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.
Monday, October 11, 2010
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.
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