Jesus Christ Is Our Wonderful Counselor

2 Nephi 19:6 - "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - “The fact that the government would eventually be upon his shoulders affirms what all the world will one day acknowledge --that he is Lord of lords and King of kings and will one day rule over the earth and his Church in person”

Seek this Jesus - A Book of Mormon Daily Podcast invites you to discover the joy and guidance that comes from studying the Book of Mormon everyday. This podcast would hope to just be a supplement to your studies. 

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Transcript

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Welcome to Seek This Jesus, a daily podcast dedicated to drawing closer to the Savior through the powerful truths found in the Book of Mormon. Each episode, we focus on one verse that helps us walk more faithfully in his footsteps.

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We live in a world filled with opinions, confusion, arguments, and competing voices. Many people wonder who they can trust, where they can turn for direction, and how they can know what is right. Sometimes we face decisions that seem too large for us, problems that feel too complicated, or burdens that seem too heavy to carry alone. In those moments we need more than information. We need divine counsel. We need someone who sees the beginning and the end, understands every heart and knows the perfect path forward. Isaiah saw Jesus Christ not only as the Savior of the world, but also as the one who guides, advises, strengthens, and defends us. Isaiah described him with names that teach us who he is and what he does for us. These names remind us that Jesus Christ is not distant from us. He is involved in our lives, He governs with wisdom, He brings peace, and He leads with perfect understanding. Nephi nineteen six for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. As we study this verse today, along with teachings from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, we will consider what it means to trust Jesus Christ as our wonderful counselor. One of the great truths taught in this verse is that Jesus Christ is our counselor. That title means much more than someone who simply gives advice. A counselor is someone who helps guide decisions, offers wisdom, understands problems, and provides direction when the path ahead is unclear. Jesus Christ is the perfect counselor because he understands everything perfectly. He understands our fears, our questions, our weaknesses and our hopes. He understands the consequences of every decision and the needs of every person. There is no situation in our lives that is too complex for him to understand. When we pray, study the scriptures, attend the temple, or listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we are seeking counsel from Jesus Christ. We are inviting him to guide us. Too often we may try to solve every problem on our own first, and only turn to the Lord when we have run out of ideas. Isaiah reminds us that Christ is not meant to be our last option. He is meant to be our first source of direction. The title counselor also reminds us that Jesus Christ should influence the way we counsel with others. In our homes, in our callings, and in councils at church, we should seek His Spirit. We should not simply try to push our own ideas or opinions. We should listen carefully, pray sincerely, and seek to know what the Lord would have us say and do. When ward councils, state councils, presidencies, bishoprics, and families counsel together with the Spirit of Christ, better decisions are made. People feel heard, needs are recognized, revelation can come. Jesus Christ is the greatest counselor of all, and as we invite him into our counsels, we begin to counsel as he would. Isaiah also teaches that the government shall be upon his shoulder. This phrase points to the day when Jesus Christ will rule and reign over the earth in righteousness. It reminds us that his power, authority, and leadership are perfect. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught The fact that the government would eventually be upon his shoulders affirms what all the world will one day acknowledge that he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and will one day rule over the earth and his church in person. The world often places its trust in governments, leaders, organizations, and systems. While those things may have value, none of them can save us. None of them can bring lasting peace. None of them can heal the deepest wounds of the soul. Jesus Christ is the only ruler who is perfectly wise, perfectly just, and perfectly loving. He is the mighty God. He is the Prince of Peace. He does not govern through fear, pride, selfishness, or corruption. He governs through truth, mercy, holiness, and love. Another meaning of the title counselor is advocate. Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father. He stands for us, He pleads for us. Because of His atonement He can speak on our behalf. He knows our struggles because He has already carried them. He knows our sins because He has already suffered for them. He knows our sorrows because He has already borne them. This means that we never stand alone before God. Jesus Christ is there as our defender and helper. He not only tells us what to do, but He also gives us the strength to do it. He not only points us toward the path, but He also walks with us along the way. Today many of us are carrying questions that do not have easy answers. We may be making decisions about our family, our work, our health, our faith, or our future. We may feel pressure to figure everything out immediately. We may feel overwhelmed by all the voices telling us what we should do. This verse invites us to slow down and remember who Jesus Christ is. He is wonderful. He is counselor. He is mighty. He is peace. When we do not know what to do, we can turn to Him before turning anywhere else. We can pray before we panic. We can search the scriptures before we search social media. We can seek revelation before we rely on our own understanding. We can also think about the councils we are part of. Many of us sit in family councils, church councils, work meetings, leadership discussions, and conversations with people we love. In those moments, are we listening for the Spirit? Are we trying to understand others? Are we seeking the Lord's wisdom more than our own? Jesus Christ does not simply want to advise us from a distance. He wants to lead us personally. He wants to help us become people who bring wisdom, peace, and understanding into the lives of others. So here is today's challenge. Before making an important decision this week, pause and intentionally seek counsel from Jesus Christ. Pray specifically. Study the scriptures with your question in mind. Listen carefully during your prayers. Then in one conversation, meeting or counsel you're a part of this week, focus on listening more carefully and seeking the Spirit before speaking. Thank you for listening to Seek This Jesus. I hope this message helps you draw a little closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ. Please, don't let this podcast be your only scripture time today. As we open the scriptures for ourselves, the Spirit will teach us things no podcast ever could. If you are exploring the truths of the Book of Mormon for the first time, you can receive a free copy using the link in the description found in every episode of Seek This Jesus. I invite you to come back tomorrow for another verse and message to help you stay focused on Jesus Christ. Until next time, keep seeking this Jesus.