1 Nephi 19
Nephi makes the plates of brass because he was commanded to do so. It must have seemed odd to him that the Lord would require two copies of the same history. How wonderful that he obeyed the Lord. Had he not, we would be without this part of scripture. I'm currently reading Joseph Smith's History by his mother, Lucy Mack Smith. The account she makes of the event where the 116 pages of manuscript are lost are riveting. The pain that entire family went through when they were lost is gut-wrenching. They all cried hard because they feared for Joseph's eternal well being. The interesting thing to me is that Martin Harris had them in his possession until the day before Joseph arrived to see why he hadn't returned with them and that Martin Harris was guilty of showing them to many people – not just his wife.
I pondered verse 7 this morning where Nephi talks about men trampling under their feet the very God of Israel. That would be Jesus Christ. How is this done? Am I guilty of it? I certainly would hope not, but it is easier to do than one would think. Nephi goes on to describe how this is done: “they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels.” Where does the voice of his counsels come from? The scriptures, our modern-day prophets, a.k.a. Conference talks. Do I study these things? Do I heed the counsel in them? This is a question we should constantly be asking ourselves. I NEVER want to be on that side of the fence again. My desire is to be the one who spreads the good news that He lives. He loves his children and we are all his children. He will come to the rescue if we so desire. I have learned this for myself and it is my deepest desire that each of my children and grandchildren will know this from their own life's experiences.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Keep on Moving!
1 Nephi 18
I know I've missed a few chapters. I read them, but some days do not lend themselves to much pondering. Today I'll just say that Nephi has been commanded to build a ship, it is finished and they launch for the promised land. I marvel at the faith to follow through. Laman and Lemuel murmur, but I believe that deep down they knew Nephi was being guided. They weren't smart enough to have their own plan so all they did was make trouble for Nephi.
I'm always intrigued when I read about their rudeness in verse 9. I looked the word up in the dictionary. Rudeness is uncouth and vulgar. I know what that looks like. When people who are without moral moorings get together in a close environment for very long, they become vulgar in their speech and actions and things that are private or sacred are joked about freely. No doubt the Lord would be displeased with this behavior and binding Nephi up would certainly be the last straw for the Lord.
It's interesting to note that Nephi doesn't spend any time at all in retaliation or scolding them when they do loose the bands. Instead, he praises the Lord. This is a real example to us as we go through our personal trials. Don't play the blame game, but keep moving forward.
When they reach the promised land, they instantly go to work planting seeds and working the ground. Another great example.
What does it all mean for me? There will be difficulties in life. We signed up for them when we came to earth. This is an imperfect world and we are trying to become perfect in it – not an easy task. Be like Nephi. Give praise to God even in the extremities of life. Don't hold anger and grudges towards those who are making the way difficult. Keep on moving!
I know I've missed a few chapters. I read them, but some days do not lend themselves to much pondering. Today I'll just say that Nephi has been commanded to build a ship, it is finished and they launch for the promised land. I marvel at the faith to follow through. Laman and Lemuel murmur, but I believe that deep down they knew Nephi was being guided. They weren't smart enough to have their own plan so all they did was make trouble for Nephi.
I'm always intrigued when I read about their rudeness in verse 9. I looked the word up in the dictionary. Rudeness is uncouth and vulgar. I know what that looks like. When people who are without moral moorings get together in a close environment for very long, they become vulgar in their speech and actions and things that are private or sacred are joked about freely. No doubt the Lord would be displeased with this behavior and binding Nephi up would certainly be the last straw for the Lord.
It's interesting to note that Nephi doesn't spend any time at all in retaliation or scolding them when they do loose the bands. Instead, he praises the Lord. This is a real example to us as we go through our personal trials. Don't play the blame game, but keep moving forward.
When they reach the promised land, they instantly go to work planting seeds and working the ground. Another great example.
What does it all mean for me? There will be difficulties in life. We signed up for them when we came to earth. This is an imperfect world and we are trying to become perfect in it – not an easy task. Be like Nephi. Give praise to God even in the extremities of life. Don't hold anger and grudges towards those who are making the way difficult. Keep on moving!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Be an Example of the Word
1 Nephi 15
Nephi returns after his vision and attempts to teach his brothers about the Gentiles in the latter days, the gathering of Israel. He interprets the vision of the tree of life.
Several years ago as I was reading my scriptures, I was searching for Promises and Costs. I wrote a couple in the margins of this chapter. One was “God will reveal truth”. The cost: Ask (v3, 8, 11). It is a rather simple thing. “Have ye inquired of the Lord?” Do you really want to know the truth? If so, sincerely ask Heavenly Father to show you. Then do those things Nephi did. Will it be as powerful as having a personal guide? Probably not, because we have our own personal guide in the scriptures. That is where we find the truth.
The second Promise is “They would not be destroyed by Satan”. Cost: “Hearken to scriptures; word of God” v24. How can we hearken if we do not read? How can we hold fast if we never read. It is critical that we gain a love for the scriptures in order to provide safety for ourselves from the fiery darts of the adversary. If we do not, then blindness is what we can expect and we will be led away to destruction.
The day will come when we will all be judged by our works (v32). Are those works connected to our reading the scriptures? Without a doubt! It is because when we read and then heed, we will change. As we change, our focus will change with us. We will want to be more like our Savior, i.e. kinder, more aware of the needs of those around us because they are our brothers and sisters. We will strive to be examples of righteousness. It is a natural process – slow, but natural.
What were my thoughts as I pondered this morning on this topic? I have to admit that sometimes as a parent and grandparent, I don't speak up. A perfect example is Sunday when we had dinner with one of our children's family. Something irreverent was said. We quickly changed the subject. Good for us. But I believe we missed a perfect opportunity to talk about modesty in not only dress, but speech. I kick myself, but I will try to do better in the future.
Nephi returns after his vision and attempts to teach his brothers about the Gentiles in the latter days, the gathering of Israel. He interprets the vision of the tree of life.
Several years ago as I was reading my scriptures, I was searching for Promises and Costs. I wrote a couple in the margins of this chapter. One was “God will reveal truth”. The cost: Ask (v3, 8, 11). It is a rather simple thing. “Have ye inquired of the Lord?” Do you really want to know the truth? If so, sincerely ask Heavenly Father to show you. Then do those things Nephi did. Will it be as powerful as having a personal guide? Probably not, because we have our own personal guide in the scriptures. That is where we find the truth.
The second Promise is “They would not be destroyed by Satan”. Cost: “Hearken to scriptures; word of God” v24. How can we hearken if we do not read? How can we hold fast if we never read. It is critical that we gain a love for the scriptures in order to provide safety for ourselves from the fiery darts of the adversary. If we do not, then blindness is what we can expect and we will be led away to destruction.
The day will come when we will all be judged by our works (v32). Are those works connected to our reading the scriptures? Without a doubt! It is because when we read and then heed, we will change. As we change, our focus will change with us. We will want to be more like our Savior, i.e. kinder, more aware of the needs of those around us because they are our brothers and sisters. We will strive to be examples of righteousness. It is a natural process – slow, but natural.
What were my thoughts as I pondered this morning on this topic? I have to admit that sometimes as a parent and grandparent, I don't speak up. A perfect example is Sunday when we had dinner with one of our children's family. Something irreverent was said. We quickly changed the subject. Good for us. But I believe we missed a perfect opportunity to talk about modesty in not only dress, but speech. I kick myself, but I will try to do better in the future.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
1 Nephi 14
This chapter is chilling to me. Nephi's tour of the span of man continues to the end of man. He is shown that there are only two churches on the earth. The saints of God (in other words, the Gospel of Jesus Christ), shall be in all nations and his people are persecuted by the great and abominable church. He's told not to write all that he sees because the Apostle John was shown the same thing and instructed to write it. This would be the Book of Revelation in the New Testament.
I will never forget the first time I read this chapter and realized there are only two churches. That is a sobering thought. Even though there is some truth in all of them, Satan has twisted the doctrine and truths such that it is a stumbling block for the children of men. Oh the craftiness of Satan! Because of this, there are wars and rumors of wars continually upon the earth. Satan keeps the children of men angry with each other and they dig a pit for the destruction of men and it is “filled by those who digged it. . .” v3.
It is not difficult for me to see this in the world. When I watch the news, it is plain to me that the world is being destroyed by itself! People are waring and deceiving each other to the point of destruction. The power of the Lamb of God descends upon the covenant people who are scattered upon the face of the earth and they are armed with righteousness and the power of God! V14 You see this as you read reports from saints who are serving missions throughout all the world. They have no need to fear. The Lord is their guide and protector. This verse is one of great comfort and if one is not of a covenant relationship with the Savior, it is time to be there. It is obvious the rain falls on the righteous as well as the wicked, but as we keep our covenants, we can see how the Lord blesses these trials that come to our good, and those with eyes to see, understand.
So how does this apply to me today? I must hold strong to the covenants I have made with the Lord, returning to the temple frequently to renew them and doing all in my power to help others do the same. Who are those others? They are my children, grandchildren and those with whom I have stewardship over in my calling for now. The day will come when it is those with whom I have been called to serve on a mission. So how do I teach? Example. That is the only way I know how. I will follow the teachings, and whenever opportunity to help someone else comes, I will do so.
This chapter is chilling to me. Nephi's tour of the span of man continues to the end of man. He is shown that there are only two churches on the earth. The saints of God (in other words, the Gospel of Jesus Christ), shall be in all nations and his people are persecuted by the great and abominable church. He's told not to write all that he sees because the Apostle John was shown the same thing and instructed to write it. This would be the Book of Revelation in the New Testament.
I will never forget the first time I read this chapter and realized there are only two churches. That is a sobering thought. Even though there is some truth in all of them, Satan has twisted the doctrine and truths such that it is a stumbling block for the children of men. Oh the craftiness of Satan! Because of this, there are wars and rumors of wars continually upon the earth. Satan keeps the children of men angry with each other and they dig a pit for the destruction of men and it is “filled by those who digged it. . .” v3.
It is not difficult for me to see this in the world. When I watch the news, it is plain to me that the world is being destroyed by itself! People are waring and deceiving each other to the point of destruction. The power of the Lamb of God descends upon the covenant people who are scattered upon the face of the earth and they are armed with righteousness and the power of God! V14 You see this as you read reports from saints who are serving missions throughout all the world. They have no need to fear. The Lord is their guide and protector. This verse is one of great comfort and if one is not of a covenant relationship with the Savior, it is time to be there. It is obvious the rain falls on the righteous as well as the wicked, but as we keep our covenants, we can see how the Lord blesses these trials that come to our good, and those with eyes to see, understand.
So how does this apply to me today? I must hold strong to the covenants I have made with the Lord, returning to the temple frequently to renew them and doing all in my power to help others do the same. Who are those others? They are my children, grandchildren and those with whom I have stewardship over in my calling for now. The day will come when it is those with whom I have been called to serve on a mission. So how do I teach? Example. That is the only way I know how. I will follow the teachings, and whenever opportunity to help someone else comes, I will do so.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tour of Span of Man continues
1 Nephi 12 & 13
As I read this morning, I was guilty of not giving it the time it deserves. Try as I will, there are those days. Just the same. . . . Nephi's tour of the span of man continues. He is shown the Americas and the discovery by men guided by the Spirit. He is shown the destruction at the crucifixion of the Savior, the Savior's appearance to the Nephites, the four hundred years of righteousness and pride coming into the lives of the people once more and the destruction of his people.
Again, I marvel at the idea of being shown such amazing things by an angel. I've been reading the Book of Mormon for many years now and each time I reach these two chapters I am amazed at the description of the world's history as it is taught. Columbus was driven to explore. What exactly was it that was driving him? It was the Spirit of the Lord. Since this is so easily identified, to me it only gives credence to the truth of the Book of Mormon and should cause us to take seriously the things being taught.
As I read this morning, I was guilty of not giving it the time it deserves. Try as I will, there are those days. Just the same. . . . Nephi's tour of the span of man continues. He is shown the Americas and the discovery by men guided by the Spirit. He is shown the destruction at the crucifixion of the Savior, the Savior's appearance to the Nephites, the four hundred years of righteousness and pride coming into the lives of the people once more and the destruction of his people.
Again, I marvel at the idea of being shown such amazing things by an angel. I've been reading the Book of Mormon for many years now and each time I reach these two chapters I am amazed at the description of the world's history as it is taught. Columbus was driven to explore. What exactly was it that was driving him? It was the Spirit of the Lord. Since this is so easily identified, to me it only gives credence to the truth of the Book of Mormon and should cause us to take seriously the things being taught.
Private Interview with Savior
1 Nephi 11
Nephi is shown the spirit of the Lord and also the tree of life, Mary, the crucifixion of the Savior and the fall of the prideful, aka the great and spacious building.
I can't imagine what it must have been like for Nephi to have had this very private exchange with the Savior and then with an angel. Why was he given this great privilege? The answer is in v1: “as I sat pondering in mine heart. . .” Why is it so hard to give the pondering the required time and place to have a similar effect? Why must we always be in a hurry to get to the next thing, i.e. the day's work, or sleep, depending on the time of day. Even now as I'm reading mid-day, I have on my mind the next thing I'll be doing. This has got to be not only displeasing to Heavenly Father, but it cheats me out of having my own private time with the Lord. Nephi was told at least eight times to “look”. Do I really look when I'm reading? Do I dig? Oh, I really try to. I could do so much better.
Julie Beck said an interesting thing in a talk I listened to. She said, “. . . and in that moment when we prepare for our most important interview with our Savior. . .” She was talking about a simple, daily prayer! Do I prepare to pray? Do I give it the time and the introspection that is required to be given the gifts I so desire? These are questions worthy of pondering all by themselves.
The sad thing in this chapter is where Nephi actually sees the crucifixion of the Savior and then the persecution of the apostles. When we can “see”, it is so very difficult to understand such hatred and such blindness. The fall of the great and spacious building, aka the pride of the world, is another sad thing Nephi witnessed. This is especially sad when you think you may have loved ones who reside in that great and spacious building. “Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
Nephi is shown the spirit of the Lord and also the tree of life, Mary, the crucifixion of the Savior and the fall of the prideful, aka the great and spacious building.
I can't imagine what it must have been like for Nephi to have had this very private exchange with the Savior and then with an angel. Why was he given this great privilege? The answer is in v1: “as I sat pondering in mine heart. . .” Why is it so hard to give the pondering the required time and place to have a similar effect? Why must we always be in a hurry to get to the next thing, i.e. the day's work, or sleep, depending on the time of day. Even now as I'm reading mid-day, I have on my mind the next thing I'll be doing. This has got to be not only displeasing to Heavenly Father, but it cheats me out of having my own private time with the Lord. Nephi was told at least eight times to “look”. Do I really look when I'm reading? Do I dig? Oh, I really try to. I could do so much better.
Julie Beck said an interesting thing in a talk I listened to. She said, “. . . and in that moment when we prepare for our most important interview with our Savior. . .” She was talking about a simple, daily prayer! Do I prepare to pray? Do I give it the time and the introspection that is required to be given the gifts I so desire? These are questions worthy of pondering all by themselves.
The sad thing in this chapter is where Nephi actually sees the crucifixion of the Savior and then the persecution of the apostles. When we can “see”, it is so very difficult to understand such hatred and such blindness. The fall of the great and spacious building, aka the pride of the world, is another sad thing Nephi witnessed. This is especially sad when you think you may have loved ones who reside in that great and spacious building. “Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
Monday, August 22, 2011
Holy Ghost
1 Nephi 10
Nephi recounts the things his father has learned through prophecy. He speaks of the Savior, Messiah and Redeemer of the world and that without Him, we would all be lost and fallen (v6). He tells us that we will know him by the power of the Holy Ghost (17). My favorite is a scripture mastery, however, and a verse that son-in-law, Danny, quotes often: “For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him (18).”
Why is it so hard to believe that the Lord requires of us certain things? Why is it so difficult to believe that we will be judged according to our works here on earth? Why is it so difficult to equate wickedness to being unclean and therefore unfit to dwell with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again? Why does the possibility of an afterlife seem even like a story your parents have made up? I believe the answer to that question is found in verse 19. The word diligently means: painstakingly busy, actively, engaged, laborious. In other words, real effort must be given to the task of knowing for oneself. And when we do this, the “mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them (us), by the power of the Holy Ghost.” It is the Holy Ghost that makes the difference. We must make ourselves fit for his influence to teach us. It cannot be a casual effort or be something we are told by others without first seeking diligently on our own.
What does this mean to me? As someone who has received a testimony through the power of the Holy Ghost and as one who has influence to a degree on others, I need to be diligent in bearing my testimony to the truths of the Gospel – both as a mother and grandmother and as a servant of the Lord in my church calling.
Nephi recounts the things his father has learned through prophecy. He speaks of the Savior, Messiah and Redeemer of the world and that without Him, we would all be lost and fallen (v6). He tells us that we will know him by the power of the Holy Ghost (17). My favorite is a scripture mastery, however, and a verse that son-in-law, Danny, quotes often: “For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him (18).”
Why is it so hard to believe that the Lord requires of us certain things? Why is it so difficult to believe that we will be judged according to our works here on earth? Why is it so difficult to equate wickedness to being unclean and therefore unfit to dwell with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again? Why does the possibility of an afterlife seem even like a story your parents have made up? I believe the answer to that question is found in verse 19. The word diligently means: painstakingly busy, actively, engaged, laborious. In other words, real effort must be given to the task of knowing for oneself. And when we do this, the “mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them (us), by the power of the Holy Ghost.” It is the Holy Ghost that makes the difference. We must make ourselves fit for his influence to teach us. It cannot be a casual effort or be something we are told by others without first seeking diligently on our own.
What does this mean to me? As someone who has received a testimony through the power of the Holy Ghost and as one who has influence to a degree on others, I need to be diligent in bearing my testimony to the truths of the Gospel – both as a mother and grandmother and as a servant of the Lord in my church calling.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Book of Mormon blesses my life
1 Nephi 8 & 9
I've probably said it before, but it bears repeating. The fact that I'm able to have relative consistency in reading my scriptures has less to do with how spiritual I am and a lot more to do with “it's my season”. When I'm with the grandchildren, it is very difficult to get the quiet time it takes to ponder and have something to write about – much less have the time to do so. I still read; I just don't pontificate.
I was alone with nothing to do but read nearly all day on Friday afternoon as I waited for Clyde, Tyson, Tanner and Jacob to come to the cabin to work the next day. This gave me some amazing time. I had downloaded deseretbook.com and it came with several free books – one of which was Joseph Smith's biography by his mother, Lucy Mack Smith. What a treasure! How ironic that I am in the portion of the Book of Mormon where I had just read Lehi's vision of the tree of life. I'm sure I would have noticed it anyway, but both Lucy Mack Smith and her husband, Joseph, had very similar dreams as well. This was news to me. Their dreams were guided by a messenger, just as it was when Lehi was shown the same vision. One really wonders just how many people who have not received the gospel yet have had similar dreams. I'm sure it is many.
This morning as I read Nephi's explanation of the two books he was to call Nephi, my mind went to the account of the Jaradites in Ether as he explained the things he wrote on the book that was lost in the 116 pages of manuscript. It was a history of the reign of kings, their wars and contentions. I thought that was an interesting comparison.
How blessed I am to have the Book of Mormon to guide my life. What do I gain from reading daily? Some days it is just a comparison, as it has been this weekend. Always it is the satisfaction that I have pleased my Heavenly Father, which also pleases me. Daily it is a drop of oil that strengthens my resolve to do what I have covenanted to do and prepares me for a coming day.
I've probably said it before, but it bears repeating. The fact that I'm able to have relative consistency in reading my scriptures has less to do with how spiritual I am and a lot more to do with “it's my season”. When I'm with the grandchildren, it is very difficult to get the quiet time it takes to ponder and have something to write about – much less have the time to do so. I still read; I just don't pontificate.
I was alone with nothing to do but read nearly all day on Friday afternoon as I waited for Clyde, Tyson, Tanner and Jacob to come to the cabin to work the next day. This gave me some amazing time. I had downloaded deseretbook.com and it came with several free books – one of which was Joseph Smith's biography by his mother, Lucy Mack Smith. What a treasure! How ironic that I am in the portion of the Book of Mormon where I had just read Lehi's vision of the tree of life. I'm sure I would have noticed it anyway, but both Lucy Mack Smith and her husband, Joseph, had very similar dreams as well. This was news to me. Their dreams were guided by a messenger, just as it was when Lehi was shown the same vision. One really wonders just how many people who have not received the gospel yet have had similar dreams. I'm sure it is many.
This morning as I read Nephi's explanation of the two books he was to call Nephi, my mind went to the account of the Jaradites in Ether as he explained the things he wrote on the book that was lost in the 116 pages of manuscript. It was a history of the reign of kings, their wars and contentions. I thought that was an interesting comparison.
How blessed I am to have the Book of Mormon to guide my life. What do I gain from reading daily? Some days it is just a comparison, as it has been this weekend. Always it is the satisfaction that I have pleased my Heavenly Father, which also pleases me. Daily it is a drop of oil that strengthens my resolve to do what I have covenanted to do and prepares me for a coming day.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Short-term memory
1 Nephi 6 & 7
Nephi tells of the purpose of the Book of Mormon – to persuade men to come unto God of Abraham.
Nephi and his brothers return to Jeruselem for Ishamael and his daughters to join them in their journey. There was no murmuring at this request, but there was rebellion by Laman and Lemual and some of Ishmaels family on the way back to Lehi in the wilderness. The angst was that Nephi was taking charge and he was the younger brother. After all the miracles Laman and Lemuel had seen, they still doubted the validity of their mission. It surprises me that Ishmaels family so quickly gave up on the cause as well. What is it with the short-term memory? Do we see that sort of thing today. Absolutely! It is amazing to me at how quickly a person's life can go sour and I've seen several. Where does it begin? For one, I believe there is not a serious study of the Book of Mormon. I also believe it is the practice of praying that is lost. Once those two things slip, it is a fast decline to the point of disbelief and then active efforts to disprove it. Why is that? Why the need to discount what is working in other peoples' lives? I believe it is a power that Satan has been given.
So how can I keep from having this insidious disease creep into my own life and the lives of my family? As far as my family is concerned, I have no choice but to set a righteous example. As for my own life, I must continue my study of the Book of Mormon and other great books that testify of Christ and his mission. I must pray always for guidance and strength as did Nephi, to accomplish the tasks I'm given. I believe the Lord has our backs and will help us along the way as long as we're trying. This has proven true in my own life, and I have no doubt it will be the same in the lives of others.
Nephi tells of the purpose of the Book of Mormon – to persuade men to come unto God of Abraham.
Nephi and his brothers return to Jeruselem for Ishamael and his daughters to join them in their journey. There was no murmuring at this request, but there was rebellion by Laman and Lemual and some of Ishmaels family on the way back to Lehi in the wilderness. The angst was that Nephi was taking charge and he was the younger brother. After all the miracles Laman and Lemuel had seen, they still doubted the validity of their mission. It surprises me that Ishmaels family so quickly gave up on the cause as well. What is it with the short-term memory? Do we see that sort of thing today. Absolutely! It is amazing to me at how quickly a person's life can go sour and I've seen several. Where does it begin? For one, I believe there is not a serious study of the Book of Mormon. I also believe it is the practice of praying that is lost. Once those two things slip, it is a fast decline to the point of disbelief and then active efforts to disprove it. Why is that? Why the need to discount what is working in other peoples' lives? I believe it is a power that Satan has been given.
So how can I keep from having this insidious disease creep into my own life and the lives of my family? As far as my family is concerned, I have no choice but to set a righteous example. As for my own life, I must continue my study of the Book of Mormon and other great books that testify of Christ and his mission. I must pray always for guidance and strength as did Nephi, to accomplish the tasks I'm given. I believe the Lord has our backs and will help us along the way as long as we're trying. This has proven true in my own life, and I have no doubt it will be the same in the lives of others.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Of great worth. . .
1 Nephi 5
Lehi's sons had been gone quite some time and their mother, and wife of a prophet, started to complain. She was concerned for her sons and wondered if she would see them again. She called her husband a visionary man. (v2) He responded in the affirmative: “I know that I am a visionary man. . .” v4. When her sons returned safely and with the records, then she too knew the Lord was in charge of their experiences. After Lehi read the record they brought back, he testifies of their great worth to their people and that they will preserve their posterity. Their family - and more importantly, Lehi and Sariah rejoice together.
As I pondered this rather short chapter in the Book of Mormon, I tried to think of a similar experience in our lives when I doubted my good husband and was made to know that he was indeed being blessed with the spirit in his calling as patriarch of our family. When we moved to this beautiful home 20 years ago, I was anxious to fill it with furniture that would enhance its beauty. My husband would not spend faster than he earned, and many rooms sat empty for two years. This was an irritant to me, but he held firm in his belief that the Lord did not want us to go into debt. In time, I knew that he was a very wise man. He left his employment in search of a job that would be more in line with his desire to be honest in his dealings with those with whom he worked. He was unemployed for nine months – something that would take most households down. However, we survived this period because of his frugalness, wisdom, and determination to stay out of debt. We were able to pay our mortgage each month and take care of the needs of our family without the assist of outside help. Then I was able to say, as did Sariah, “Now I know of a surety. . .” v8. This experience was a blessing to our family and “of great worth” (v21) as we raised our children. Our children went through it with us and they learned the importance of staying out of debt and surviving the storms of life. More than a few times have I been grateful for this experience as I've watched my children embrace sound fiscal practices as they raise their families.
Lehi's sons had been gone quite some time and their mother, and wife of a prophet, started to complain. She was concerned for her sons and wondered if she would see them again. She called her husband a visionary man. (v2) He responded in the affirmative: “I know that I am a visionary man. . .” v4. When her sons returned safely and with the records, then she too knew the Lord was in charge of their experiences. After Lehi read the record they brought back, he testifies of their great worth to their people and that they will preserve their posterity. Their family - and more importantly, Lehi and Sariah rejoice together.
As I pondered this rather short chapter in the Book of Mormon, I tried to think of a similar experience in our lives when I doubted my good husband and was made to know that he was indeed being blessed with the spirit in his calling as patriarch of our family. When we moved to this beautiful home 20 years ago, I was anxious to fill it with furniture that would enhance its beauty. My husband would not spend faster than he earned, and many rooms sat empty for two years. This was an irritant to me, but he held firm in his belief that the Lord did not want us to go into debt. In time, I knew that he was a very wise man. He left his employment in search of a job that would be more in line with his desire to be honest in his dealings with those with whom he worked. He was unemployed for nine months – something that would take most households down. However, we survived this period because of his frugalness, wisdom, and determination to stay out of debt. We were able to pay our mortgage each month and take care of the needs of our family without the assist of outside help. Then I was able to say, as did Sariah, “Now I know of a surety. . .” v8. This experience was a blessing to our family and “of great worth” (v21) as we raised our children. Our children went through it with us and they learned the importance of staying out of debt and surviving the storms of life. More than a few times have I been grateful for this experience as I've watched my children embrace sound fiscal practices as they raise their families.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Honest and True
1 Nephi 4
Nephi goes into Jerusalem without a plan, but knowing the Lord will guide him in getting the plates as he had been commanded. He finds Laban in a drunken stupor which allows him to kill him, be guided to the plates by Laban's servant and return to his brothers and parents unharmed and successful.
We all know how miraculous this is for Nephi. He had the Spirit with him. He was successful. I was tripped up with the state of Laban for some reason this morning. Why did Laban have the plates in the first place? They were holy writ – indeed the fulness of the gospel was contained in them! What we know about Laban isn't exactly that he lived a righteous life. So why him? I would suggest that at one time, he may have been a righteous leader like many in the Book of Mormon who were evil and had the plates pass through their hands.
I read Ann Dibb's talk to the Young Women in May's Ensign this morning. She talked about being honest and true. As she focused on the word true, she mentioned the importance of being true to ones self. If we lie to ourselves, we are on a slippery slope to destruction. Hopefully, we learned truths as children, and as we obey those truths, we will be lead to more truth. If we choose to ignore those truths and forge our own path, we will become as Laban – evil in purpose and design. Laban's evilness caused him to have no control over his own appetites, which landed him in a drunken stupor and unable to defend himself against Nephi. It was a rather simple task for Nephi to accomplish his assignment at that point, and Laban's fate was sealed. What worldly appetites put us in harms' way?
I spoke with an old acquaintance yesterday and in catching up on her life discovered that her once stalwart husband in the gospel – a righteous priesthood holder – had compromised his standards and was now without his family, the church and moral moors in his life. What on earth happened? He was a good man! It is the same for him that it is for many of our once-righteous people. They took baby steps of dishonesty and in not being true to themselves. Standards that were set firm in their lives were compromised, and they landed themselves in a “drunken stupor” so to speak, being prey to the whiles of Satan, of the world and eventual spiritual ruin.
So how does this apply to me? What can I learn from Laban? It is critical to stand strong and true in my beliefs, to continue to keep my covenants at all costs and never compromise even on the smallest things those commandments and covenants I have promised to keep.
Nephi goes into Jerusalem without a plan, but knowing the Lord will guide him in getting the plates as he had been commanded. He finds Laban in a drunken stupor which allows him to kill him, be guided to the plates by Laban's servant and return to his brothers and parents unharmed and successful.
We all know how miraculous this is for Nephi. He had the Spirit with him. He was successful. I was tripped up with the state of Laban for some reason this morning. Why did Laban have the plates in the first place? They were holy writ – indeed the fulness of the gospel was contained in them! What we know about Laban isn't exactly that he lived a righteous life. So why him? I would suggest that at one time, he may have been a righteous leader like many in the Book of Mormon who were evil and had the plates pass through their hands.
I read Ann Dibb's talk to the Young Women in May's Ensign this morning. She talked about being honest and true. As she focused on the word true, she mentioned the importance of being true to ones self. If we lie to ourselves, we are on a slippery slope to destruction. Hopefully, we learned truths as children, and as we obey those truths, we will be lead to more truth. If we choose to ignore those truths and forge our own path, we will become as Laban – evil in purpose and design. Laban's evilness caused him to have no control over his own appetites, which landed him in a drunken stupor and unable to defend himself against Nephi. It was a rather simple task for Nephi to accomplish his assignment at that point, and Laban's fate was sealed. What worldly appetites put us in harms' way?
I spoke with an old acquaintance yesterday and in catching up on her life discovered that her once stalwart husband in the gospel – a righteous priesthood holder – had compromised his standards and was now without his family, the church and moral moors in his life. What on earth happened? He was a good man! It is the same for him that it is for many of our once-righteous people. They took baby steps of dishonesty and in not being true to themselves. Standards that were set firm in their lives were compromised, and they landed themselves in a “drunken stupor” so to speak, being prey to the whiles of Satan, of the world and eventual spiritual ruin.
So how does this apply to me? What can I learn from Laban? It is critical to stand strong and true in my beliefs, to continue to keep my covenants at all costs and never compromise even on the smallest things those commandments and covenants I have promised to keep.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Commitment and Conviction
1 Nephi 3
“I will go and do the things which the Lord, God, hath commanded me. . .” Not everything we’re asked to do is easy. In fact, sometimes the task we’re given seems to be quite beyond our own capacity to do. It was just after Nephi had returned from speaking with the Lord that his father told him the Lord required that he and his brothers should return to Jerusalem for the record of their fathers. This couldn’t have been an easy assignment – made even more difficult by the presence of brothers who didn’t have the same experience Nephi had had with the Lord. What made the difference between Nephi and Laman and Lemual? Commitment and conviction. Nephi knew it was the Lord who asked it of him and that the Lord would provide the way. Laman and Lemuel saw it as a request from the earthly father who they really hadn’t committed wholly to his efforts to save their family. Murmuring and resistance was their mode as opposed to approaching the Lord themselves for a witness that what they were doing was from the Lord. Why wouldn’t they go to the Lord? Because they really didn’t care what the Lord had to say anyway. They would do it their own way.
Do we have the commitment and conviction Nephi had? Do we approach the Lord for his guidance? I’m currently a little overwhelmed with a calling I had always thought was for women much more capable than I. I am finding out for myself that it’s not my work, and that as I give my best and turn to the Lord for help I’m guided. I’m given tender mercies, i.e. someone comes to me, I’m given an idea or whatever. So far, it’s worked. I’m guided at every turn. This is a blessing the Lord gives to those who will “go and do” whatever it is that is required to do His work.
“I will go and do the things which the Lord, God, hath commanded me. . .” Not everything we’re asked to do is easy. In fact, sometimes the task we’re given seems to be quite beyond our own capacity to do. It was just after Nephi had returned from speaking with the Lord that his father told him the Lord required that he and his brothers should return to Jerusalem for the record of their fathers. This couldn’t have been an easy assignment – made even more difficult by the presence of brothers who didn’t have the same experience Nephi had had with the Lord. What made the difference between Nephi and Laman and Lemual? Commitment and conviction. Nephi knew it was the Lord who asked it of him and that the Lord would provide the way. Laman and Lemuel saw it as a request from the earthly father who they really hadn’t committed wholly to his efforts to save their family. Murmuring and resistance was their mode as opposed to approaching the Lord themselves for a witness that what they were doing was from the Lord. Why wouldn’t they go to the Lord? Because they really didn’t care what the Lord had to say anyway. They would do it their own way.
Do we have the commitment and conviction Nephi had? Do we approach the Lord for his guidance? I’m currently a little overwhelmed with a calling I had always thought was for women much more capable than I. I am finding out for myself that it’s not my work, and that as I give my best and turn to the Lord for help I’m guided. I’m given tender mercies, i.e. someone comes to me, I’m given an idea or whatever. So far, it’s worked. I’m guided at every turn. This is a blessing the Lord gives to those who will “go and do” whatever it is that is required to do His work.
Monday, August 15, 2011
My Testimony
1 Nephi 1 & 2
Sometimes reading my scriptures on Sunday is the hardest day of the week. It shouldn't be that way. As I read 1 Nephi 1 late last night, I got that special feeling all over again. I love the first few chapters of 1 Nephi. I think it has something to do with the fact that I was involved in a play nearly 19 years ago that covered these first few chapters. It was a wonderful experience for me, and I can't read these chapters without hearing music that was written and without having my testimony strengthened because of the obvious help I received as I created music for a stake production that was really beyond my own earthly education.
As I read chapter 2 this morning, I stopped to ponder verses 19-22. What does it mean to prosper when the Lord speaks it? Does it mean we will be rich? Does it mean we won't have problems and will skate through life? If you keep reading, the Lord says that if you rebel against the Lord, you'll be cut off from his presence. What does it mean to be cut off from the Lord's presence? We don't see him anyway as we journey through life. It would seem we have already been cut off from his presence by the mere fact we live on this earth. Not so! I believe that prospering in the land means we have the Lord and the Holy Ghost to guide us in the decision making. We may not be rich temporally, but we are rich in the things of the Lord – the things that really matter. We make our decisions guided by the Holy Ghost and as we look back, we can see how we have avoided calamity because we have done so. When we have rebelled, in essence it is like saying, “No thank, Lord. I can really navigate my way in this world without your help. Leave me alone.” And so he does. Our decisions are based on the limited resources we have intellectually, and we are skewed by the ways of the world. We make mistakes that can cause ruin – both financially and spiritually. And we spiral down to a pitiful state where we are without the peace that comes from keeping the commandments. Why should there be peace in keeping the commandments? Because when we are doing so, we know we are having the experiences the Lord wants us to have to be worthy to return to him. When that happens, we know we will learn and then we will move on. This has been my experience – on both sides, actually. Being without the help of the Lord is a lonely and dark place – actually quite frightening. Knowing the Lord is with you is empowering and liberating. You don't have to keep second guessing. You know it's right.
Yes, keeping the commandments is the only way to enjoy this journey on earth. This is my personal testimony.
Sometimes reading my scriptures on Sunday is the hardest day of the week. It shouldn't be that way. As I read 1 Nephi 1 late last night, I got that special feeling all over again. I love the first few chapters of 1 Nephi. I think it has something to do with the fact that I was involved in a play nearly 19 years ago that covered these first few chapters. It was a wonderful experience for me, and I can't read these chapters without hearing music that was written and without having my testimony strengthened because of the obvious help I received as I created music for a stake production that was really beyond my own earthly education.
As I read chapter 2 this morning, I stopped to ponder verses 19-22. What does it mean to prosper when the Lord speaks it? Does it mean we will be rich? Does it mean we won't have problems and will skate through life? If you keep reading, the Lord says that if you rebel against the Lord, you'll be cut off from his presence. What does it mean to be cut off from the Lord's presence? We don't see him anyway as we journey through life. It would seem we have already been cut off from his presence by the mere fact we live on this earth. Not so! I believe that prospering in the land means we have the Lord and the Holy Ghost to guide us in the decision making. We may not be rich temporally, but we are rich in the things of the Lord – the things that really matter. We make our decisions guided by the Holy Ghost and as we look back, we can see how we have avoided calamity because we have done so. When we have rebelled, in essence it is like saying, “No thank, Lord. I can really navigate my way in this world without your help. Leave me alone.” And so he does. Our decisions are based on the limited resources we have intellectually, and we are skewed by the ways of the world. We make mistakes that can cause ruin – both financially and spiritually. And we spiral down to a pitiful state where we are without the peace that comes from keeping the commandments. Why should there be peace in keeping the commandments? Because when we are doing so, we know we are having the experiences the Lord wants us to have to be worthy to return to him. When that happens, we know we will learn and then we will move on. This has been my experience – on both sides, actually. Being without the help of the Lord is a lonely and dark place – actually quite frightening. Knowing the Lord is with you is empowering and liberating. You don't have to keep second guessing. You know it's right.
Yes, keeping the commandments is the only way to enjoy this journey on earth. This is my personal testimony.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
He called me by name.
Today I read Joseph Smith's testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it came to be. There are many miraculous things that occurred. For one, having a messenger from God appear in your bedroom three times in one night would be considered quite miraculous. Being directed to the plates would be right up there as well. However, the sweet thing to me is the fact that Moroni called Joseph by name. Don't we all like to hear our name? When I hear my name by someone I love or respect – especially a revered servant of Heavenly Father like my Stake President, it is better than any term of endearment. I truly do look forward to the day when I hear the Savior call me by name and hopefully say “well done thou good and faithful servant”. To me, that will be nirvana.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Angel Moroni
I'm starting the Book of Mormon over. I don't know exactly how I am going to approach it this time. Someone once suggested that I find a verse that speaks to me personally. I may do that.
For today, I read the cover pages and the testimonies of the three witnesses and then the testimony of the eight witnesses. I know I've been told this before, but I was impressed at the difference between the two testimonies - mainly that the angel Moroni was the one who showed the plates to the three witnesses, whereas the eleven were shown them by Joseph Smith.
I found it quite interesting that not a lot of hoopla was shown at the miracle of an angel appearing to the three witnesses. To me, that is as miraculous as the fact that they saw the gold plates. What an experience!
So does it speak to me personally? Well, I guess if there is a need and the Lord sees fit, I too could see an angel. Until then, carry on and be a worthy handmaiden of the Lord that he might use me for whatever purpose he sees fit. That works for me.
For today, I read the cover pages and the testimonies of the three witnesses and then the testimony of the eight witnesses. I know I've been told this before, but I was impressed at the difference between the two testimonies - mainly that the angel Moroni was the one who showed the plates to the three witnesses, whereas the eleven were shown them by Joseph Smith.
I found it quite interesting that not a lot of hoopla was shown at the miracle of an angel appearing to the three witnesses. To me, that is as miraculous as the fact that they saw the gold plates. What an experience!
So does it speak to me personally? Well, I guess if there is a need and the Lord sees fit, I too could see an angel. Until then, carry on and be a worthy handmaiden of the Lord that he might use me for whatever purpose he sees fit. That works for me.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
My testimony
Moroni 10
Moroni seals up the Book of Mormon to be brought forth in our day. He bears his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the power of the Holy Ghost. He tells us to lay hold upon every good gift. He exhorts us to come unto Christ and be perfect in him.
Where to begin? What to focus on? I always am so sad when I finish the Book of Mormon. As I prayed this morning, I prayed for the Spirit to testify to me again of its truth. Do I need the lightning crash? Not any more. I have a quiet peace when I read and I just know these are truths. These truths burn in my soul every time I read them.
As I read the list of “gifts”, I can identify my one clear gift, i,e. exceedingly great faith. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. I know that when something happens to me – for good or for bad, that it is for my good, my experience and learning. Is it because of my faith, or because of my experiences? That I'm not sure of. But I do know that I can hold on through the difficult trials. When I see my children struggle, I know it is for their benefit as well, and I thank Heavenly Father for their trials as well. I also know that He will be there for them when they turn to Him and then they will know. I know this just as surely as I know the sun will come up in the morning. Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return to Him. He wants to give us gifts. He knows the only way for that to happen is for us to come unto Christ, His son, who died so that we might return to our Heavenly Father – spotless. I don't understand how it's done. But I know that it is done.
I have marveled for many years that the Lord loves us in spite of our shortcomings. He forgives us when we stray and return. That forgiveness is so complete that if we can only forgive ourselves, we can have access to an amazing life. It may not be the life that we designed for ourselves, but it will be a life so far to exceed our expectations that we will ponder in awe at how it is done. I know as I have experienced it for myself.
So where does this knowledge leave me today? With an ever-increased desire to do the will of my Heavenly Father – keep moving forward and accepting life as He has designed it. To do my best in living righteously that I might be instrumental in “strengthening the stakes” and enlarging the borders of His kingdom. I do this by denying myself of all unrighteousness – again, by touching not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing (v30 & 31). And I will forever be grateful for the power of the Atonement which allows us to repent when we slip up – as we all will do.
Moroni seals up the Book of Mormon to be brought forth in our day. He bears his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the power of the Holy Ghost. He tells us to lay hold upon every good gift. He exhorts us to come unto Christ and be perfect in him.
Where to begin? What to focus on? I always am so sad when I finish the Book of Mormon. As I prayed this morning, I prayed for the Spirit to testify to me again of its truth. Do I need the lightning crash? Not any more. I have a quiet peace when I read and I just know these are truths. These truths burn in my soul every time I read them.
As I read the list of “gifts”, I can identify my one clear gift, i,e. exceedingly great faith. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. I know that when something happens to me – for good or for bad, that it is for my good, my experience and learning. Is it because of my faith, or because of my experiences? That I'm not sure of. But I do know that I can hold on through the difficult trials. When I see my children struggle, I know it is for their benefit as well, and I thank Heavenly Father for their trials as well. I also know that He will be there for them when they turn to Him and then they will know. I know this just as surely as I know the sun will come up in the morning. Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return to Him. He wants to give us gifts. He knows the only way for that to happen is for us to come unto Christ, His son, who died so that we might return to our Heavenly Father – spotless. I don't understand how it's done. But I know that it is done.
I have marveled for many years that the Lord loves us in spite of our shortcomings. He forgives us when we stray and return. That forgiveness is so complete that if we can only forgive ourselves, we can have access to an amazing life. It may not be the life that we designed for ourselves, but it will be a life so far to exceed our expectations that we will ponder in awe at how it is done. I know as I have experienced it for myself.
So where does this knowledge leave me today? With an ever-increased desire to do the will of my Heavenly Father – keep moving forward and accepting life as He has designed it. To do my best in living righteously that I might be instrumental in “strengthening the stakes” and enlarging the borders of His kingdom. I do this by denying myself of all unrighteousness – again, by touching not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing (v30 & 31). And I will forever be grateful for the power of the Atonement which allows us to repent when we slip up – as we all will do.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Touch not the polluted things of the world
Moroni 9
This chapter makes me so sad. Moroni's father, Mormon, sends Moroni a heart-wrenching account of the Nephites. They are wicked – even more so than the Lamanites. The entire population is fighting against each other and not just killing, but torturing, killing and then eating each other as a token of their bravery! I can't imagine such wickedness and it is beyond my ability to understand.
And then I watch the news. Is it really all that hard to imagine? Warren Jeffs was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison yesterday. Just a few of his heinous crimes were accounted on television. What a wicked and perverted man. What is even more amazing to me is how there were others who were with him in his perverted and twisted ways. That he was taking eight-year-old little girls and preparing them for awful acts of depravity in the baptismal fonts of their church just blows my mind! So are the depravities of the Nephites such a big leap? I think not. Just as cancer spreads quickly throughout the body, so too does a polluted mind infect the minds of those who associate with it. This is why it is so important to keep ourselves rooted firmly in the gospel by daily studying the scriptures, praying and striving in every way to follow the guidance given by our prophets and leaders. But this is not all. We must always choose to be around influences of righteousness. Touch not the polluted and perverse things of the world.
This chapter makes me so sad. Moroni's father, Mormon, sends Moroni a heart-wrenching account of the Nephites. They are wicked – even more so than the Lamanites. The entire population is fighting against each other and not just killing, but torturing, killing and then eating each other as a token of their bravery! I can't imagine such wickedness and it is beyond my ability to understand.
And then I watch the news. Is it really all that hard to imagine? Warren Jeffs was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison yesterday. Just a few of his heinous crimes were accounted on television. What a wicked and perverted man. What is even more amazing to me is how there were others who were with him in his perverted and twisted ways. That he was taking eight-year-old little girls and preparing them for awful acts of depravity in the baptismal fonts of their church just blows my mind! So are the depravities of the Nephites such a big leap? I think not. Just as cancer spreads quickly throughout the body, so too does a polluted mind infect the minds of those who associate with it. This is why it is so important to keep ourselves rooted firmly in the gospel by daily studying the scriptures, praying and striving in every way to follow the guidance given by our prophets and leaders. But this is not all. We must always choose to be around influences of righteousness. Touch not the polluted and perverse things of the world.
Perfect love casteth out all fear
Moroni 8
Mormon sends a beautiful letter to his son, Moroni. I love his salutation in verses 2&3. I remember reading this when Chase was on his mission and I had the feelings that Mormon must have felt when he wrote them. I was not nearly as eloquent in writing them, however.
Mormon had heard they were baptizing little children and corrected him in this error. If God is unchangeable and no respecter of persons, to baptize those who are unable to repent and know no sin is an abomination and mockery.
The point I want to focus on however, is Mormon's firmness in delivering the message. Of course, you don't want to offend, but he is unafraid of this possibility. He says, “Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.” When we love someone who is doing wrong, it is our duty to correct. It was Mormon's perfect love and authority from God to do so in this instance. What authority do we have as members of the church? As a leader over a group? Over a family that is grown and gone? Are we under obligation to correct those who are offending God? According to Mormon, if our love is perfect, it would seem to be the case. Do we try too hard to be politically correct, aiming to please man when it is our Heavenly Father we need to fear? These are questions to give serious thought as we perform our duties as leaders and parents.
Mormon sends a beautiful letter to his son, Moroni. I love his salutation in verses 2&3. I remember reading this when Chase was on his mission and I had the feelings that Mormon must have felt when he wrote them. I was not nearly as eloquent in writing them, however.
Mormon had heard they were baptizing little children and corrected him in this error. If God is unchangeable and no respecter of persons, to baptize those who are unable to repent and know no sin is an abomination and mockery.
The point I want to focus on however, is Mormon's firmness in delivering the message. Of course, you don't want to offend, but he is unafraid of this possibility. He says, “Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.” When we love someone who is doing wrong, it is our duty to correct. It was Mormon's perfect love and authority from God to do so in this instance. What authority do we have as members of the church? As a leader over a group? Over a family that is grown and gone? Are we under obligation to correct those who are offending God? According to Mormon, if our love is perfect, it would seem to be the case. Do we try too hard to be politically correct, aiming to please man when it is our Heavenly Father we need to fear? These are questions to give serious thought as we perform our duties as leaders and parents.
Monday, August 8, 2011
The Gospel Is Simple
Moroni 7
As I was reading it again this morning, (we read it in RS yesterday), I drew a personal connection to one of the verses that happened to me just yesterday. I feel like I want to record it. It was a great learning experience for me.
I've been reading as much as I can of anything that Julie Beck has said since she was called as General RS President of the Church. One things she said at a leadership training in 2010 was that we (Presidents) should ask Heavenly Father to inspire us to know what we need to talk about with our leaders (Stake President or bishop) when we are with them. I thought that was a great idea and began to implement it immediately in all my private prayers. I also enjoyed something she said, “When you have that sacred appointment with your Heavenly Father. . .” What a sweet thought. When I pray, it is a sacred appointment with my Heavenly Father that I am having.
Well, yesterday was our first meeting with Pres. Todd since I have been called to be the Stake RS President. I wasn't certain who would be leading the conversation on this meetings. Laurel seemed to go through our upcoming agenda and talk about the stewardship reports a little. That seemed pretty simple.
Just as we were going into our meeting, I told my secretary to take good notes because I didn't have a clue what was going to be said and I would forget. That is my nature. I knew I would be speaking by the Spirit if I said anything of value, and I wanted to know what I'd said.
Well, in Moroni 7:26 it says, “Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.” As I walked out of our meeting, I was nearly euphoric at how inspired that meeting felt. Yes, I was the one leading the conversation. Pres. Todd started us with a prayer given by my secretary, and then he asked how he could help the stake Relief Society. I was on! I told him I felt no need to talk about the Stewardship reports because they are history by the time we get this meeting with him. He agreed and liked my idea to call each of the presidents and talk to them about the sisters in their ward. He said this would be good to let them know that we really do care. I mentioned my concern about the turnover of the presidencies, and he suggested that I call the Bishops and ask what their plan is for their RS presidencies so we can have ample time to get them trained before our next leadership training meeting. I guess all this is irrelevant to what I just read in Moroni 7, but I just have to say that I experienced it for myself. What I was asking was good. I desperately want to meet the needs of the sisters I have stewardship over. I asked for guidance and I got it! Can it be any more simple? I love the gospel. It is simple.
As I was reading it again this morning, (we read it in RS yesterday), I drew a personal connection to one of the verses that happened to me just yesterday. I feel like I want to record it. It was a great learning experience for me.
I've been reading as much as I can of anything that Julie Beck has said since she was called as General RS President of the Church. One things she said at a leadership training in 2010 was that we (Presidents) should ask Heavenly Father to inspire us to know what we need to talk about with our leaders (Stake President or bishop) when we are with them. I thought that was a great idea and began to implement it immediately in all my private prayers. I also enjoyed something she said, “When you have that sacred appointment with your Heavenly Father. . .” What a sweet thought. When I pray, it is a sacred appointment with my Heavenly Father that I am having.
Well, yesterday was our first meeting with Pres. Todd since I have been called to be the Stake RS President. I wasn't certain who would be leading the conversation on this meetings. Laurel seemed to go through our upcoming agenda and talk about the stewardship reports a little. That seemed pretty simple.
Just as we were going into our meeting, I told my secretary to take good notes because I didn't have a clue what was going to be said and I would forget. That is my nature. I knew I would be speaking by the Spirit if I said anything of value, and I wanted to know what I'd said.
Well, in Moroni 7:26 it says, “Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.” As I walked out of our meeting, I was nearly euphoric at how inspired that meeting felt. Yes, I was the one leading the conversation. Pres. Todd started us with a prayer given by my secretary, and then he asked how he could help the stake Relief Society. I was on! I told him I felt no need to talk about the Stewardship reports because they are history by the time we get this meeting with him. He agreed and liked my idea to call each of the presidents and talk to them about the sisters in their ward. He said this would be good to let them know that we really do care. I mentioned my concern about the turnover of the presidencies, and he suggested that I call the Bishops and ask what their plan is for their RS presidencies so we can have ample time to get them trained before our next leadership training meeting. I guess all this is irrelevant to what I just read in Moroni 7, but I just have to say that I experienced it for myself. What I was asking was good. I desperately want to meet the needs of the sisters I have stewardship over. I asked for guidance and I got it! Can it be any more simple? I love the gospel. It is simple.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Sacrifice brings forth. . .
Ether 14 thru Moroni 6
Camping for the weekend put me away from the ability to update my blog. Therefore, I had a little more time to read.
Whenever I reach the end of the Book of Mormon, I can't help but have mixed feelings. This time, I marvel at how quickly I read from cover to cover (not quite). I started January 1st. Ether leaves me feeling the same every time, i.e. saddened at the destruct of a nation that was once so great with so many promises. How did they get to the point of where they could count the survivors with little effort? I find myself asking that same question with individuals all too frequently. How did it happen so fast? What went wrong – so terribly wrong? I would dare say the answer to a nation is found in the concerns for an individual. It begins with focus. Where exactly are you focused? On the good of the people who surround you? Is their welfare of importance? Or are you self focused – me, me, me oriented. It's not fair! Or What's in it for me? As I watch in utter horror at what is happening in our own great nation, I can see there are far too many people running the government who are “me” oriented. What's in it for me? How can I be re-elected and so forth. When that begins to happen on a national scale, the very foundation of a nation is at risk. You can see people rising up in anger against those who believe differently. We are headed in that direction. It is equally sad so see it happening to an individual. When it is all about “me”, the life of that person becomes riddled with misfortune, sadness, accidents and pain. Why is that? For one, it can be answered in the scriptures. D&C 98:13 “And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name's sake, shall find it again, even life eternal.” Even when things go wrong in a righteous person's life, they can see the hand of the Lord in their lives and also turn it to their own good. I can't explain it, but I've seen it enough to know it is a truth.
So how does this apply to me today? I must be less concerned about myself and more concerned for the welfare of others. There is much that I could be doing that I don't.
Camping for the weekend put me away from the ability to update my blog. Therefore, I had a little more time to read.
Whenever I reach the end of the Book of Mormon, I can't help but have mixed feelings. This time, I marvel at how quickly I read from cover to cover (not quite). I started January 1st. Ether leaves me feeling the same every time, i.e. saddened at the destruct of a nation that was once so great with so many promises. How did they get to the point of where they could count the survivors with little effort? I find myself asking that same question with individuals all too frequently. How did it happen so fast? What went wrong – so terribly wrong? I would dare say the answer to a nation is found in the concerns for an individual. It begins with focus. Where exactly are you focused? On the good of the people who surround you? Is their welfare of importance? Or are you self focused – me, me, me oriented. It's not fair! Or What's in it for me? As I watch in utter horror at what is happening in our own great nation, I can see there are far too many people running the government who are “me” oriented. What's in it for me? How can I be re-elected and so forth. When that begins to happen on a national scale, the very foundation of a nation is at risk. You can see people rising up in anger against those who believe differently. We are headed in that direction. It is equally sad so see it happening to an individual. When it is all about “me”, the life of that person becomes riddled with misfortune, sadness, accidents and pain. Why is that? For one, it can be answered in the scriptures. D&C 98:13 “And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name's sake, shall find it again, even life eternal.” Even when things go wrong in a righteous person's life, they can see the hand of the Lord in their lives and also turn it to their own good. I can't explain it, but I've seen it enough to know it is a truth.
So how does this apply to me today? I must be less concerned about myself and more concerned for the welfare of others. There is much that I could be doing that I don't.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Charity - Pure Love of Christ
Ether 14 – Ether speaks of a New Jerusalem to be built on this American continent and a remnant of Joseph would be preserved here.
There was one stipulation to this becoming a great nation: v2 “. . . the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof;” As one who desires to serve the Lord and do His will, this comment brings me concern. Are we as a nation serving the Lord? What is it exactly that the Lord wants to qualify as serving?
“That ye love one another; as I have loved you,” John 13:34 How did the Savior love us? He sacrificed his very life for us. He taught us what was right. He served us. He comforted us. He set an example for us to follow.
Do we see this type of service in the world today? In our nation? There are a lot of people who take to heart the command to love their neighbor. Is it enough? There are also a vast majority of the people in the nation who are not lovers of anyone but themselves. And this is the concern for this nation.
As I see it, the only thing I can do is continue to keep the commandments and serve the Lord. I need to be charitable and kind to everyone I meet and seek out those who need me. I need to set an example of righteous living. Perhaps that is the hardest one because it requires me to be out of my comfort zone. Comfort zone because I'm living righteously? Not in the least. Comfort zone because I'm out and about; high profile and doing things that are not necessarily something I do naturally. It is not a natural thing for me to be charitable. It is something I am trying hard to be. Some days I'm better than others. It is the seeking the one that is probably the hardest for me. And this is where the spirit of revelation comes in. As I pray, I ask the Lord to let me be the answer to the prayer of someone else. Then I must listen hard for that prompting. When it comes, I must move quickly. When I do, I feel the blessings of the Lord and know that he is very near. And that is the goal – to know I'm not alone. That the Lord is with me in my efforts to do what is right. When I know that, there is no doubt in my mind that he will see me through these last days as the world becomes more and more wicked. I will become more and more charitable.
There was one stipulation to this becoming a great nation: v2 “. . . the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof;” As one who desires to serve the Lord and do His will, this comment brings me concern. Are we as a nation serving the Lord? What is it exactly that the Lord wants to qualify as serving?
“That ye love one another; as I have loved you,” John 13:34 How did the Savior love us? He sacrificed his very life for us. He taught us what was right. He served us. He comforted us. He set an example for us to follow.
Do we see this type of service in the world today? In our nation? There are a lot of people who take to heart the command to love their neighbor. Is it enough? There are also a vast majority of the people in the nation who are not lovers of anyone but themselves. And this is the concern for this nation.
As I see it, the only thing I can do is continue to keep the commandments and serve the Lord. I need to be charitable and kind to everyone I meet and seek out those who need me. I need to set an example of righteous living. Perhaps that is the hardest one because it requires me to be out of my comfort zone. Comfort zone because I'm living righteously? Not in the least. Comfort zone because I'm out and about; high profile and doing things that are not necessarily something I do naturally. It is not a natural thing for me to be charitable. It is something I am trying hard to be. Some days I'm better than others. It is the seeking the one that is probably the hardest for me. And this is where the spirit of revelation comes in. As I pray, I ask the Lord to let me be the answer to the prayer of someone else. Then I must listen hard for that prompting. When it comes, I must move quickly. When I do, I feel the blessings of the Lord and know that he is very near. And that is the goal – to know I'm not alone. That the Lord is with me in my efforts to do what is right. When I know that, there is no doubt in my mind that he will see me through these last days as the world becomes more and more wicked. I will become more and more charitable.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Faith is the answer
Ether 12
Ether and Moroni tell us about faith, hope and charity and exhort us to believe in God. Moroni actually saw the Savior and spoke with him just as we speak with each other. Can you imagine what that would be like? From that point on, faith would not be needed because you would know.
V6 - “. . . dispute not because you see not for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” I love this verse. What is the trial of your faith? It would be anything that would cause us to have to choose. Do we choose to follow the Savior when things get hard? Or do we buckle under the pressure and decide it couldn't possibly be worth the effort?
V12 “. . . if there be no faith. . . God can do no miracle. . .” Pretty simple concept. It had to be faith that caused me to pray that desperate night so many years ago. I didn't actually think about it then, but it was faith. It was a particle of faith that my parents just might be right. That there was a Heavenly Father who loved me and was pulling for me. It was such a simple act on my part, but yielded such tremendous results. I know this same faith can create results for anyone. What will bring the result? Is it the prayer alone? Absolutely not! It is acting on the things that happen AFTER the prayer. When the doorbell rings, it is not an accident. When someone calls, it is not an accident. That is answer to your prayer. There will be a choice to be made – good or bad. Will you exercise the faith to move on that choice in the direction that will bring you the desired result? Or will you do the easy thing – or what you perceive to be the easy thing. Will you turn down the offer, or in other words, let the life preserver that has been thrown to you float away?
Faith is the answer to all our problems. We must have the faith to go to our Heavenly Father and ask for help because we are not strong enough to do it on our own. Then we must accept the help as it comes. Follow the advice that has been given. The miracle won't be in the form of lightning or some blatant display of power. It will be in the form of a friend or acquaintance reaching out to us in a simple way. Take the offer. It will be a blessing for you to the end of your days if you continue on that path. This is my testimony. There is no doubt in my mind it will work for anyone who wants to change the course they are on.
Ether and Moroni tell us about faith, hope and charity and exhort us to believe in God. Moroni actually saw the Savior and spoke with him just as we speak with each other. Can you imagine what that would be like? From that point on, faith would not be needed because you would know.
V6 - “. . . dispute not because you see not for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” I love this verse. What is the trial of your faith? It would be anything that would cause us to have to choose. Do we choose to follow the Savior when things get hard? Or do we buckle under the pressure and decide it couldn't possibly be worth the effort?
V12 “. . . if there be no faith. . . God can do no miracle. . .” Pretty simple concept. It had to be faith that caused me to pray that desperate night so many years ago. I didn't actually think about it then, but it was faith. It was a particle of faith that my parents just might be right. That there was a Heavenly Father who loved me and was pulling for me. It was such a simple act on my part, but yielded such tremendous results. I know this same faith can create results for anyone. What will bring the result? Is it the prayer alone? Absolutely not! It is acting on the things that happen AFTER the prayer. When the doorbell rings, it is not an accident. When someone calls, it is not an accident. That is answer to your prayer. There will be a choice to be made – good or bad. Will you exercise the faith to move on that choice in the direction that will bring you the desired result? Or will you do the easy thing – or what you perceive to be the easy thing. Will you turn down the offer, or in other words, let the life preserver that has been thrown to you float away?
Faith is the answer to all our problems. We must have the faith to go to our Heavenly Father and ask for help because we are not strong enough to do it on our own. Then we must accept the help as it comes. Follow the advice that has been given. The miracle won't be in the form of lightning or some blatant display of power. It will be in the form of a friend or acquaintance reaching out to us in a simple way. Take the offer. It will be a blessing for you to the end of your days if you continue on that path. This is my testimony. There is no doubt in my mind it will work for anyone who wants to change the course they are on.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Oh the arrogance!
Ether 11
More wickedness, secret combinations and prophets proclaiming utter destruction if they do not repent and come unto Christ.
Do the people listen? No! In fact, they become more wicked. Verse 22 stood out to me. “. . . they did reject all the words of the prophets, because of their secret society and wicked abominations.” Oh the arrogance! Destruction is all around them and they still reject the truth? I really don't get it.
I confess a little boredom as I read through this repetitive cycle. I get lost as to who is good and who is bad, but as I read the last verse, and that Ether is now on the scene, I couldn't help but let my eyes wander to the next chapter just to see what Ether has to say. After all, I have a very colorful page and I was curious. I'm saving it for tomorrow, but I did read to verse 4 which gives me a little clue to the answer to my question.
Ether tells the people that if they believe in God, they will have hope which will bring faith enough to make them sure and steadfast, “. . . always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.” The key here is a belief in God. They don't! He is someone their parents or others created to make their children be “good”. To them, God is like the “undertows” in the canal that his parents warned him about – not really real.
How do we come to believe in God? How did I? Well, even though there was a period in my life that I didn't act like I believed, I always knew he existed. I just did. Nothing about life or my surroundings – I just knew he existed. I also knew I was in a bad place. I remember wishing that it wasn't true. That didn't work though. I believed. That belief eventually led me to cry out to God in serious desperation one night in my extremity. I had so long been away from praying that it wasn't even as I had been taught to pray, but rather “Heavenly Father, I'll do what it takes. Please answer my parents' prayers for me.” That one prayer brought with it a string of events that were miracles as I look back on it. I'm so grateful I had started journaling, because it is written. Some day I'll reread it, but I'm too busy living the miracle that is my life now to care. I know God lives. That knowledge give me hope that I will sit at the right hand of God some day. I don't understand how, but if it is possible, then I know I will be there. This hope gives me the faith to carry on and do whatever it is the Lord calls me to do by his righteous Priesthood leaders and prophets. Do I do it because I know I'm qualified? Absolutely not! I know I'm not qualified. But I do know from experience that the Lord will guide me. I will become qualified and thereby become more of what He wants me to be when I return to his presence. I guess this is what is meant by “sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works.” I will do it, and I will glory in my God in the process. Maybe I don't go around vocally proclaiming, although I will be doing more of that as I fulfill my calling as Stake RS President, but I have confidence that what I do is a testimony to others of the good that living in faith can do for us.
More wickedness, secret combinations and prophets proclaiming utter destruction if they do not repent and come unto Christ.
Do the people listen? No! In fact, they become more wicked. Verse 22 stood out to me. “. . . they did reject all the words of the prophets, because of their secret society and wicked abominations.” Oh the arrogance! Destruction is all around them and they still reject the truth? I really don't get it.
I confess a little boredom as I read through this repetitive cycle. I get lost as to who is good and who is bad, but as I read the last verse, and that Ether is now on the scene, I couldn't help but let my eyes wander to the next chapter just to see what Ether has to say. After all, I have a very colorful page and I was curious. I'm saving it for tomorrow, but I did read to verse 4 which gives me a little clue to the answer to my question.
Ether tells the people that if they believe in God, they will have hope which will bring faith enough to make them sure and steadfast, “. . . always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.” The key here is a belief in God. They don't! He is someone their parents or others created to make their children be “good”. To them, God is like the “undertows” in the canal that his parents warned him about – not really real.
How do we come to believe in God? How did I? Well, even though there was a period in my life that I didn't act like I believed, I always knew he existed. I just did. Nothing about life or my surroundings – I just knew he existed. I also knew I was in a bad place. I remember wishing that it wasn't true. That didn't work though. I believed. That belief eventually led me to cry out to God in serious desperation one night in my extremity. I had so long been away from praying that it wasn't even as I had been taught to pray, but rather “Heavenly Father, I'll do what it takes. Please answer my parents' prayers for me.” That one prayer brought with it a string of events that were miracles as I look back on it. I'm so grateful I had started journaling, because it is written. Some day I'll reread it, but I'm too busy living the miracle that is my life now to care. I know God lives. That knowledge give me hope that I will sit at the right hand of God some day. I don't understand how, but if it is possible, then I know I will be there. This hope gives me the faith to carry on and do whatever it is the Lord calls me to do by his righteous Priesthood leaders and prophets. Do I do it because I know I'm qualified? Absolutely not! I know I'm not qualified. But I do know from experience that the Lord will guide me. I will become qualified and thereby become more of what He wants me to be when I return to his presence. I guess this is what is meant by “sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works.” I will do it, and I will glory in my God in the process. Maybe I don't go around vocally proclaiming, although I will be doing more of that as I fulfill my calling as Stake RS President, but I have confidence that what I do is a testimony to others of the good that living in faith can do for us.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Ether 10
This chapter is a constant change of leadership from one king to another. Not all kings were good and not all were bad. The interesting thing to note is that when the king was a righteous king and reigned in righteousness, the people would prosper and they would live in peace. Conversely, when the king was wicked, there were wars and famine in the land.
If the Book of Mormon was written for us in this time, and we've been told by prophets of God that it was, then we really do need to take heed with what is being taught in it. This chapter in particular is full of what we can expect when we have righteous leaders and what we can expect when we do not. We are seeing it a little in the way our government is being run currently. Clyde and I have actually had the discussion of “What would we do if it came to this. . . (fill in the blank)”? At some point, we would be required by our commitment to our Savior and the covenants we have made to rise up in rebellion. What does that mean? Does it really mean to start taking the lives of others? This is when I'm really glad to be of the female gender. I couldn't do it. But I definitely would support the men in their efforts. I would do whatever it takes to maintain my freedoms. Oh how I pray that there will be enough civility left that it does not come to that. However, the Book of Mormon makes it pretty clear that we should count on wars, robbers, murderers, famines, pestilence, (that's anything from poisonous snakes to infestations of bugs and the like) and anything else that we read about.
How does this apply to me? That really is a hard question to answer without being repetitious. I must prepare myself and my family. I must prepare temporally as well as spiritually. What does that mean? I must be actively engaged in seeing that we have in store those items we need to sustain life for long periods of time. And of course, I need to be ever vigilant in staying spiritually prepared, i.e. prayer, scriptures, attending temple, enduring the trials life has to bear and doing so in a Christ-like manner.
This chapter is a constant change of leadership from one king to another. Not all kings were good and not all were bad. The interesting thing to note is that when the king was a righteous king and reigned in righteousness, the people would prosper and they would live in peace. Conversely, when the king was wicked, there were wars and famine in the land.
If the Book of Mormon was written for us in this time, and we've been told by prophets of God that it was, then we really do need to take heed with what is being taught in it. This chapter in particular is full of what we can expect when we have righteous leaders and what we can expect when we do not. We are seeing it a little in the way our government is being run currently. Clyde and I have actually had the discussion of “What would we do if it came to this. . . (fill in the blank)”? At some point, we would be required by our commitment to our Savior and the covenants we have made to rise up in rebellion. What does that mean? Does it really mean to start taking the lives of others? This is when I'm really glad to be of the female gender. I couldn't do it. But I definitely would support the men in their efforts. I would do whatever it takes to maintain my freedoms. Oh how I pray that there will be enough civility left that it does not come to that. However, the Book of Mormon makes it pretty clear that we should count on wars, robbers, murderers, famines, pestilence, (that's anything from poisonous snakes to infestations of bugs and the like) and anything else that we read about.
How does this apply to me? That really is a hard question to answer without being repetitious. I must prepare myself and my family. I must prepare temporally as well as spiritually. What does that mean? I must be actively engaged in seeing that we have in store those items we need to sustain life for long periods of time. And of course, I need to be ever vigilant in staying spiritually prepared, i.e. prayer, scriptures, attending temple, enduring the trials life has to bear and doing so in a Christ-like manner.
Monday, August 1, 2011
It's Simple!
Ether 9
What a delightful chapter. NOT! The Jaredites begin to suffer the consequences of their evil ways.
The first thing I noticed was that the king, Akish, had sons and he taught them and swore them to do iniquity. They are evil children. Duh! I see a little bit of politics at this point. In verse 11 the people wanted gain (money), and Akish's sons offered them money. Where did the money come from? I believe evil kings live on the money of the people, so it must have come from the people – redistribution of wealth. This is a phrase that is mentioned frequently in our home.
Then the sons of Akish war against their father. It's a beastly war and only 30 people survive it. They join with the people of Omer who had left the land earlier at the warning of the Lord. So Omer was restored to the land of his inheritance. (v13) He begat Emer in his old age and he was a good king. They had peace and prosperity in the land for the next 62 years. Emer was righteous enough to see Christ. (v22) Emer died after 64 years of peace in the land. Coriantum walked in his footsteps and was a righteous leader as well. He didn't have children until he remarried after his wife died at the age of 102 years. His second wife gave birth to Com who was wicked and was made king. Com had a son, Heth, who embraced wicked combinations again and destroyed his father. Prophets came into the land and Heth commanded his people to kill them. And guess what started to happen? The Lord did what he has done since the beginning of time. They began to perish. There were famines in the land and this time the Lord used poisonous serpents. The serpents were in the way of them leaving the land for a better. When they saw that they were about to be obliterated, they repented and cried unto the Lord (v34). Really!?
If you don't want to read the entire Book of Mormon, start with Ether. It is a condensed version of the Book of Mormon. The people are righteous. They become rich. They become evil. They begin to perish for any number of reasons, i.e. famine, killing each other, poisonous serpents. They are humbled and repent. The are blessed by the Lord. It is a cycle. We see it in the individual lives of people today. We will see it as a great nation. As I mentioned yesterday, it is only because of the prayers of the righteous that the Lord hasn't destroyed us yet.
This is such a frustration to watch. I'm at a loss to come up with anything original. How does this apply to me? I must be ever vigilant in keeping the commandments that I will be worthy of the Holy Ghost to guide me and protect me in the choices I make. It's really rather simple.
What a delightful chapter. NOT! The Jaredites begin to suffer the consequences of their evil ways.
The first thing I noticed was that the king, Akish, had sons and he taught them and swore them to do iniquity. They are evil children. Duh! I see a little bit of politics at this point. In verse 11 the people wanted gain (money), and Akish's sons offered them money. Where did the money come from? I believe evil kings live on the money of the people, so it must have come from the people – redistribution of wealth. This is a phrase that is mentioned frequently in our home.
Then the sons of Akish war against their father. It's a beastly war and only 30 people survive it. They join with the people of Omer who had left the land earlier at the warning of the Lord. So Omer was restored to the land of his inheritance. (v13) He begat Emer in his old age and he was a good king. They had peace and prosperity in the land for the next 62 years. Emer was righteous enough to see Christ. (v22) Emer died after 64 years of peace in the land. Coriantum walked in his footsteps and was a righteous leader as well. He didn't have children until he remarried after his wife died at the age of 102 years. His second wife gave birth to Com who was wicked and was made king. Com had a son, Heth, who embraced wicked combinations again and destroyed his father. Prophets came into the land and Heth commanded his people to kill them. And guess what started to happen? The Lord did what he has done since the beginning of time. They began to perish. There were famines in the land and this time the Lord used poisonous serpents. The serpents were in the way of them leaving the land for a better. When they saw that they were about to be obliterated, they repented and cried unto the Lord (v34). Really!?
If you don't want to read the entire Book of Mormon, start with Ether. It is a condensed version of the Book of Mormon. The people are righteous. They become rich. They become evil. They begin to perish for any number of reasons, i.e. famine, killing each other, poisonous serpents. They are humbled and repent. The are blessed by the Lord. It is a cycle. We see it in the individual lives of people today. We will see it as a great nation. As I mentioned yesterday, it is only because of the prayers of the righteous that the Lord hasn't destroyed us yet.
This is such a frustration to watch. I'm at a loss to come up with anything original. How does this apply to me? I must be ever vigilant in keeping the commandments that I will be worthy of the Holy Ghost to guide me and protect me in the choices I make. It's really rather simple.
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