With Plainness comes Greatness

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At the end of Nephi's recitation of Isaiah's words, he speaks regarding 'plainness'. He acknowledges that the words of Isaiah were 'hard for many of his people to understand'. He correlates understanding what Isaiah is trying to teach to basically how 'plain' we are and how willing we are to humble ourselves to learn. Nephi's soul 'delighted' in the plainness of his people.

If 'plainness' is defined as modest, simple, unostentatious and unpretentious, that would give me a key to unlocking much understanding of the Scriptures, especially Isaiah. If I am humble and diligent and pray for guidance, not placing too much value on my own understanding, then I will probably be more likely to receive spiritual revelation to begin to make sense of much of Isaiah's writings and other difficult writings.

I love that the Lord and Heavenly Father look for the humble and plain. They are not looking for the most showy or those that have accomplished the most. The complete opposite of what the world looks for. The world views 'plain' as a bad thing. Father in Heaven and Jesus are just looking for those who are humble and willing to try. In the end, with plainness comes greatness.

"Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn." 2 Nephi 25:4