I used to thing that people could stand at the judgment bar and claim that truth was never revealed to them in this life and that they might get some leniency. This still might be true but there is evidence in the following verses that indicate the contrary.
In 1 Nephi 10:18 Nephi tells us that a way is provided in this life for all men to in all ages to find the truth. It's to repent and come unto the Christ. Nephi then says (v.19) that anyone who diligently seeks will receive answers and know about God and his mysteries (the things only understood by the spiritual man).
Nephi then goes on to say that each of us needs to be careful (v.20) because all of our doings will be brought to judgment. Could it be that seeking or not seeking is something that each of does? If a person is prompted to seek - which I believe happens over and over again for everyone - but chooses not to follow the prompting and receives no answer, who's at fault?
Nephi cinches his argument in verse 21 explaining that if we have sought to do wickedly in our days of probation we will be found unclean. My point is that we either seek after the things of God (repenting and coming unto Him) or we don't. If we don't, we are, by default, seeking something else. Working out our salvation in fear and trembling is painful. It isn't any fun. It is soul wrenching. We either do it or we don't (and we won't be held blameless if we don't).
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Nephi's Dream 1 Nephi 11:22 Sheddeth Itself
The Meaning of Tree
In verse 22 the angel asks if Nephi knows the mean of the tree which his father saw. Nephi responds that the tree is the love of God which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men...
So I looked up the word 'shed'. It means to cause to pour forth; or to diffuse or radiate; send forth or impart. So the love of God is diffused abroad into the hearts of the children of men or better yet, the love of God is sent forth or poured forth into the hearts of the children of men.
...wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things... and the most joyous to the soul (v22,23). I want more of this! This love sounds wonderful. Lehi say the fruit of the tree is desirable to make one happy (1 N. 8:10).
After one holds to the rod for a while, he will finally arrive (if he doesn't let go) to the this tree and partake of the fruit. But, it looks foolish to the world and sometimes the partakers of the love of God get ashamed (1 N. 8:25). The ways of Christ are not complimentary with the ways of the world.
Personally, I want the love of God shedding itself forth in my heart! That is a goal worth pursuing.
In verse 22 the angel asks if Nephi knows the mean of the tree which his father saw. Nephi responds that the tree is the love of God which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men...
So I looked up the word 'shed'. It means to cause to pour forth; or to diffuse or radiate; send forth or impart. So the love of God is diffused abroad into the hearts of the children of men or better yet, the love of God is sent forth or poured forth into the hearts of the children of men.
...wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things... and the most joyous to the soul (v22,23). I want more of this! This love sounds wonderful. Lehi say the fruit of the tree is desirable to make one happy (1 N. 8:10).
After one holds to the rod for a while, he will finally arrive (if he doesn't let go) to the this tree and partake of the fruit. But, it looks foolish to the world and sometimes the partakers of the love of God get ashamed (1 N. 8:25). The ways of Christ are not complimentary with the ways of the world.
Personally, I want the love of God shedding itself forth in my heart! That is a goal worth pursuing.
Nephi's Dream 1 Nephi 11
Simply Believe
At the beginning of the vision, Nephi receives an interview. What struck as I was reading was the angel asking Nephi if he believed the words of his father (v.4), Nephi's response (v.5) that he believed all the words of his father and the angels response (v.6) that Nephi is blessed because he believes in the Son of the most high God.
Nephi really believes. He has already shown by his past actions and attitudes that his believing isn't merely giving lip service to something. The assurances he receives don't go untended. He doesn't doubt at all as he moves from one errand to the next. This is amazing to me. Nephi's 'believing' teaches us all a lesson about the power of faith. He is the perfect example of a person who plants the seed of faith, nurtures it, sees it swell and take root and then tries it again and again with same results. His faith tree is growing and beginning to produce fruit. Believing in the context of true discipleship means more than listening to let's say, Lehi, and doing nothing afterwards. It is more than praying about whether something is true or not, getting your answer and then doing nothing. It's more than going after the plates, failing, and failing again and then giving up. It has something to do with walking without any doubt that the Lord is there and since he agrees with your course of action (errand). He will ultimately support you in realizing a fulfillment of whatever it is you know to be doing. When we give up, whine, complain or murmur we are displaying that we don't really believe (unbelief) that God is there to actively support us.
So, practice just believing! (cast off doubt, worry, fear and pessimism).
At the beginning of the vision, Nephi receives an interview. What struck as I was reading was the angel asking Nephi if he believed the words of his father (v.4), Nephi's response (v.5) that he believed all the words of his father and the angels response (v.6) that Nephi is blessed because he believes in the Son of the most high God.
Nephi really believes. He has already shown by his past actions and attitudes that his believing isn't merely giving lip service to something. The assurances he receives don't go untended. He doesn't doubt at all as he moves from one errand to the next. This is amazing to me. Nephi's 'believing' teaches us all a lesson about the power of faith. He is the perfect example of a person who plants the seed of faith, nurtures it, sees it swell and take root and then tries it again and again with same results. His faith tree is growing and beginning to produce fruit. Believing in the context of true discipleship means more than listening to let's say, Lehi, and doing nothing afterwards. It is more than praying about whether something is true or not, getting your answer and then doing nothing. It's more than going after the plates, failing, and failing again and then giving up. It has something to do with walking without any doubt that the Lord is there and since he agrees with your course of action (errand). He will ultimately support you in realizing a fulfillment of whatever it is you know to be doing. When we give up, whine, complain or murmur we are displaying that we don't really believe (unbelief) that God is there to actively support us.
So, practice just believing! (cast off doubt, worry, fear and pessimism).
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