The plates had been hidden and reserved
And promised to me, for I was quick to observe
Yet, being but a sober child of ten
I was told to wait to see and engrave on them

And, now years later, I make a record
Of the things I have seen and heard
I have opened my eyes and ears to my day
And of God’s commandments, I have been quick to obey … (14 years later)

David A. Bednar,
Quick to Observe
Ensign, Dec 2006, 30–36
From a devotional address given at Brigham Young University on May 10, 2005.

All of us have learned important lessons from the central characters in the Book of Mormon. As we read about and study the lives of Nephi, Laman, Alma, King Noah, Moroni, and many others, we discover things we should and should not do, and we realize more completely the kinds of people we should and should not become.

In my study of the Book of Mormon I have been especially impressed with a particular description of Mormon, the principal compiler of the Nephite record. The specific depiction of this noble prophet to which I would direct our attention is contained in the first five verses of the first chapter of Mormon:

“And now I, Mormon, make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard, and call it the Book of Mormon.

“And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age … ) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe;

“Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; …

“And behold, … ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people.

“And I, Mormon, … remembered the things which Ammaron commanded me” (Mormon 1:1–5; emphasis added).

Please note that the root word observe is used three times in these verses. And Mormon, even in his youth, is described as being “quick to observe.” As you study and learn and grow, I hope you also are learning about and becoming quick to observe. Your future success and happiness will in large measure be determined by this spiritual capacity.

Please consider the significance of this important spiritual gift. As used in the scriptures, the word observe has two primary uses. One use denotes “to look” or “to see” or “to notice”—as we learn in Isaiah 42:20: “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not” (emphasis added).

The second use of the word observe suggests “to obey” or “to keep”—as is evident in the Doctrine and Covenants: “But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy” (D&C 54:6; emphasis added).

Thus when we are quick to observe, we promptly look or notice and obey. Both of these fundamental elements—looking and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe. And the prophet Mormon is an impressive example of this gift in action.

KIDS Illustrated Stories From The Bible

With love and blessings

Wendy

I cannot thank you enough. It is comments such as these which fortify my faith, and make my blogging incredibly meaningful. I am truly humbled that each of you would take the time to read this (long) post, and found something of worth for your own soul. To echo John Paul – May the God of peace continue to bless all of us on our life journey.

May the God of peace continue to use you as a musical missionary for the Mormon faith.

John Paul Todd
e4unity.wordpress.com

Thanks for this excellent description of your love for the scriptures. It was good to read about your wonderful mother. A mother’s monetary value is meaningless in the big scheme of things. Her love of the scriptures is priceless and everything.

It was later in that same rocking chair or on a nearby couch that I first read the Book of Mormon with and to my mother. I was just learning to read and mother, as a new convert, had never read the Book before. We read it together for the first time. She had me skip “And it came to pass…” every time it came up because it seemed to interrupt the flow of the story. Ah, sweet memories of sacred music, mother and the Book of Mormon. You hit them all in this post. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed reading it.