How does the Lord’s wisdom bless our lives?

February 1–7

When Martin Harris lost 116 manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon, the Lord told Joseph Smith, “Remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 3:3).

Take a look at this time line to see how the Lord had compensated for the pages He knew would be lost.

600 B.C.—Nephi’s Record

The Lord inspired Nephi to write a second record (the small plates of Nephi). He did not understand why, but Nephi had faith that it was “for a wise purpose” (1 Nephi 9:5).

A.D. 400—Mormon’s Abridgment

The Lord inspired Mormon to include Nephi’s small plates with his abridgment of the large plates of Nephi. Although both plates included much of the same material, he also had faith that it was “for a wise purpose” (Words of Mormon 1:7).

1828–29—Revelation to Joseph Smith

The Lord told Joseph not to retranslate the missing 116 pages because “Satan hath put it into [wicked men’s] hearts to alter the words” to discredit Joseph’s work (see Doctrine and Covenants 10:10–13). The missing pages and the small plates covered the same time period (600–130 B.C.)

2021—The Lord Prepares a Way

Just as God compensated for the lost pages, He has prepared ways today to thwart Satan’s efforts to weaken our faith. Our role is to be “faithful and continue on” so “the gates of hell shall not prevail against [us]” (Doctrine and Covenants 10:3, 69).