Planning and Preparation | 1 Nephi 13:12-15

One of the things I love most about Heavenly Father is that He is the perfect preparer and planner—maybe it is because I could use a lot of help in that department. His plan is perfect in every way and is carried out in complete love for His children. His preparation and planning started long before this earth was created and continues on throughout this mortal life. Nothing is ever left to chance even though He only has mortal men and women to carry forth His work. Preparations are made long before an event occurs. Opportunities are extended to His children to help them grow and to help move His work forward, and contingency plans are put into place to allow for the free agency of His children.

There is testimony of this all around and throughout the history of mankind. I especially like this example of the formation of this nation as Heavenly Father was preparing for the restoration of His precious gospel. Columbus may not have been the earliest explorer to discover the new world, but he receive notoriety for the discovery because he was backed by the Spanish government. This government sanctioned discovery led to the mass colonization of the new world by competing nations. There's no question that he was influenced by the Spirit of God.

Even though the world was in apostasy, Heavenly Father pulled good men and women from among the nations of the Gentiles to create a new nation that would be prepared for the restoration of the gospel. Many of my own ancestors were among those that fled to the new world to avoid religious persecution.

I testify that God is in the details of our lives, and has a plan for each of us individually. He is the Master Craftsman, the Master Planner, the Master Organizer. This plan is specially crafted by a loving Heavenly Father who knows what is needed to bring out our fullest potential.

Take time to really dig in and understand the scriptures. This may include reviewing biblical stories, studying historical events, or reading related family history stories. These may seem like tangents but they will bring deeper meaning and an added measure of the Spirit. For example, now would be a good time to brush up on Columbus and the early history of America or find family histories of early settlers.