Ramblings on staying the course

Mormon 6 & 7

I guess I never got back to my scriptures after I finished reading my chapter yesterday. Just as well, as I read it again this morning and I didn't even remember I had read 6 until I read about the tens of thousands who were slain and the note I wrote that at this time that Mormon was 74. Seventy four and still leading the armies! Does that strike anyone with the strength of who Mormon was? I'm in awe of this man. Truly!

Mormon hides up the plates and then holds out the last few so he can write of the death and destruction of his people. Chapter 6 Verse 17 stands out as he writes of his sadness, “O ye fair ones! How could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord?” How is that done? I know how I departed. I really didn't know enough. I hadn't read the Book of Mormon from beginning to end even once. I don't even know if I knew what it was about. Why it wasn't stressed as a daily must in those days, I'm not certain. I have memories of my dad reading the scriptures. I know they were carried to church. But I'm not complaining because I did have the choice experience of conversion and when I was introduced to the Book of Mormon, it was a very sweet experience and one that I will forever remember. How I do love this book! How I love the promises it holds. How I love the hope it gives for all of us, as Mormon talks about the day of judgement. We will be judged according to our works, he says. “. . . he doeth with you according to his justice and mercy.” And the footnote for mercy brings us to Alma 26:16 “. . . who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel. I pray for that mercy for myself and for those I love. I have no doubt that the Lord will be merciful. What I know is that even He can't change the blessings we will miss out on if we do not repent before we leave this earth life – the opportunities lost, the joy missed, the many experiences we will not have. This is huge. I've pondered many times the things I might have experienced had I taken a different road. But I've had an incredible life and I'm not complaining – just curious to know what I missed out on. Imagine reaching the end of your life and finding out that the things you had spurned all your life were indeed true, and you had not partaken of the better part. Oh the sorrow!

So I'm rambling. What does all this have to do with me today? Hold to the rod! (Read your scriptures.) Carry on! (Continue to serve.) Press forward saints with a steadfastness in Christ! Get the picture? Stay the course – onward and upward!