Nevertheless.
This word repeatedly resurfaces throughout our written accounts, both scriptural and historical. It transforms the impossible into the real, the hopeless into the miraculous. It heaves dark realities over its shoulders and faces the wind with fierceness. It is tenacious. Resolute.
It is marvelously defiant, and it is my personal favorite word of all time.
Perhaps coincidentally, the Western use of "nevertheless” peaked around the same time that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored in America—a young church bursting at the seams with against-all-odds miracles and truths, radically embracing a torn veil and an open canon.
With glorious poignancy, “nevertheless” could well be the signature word of the gospel itself.
It’s everywhere in the Book of Mormon.
- Nephi had no clue how to build a boat. Nevertheless, he did.
- Sariah was terrified for her husband’s and sons’ lives. Nevertheless, she believed.
- The stripling soldiers knew nothing of war. Nevertheless, they fought.
- Abish knew her faith could cost her life. Nevertheless, she reached for the queen’s hand.
- Mormon was weary of wickedness. Nevertheless, he led.
- Abinadi knew his message was fatal. Nevertheless, he preached.
- The sons of Mosiah faced perilous rejection. Nevertheless, they served.
- The Ammonites lost all safety burying their swords. Nevertheless, they covenanted.
- Pahoran was scathingly misunderstood and attacked. Nevertheless, he forgave.
It’s the word that inspired the great matriarchs of our world:
- Mary was misjudged and ostracized. Nevertheless, she reared the Savior Himself.
- Eve was exiled from Eden. Nevertheless, she chose experience, and ultimately, joy.
It’s the word uniting one era of miracles to the next.
People rejected and stoned the prophets. Robbers and plagues threatened destruction. Sacred records were hidden and buried for centuries. A young boy’s vision and calling were disparaged. A pioneer people were persecuted.
Nevertheless: Revelation. Restoration. Resurrection. Redemption.
Against. All. Odds.
In a way, it is the word at the core of the plan of happiness itself—the heartbeat of our heavenly parents’ divine wisdom: They know that the road to joyous eternity winds through perilous mortality. They knew that their children would forget Them, suffer, struggle, and hurt each other. They knew we would have to face evil to fully embrace good.
Nevertheless, the plan was set into motion. Despite every mortal risk, we were worth the investment.
Life will hurl evil and horror and grief and sorrow with all the indifference of this planet’s own natural storms. No one born into mortality is exempt from its effects.
Nevertheless, we have a Savior.
“All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things” (2 Nephi 2:24).
We ourselves will walk through darkness and face opposition, with all of its unfamiliar faces. Life will be messy—even terrifying and heartbreaking.
“Nevertheless,” comes the calm promise, “I will bring you up again out of the depths… I [will] prepare you against these things which shall come” (Ether 2:24–25).
Against all odds, purpose pierces the bleak expanse. Light endlessly adapts, defying darkness.
It’s the word that beats in my heart when I come face to face with the insurmountable—when I am exhausted, perplexed, terrified.
Nevertheless.
In spite of it all.
Against all odds.
It is, in a word, the miracle of the universe:
“Nevertheless, [we] know in whom [we] have trusted” (2 Nephi 4:19).
More inspiring articles about the Book of Mormon.
▶ How to feel happier: 4 hints from the Book of Mormon
▶ 3 ways we may misunderstand ‘Moroni’s promise’ (and how the truth helps build testimony)
▶ How can the Book of Mormon help me understand what happens in the temple?
