Sunday Thoughts: Power

I was promised in a blessing that I would find power in reading the scriptures. So, when my ward started a Book of Mormon reading program this month, I decided to take that promise literally and look for the word "power" and evidences of God's power. Here are some things I have learned so far about power.

1. The Book of Mormon talks about God's power A LOT. Rather than just thinking of this book as "another testament of Jesus Christ," I'm starting to call it "another testament of Jesus Christ's power." Most chapters mention the word "power" at least once; some chapters bring it up several times. So far, all chapters provide evidence of the power of God as it works in the lives of the Nephites and Lamanites.
2. God does not hesitate to use His power. Instead, we are the ones who hesitate. It was Laman and Lemuel who doubted and hesitated in the face of Laban's so-called power. Nephi knew and testified that God could overpower Laban. But even then, when bold Nephi was asked by God to kill Laban, Nephi hesitated. The Spirit reminded him of his testimony that God could do all things, even through a mere human like Nephi. This truth makes me wonder what blessings I am missing out on because I hesitate in my faith.
3. Preparation for power has also come up a lot in 1 Nephi. Think of the 1 Nephi 3:7, where Nephi testifies that God prepares the way for us to use His power and obey His commandments. That verse is only the tip of the preparation iceberg. Therefore, I ask myself: what is God preparing me to do? How will I need to use His power?
4. The Godhead are not the only beings with power. Today I read 2 Nephi 2, where Lehi describes the fall of Satan and the power that Satan wields. Of course, Satan's power cannot match God's, but we do need to be vigilant and rely on God's power in order to overcome the power that Satan uses against us.

As I continue through my readings, I will add more lessons about power. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I need the power of God daily. I'm sure the Book of Mormon will teach me ways to access that power and what it means to use it.