The First Recorded Text Message Was Sent From Heavenly Father!

TheDiscipleMD

As a young man, I never could have imagined the nature of communication as it exists today. Fax machines, cell phones, the Internet and cable TV, as well as other technological advancements would have been things of science fiction. One such advance is the ability to send “text messages” through cell phones. As I glance at my phone, I see that I have stored some 48 text messages and an additional 53 that I have sent, these from the past few weeks; most of them from different members of the family. It’s funny how the “miracle” of texting can become so common place that we don’t think much of it, but it would have been deemed a miracle to receive one just a few years ago. Let me take you back to the “first” text message. Believe or not it was sent between the years of 600-592 B.C. “Impossible”, you say! But, it is recorded in the scriptures. (Book of Mormon)  It is also a “text” from one family member to another.

“And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written. And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them. And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things”. ( I Nephi 16: 26-29).

Well, there it is, plain as day! A text message from the Lord to Lehi and his family! When I read this account as a youth, it was incredible to think of such a ball, one that would give counsel and direction through words that would “appear” and “disappear” according to the faith of the family. Such communication was miraculous to me! Alas, I now receive such “miraculous” messages on a daily basis and think nothing of it. Nephi was right! It is “by small means (that) the Lord can bring about great things”. Who would have thought that the first recorded text was a message from diety to mankind.

I understand that many people have a hard time accepting some of the miracles recorded in the scriptures.  Yet, the first “text message” recorded in Nephi helps me understand that miracles are just events that I don’t understand. But the giver of the Law understands all the laws and works within them. For Him, nothing is a miracle, He just has an infinite understanding of all the laws. This example should help us to better accept things that seem impossible to our understanding, but are not to the Lord.

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