3 Nephi 14 - ASK

Jesus is still speaking to the people and teaching them. He teaches them not to judge and to ask God who will not deny them. Salvation is promised to those who do the will of the Father.

In verse 7 it says “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.”

This verse has personal significance to me. My life was pretty messed up and I was miserable. I had been taught by my parents and teachers all my life. I knew how to pray. I had not prayed for years – nine in fact! I don't remember exactly what it was that took me to my knees, but I remember kneeling at the side of my bed in total desperation – very broken. My prayer was not as I was taught as a child, however. I pleaded with the Lord: “Heavenly Father, whatever it is my parents are praying for, I'm ready to do to have it happen.” I cannot even begin to count the miracles that happened from that point on. It was so amazing and life changing.

The Lord has ever been mindful of my righteous prayers. There have been many times since that I have seen immediate results from pleading for help. One in particular was a day I was stewing over the possibility that a sibling was going to hurt my Dad terribly. I was distraught and finally went to my Heavenly Father. I was told to call my older and wiser brother who put me totally at ease. He said, “Connie, every experience we have is for our good and for our experience. Dad is a strong person and he will be fine.” I hung up from that conversation with a song in my heart the rest of the day. It was a real lesson to me that the Lord does answer our prayers. By the way, all was well on the day I feared for my Dad.

How does this apply to me today. Of course, I continue to have faith that the Lord hears and answers my prayers. He will not take the agency of others away from them, and they will make mistakes. However, I know that all things that happen are for our good and our experience – them as well as me. And like Pres. Hinckley so aptly said, “It will be okay.”

Seek Ye First. . .

3 Nephi 13 - Given the way this day has started, I think I'm going to focus on verse 32-34 on this chapter. Jesus is still with the people of Nephi. He has singled out the Twelve and is teaching them about ministering. In the last three verses, he tells them not to worry about the things of this world. He tells them the Lord knows of their needs even before they ask. They are admonished to “. . . seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Although he was speaking to the Twelve, this counsel applies to us in many ways. Sometimes we get too caught up in the concerns of the day when it is building the Lord's kingdom here on earth and seeking for Eternal Life that is the only thing of serious consequence.

I was awakened by my son to see if I'd like to take in an endowment session with him this morning. He had a troubled night. How grateful I am that the temple is where he wants to take his troubles. Even more grateful that he would include me in this effort. Would we not all be served well to do this each time we have problems?

In the prayer at the end of the session, the officiator prayed that we would seek be more tolerant. This is a phrase I can't say I've ever heard in that setting before. It got my attention. It struck a chord with my son as well and he mentioned it to me later. He also was shown in his mind something about his dearest friendship that almost wasn't because he was tempted in the beginning not to be tolerant of things that bothered him – things that did not matter at all. Because he worked through those, he has been blessed with an amazing best friend and example in his life. He is like a second son to me. So this caught his attention and he felt blessed because of it and encouraged to move forward.

I am so grateful to have a temple nearby where I can seek for the calm that sometimes eludes me. I'm grateful for a son who has found this same blessing in his life and will afford himself the time to do so. My cup runneth over this morning and I am most grateful for my life and the amazing children and husband I've been blessed with. They teach me and have made me the person I am. Life is sweet!

Love Factor

3 Nephi 12 – Jesus calls the Twelve and then teaches the Nephites similar to his Sermon on the Mount.

I was in a class where we studied this chapter and I have written all over my margins. The people had laws before, but Christ is fine tuning them here. What has changed? He puts in the love factor, aka civility and respect for others. I wrote in the margin: “Beatitudes are building blocks to heaven.” Also, “How to endure to the end.”

As I apply these (Beatitudes) in my life, what do I change? Do I change? I know the answer to this is a resounding YES!

Before I turned back and was converted to the gospel and made corrections in my life, it was a very me-centered existence. I can't think of anything I may have done to go out of my way to help someone else. I have to say those were miserable years. How is it that in serving ourselves, we can be so miserable? Doesn't that seem a bit backwards? There are numerous items in this chapter that say it is no

• If we're poor in spirit (aka humble), we gain the kingdom of heaven.
• If we mourn, we'll be comforted.
• Hunger and thirst after righteousness, we're filled with the Holy Ghost
• If we're merciful, we'll obtain mercy.
• If we're pure in heart, we'll see God
• If we're peacemakers, we'll be called God's children
• If we're persecuted for Christ's sake, we'll inherit the kingdom of God, have joy.

Love is the factor that changed when the Savior came to earth. He exhibited it numerous times. The one that is the most evident is how he treated women. Prior to Christ's coming to earth, women were “owned”, aka property. I am so very grateful for this change in the Christian world and I ache for women who live in the world where they are still owned. I'm also grateful for the commission to love others and serve others. There is no joy greater than being the answer to someone else's prayer. There are days when I hit the mark. That's when the spirit testifies strongly to me that things are working for me. That the Lord is pleased with my efforts and will continue to guide me.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and brings us joy. This chapter tells us how to do it.

Wise Counsel

3 Nephi 11 – Christ appears unto the people who are at the temple marveling at the changes that have taken place. God the Father testified of Jesus Christ and the gospel doctrine is given to the people after they have had an opportunity to touch the wounds in his hands and side. Just as a side note, this took approximately 12 hours to accomplish if each of the 2500 people took just 15 seconds.

Christ makes a special effort to let them know that he is one with the Father and the Holy Ghost and that they are one with him. He also tells them in verse 29 that contention is of the devil. “. . . he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil. . .” This is a verse I think of often as contention seems to constantly knock at the door of our lives. We need to work hard to keep it out of our lives. This was the verse that came to mind as I sat in a meeting with sales people trying to convince my husband of a health product I had belief in already. This meeting was going nowhere and felt like it was becoming contentious. Once I realized what was happening, I ended the discussion and asked them to go home to their families. I returned their product and said I was at peace following the guidance of my husband – even though I don't necessarily agree with his belief. We are one on this decision. Peace has returned to our home.

How does this apply to me. Well, that's just one example. I've spent time in the temple since then trying to really feel the peace of this decision. I have been told by the Spirit on several occasions in the past that I will be better served by listening to my husband's counsel than striking out on my own on something I believe. So far, I can say the blessings have been in abundance and that this was wise counsel from the spirit. I heed it this time, because it has not failed me yet.   

There are many things in this chapter I could focus on, and they did not go unnoticed as I read.  This one however, was what I needed at this time.  

Carry on!

3 Nephi 10 -  After silence for many hours, the people hear the voice of Christ. He repeats three times his promise to gather his people as a hen gathers its chickens. It is the more righteous of the people who survived the upheaval of the land.

How would I have felt to be one of those remaining? Where were those who were taken? What were the people told to do by the voice of the Savior? Did they know who was speaking to them at this time? What is the reader (me) supposed to do with this information?

I find it interesting that the people so quickly went from mourning their losses to praising their Savior. What changed for them? They heard the voice of the Savior. When I mourn the loss of something, how can I hear the voice of my Savior? Through the scriptures. In verse 14, we're told to search the scriptures. This is good advice – insurance against the time that I might feel to mourn or lament a loss. Why search the scriptures? Because we are told over and over there is a plan for us. We are to fulfill that plan. With that in mind, how would I feel to be left remaining? I would know it was part of the plan, just as I know that when the world is in a state of constant upheaval and wickedness, etc., that it was prophesied to be so and that I must avoid at all costs getting swept up in the wickedness so that I will be “left remaining” some day.

Where were those not remaining taken? Modern scriptures tell us they were taken to spirit prison. A topic for another day.

The Savior told them to repent. Even though they were spared, there were still areas where they needed to repent. We will never be as good as we will be with the Savior's help. There will always be room for improvement. This is a good thing. We won't ever run out of things we can do better.

So what am I supposed to do with this information? Repent and study the scriptures and the words of the prophets. Carry on!

As a Little Child

3 Nephi 9 – Christ's voice appears to the people in the darkness. He testifies of himself and the destruction is his doing. He tells them that the reason they were not destroyed was because they were more righteous than those who were destroyed. He calls them to repent and (v13) “. . . return unto me. . .” If they do, they will have eternal life (v14).

How do we come unto Christ? Joseph Smith from Lectures on Faith said, “Let me here observe that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things has not the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation . . . salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things.” Am I willing to sacrifice? Do I?

In verse 20, that sacrifice is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Christ doesn't want their burnt offerings any more. The only thing we can sacrifice is our “will”. Then in verse 22, as he calls them to repent and come unto Him, he says, “as a little child”. Little children do not understand. They do what they are asked because they trust their parents. We are asked to do no more than that. We must trust the Lord and have the faith to turn away from all things of this world to claim the blessings promised of a better world.

Some feel they must understand everything before they can do what is required of them. If they don't, they give up and are swept away in the current of worldly attractions. Our real challenge is to have the faith of a little child sufficient to save us from being destroyed and not worthy of claiming our celestial promises. The blessings come after the trial of our faith. I know this was true in my own conversion. I knew I was miserable and I saw others enjoying their lives. I started eliminating those behaviors that were inconsistent with the gospel. Some were not huge changes, but line upon line, I was blessed for my efforts until I could see the cause and effect. The Lord wants to bless us. He wants us to be happy. I know it grieves him to see us suffer, but there is a process and we must follow that process. The Lord has a plan for each of us. When we go against that plan, we reap nothing but heartache and sorrow. We can expect nothing more than what the wicked received when the Savior destroyed the evil in the land.

The Light of the World

3 Nephi 8 – The earth is entirely changed because of earthquakes, tempests, etc. because of the crucifixion of Christ. Those who survived moaned because they did not repent. For three hours there were earthquakes, etc. Then there was total darkness.

I've been in an earthquake, and I can only imagine how terrifying that had to be. Three hours! What horror, but those who survived it knew what caused it, which is why they wished they had repented.

Verse 21 - “There could be no light. . .”  This condition was for three days - the same amount of time the Savior was declared dead until he returned as a resurrected being.  A man I met, who had a spiritual and near-death experience, returned to his body with a very strong testimony that all light is from the Savior. This all makes total sense. The Savior of the world was crucified and the light of the world was gone.

We know the Savior is going to return to the earth and there are signs today that indicate it won't be that long. What am I doing to prepare for this experience? Do I know what to expect? I see the hand of God in the many disasters that are taking place in the world today. God certainly knows how to get the attention of his people, but does it change the behavior? Not a whole lot. Those who get it, are humbled.

In answer to my question, do I know what to expect? I need to study a little more what to expect again. We have tried to prepare temporally, and there is a lot I feel good about, but there is always more we could and probably should do. I see neighbors building gardens that look like Fort Knox against the enemy (deer), and I feel uncomfortable that we aren't doing the same. But I have food storage, and a garden wouldn't change that.

Spiritually? I try hard to be worthy of the spirit in my life.  

3 Nephi 7 – The Nephites begin to contend and break off into tribes.  I've written in the margin “think about gangs”.  Even though they aren't waring against each other, there is a lot of strife in the land “because they did yield themselves unto the power of Satan.”  (v5)

The Nephites became Apostates.  What happens when a member of the church becomes an apostate?  This is something I am watching in my personal life and this chapter helps to bring it into focus.  Here are some of the points I picked out:

• Great contention in the land (families?) (v5)
• Secret combinations (lies, lies, lies) (v9)
• United in hatred of those who had entered into a covenant (v11)
• Flattered the dissenters (v12)
• Hearts turned from God and they stoned the prophets (v14)

As I watch a daughter transform before my very eyes.   There is a tremendous amount of contention between family members.  I see her embracing “friends” over family where just a short time ago, nothing was more important to her than being with family.  I don't know when truth is being spoken.  There seems to be real contempt for those who keep their covenants. 

Since I've experienced some of these things in my life before gaining my own testimony, I understand the “flattered the dissenters” portion of this transformation.  You become friends with those who require nothing of you to be your friend.  It is so flattering to have “friends” who do not judge.  Oh what a trap!

But we don't have our dissenters stoning prophets, you might say.  I disagree.  When the words of the prophets are blatantly disregarded, it is in effect the same.  If we know a prophet has counseled us to do even the simplest thing, and we choose blatantly to disregard it, it is as if we stoned the prophets. 

How does the prophet Nephi deal with this? 

• Grieved (oh that's the easy one)
• Began to testify boldly regarding repentance and remission of sins (a little harder)
• Testified of faith on the Lord Jesus Christ

There is more in this chapter.  Some repent.  Some do not.  So how does this apply to me today?  I've already drawn the parallel between the dissenting Nephites and a loved one.  My task is to not withhold my testimony.  The grieving is a constant.   

Being United is Being Protected

3 Nephi 4 - I'm having no trouble finding correlation to this chapter in my personal life at all today. The Nephite armies defeat their enemies. It gives several things that allowed this to happen:

• They were in one body, aka united (v3 & v4)
• They were prayerful (v8)
• They did not fear, but prayed to God for protection (v10)
• They were prepared (v10)

My personal life was screaming at me this morning as I read. We've had an issue that has challenged us greatly the past month. I believe in a product that Clyde says is bogus, a lie, a scam – an MLM scam which is taking big money from many families. As we visited with two who were selling this product last night, it was quite confrontational, but we maintained civility for the most part. After a time, I realized that the conversation had turned contentious. It was not worth it to me to continue. I felt at peace – total peace in ending our discussion. I'm disappointed; but I'm at peace.

It is quite clear from reading 3 Nephi 4 that being in “one body” is critical to protecting us from the adversary. If you are divided amongst yourselves, you become enemies to each other and vulnerable to the attacks of the real enemy – Satan. We must remember this as we go through our personal lives. There are many things in the world today to take issue with. How many of them are really important? Actually, only those as they pertain to eternity. Clyde and I have maintained from the beginning of our marriage that if it is not of eternal consequence, it is of no consequence.

Sometimes this is not the easiest to do, but I was told by the spirit through temple attendance nearly 17 years ago that I would be better served by honoring my husband's wishes than I would be to strike out on my own, even on things that I believe to be true. The Lord has blessed me abundantly these last 17 years and I have no doubt he will continue to do so. Products comes and go. Marriage is for eternity.

Gadianton Robbers or Gangs, it is the same.

Lest ye think I haven't read my scriptures for a week, I will defend myself. It is handwritten in my iPad and I think I will start where I got to on my bike ride. Going back could be discouraging.  I may go back at a later date.

3 Nephi 3 – The Gadianton leader, Giddianhi, writes an epistle to Lachoneus, the leader of the Nephites and makes numerous demands that they join them in their efforts. Of course, Lachoneus sees through this and instead of bending to the flattery, intimidation, lies and threats, he fortifies his people.

I have written in the margins that this is comparable to a letter from Satan to our youth. The technics used by the Gadianton Robbers are the same as those used by the leaders of gangs, terrorists, etc.

So what does Lachoneus do to “fortify”? Verses12 through 21 –

• He doesn't listen to or fear evil.
• They prayed to the Lord for strength.
• He sent out a proclamation to gather the people together.
• He wasn't secretive.
• They united their efforts and set out guards to protect – day and night.
• Repented of their wrongs.
• Followed the prophet (Gidgiddoni), and righteous leaders (chief captains).
• He refused to contend.

How can this apply to me today? Well, we've been told by our prophet to be prepared for what the future holds. The most recent example was the counsel we received a few years ago for husbands to get out of debt. Those who followed this counsel have been blessed abundantly. They still have their homes and are surviving the financial downturn this country has been going through for the past three years. Following the prophet is the first thing. Do not fear. Faith and faith cannot coexist. Pray for strength each day. Surround ourselves with those who are doing the same. Unite in our fight against evil. 

In verse 25 it says: “. . . they should be strong with armor. . .” We've been told by our leaders that this is the armor of God, i.e. (Ephesians 6:14-18) . . .having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Boiled down: 

• Know the truth and embrace it. 
• Know the Gospel; it brings peace
• Have faith to conquer the wicked
• Live worthy of the Spirit of God which comes through the word of God, i.e. scriptures and words of our modern prophets.
• Pray, pray, pray – earnestly and humbly.   
• Persevere

Remember - A power word!

Helaman 11 – The Lord has an amazing way of helping us reach the point of remembrance.  It is called PAIN.  When life hurts enough, remembering will cause us to desire.  Desire what?  For the pain to go away; for the cause of the pain to go away.

When the Nephites were starving because of the famine they were told by a prophet would come, they remembered the words of that prophet and went to him to ask the Lord to end the famine.  That required faith and humility.  They were admitting that they had made a mistake.  Going to the prophet required not only faith, but humility.  Were they changing?  I suspect some of them were sincerely aware of their errant ways. 

As I listened carefully to the sacrament prayer this morning, the words “remember Him” struck me with force.  When it hurts, do we turn to the prophet to ask him to go to the Lord?  No!  We remember our Savior, Jesus Christ, and his promises.  How do we remember?  We humble ourselves by kneeling in prayer and asking forgiveness for our errant behavior.  Then we make the necessary changes.  We remember our covenants and turn to those covenants and remember what is required to claim those promises.  We make the changes.  Our Savior is quick to bless us for the faith it requires to remember.  This has been my own experience and I have watched it work for others in this say way.  Remember.  A powerful word!

He will provide

Helaman 10 – If you had just been shown a miracle like Nephi calling out a murderer, would you just walk away from he who had performed the miracle?  Wouldn’t you want to be by him and hear what else he had to say?  Apparently not, if you are wicked – even after a witness – a miracle.

Nephi leaves the people to go home and the Lord visits him as he is pondering the events of the day.  He blesses him and basically Nephi’s calling and election is made sure.  He gives him power to do all things – seal on earth and heaven – and gives him the assignment to warn the people that they will be smitten if they don’t repent.  He walked back to the multitude to deliver the message.  He didn’t go home first to warn his family of the plan.  I would think he had made his own preparations.  He is protected and able to get the message to all the people because of the Spirit’s protection.  He was on the Lord’s errand.

When we are serving the Lord, the Lord provides the means.  As I currently struggle just a little with the logistics of a church assignment from my Stake President, I must remember this.  So far, I’ve been led to people who have helped educate me.  I need to trust in the Lord that I’ll find a way to share this information with those who need it.  That is my dilemma.  But I too am on the Lord’s errand.  It has been my experience (and I have faith this will continue), that He will provide a way.