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.
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