this isn’t a great work. It is!!
Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
I Am Doing a Great Work
From the manual: The Jewish people had been held captive in Babylonia for about 70 years. They had lost Jerusalem and the temple, and many had forgotten their commitment to God’s law. But God had not forgotten them. In fact, He had declared through His prophet, “I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return” (Jeremiah 29:10). True to this prophecy, the Lord did make a way for the Jews to return, and He raised up servants who accomplished “a great work” for His people (Nehemiah 6:3). These servants included a governor named Zerubbabel, who oversaw the rebuilding of the house of the Lord; Ezra, a priest and scribe who turned the hearts of the people back to the Lord’s law; and Nehemiah, a later governor of Judah who led the work of rebuilding the protective walls around Jerusalem. They met opposition, of course, but also received assistance from unexpected sources. Their experiences can inform and inspire ours, because we too are doing a great work. And like theirs, our work has much to do with the house of the Lord, the law of the Lord, and the spiritual protection we find in Him.
For an overview of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, see “Ezra” and “Nehemiah” in the Bible Dictionary.
Here is that awesome talk, “The First Commandment First” by D. Todd Christofferson
The above link is so you can read it and listen. Here’s the Youtube link if you just want to listen.
I want to let you know how much your podcast means to me every week. I listen to it while I’m getting ready for church every Sunday and it is my recharge. It gets me in the right spirit (Sundays are kind of hard with little kids running everywhere, haha) and always makes me cry (in a good way) and just makes me excited for the lesson and for church. Thank you thank you! You are doing such a good thing.
I’ve been listening since I first learned about your podcast about your third or 4th episode in season 1. My heart was touched like ‘zing’ in the first few moments of the show. You were and are a fresh voice with real down to earth examples how how the gospel works. I feel like I know you. You’re my pocket friend (phone in my pocket with awesome podcast on = pocket friend!)
I’ve gone back and relistened to episodes, revisited different topics and geeked out over everything you’ve shared. And the formula you shared from your mission with the Book of Mormon and reading for answers really works. Like I want to shout it out to people but I try and tuck my crazy back in and go about life a little less obvious in my approach.
I’m so grateful for you and your choice to go out on a limb and follow that prompting to start this podcast at such a difficult turning point in your life. I feel like your desire to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost has brought about a wonderful work.
I’ve wanted to write or comment for so long but I struggled with the words I needed to share. I always could only think of “thanks” or tell you how I will never hear Shiney Happy People by REM without thinking of you and this AWESOME podcast. It’s true, my husband thinks I’m nuts but I’ve never claimed anything different!
Anyhow please know that I needed this podcast today. Right here, right now 100% this was for me. Thank you. I have struggled with the way our faith and culture and the church are constantly under attack for teaching a higher standard and trying our best to be good people. Obedience IS Jesus Christ’s love language. I have grappled with the right response to certain hard situations and topics but really, at the end of the day, I should choose His way, now the world’s way. Thank you for reminding us all that we should love God first.
Thanks for another great episode. Also thank for helping me figure out about the culture/gospel stuff. What you said helped me sort out my feelings and find words. It is nice when someone else starts my brain by their words. I listen, ponder, and then say “Yes, that!”
“I have seen enough of Jesus Christ to know that he wants me to be happy” love that. He knows what will make me happy. Have to take that on faith and remembering His hand in my life before.
Plus also, love your BofM study plan.
You’re welcome! So glad you liked it. Jesus DOES want us to be happy! That’s why it’s called The Plan of Happiness!
Dear Melanie,
Thank you so so much for being a safeguard and watchdog of true values and standards that protect us, through your attitude and pure love you show for our Savior. I KNOW that trying to be exactly obedient, though imperfect as I am, shows the Lord how much I love and appreciate Him and the daily miracles He gives me. I feel this obedience gives all of us power we wouldn’t have otherwise since I have walked both walks and am perceptive enough to notice the difference in how perceptive I am to the spirit, how much easier it is to follow the commandments, respond well in hard circumstances and the increase in daily miracles I receive when I am following standards and values outlined in the scriptures, through church leaders and those whispered to me from the spirit in difficult situations. This in turn gives me the power (I do not have on my own), to carry on in the great work I have to do and not come down from my hill. God bless you.
You pronounced Nehemiah very well.