I was reading 2 Nephi 31 today. Nephi spells out clearly the path back to God. In the last verse of the chapter (v.21) he says, "there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God". So, what he says before this must be very important.
The first step is to enter by the gate or at least know the gate. The gate is repentance and baptism. How do you know you have entered? Your sins are remitted (by fire and by the Holy Ghost). (v.17) This might take some time for most of us.
After you have taken the first step, "ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life". You know this because you have received the Holy Ghost. The Father has promised that anyone who enters by the gate will receive the Holy Ghost (v.18
The second step is to stay on the path. You can't just get on the path and think that all is done. It took believing in Christ and having unshaken faith in Him to get this far. You have relied "wholly upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save." The person who has made it this far has done a very impressive feat. He has grown to rely on Christ for everything. His faith has become unshaken. But, don't drop the fruit, there's still more! (v. 19)
To get the prize at the end of our lives on this earth, we have to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. Through the thick and the thin all we have to do is be steady (Alma 5:48). We have a perfect brightness of hope - no pessimism here! We have developed a love of God and of all men. We have learned to feast upon the word of Christ (hear and do the promptings of the Holy Ghost) (v.20).
It looks to me that once we break out our state of unbelief (Ether 4:15) and start exercising some faith, our minds are enlightened and it becomes easy to stay on the path (don't be slothful because the easiness of the way (Alma 37:46)). But, to cast off the natural man, now that's the hard thing! Will God really be there for me? Will He do what's best for me? Can I rely on Him?
But this is what most be done, "this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost..."
There is no other way - but it looks like a good way to me!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Spiritual Mindedness 2 Nephi 9:39
I find the following verse very interesting:
O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.
There are two different planes of thought: a spiritual plane and a carnal plane. We either are thinking on the one or the other. When doubt, fear or sin enter into my life, I imagine my spiritually-minded plane beginning to tilt and I begin to slide off. Or, the surface of the plane gets soft and I start sinking until I land on the carnally-minded plane.
How can we stay steadfast on the spiritual plane? When trials, troubles and afflictions happen in our lives, how do we keep the faith, continue to rely on the merits of the Holy One of Israel? Stay humble, be calm, believe that God is aware of you and your needs. Relax, cast off all doubt. Fear not. Walk the path of the low valley, be strict in the plain road. Always have a broken heart and contrite spirit. Always remember Him.
O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.
There are two different planes of thought: a spiritual plane and a carnal plane. We either are thinking on the one or the other. When doubt, fear or sin enter into my life, I imagine my spiritually-minded plane beginning to tilt and I begin to slide off. Or, the surface of the plane gets soft and I start sinking until I land on the carnally-minded plane.
How can we stay steadfast on the spiritual plane? When trials, troubles and afflictions happen in our lives, how do we keep the faith, continue to rely on the merits of the Holy One of Israel? Stay humble, be calm, believe that God is aware of you and your needs. Relax, cast off all doubt. Fear not. Walk the path of the low valley, be strict in the plain road. Always have a broken heart and contrite spirit. Always remember Him.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
1 Nephi 10:18-21 We will be Judged for Not Seeking
I used to thing that people could stand at the judgment bar and claim that truth was never revealed to them in this life and that they might get some leniency. This still might be true but there is evidence in the following verses that indicate the contrary.
In 1 Nephi 10:18 Nephi tells us that a way is provided in this life for all men to in all ages to find the truth. It's to repent and come unto the Christ. Nephi then says (v.19) that anyone who diligently seeks will receive answers and know about God and his mysteries (the things only understood by the spiritual man).
Nephi then goes on to say that each of us needs to be careful (v.20) because all of our doings will be brought to judgment. Could it be that seeking or not seeking is something that each of does? If a person is prompted to seek - which I believe happens over and over again for everyone - but chooses not to follow the prompting and receives no answer, who's at fault?
Nephi cinches his argument in verse 21 explaining that if we have sought to do wickedly in our days of probation we will be found unclean. My point is that we either seek after the things of God (repenting and coming unto Him) or we don't. If we don't, we are, by default, seeking something else. Working out our salvation in fear and trembling is painful. It isn't any fun. It is soul wrenching. We either do it or we don't (and we won't be held blameless if we don't).
In 1 Nephi 10:18 Nephi tells us that a way is provided in this life for all men to in all ages to find the truth. It's to repent and come unto the Christ. Nephi then says (v.19) that anyone who diligently seeks will receive answers and know about God and his mysteries (the things only understood by the spiritual man).
Nephi then goes on to say that each of us needs to be careful (v.20) because all of our doings will be brought to judgment. Could it be that seeking or not seeking is something that each of does? If a person is prompted to seek - which I believe happens over and over again for everyone - but chooses not to follow the prompting and receives no answer, who's at fault?
Nephi cinches his argument in verse 21 explaining that if we have sought to do wickedly in our days of probation we will be found unclean. My point is that we either seek after the things of God (repenting and coming unto Him) or we don't. If we don't, we are, by default, seeking something else. Working out our salvation in fear and trembling is painful. It isn't any fun. It is soul wrenching. We either do it or we don't (and we won't be held blameless if we don't).
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Nephi's Dream 1 Nephi 11:22 Sheddeth Itself
The Meaning of Tree
In verse 22 the angel asks if Nephi knows the mean of the tree which his father saw. Nephi responds that the tree is the love of God which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men...
So I looked up the word 'shed'. It means to cause to pour forth; or to diffuse or radiate; send forth or impart. So the love of God is diffused abroad into the hearts of the children of men or better yet, the love of God is sent forth or poured forth into the hearts of the children of men.
...wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things... and the most joyous to the soul (v22,23). I want more of this! This love sounds wonderful. Lehi say the fruit of the tree is desirable to make one happy (1 N. 8:10).
After one holds to the rod for a while, he will finally arrive (if he doesn't let go) to the this tree and partake of the fruit. But, it looks foolish to the world and sometimes the partakers of the love of God get ashamed (1 N. 8:25). The ways of Christ are not complimentary with the ways of the world.
Personally, I want the love of God shedding itself forth in my heart! That is a goal worth pursuing.
In verse 22 the angel asks if Nephi knows the mean of the tree which his father saw. Nephi responds that the tree is the love of God which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men...
So I looked up the word 'shed'. It means to cause to pour forth; or to diffuse or radiate; send forth or impart. So the love of God is diffused abroad into the hearts of the children of men or better yet, the love of God is sent forth or poured forth into the hearts of the children of men.
...wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things... and the most joyous to the soul (v22,23). I want more of this! This love sounds wonderful. Lehi say the fruit of the tree is desirable to make one happy (1 N. 8:10).
After one holds to the rod for a while, he will finally arrive (if he doesn't let go) to the this tree and partake of the fruit. But, it looks foolish to the world and sometimes the partakers of the love of God get ashamed (1 N. 8:25). The ways of Christ are not complimentary with the ways of the world.
Personally, I want the love of God shedding itself forth in my heart! That is a goal worth pursuing.
Nephi's Dream 1 Nephi 11
Simply Believe
At the beginning of the vision, Nephi receives an interview. What struck as I was reading was the angel asking Nephi if he believed the words of his father (v.4), Nephi's response (v.5) that he believed all the words of his father and the angels response (v.6) that Nephi is blessed because he believes in the Son of the most high God.
Nephi really believes. He has already shown by his past actions and attitudes that his believing isn't merely giving lip service to something. The assurances he receives don't go untended. He doesn't doubt at all as he moves from one errand to the next. This is amazing to me. Nephi's 'believing' teaches us all a lesson about the power of faith. He is the perfect example of a person who plants the seed of faith, nurtures it, sees it swell and take root and then tries it again and again with same results. His faith tree is growing and beginning to produce fruit. Believing in the context of true discipleship means more than listening to let's say, Lehi, and doing nothing afterwards. It is more than praying about whether something is true or not, getting your answer and then doing nothing. It's more than going after the plates, failing, and failing again and then giving up. It has something to do with walking without any doubt that the Lord is there and since he agrees with your course of action (errand). He will ultimately support you in realizing a fulfillment of whatever it is you know to be doing. When we give up, whine, complain or murmur we are displaying that we don't really believe (unbelief) that God is there to actively support us.
So, practice just believing! (cast off doubt, worry, fear and pessimism).
At the beginning of the vision, Nephi receives an interview. What struck as I was reading was the angel asking Nephi if he believed the words of his father (v.4), Nephi's response (v.5) that he believed all the words of his father and the angels response (v.6) that Nephi is blessed because he believes in the Son of the most high God.
Nephi really believes. He has already shown by his past actions and attitudes that his believing isn't merely giving lip service to something. The assurances he receives don't go untended. He doesn't doubt at all as he moves from one errand to the next. This is amazing to me. Nephi's 'believing' teaches us all a lesson about the power of faith. He is the perfect example of a person who plants the seed of faith, nurtures it, sees it swell and take root and then tries it again and again with same results. His faith tree is growing and beginning to produce fruit. Believing in the context of true discipleship means more than listening to let's say, Lehi, and doing nothing afterwards. It is more than praying about whether something is true or not, getting your answer and then doing nothing. It's more than going after the plates, failing, and failing again and then giving up. It has something to do with walking without any doubt that the Lord is there and since he agrees with your course of action (errand). He will ultimately support you in realizing a fulfillment of whatever it is you know to be doing. When we give up, whine, complain or murmur we are displaying that we don't really believe (unbelief) that God is there to actively support us.
So, practice just believing! (cast off doubt, worry, fear and pessimism).
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Pep Talk: 1 Nephi 7:12
Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.
These are amazing word spoken by Nephi to Laman and Lemuel. They keep on forgetting that there is a God and he can do all things if we exercise faith in him.
Nephi just holds to his guns. He will not compromise. But, he finally says to Laman and Lemuel to go ahead a go back to Jerusalem and perish (v.15). At this point they get really angry at Nephi. It sounds like they are conflicted. They want to go back and just get on with their old life but they also are going along with their father, Lehi. They are dreaming about how good life would be back in Jerusalem. Nephi gives them a reality check trying to bring them back to the faithful way of thinking. He bursts their little bubble. He reminds them of the evidences the have already received and their obligation to the family and the Lord. They hate the reality check and decide to tie up Nephi and leave him to perish in the wilderness.
Why do we so easily forget the great things the Lord has done for us? What is it about the world we live in that screws up our minds so readily? I think we keep on forgetting that there is a God because we can't see Him. We like our carnal security. We all tend to press forward toward security. Those who give themselves periodic reality checks readjust their grip on the iron rod and redouble their efforts to think on a more spiritual plane. Those who practice the higher plane enough start moving forward in what I call the faith cycle. Our faith grows because we receive blessings (miracles, assurances, evidences and comfort). Because we know more about the unseen, we try pur faith out again and the same thing happens (blessings and miracles). And the cycle starts again, going on and on until we become just men (and women) made perfect.
These are amazing word spoken by Nephi to Laman and Lemuel. They keep on forgetting that there is a God and he can do all things if we exercise faith in him.
Nephi just holds to his guns. He will not compromise. But, he finally says to Laman and Lemuel to go ahead a go back to Jerusalem and perish (v.15). At this point they get really angry at Nephi. It sounds like they are conflicted. They want to go back and just get on with their old life but they also are going along with their father, Lehi. They are dreaming about how good life would be back in Jerusalem. Nephi gives them a reality check trying to bring them back to the faithful way of thinking. He bursts their little bubble. He reminds them of the evidences the have already received and their obligation to the family and the Lord. They hate the reality check and decide to tie up Nephi and leave him to perish in the wilderness.
Why do we so easily forget the great things the Lord has done for us? What is it about the world we live in that screws up our minds so readily? I think we keep on forgetting that there is a God because we can't see Him. We like our carnal security. We all tend to press forward toward security. Those who give themselves periodic reality checks readjust their grip on the iron rod and redouble their efforts to think on a more spiritual plane. Those who practice the higher plane enough start moving forward in what I call the faith cycle. Our faith grows because we receive blessings (miracles, assurances, evidences and comfort). Because we know more about the unseen, we try pur faith out again and the same thing happens (blessings and miracles). And the cycle starts again, going on and on until we become just men (and women) made perfect.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Murmuring - Nephi's Measuring Stick
I have been trying to understand what is was that Nephi had that made him highly favored of the Lord. What made it so Nephi never murmured or complained? The obvious answer is that he had faith, that he brought some this with him from the premortal realm. It seems like it was easy for Nephi to trust in the Lord while everyone else had levels of unbelief. We, in general, act like Laman and Lemuel although we want to believe that we would act like Nephi. So, what did Nephi do to be so believing that the Lord would work in Nephi's behalf whenever he was in a pinch?
So far, I come up with following:
1. Nephi desired to know the mysteries of God, sought after the Lord (asked) and received an answer ( 1 N. 2:16,19). Laman and Lemuel, on the other hand, murmured against their father, apparently because the wouldn't seek humbly for an answer from God (v. 12). It looks like the thought to seek or inquire of the Lord didn't even cross their minds.
2. Nephi make special mention that he was young. Perhaps that means that he wasn't full of worldly nonsense that molds our belief systems as we get older. He hadn't developed an unbelieving heart. He was able to start fresh from the start with minimal faith debilitating influences. His older brothers were already intrenched in their ways.
3. Nephi's testimony or softening of his heart caused him to believe the words of his father. When commanded to go back to Jerusalem, he had already prepared himself to say yes. He believed that the command came from the Lord. He believed that a way would be prepared. He didn't murmur (1 N. 3:1). His brothers saw it as a hard thing and murmured (v.5).
4. After the first attempt to get the plates, everyone was sorrowful. Nephi's brothers wanted to give up. Nephi pulls out the slump and rallies the brothers together. He tells them to be faithful. They bribe Laban with their father's gold and silver. This plan also back fires. You can imagine what's going on in Laman and Lemuel's heads. They just about got themselves killed because of the (in their opinion) Nephi's stupid plan to bribe Laban. They also realized that they have just squandered their inheritance. And last of all, they are wanted men. They can never return to their old life. Well, they get mad and start beating on Nephi and Sam. This makes sense to me. They believed Nephi's plan and it completely backfired. Their older brother natural man-ness kicks in and they start smiting them with a rod. If God doesn't do something right now, Nephi could be forced to comply with Laman and Lemuel's demands and scrap the mission - as well as being severely beaten or worse. The only logical response from God is to intervene. The boy is exercising faith! He believes that the Lord will provide a way. So the angel comes and puts and end to the beating. This reinforces Nephi's faith. He just received an evidence of things not seen , an assurance of things hoped for. He now knows that God is willing to intercede when necessary.
5. But, Laman and Lemuel start murmuring again after the angel leaves. Why? They hadn't planted the seed of faith so the experience wasn't a faith growing experience. I am a little surprised that Laman and Lemuel didn't say, "we now believe the words of our father". But, the fear of Laban stuck with them. They couldn't get the fear out of their heads. Nephi gives them a pep talk about how the Lord has done great things in the past and that they just saw an angel (1 N. 4:3)! The brothers whine (murmur) all the way back to Jerusalem. They are following Nephi but they can't cast off their unbelief. Nephi finally decides to drop the excess baggage (alternate voices) and go it alone. The Spirit guides him and he finds Laban. Nephi is given a very difficult personal test and passes. He gets the plates.
It's interesting the Nephi's mother, Sariah, is freaking out at base camp. She doesn't believe Lehi and his visions. The boys have been gone for a long while. She is convinced that her sons are dead. Lehi gives her a pep talk (1 N. 5:4). He doesn't get defensive or mad. He agrees that he is a visionary man and stays positive that everything is going to work out. This comforts Sariah. I am comforted in hard times by the faith promoting pep talks of others, especially my wife. When her sons return she now knows of a surety that the Lord is with her husband. The joy and comfort she received upon the return of her sons and the plates established her faith. She didn't murmur after that. But, why didn't this happen with Laman and Lemuel? I am not sure.
In 1 N. 5:20 we read that 'thus far I and my father had kept the commandments where with the Lord had commanded us.' Nephi singles out himself and his father as being able to do the hard thing and not murmur.
Nephi follows the pattern of exercising faith, getting an answer which grows his faith, doing it again, having another miracle occur, growing his faith once again, and so on. This is a logical pattern. If God is really there, he will not let those that are planting the seed of faith down. But, our faith has to be tried. We are the conflicted ones. Instead of growing logically from one faith promoting experience to the next with confirming witnesses from the Lord, we tend to vacillate all over the place. Nephi was able to stay focused and steadfast as he progressed from grace to grace. Why do we fear? Why do we freak out when the going gets rough? Be believing. Fear not. Come unto the Lord.
So far, I come up with following:
1. Nephi desired to know the mysteries of God, sought after the Lord (asked) and received an answer ( 1 N. 2:16,19). Laman and Lemuel, on the other hand, murmured against their father, apparently because the wouldn't seek humbly for an answer from God (v. 12). It looks like the thought to seek or inquire of the Lord didn't even cross their minds.
2. Nephi make special mention that he was young. Perhaps that means that he wasn't full of worldly nonsense that molds our belief systems as we get older. He hadn't developed an unbelieving heart. He was able to start fresh from the start with minimal faith debilitating influences. His older brothers were already intrenched in their ways.
3. Nephi's testimony or softening of his heart caused him to believe the words of his father. When commanded to go back to Jerusalem, he had already prepared himself to say yes. He believed that the command came from the Lord. He believed that a way would be prepared. He didn't murmur (1 N. 3:1). His brothers saw it as a hard thing and murmured (v.5).
4. After the first attempt to get the plates, everyone was sorrowful. Nephi's brothers wanted to give up. Nephi pulls out the slump and rallies the brothers together. He tells them to be faithful. They bribe Laban with their father's gold and silver. This plan also back fires. You can imagine what's going on in Laman and Lemuel's heads. They just about got themselves killed because of the (in their opinion) Nephi's stupid plan to bribe Laban. They also realized that they have just squandered their inheritance. And last of all, they are wanted men. They can never return to their old life. Well, they get mad and start beating on Nephi and Sam. This makes sense to me. They believed Nephi's plan and it completely backfired. Their older brother natural man-ness kicks in and they start smiting them with a rod. If God doesn't do something right now, Nephi could be forced to comply with Laman and Lemuel's demands and scrap the mission - as well as being severely beaten or worse. The only logical response from God is to intervene. The boy is exercising faith! He believes that the Lord will provide a way. So the angel comes and puts and end to the beating. This reinforces Nephi's faith. He just received an evidence of things not seen , an assurance of things hoped for. He now knows that God is willing to intercede when necessary.
5. But, Laman and Lemuel start murmuring again after the angel leaves. Why? They hadn't planted the seed of faith so the experience wasn't a faith growing experience. I am a little surprised that Laman and Lemuel didn't say, "we now believe the words of our father". But, the fear of Laban stuck with them. They couldn't get the fear out of their heads. Nephi gives them a pep talk about how the Lord has done great things in the past and that they just saw an angel (1 N. 4:3)! The brothers whine (murmur) all the way back to Jerusalem. They are following Nephi but they can't cast off their unbelief. Nephi finally decides to drop the excess baggage (alternate voices) and go it alone. The Spirit guides him and he finds Laban. Nephi is given a very difficult personal test and passes. He gets the plates.
It's interesting the Nephi's mother, Sariah, is freaking out at base camp. She doesn't believe Lehi and his visions. The boys have been gone for a long while. She is convinced that her sons are dead. Lehi gives her a pep talk (1 N. 5:4). He doesn't get defensive or mad. He agrees that he is a visionary man and stays positive that everything is going to work out. This comforts Sariah. I am comforted in hard times by the faith promoting pep talks of others, especially my wife. When her sons return she now knows of a surety that the Lord is with her husband. The joy and comfort she received upon the return of her sons and the plates established her faith. She didn't murmur after that. But, why didn't this happen with Laman and Lemuel? I am not sure.
In 1 N. 5:20 we read that 'thus far I and my father had kept the commandments where with the Lord had commanded us.' Nephi singles out himself and his father as being able to do the hard thing and not murmur.
Nephi follows the pattern of exercising faith, getting an answer which grows his faith, doing it again, having another miracle occur, growing his faith once again, and so on. This is a logical pattern. If God is really there, he will not let those that are planting the seed of faith down. But, our faith has to be tried. We are the conflicted ones. Instead of growing logically from one faith promoting experience to the next with confirming witnesses from the Lord, we tend to vacillate all over the place. Nephi was able to stay focused and steadfast as he progressed from grace to grace. Why do we fear? Why do we freak out when the going gets rough? Be believing. Fear not. Come unto the Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)