Steps to Righteous Parenting | Parenting the Way the Savior Would | How to Be More Patient

 A few weeks ago, I was invited to do an in-depth study on the talk, "Adorned with the Virtue of Temperance," By Elder Ulisses Soares in relation to parenting. I love how Elder Soares taught that “Temperance harmonizes and strengthens other Christlike attributes mentioned in this revelation: humility, faith, hope, charity, and the pure love that flows from Him.”

One of the new insights I got from studying Elder Soares’s talk the past few weeks is that temperance is not just about "stopping" a behavior; it is a proactive power. When you cultivate it, you gain a "serene strength" that allows you to remain calm, like when your children are struggling.

For me, I found that temperance comes in trying to live a Christlike life, so I have gathered here the righteous parenting principles that helped me parent the most, but the truest answer is any temperance we develop is a gift from God. 

You can see from how long my post is that becoming Christlike and righteous parenting are my two deepest desires, so I was grateful for the opportunity to study temperance.

1. Temperance and Humility

Elder Soares mentioned humility six times and charity seven times. He highlighted Doctrine and Covenants 12:8. It states, no one can assist in this work (including motherhood and fatherhood) unless they are "humble and full of love... being temperate in all things."

The Antidote to Pride:

• President Ezra Taft Benson: "The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness" (“Beware of Pride,” April 1989 Gen Conf). In parenting, you could ask for help to recognize when pride is impacting your parenting.

• Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf : “So how do we conquer this sin of pride that is so prevalent and so damaging? How do we become more humble? It is almost impossible to be lifted up in pride when our hearts are filled with charity. “No one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love.” When we see the world around us through the lens of the pure love of Christ, we begin to understand humility.”

• When we are filled with humility and charity, we stop seeing a child’s tantrum or mistake as frustrating, and instead we see a child of God who needs our guidance in learning.

• Dallin H. Oaks BYU 2026: We all need helpers to teach us humility. President Ezra Taft Benson gave us a great teaching about humility. He did this as part of his memorable teachings about pride. “The antidote for pride,” he taught, “is humility—meekness, submissiveness.” “Humility responds to God’s will—to the fear of His judgments and to the needs of those around us.” “Let us choose to be humble,” he pleaded. I add, look to the needs of others and humility follows.
• President Spencer W. Kimball defined humility as “teachableness.” He explained: “Humility is teachableness—an ability to realize that all virtues and abilities are not concentrated in one’s self. … Humility is never accusing nor contentious. … Humility is repentant and seeks not to justify its follies. It is forgiving of others in the realization that there may be errors of the same kind or worse [that we ourselves commit]. … Humility makes no bid for popularity and notoriety; demands no honors.”

2. Temperance and Charity 

No one can assist in this work unless they are "humble and full of love... being temperate in all things." When a parent feels frustrated, they can pray for charity in that moment.

Elder Soares: “A serene strength arises in [disciples], and they become better capable of restraining anger, nurturing patience, and treating others with tolerance, respect, and dignity, even when the winds of adversity blow fiercely.”

When a challenging moment happened, I found that when I focused on how much I love that child and paused in humility to ask for the Lord’s guidance in the moment, I reacted much better than just trying to have self-control. For example, I was in a seminary devotional one time about the Savior’s atonement, and I was thinking about how much self-control He had to not be angry with those who were causing his suffering. I had the spiritual insight that it was His love for each individual that enabled Him to endure the pain with love to those who were causing the pain.

So praying for charity and remembering that the "suffering" or sacrifice in being patient is for the joy of seeing your children become disciples of Christ, changed my internal emotions and let me come up with a better reaction to a situation.

“As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy! And what was the joy that was set before Him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us.”

— President Russell M. Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival,” October 2016 Gen Conf.

 

3. Temperance is a gift, not just something we develop

Nelson- Because the Savior, through His infinite Atonement, redeemed each of us from weakness, mistakes, and sin…you can rise above this world. As we strive to live the higher laws of Jesus Christ, our hearts and our very natures begin to change. The Savior lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace, and rest.

Bednar- In wanting to develop more faith, more charity, or whatever the attribute might be, we need to understand they are not traits that we develop. Those are spiritual gifts. If I understand anything about spiritual gifts, we can receive them only if God trusts us to be in the right place at the right time, having been influenced by Him. Sometimes we want to have those gifts so we can flaunt them or so other people will think highly of us. That simply cannot be the reason. The reason we desire spiritual gifts should be to allow God to use us, to help us be in the right place at the right time, and to be the conduit to bless other people. And that ever-increasing purity of motive can only come through the strengthening power and grace of the Savior’s Atonement. We cannot do that without Him.

This is a surrender of what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. And in that submissiveness, which is one of the elements of meekness, we express to Him, “Make of me what you will.” Then the experiences come that teach us the lessons but for which we would never volunteer.

Principles for Righteous Parenting

1. Righteous Parenting: You can’t do it all - "What to Start and Stop"

It is impossible to be a perfect parent all at once. To refine your temperance, you could follow President Nelson’s counsel to seek personal revelation during your weekly efforts. He invited us to, "Pray to know what to stop doing and what to start doing." — President Russell M. Nelson, “Think Celestial!” October 2023 Gen Conf.

2. Righteous Parenting: Teaching the Doctrine (the “Why”) is more effective than discussing the behavior.

True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. --Boyd K. Packer, “Do Not Fear,” Gen. Conf., Apr 2004 - 

3. Righteous Parenting: Read from the Book of Mormon daily

Parts of this quote below have been quoted in General Conference at least 7 times which to me is a witness of how true it is. I first heard it when President Benson, quoted Pres. Marion G. Romney:

            I feel certain that if parents will read from the Book of Mormon regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein.  The spirit of contention will depart.  Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom.  Children will be more responsive and submissive to that counsel.  Righteousness will increase.  Faith, hope and charity-the pure love of Christ-will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy and happiness.

                                                            (Marion G. Romney, Gen. Conf. Apr. 1960 and 1980)

4. Righteous Parenting: taught in the Book of Mormon

One way we could improve our parenting is to read the Book of Mormon with a focus on “How could these verses apply to parenting? Here are three Book of Mormon teachings that impacted my parenting in a big way.

The first was when the Lord asked Nephi to build a boat. Nephi said that rather than building it after the manner of men, he went to the mount often and prayed to know how to build the boat. I think righteous parenting can be more challenging than building a boat, but the Lord can inspire us with what a particular child needs at a certain time.

1 Nephi 18 Nephi said:

1.      And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship.

2.      Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men. [This teaches we should seek parenting counsel in prayer, the scriptures, and General Conference as our primary parenting “podcasts.”]

3.      And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.” [I learned that if I pray oft, the Lord would show me how to parent a particular child in a better way.]

The second Book of Mormon story that impacted my parenting came from an example of President Oaks’ teaching on “Good verses better or best.” When Alma the Younger was serving as both the chief judge and the high priest over the church, the people of the church "began to wax proud" because of their great riches and fine apparel. Their pride was a major hindrance to the Church.

Alma felt the best way he could help was to make time to try the power of the word of God and bear "pure testimony." So, in Alma chapter 4, Alma gave up being chief judge, QUOTE “And this he did that he himself might go forth among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them.” So, I try to continually pray and humbly ask the Lord what I need to give up [start doing or stop doing] to make my family my highest priority."

The third parenting lesson from the Book of Mormon is that the Lord’s mercy and His justice are both manifestations of His love. Even when the Lord’s justice brought hard things, it was out of love to teach His children true principles.

One of the practical parenting ideas that helped me a lot was when my husband and I would talk beforehand and determine which circumstances needed rules and what natural consequences would best help them learn, i.e., have a script before hand, so I don’t stress in the moment deciding the best way to handle it. Some natural consequences were too long term, so they couldn’t learn in the moment from the consequence, so we had to figure out a semi-natural consequence.)

 

5. Righteous Parenting: Pray Always

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Nelson: It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought.” By focusing our attention on Jesus Christ, all else around us—while still present—is viewed through our love for Him. Less important distractions fade.

Holland-RootsTech “I thought I prayed all the time, more or less. But the lesson was, ‘Pray more than you pray.’ However much you’ve prayed, pray more. And in however many places you’ve prayed, pray in more places. However many times during the day you pray, pray more times in the day. And it started to give meaning to me, an overwhelming meaning to me that … it was quite literal when God had said, ‘pray always.’”

Nelson- Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.

_________________________________    

 

Elder Soares: “As the Apostle Paul taught, they know that they can do all things through Christ, who strengthens them.” 

How Jesus Christ Can Help Me Find Peace in My Life When the World Has So Much Hatred

 

When Jesus Christ visited the America’s after His resurrection, he taught these truths about peace:

3 Nephi 22:10 & Isaiah 54:

For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

3 Nephi 22:13

And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

 

Other teachings about finding peace:

1 Nephi 20:18 & Isaiah 48:18

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments —then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.

 

1 Nephi 20:22 and Isaiah 48:22

And notwithstanding he hath done all this, and greater also, there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.

 

Mosiah 15:17-18

17. And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever!

18. And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people;

 

Alma 7:27

And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen.

 

Mosiah 29:10

And now let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do that which will make for the peace of this people.

 

Helaman 5:47

Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.

 

Jacob 7:23

And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was restored again among the people; and they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man.

 

Alma 24:19

And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.

 

Mosiah 27:4

That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own hands for their support.

The Law of Sacrifice: A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit

3 Nephi 9:19-20 – “And ye shall offer up onto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, and ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.”

D. Todd Christofferson, “When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign, May 2004, 11

Let me mention one other thing. In ancient times when people wanted to worship the

Lord and seek His blessings, they often brought a gift. For example, when they went to the temple, they brought a sacrifice to place on the altar. After His Atonement and Resurrection, the Savior said He would no longer accept burnt offerings of animals. The gift or sacrifice He will accept now is “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” As you seek the blessing of conversion, you can offer the Lord the gift of your broken, or repentant, heart and your contrite, or obedient, spirit. In reality, it is the gift of yourself—what you are and what you are becoming.

Is there something in you or in your life that is impure or unworthy? When you get rid of it, that is a gift to the Savior. Is there a good habit or quality that is lacking in your life? When you adopt it and make it part of your character, you are giving a gift to the Lord. Sometimes this is hard to do, but would your gifts of repentance and obedience be worthy gifts if they cost you nothing? Don’t be afraid of the effort required. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Jesus Christ will help you make of yourself a worthy gift. His grace will make you clean, even holy. Eventually, you will become like Him, “perfect in Christ.”

President Ezra Taft Benson, “A Mighty Change of Heart,” Ensign, Oct. 1989

Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore.

This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” (See 3 Ne. 9:20; Moro. 6:2; D&C 20:37; 59:8; Ps. 34:18; Ps. 51:17; Isa. 57:15.) Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance.

Elder Dale G. Renlund, Accessing God’s Power through Covenants, Gen. Conf. April 2023  

The covenant path leads to the ordinances of the temple, such as the temple endowment. The endowment is God’s gift of sacred covenants that connect us more fully to Him. In the endowment, we covenant, first, [Law of Obedience] to strive to keep the commandments of God; second, [Law of Sacrifice] to repent with a broken heart and contrite spirit; third, to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. We covenant, fourth, to keep the law of chastity and, fifth, to dedicate ourselves and everything the Lord blesses us with to build up His Church.

 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/10/a-broken-heart-and-a-contrite-spirit?lang=eng

A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit

Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them. How I love Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin!

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2004/04/when-thou-art-converted?lang=eng

When Thou Art Converted

The gift or sacrifice He will accept now is “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” As you seek the blessing of conversion, you can offer the Lord the gift ...

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/yielding-our-hearts-to-god?lang=eng

Yielding Our Hearts to God

“Ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit,” the Lord declares. ... When we offer our broken heart to Jesus Christ, He accepts ...

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/28holland?lang=eng

Behold the Lamb of God

Ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. ... broken hearts and sorrowing spirits that surround us. Seated not far away ...

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/16gavarret?lang=eng

A Mighty Change of Heart: “I Have Nothing More to Give You”

... broken heart and a contrite spirit.” I also thought of the people's reaction to King Benjamin's words: “Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast ...

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/04/being-accepted-of-the-lord?lang=eng

Being Accepted of the Lord

Know that our hearts are honest and broken,. Know that our spirits are contrite, and. Be willing to observe our covenants by sacrifice, as commanded by the Lord ...

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/10/32yee?lang=eng

The Joy of Our Redemption

“As we prepare conscientiously and participate in this holy ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then the promise is that we may always have the ...

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2008/04/the-gospel-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

... broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost ...

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/55renlund?lang=eng

Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with God

A broken heart and contrite spirit prompt us to joyfully repent and try to become more like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As we do so, we receive the ...

What does it mean that Jesus Christ is our Advocate, Mediator, and Intercessor

 Of all these verses below, I love these two that show that not only does Christ advocate to have our sins remitted, He also advocates to bring us blessings to help us with our challenges in life:

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, ““Behold I Am the Light Which Ye Shall Hold Up,” Oct 2024

The Savior is not absent from our mortal journeys. Time and again, with His pure love and mercy, He sustains us as we face the drama of life. Nephi describes: “My God hath been my support; he hath led me though mine afflictions. … He hath filled me with his love.”

Elder Patrick Kearon, “Welcome to the Church of Joy,” Oct. 2024

The glorious focal point of our services is the blessing and receiving of the sacrament itself, the bread and the water representing the atoning gift of our Lord and the whole purpose of our gathering. This is “a sacred time of spiritual renewal.”

We may have been conditioned to suppose that the purpose of the sacrament is to sit in the pew thinking only about all the ways we messed up during the week before. But let’s turn that practice on its head. In the stillness, we can ponder the many ways we have seen the Lord relentlessly pursue us with His wonderful love that week! We can reflect on what it means to “discover the joy of daily repentance.” We can give thanks for the times the Saviour entered into our struggles and our triumphs and the occasions when we felt His grace, forgiveness, and power giving us strength to overcome our hardships and bear our burdens with patience and even good cheer.

Doctrine and Covenants 32:3

I myself will go with them and be in their midst; and I am their advocate with the Father, and nothing shall prevail against them.

Moroni 7:26–29

28 wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.

29 And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.

As Elder Rasband taught:

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, ““Behold I Am the Light Which Ye Shall Hold Up,” Oct 2024

The Savior is not absent from our mortal journeys. Time and again, with His pure love and mercy, He sustains us as we face the drama of life. Nephi describes: “My God hath been my support; he hath led me though mine afflictions. … He hath filled me with his love.”

1 Timothy 2:5–6

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 

Hebrews 7:25

25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

 

Hebrews 9:2-24-26

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

 

John 14:5–6

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5

3 Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—

4 Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

5 Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 29:5

Doctrine and Covenants

5 Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the kingdom.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 32:3

Interesting to note that with Christ as our advocate with the Father, nothing shall prevail against us now and he will plead for mercy in the judgement day.

3 And Ziba Peterson also shall go with them; and I myself will go with them and be in their midst; and I am their advocate with the Father, and nothing shall prevail against them.

 

Moroni 7:26–29

26 Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.

27 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?

28 For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.

29 And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.

 

Mosiah 15:8–9

Book of Mormon

8 And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men—

9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.

 

2 Nephi 2:9–10

Book of Mormon

9 Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.

10 And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him. 

 

Dale G. Renlund, Your Divine Nature and Eternal Destiny, 2022–A:

As often as we repent and seek forgiveness with real intent, we can be forgiven.^{29[See  Mosiah 26:29–30  Moroni 6:8  Doctrine and Covenants 58:42–43]} What a remarkable gift from our Savior, Jesus Christ!^{30 [See  Moroni 7:27–28] Remarkably, our Judge is also our Advocate.}

 

M. Russell Ballard, Hope in Christ, 2021–April

Fifth, our confidence in these assurances is rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ, by whose grace all things pertaining to mortality are set right.^{16[See  Alma 7:11–13]} All promised blessings are made possible through Him, who, by His Atonement, “descended below all things”^{17[ Doctrine and Covenants 88:6]} and has “overcome the world.”^{18[ John 16:33 see also  Doctrine and Covenants 19:3]} He “hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men … ; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men.”^{19[ Moroni 7:27–28]} 

 

Dale G. Renlund, Choose You This Day, 2018–Oct.

In Jesus Christ, “we have an advocate with the Father.”^{7  1 John 2:1 see also Joseph Smith Translation, 1 John 2:1 (in 1 John 2:1, footnote a).]} After completing His atoning sacrifice, Jesus “ascended into heaven … to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men.” And, having claimed the rights of mercy, “he advocateth the cause of the children of men.”^{8  Moroni 7:27–28}

Christ’s advocacy with the Father in our behalf is not adversarial. Jesus Christ, who allowed His will to be swallowed up in the will of the Father,^{9 [See Mosiah 15:7} would not champion anything other than what the Father has wanted all along. Heavenly Father undoubtedly cheers for and applauds our successes.

Christ’s advocacy is, at least in part, to remind us that He has paid for our sins and that no one is excluded from the reach of God’s mercy.^{10 [See 1 John 2:2} For those who believe in Jesus Christ, repent, are baptized, and endure to the end—a process that leads to reconciliation^{11 [See  2 Corinthians 5:16–21  Colossians 1:19–23  2 Nephi 10:24}—the Savior forgives, heals, and advocates. He is our helper, consoler, and intercessor—attesting to and vouching for our reconciliation with God.¹²  [The Greek word for advocate (paraklētŏs) means intercessor, helper, comforter, or consoler (see  1 John 2:1 footnote b; ^{The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible [1984], Greek dictionary section, 55;  2 Nephi 10:23–25  Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5}

Remember That God Has and Will Deliver Us

SCRIPTURES THAT DISCUSS BOTH “REMEMBER” AND “DELIVER”

1 Nephi 4:3, 11-12, 17

3 Now behold ye know that this is true; and ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt? Let us go up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.

 

1 Nephi 7:11, 17

11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?

 

Alma 29:11-12

11 Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage.

 

Mosiah 9:17

17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers.

 

Mosiah 23:13, 23-24, 27, 29

13 And now as ye have been delivered by the power of God out of these bonds; yea, even out of the hands of king Noah and his people, and also from the bonds of iniquity, even so I desire that ye should stand fast in this liberty wherewith ye have been made free, and that ye trust no man to be a king over you.

 

Mosiah 27:16

16 Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.

 

Alma 9:10, 22

10 And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own brethren?

 

Alma 36:2, 27-29

2 I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions.

 

Alma 38:4-5

4 For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word’s sake; and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.

 

Alma 62:50

50 Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions, and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies.

Helaman 7:20

20 O, how could you have forgotten your God in the very day that he has delivered you?

 

Helaman 12:2

2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.

 

NONE COULD DELIVER EXCEPT THEIR GOD

 Come Follow Me, New Testament

What could have inspired Peter to leave the safety of his boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee during a boisterous storm? Peter had accepted this invitation once, and he was willing to accept it again, even if it meant facing his fears and doing something that seemed impossible.

Perhaps the Lord will not ask us to step out of a boat in the middle of a storm or contribute our meager supply of bread when thousands need to eat, but He may ask us to accept directions even when we don’t fully understand them. Whatever His invitations to us may be, they may sometimes seem surprising or even frightening. But miracles can happen if we, like Peter, will set aside our fears, our doubts, and our limited understanding and follow Him in faith.

 

Mosiah 21:5, 14-15, 36

5 And now the afflictions of the Nephites were great, and there was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands, for the Lamanites had surrounded them on every side.

 

Mosiah 24:13-14: I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. 14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

 

Mosiah 24:21: he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God.

 

Alma 36:2-3 and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions. And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

 

 

BUT IF NOT

Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

GOD DID DELIVER

1 Nephi 13:19

19 And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.

 

2 Nephi 3:9-10

9 And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.

 

2 Nephi 9:11-13, 25-26

11 And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.

 

2 Nephi 7:2

2 Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer. O house of Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make their drivers a wilderness and their fish to stink because the waters are dried up, and they die because of thirst.

 

Omni 1:7-9, 25

7 Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.

 

Mosiah 2:4, 31

4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.

 

Mosiah 25:8, 10, 16, 21

8 For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy.

 

Alma 1:8

8 Now the name of the man was Gideon; and it was he who was an instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of Limhi out of bondage.

 

Alma 19:27

27 And there were some who said that Ammon was sent by the Great Spirit to afflict them because of their iniquities; and that it was the Great Spirit that had always attended the Nephites, who had ever delivered them out of their hands; and they said that it was this Great Spirit who had destroyed so many of their brethren, the Lamanites.

 

Alma 45:1

1 Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy.

 

Alma 50:22

22 And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites.

 

3 Nephi 28:20

20 And they were cast down into the earth; but they did smite the earth with the word of God, insomuch that by his power they were delivered out of the depths of the earth; and therefore they could not dig pits sufficient to hold them.

 

 

PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE OR ANSWERS TO PRAYERS

 

1 Nephi 17:14

14 Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem.

 

1 Nephi 5:5, 8

5 But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.

 

2 Nephi 4:31

31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

 

Mosiah 28:7, 11

7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.

 

Alma 58:10-11, 37

10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.

 

Mosiah 28:7, 11

7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.

 

Mosiah 24:13, 16-17, 21

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

 

Alma 15:17

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/15.17?lang=eng&clang=eng#p17

17 Therefore, after Alma having established the church at Sidom, seeing a great check, yea, seeing that the people were checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble themselves before God, and began to assemble themselves together at their sanctuaries to worship God before the altar, watching and praying continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and from death, and from destruction—

 

Alma 17:35

35 Therefore they did not fear Ammon, for they supposed that one of their men could slay him according to their pleasure, for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would deliver his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king.

 

Alma 48:16

16 And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.

 

Alma 16:6

6 And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. And Alma returned and said unto them: Behold, the Lamanites will cross the river Sidon in the south wilderness, away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti. And behold there shall ye meet them, on the east of the river Sidon, and there the Lord will deliver unto thee thy brethren who have been taken captive by the Lamanites.

 

Alma 2:28

28 Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them.

 

3 Nephi 13:12

12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

 

3 Nephi 4:8, 33

8 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the appearance of the army of Giddianhi, had all fallen to the earth, and did lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.

 

 

WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET DELIVERED

 

Mosiah 9:17

17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers.

 

Mosiah 29:20, 40

20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.

 

Alma 56:47, 54, 56

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

Alma 60:11, 20-21

11 Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain.

 Alma 44:3, 6, 8-9, 14

3 But now, ye behold that the Lord is with us; and ye behold that he has delivered you into our hands. And now I would that ye should understand that this is done unto us because of our religion and our faith in Christ. And now ye see that ye cannot destroy this our faith.

 

Mosiah 11:21, 23, 25-26

21 And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies.

 

Alma 61:13, 21

13 But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us.

 

Mormon 3:13, 15

13 And thrice have I delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and they have repented not of their sins.