Journals and Formula

It has been so long since I have posted, I really had to search to find my blog.  I have discovered I do this for myself.  You're free to read and even comment, but please feel no obligation to read.  This exercise helps me to think more about what I'm reading and apply it to my life.  Connie

Monday, May 7, 2012 1 Nephi 6 & 7

Something worth remembering:  Nephi wrote in several journals.  (1 Nephi 6:1) The journal that eventually became the Book of Mormon was written with the intent to “. . . persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.”  Perhaps it’s not a bad idea to keep this “intent” in mind as I write in my own journals.

Nephi and his brothers were sent back to Jerusalem to get Ishmael and his daughters to go back with them.  It wasn’t without struggles even though the “men” were less hesitant for this trip because it would give them wives.  However, there were grumblings again and Nephi had to speak to his brothers about their behavior.  “How is it. . . .”  Why do people forget so quickly the blessings the Lord bestows upon them.  They had seen an angel.  They forgot how they had been delivered out of Laban’s hands in a most miraculous manner.  They had forgotten the Lord could do all things according to his will (v8-12).

We see people today go through similar periods of forgetfulness.  How many return missionaries do I know who come home and forget the miracles they have experienced during their missions?  Many more than I care to think about.  I’ve seen many of my nieces and nephews – and my own daughter – have amazing experiences with missions, lives, and being spared only to get involved in their personal pursuits and leave the safety net of the church, the gospel and the blessings it promises to those who are faithful.  What makes us forget?  Is there a clue in this chapter? 

V14 says “. . .the Spirit of the Lord ceaseth soon to strive with them;”  Why?  “They have rejected the prophets. . .”  How do we reject the prophets?  It is rather simple.  We don’t go to Conference, watch it, reread the messages.  We don’t listen carefully to their counsel.  And that’s the beginning.  Because we don’t listen to their counsel, attending meetings becomes optional and our attendance is hit and miss.  It doesn’t take long.  I’ve seen it too many times to not know this.

It’s quite interesting to me that after making this entry, I read a talk from last General Conference by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom “Converted to His Gospel through His Church”.  He poses similar “how” questions.  “How much faith do we really have?  How repentant are we?  How meaningful are the ordinances in our lives?  How focused are we on our covenants?  How can someone be fully active in the Church as a youth and then not be when they are older?  How can an adult who has regularly attended and served stop coming?  How can a person who was disappointed by a leader or another member allow that to end their Church participation?  Perhaps the reason is they were not sufficiently converted to the gospel – the things of eternity.” 

He goes on to say how to prevent this from happening in our own lives.  In short:  1) Study the scriptures, 2) Focus on the ordinance and covenants, 3) Unite the gospel with the Church – in other words, be actively engaged. 

I feel like I was guided to this talk as when I sat down to read, my iPad was on another talk.  Since the hard copy of the Ensign was right there, I closed the iPad and opened the magazine up where I left it last time I read.  This was the talk I read.  You could never convince me the Lord isn’t aware of our smallest action. 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012  1 Nehi 9 – Lehi’s vision of the tree of life

It is impossible for me to read this and not internalize.  As Lehi travels for the space of many hours in darkness, I relate that to my nine years of darkness in a life I had no business living.  I too prayed (finally) after nine years!  I remember my pray as a plea to help me.  Answer to this one prayer was swift and I began to see the Lord was guiding me not so much by me listening to the spirit and heeding, but by putting people in my path to help me in my effort to change.  As I partook of the fruit, I was filled with exceedingly great joy and it continues.  And I, like Lehi, want my family to partake of it also.  I can make similar comparisons through this entire chapter.  The key to happiness is by keeping the commandments of the Lord, not heeding those who would tempt us to do otherwise.  How is this done?  I have a note in my scriptures that is eight years old: “PP, PS, FP, FS, FHE, T”  This is the formula we must follow.  Personal prayer and scripture, family prayer and scripture, Family Home Evening, and regular Temple attendance.   Done with a sincere heart and real intent, these efforts – enduring to the end, will be our shield and protection against the powers of Satan.  I know this is a truth.