Welcome.

In no less than the first chapter of the Book of Mormon, another authoritative witness that Jesus is the Christ, do we learn a glorious certainty regarding tender mercies.

Nephi declared, “…I…will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.” (1 Nephi 1:20)

And show he did.

In a matter of seconds, I can think of many Nephi + tender mercies examples.

Reseeing and learning the symbols of his father’s vision of The Tree of Life

When he broke his bow and still obtained food

When he built a boat not after the manner of men

His marriage and children

Heavenly help as he endured mucky mockery and ongoing abuse from his brothers

Being spared as they were tossed upon dangerous waters

When the Lord finally declared that it was time to separate from his brothers

Protected with divine power so that his brothers could not touch him – else they would wither

Nephi, blessed with a desirable stature, was made, by all reckonings that matter most, absolutely mighty unto deliverance.

This tender mercy theme Nephi established in the first chapter is paramount during the whole of the record. It is seen everywhere. For example:

Alma the younger. His u-turn repentance and dedicated devotion thereafter to the covenanted cause of Christianity. Until their missions were complete, the protection offered Mormon and Moroni in their day of degenerative dissolution. Samuel the Lamanite. His miraculous preservation. Abinadi’s safeguarding until His message was delivered. Alma and Amulek spared while believers burned in front of them. The ring of fire that protected the later Nephi and Lehi.

And so the stories unfold – on and on. Then and now.

All the while signifying unto the world the truth of Nephi’s pronouncement that the Lord’s tender mercies are real and beautifully manifest.

Nephi makes clear that those who can expect these mercies are “all those whom he hath chosen.” (1 Nephi 1:20) To those who are locally and generally appointed to lead and teach us, great mercies from the Lord are given to them. However, those compassionate kindnesses are not only held in reserve for them. They come to those of us who make up the rank and file.

In truth, we choose if we are chosen. “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) “And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of the world, and aspire to the honors of men…” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-35)

So basically, we members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have hands laid on our heads, blessings pronounced, and then we are free to demonstrate to God our willingness to be chosen. For all who strive for good and right, love God, seek to serve Him by blessing His children, live up to the light, understanding, and knowledge they have, they will be recipients of His tender mercies.

Of every faith tradition.

The catalyst to reception is professed and practiced faith in Christ.

For those of us who find shelter, hope, and purpose under the wide umbrella of the restored church and gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days, we have a special charge to discern these tender mercies.

They come so often.

Do we notice?

Sometimes they feel especially big (like the time I was warned – by a mere acquaintance of another faith – not to go to Canada for a hockey game with a man I did not know well), and other times they seem smaller but still, add so much to our gratitude.

Like this weekend in Kansas.

Jas and I went to visit family, to meet the first grandbaby on both sides, to share in the tender experience of her church blessing. At the hands of her good, good father, she received a blessing full of tender promises and pronouncements. We had a wonderful time.

And then we got a very unexpected flat in our rental. The mustang had no spare but rather a nifty hose/seal repair kit with pictures – instead of words – for instructions. Thankfully, my husband is markedly better at reading hieroglyphics than I am. We really didn’t want to miss our flight and have to pay hundreds more and get home much later.

So we prayed for help.

And it came so liberally, kindly. The seal held the whole four and a half hours back to the airport.

A total tender mercy.

We noticed.

And we praised Him.

Among other things, Nephi was delivered from his murderous plotting brothers, from starvation, from cruelty and physically binding ropes, from dangerous waters, and from ignorance.

This time, we were delivered from a flat tire, a delayed flight, lost money.

But like Nephi, delivered.

And so today I ask, do you notice the goodness of God in the sending of His mercies? When you receive a heaven-sent kindness, do you discern it?

Perhaps part of being chosen is, in fact, noticing.

Unto all the world: Come, notice His tender mercies.