1 Nephi 14:7 Peace or Destruction? Your Choice!

It’s 4:00 a.m. and I’m unable to sleep.  I’m not a big fan of jet lag.  Add to that the bug I brought home from Indonesia as a souvenir, and you have a sleepless night.

I finally got up to read my scriptures.  May as well make use of my time wisely.  1 Nephi 14:7 snagged me this morning.  I’m sure it was because of yesterday’s “event” - my daughter’s third wedding, and the exposure I was given to the truth of this single verse.  It was a beautiful wedding.  Her former bishop performed the ceremony and gave wise counsel.  Before I go on, let’s examine the verse:

7. For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God (Christ), that I will work a great and a marvelous work (this is the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ) among the children of men (that’s all of us, folks); a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other – either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil, of which I have spoken.

I added the parenthesis.  This verse hits home.  There are two choices:  peace and life eternal, or captivity and destruction.  I’m here to tell and to warn you that Satan is very subtle.   I saw his handiwork in full display last night as I watched the evening from the eyes of experience.  In a previous life that seems almost inconceivable to me now, I was in the “captivity and destruct” camp of which Nephi speaks.  It is a dark and dreary place filled with temptations to escape its darkness through one of Satan’s greatest tools, i.e. strong drink.  Let me here say that I was never sucked into its potential to destroy my life; but I entertained it long enough to make some serious mistakes that tripped me up for nine years of my life - the nine years that should be productive motherhood years in a young woman’s life.

Reading my last sentence reminds me of the series of books my grandson asked me to read: “Percy Jackson”.   One of the chapters from which book I don’t remember took Percy into a room where time stopped ticking.  He thought he was there for just a few short minutes, but as long as he kept eating the delicious desserts that were freely available, the passage of time was negligible. This is so similar to the lifestyle of those who make choices that take them away from the “peace and life everlasting” Nephi references in the beginning of this verse.  The many temptations of Satan look appealing at first and feel harmless.  Be not deceived!  They are far from harmless.

Last evening started out beautiful.  It was a happy occasion filled with family from both sides who look forward to this couple doing some great things in their marriage.  They are a dynamic duo and have great potential. But darn that liquor!  They served wine, which, to some, might seem a mild drink. It too is quite subtle.   I was not blind to those who slipped their own strong drinks into the back kitchen where they came and drank freely through the night – even jokingly, thus making it a bit of a sloppy night for them and a stark reminder to me of how blessed I am.  This night was a strong reminder of the “captivity, and also into destruction” that Nephi speaks of in verse seven and of my rescue from that captivity and destruction, even "a great and a marvelous work", aka the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I pray hard that those of my children who have crossed this line and are experiencing the captivity will somehow find their way back into the peace that comes from living as Christ has taught.  Today they are beautiful daughters, young and full of fun and life. I saw before me their future in a fast-forward type of way as I watched seasoned alcoholics.  As the night wore on, I was feeling the darkness of it all. Walking out the door in hand with my eternal companion was like coming up for clean air after being in a smoke-filled room.  I took a deep cleansing breath and a sigh of gratitude for my life as it is now.  

I couldn’t help but feel gratitude when my granddaughter asked me about my past.  Oh, I’m not grateful to have had that past, although I learned through experience that the things I was taught in my youth are true.  But I was grateful she would ask rather than wonder.  “Grandma, when you were married before, did you drink alcohol?”  Ouch! Getting married to someone outside my faith, values and beliefs was not my first poor choice. It probably began with the first Sunday I was “on my own” as an adult.  My insecurities kept me from attending church because I was afraid to go alone and my roommates didn’t want to be bothered. Actually, it really started before that. What was I thinking when I chose roommates who didn’t put the Gospel as a priority in their lives anyway?  We become like the company we keep.  The trail of poor choices is not hard to trace.  One poor choice leads to another until you reach that fateful day where you see (or others can easily see) that you are living in captivity and will be in the camp of “destruction, both temporally and spiritually”, if you do not reach out to the Savior for rescue.  Oh how grateful I am that Christ has made it possible to be rescued.  The Atonement of Christ is real.  Christ has the power to help you out of the messes you get yourself into.  Unfortunately, Satan’s captivity is also very real.  Those cords that bind you down are hard to break.  How much better to never let them exist in the first place!

I am grateful for the Atonement.  I’m grateful for the love of the Savior which has the power to heal the pains we bring upon ourselves when we make poor choices.  I’m grateful for the continued blessings that come from His Atonement.  They too are real.

Revelations 17 - More thoughts than answers

I don’t know that writing my thoughts on this chapter are worthy of publishing, but I found the entire chapter interesting – mostly because I’ve read it before, and this morning it seemed to be with more clarity, or at least with different questions.  Usually, once I write my first sentence, I get thoughts that are profound. I don't know that's the case today.

I love the language of this chapter.  In the first verse, I could almost visualize a “friend” relationship between John and the angel who was showing him around.   He said, “Come hither; . . .”  I could see the angel beckoning to him, “Come here, John.  I want to show you something.”  It means nothing; just what I envisioned.  

The “whore” is obviously anyone or anything, kingdom, creed, etc., that fights against the kingdom of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  I get this information from reading 1 Nephi 22:13-16 and 1 Nephi 14:11. 

The woman in verse 3, who is sitting upon a scarlet colored beast, represents the wicked rulers and nations of the world.  They are rich and full of filth.  Sounds pretty descriptive of what we see in some parts of the world today. The woman is drunken with the blood of the saints.  You see it in so many ways in the history of the world.

In verse 8, it says “the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”  I’m wondering if that is referencing the fact that Satan (the beast) was all-powerful and known throughout the world and then “is not”. Does that mean he disappears, as we have been told he will not have power during the millennium?  And then it goes on to say “and yet is”.  We know he exists, but he isn’t in the world during this time.  I have no answer.  These were just my thoughts.

I want to jump quickly to verse 9 though.  That is the verse that caused me to pause this morning.  I’m not certain why I’ve never noticed it before, yet it isn’t a leap. “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. (In other words, if you’re smart you’ll get this.) The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.” Are the seven mountains the seven continents of the world?  It could have multiple meanings.  We know that seven in the scriptures can be replaced with perfect, finished, or complete. At least that’s what I’ve been told. So, “complete world?”  “Perfect world?”, or is it “Finished world?”  I just thought it interesting.  

My grandson has me reading the Percy Jackson books.  Although it’s not my favorite kind of reading, it has been interesting to see some of the similarities between the adventures of Percy and the prophecies of John in Revelations.  There seems to be lots of “beasts” with multiple heads, horns and moving/flying about the world freely in both accounts.  This too means nothing.  Just my thoughts as I was reading.

Hell is a place! It is also a state of mind.

Mormon 9 – So many nuggets!

As I was reading this chapter this morning it was almost with a new set of eyes.  I have read the Book of Mormon dozens of times.  But this time I saw nuggets that in the past did not stand out.  Why is this – especially given the fact I feel a little punk today?  It has something to do with “drops of oil”.  Each time I read anything pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am adding to my lamp the drops of oil spoken of in the scriptures. 

I sat and stared at Mormon 9:2 for minutes before I moved on.  Let’s see if I can commit to paper what my mind was doing – and why.  I’ll start with the why.  My granddaughter, Tyler, is the sweetest teenager.  She has figured out that I really love to “chew on the scriptures” and occasionally will send me a text with a question pertaining to the Gospel.  She asked me about Hell the other day.  She asked me after reading 3 Nephi 12:30 if hell is a place.  “. . . is there a hell or does it mean that they will experience hell like conditions in the afterlife?”  My reply was sufficient and probably more than she wanted, but chewing on this one verse today was even better.

“Behold, will ye believe in the day of your visitation – behold, when the Lord shall come, yea, even that great day . . . . (from The Living Christ it says:  “We testify that He will someday return to earth And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” Isaiah 40:5). This is what the day of your visitation means?  We will all see the Lord come at the same time.  I’ve pondered that statement numerous times.  What is that going to look like?  I have no idea, but I have no doubt that it will be seen by all of us at the same time.  Yes, it will be a great day!

Moving on:  “. . . when the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, yea, in that great day when ye shall be brought to stand before the Lamb of God. . .”  Why did this stop me in my tracks?  In D&C 130:9 “The earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon (This is a place.), whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom (do you get this?  Inferior kingdom is the Telestial kingdom). . . or all kingdoms of a lower order, (think Telestial Kingdom here), will be manifest to those who dwell on it; (who will be dwelling on the Telestial Kingdom? Read D&C 76:83-86) and this earth will be Christ’s”.  Those who dwell in the Telestial Kingdom, aka the earth as we know it, will have become as a sea of glass and easy to read. . . Will be able to see.  Even though we’ve been told even the Telestial Kingdom will be a place of glory.  D&C 76: 84 says “. . . they are thrust down to hell.”  This earth, in its sanctified state, will be the hell spoken of in the scriptures!  It is a place.  It will also be a state of mind though because we will see with clarity those things we might have had, and chose not to have. What do you suppose your mind is going to feel like at that point if you “qualify” to live in the Telestial Kingdom?  I can’t think I’d be real happy about it.  That would definitely describe hell to me.

My morning is moving a lot faster than I am.  I could chew on this a long time.  Yes, the scriptures are full of nuggets.  This chapter is dense with them.  I love reading the scriptures and finding a nugget I can chew on.  I love my Savior, Jesus Christ and his patience with me in this process – and it is a process.  As I wrote earlier, one drop at a time, or line upon line as Joseph Smith wrote (D&C 98:12). 

Revelation 12 - Flood of Water

My time in the scriptures this morning was so enjoyable.  I read from the Book of Mormon and then went to Revelations where I’m reading it again.  I have noticed something.  The more I read, the more I understand what I’m reading.  Awesome!

I read Revelation 12 this morning where it talks about the apostasy and the war in heaven, which continues on the earth today.  Oh brother does it!  The “woman” (v1 and throughout the chapter), is the Church. The “man child” (v5) is the Priesthood.  Of course, we know the “rod of iron” is the word of God, more specifically the Book of Mormon, and Satan’s war to keep that from coming forth was and continues to be relentless.  He does NOT want us to read it and learn of the truth. 

The “wilderness” (v6) I believe is Utah, or what has become Utah.  We know it wasn’t a state when the saints first arrived here, but it was wilderness.  That was my thought this morning.  Verse 15 was an eye opener to me.  “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.”  The serpent (Satan) cast out of his mouth a flood of water after the woman (the Church).  Never in our history as we know it has the world been flooded with such filth and sleaze as we see daily on the Internet, news, in the work place and it has even slipped into some of the higher echelons of our own beloved Church.  Could this not be considered a flood?  What is the definition of a flood?  “An overflowing of a large amount of water beyond its normal confines. . .”  Certainly evil has spread to every corner of the world.  Could it not be considered as an outright assault against the Lord’s Church – a war (v17) to destroy the remnant of her seed – us! 

I feel sad at the casualties of this war.  I see them daily – some my own family members.  It is heartbreaking.  But I have the faith that the Lord is in charge of this and He will prevail.  I want to be on the winning side of this war.  When I see big trees fall (Priesthood leaders in the Church), it is such a sad thing to me.  Yet we’ve been told that even the very elect will be deceived.  Matthew 24:24 – “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”  I’m having a hard time seeing how a Priesthood leader can be deceived when it comes to a sexual transgression, but we are seeing some serious offenses in this arena. 

We can never let our guard down.  We can never think that we are immune from this flood.  We must read from the scriptures daily, pray for strength to overcome the adversities in this world, attend our meetings and the temple.  These are the tools the Lord has given us to inoculate us against this flood. 

Mormon 2 - Parenting 101 - Patience, Forbearance

Mormon 2

As I read Mormon 2 this morning I couldn’t help but compare it to parenting.  Mormon’s forbearance with his people emulates our Heavenly Father’s patience with each of us.  We are constantly being encouraged to return to Him - to keep His commandments so that we can.  Some still shake their fists and wish to die (v14).  I actually see it in my own family.  They’re mad at God for not giving them the things they thought they deserved and prayed for, when they give no thought to the things God has asked of them so He can bless them with the things that will bring lasting happiness.  It is a head scratcher to me.  Surely verse 15 rings a bell:  “open rebellion against their God”.  You can keep reading that verse and get quite uncomfortable with what is in store for those who are in open rebellion.

Almost as if by design, the conference talk we listened to this morning was W. Christopher Waddell’s talk, “Turn to the Lord”.  There will always be hard things we are required to go through - some harder than others.  That is why we have put put on this earth – to learn from our experiences and trials.  My daughter’s trials were extreme.  Her eternal companion was mentally ill, inflicting on her terrible things and leading her into a dark abyss.  She was not allowed to have friends who could support her in her trials because of his insecurities and jealousies.  It was a horrible existence.  But rather than turning to the Lord and trusting that he could help her bear her afflictions and knowing that some day she would be “free”, she turned on the Lord – basically shaking her fist at Him.  How could he allow one of his daughters to suffer such afflictions?  How could he not inspire the Priesthood brethren to see the atrocities of their lives?  She threw the entire package out because of the sickness of one person whom she had put her trust in. 

The patience of our Heavenly Father in this Mormon Chapter 2 is an example for us as parents.  We should never give up on our children who have strayed or are angry with God for whatever injustice they feel they have suffered.  God is good.  He does not give up on us.  He loves His children.  It is evidenced all round us.  We too should never give up on our children.  I have a firm testimony that the Lord has a plan in place for each of his children.  I will never forget my own rescue.  It was just time to change.  In my heart I knew it and I was drawn toward it.  I wanted to feel the goodness of the Spirit in my life.  There was no clear understanding of how to do it, but one piece at a time the way was provided.  All it took was the desire.  I’m so grateful for this blessing in my life.  It gives me the strength to hold onto the faith that my own children will have similar experiences.  They are covenant children; I have no reason to believe otherwise.  It may not happen in this life.  But I know they will return.

3 Nephi 24:10-11 - Blessings Abound!

Let’s see if I can capture the thoughts I had when I read this earlier this morning.  Sometimes my scripture study time is not without interruption.  Such was the case this morning.  However, when I read 3 Nephi 24: 10-11, I stopped in my tracks.  We’re supposed to liken the scriptures unto ourselves.  Right?  Well, this time it hit me in a totally different way. 

The first time I remember hearing the phrase, “ . . . and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it”, was from my Dad when he gave me a father’s priesthood blessing for the first time.  I had been encouraged by my missionary friends to ask for a blessing.  This was totally foreign in our family.  I had always thought priesthood blessings were for the sick and dying – not healthy, confused and needy children.  What a novel idea!  I pulled myself together and decided to go to my parents’ home one night and tell them of my journey.  I was turning my life around and I needed courage to do what lay ahead.  I was in a miserable marriage and I wanted out.  I gave it a good try – nine years of my life, and I wanted the life I saw my parents and siblings having.  I was studying the scriptures, going to church as best I could, and I hungered for more – a lot more.  Well, my dad gave me a beautiful blessing.  My parents were happy for the changes I was making and the direction I wanted to go.  In that blessing, he said something to the effect that if I continued on the path I was charting that the Lord would pour out blessings that there would not be room enough to receive them.  I will say that this phrase was prophetic.  I have been abundantly blessed beyond measure.  I am so very grateful!  I’m also grateful for this memory.

As I continued reading this morning, I stopped again to ponder verse 11.  Why have I never noticed this before?  “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes (I’ve noticed this one), and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground . . .”  I have read it and noticed it, but always equated it to the fruits of my labors – like a farmer would his fields.  What are the fruits of my labor?  What are the fruits of my ground?  My children!  I have always had the faith that eventually they will yearn for the warmth of the gospel in their lives again.  I don’t know what beckoned me to return.  It just felt like it was time.  The people in my life were encouraging and it was just the right thing to do.  I have total faith that my children and grandchildren who have wandered off the covenant path will have a similar experience.  I always add this caveat, “If not in this life, then in the next”.   I know we have our agency, and that this is a very important part of Heavenly Father’s plan.  But I also believe what we’ve been told about covenant children.  Somehow, this is all going to work out.  President Hinckley said that numerous times.  They may have to suffer, even as Christ did (D&C 19:16-17), but they will somehow return.