In 1 Nephi 16, Lehi's family begins their journey. The Lord provide a ball that gives them the direction that they should take. The Lord also writes things on the Liahona to give them understanding. This writings changed from time to time according to their faith and diligence.
In chapter 17, Nephi remarks that they didn't use much fire (v.12) and then says
;"for [the Lord] said: I will make thy food become sweet, that ye acook it not;",... I find it interesting that Nephi is quoting from somewhere and using these quotes to teach his brethren (v. 15). I wonder if these might have been sayings on the Liahona.
Nephi quotes the Lord in the next verse: "And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led."
Nephi quotes the Lord again in verse 14: "Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem."
Perhaps, Nephi is getting these quotes from the brass plates or from his or his father's revelations. Of course, I don't know, but could it be possible the he is quoting directly from what was written on the Liahona? The writings are very specific to their travels in the wilderness. He seems to be reminding he brethren of the something they would recognize that it came from a legitimate source. The Liahona could have been the source.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Jaredites, another Noah
Ether 2.
I found it interesting that Jared and his brother didn't just gather all the regular, domesticated animals but caught wild birds (v.2) and put them in cages. They also made vessels (v.3) to carry fish. When the Lord commanded the people of this time to scatter upon all the face of the earth (Ether 1:33), it meant that the people would have to populate other parts of the earth with animals. This would especially apply to the Americas where, after the flood, there wouldn't be any animals including fresh water fish. Noah had released all his animals in Asia.
Noah's descendants disobeyed the commandment of the Lord and stayed in one geographic local. The Lord, in his wrath, confounded the language of the people to force them to scatter upon all the face of the earth (Ether 1:33).
So, it was required of the Jaredites to bring animals, birds, fish and honey bees to the new land. They acted like Noah and the Ark for the Americas!
Ether 1:33 Which Jared came forth with his brother and their families, with some others and their families, from the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, and swore in his wrath that they should be scattered upon all the face of the earth; and according to the word of the Lord the people were scattered.
Ether 1:1-3 And it came to pass that Jared and his brother, and their families, and also the friends of Jared and his brother and their families, went down into the valley which was northward, (and the name of the valley was Nimrod, being called after the mighty hunter) with their flocks which they had gathered together, male and female, of every kind.
2 And they did also lay snares and catch fowls of the air; and they did also prepare a vessel, in which they did carry with them the fish of the waters.
3 And they did also carry with them deseret, which, by interpretation, is a honey bee; and thus they did carry with them swarms of bees, and all manner of that which was upon the face of the land, seeds of every kind.
-Scott
I found it interesting that Jared and his brother didn't just gather all the regular, domesticated animals but caught wild birds (v.2) and put them in cages. They also made vessels (v.3) to carry fish. When the Lord commanded the people of this time to scatter upon all the face of the earth (Ether 1:33), it meant that the people would have to populate other parts of the earth with animals. This would especially apply to the Americas where, after the flood, there wouldn't be any animals including fresh water fish. Noah had released all his animals in Asia.
Noah's descendants disobeyed the commandment of the Lord and stayed in one geographic local. The Lord, in his wrath, confounded the language of the people to force them to scatter upon all the face of the earth (Ether 1:33).
So, it was required of the Jaredites to bring animals, birds, fish and honey bees to the new land. They acted like Noah and the Ark for the Americas!
Ether 1:33 Which Jared came forth with his brother and their families, with some others and their families, from the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, and swore in his wrath that they should be scattered upon all the face of the earth; and according to the word of the Lord the people were scattered.
Ether 1:1-3 And it came to pass that Jared and his brother, and their families, and also the friends of Jared and his brother and their families, went down into the valley which was northward, (and the name of the valley was Nimrod, being called after the mighty hunter) with their flocks which they had gathered together, male and female, of every kind.
2 And they did also lay snares and catch fowls of the air; and they did also prepare a vessel, in which they did carry with them the fish of the waters.
3 And they did also carry with them deseret, which, by interpretation, is a honey bee; and thus they did carry with them swarms of bees, and all manner of that which was upon the face of the land, seeds of every kind.
-Scott
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Final Battles: Stuck in a worsening state of unbelief
I have been reading Mormon 1-5. The Nephites couldn't pull out of their natural man state manifested by unbelief, hard heartedness, wickedness, fear, cursing God, delighting in shedding blood, boasting, not recognizing God's hand in their lives, going on the offensive and taking revenge.
Chapter 1/2 - The Nephites Are About to be Destroyed
It starts out around A.D 322. A war gets started between the Lamanites and Nephites. The Nephites win and there's no war for four years. At this time wickedness prevails upon the face of the whole land (v.13). The last three disciples are taken away and miracles and healing cease. The Holy Ghost didn't come upon any. The Nephites are in a terrible state of unbelief. (v.14)
Mormon at age 15 (A.D 326) tries to preach to the people but he is is forbidden by God. Why, because they had willfully rebelled against their God (v.16). In that same year, 326, Mormon becomes the leader (age 16) of the Nephite armies. I wonder if the people, even in their wickedness recognized a powerful, spiritual man when they saw one. Another battle ensues. The Nephites are frightened and would not fight. They retreat to Angola but are driven out by the Lamanites. They are driven out of the land of David and up into the land of Joshua. They gather the people into one body. Great destruction hangs over the people but they won't repent. (2:8) Blood and carnage is everywhere. In 330, the Nephites beat the Lamanites.
Also, in 330 the people start to cry, mourn and lament their situation. Mormon begins to rejoice that the people are repenting but their sorrowing is the sorrowing of the damned. Instead they curse God and wish to die. But they continued to struggle for their lives. The day of grace was past. (v.15). By 344 thousands are hewn down in open rebellion against their God.
Chapter 2 - Near Destruction turns into resounding victory and ends up with giving the Lamanites the land southward for peace.
In 345 (v.16) the Nephites are fleeing once again from the Lamanites even to the land of Jashon before Mormon could stop them in their retreat. Mormon is now 35 and gets the plates. It is interesting that Ammaron told Mormon to go and get the plates of Nephi when he arrived at the age of 'around' 24. Mormon must have been very busy. In the same year the Nephites are hunted and driven further north to a land called Shem. The people are gathered to save them from destruction.
In 346 (v.22) the Lamanites attacked again but under Mormon's direction, the Nephites stood boldly before the Lamanites. His words aroused them somewhat (v.23) so they didn't flee. The Lamanites ended up fleeing. The Nephites chased them and beat them but none of this was accompanied by the strength of the Lord (v.26). They were weak like the Lamanites. Mormon sorrows because none of this matters without the help from the Lord. They take possession of the lands of their inheritance (v,27).
In 349 a treaty is made (v.28) with the Lamanites and robbers and the Nephites give up all the land southward of the narrow neck. Mormon is now 38 years old.
Chapter 3 - Nephites take matters into their own handsFor 10 years Mormon fortifies the land and in 360 the Lord commands Mormon to cry repentance. If they repent they will be spared. But, the Nephites don't get it. They don't realize that it was the Lord who spared them and granted unto them a chance to repent. Their hearts are hardened. I wonder if America does the same thing. Are we being upheld by the Lord and don't realize it? How far along are we along in our pride? (see Mormon 5:22-24).
In 361 the Lamanites come down to the land of Desolation (v.7) The Nephites beat them.
In 362 the Nephites beat them again (v.8).
Because of their success the Nephites begin to boast of their own strength (v.9). The also swear by the heavens that they will avenge themselves of all their dead brethren. They decide to go on the offense and fight the Lamanites in their own lands. This apparently is a big mistake. Mormon utterly refuses to be their leader. Mormon has delivered them three times from their enemies but they wouldn't repent of their sins. The Nephites have been benefiting from a prophet-general for 36 years but don't recognize the source of the deliverance.
The voice of the Lord comes to Mormon saying that vengeance is mine and I will repay. When a person or a nation is wronged, don't go on the offensive! The Lord will take care of the matter. (v.15) Mormon stands as an idle witness.
Chapter 4 - The turning point - going on the offensive - the war spins out of control - The Nephites receive no help from the Lord.
In 363 the Nephites go on the offence and attack out of the city of Desolation southward. They are driven back and while yet weary, a fresh army of Lamanites comes along and the Nephites lose the city of Desolation. They gather at Teancum.
Because the Nephites went on the offensive they were on their own. Mormon says the Lamanites otherwise would have no power over them. (v.4) The wicked will punish the wicked.
In 364 the Lamanites fight at Teancum and are repulsed by the Nephites. The Nephites again boast of their strength and in their own might take Desolation again. Thousands are slain. Every heart is hardened and they delight in the shedding of blood. Mormon notes that their wickedness is more than in any other time. (v.12)
Because there isn't any support from God, the battles become a numbers game (v.13). The Lamanites take Desolation because their numbers exceed the number of Nephites. At this point a new evil enters the picture. The Lamanites attack Teancum, take the women and children prisoners and sacrifice them to their Gods.
Revenge and anger fill the hearts of the Nephites. By sacrificing their women and children, the Lamanites have moved the war up a notch. With this anger, the Nephites come out fighting and beat the Lamanites and drive them back to their own lands. (v.15)
There aren't any battles until 365. The Lamanites come against the Nephites with all their power. The numbers are so great that they aren't numbered. And this is the beginning of the end. It's like a game of Risk. One player finally turns in his cards, gets lots of armies and wipes out everyone else on the board. Mormon says that from this time forth the Nephites gain no power over the Lamanites. They are going to swept off the face of the earth. (v.18)
The Lamanites beat the Nephites in the land of Desolation. The Nephites flee to Boaz. It takes two tries but the Lamanites beat them. The Nephites are slaughtered the second time. Again, their wives and children are sacrificed unto idols. The Nephites are now fleeing taking everybody with them. Mormon sees that that the Lamanites are about the overthrow the land and goes and retrieves the sacred records (v.23). Mormon is 54 years old.
Chapter 5 - Mormon Take Command Without Hope - The Nephites Are Swept off The Land
Mormon repents of his oath and takes command of the armies. The Nephites are now looking to Mormon to deliver them. Mormon is without hope. The Nephites won't repent and call upon the Lord. (v.2)
The Nephites hold the city Jordan for a time. They are able to maintain other cities so the Lamanites couldn't destroy the inhabitants of the land. (v.4) The Lamanites run a scorched earth policy. The year is 379.
In 380, despite the bold efforts of the Nephites, the Lamanites (due to the greatness of their numbers) tread the Nephites under their feet. The Nephites take flight. Those that are faster escape. The rest are destroyed. (v.7) Mormon is now 69 years old.
Mormon laments the plight of the Nephites. He sees the Gentiles doing the same thing as the Nephites did in his day. (v.22) We are in the hands of God. We need to repent and humble ourselves or justice will come upon us. He quotes Jesus in 3 Nephi, "lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and none to deliver." (v.24)
The next chapter finishes off the Nephites. Now I will try to figure a message from these chapters. During this time, the Nephites weren't God-fearing. From the start, Mormon tells us they were in a state of unbelief and general wickedness. They believed they could rely on their own strength. They did realize that God was upholding them through his servant, Mormon. They stepped over the line when they boasted of their own strength. They stepped over the next line when they sought revenge and went on the offensive and attacked the Lamanites. From that moment on they were swept off the face of the land.
These same problems exist today, more or less in our American culture. Our belief in Christ is declining. Wickedness is rampant. We rely on our war machine to maintain our way of life. Do we realize that God is upholding us? Do we boast of our strength? Have we gone more and more on the offensive in recent years? Perhaps the argument can be made that we have been defending ourselves. I sure hope so. If not, we too are beginning to cross similar lines as the Nephites.
Chapter 1/2 - The Nephites Are About to be Destroyed
It starts out around A.D 322. A war gets started between the Lamanites and Nephites. The Nephites win and there's no war for four years. At this time wickedness prevails upon the face of the whole land (v.13). The last three disciples are taken away and miracles and healing cease. The Holy Ghost didn't come upon any. The Nephites are in a terrible state of unbelief. (v.14)
Mormon at age 15 (A.D 326) tries to preach to the people but he is is forbidden by God. Why, because they had willfully rebelled against their God (v.16). In that same year, 326, Mormon becomes the leader (age 16) of the Nephite armies. I wonder if the people, even in their wickedness recognized a powerful, spiritual man when they saw one. Another battle ensues. The Nephites are frightened and would not fight. They retreat to Angola but are driven out by the Lamanites. They are driven out of the land of David and up into the land of Joshua. They gather the people into one body. Great destruction hangs over the people but they won't repent. (2:8) Blood and carnage is everywhere. In 330, the Nephites beat the Lamanites.
Also, in 330 the people start to cry, mourn and lament their situation. Mormon begins to rejoice that the people are repenting but their sorrowing is the sorrowing of the damned. Instead they curse God and wish to die. But they continued to struggle for their lives. The day of grace was past. (v.15). By 344 thousands are hewn down in open rebellion against their God.
Chapter 2 - Near Destruction turns into resounding victory and ends up with giving the Lamanites the land southward for peace.
In 345 (v.16) the Nephites are fleeing once again from the Lamanites even to the land of Jashon before Mormon could stop them in their retreat. Mormon is now 35 and gets the plates. It is interesting that Ammaron told Mormon to go and get the plates of Nephi when he arrived at the age of 'around' 24. Mormon must have been very busy. In the same year the Nephites are hunted and driven further north to a land called Shem. The people are gathered to save them from destruction.
In 346 (v.22) the Lamanites attacked again but under Mormon's direction, the Nephites stood boldly before the Lamanites. His words aroused them somewhat (v.23) so they didn't flee. The Lamanites ended up fleeing. The Nephites chased them and beat them but none of this was accompanied by the strength of the Lord (v.26). They were weak like the Lamanites. Mormon sorrows because none of this matters without the help from the Lord. They take possession of the lands of their inheritance (v,27).
In 349 a treaty is made (v.28) with the Lamanites and robbers and the Nephites give up all the land southward of the narrow neck. Mormon is now 38 years old.
Chapter 3 - Nephites take matters into their own handsFor 10 years Mormon fortifies the land and in 360 the Lord commands Mormon to cry repentance. If they repent they will be spared. But, the Nephites don't get it. They don't realize that it was the Lord who spared them and granted unto them a chance to repent. Their hearts are hardened. I wonder if America does the same thing. Are we being upheld by the Lord and don't realize it? How far along are we along in our pride? (see Mormon 5:22-24).
In 361 the Lamanites come down to the land of Desolation (v.7) The Nephites beat them.
In 362 the Nephites beat them again (v.8).
Because of their success the Nephites begin to boast of their own strength (v.9). The also swear by the heavens that they will avenge themselves of all their dead brethren. They decide to go on the offense and fight the Lamanites in their own lands. This apparently is a big mistake. Mormon utterly refuses to be their leader. Mormon has delivered them three times from their enemies but they wouldn't repent of their sins. The Nephites have been benefiting from a prophet-general for 36 years but don't recognize the source of the deliverance.
The voice of the Lord comes to Mormon saying that vengeance is mine and I will repay. When a person or a nation is wronged, don't go on the offensive! The Lord will take care of the matter. (v.15) Mormon stands as an idle witness.
Chapter 4 - The turning point - going on the offensive - the war spins out of control - The Nephites receive no help from the Lord.
In 363 the Nephites go on the offence and attack out of the city of Desolation southward. They are driven back and while yet weary, a fresh army of Lamanites comes along and the Nephites lose the city of Desolation. They gather at Teancum.
Because the Nephites went on the offensive they were on their own. Mormon says the Lamanites otherwise would have no power over them. (v.4) The wicked will punish the wicked.
In 364 the Lamanites fight at Teancum and are repulsed by the Nephites. The Nephites again boast of their strength and in their own might take Desolation again. Thousands are slain. Every heart is hardened and they delight in the shedding of blood. Mormon notes that their wickedness is more than in any other time. (v.12)
Because there isn't any support from God, the battles become a numbers game (v.13). The Lamanites take Desolation because their numbers exceed the number of Nephites. At this point a new evil enters the picture. The Lamanites attack Teancum, take the women and children prisoners and sacrifice them to their Gods.
Revenge and anger fill the hearts of the Nephites. By sacrificing their women and children, the Lamanites have moved the war up a notch. With this anger, the Nephites come out fighting and beat the Lamanites and drive them back to their own lands. (v.15)
There aren't any battles until 365. The Lamanites come against the Nephites with all their power. The numbers are so great that they aren't numbered. And this is the beginning of the end. It's like a game of Risk. One player finally turns in his cards, gets lots of armies and wipes out everyone else on the board. Mormon says that from this time forth the Nephites gain no power over the Lamanites. They are going to swept off the face of the earth. (v.18)
The Lamanites beat the Nephites in the land of Desolation. The Nephites flee to Boaz. It takes two tries but the Lamanites beat them. The Nephites are slaughtered the second time. Again, their wives and children are sacrificed unto idols. The Nephites are now fleeing taking everybody with them. Mormon sees that that the Lamanites are about the overthrow the land and goes and retrieves the sacred records (v.23). Mormon is 54 years old.
Chapter 5 - Mormon Take Command Without Hope - The Nephites Are Swept off The Land
Mormon repents of his oath and takes command of the armies. The Nephites are now looking to Mormon to deliver them. Mormon is without hope. The Nephites won't repent and call upon the Lord. (v.2)
The Nephites hold the city Jordan for a time. They are able to maintain other cities so the Lamanites couldn't destroy the inhabitants of the land. (v.4) The Lamanites run a scorched earth policy. The year is 379.
In 380, despite the bold efforts of the Nephites, the Lamanites (due to the greatness of their numbers) tread the Nephites under their feet. The Nephites take flight. Those that are faster escape. The rest are destroyed. (v.7) Mormon is now 69 years old.
Mormon laments the plight of the Nephites. He sees the Gentiles doing the same thing as the Nephites did in his day. (v.22) We are in the hands of God. We need to repent and humble ourselves or justice will come upon us. He quotes Jesus in 3 Nephi, "lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and none to deliver." (v.24)
The next chapter finishes off the Nephites. Now I will try to figure a message from these chapters. During this time, the Nephites weren't God-fearing. From the start, Mormon tells us they were in a state of unbelief and general wickedness. They believed they could rely on their own strength. They did realize that God was upholding them through his servant, Mormon. They stepped over the line when they boasted of their own strength. They stepped over the next line when they sought revenge and went on the offensive and attacked the Lamanites. From that moment on they were swept off the face of the land.
These same problems exist today, more or less in our American culture. Our belief in Christ is declining. Wickedness is rampant. We rely on our war machine to maintain our way of life. Do we realize that God is upholding us? Do we boast of our strength? Have we gone more and more on the offensive in recent years? Perhaps the argument can be made that we have been defending ourselves. I sure hope so. If not, we too are beginning to cross similar lines as the Nephites.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Eating Right Brings Forth Knowledge!?
D&C 89:3,18-19
There is a division among the people: the majority choose to eat what I call the 'adaptation' while the minority quietly eat full Word of Wisdom with healthful intention. Who is more likely to be obedient to the principle of the Word of Wisdom - the healthy eaters or the eaters of regular American fare? Most of us eat according to the adaptation made to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints. (v. 3) The adaptation is to avoid alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee. But, why is it so difficult to eat as prescribed by the Word of Wisdom? The main part of the diet, as I read it, is herbs and fruit. The herb is the leaf, stem or root part of a plant. The fruit is the seed bearing part of the plant above or below the ground. Then comes grains and finally meat. Sugar, I hear, isn't even a food! Why is it that we get so defensive when others are trying to live the Word of Wisdom more fully? Here are some reasons.
We get defensive when our eating tradition is put into question.
We eat what we grew up on. What our mothers fed us to comfort us might not be as healthy as we think.
The stuff we are told to eat tastes delicious while herbs and fruit are less tasty (to nondiscerning taste buds) in comparison.
Finally, perhaps we have become unknowingly addicted to the stuff we eat and when we are deprived of that stuff we start craving it. We might not be aware enough to realize that our body is sending us messages for the food it is craving and we interpret the message as, "I'm going to get some candy".
There is a promise at the end of D&C 89.
Verse 3 mentions the promise:
3 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.
Verse 18 - 21 enumerate the promise:
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
We, active, Latter-day Saints live the adaptation (to the weakest of the Saints) really well and we receive a certain level of promises commensurate to principle. Our health is generally better than the rest of the United States (demonstrated by Utah's lower health care costs). It would only stand to reason, that one who tries to live the Word of Wisdom (while keeping the commandments) more fully would have its promises manifested in their fullness. This person would have greater health (v.18); have wisdom; have precious knowledge (compared to a treasure) which is hid from the minds of others (v.19); be able to have great stamina when very busy (running) and during times requiring patient endurance (walking and not fainting)(v.20); and lastly, have a natural or miraculous resistance to something that will destroy many in the last days. (v.21)
One last thought: as we live the Word of Wisdom more fully - like any other true principle - it (the new way of eating) will become delicious unto us. (Alma 32:28) Our bodies as well as our spirits will like the change. But, remember, it might take a little time for bodies to quit crying out for what it craves (sugar, excessive meat and the like). The withdrawal can be difficult. Just remember the wonderful promises!
There is a division among the people: the majority choose to eat what I call the 'adaptation' while the minority quietly eat full Word of Wisdom with healthful intention. Who is more likely to be obedient to the principle of the Word of Wisdom - the healthy eaters or the eaters of regular American fare? Most of us eat according to the adaptation made to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints. (v. 3) The adaptation is to avoid alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee. But, why is it so difficult to eat as prescribed by the Word of Wisdom? The main part of the diet, as I read it, is herbs and fruit. The herb is the leaf, stem or root part of a plant. The fruit is the seed bearing part of the plant above or below the ground. Then comes grains and finally meat. Sugar, I hear, isn't even a food! Why is it that we get so defensive when others are trying to live the Word of Wisdom more fully? Here are some reasons.
We get defensive when our eating tradition is put into question.
We eat what we grew up on. What our mothers fed us to comfort us might not be as healthy as we think.
The stuff we are told to eat tastes delicious while herbs and fruit are less tasty (to nondiscerning taste buds) in comparison.
Finally, perhaps we have become unknowingly addicted to the stuff we eat and when we are deprived of that stuff we start craving it. We might not be aware enough to realize that our body is sending us messages for the food it is craving and we interpret the message as, "I'm going to get some candy".
There is a promise at the end of D&C 89.
Verse 3 mentions the promise:
3 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.
Verse 18 - 21 enumerate the promise:
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
We, active, Latter-day Saints live the adaptation (to the weakest of the Saints) really well and we receive a certain level of promises commensurate to principle. Our health is generally better than the rest of the United States (demonstrated by Utah's lower health care costs). It would only stand to reason, that one who tries to live the Word of Wisdom (while keeping the commandments) more fully would have its promises manifested in their fullness. This person would have greater health (v.18); have wisdom; have precious knowledge (compared to a treasure) which is hid from the minds of others (v.19); be able to have great stamina when very busy (running) and during times requiring patient endurance (walking and not fainting)(v.20); and lastly, have a natural or miraculous resistance to something that will destroy many in the last days. (v.21)
One last thought: as we live the Word of Wisdom more fully - like any other true principle - it (the new way of eating) will become delicious unto us. (Alma 32:28) Our bodies as well as our spirits will like the change. But, remember, it might take a little time for bodies to quit crying out for what it craves (sugar, excessive meat and the like). The withdrawal can be difficult. Just remember the wonderful promises!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Unbelief Brings About 'Reasonableness'
The majority of the Nephites have hardened their hearts. They have become set in their ways. They don't want to hear any more talk of Jesus coming. It looks like the just want to live in a world where the gospel rules don't apply. The 'most' believing part of the Nephites and Lamanites are still holding fast but the rest have begun 'to depend on the their own strength and upon the their own wisdom' (Helaman 16:15)
Wisdom #1 - 'Some things they have guessed right'
Wisdom #2 - 'It is not reasonable'
Wisdom #3 - 'Why will he not'
Wisdom #4 - 'This is a wicked tradition'(reversal)
Wisdom #1 relates to the following verse in Helaman 16:
16 Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.
In our day an unbeliever might explain away prophecies of the past as not having any real value. In essence Jesus guessed right about what will happen in the last days. Some how the unbeliever can discount it and shut it our of his mind. It might have something do with shutting out incongruencies that mess up his neatly ordered paradigm of the world.
Wisdom #2 is contained in verse 17 and 18:
17 And they began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying:
18 That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem?
Since you can't see it or prove it, it isn't reasonable to believe it. It is convenient to say the Christ will not come for a second time. Again, this belief forces each of us reconsider and improve our ways. This wisdom of reasonableness applies every other unseen thing found in the scriptures. For example, it isn't reasonable to believe that there literally was a Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve resided. Current scientific evidence somehow proves that the Garden didn't exist. The current evolutionary theories are always conclusive and set in stone in every generation bringing about a new wave of unbelief. When the real truth is known, there will not be a conflict between science and faith. We will all say ah ha, that makes perfect sense!
Wisdom #3 is found in verses 18 and 19 but verse 19 will suffice:
19 Yea, why will he not show himself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem?
God doesn't reveal himself to me so God does not exist. Or, God makes no such thing known unto me(1 Nephi 15:9), so the thing must not be true. What is not understood is, God only reveals Himself to those that seek Him with real intent and sincerity. He requires everyone to exercise faith first. I believe that it is never God's fault when He, for some reason, doesn't 'show' Himself (through the witness of the Holy Ghost) unto particular individual. If this problem is happening, perhaps something needs to change before the swelling motions (Alma 32:28)begin to occur. This can be either an attitude problem or a sin problem. But, God is waiting for the indiviual to line up with Him. Until then, no answers will come.
The next wisdom is based on the reasoning of the previous wisdoms and arrives at a self justifying conclusion:
20 But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true.
21 And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives.
If the reasoning is true, than what is being taught by the Church is false. A reversal occurs in the unbeliever's mind that every good, moral, faith-promoting principal that they were ever taught is false. There are no laws from God. The strong foundation of what is right and wrong cracks and wears away. The new sandy foundation seems to hold up for a while but when the next storm comes (personal or prophecied) the new, reasonable tradition proves itself unstable and we see with our own eyes the error of new found belief and ways.
So, get that testimony. If you can only believe in my words (or Alma's) than that's a start. As you begin to believe, you will know what I speak is true because of the swelling motions (you feel good). As you continue to exercise faith in Jesus Christ and correct principles and see the miraculous results in your life, you will become anchored in your faith and be able to cast off the 'wisdom' of the world.
Wisdom #1 - 'Some things they have guessed right'
Wisdom #2 - 'It is not reasonable'
Wisdom #3 - 'Why will he not'
Wisdom #4 - 'This is a wicked tradition'(reversal)
Wisdom #1 relates to the following verse in Helaman 16:
16 Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.
In our day an unbeliever might explain away prophecies of the past as not having any real value. In essence Jesus guessed right about what will happen in the last days. Some how the unbeliever can discount it and shut it our of his mind. It might have something do with shutting out incongruencies that mess up his neatly ordered paradigm of the world.
Wisdom #2 is contained in verse 17 and 18:
17 And they began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying:
18 That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem?
Since you can't see it or prove it, it isn't reasonable to believe it. It is convenient to say the Christ will not come for a second time. Again, this belief forces each of us reconsider and improve our ways. This wisdom of reasonableness applies every other unseen thing found in the scriptures. For example, it isn't reasonable to believe that there literally was a Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve resided. Current scientific evidence somehow proves that the Garden didn't exist. The current evolutionary theories are always conclusive and set in stone in every generation bringing about a new wave of unbelief. When the real truth is known, there will not be a conflict between science and faith. We will all say ah ha, that makes perfect sense!
Wisdom #3 is found in verses 18 and 19 but verse 19 will suffice:
19 Yea, why will he not show himself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem?
God doesn't reveal himself to me so God does not exist. Or, God makes no such thing known unto me(1 Nephi 15:9), so the thing must not be true. What is not understood is, God only reveals Himself to those that seek Him with real intent and sincerity. He requires everyone to exercise faith first. I believe that it is never God's fault when He, for some reason, doesn't 'show' Himself (through the witness of the Holy Ghost) unto particular individual. If this problem is happening, perhaps something needs to change before the swelling motions (Alma 32:28)begin to occur. This can be either an attitude problem or a sin problem. But, God is waiting for the indiviual to line up with Him. Until then, no answers will come.
The next wisdom is based on the reasoning of the previous wisdoms and arrives at a self justifying conclusion:
20 But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true.
21 And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives.
If the reasoning is true, than what is being taught by the Church is false. A reversal occurs in the unbeliever's mind that every good, moral, faith-promoting principal that they were ever taught is false. There are no laws from God. The strong foundation of what is right and wrong cracks and wears away. The new sandy foundation seems to hold up for a while but when the next storm comes (personal or prophecied) the new, reasonable tradition proves itself unstable and we see with our own eyes the error of new found belief and ways.
So, get that testimony. If you can only believe in my words (or Alma's) than that's a start. As you begin to believe, you will know what I speak is true because of the swelling motions (you feel good). As you continue to exercise faith in Jesus Christ and correct principles and see the miraculous results in your life, you will become anchored in your faith and be able to cast off the 'wisdom' of the world.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Helaman 7:22-23 What were the people doing that caused Nephi to cry on his tower?
Nephi returns from the north countries to find the Nephites in a state of wickedenss. The Gadiantons have taken over the government. Nephi gets on his tower and crys out to his God regarding the wickedness of the people. People hear him and start gathering around. Does Nephi want them to hear him or is this his custom when he prays? Nephi calls them to repentance. The people are marveling because they don't even know that they have digressed that far regarding righteousness. (v.15) The people are not aware that what the are doing is wicknessness. I bet they are going to church every week and eating and drinking and giving in marriage - being quite normal. They have done something to harden their hearts (v.18).
They had forgotten that the Lord has delivered them from the hands of their enemies(v.20). Unless they repent they will not have the strength of the Lord with them to protect them and will become meat for dogs and wild beasts (v.19).
What were the peoples' iniquities? In Helaman 7:21 we read:
21 But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity.
The sin is that they have their hearts set upon riches and the vain things of this world. They want to get gain and be praised of men. Their pride results in doing all sorts of natual man things (murder, stealing, bearing false witness, etc.). The natural man does what ever it takes to stay in control. People will do almost anything to keep their riches, be praised, or maintain their place in society.
So, having one's heart set on riches is the problem. It breeds all sorts of evil in our hearts. Since one cannot serve both God and Mammon we will always hate the one and love the other (Mathew 6:24). There isn't any middle ground. Isn't it interesting that riches creates a false sense of security in most people. Instead of securing themselves in the Lord, they replace the Lord with riches and power. 'They do not desire that the Lord their God...should rule...over them....' (Helaman 12:6)
We Americans have unsatiable wants. It seems like an uncontrollable urge. If we have more we want more. If we don't have riches, we hope to obtain them in order to spend it on that which perishes. We covet that which we have not received. (Mosiah 4:25) Jacob tells us that when we obtained a hope in Christ, that our desires change. Riches are no longer used to try to satisfy that which cannot be satisfied (2 Nephi 10:51). We seek and obtain riches for the intent to do good - which is to help those in need (Jacob 2:19). If we can say this in our hearts (with or without riches), we stand blameless before God.
They had forgotten that the Lord has delivered them from the hands of their enemies(v.20). Unless they repent they will not have the strength of the Lord with them to protect them and will become meat for dogs and wild beasts (v.19).
What were the peoples' iniquities? In Helaman 7:21 we read:
21 But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity.
The sin is that they have their hearts set upon riches and the vain things of this world. They want to get gain and be praised of men. Their pride results in doing all sorts of natual man things (murder, stealing, bearing false witness, etc.). The natural man does what ever it takes to stay in control. People will do almost anything to keep their riches, be praised, or maintain their place in society.
So, having one's heart set on riches is the problem. It breeds all sorts of evil in our hearts. Since one cannot serve both God and Mammon we will always hate the one and love the other (Mathew 6:24). There isn't any middle ground. Isn't it interesting that riches creates a false sense of security in most people. Instead of securing themselves in the Lord, they replace the Lord with riches and power. 'They do not desire that the Lord their God...should rule...over them....' (Helaman 12:6)
We Americans have unsatiable wants. It seems like an uncontrollable urge. If we have more we want more. If we don't have riches, we hope to obtain them in order to spend it on that which perishes. We covet that which we have not received. (Mosiah 4:25) Jacob tells us that when we obtained a hope in Christ, that our desires change. Riches are no longer used to try to satisfy that which cannot be satisfied (2 Nephi 10:51). We seek and obtain riches for the intent to do good - which is to help those in need (Jacob 2:19). If we can say this in our hearts (with or without riches), we stand blameless before God.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Helaman 3:34 and 36 pride and riches
When pride enters into our hearts we stop seeing the right way to live. In Helaman 3:33-34 and 36 we read:
33 And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God—
34 And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction....
36 And it came to pass that the fifty and second year ended in peace also, save it were the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the hearts of the people; and it was because of their exceedingly great riches and their prosperity in the land; and it did grow upon them from day to day.
Contentions among the people and dissensions in the church (Helaman 4:1) take away the peace the Nephites just months earlier. The rebellious group of Nephites are kicked out of the land. They go to the Lamanites and after a few years persuade the Lamanites to attack the Nephites. The faith of the Nephites has diminished so much due their pride that they no longer had the strength of the Lord. The Lamanite armies succeed in taking half of the Nephite land. The Nephites are slaughtered in those parts of the land.
Why did this happen?
In Helaman 4: 11-12 we read that loss ... the great slaughter... would not have happened had it not been for thier wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God.
So something is going on with members of the church as well as the non-members.
In verse 12 we read, And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites—
The first four things mentioned as reasons why the Nephites lost the strength of the Lord and were slaughtered are related to the helping poor. The fifth item seems to have something to do with continuing to participate unworthily in things that are sacred. As these members continue down this path of pride, they deny spiritual gifts and begin doing the general list of wicked things. But, isn't it interesting that choosing to not help the poor is the first four things mentioned. These members stopped following the order of the church established by Alma in giving their substance to the church for redistribution to the poor. They decided to withhold their substance from the poor and spend it on themselves.
My take on these verses is that the members started to get rich and decided not to give their surplus to the church. Pride had entered in and they want to keep their wealth for their own use. As the humble members of the church also got rich they chose to fast and pray becoming humbler and humbler, yielding themselves to the enticings of the holy spirit until they were sanctified. There apparently is a cross roads when a christian is tempted with riches. Does he stay humble and give abundantly to others or does he enjoy the comparison he is making noting that he has more than others. He thinks of all good things he can puchase as well as being able to provide the finer things of life to his children (education, skills, a start in life) and begins to justify the use of his riches to aggrandize himself (cars, home, liesure time, etc.) and his family. He, in a tacit sense, is mocking others by lifting himself and his family above the other members of his congregation. Since he can justify everything he does, he deceives himself into thinking it isn't pride. You see, he is thanking the Lord in his prayers night and day for great blessing bestowed on himself and his family. He is thanking the Lord of his great capacity to make money. He has done his part by thanking the Lord. He ceases to view substance as a gift from God to be freely shared. He continues participating in the church but he has lost a fundamental tenant of the gospel: love thy brother as yourself. In Alms'a church he may have been reprimanded and called to repentance. He now has another choice point: repent or continue believing that it isn't pride that has got a hold of him.
I would enjoy hearing counter positions for what I have just written. I have heard so many growing up in the church. I can accept a few: We are ignorant of the principle; the principle hasn't been freely taught us; we haven't been asked this principle fully yet.
33 And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God—
34 And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction....
36 And it came to pass that the fifty and second year ended in peace also, save it were the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the hearts of the people; and it was because of their exceedingly great riches and their prosperity in the land; and it did grow upon them from day to day.
Contentions among the people and dissensions in the church (Helaman 4:1) take away the peace the Nephites just months earlier. The rebellious group of Nephites are kicked out of the land. They go to the Lamanites and after a few years persuade the Lamanites to attack the Nephites. The faith of the Nephites has diminished so much due their pride that they no longer had the strength of the Lord. The Lamanite armies succeed in taking half of the Nephite land. The Nephites are slaughtered in those parts of the land.
Why did this happen?
In Helaman 4: 11-12 we read that loss ... the great slaughter... would not have happened had it not been for thier wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God.
So something is going on with members of the church as well as the non-members.
In verse 12 we read, And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites—
The first four things mentioned as reasons why the Nephites lost the strength of the Lord and were slaughtered are related to the helping poor. The fifth item seems to have something to do with continuing to participate unworthily in things that are sacred. As these members continue down this path of pride, they deny spiritual gifts and begin doing the general list of wicked things. But, isn't it interesting that choosing to not help the poor is the first four things mentioned. These members stopped following the order of the church established by Alma in giving their substance to the church for redistribution to the poor. They decided to withhold their substance from the poor and spend it on themselves.
My take on these verses is that the members started to get rich and decided not to give their surplus to the church. Pride had entered in and they want to keep their wealth for their own use. As the humble members of the church also got rich they chose to fast and pray becoming humbler and humbler, yielding themselves to the enticings of the holy spirit until they were sanctified. There apparently is a cross roads when a christian is tempted with riches. Does he stay humble and give abundantly to others or does he enjoy the comparison he is making noting that he has more than others. He thinks of all good things he can puchase as well as being able to provide the finer things of life to his children (education, skills, a start in life) and begins to justify the use of his riches to aggrandize himself (cars, home, liesure time, etc.) and his family. He, in a tacit sense, is mocking others by lifting himself and his family above the other members of his congregation. Since he can justify everything he does, he deceives himself into thinking it isn't pride. You see, he is thanking the Lord in his prayers night and day for great blessing bestowed on himself and his family. He is thanking the Lord of his great capacity to make money. He has done his part by thanking the Lord. He ceases to view substance as a gift from God to be freely shared. He continues participating in the church but he has lost a fundamental tenant of the gospel: love thy brother as yourself. In Alms'a church he may have been reprimanded and called to repentance. He now has another choice point: repent or continue believing that it isn't pride that has got a hold of him.
I would enjoy hearing counter positions for what I have just written. I have heard so many growing up in the church. I can accept a few: We are ignorant of the principle; the principle hasn't been freely taught us; we haven't been asked this principle fully yet.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Having a Just God on your Side - Alma 57:26,27
I am now reading the war chapters in Alma. It is 63 BC, still in the era of faith and righteousness among the Nephites. The stripling warriors are miraculously protected a second time where none of them are killed. (Alma 57:25) For the miracle to occur, the Lord orchestrated events so that the army guarding the Lamanite prisoners of war were able to return in the knick of time. The Nephites had lost there prisoners but the Lord answered the faith of believers. In verse 26 and 27 we read,
"And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually."
One of the clearest messages in the Book of Mormon is that God fulfills is promises to people that firmly put their trust in Him. He is a just God. He wants us not to doubt but to be believing. I find that this level of steadiness is not an easy thing to maintain! Why do I end up slipping back into a state of unbelief? For me, it has something to do with my natural instincts. The seen world says something different than the unseen world. Maybe I just don't believe that believing, trusting and relying are so powerful. It's too simple! Like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, I don't understand the meaning of things. Moses put a serpent on a stick and all who looked at the serpent were healed. Alma 30:20 says,
"But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them. If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God... "
So, the key is to stay focused on Christ. Believe that believing in the Son of God will bring to pass miraculous results. Even if the all the Lamanite prisoners are lost, God will fulfill his promises unto those that believe firmly and steadfast in the Son of God.
You will never know what would have happened if you but had some faith!
"And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually."
One of the clearest messages in the Book of Mormon is that God fulfills is promises to people that firmly put their trust in Him. He is a just God. He wants us not to doubt but to be believing. I find that this level of steadiness is not an easy thing to maintain! Why do I end up slipping back into a state of unbelief? For me, it has something to do with my natural instincts. The seen world says something different than the unseen world. Maybe I just don't believe that believing, trusting and relying are so powerful. It's too simple! Like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, I don't understand the meaning of things. Moses put a serpent on a stick and all who looked at the serpent were healed. Alma 30:20 says,
"But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them. If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God... "
So, the key is to stay focused on Christ. Believe that believing in the Son of God will bring to pass miraculous results. Even if the all the Lamanite prisoners are lost, God will fulfill his promises unto those that believe firmly and steadfast in the Son of God.
You will never know what would have happened if you but had some faith!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Alma 48:12 - Being Grateful to Serve with Your Gifts
In speaking of Captain Moroni, the narrator says an interesting thing:
12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.
As Moroni gave his service as the commander of the armies of the Nephites, he viewed his abilities as privileges and blessing that he could bestow upon his people. He willingly used his gifts and talents to help others. He was grateful for the opportunity to serve and make a difference.
Do our hearts swell with thanksgiving when we are priveliged and blessed by the Lord?
Is Captain Moroni charging for his services? If you have a gift from God, do you bless the lifes of others with it? Do you believe that it should be given freely for the benefit of all? Does this apply to temporal gifts as well as spiritual gifts? Whatever we are gifted in, we use that gift for the benefit and welfare of others. I think some of us draw the line between spiritual gifts and temporal gives. Spiritual gifts are used to benefit others but temporal gifts (the ability to make money or grow wealth) are used for our own benefit. This seems to be a faulty paradigm. Either we serve God or we serve mammon. You see, it's a paradigm shift. Instead of believing everything that I do temporally is mine and I can do with it as I please, we believe that all gifts both spiritual and temporal are gifts from God and it is a great privelege and blessing to bestow upon others so they can be rich like us. Now, that I believe is following Christ and a major tenant of the gospel.
12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.
As Moroni gave his service as the commander of the armies of the Nephites, he viewed his abilities as privileges and blessing that he could bestow upon his people. He willingly used his gifts and talents to help others. He was grateful for the opportunity to serve and make a difference.
Do our hearts swell with thanksgiving when we are priveliged and blessed by the Lord?
Is Captain Moroni charging for his services? If you have a gift from God, do you bless the lifes of others with it? Do you believe that it should be given freely for the benefit of all? Does this apply to temporal gifts as well as spiritual gifts? Whatever we are gifted in, we use that gift for the benefit and welfare of others. I think some of us draw the line between spiritual gifts and temporal gives. Spiritual gifts are used to benefit others but temporal gifts (the ability to make money or grow wealth) are used for our own benefit. This seems to be a faulty paradigm. Either we serve God or we serve mammon. You see, it's a paradigm shift. Instead of believing everything that I do temporally is mine and I can do with it as I please, we believe that all gifts both spiritual and temporal are gifts from God and it is a great privelege and blessing to bestow upon others so they can be rich like us. Now, that I believe is following Christ and a major tenant of the gospel.
Alma 48:6-7 Preparing the hearts of the people
Humans are highly susceptible. What we listen to, read and watch molds our view of what we believe is right or wrong. If we want to develop the spiritual man within us, we put spiritual things into our minds. If we enjoy the baser things, we fill our minds with that kind of material. If we listen to contentious messages, we either turn it off our start agreeing with what is being said. Captain Moroni and Amalickiah were manipulating their peoples back in the Nephite times. In Alma 48:7 we read:
"Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God."
I agree with what Moroni is doing. We all need to have our minds prepared before the testing occurs. Once our minds are prepared to be faithful, when the trial occurs, enough faith can be mustered to meet the challenge. This is happening every time we read our scriptures. It happens when the prophets confer with us during General Conference.
On the other hand there are many deceiving voices out there trying to get us believe lies. There are base TV shows, music lyrics, talk show hosts, movies, etc. They can help us become more carnal, sensual and devilish. They can make feel contentious. In Alma 48:1 we read:
"And now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites."
The Lamanites were bombarded with war propaganda from towers erected to disseminate information. Previously they were scared of the power of the Nephites. Many had taken oaths never to come against Nephites again. But the constant bombardment from these towers, swayed the Lamanites into taking up arms again. Their towers are equivalent to our air ways.
We need to be careful not to get sucked into the negativity of the age. We need to be careful not watch movies and TV shows that bring out our baser selves. We are what we listen to. So, listen to and watch good, uplifting and wholesome things!
"Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God."
I agree with what Moroni is doing. We all need to have our minds prepared before the testing occurs. Once our minds are prepared to be faithful, when the trial occurs, enough faith can be mustered to meet the challenge. This is happening every time we read our scriptures. It happens when the prophets confer with us during General Conference.
On the other hand there are many deceiving voices out there trying to get us believe lies. There are base TV shows, music lyrics, talk show hosts, movies, etc. They can help us become more carnal, sensual and devilish. They can make feel contentious. In Alma 48:1 we read:
"And now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites."
The Lamanites were bombarded with war propaganda from towers erected to disseminate information. Previously they were scared of the power of the Nephites. Many had taken oaths never to come against Nephites again. But the constant bombardment from these towers, swayed the Lamanites into taking up arms again. Their towers are equivalent to our air ways.
We need to be careful not to get sucked into the negativity of the age. We need to be careful not watch movies and TV shows that bring out our baser selves. We are what we listen to. So, listen to and watch good, uplifting and wholesome things!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The easiness of the way
Sometimes as a Latter-Day Saint I think I have it all wrong. When I read verses like the one in Alma 37:40 I start to wonder if I am complicating matters. The verse says, 'For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.' I am not sure I completely understand this verse. I figure that compass represents word of God which comes in various forms: The Holy Ghost, the scriptures, the prophets, etc. It is as easy to give heed to the word of God now as it was for Lehi's family to give heed to the Liahona. Hum, I am still not getting it completely. In 1 Nephi 16:28 I read, 'And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.' Faith, diligence and heed. I first must believe and cast off my doubt. Then I must be diligent. Diligence is the earnest and persistent application to an undertaking; steady effort. It's the steadfast part of the faith. 2 Nephi 31:20 says, 'Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.' I think diligence is akin to being steadfast. So what is heed? Heed is to pay attention to; listen to and consider. Since the writing on the Liahona changed from time to time, so it is today that our instructions from the various sources changes from time to time. As I receive new instruction, I need pay attention to it, listen to it and consider it.
The word 'easy' still bothers me. In verse 46 it says, 'O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.'
Alma is either stating that the way is easy or that it is easy to get side tracked in a pursuit to living the gospel. If the way is truly easy, that would mean that once a person has a change in heart his path through life becomes significantly easier. He believes that he will be guided and directed and comforted as he travels through the vissitudes of life. He is at rest. He has burdens but they a swallowed up in Christ. Slothful means disinclined to work or exertion; lazy. Alma is exhorting his son to keep on working even though he in in the way. I think it is easy to get into the trap of enjoying the nice things of life and forgetting to get out there to do our duty. Serving isn't necesarily fun but it grows our spirits.
I hope to get to a place in my life where the living the gospel is easy. Even though it is easy, we should alway be found doing our next errand from the Lord.
The word 'easy' still bothers me. In verse 46 it says, 'O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.'
Alma is either stating that the way is easy or that it is easy to get side tracked in a pursuit to living the gospel. If the way is truly easy, that would mean that once a person has a change in heart his path through life becomes significantly easier. He believes that he will be guided and directed and comforted as he travels through the vissitudes of life. He is at rest. He has burdens but they a swallowed up in Christ. Slothful means disinclined to work or exertion; lazy. Alma is exhorting his son to keep on working even though he in in the way. I think it is easy to get into the trap of enjoying the nice things of life and forgetting to get out there to do our duty. Serving isn't necesarily fun but it grows our spirits.
I hope to get to a place in my life where the living the gospel is easy. Even though it is easy, we should alway be found doing our next errand from the Lord.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
How To Find Rest To Your Souls?
How does one find rest to their souls? Alma teaches his son that the way to rest is "... repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ". He then says that we should be "... humble ... [and] ...be meek and lowly in heart [and] to withstand every temptation of the devil, with [our] faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. "(Alma 37:33) What I see here is the need walk the low road, to have a certain attitude.
Alma than tells us to ..."never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls." (v.34) So, rest is found by those who do good works and are very humble. He then adds that we start doing these things at an early age.
How do I walk with meekness and lowliness of heart? This requires coming unto Christ on a daily basis. In verse 36 Alma says, "Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. " In order to walk with God, we must always remember Him in all that we do. Alma continues the same counsel in verse 37, "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God". And, "if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. "
This is the gospel way of life in a nut shell. Alma explains it very clearly. There isn't any compartmentalization of parts of our life. In our business we act one way and in our home we act another way and at church we act another way. We act the same at all times and places. Nephi declared, "May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!" (2 Nephi 4:32)
Rest to our souls comes by walking the humble path of life, every increasing our reliance on the Lord. This approach to life is foolishness in the eyes of the world. The natural man in each us cries out NO WAY as we consider and contemplate these deep changes in our disicipleship.
Alma than tells us to ..."never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls." (v.34) So, rest is found by those who do good works and are very humble. He then adds that we start doing these things at an early age.
How do I walk with meekness and lowliness of heart? This requires coming unto Christ on a daily basis. In verse 36 Alma says, "Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. " In order to walk with God, we must always remember Him in all that we do. Alma continues the same counsel in verse 37, "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God". And, "if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. "
This is the gospel way of life in a nut shell. Alma explains it very clearly. There isn't any compartmentalization of parts of our life. In our business we act one way and in our home we act another way and at church we act another way. We act the same at all times and places. Nephi declared, "May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!" (2 Nephi 4:32)
Rest to our souls comes by walking the humble path of life, every increasing our reliance on the Lord. This approach to life is foolishness in the eyes of the world. The natural man in each us cries out NO WAY as we consider and contemplate these deep changes in our disicipleship.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Singing the Song of Redeeming Love
I was reading in Alma 26 the other day. Ammon is talking about what it mean to be converted. He compares and contrasts the humble follower of Christ with the natural man using the converted Lamanites as examples. He starts out by saying that his Lamanite brethren "were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God!" (v.6)
Ammon goes on to say that the Lord has loosed these brethren "from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love..." (v.13) What will it take for me to sing redeeming love? I believe in the gospel. I have been a member for a long time. But, I don't think I have come unto Christ to same degree as the converted lamanites.
What does it mean to be "loosed our brethren from the chains of hell"?(v.14) "Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love..." (v.15)
I want to be in that amazing state of love and peace! I want to view life the way Ammon is describing it. Sure, you have your troubles, trials and afflictions. But with this foundation, the problems of life take on a different feel. You know that Christ is with you and you can rely on Him. You don't view adversity with any degree of trepidation. In Alma 27:28 we read that the people of Ammon "never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it."
Ammon then relates his own experience of God and His mercy. He says in verse 17, "Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?...why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair?... Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls." Why did God snatch Ammon and his brethren? Maybe, the bottom line is that God is full of grace and mercy. Maybe He knew their souls and knew that they their immediate repentance and faith had the substance of permanency. For some of us the grace comes more slowly and in God own due time. Getting a perfect knowledge too early would only condemn us. Why? Because we would probably go back to our old ways. Some how our anchoring has to be sufficient for the snatching to occur.
There are only two ways to live our lives on this earth: the natural man way or the humble follower of Christ way. There is a struggle that everyman must have to cast off the natural man and come unto Christ. The process seems to be slow for me. I keep on dipping my toe in the water and pulling it out over and over again. I also get stuck at various half way houses along the way. I seem to think that a particular stage of arrivedness is all that their is. The level is comfortable. But, the natural man is still lurking underneath my outward facade. I am surprised when I my natural self makes a surprise appearance when I least expect it.
Anyways, Ammon is talking about a complete transformation away from the natural man when faith and repentance meet mercy, grace, cleansing and healing. Something might changes within us. In verses 21 and 22 we read, "And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent. Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God..." I believe the first great mystery if our own conversion. We are no longer walking in darkness. We have sung and are singing the song of redeeming love. When this happens in our hearts then great things begin to happen in our lives: "... yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. " We have become men and women of God. We life completely different than our old natural selfs. We are amazed at the new vistas that we see. We want everyone to come and partake of the same fruit. We are part of the ransomed host.
Ammon goes on to say that the Lord has loosed these brethren "from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love..." (v.13) What will it take for me to sing redeeming love? I believe in the gospel. I have been a member for a long time. But, I don't think I have come unto Christ to same degree as the converted lamanites.
What does it mean to be "loosed our brethren from the chains of hell"?(v.14) "Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love..." (v.15)
I want to be in that amazing state of love and peace! I want to view life the way Ammon is describing it. Sure, you have your troubles, trials and afflictions. But with this foundation, the problems of life take on a different feel. You know that Christ is with you and you can rely on Him. You don't view adversity with any degree of trepidation. In Alma 27:28 we read that the people of Ammon "never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it."
Ammon then relates his own experience of God and His mercy. He says in verse 17, "Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?...why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair?... Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls." Why did God snatch Ammon and his brethren? Maybe, the bottom line is that God is full of grace and mercy. Maybe He knew their souls and knew that they their immediate repentance and faith had the substance of permanency. For some of us the grace comes more slowly and in God own due time. Getting a perfect knowledge too early would only condemn us. Why? Because we would probably go back to our old ways. Some how our anchoring has to be sufficient for the snatching to occur.
There are only two ways to live our lives on this earth: the natural man way or the humble follower of Christ way. There is a struggle that everyman must have to cast off the natural man and come unto Christ. The process seems to be slow for me. I keep on dipping my toe in the water and pulling it out over and over again. I also get stuck at various half way houses along the way. I seem to think that a particular stage of arrivedness is all that their is. The level is comfortable. But, the natural man is still lurking underneath my outward facade. I am surprised when I my natural self makes a surprise appearance when I least expect it.
Anyways, Ammon is talking about a complete transformation away from the natural man when faith and repentance meet mercy, grace, cleansing and healing. Something might changes within us. In verses 21 and 22 we read, "And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent. Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God..." I believe the first great mystery if our own conversion. We are no longer walking in darkness. We have sung and are singing the song of redeeming love. When this happens in our hearts then great things begin to happen in our lives: "... yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. " We have become men and women of God. We life completely different than our old natural selfs. We are amazed at the new vistas that we see. We want everyone to come and partake of the same fruit. We are part of the ransomed host.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Buring Our Weapons of War
Like the Lamanites, we all have weapons of war. Due to our fallen state we end up relying on and creating habits that served the natural man within us. The converted Lamanite's addiction was killing people or blood lust. All they could do to be saved by grace was to repent of their sins. For them, the process of repentance required them to stay away from the shedding of blood. In Alma 24 we read,
11 And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do, (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain—
12 Now, my best beloved brethren, since God hath taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren.
13 Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our swords that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; for perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins.
The converted lamanites could not return to their old ways. These old ways would require them to return to their addiction. Leaving their weapons lying around would be like a alcoholic leaving alcohol around the house. Like an person with addictions, they made an absolute commitment by burying their weapons of war. They would rather die than go back to their old habits. God had healed them through his grace. There could be no going back. Here's what the king says:
15 Oh, how merciful is our God! And now behold, since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords are made bright, let us hide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day, or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us clean thereby.
16 And now, my brethren, if our brethren seek to destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords, yea, even we will bury them deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright, as a testimony that we have never used them, at the last day; and if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be saved.
And they did exactly that. There would be no going back. In verse 17-19 we read,
17 And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man’s blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth.
18 And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man’s blood; and this they did, vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.
19 And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.
Do these verses apply to us? We haven't physically murdered anyone. We don't have any weapons to bury. Or do we? Do we have weapons of war that we pull out and use? Depending on our level of spiritual effort to change our lives, we tend to recognize the our personal weapons to varying degrees. Bad habits are like knee jerk reactions. When the right stimulus occurs we almost unconscously react. This happens so instantaneously that we only realize later, when our reposte has calmed down, what we have done. We feel bad but can't figure out how stop doing the same thing over and over again. These are natural man habits that we have developed over the years. They may have had effective results in the past. We got what we wanted. But, as we embrace the gospel of our Lord we realize that these habits are sin and we no longer want to get what we want by sinning.
We have been so blinded by our cultural traditions that you can't even recognize what I am talking about! If this is the case, then repentance has not yet been granted unto you. To have deep, heart rending knowledge of all of our weaknesses is a step in the right direction. To seek to quietly cover them up will only make you a recidivist.
What am I talking about? What do we need the bury and never use again? King Benjamin said 'And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.' (Mosiah 4:29). Everyone has their own (sins, bad habits or addictions) but here's a few: shaming others, manipulating others for your gain, getting angry to fight back when you are emotionally hurt, denying what you just did since to the victim or those watching it is plausible that your really didn't say it or mean it with evil intent to satisfy your desire to win at all costs; holding back information that is requiried for another to make an important decision. These are only a few. I could go on and on. All these things are what we naturally do when we feel threatened and need regain the upper hand. The Gentiles are full of all manner of lyings and deceivings and so are we.
As we come unto Christ, we repent of everything that isn't in harmony with Christ's teachings. Like the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, as we become aware of our evil habits, addictions, etc., we repent of them. To keep our swords bright, we bury them. We never pick up our weapons of war again. We put them far from our minds asking God to make our personal weaknesses into strengths for the rest of our sojourn on this earth. We abhor our sins so much that we retract from the thought of using them once again. As we show our God our humble resolve, God, in His due time, will bless us with a knowledge that our sins have been remitted and we shall sing the song of redeeming love and become part of the ransomed host.
11 And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do, (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain—
12 Now, my best beloved brethren, since God hath taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren.
13 Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our swords that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; for perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins.
The converted lamanites could not return to their old ways. These old ways would require them to return to their addiction. Leaving their weapons lying around would be like a alcoholic leaving alcohol around the house. Like an person with addictions, they made an absolute commitment by burying their weapons of war. They would rather die than go back to their old habits. God had healed them through his grace. There could be no going back. Here's what the king says:
15 Oh, how merciful is our God! And now behold, since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords are made bright, let us hide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day, or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us clean thereby.
16 And now, my brethren, if our brethren seek to destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords, yea, even we will bury them deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright, as a testimony that we have never used them, at the last day; and if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be saved.
And they did exactly that. There would be no going back. In verse 17-19 we read,
17 And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man’s blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth.
18 And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man’s blood; and this they did, vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.
19 And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.
Do these verses apply to us? We haven't physically murdered anyone. We don't have any weapons to bury. Or do we? Do we have weapons of war that we pull out and use? Depending on our level of spiritual effort to change our lives, we tend to recognize the our personal weapons to varying degrees. Bad habits are like knee jerk reactions. When the right stimulus occurs we almost unconscously react. This happens so instantaneously that we only realize later, when our reposte has calmed down, what we have done. We feel bad but can't figure out how stop doing the same thing over and over again. These are natural man habits that we have developed over the years. They may have had effective results in the past. We got what we wanted. But, as we embrace the gospel of our Lord we realize that these habits are sin and we no longer want to get what we want by sinning.
We have been so blinded by our cultural traditions that you can't even recognize what I am talking about! If this is the case, then repentance has not yet been granted unto you. To have deep, heart rending knowledge of all of our weaknesses is a step in the right direction. To seek to quietly cover them up will only make you a recidivist.
What am I talking about? What do we need the bury and never use again? King Benjamin said 'And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.' (Mosiah 4:29). Everyone has their own (sins, bad habits or addictions) but here's a few: shaming others, manipulating others for your gain, getting angry to fight back when you are emotionally hurt, denying what you just did since to the victim or those watching it is plausible that your really didn't say it or mean it with evil intent to satisfy your desire to win at all costs; holding back information that is requiried for another to make an important decision. These are only a few. I could go on and on. All these things are what we naturally do when we feel threatened and need regain the upper hand. The Gentiles are full of all manner of lyings and deceivings and so are we.
As we come unto Christ, we repent of everything that isn't in harmony with Christ's teachings. Like the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, as we become aware of our evil habits, addictions, etc., we repent of them. To keep our swords bright, we bury them. We never pick up our weapons of war again. We put them far from our minds asking God to make our personal weaknesses into strengths for the rest of our sojourn on this earth. We abhor our sins so much that we retract from the thought of using them once again. As we show our God our humble resolve, God, in His due time, will bless us with a knowledge that our sins have been remitted and we shall sing the song of redeeming love and become part of the ransomed host.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Be Still
Is being still part of trusting in God? How does one receive direction from God without taking the time to be still? When my mind is confused and I don't know what direction to take, I chose to be still. The only other option is to continue in the confused state - and most likely, the state will get worse.
Ps. 46: 10
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Sometimes we show a lack of faith when we take action. When the going gets rough, we discard God and take whatever action that our natural man deems necessary to resolve the situation. We justify our actions by thinking, God doesn't care about this situation and wants me to figure it out on my own. We never know what miracle would have happened if we held out faith a little longer.
Ex. 14: 13
13 ¶ And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
Sometimes you just have to slow down, stay calm and mellow out. The Lord will take care of the rest!
2 Chr. 20: 17
17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.
The natural man says that we need to do something RIGHT NOW! When we succomb to the natural man, we don't get the see what the salvation of the Lord would have been. Wait, get your errand of the Lord and then take action.
Lamentation 3:22-26
¶ It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
You see, it is good to hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord! We don't have to worry and fret about things. Since there is a God, and we believe in Him, there is no need to worry. Slow down, get direction from the Lord, and then act. This is what I am practicing doing. The other way sometimes works but doesn't build one's faith. It reinforces your unbelief so that the next time your trust in God it is less.
D&C 5
34 Yea, for this cause I have said: Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee.
Is it heart rending to wait on the Lord for first time in your life! You bet. It feels like you are going to crazy. How could the Lord really help in my situation? My problem is so special that I am on my own. God helps others but doesn't help me. Will I look like a fool by standing still and waiting on the Lord? I am going to keep on trying and I get this down. I want to cast off my unbelief. I want to break the veil of unbelief!
Heb. 11: 6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Mosiah 4: 9
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
D&C 123: 17
17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
It is my believe that God watches over me, that I can receive my errand from Him as I stand still and be believing. What is that one thing that God would have me do today?
Ps. 46: 10
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Sometimes we show a lack of faith when we take action. When the going gets rough, we discard God and take whatever action that our natural man deems necessary to resolve the situation. We justify our actions by thinking, God doesn't care about this situation and wants me to figure it out on my own. We never know what miracle would have happened if we held out faith a little longer.
Ex. 14: 13
13 ¶ And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
Sometimes you just have to slow down, stay calm and mellow out. The Lord will take care of the rest!
2 Chr. 20: 17
17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.
The natural man says that we need to do something RIGHT NOW! When we succomb to the natural man, we don't get the see what the salvation of the Lord would have been. Wait, get your errand of the Lord and then take action.
Lamentation 3:22-26
¶ It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
You see, it is good to hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord! We don't have to worry and fret about things. Since there is a God, and we believe in Him, there is no need to worry. Slow down, get direction from the Lord, and then act. This is what I am practicing doing. The other way sometimes works but doesn't build one's faith. It reinforces your unbelief so that the next time your trust in God it is less.
D&C 5
34 Yea, for this cause I have said: Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee.
Is it heart rending to wait on the Lord for first time in your life! You bet. It feels like you are going to crazy. How could the Lord really help in my situation? My problem is so special that I am on my own. God helps others but doesn't help me. Will I look like a fool by standing still and waiting on the Lord? I am going to keep on trying and I get this down. I want to cast off my unbelief. I want to break the veil of unbelief!
Heb. 11: 6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Mosiah 4: 9
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
D&C 123: 17
17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
It is my believe that God watches over me, that I can receive my errand from Him as I stand still and be believing. What is that one thing that God would have me do today?
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Planting a Delicious Seed
I was reading in Alma 32 and wanted to share with you some of my thoughts. Look at verse 27:
But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
This is the beginning of testimony, just a desire to believe. It sometimes seems foolish to believe something that I cannot see. But, when anyone does it with real intent and a sincere heart something wonderful happens! Look at verse 28:
28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
This is how I felt about the church and the gospel when I was a teenager. The doctrine tasted delicious!
29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.
To simply believe will bring a good feeling. To exercise faith will bring it even more. Then comes repentance (turning away) from anything that make that good feeling withdraw. Skepticism will sometimes enters into our hearts. We can become cynical. Here's what Alma says:
38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
We need to continue working on your testimony using the pattern above. I still make alot of mistakes and say stupid things - but, I know many things to be true regarding the church and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also believe many things to be true. I let go or put aside the rest.
But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
This is the beginning of testimony, just a desire to believe. It sometimes seems foolish to believe something that I cannot see. But, when anyone does it with real intent and a sincere heart something wonderful happens! Look at verse 28:
28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
This is how I felt about the church and the gospel when I was a teenager. The doctrine tasted delicious!
29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.
To simply believe will bring a good feeling. To exercise faith will bring it even more. Then comes repentance (turning away) from anything that make that good feeling withdraw. Skepticism will sometimes enters into our hearts. We can become cynical. Here's what Alma says:
38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
We need to continue working on your testimony using the pattern above. I still make alot of mistakes and say stupid things - but, I know many things to be true regarding the church and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also believe many things to be true. I let go or put aside the rest.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Let Your Hearts be Full
Alma 34:27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.
In Chapter 32 and 33 Alma tells the Zoromite poor that they don't need a physical church to worship God. It doesn't matter that they were kicked out. In fact, this is perfect since they need to learn to be humble. An offence has occurred. They helped build the place of worship but now they can't enter. They are in a perfect place for God to bless their life! In fact, the worst think you could do is, "...revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them." The blessings from God come through "...patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions". (v.40)
We can worship our God continually, everyday by letting our hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually. This is what we would call having a prayer in your heart. It might be what the words in our sacrament prayer mean, "that we always remember him". We do this at all times - during the good and bad times. We shouldn't start remembering the Lord only when we are forced to be humble - because it feels hypocritical to feel after the Lord only in rough times.
So one of the messages that I get from these verses is that the tough times are good. If we have been exercising faith, then these times are when the miracles occur, when we can expect God to bless our lives. Can I stay humble, trusting in God when an injustice has occurred? Will I complain and murmur and believe that God has forsaken me? Can I continue to believe and be believing. This is the message of the gospel. We can have peace in our hearts in the hard times. Don't despair. Stay planted in the gospel sod!
In Chapter 32 and 33 Alma tells the Zoromite poor that they don't need a physical church to worship God. It doesn't matter that they were kicked out. In fact, this is perfect since they need to learn to be humble. An offence has occurred. They helped build the place of worship but now they can't enter. They are in a perfect place for God to bless their life! In fact, the worst think you could do is, "...revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them." The blessings from God come through "...patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions". (v.40)
We can worship our God continually, everyday by letting our hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually. This is what we would call having a prayer in your heart. It might be what the words in our sacrament prayer mean, "that we always remember him". We do this at all times - during the good and bad times. We shouldn't start remembering the Lord only when we are forced to be humble - because it feels hypocritical to feel after the Lord only in rough times.
So one of the messages that I get from these verses is that the tough times are good. If we have been exercising faith, then these times are when the miracles occur, when we can expect God to bless our lives. Can I stay humble, trusting in God when an injustice has occurred? Will I complain and murmur and believe that God has forsaken me? Can I continue to believe and be believing. This is the message of the gospel. We can have peace in our hearts in the hard times. Don't despair. Stay planted in the gospel sod!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Understanding the Mercies of the Lord
The prophet Zenock said, "thou are angry, O Lord, with the people because the will not understand thy mercies, which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son."
So, its all a lack of understanding! Mercy is extended but don't get it. Throughout the scriptures the Lord says that he is merciful to those that believe. Do we really believe that He is there and will take of us as we have faith in him? Sometimes our faith has to be tried. The mercy doesn't come until have the trial of our faith.
There is a God. He is merciful. We don't have to go it alone in this life. We must cast off our unbelief and begin to believe in an unseen God. The blessings and miracles won't come unless we do this. In fact, we will not know that His arm was extended because we didn't take it.
The first principle of the gospel is to have faith (believe in His words and give them place in your heart). We will then begin to understand how merciful the Lord really is.
So, its all a lack of understanding! Mercy is extended but don't get it. Throughout the scriptures the Lord says that he is merciful to those that believe. Do we really believe that He is there and will take of us as we have faith in him? Sometimes our faith has to be tried. The mercy doesn't come until have the trial of our faith.
There is a God. He is merciful. We don't have to go it alone in this life. We must cast off our unbelief and begin to believe in an unseen God. The blessings and miracles won't come unless we do this. In fact, we will not know that His arm was extended because we didn't take it.
The first principle of the gospel is to have faith (believe in His words and give them place in your heart). We will then begin to understand how merciful the Lord really is.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Alma's Church - No Inequality (Alma 16:16)
After the Ammonihah mess, the word of God is preached throughout all the land. The church became general throughout all the land (v.15). Remember, the word 'church' in Alma's day had a strong economic aspect to it which I have discussed in previous blogs. In verse 16 of Alma 16, it says:
'And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming—'
Some people might define 'no inequality' as some superficial or symbolic equality where we all pretend to have a similar social economic status but it really isn't so. I believe we wrest the scriptures when we think this way. When people became members of church of God in Alma's time, one of the tenants of their belief in Christ, was to help the needy and the poor. This meant to them that those that were prospering took what they needed and willingly gave their surplus to be redistributed to the poor and the needy. It demonstrated their faith in Christ. How? Well, it sure isn't a natural man thing to do! From a natural man perspective it just isn't fair! Christ isn't about fair (the law of Moses is a good example of fairness). The natural man just doesn't believe that a higher power will take care of him (and the society in which he lives) if he will cast off his unbelief and give the law of the gospel a try.
There's a verse in the Doctrine and Covenants that speaks very clearly what will happen when a society decides to follow Christ more fully with regard to temporal matters.
It is found in D&C 78: 5-6. It says,'That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;'
And in in D&C 70:14 we read, 'Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld.'
There are great blessings from heaven when a group of people are equal in temporal things. When we are not, the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit are withheld.
One last verse in D&C 49: 20: 'But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.'
Is it really sin when we possess that which is above another? Our society definitely doesn't see it that way. Do you?
In conclusion, the equality exhibited in church established by Alma brought down the blessings of heaven and many were able to enter in His rest (v.17). This was the state in which the righteous portion of the Nephites were in when Lamanite wars began in earnest. They were prospered temporally, prospered spiritually and prospered with protection and strength beyond their own.
'And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming—'
Some people might define 'no inequality' as some superficial or symbolic equality where we all pretend to have a similar social economic status but it really isn't so. I believe we wrest the scriptures when we think this way. When people became members of church of God in Alma's time, one of the tenants of their belief in Christ, was to help the needy and the poor. This meant to them that those that were prospering took what they needed and willingly gave their surplus to be redistributed to the poor and the needy. It demonstrated their faith in Christ. How? Well, it sure isn't a natural man thing to do! From a natural man perspective it just isn't fair! Christ isn't about fair (the law of Moses is a good example of fairness). The natural man just doesn't believe that a higher power will take care of him (and the society in which he lives) if he will cast off his unbelief and give the law of the gospel a try.
There's a verse in the Doctrine and Covenants that speaks very clearly what will happen when a society decides to follow Christ more fully with regard to temporal matters.
It is found in D&C 78: 5-6. It says,'That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;'
And in in D&C 70:14 we read, 'Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld.'
There are great blessings from heaven when a group of people are equal in temporal things. When we are not, the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit are withheld.
One last verse in D&C 49: 20: 'But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.'
Is it really sin when we possess that which is above another? Our society definitely doesn't see it that way. Do you?
In conclusion, the equality exhibited in church established by Alma brought down the blessings of heaven and many were able to enter in His rest (v.17). This was the state in which the righteous portion of the Nephites were in when Lamanite wars began in earnest. They were prospered temporally, prospered spiritually and prospered with protection and strength beyond their own.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Perspective Makes All The Difference!
1 Nephi 17:6,1-2
Nephi's perspective of difficult times compared to Laman and Lemuel's perspective of difficult times has a lesson that we all can learn from. According to Nephi, they...waded through much affliction in the wilderness.... " Nephi doesn't say that there wasn't any afflictions. Afflictions are a part of life. He also indicates that their "...women did bear children... and so great were the blessings of the Lord upon [them], that while [they] did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, [their] women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings." After their bodies were conditioned, the women had not need to murmur because they were as strong as the men! Nephi indicates that the women had no problem nursing their children. He views all this as blessings from God. He see things in a positive perspective.
In contrast, Laman and Lemuel, later in the chapter continue to show their belief that Lehi and Nephi were "... led away by the foolish imaginations of [their] heart..." They ..."have wandered in the wilderness for these many years..." Note the lack of direction by using the word 'wondering'. They don't believe they are going really anywhere. They don't believe God is directing them. They then say..." and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions." Laman and Lemuel see the exact aame wilderness event as a horrible experience. It would have been better that their women had died before starting then to have suffered so much.
We too view our trials, troubles and afflictions as growing experiences when we look back with a spiritual perspective or as negative experiences only to have been endured with not redeeming qualities when our unbelief kicks in. It truly is all a matter of perspective. We either believe that it is an illusion that God has a plan for us or that the despair of the world is the illusion.
Nephi's perspective of difficult times compared to Laman and Lemuel's perspective of difficult times has a lesson that we all can learn from. According to Nephi, they...waded through much affliction in the wilderness.... " Nephi doesn't say that there wasn't any afflictions. Afflictions are a part of life. He also indicates that their "...women did bear children... and so great were the blessings of the Lord upon [them], that while [they] did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, [their] women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings." After their bodies were conditioned, the women had not need to murmur because they were as strong as the men! Nephi indicates that the women had no problem nursing their children. He views all this as blessings from God. He see things in a positive perspective.
In contrast, Laman and Lemuel, later in the chapter continue to show their belief that Lehi and Nephi were "... led away by the foolish imaginations of [their] heart..." They ..."have wandered in the wilderness for these many years..." Note the lack of direction by using the word 'wondering'. They don't believe they are going really anywhere. They don't believe God is directing them. They then say..." and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions." Laman and Lemuel see the exact aame wilderness event as a horrible experience. It would have been better that their women had died before starting then to have suffered so much.
We too view our trials, troubles and afflictions as growing experiences when we look back with a spiritual perspective or as negative experiences only to have been endured with not redeeming qualities when our unbelief kicks in. It truly is all a matter of perspective. We either believe that it is an illusion that God has a plan for us or that the despair of the world is the illusion.
Alma 1:30 Don't set your heart on riches
The key to the whole problem is not to set your heart on riches. It's like we either are thinking about riches or thinking about how we can help others. The love of money is the root of all evil. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. The natural man and spiritual man can't exist in the same space. I find myself jumping from plane to the other. I sometimes slide of the spirtual plane and find myself on the natural plane. This verse in Alma 1 shows what happens when a group of people actually get it. God blesses righteous union and equality.
30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
31 And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.
When everyone works together, caring for each other, not setting their hearts on riches, wonderful things occur. I believe that God smiles down on such a group and blesses them with even more properity. I yearn for that day.
30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
31 And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.
When everyone works together, caring for each other, not setting their hearts on riches, wonderful things occur. I believe that God smiles down on such a group and blesses them with even more properity. I yearn for that day.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Alma's Church - waxing proud brings scorn
After a battle with Amlicites which brings on a war with Lamanites, many Nephites are killed and the crops are destoyed. The people humble themselves and many join the Church of God. After about a year things become extremely prosperous, ... and the people of the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches... which they had obtained by their industry (Alma 4:6). Having the things of the world has always been a strong elixir. What do these members do with their prosperity? They are lifted up on pride of their eyes [and] they began to wear very costly apparel (v.6). They like to show others that they can afford the nice things. They like the feeling of being above others.
But, it doesn't stop there. After being "lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, ... they began to be scornful, one towards another..." Don't judge me for liking nice things! To scorn is to deride; to make a mock of; to ridicule as contemptible. The proud members were scorning the humble members for doing something that they didn't like.
What were the humble members doing? They may have been just as industrious as the others. I believe they were holding to the teaching that to believe in Christ means to only use riches to help others. They didn't use their riches to buy nice things. They freely gave of their substance to create an equality among men. They did this because they believed it and it feels right.
Jacob gave was the first who give the mandate. King Benjamin repeats the mandate and Alma and Alma the Younger make it a requirement for continuing membership in the church. What is the mandate? Here it is. In Jacob 2:16 Jacob ties pride with the destruction of the soul, "O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!"
He then gives the mandate,(v.17)"Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you."
Jacob then clarifies that we must first seek for the kingdom of God. He talking about receiving the change of heart, the rebirth. He says (v.18) "But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God." It is definitely hard to be free with substance until you have cast off the natural man!
Jacob then reasserts the mandate. We read (v.19)"And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." After we are self sufficient and then are blessed with riches, the sole purpose of these riches is to help others. This mandate is passed done from one generation to another until Alma uses it as one of the tenants in establishing the church of God.
Let's get back to Alma 4. The last part of verse 8 say, "and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure." Anybody who speaks against this new doctine of acquiring wealth for personal enjoyment without regard to those around them was persecuted. The proud look good; they are look confident; they don't understand the things of the Spirit. They like how they look; they like how they feel. My industry got me where I am now. Its mine. I earned fair and square. Thus, I can wear nicer things than YOU. You are judging me for wanting nice things!
But they still want to come to church. They still want to be part of the community of believers. Isn't it interesting that the wearing of costly apparel in Book of Mormon times indicated to spiritual leaders of the church that the member was walking in the pride of his or her heart! We say in our day that one can't use the same measuring stick because you can't tell what is in the heart. I agree to a point since we, as a church, might not be sufficiently instructed regarding what the living the gospel really requires of those who choose to follow their savior. But, I sometimes wonder if unknowingly walk in the pride of our hearts. We have been so steeped in a competitive dog eat dog (American) paradigm that we can't comprehend anything else. On the surface it (dog eat dog) seems like a fair way to do things. But Christ isn't about fair, He's about love. And love demands treating each other as if we are each other's brother and sister. That we share freely. That we desire our brother to be like unto us. Christ wants equality. When we become part of the ransomed hosts these disires of brotherhood, love and temporal equality feel natural and desirable to us. The natural man thinks all this is foolishness.
Alma then gives a discourse in Zerahemla that helps everyone who reads it measure their own pride and discipleship. I will tackle this on another day!
Send me you comments! -Scott
But, it doesn't stop there. After being "lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, ... they began to be scornful, one towards another..." Don't judge me for liking nice things! To scorn is to deride; to make a mock of; to ridicule as contemptible. The proud members were scorning the humble members for doing something that they didn't like.
What were the humble members doing? They may have been just as industrious as the others. I believe they were holding to the teaching that to believe in Christ means to only use riches to help others. They didn't use their riches to buy nice things. They freely gave of their substance to create an equality among men. They did this because they believed it and it feels right.
Jacob gave was the first who give the mandate. King Benjamin repeats the mandate and Alma and Alma the Younger make it a requirement for continuing membership in the church. What is the mandate? Here it is. In Jacob 2:16 Jacob ties pride with the destruction of the soul, "O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!"
He then gives the mandate,(v.17)"Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you."
Jacob then clarifies that we must first seek for the kingdom of God. He talking about receiving the change of heart, the rebirth. He says (v.18) "But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God." It is definitely hard to be free with substance until you have cast off the natural man!
Jacob then reasserts the mandate. We read (v.19)"And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." After we are self sufficient and then are blessed with riches, the sole purpose of these riches is to help others. This mandate is passed done from one generation to another until Alma uses it as one of the tenants in establishing the church of God.
Let's get back to Alma 4. The last part of verse 8 say, "and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure." Anybody who speaks against this new doctine of acquiring wealth for personal enjoyment without regard to those around them was persecuted. The proud look good; they are look confident; they don't understand the things of the Spirit. They like how they look; they like how they feel. My industry got me where I am now. Its mine. I earned fair and square. Thus, I can wear nicer things than YOU. You are judging me for wanting nice things!
But they still want to come to church. They still want to be part of the community of believers. Isn't it interesting that the wearing of costly apparel in Book of Mormon times indicated to spiritual leaders of the church that the member was walking in the pride of his or her heart! We say in our day that one can't use the same measuring stick because you can't tell what is in the heart. I agree to a point since we, as a church, might not be sufficiently instructed regarding what the living the gospel really requires of those who choose to follow their savior. But, I sometimes wonder if unknowingly walk in the pride of our hearts. We have been so steeped in a competitive dog eat dog (American) paradigm that we can't comprehend anything else. On the surface it (dog eat dog) seems like a fair way to do things. But Christ isn't about fair, He's about love. And love demands treating each other as if we are each other's brother and sister. That we share freely. That we desire our brother to be like unto us. Christ wants equality. When we become part of the ransomed hosts these disires of brotherhood, love and temporal equality feel natural and desirable to us. The natural man thinks all this is foolishness.
Alma then gives a discourse in Zerahemla that helps everyone who reads it measure their own pride and discipleship. I will tackle this on another day!
Send me you comments! -Scott
Thursday, January 28, 2010
You either move forwards or backwards
A common thread in the scriptures is that one is either moving forward or moving backwards regarding spiritual progression. When I use the word spiritual, I mean what a man does to either comprehend the things of God more fully or less fully. We are sometime deceived by our own preceived enlightenment when this enlightment is really a way to rationalize or justify our actions. What do I mean by rationalize? Anything that keeps us from being completely blameless or guiltless is something that we have retionalized. If you can be blamed for hurting yourself or others in anyway you are not blameless. For example, someone entreats you for assistance and you say no when you could have assisted. If you honestly can say that you give not because you have not then you stand blameless. Rationalizing any kind of sin causes us to no longer stand blameless. You also comprehend less and less of the things of God. A person who presists in fighting against goodness will unknowingly find himself in state called the chains of hell. This person thinks faith is foolish; he mocks things that he may have believed in the past; he can't receive counsel; he is in a state of unbelief.
The scriptures are the repository of what God has communicated to His children. God is not silent! He has told us His will. Why doesn't God reveal himself to me directly? Why should He? He has given us His scriptures. But, He will do something for you! As you study His words through His holy prophets with real intent, He will witness the truth of them to your heart. As you apply a teaching, you will know it is true. First faith, then the witness. It never goes the other way. Sincerity and real intent also have be part of the sacred search.
I like this scripture in Mosiah 1:5. It expresses the importance of having an unchanging base to work from (in contrast to all sorts of modern ideas).
I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.
Isn't it the same thing if we don't read and apply what we have? The Lamanites didn't have God's commandments and dwindled in unbelief. Anyone who doesn't read and ponder and pray in this day and age will have the same thing occur. You get to this point that you "even do not believe them when [you] are taught them, because of the [modern] traditions, which are not correct. And this is the sad truth. Let's all start progressing forward, not falling backward!
-Scott
The scriptures are the repository of what God has communicated to His children. God is not silent! He has told us His will. Why doesn't God reveal himself to me directly? Why should He? He has given us His scriptures. But, He will do something for you! As you study His words through His holy prophets with real intent, He will witness the truth of them to your heart. As you apply a teaching, you will know it is true. First faith, then the witness. It never goes the other way. Sincerity and real intent also have be part of the sacred search.
I like this scripture in Mosiah 1:5. It expresses the importance of having an unchanging base to work from (in contrast to all sorts of modern ideas).
I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.
Isn't it the same thing if we don't read and apply what we have? The Lamanites didn't have God's commandments and dwindled in unbelief. Anyone who doesn't read and ponder and pray in this day and age will have the same thing occur. You get to this point that you "even do not believe them when [you] are taught them, because of the [modern] traditions, which are not correct. And this is the sad truth. Let's all start progressing forward, not falling backward!
-Scott
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Trying to Do it All Yourself - Leaving God Out
I think these verses are a great metaphor or pattern for how some of us operate in our lives. I take my text from Mosiah 21 5-16. When the natural man is the operating person we learn the hard way that we can't do it all ourselves.
5 And now the afflictions of the Nephites were great, and there was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands, for the Lamanites had surrounded them on every side. (We are in trouble and there's not way out)
6 And it came to pass that the people began to murmur with the king because of their afflictions; and they began to be desirous to go against them to battle. And they did afflict the king sorely with their complaints; therefore he granted unto them that they should do according to their desires. (We think about our plight and get angry inside. The Lord let's us try out our plan)
7 And they gathered themselves together again, and put on their armor, and went forth against the Lamanites to drive them out of their land. (We do our best efforts to fix the problem ourselves without the Lord's help.)
8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did beat them, and drove them back, and slew many of them. (We fail. Our spirit is broken.)
9 And now there was a great mourning and lamentation among the people of Limhi, the widow mourning for her husband, the son and the daughter mourning for their father, and the brothers for their brethren. (We get depressed and grieve our disappointments.)
10 Now there were a great many widows in the land, and they did cry mightily from day to day, for a great fear of the Lamanites had come upon them. (We lose our self esteem and begin to fear that our situation is insuperable)
11 And it came to pass that their continual cries did stir up the remainder of the people of Limhi to anger against the Lamanites; and they went again to battle, but they were driven back again, suffering much loss. (we rally our spirits and with anger or determination once again and go out and try again to solve the problem)
12 Yea, they went again even the third time, and suffered in the like manner; and those that were not slain returned again to the city of Nephi. (we don't learn our lesson and keep on trying to solve the problem on our own and we fail miserably. We are now demoralized.)
13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies. (We finally humble ourselves and submit to yoke of bondage. We are acutely aware of our predicament)
14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions. (We turn to God for help in our humble state. We ask for help)
15 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage. (The Lord tries our resolve to trust in Him. Some good things begin to happen but we are not delivered)
16 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger. (As we stay humble, relying on the Lord, our lives are blessed in degrees.)
We have learned an important lesson. Some will learn it sooner than others. We learn this lesson experientially. We learn that trying to solve the problem ourselves seldom works very well. We learn that humbling ourselves and relying on the Lord always bring better results even if it is only peace while in bondage. Deliverance will happen in the Lord's own due time (see Mosiah 22).
5 And now the afflictions of the Nephites were great, and there was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands, for the Lamanites had surrounded them on every side. (We are in trouble and there's not way out)
6 And it came to pass that the people began to murmur with the king because of their afflictions; and they began to be desirous to go against them to battle. And they did afflict the king sorely with their complaints; therefore he granted unto them that they should do according to their desires. (We think about our plight and get angry inside. The Lord let's us try out our plan)
7 And they gathered themselves together again, and put on their armor, and went forth against the Lamanites to drive them out of their land. (We do our best efforts to fix the problem ourselves without the Lord's help.)
8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did beat them, and drove them back, and slew many of them. (We fail. Our spirit is broken.)
9 And now there was a great mourning and lamentation among the people of Limhi, the widow mourning for her husband, the son and the daughter mourning for their father, and the brothers for their brethren. (We get depressed and grieve our disappointments.)
10 Now there were a great many widows in the land, and they did cry mightily from day to day, for a great fear of the Lamanites had come upon them. (We lose our self esteem and begin to fear that our situation is insuperable)
11 And it came to pass that their continual cries did stir up the remainder of the people of Limhi to anger against the Lamanites; and they went again to battle, but they were driven back again, suffering much loss. (we rally our spirits and with anger or determination once again and go out and try again to solve the problem)
12 Yea, they went again even the third time, and suffered in the like manner; and those that were not slain returned again to the city of Nephi. (we don't learn our lesson and keep on trying to solve the problem on our own and we fail miserably. We are now demoralized.)
13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies. (We finally humble ourselves and submit to yoke of bondage. We are acutely aware of our predicament)
14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions. (We turn to God for help in our humble state. We ask for help)
15 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage. (The Lord tries our resolve to trust in Him. Some good things begin to happen but we are not delivered)
16 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger. (As we stay humble, relying on the Lord, our lives are blessed in degrees.)
We have learned an important lesson. Some will learn it sooner than others. We learn this lesson experientially. We learn that trying to solve the problem ourselves seldom works very well. We learn that humbling ourselves and relying on the Lord always bring better results even if it is only peace while in bondage. Deliverance will happen in the Lord's own due time (see Mosiah 22).
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Ransomed Host
Last Sunday in sacrament meeting we sang, Hymn #180, Father in Heaven, We Do Believe.
1. Father in Heav’n, we do believe
The promise thou hast made;
Thy word with meekness we receive,
Just as thy Saints have said.
2. We now repent of all our sin
And come with broken heart,
And to thy covenant enter in
And choose the better part.
3. O Lord, accept us while we pray,
And all our sins forgive;
New life impart to us this day,
And bid the sinners live.
4. Humbly we take the sacrament
In Jesus’ blessed name;
Let us receive thru covenant
The Spirit’s heav’nly flame.
5. We will be buried in the stream
In Jesus’ blessed name,
And rise, while light shall on us beam
The Spirit’s heav’nly flame.
6. Baptize us with the Holy Ghost
And seal us as thine own,
That we may join the ransomed host
And with the Saints be one.
When I renew my covenants (verse 4), do I receive the Spirt's heavenly flame? In verse 6, we read that when we are baptized with the Holy Ghost, we then join the ransomed host and become one with Saints. Until these promises (verse 1) occur individually in each one of us, we haven't joined the ransomed host. We sometime assume, as members of the Church, that we have - - since we are members. But, I think this knowledge is an individual knowledge that only each individual knows for himself. I will have to study this topic more.
1. Father in Heav’n, we do believe
The promise thou hast made;
Thy word with meekness we receive,
Just as thy Saints have said.
2. We now repent of all our sin
And come with broken heart,
And to thy covenant enter in
And choose the better part.
3. O Lord, accept us while we pray,
And all our sins forgive;
New life impart to us this day,
And bid the sinners live.
4. Humbly we take the sacrament
In Jesus’ blessed name;
Let us receive thru covenant
The Spirit’s heav’nly flame.
5. We will be buried in the stream
In Jesus’ blessed name,
And rise, while light shall on us beam
The Spirit’s heav’nly flame.
6. Baptize us with the Holy Ghost
And seal us as thine own,
That we may join the ransomed host
And with the Saints be one.
When I renew my covenants (verse 4), do I receive the Spirt's heavenly flame? In verse 6, we read that when we are baptized with the Holy Ghost, we then join the ransomed host and become one with Saints. Until these promises (verse 1) occur individually in each one of us, we haven't joined the ransomed host. We sometime assume, as members of the Church, that we have - - since we are members. But, I think this knowledge is an individual knowledge that only each individual knows for himself. I will have to study this topic more.
40 Years in the Wilderness
I have had a feeling or impression for many years that the outward rules and commandments of the Church are in a way like the Law of Moses in the Book of Mormon. This isn't an exact comparison since Christ has already come but I think it fits. Like the Law of Moses, we keep the 'check list' as it were until the time comes that we are told by the prophets to modify our position. We can move ahead a follow Christ more fully but we also continue to do those things that are intended to point us to Christ. Sometimes these things are a little strange but many aspects of the Law of Moses were strange.
I have noted down the following verses. Sometimes I will substitute phrases like, "outward commandments' or 'outward rules' in place of the Law of Moses in these verses. I believe, as these verses say, that everything the Church does points us toward Christ.
It sometimes feels, to me, like we the Church stepped back a pace a hundred years ago and began to teach 'school master' teachings to help our ancestors prepare to come unto Christ. Maybe we have been wandering, figuratively speaking, 40 years in the wilderness. I have noted that talking of Christ has increase dramatically over my life time.
Here are the verses:
> Alma 25:16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses;
> but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus
> they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon
> the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come.
>
> Alma 25:15 Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient
> that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled.
> But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of
> Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and
> believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that
> he should be revealed unto them.
>
> 2 N 25:24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of
> Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall
> be fulfilled
>
> Jacob 4:5 And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our
> souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness,
> even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto
> the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of
> God and his Only Begotten Son.
>
> Jarom 1:11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did
> labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence;
> teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading
> them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though
> he already was.
>
> 3 Nephi 15:2 And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he
> perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he
> would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that
> old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
It seems very reasonable to me that Christ would have His Church move forward at pace commensurate to the spirtual level of main body of saints. Introducing higher laws too soon would not be in the best interest of the Church's progress in the last days. The Lord clearly explains in Jacob 5:
[65] And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
[66] For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard....[73] And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof.
As we become more righteous, the time will come when greater things will become the standard. As always, these laws will probably be introduced slowly at first.
I have noted down the following verses. Sometimes I will substitute phrases like, "outward commandments' or 'outward rules' in place of the Law of Moses in these verses. I believe, as these verses say, that everything the Church does points us toward Christ.
It sometimes feels, to me, like we the Church stepped back a pace a hundred years ago and began to teach 'school master' teachings to help our ancestors prepare to come unto Christ. Maybe we have been wandering, figuratively speaking, 40 years in the wilderness. I have noted that talking of Christ has increase dramatically over my life time.
Here are the verses:
> Alma 25:16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses;
> but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus
> they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon
> the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come.
>
> Alma 25:15 Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient
> that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled.
> But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of
> Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and
> believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that
> he should be revealed unto them.
>
> 2 N 25:24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of
> Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall
> be fulfilled
>
> Jacob 4:5 And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our
> souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness,
> even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto
> the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of
> God and his Only Begotten Son.
>
> Jarom 1:11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did
> labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence;
> teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading
> them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though
> he already was.
>
> 3 Nephi 15:2 And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he
> perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he
> would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that
> old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
It seems very reasonable to me that Christ would have His Church move forward at pace commensurate to the spirtual level of main body of saints. Introducing higher laws too soon would not be in the best interest of the Church's progress in the last days. The Lord clearly explains in Jacob 5:
[65] And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
[66] For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard....[73] And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof.
As we become more righteous, the time will come when greater things will become the standard. As always, these laws will probably be introduced slowly at first.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Being Guided in Wisdom's Paths
Mosiah 2:36 says:
[36] And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved --
I like to change this scripture and phrase it positively: ... the Spirit of the Lord ... may have place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved.
So the Holy Ghost guides those how follow Him in wisdom's paths. Too me, wisdom's paths means that we don't make all sorts of mistakes in this life. Life isn't a crap shoot where you get what you get. Things go more successfully. The person knows that he has been bless and prospered beyond his own capability. He is preserved in tough times.
Here's a poem quoted by Elder Boyd K. Packard:
With thoughtless and impatient hands
We tangle up the plans
The Lord hath wrought.
And when we cry in pain He saith,
“Be quiet, man, while I untie the knot.”
It might take time for the Lord untie the knots that we create in our lives.
[36] And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved --
I like to change this scripture and phrase it positively: ... the Spirit of the Lord ... may have place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved.
So the Holy Ghost guides those how follow Him in wisdom's paths. Too me, wisdom's paths means that we don't make all sorts of mistakes in this life. Life isn't a crap shoot where you get what you get. Things go more successfully. The person knows that he has been bless and prospered beyond his own capability. He is preserved in tough times.
Here's a poem quoted by Elder Boyd K. Packard:
With thoughtless and impatient hands
We tangle up the plans
The Lord hath wrought.
And when we cry in pain He saith,
“Be quiet, man, while I untie the knot.”
It might take time for the Lord untie the knots that we create in our lives.
Delivery From bondage in the Last Days
Delivery from bondage in these days is different from Book of Mormon times but the same principles apply. Our bondage could be mental, emotional or physical bondage.
We might be in debt. We might have been traumatized when we were young. These things bring bondage upon us. What is the best way to get out of bondage? Can the Lord really help us when we bring bondage upon ourselves? Can he help us when we were mentally or emotionally placed in bondage by others? Below is a good recipee from the scriptures. In Mosial 7:33 it says,
But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
First, we turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart. We make adjustments in lives to walk in humility before God - no faking it! We then serve him with all diligence of mind. Keep focused on your godly walk among the children of men. In time the Lord will deliver you from bondage!
Mosiah 29:20 we read, But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.
Here we read that we need to humble ourselves before God and cry mightly unto him. Anyone who puts his trust in the Lord will always be delivered out of bondage.
We might be in debt. We might have been traumatized when we were young. These things bring bondage upon us. What is the best way to get out of bondage? Can the Lord really help us when we bring bondage upon ourselves? Can he help us when we were mentally or emotionally placed in bondage by others? Below is a good recipee from the scriptures. In Mosial 7:33 it says,
But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
First, we turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart. We make adjustments in lives to walk in humility before God - no faking it! We then serve him with all diligence of mind. Keep focused on your godly walk among the children of men. In time the Lord will deliver you from bondage!
Mosiah 29:20 we read, But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.
Here we read that we need to humble ourselves before God and cry mightly unto him. Anyone who puts his trust in the Lord will always be delivered out of bondage.
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