Today in Gospel Doctrine class we had a wonderful lesson on Daniel's interpretation of the Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Neb. for short). I love how a Sunday School lesson can make me think of so many interesting things and give me special insight for my own life.
What I thought was so interesting about the story was its parallel to that of Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dream. In both cases we have:
1) A dream given to the most powerful person in the prophet's realm
2) The receiver desires an interpretation and goes to his trusted wise men of the world: magicians, astrologers etc
3) His wise men do him no good, and he is introduced to a prophet of the Lord
4) The prophet tells him that interpretations don't come from him, they come from the Lord
5) The interpretation is given
6) Each listened, humbled themselves and gave respect to God.
I love how this story applies to us in this day. Not so much that I have dreams or that those dreams of Pharaoh and Neb. are important to me, but more about how our prophets today help us navigate the misinterpretations of the world. We live in an age of instant communication. This is great but it can sometimes cause great reactions warranted or not, We live in a time where many things are being revealed, some easy to understand and others not. We have been blessed in our lives as members of this "instant message" generation to have prophets of God and the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us navigate it. One day all will be revealed and I guess I will likely struggle with some of that too. Until then, I am doing my best to be as Pharaoh and Neb. and listen to my prophet; to be humble and receive what they say as God's interpretation.
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ as I understand it and I am happy to continue to apply it in my life. There is so much more to be revealed and I look forward to humbly discovering what the Lord has in store for me even if it is quite different from what I currently imagine it to be.
Ever grateful for a living prophet,
What I thought was so interesting about the story was its parallel to that of Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dream. In both cases we have:
1) A dream given to the most powerful person in the prophet's realm
2) The receiver desires an interpretation and goes to his trusted wise men of the world: magicians, astrologers etc
3) His wise men do him no good, and he is introduced to a prophet of the Lord
4) The prophet tells him that interpretations don't come from him, they come from the Lord
5) The interpretation is given
6) Each listened, humbled themselves and gave respect to God.
I love how this story applies to us in this day. Not so much that I have dreams or that those dreams of Pharaoh and Neb. are important to me, but more about how our prophets today help us navigate the misinterpretations of the world. We live in an age of instant communication. This is great but it can sometimes cause great reactions warranted or not, We live in a time where many things are being revealed, some easy to understand and others not. We have been blessed in our lives as members of this "instant message" generation to have prophets of God and the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us navigate it. One day all will be revealed and I guess I will likely struggle with some of that too. Until then, I am doing my best to be as Pharaoh and Neb. and listen to my prophet; to be humble and receive what they say as God's interpretation.
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ as I understand it and I am happy to continue to apply it in my life. There is so much more to be revealed and I look forward to humbly discovering what the Lord has in store for me even if it is quite different from what I currently imagine it to be.
Ever grateful for a living prophet,
