It’s a wonderful thing to talk about the scriptures with other people, because often others see things I’ve never seen before, or help me see a scripture in a whole new way.

Recently, I was in a small group discussion about the plan of salvation (God’s plan for our happiness and help in this life and life with Him in the next). We were talking about Jesus Christ’s central role in that plan, and considering scriptures from the Book of Mormon that help teach about the Savior.

There are a lot of scriptures from the Book of Mormon that come to mind for me, but I was so moved to hear what scripture a friend chose to focus on.

It’s found in 1 Nephi 21:16.

But first, some context for the verse.

In this part of the Book of Mormon, Nephi, an ancient prophet-historian whose father, Lehi, had been guided by God to leave Jerusalem with his family (around 600 B.C.) and come to the American continent. They were brought out of Jerusalem to protect them from the destruction that came when Babylon invaded Israel. They also were guided to create a record of prophecies of Jesus Christ and His dealings with a branch of the house of Israel people who came to the New World.

Nephi was teaching his people about Christ — and writing for people in the future as well, especially the house of Israel — quoting or summarizing the teachings of various prophets from the Old World.

But he focused a lot of his attention on the writings of Isaiah, which writings they had with them.

“And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer. Wherefore, I speak unto all the house of Israel, if it so be that they should obtain these things…

“Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old. And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah….”

(1 Nephi 19:18-19, 22-23)

My friend shared one of the beautiful, short verses from Isaiah that Nephi quotes.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (See also Isaiah 49:16)

Many scholars (and others) interpret the walls in this verse to mean the walls of Jerusalem or Zion, and that is always what comes to mind when I hear or read this verse. Historically, this interpretation makes sense. Isaiah was always writing for both the present and the future.

But my friend shared the verse in a personal way to illustrate Jesus’ love for us, and he said something to this effect: “Jesus knows about the walls in your life. He knows what barriers are troubling you, what things feel like they are in the way as you move along in your journey.”

I believe this, and I was grateful for my friend’s insights into this short but power-packed verse about the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. I recommend the entire chapter for more about God’s love for us, His children, and His commitment to help and care for us.

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As I left the Missionary Training Center (MTC) to enter the missionary experience, I felt a strong sense of certainty that there was in front of me a vast sea of experiences to be had. I was anxious to share the gospel that I had been taught all of my life. With a renewed sense of urgency and confidence in my ability as a servant of the Lord, I embarked on my journey.

The first six weeks of my mission were spent in Sacramento, California. I had been called to Portugal, but was awaiting a visa before I could travel there. I distinctly remember the feelings I had as I arrived in my first area and met my companions. A sort of realization washed over me and I sensed that the days of dreaming about golden investigators, packages from home, and letters from a “waiting” boyfriend were now becoming a reality about which I was very uncertain. The feeling, as I can best describe it, is not unlike the feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you are sitting in your seat on a ride at an amusement park and the bar suddenly locks into place.

About six weeks later, in my first area in Portugal, my companion and I walked along the busy streets of Lisbon, contacting people as they passed by. I had only been in Portugal a few days and had found that the Portuguese I had learned in the MTC differed vastly from the language the people were speaking. I felt insecure in my ability to both understand and communicate. I felt ineffective as a missionary as I easily became lost in conversations. As we walked home one rainy night after a particularly frustrating evening, I felt discouraged. I felt lonely and hoped I was not wasting the Lord’s time. I felt very far from my family and friends, far outside of my comfort zone, and afraid that I was not going to be up to this task.

It was in this rainy state of mind, when I heard in my head the words to a hymn:

“Fear not I am with thee, be not afraid for I am thy God and will still give thee aid” (“How Firm a Foundation,” Hymn #85).

That night I looked up the scripture in Isaiah 41:10,13, which reads:

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”

I was able to derive from these words the hope that I so critically needed. I felt that I did not have to rely only on my ability, but that Heavenly Father was watching over me and would help me. Whenever I hear that hymn I think of that rainy night and feel in my heart a warm confirmation from my Father who believes in me.

– by Alli

(Did you notice that you can listen to an MP3 recording of this hymn? Find more hymns here. You can download MP3s of music as well.)

Read more First Person essays here.

Would you like to submit a First Person essay? Submit essays to ‘mormonwoman’ AT ‘gmail’ DOT ‘com’.

The post First Person: “Fear not, I am with thee” appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.