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.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
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.
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