1 Nephi 10:18

18 For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

It makes perfect sense that God would be the same yesterday, today, and forever. The reason people and things change is due to their imperfection. For the most part, when people change, they are getting better or worse. If we were perfect, as God is, we could not improve, and we may not have the ability to get worse either. Perfection implies that you have no desire or need to do imperfectly; you have overcome that. That being the case, God, being perfect, has no need or desire to change or overcome anything. So we can count on Him being completely consistent.

1 Nephi 10:15–17

15 And after this manner of language did my father prophesy and speak unto my brethren, and also many more things which I do not write in this book; for I have written as many of them as were expedient for me in mine other book.

16 And all these things, of which I have spoken, were done as my father dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel.

17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

Nephi sets a good example here of seeking confirmation to the prophet’s words. There is no hint of doubting his father’s words or his message. He just wanted his own confirmation and greater understanding. Furthermore, Nephi clearly understood that he could receive his own vision. He knew that through faith and diligent effort, this could be expected. He also speaks of the power of the Holy Ghost, which I see as different from the Light of Christ, or even the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We can certainly have those things without power. The power of the Holy Ghost comes after we diligently seek for it, or to know the Lord. This is an important distinction. Where we can enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost almost passively (as long as we are not doing anything really wrong) the power of the Holy Ghost comes after some diligent effort on our part. We can’t be passive and have that kind of power. It takes desire, faith, and diligently seeking out the Lord. Then we receive this power of the Holy Ghost, by which we “may know the truth of all things.” Seeking confirmation after hearing the words of the prophet is not showing doubt, but faith.

• Moroni 10:7 (4–5, 7, 19)
• D&C 20:26