2 Nephi 27:1 - Evil Compared to Drunken Stupor

Verse 1 grabs my attention.  I’ve had the unwelcome experience of seeing evil in some of its other forms and really do view evil as a “drunken stupor”.  As a mother of a child with an eating disorder, I have seen the bondage it has created in this young woman’s life; that her actions are not always in her right mind and that it is an evil – an assault against the body that God has created for her.  We see this same drunkenness in the acts of people who are consumed with hate to the point their actions are not in their right mind.  Evil manifests itself in the form of drunkenness in nearly all counts.  I read a book recently of a man who had night visions (aka out-of-body experiences), and he saw deceased spirits who had left this life without repenting of their sins who were fighting over the body of those succumbing to temptation to view pornography.  They wanted to feel the euphoria of that evil again through his body.  His description of this scene resembled drunkenness as well.  It was a chilling description and made me realize when we succumb to evil temptations, we lose our ability to control ourselves much like an alcoholic who is drunk. 

2 Nephi 26:13 - The Lord Loves those who love Him

Today's question:   When have you witnessed the blessings mentioned in 2 Nephi 26:13? What are some different ways the Lord manifests Himself to us?

The Lord loves those who love Him.  He wants to bless them.  This was my personal experience when I emerged from a dark place in my life into the light.  I threw myself onto my bed like a small child and said aloud:  “Heavenly Father, whatever it is my parents are praying for me, I’m ready to do it.  I can’t go on like this!”  Even though it was a hard thing to change the life I had been living, I could see the Lord’s hand in it.  People came to my rescue.  I was given opportunities to serve that made me feel needed and gave me a desire to continue.  People with whom I worked nurtured me in the gospel.  Probably the most obvious blessing was the night I cried to the Lord in my closet (new home and no curtains and I was alone), and I pleaded that my newly named ex-husband would not come to my house.  I knew he had no place else to go.  I prayed hard and long.  I no sooner fell asleep than the doorbell rang.  As I answered it, it was my ex-husband who very respectfully said, “I have nowhere to go.  Please let me sleep on the couch and I’ll be gone in the morning before you leave.”  I felt nothing.  There was no bitterness or anger and certainly no harsh words were spoken either direction.  This was a blessing and a direct answer to prayer.  The Lord didn’t keep him away; he kept me from having feelings that would once more entrap me.  Yes, the Lord manifested himself unto me that night, and I knew He was there for me through the hard times as well as the good.

Heart, Mind and Strength - 2 Nephi 25:29

I'm going to love the Facebook Page "Read the Book of Mormon in 365 Days".  Today's question comes from 2 Nephi 25:29.

“What do you think it means to worship the Lord with all your heart, might, and strength?” 

What does it mean to worship someone or something?  The dictionary uses the following words in the definition of  “worship”:  feelings of reverence, adoration for deity, ceremony, devote, pay homage, honor.

Are my actions reverent enough to say I worship the Lord with ALL my heart, might and strength?  Do I adore my Lord and Savior?  What does it mean to adore someone?  Again, the dictionary says to “love and respect”.  If we love someone, don’t we do what they ask us to do?  Do we do it because of fear or respect?  How about trust?  Haven’t I learned that when I keep the Lord’s commandments, I am blessed? 

Ceremony - Hmmmm, think on it.  Sacrament, temple ordinances - for self and for deceased, prayer – daily and throughout the day.

Devote - To “devote” means to give all or the largest portion.  Are my time, talents and everything the Lord has given me devoted to serving the Lord in His purposes? If not, should this be tweaked so that I am in line with proper worship of the Lord, aka “all my heart, might and strength”? 

Homage – Special honor.  What exactly does that look like – to honor someone?  Oh wow!  The dictionary spells that out in a very temporal way.  “His portrait hangs in a place of honor.”  Do I have pictures of the Savior throughout my home?  Do I sing praises to the Lord?  Do I adhere to his code of conduct?  If so, I’m honoring Him.

So in answer to your question, I would say I’m at least on the right track of worshiping the Lord with all my heart, might, and strength.  Could I do more?  We can always do more.  Today must always be an improvement over yesterday.  Seeing the Lord’s hand and recognizing his gifts in all that surrounds me is one way I can do that.  Yes, it is a joy to worship throughout my day – all day. 

Stand for Truth and Righteousness

I had an epiphany last night that I wonder why I’ve not thought of before. 

There is a real movement going on in the country currently on the rights of homosexuals, (i.e. gays, lesbians, transvestites, etc.)  The country, and even our righteous members, are being quite divided on this issue. 

The prophet and apostles of God sent out a Proclamation on the Family in 1995 that was truly inspired.  We were nowhere near having the troubles with same-sex attraction that we are today, and it seemed a little odd though definitely inspired.  It stated that marriage is to be between a man and a woman who are married.  It says a whole lot more, but that is the point of this journal entry. 

We’ve been told in numerous scriptures that in the latter days, we will need to heed carefully the words of the prophets to navigate through this sinful world and avoid the pitfalls of Satan.  This is truly one of those pitfalls.  As I was reading posts on Facebook last night, there was a particularly long string on the rights of the people to love the way they choose to love, and that people shouldn’t be deprived of this right.  What?!  There were several of my nieces and nephews who chimed in on this conversation, and I was stunned.  Even the very elect shall be deceived. Joseph Smith – Matthew 1:22  says: “For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant.”  Many of these young people are covenant people.

I can’t say that those fighting for same-gender marriage have shown forth any great signs.  They do make a pretty good argument on why it should be allowed.  But it is against God’s commandment that marriage is between a man and a woman ordained of God.  It is a mockery! 

For years the Young Women have been reciting the YW Theme and Values:

WE ARE DAUGHTERS of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. WE WILL “STAND as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places”  (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith • Divine Nature • Individual Worth • Knowledge • Choice and Accountability • Good Works • Integrity • and Virtue

WE BELIEVE as we come to accept and act upon these values, WE WILL BE PREPARED to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

Mosiah 18:9 contains the covenants we make at baptism, so this includes men as well.  This is what I’m talking about.  Is making a comment of logic for Gays and Lesbians on a Facebook string standing for truth and righteousness?  I contend that it is NOT!  This is one of many opportunities we will have in what I see to be our very near future to stand for truth and righteousness.  The tests will most likely get harder; the stakes higher.  This is a good one to cut our teeth on, if we haven’t been called on before to make a stand on something. 

I wrote the above about two months ago.  Since then, I have been interviewed to have my Temple recommend renewed.  It is quite clear that this issue would be included in the questions asked.  We need to remember what STANDING FOR TRUTH really means.

Scriptures vs. Christ's Physical Presence

In Luke 18 Jesus tells the disciples not to keep the little children from him, “. . . for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”  Then I read in 3 Nephi 17 where he stands in the middle of the little children and there is a miraculous encircling of fire around them.  Jesus prays to the Father for them.  The multitude is witnessing this and tears fill their eyes.  It isn’t recorded what Jesus said because “. . . no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.”

What is it that makes this particular prayer different?  Is it this prayer that gives these children the faith they need to pass the blessings of this day onto four generations before it is weakened?  If I heard the Savior pray for me, would I be more faithful?  Would I serve Him all the days of my life?  Would I be His disciple to the end?  They had this amazing, miraculous experience, but I have the scriptures.  I can read them daily and be blessed one drop at a time that my testimony will grow and endure the trials of this generation, which are great.  Is being encircled in the Savior’s love physically in a group of other children any different than being encircled by His love when I read the scriptures?  I can make it just as miraculous; I believe it to be so.  Reading the scriptures helps me know my Savior loves me, and that He prays for me as well.  My task is to behave in such a way as to be worthy of these blessings in my life.  That is where my faith is tested.