Matthew 10 - Come Follow Me lesson.

I want to journal my experiences in the scriptures.  Time is so limited.  I thoroughly enjoy the Come Follow Me study time.  When I put into it, I definitely pull from it!

This morning I read Matthew 10.  That was it. I was intrigued by the Savior’s use of animals as he spoke with the apostles.  Serpents are wise?  Doves are harmless?  He also mentions sheep (those we minister to) and wolves (those who seek to destroy).  

Jesus sends his disciples on a “go-as-you-are” mission, i.e. no packing, no money – only the good news of the gospel to teach, preach, bless and open their mouth – aka being an instrument in God’s hands – to do His work!  V20 Spirit of Father is the speaker; not them.  

Many times, I’ve felt the influence of the Holy Ghost as I’ve delivered a talk, bore my testimony or served in auxiliaries and spoken.  It is an exhilarating experience!  The first time I experienced this, and knew what was happening, was when I had been asked to give a talk.  I had studied the topic thoroughly.  I knew it passionately.  It didn’t hurt that it was about music in our worship and in our daily lives.  I had my talk typed out.  This was when I had small children and we all know how hectic getting out the door for church can get.  Such was my morning.  When I got on the stand and looked in my things, my talk was nowhere to be found. The meeting had started.  I was somewhat panicked, but calm.  Does that make sense?  Perhaps it was the Spirit.  I delivered the things that must have been important to the Lord and felt His influence and support as I gave my talk with eye contact to the congregation.  That was the beginning of many more talks just like it.  I purposely leave my “talk” at home.  I take a card with bullet points, aka reminders of what I think I’m to give.  

The Savior gave his disciples the power of the Priesthood to go forth and teach and preach.  How can I access His power as I serve in my callings and as a minister?  Again, studying the scriptures is key.  I honor the Priesthood and value the blessings I’ve been given through Priesthood blessings.  To deny oneself of unrighteousness is taking up the “cross”, as we seek the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.  

I loved ready 2 Corinthians 6:1-10!  God has been very good to me.  The counsel in v1 is to not let that goodness be in vain.  Hmmmm, maybe this means the blessings the Lord has given us should not cause us to be prideful but to realize these gifts are so we can do His work. 

V2 – Don’t pass judgment on others as I serve them.  

V3-6 Patient in afflictions, tumults, labor, fasting, pureness,   

And that is all the time I have this morning.  It was a lovely time in my scriptures!

2 Nephi 4 - Nephi's Psalm

Have I really never written on this chapter before?  This is one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. Nephi, in effect, has been beaten down – at least temporarily.  Wendy Ulrich, Ph.D., M.B.A., said once in a RS environment that he showed signs of depression. This was in a day when substances weren’t causing depression, so you know he was suffering.  He felt like a wretched man, sorrowed and grieved because of his own iniquities.  He was a good man!  Yet he was down on himself.  (v17)

He was tempted and felt he was sinful (v18).  What possible sins might he have felt he possessed?  Well, he has some pretty evil brothers pounding on him constantly.  Wouldn’t the natural man at least wish they would fall off a cliff or something?  Maybe even pray that Heavenly Father would somehow strike them with his all-powerful hand and get THEM out of HIS misery?  Could Nephi be blamed if he’d had these thoughts – even if they were just fleeting?  My guess is his thoughts weren’t even that bad.  

Then Nephi REMEMBERS.  He remembers what God had done for him all these many years of wandering out of Jerusalem, their journey over the waters and to the promised land and living among his enemies.  He had been supported, led through afflictions, and preserved upon the waters (v20).  He had been filled with God’s love (v21).  His enemies had been confounded (v22).  The Lord heard his cries by day and sent him knowledge by visions at night (v23).  He had angels minister to him (v24).  He beheld great things – even too great to write about.  

Then he asks himself the questions:  “. . . if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy (himself included), why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions.” (v26)  In other words, “do I really have anything to be sad about?”  He sees the destructive nature of his depression – “. . . my strength slacken. . .”  He could see he was losing power, aka the Spirit.

In effect, he calls his soul to repentance and says, “Awake, my soul!  No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul (v28)."

What does Nephi teach us in this chapter?  He teaches us that depression over difficulties is not a new thing and that it is of no value.  He teaches us how to overcome the depression, i.e. remember the blessings you have, remember when you knew the Lord was by your side in support of all that you were doing and then remember that he will continue to be there for you.  I’ve said so many times to my son that the Lord has been there for him.  Why would he pull out now?  If it was right yesterday, it is still right today.  Depression can be brought on by forgetting that God is there for you.  I realize there is such a thing as clinical depression, and we need to respect that.  But sometimes, we work ourselves into a depression.  Remembering, turning to God for help and then calling ourselves to repentance and moving forward might just be a better plan.  

Called by the Prophet - The Lord's Battalion

Moroni is the captain of the armies and one very good man!  He raises the title of liberty among the people (v12), puts on his own armor, dedicates himself to the cause by praying unto God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to posses the land (v13).  He went forth among the people, waving the rent part of his garment in the air, that all might see the writing which he had written upon the rent part, and crying with a loud voice, saying: Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord. . .”  (v20)

As I was reading this, I was hit hard with the similarity between Moroni and what Pres. Nelson has been doing since the day he was sustained as our prophet.  He has traveled to many countries and called the youth to commit to being on the Lord’s battalion.  He has called the women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to this same cause.  I suspect (and pray) strongly that the same thing will happen at the next Priesthood session.  He is organizing the Lord’s Battalion in preparation for the Savior’s return. 

How is he doing this?  He is getting out amongst the people, for one thing.  But he is calling us to rededicate ourselves to the cause of the Savior.  What is that cause?  “. . . To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).  What is he asking us to do?  This is the list he gave to the Relief Society:

·       Read the Book of Mormon

·       Talk of Christ in conversations with family and friends

·       Increase temple attendance  

·       Participate fully in Relief Society

Without researching, he has given similar call to the youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He has literally called them to join the Lord’s Battalion.  

I can’t help but wonder if in President Nelson’s quiet moments, he had this Ah-hah moment, aka inspiration, that he is today’s Moroni and must call us all to repentance and commitment to this great cause – the preparation to usher in our Savior’s return.  Oh how I pray that I will be worthy to be at this great event.  The Lord is hastening His work.  It is electric, very visible, and so thrilling to me.  I’m grateful to be where I can see this happening.  

Alma 32-34 - Come Back!

As I was reading from some of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon this morning, I could not help but ponder the horrible state one of my children is in. She is by far the most miserable person I have ever known.  She believes in God, but she does not believe Him.  She prays, but she doesn’t listen.  

As Alma is teaching the poor who have lost the privilege of worshiping in their synagogues because they are poor, he gives counsel that is priceless.  We can worship God in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.  This we have proven as we see our brothers and sisters in the poorest of nations blossoming with the Spirit, just as the Lamanites have done in the Book of Mormon. God is no respecter of persons. He loves all his children and blesses them according to their faith in Him.  I believe strongly he aches to bless each one of us.

As I was reading these three chapters, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own “rescue” from a very dark abyss.  I was miserable.  My life had been spoiled, or so I thought.  What I didn’t realize is that the Lord was humbling me.  We cannot have the blessings we seek when we are not living in accordance to his commandments.  

Amulek in Chapter 34 speaks such beautiful truths.  The Son of God has suffered so that we might not have to suffer.  What about this is so hard to understand?  Why do some refuse to see the feast that others are enjoying and turn away because they don’t believe what they are doing is what is bring them joy?  Amulek says in Chapter 34:31 that if “. . . ye would come forth and harden NOT your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, IMMEDIATELY shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.” Immediately!!!  What does that mean to you?  Well, I know from my personal experience that it means as soon as you start drinking from the waters of the gospel, you will begin to feel something.  You cannot read the Book of Mormon with real intent without realizing it was written for you personally.  The beautiful thing about this is that the more you read it, the more you come to realize this very thing and the more you want to continue reading.  

Do I have the courage to post this in my scripture blog?  I don’t know that it is even read.  Not writing in it regularly is not a reflection on my diligence in studying my scriptures, but rather in being in a different place in my life currently.  Things change and we need to be willing to change as well.  My testimony of the gospel, as well as my testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon has never been stronger.  They are the way to happiness in this life and eternal life after our experience on earth.  I want to cry every time I read chapters as plain to understand as the three I read this morning.  Come back!!! If you are lacking faith, do as Alma suggests in chapter 32.  Try an experiment upon the “word”.  If you’re sincere, it is impossible not to feel the Spirit of the Lord cheering you on and giving you the power to endure your trials until you feel the love of God so fully that you are in a constant state of happiness.  Have your circumstances changed?  Maybe not, but your mind and heart have changed which allows you to change your circumstances.

The True Spirit of Freedom - Alma 60

Moroni sends a scathing epistle to Pahoran, who is really a team player, but Moroni is beginning to wonder and makes some pretty harsh accusations and promises if things don’t change.  Moroni uses some descriptive words of what the True Spirit of Freedom is, i.e. strive to strengthen and fortify, support, faith, patience, desire for freedom.  He also makes it clear that he does not fear Pahoran nor is authority in the government.  He makes it clear that the inner vessel must be cleansed first (v23). 

What is the inner vessel?  In this instance (Alma 60), it happens to be the government and their lack of support as Moroni and his armies are fighting their battles.  What would be the inner vessel in my life?  What supports me?  Definitely, my heart.  Where is my heart?  Do I have the Spirit of Freedom?  Am I supporting those things that will bring me nearer to God, nearer to winning the battle against the evil one in my own life and the lives of those around me? Is my inner vessel cleansed?  Am I doing what I do for the right reasons? For my fear of God more than my fear of what others might think?  Am I a support to others who are fighting battles I cannot, yet battles in which I believe are a true cause?  What might those battles be?  Maybe they are as simple as caring for the sick and needy, rescuing those who have lost their way, maybe it’s just making my surroundings and the friends and neighbors nearest me feel of my support and love as they go through their own battles of life.

Generally, I don’t know what I’m going to write before I start writing.  That’s true this morning, but I like the direction this has taken me.  I had underlined these key words (1^stparagraph) as I was reading this morning. As we go through our days, we need to look for opportunities where we can fortify or strengthen others in their battles, be a support wherever we can and have faith and patience in our own battles. This is the True Spirit of Freedom – not just for us, but also for the good of others.  That needs to be the marching orders for each one of us.  We don’t do anything we do for our own welfare. We invite and encourage those around us by building, uplifting and supporting them in their trials.  When our kids were little we called this B.U.S. = Build, Uplift and Support.  This was our family motto, and it fits really well as I compare it to the True Spirit of Freedom.

Behold, it mattereth not - Alma 58:37

We must learn to trust that God loves us.  We can pray and know of his love through the sweet feeling we get when we just say “Heavenly Father”.  It feels like we are speaking to our Father.  When we pour out our hearts in anguish and despair, somehow it feels better when we say, “thy will be done”, and then get up off our knees.  I’ve come to recognize this miracle as the Holy Ghost. It is powerful and consistent.

At this time in the Book of Mormon, the Nephites are in quite a spot as the Lamanites are numerous and preparing for war.  Although Moroni and his troops are doing the best they can, the Government is of little support in their efforts to sustain life and they are running out of provisions.  It would be so easy to murmur and Moroni even mentions that (v35).  

It is apparent that murmuring is of little value to anyone.  Those who would be hearing it are rarely within ear shot and those murmuring just find themselves in a position where they get lathered up over the conflict.  I love Moroni’s response to the grievances he had with the powers that be.  He took it to the Lord.  We need to learn this lesson from Moroni’s example.  God can do much more through our pleas to him than any government official who really doesn’t care what our situation is. Sharing our grief with the Lord is where we need to go.  Verse 10: “Therefore, we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength . . .”  

Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to go to him for our needs and our sorrows.  Let’s face it, you might have a friend that you can dump it on, and they may listen and be compassionate.  At the end of the conversation, they’ll go their way and you will go yours.  What has been accomplished?  Not much.  But you take it to the Lord and you have a listening ear with someone who can make a difference.  You can counsel with the Lord.  You can tell him your concerns and your thoughts on solving them.  Ideas will come to your mind.  You are inspired to act on those ideas.  He can make it happen.  I’ve seen it happen too many times not to trust it.  Maybe it won’t happen immediately.  And that is where my tag line comes from – “It mattereth not – we must trust in God that he will deliver us.”

2 Nephi 10:2 - Restore, Perish; More questions than Answers

I came away this morning having a few more questions than answers.  Of course, I always read my scriptures through the lens of my children.  I don’t believe I wring my hands and stew, but I am concerned about those who have wandered off the path of righteousness.  What mother wouldn’t be?  

In verse 2, for a brief moment, I was quite comforted.  “For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.”

Clyde walked into the room just as I wrote the last paragraph and we had one of the best conversations.  You see, after I read verse 2 and felt relative comfort, then I read verse 16:  Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God.”

What does it mean when you say, “they who are not for me are against me, saith our God”? What does “being for God” mean?  We talked about “being for a team”.  When you are being for a sports team, you cheer for them.  You go to their games, you wear their logo proudly.  If you are against that team, it is quite the opposite.  You find reasons to “dis” them and let others know you are not for that team by wearing the exact opposite.  Say if you were for BYU, you’d be wearing blue, you’d bleed blue, it would be all about blue.  If you were against them and for U of U instead, it would be all about the red. You’d wear red to a blue game. You’d be in your face about the team you’re supporting.  

So everything I read always boils down to my own family; my children who have wandered and don’t wear the team colors anymore.  You could say they fight against Zion.  So what does “restored” mean in verse 2 then?  I think I understand what perish means – “complete ruin or destruction” according to Webster Dictionary.  I think I understand what “whore of all the earth” means – “debase oneself for unworthy motives, typically for money”.  To be the whore of all the earth - would that be you’d sell anything of Godly or worldly worth for perceived wealth of the earth?  Maybe I’m digging too deep here, but in observing those who have turned against God, I notice they don’t value the simple beauties of the earth over their own gluttonous pleasures.  

So what is the “restored” talking about in verse 2?  What are our children restored to who have lost their way?  In our discussion, we talked about those things we knew before we came to earth.  We knew about God’s Plan of Salvation and we shouted for joy at the opportunity to come to this earth and prove ourselves worthy of returning to Heavenly Father and progressing on our path to be as he is.  We are restored to that knowledge.  And the perish part will be the knowledge that we blew it.  We have one shot at this amazing life and the choices it gives us.  If we waste that opportunity, it will never return.  Have you ever met someone who reached the end of his/her life and thought to yourself, “There goes a life that was a total waste; He accomplished nothing but create trouble for others”?  I’ve met a few.  I think the word “perish” will be very pertinent when they wake up on the other side of mortality and realize they could have had so much more at this one shot at earth life.  

I’m not certain that this rumination leaves me any smarter, but I still believe God loves each of His children and although I have children who have wandered and at least one of them is angry with God and shakes her fist at him, I have hope that my covenants and determination to keep them will somehow be of value to them in the next life.  I have hope that they will see God as He really is, they will remember the promises they made before they came to earth as well as the ones they made on earth and failed to keep, and they will be sad for their choices.  I believe they will desire to change, and for that reason, I’m grateful that the Millennium is indeed a very long time for that change to occur.