Rebuilding the Walls: Finding Strength in Scripture and Community

Brothers and sisters, have you ever watched something great being built, brick by painstaking brick? Maybe it was a physical structure, or maybe it was the revival of faith in a community that had grown complacent. It takes vision, it takes prayer, and it takes the willingness to get your hands dirty, even when the opposition is loud and the discouragement is thick.

Reading through the Book of Nehemiah is like watching a masterclass in discipleship in action. It’s a powerful reminder that even when things look utterly broken—when the walls are down and the gates are burned—the Lord has a plan, and He calls us to be the hands and feet that rebuild.

Nehemiah, bless his heart, saw the devastation. He didn't just see rubble; he saw a people separated from their covenant keeping. And what did he do? He didn't start organizing the labor first. He went to God. He poured out a prayer that was so earnest, so specific, that it moved the heart of a powerful king.

The Power of Passionate Intercession

What strikes me most, as someone who has walked through the fires of missionary service and seen the grace of the Spirit work in unexpected ways, is the sheer power of Nehemiah’s prayer (Nehemiah 1:11). It wasn't a vague plea; it was a deep, personal appeal to the Lord to be attentive to his servants. Friends, this is a vital skill for every disciple, whether you are in the MTC, serving in a stake center, or simply trying to keep the Spirit alive in your own home.

We are taught in our missionary discussions that we must always bring our needs and our community's needs before the throne. Nehemiah’s passion foreshadows Christ’s own high-priestly prayer—a perfect model for us all. We are called to be intercessors, to feel that ache for our neighbors and our ward, and to bring that ache right up to the Father.

More Than Just Bricks: Rebuilding the People

If you watch the summary, you’ll see the amazing feat of rebuilding the wall in just 52 days! It’s incredible. But what follows is perhaps even more instructive. When Nehemiah returns, the walls are strong, but the people are weak. They have fallen back into apostasy. Nehemiah doesn't just point at the cracks; he confronts the spiritual rot.

He doesn't mince words! He leads them back to the Word. He reestablishes true worship through adherence to the scriptures. This is the core lesson for us, the rogue disciples: Spiritual revival isn't just about a big event or a successful transfer; it's about consistent, heartfelt discipleship rooted in the Book of Mormon and the scriptures. It's about teaching, correcting, and encouraging one another to keep building up the foundations of our covenants.

A Bite-Sized Skill: The Art of the Gentle Correction

As we are all striving to be more Christlike, let’s focus on that gentle correction Nehemiah modeled. It’s hard to confront someone you love, especially when they are comfortable in their own spiritual complacency. Before you speak, pause. Ask yourself: Am I approaching this from a place of judgment, or from a place of sacrificial love, just like Nehemiah? I recommend reviewing the principles of Christlike living in the *Preach My Gospel* handbook this week. It’s a wonderful refresher!

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Our field isn't just the corner of the block; it's the feed, the dinner table, the workplace. Let’s commit to being diligent builders, always pointing people back to the rock solid foundation of revealed truth.

If you want to dig deeper into these historical narratives and see how the principles apply today, I highly recommend checking out the *Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther: Holman Old Testament Commentary* available in LivingBook. And if you want to discuss these themes with others, join a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces—the Spirit is there waiting for us!