31 And it came to pass that according to his word he did destroy them; and according to his word he did lead them; and according to his word he did do all things for them; and there was not any thing done save it were by his word.
There is some interesting wording used here that really can
be taken a couple of different ways. And both ways are, I think, correct, and
both ways are important to understand. The phrase, “according to his word,” is
powerful for at least two reasons, both of which support Nephi’s point. The
first way in which this can be understood is that the Lord keeps His word. When
He tells His people something, He follows through according to His word. If He
says He will destroy someone, He will follow through. When He says He will lead
them, He follows through with that as well. The Lord simply keeps His word. He
has a proven record of that, and since that is what He has always done, we can
count on it being what He will always do. He is “the same yesterday, today, and
forever” (1 Nephi 10:18, among others that say the same thing). If there is
anything or anyone we can count on being completely consistent, it is God.
The second way this phrase can be taken is hinted at right at
the end of the verse: “there was not anything done save it were by his word.”
This tells us that He has the power to keep His word by the power of his word. He has the power to
perform miracles, such as parting the Red Sea, bringing water out of solid
rock, providing light and protection in miraculous ways, and a lot of other
things recorded and not recorded. He had the consistency to keep His word, and
He has the power to perform according to and by His word. These are important
to remember in spiritual matters as well. I’m thinking specifically of the Atonement.
Not only does He promise to provide a pathway back to Heavenly Father, He has
the power to keep that promise.
- Numbers 26:65
