Back In and Thinking About It

For whatever reason (all of them bad) I let my scripture studying slide.  Add to that, my Kindle died, taking with it all of my notes that I'd been keeping on my previous reading.  That was tough, because I'd gotten a lot of inspiration as I read and cleverly wrote it in a place that I knew I could come back to.  Until I couldn't anymore. 
But now, I'm back!  I can't make up all of the reading needed to catch up from where I was to where we are in Institute class, so I'm just jumping in on the schedule.  3 Nephi.  Love it!.
I am keeping a written journal of my thoughts now.  I guess I could still lose it (and probably will), but at least it won't be trapped forever on a microchip.  I might try to be better at writing down my extra good thoughts on this blog. 
I love the story of Lachoneus and the Gadianton robbers.  He is the Chief Judge of the Nephites during a time span after the birth of Christ.  The Nephites are fluctuating quickly between righteousness and wickedness.  The Gadianton robbers have been influential, but at this time are living up in the mountain areas surrounding the cities.  Giddianhi, the robber chief, writes a letter to Lachoneus and its effrontery is absolutely astounding.  As I read it, I thought to myself, "Well, if Satan wrote a letter to  me, this is probably what it would sound like."  Here is the rundown of the themes.  v. 2.  flattery  3.  doubt  5.  false concern  8.  lies and fear  9.  pretense of power and wicked traditions of fathers  10.  blame and false indignation.  Satan's patterns don't change much. 
In the same way, the Lord's patterns don't change much either.  Instead of panicking at this crazy missive from a certainly crazy person, Lachoneus v.12 unites the people in prayer  13.  gathers his people in righteousness (go to church, strengthen the stakes of Zion) 14.  fortified the area (self, home, family) 15.  preach repentance  17-19.  look to righteous leadership and 21.  do not greet the lion in its den-- do not look for trouble, but concentrate on fortifying self and wait.
The people rally around Lachoneus.  They repent.  They obey.  Lachoneus appoints Gidgiddoni as the general over the armies because he was a righteous man. And look at this!: 

3 Nephi 3:19 Now it was the custom among all the Nephites to appoint for their chief captains, (save it were in their times of wickedness) some one that had the spirit of revelation and also prophecy; therefore, this Gidgiddoni was a great prophet among them, as also was the chief judge.

Both Gidgiddoni and Lachoneus were great prophets among the people.  They weren't "the" prophet, because that was Nephi.  This verse made me think about how I look at my local leadership, both in and out of a gospel setting.  I know that the bishop receives inspiration for our wards, as does the stake president for the stake, area representative for the area, etc, up to the prophet.  Have I thought of our bishop as a prophet for our ward?  He has the keys for our ward.  He receives specific revelation for our ward vs. the church as a whole.  Do I respect these callings as much as I should?
Outside of the church, our community, state, and national leaders have at their disposal, should they choose to use it, the right to revelation.  They have a stewardship and a responsibility.  I'm pretty sure that few, if any, political leaders of our day spend a lot of time conversing with Heavenly Father to see what He wants.  However, as shown by Lachoneus, who went to the Lord himself for answers on how to protect his people, there is a right to that direct conduit.  They don't have to go to a man of greater faith, they can be a faithful man.  Interesting, huh?  Would that we had more faithful men in political offices all over the world.