And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.
The righteous Nephites who had survived the destruction fell at Jesus' feet when He appeared to them at the temple at Zarahemla. But He told them to arise and come forth and feel the nail holes in his hands and feet and the wound in his side. They went one by one, and some experts have calculated how many hours it would take 2500 people if they each spent just fifteen seconds each, and it was around 10 hours. This demonstrates the love Jesus has for each person, that he would give each of them a one-on-one experience, rather than showing them a video or some other experience that would teach them all at one time.
Then we are given some steps I'm calling the steps of conversion. The people did SEE, they did FEEL, they did KNOW, and then they did BEAR RECORD.
First we see or hear or experience something. But our physical senses, seeing, hearing, feeling, are not enough. We must KNOW, as the Spirit bears witness in our hearts. Two people can see and hear exactly the same thing, but one will remain unconvinced while the other will respond to the promptings of the Spirit and come to know.
But according to this record, we're not done when we have that testimony; when we know. There is another step. We must bear record. We must share that testimony with others. When we do this, we strengthen those around us, and we strengthen ourselves. For as we bear testimony, the Spirit witnesses to us again that what we are saying is true, and our testimony is made stronger.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
He Gave Us Our Riches
Samuel the Lamanite is preaching to the Nephites, and tells them that one day soon they will say: "O that we had remembered the Lord our God in the day that he gave us our riches. . ." (Helaman 13:33)
Our riches come from the Lord. He gives them to us as both a blessing and a test. He blesses us for our obedience, and He tests us to see if we will stay faithful to Him even though our lives are comfortable. But we must remember Him who gave us those riches, and use them to bless others and to do good, not for our own selfish desires.
Sometimes we are fond of saying that this scripture doesn't apply to us because we aren't rich. But we are! We are SO rich! We have enough to eat. We have homes with electricity and heat and air conditioning and comfortable furniture. We have cars to get us where we want to go. We have dear families who love us. And we have the Gospel which blesses our lives in ways we rarely begin to imagine! It's so easy to forget all of that and to pine for newer cars or bigger houses or more toys.
Counting our blessings is one way of remembering the Lord. We need to remember to LOOK for the blessings, to notice not only the material ones, but the spiritual ones. We all have so many riches!
Our riches come from the Lord. He gives them to us as both a blessing and a test. He blesses us for our obedience, and He tests us to see if we will stay faithful to Him even though our lives are comfortable. But we must remember Him who gave us those riches, and use them to bless others and to do good, not for our own selfish desires.
Sometimes we are fond of saying that this scripture doesn't apply to us because we aren't rich. But we are! We are SO rich! We have enough to eat. We have homes with electricity and heat and air conditioning and comfortable furniture. We have cars to get us where we want to go. We have dear families who love us. And we have the Gospel which blesses our lives in ways we rarely begin to imagine! It's so easy to forget all of that and to pine for newer cars or bigger houses or more toys.
Counting our blessings is one way of remembering the Lord. We need to remember to LOOK for the blessings, to notice not only the material ones, but the spiritual ones. We all have so many riches!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
He Loves Us
I'm currently reading in Daniel in the Old Testament. I loved this quote that the angel Gabriel said to Daniel: ". . . for thou art greatly beloved".
Daniel was pleading with the Lord for an understanding of the prophecy that said for 70 years would the Israelites be in captivity. The Lord sent Gabriel to answer the prayer, and in the process, in Daniel 9:23, the Lord affirmed His love for Daniel.
I don't think this love is reserved for prophets and great leaders. I believe that each of us is loved more than we ever realize. In a recent meeting in our stake, a brother related of a time he was playing with his toddler son, making him laugh, and he thought to the child, "You have no idea how much I love you". The thought came clearly to his mind, "You have no idea how much I love YOU"
I have had a sweet experience in the temple when I was praying earnestly for the Lord's counsel, pleading for it, and the feeling washed strongly over me of the Lord's love for me. I felt greatly beloved. I think we all can (and should) feel that love that He has for us.
Daniel was pleading with the Lord for an understanding of the prophecy that said for 70 years would the Israelites be in captivity. The Lord sent Gabriel to answer the prayer, and in the process, in Daniel 9:23, the Lord affirmed His love for Daniel.
I don't think this love is reserved for prophets and great leaders. I believe that each of us is loved more than we ever realize. In a recent meeting in our stake, a brother related of a time he was playing with his toddler son, making him laugh, and he thought to the child, "You have no idea how much I love you". The thought came clearly to his mind, "You have no idea how much I love YOU"
I have had a sweet experience in the temple when I was praying earnestly for the Lord's counsel, pleading for it, and the feeling washed strongly over me of the Lord's love for me. I felt greatly beloved. I think we all can (and should) feel that love that He has for us.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Faith in Jesus Christ
Can I count the Relief Society/Priesthood manual as a book of scripture? I'm substituting for Carma on Sunday in teaching a lesson on Faith. Just wanted to jot down some thoughts and ideas that have come to me as I've studied.
- True or False: The first principle of the Gospel is Faith. False - The first principle of the Gospel is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, not faith in the rising of the sun, or that planted seeds will grow. It's great to teach little kids these things to help them learn what faith is, but those examples of faith don't constitute a principle of the Gospel.
- Where do we get faith? Is it something we do? A: Faith is not that easy to define. It is a spiritual gift from God given as a blessing for our obedience to His laws. It is a principle of power and action. The scriptural examples in the lesson show times when actions were performed because of faith, or miracles were performed using the power of faith. In Lectures on Faith by Joseph Smith, he teaches that faith is the power whereby worlds were created. This is not an easy principle to understand.
- Where do we put our faith? What do we do with it? A: Our faith must be in the Lord Jesus Christ. As we have faith in Him, we also have faith in the Father. We must have such trust in Them that we will do whatever They command. Sounds easy, but it isn't. The reward is forgiveness of our sins and being prepared (by Him) to return to Them. Our faith in Them gives faith that the Holy Ghost will teach us all truth and comfort us.
- Through faith in the Savior and through repentance, we make His Atonement fully effective in our lives. Through faith we can also receive strength to overcome temptations. Think about these two blessings! These are not like a cereal box prize. These are like a trip to Hawaii prize. Like an Extreme Home Makeover. Like winning the lottery. To be able to overcome temptations, and make the Atonement FULLY EFFECTIVE in my life!
- How can we increase our faith in Jesus Christ? A: Just as we would develop any other skill. We have a desire to increase faith. We study and learn. We practice and act on promptings. We do all we can to bring about the things we pray for.
- What are some blessings that follow faith? A: Through the gift of faith, miracles are wrought, angels appear, other gifts of the Spirit are given, prayers are answered, and men become the sons of God (see Moroni 7:25–26, 36–37). Also, Joseph Smith taught: … And he who possesses it will, through it, obtain all necessary knowledge and wisdom, until he shall know God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he has sent—whom to know is eternal life” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 83).
Monday, October 4, 2010
Am I a Watchman?
Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Ezekiel warns us that we are responsible to our neighbors and those we have stewardship over, to teach and help and instruct and warn them. My mother used to quote a general authority as saying: "We will be held responsible for those we might have saved, had we done our duty."
If I am a lazy visiting teacher or neighbor or classroom teacher and fail to teach and lead and encourage and testify, I will be held responsible for their sins. It's a sobering thought.
18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Ezekiel warns us that we are responsible to our neighbors and those we have stewardship over, to teach and help and instruct and warn them. My mother used to quote a general authority as saying: "We will be held responsible for those we might have saved, had we done our duty."
If I am a lazy visiting teacher or neighbor or classroom teacher and fail to teach and lead and encourage and testify, I will be held responsible for their sins. It's a sobering thought.
Give Me a New Spirit
Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
I seem to be seeing my sins more clearly lately. This is probably a good thing, and certainly a requisite to repentance, but it's very uncomfortable and discouraging.
However this scripture in Ezekiel jumped out at me. I want a new spirit. I want Him to take my stony heart away and to give me a heart of flesh.
I want to walk in His statutes and to keep His ordinances and do them. I want to be one of His people and to have Him be my God. I pray for that.
20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
I seem to be seeing my sins more clearly lately. This is probably a good thing, and certainly a requisite to repentance, but it's very uncomfortable and discouraging.
However this scripture in Ezekiel jumped out at me. I want a new spirit. I want Him to take my stony heart away and to give me a heart of flesh.
I want to walk in His statutes and to keep His ordinances and do them. I want to be one of His people and to have Him be my God. I pray for that.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Formula for Sanctification
Helaman 3:35 tells us how the righteous Nephites not only withstood persecution, but were purified during that time. I'm going to attempt to analyze and "liken" each phrase.
Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft (Why should I restrict my fasting to once a month on Fast Sunday?), and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility (Strong humility almost seems like an oxymoron until we understand it thoroughly. There can be great strength in humility, which I'm missing out on.), and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ (Faith in Christ is a commandment, but also a blessing, a result of obedience and prayer. I can't give myself faith. The Lord gives it to me when I earn it.), unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation (I want my soul to be filled with joy and consolation! Consolation for trials being experienced as well as for past sins repented of and joy in the Gospel, in the Lord, in life, in love.), yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts (According to what I learned at Education Week, sanctification and the purifying of our hearts comes through the Atonement. We are purified and sanctified--made saints-- as we repent and obey the commandments and become more like Him), which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. (The simplest and most difficult of all things He asks me to do. I need to give up my own will, my own choices and wants and selfish desires and learn to want what He wants, what He chooses.)
There. That was fun.
Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft (Why should I restrict my fasting to once a month on Fast Sunday?), and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility (Strong humility almost seems like an oxymoron until we understand it thoroughly. There can be great strength in humility, which I'm missing out on.), and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ (Faith in Christ is a commandment, but also a blessing, a result of obedience and prayer. I can't give myself faith. The Lord gives it to me when I earn it.), unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation (I want my soul to be filled with joy and consolation! Consolation for trials being experienced as well as for past sins repented of and joy in the Gospel, in the Lord, in life, in love.), yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts (According to what I learned at Education Week, sanctification and the purifying of our hearts comes through the Atonement. We are purified and sanctified--made saints-- as we repent and obey the commandments and become more like Him), which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. (The simplest and most difficult of all things He asks me to do. I need to give up my own will, my own choices and wants and selfish desires and learn to want what He wants, what He chooses.)
There. That was fun.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Trust in the Lord
We have lots of choices in this life, and one of the biggest is where to put our trust. There are voices beckoning to us from every source with all sorts of ideas and opinions. What do we believe? Who do we trust?
Helaman was leading the young Ammonites in battling against the Lamanites, and although they had been blessed and preserved in miraculous ways, things weren't going well at the moment. Food was scarce, their armies were small in comparison to the hordes of Lamanites, and they didn't seem to be getting any support from the leaders of the Nephite nation. But Helaman says in Alma 58:37 But, behold, it mattereth not—we trust God will adeliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies.
This army might have put their trust in the arm of flesh -- their own strength, their weapons, their strategies. But when food ran out and their forces were severely outnumbered, they needed help that could only come from the Lord.
There are some beautiful scriptures concerning trusting in the Lord. One of my favorites is Proverbs 3:5-6
Helaman was leading the young Ammonites in battling against the Lamanites, and although they had been blessed and preserved in miraculous ways, things weren't going well at the moment. Food was scarce, their armies were small in comparison to the hordes of Lamanites, and they didn't seem to be getting any support from the leaders of the Nephite nation. But Helaman says in Alma 58:37 But, behold, it mattereth not—we trust God will adeliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies.
This army might have put their trust in the arm of flesh -- their own strength, their weapons, their strategies. But when food ran out and their forces were severely outnumbered, they needed help that could only come from the Lord.
There are some beautiful scriptures concerning trusting in the Lord. One of my favorites is Proverbs 3:5-6
Some other scriptures show that trusting in the Lord will help us be happy, made safe, be lifted and supported and not be confounded and bring about our salvation and the arm of mercy, Trusting in the Lord can be difficult when things look dark, but can give us much-needed comfort and hope. We know that the Lord loves us and that everything He does is for our good.
Some people assume that God just wants us to be happy and successful all the time. They rail at Him when bad things happen and assume that if there is pain or war or they don't get everything they want, there must not be a God. They're more like 2-year olds who think they all the toys belong to them. But God is an all-wise parent who knows that giving kids everything they want will only spoil them. He knows that we need some trials and disappointments and learning experiences and discipline for us to grow to our full potential. He wants for us not just temporary pleasure and happiness, but eventual and full joy and fulfillment.
So, yes, we can trust in Him to give us not what we want, but what we need. And even when times are rough, He is there to give us support and love and succor.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
With All Your Heart
Jeremiah 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
The Lord is not hiding from us. Even though Judah was extremely wicked in the time of Jeremiah, the Lord promises that when the people call upon Him during their captivity, He will hearken unto them. But they have to search with all their hearts.
Sometimes we expect easy answers, utter casual prayers, take shortcuts in our scripture study, and then wonder why the Lord doesn't answer. I'm not sure exactly sure what is involved in searching with all my heart, but it's something I need to do if I expect to find the Lord and be found of Him.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
The Lord is not hiding from us. Even though Judah was extremely wicked in the time of Jeremiah, the Lord promises that when the people call upon Him during their captivity, He will hearken unto them. But they have to search with all their hearts.
Sometimes we expect easy answers, utter casual prayers, take shortcuts in our scripture study, and then wonder why the Lord doesn't answer. I'm not sure exactly sure what is involved in searching with all my heart, but it's something I need to do if I expect to find the Lord and be found of Him.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Lord Will Tell Us
Alma 48:15 And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger;
So as long as the people stayed faithful to the commandments of the Lord, He instructed them on how to deal with their enemies - whether to flee or prepare for war.
Since my life (happily) does not involve war, I'm wondering how to liken this scripture to my life. There are times this scripture can give us good guidance in our modern struggles. Sometimes the Lord will tell us to flee a situation, or stay and battle against evil. Each situation is different, and each person may be instructed differently, and the only way we can know for ourselves is by inspiration from the Lord.
So as long as the people stayed faithful to the commandments of the Lord, He instructed them on how to deal with their enemies - whether to flee or prepare for war.
Since my life (happily) does not involve war, I'm wondering how to liken this scripture to my life. There are times this scripture can give us good guidance in our modern struggles. Sometimes the Lord will tell us to flee a situation, or stay and battle against evil. Each situation is different, and each person may be instructed differently, and the only way we can know for ourselves is by inspiration from the Lord.
And I Have Loved You--
I bore my testimony on Fast Sunday and said something like the following:
Sometimes when I think about Christ's Atonement, I like to tell myself that my sins that the Savior paid for are not very large in comparison with the sins of rapists or serial killers, of Hitler or Stalin. Surely my little sins of pride and selfishness and criticism wouldn't have caused the Savior the agony that he had to go through for other, more serious crimes.
And then I have to stop and have a talk with myself. Because by allowing myself to hold on to those sins, by protecting them and forgiving myself so easily for them, I am interfering with my eternal progression. I am stalled at a certain level with no hope of becoming more like Christ.
Since that Sunday, I've thought more about the subject, and realized that holding on to my sins is even more serious than I realized that day. Those sins are actually very serious, as shown by reading Alma's sermon to the people of Zarahemla.
Alma 5:27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?
28 Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.
29 Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless.
30 And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?
31 Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the time is at hand that he must repent or he cannot be saved!
32 Yea, even wo unto all ye workers of iniquity; repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it!
Alma is very plain here that the sins of pride, envy, mocking (criticizing) others are extremely serious and need to be repented of. And the Education Week presentation of Brother Goodman makes it clear that repentance is an important part of making the Atonement active in my life.
Then I ran across this scripture in my reading:
Doctrine and Covenants 95:1 VERILY, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you—
Because He loves me, He will chastise me and show me what I need to do to repent. He will even prepare a way for me to be delivered from temptation if I will do my part and do my best to repent of those things that I've been keeping back from Him. That's really important.
Sometimes when I think about Christ's Atonement, I like to tell myself that my sins that the Savior paid for are not very large in comparison with the sins of rapists or serial killers, of Hitler or Stalin. Surely my little sins of pride and selfishness and criticism wouldn't have caused the Savior the agony that he had to go through for other, more serious crimes.
And then I have to stop and have a talk with myself. Because by allowing myself to hold on to those sins, by protecting them and forgiving myself so easily for them, I am interfering with my eternal progression. I am stalled at a certain level with no hope of becoming more like Christ.
Since that Sunday, I've thought more about the subject, and realized that holding on to my sins is even more serious than I realized that day. Those sins are actually very serious, as shown by reading Alma's sermon to the people of Zarahemla.
Alma 5:27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?
28 Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.
29 Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless.
30 And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?
31 Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the time is at hand that he must repent or he cannot be saved!
32 Yea, even wo unto all ye workers of iniquity; repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it!
Alma is very plain here that the sins of pride, envy, mocking (criticizing) others are extremely serious and need to be repented of. And the Education Week presentation of Brother Goodman makes it clear that repentance is an important part of making the Atonement active in my life.
Then I ran across this scripture in my reading:
Doctrine and Covenants 95:1 VERILY, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you—
Because He loves me, He will chastise me and show me what I need to do to repent. He will even prepare a way for me to be delivered from temptation if I will do my part and do my best to repent of those things that I've been keeping back from Him. That's really important.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Can I Be Like Moroni?
In Alma 48:11-13, Mormon lists some of the qualities of Moroni that make him great. I would like to try to develop some of those qualities, which are:
- Strong and mighty. - I may not every physically be very imposing, but hopefully I can be spiritually strong and mighty.
- Perfect understanding - I am researching the term "understanding" and plan to spend a later post examining the meaning.
- Did not delight in bloodshed - I think I have that one licked. Even a little fake blood on TV is upsetting to me.
- His soul did joy in the liberty and freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery - My soul also rejoices in the freedoms we have, especially after seeing and reading and hearing about others in the world and through history who have been denied those freedoms.
- Heart did swell with thanksgiving to God for his privileges and blessings - I do try to remember the source of all those freedoms, and my many blessings and privileges. It is humbling and almost frightening to consider the many blessings I have in comparison to many others.
- Did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people - Here I really start to fall down. I do want to do more for the welfare of others, but always feel I could do more. As for the safety, I need to try to so those things that are available to me in the way of protecting our freedoms and supporting responsible public servants.
- Firm in the faith of Christ - I work every day to improve my faith of Christ by doing those things which strengthen that faith. These include study, prayer, fasting, worship at church and in the temple, service. I hope I always demonstrate those qualities in my life.
- Sworn an oath to defend his people, rights, country, religion - I will defend my country and religion in whatever things the Lord reveals that He would have me do.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Moroni
Moroni was a strong and mighty man. The Nephites seemed to especially admire big, strong men. But a strong man could also be a wicked man and lead the people astray. Moroni was not one of those men. He was strong in faith and mighty in valor as well as body.
Alma 48:11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;
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.
13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
We learn here that Moroni wanted to defend the things he believed in, but unlike many soldiers, he did not "delight in bloodshed."
. . . this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity. 17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.
19 Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words.
Mormon gives very high praise to Moroni here. He even named his son after him, thousands of years later. But I like that he says that Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable. I may never be a captain Moroni, but I would like to be no less serviceable to the Lord and my fellow men and women.
Alma 48:11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;
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.
13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
We learn here that Moroni wanted to defend the things he believed in, but unlike many soldiers, he did not "delight in bloodshed."
. . . this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity. 17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.
19 Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words.
Mormon gives very high praise to Moroni here. He even named his son after him, thousands of years later. But I like that he says that Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable. I may never be a captain Moroni, but I would like to be no less serviceable to the Lord and my fellow men and women.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Moroni Prepares for War
While Amalickiah was preparing for war in his evil ways, Moroni was also preparing. The scripture outlines his physical preparations in fortifying the land, but even before that, Mormon describes Moroni's spiritual preparation.
Alma 48:7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God.
This should be such a strong reminder for us, that before the physical preparations for conflict or trials or challenges, we need to make spiritual preparations. Before we put on our physical armor we need to put on the armor of God. Before we prepare our arguments, before we ready the Power Point, before we pack our suitcase, before we prepare to go meet the adversary, we need to immerse ourselves in the scriptures, spend time on our knees, ponder in the temple, partake of the sacrament. We need to do as Moroni did and prepare our minds to be faithful unto the Lord our God.
Alma 48:7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God.
This should be such a strong reminder for us, that before the physical preparations for conflict or trials or challenges, we need to make spiritual preparations. Before we put on our physical armor we need to put on the armor of God. Before we prepare our arguments, before we ready the Power Point, before we pack our suitcase, before we prepare to go meet the adversary, we need to immerse ourselves in the scriptures, spend time on our knees, ponder in the temple, partake of the sacrament. We need to do as Moroni did and prepare our minds to be faithful unto the Lord our God.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Hardened Their Hearts and Blinded Their Minds
Amalickiah gained control of the whole Lamanite nation by very devious and violent means, and now he desired to conquer the Nephites. In other words, he wanted to rule over his whole world. So he set speakers to talk to the Lamanites to stir up their desires to go to war against the Nephites.
3 Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites.
We also have influences around us who would love to harden our hearts and blind our minds. They may be doing it with full Satanic knowledge, or they may just be misguided, or looking to "get gain". Whatever the reason, we need to put on the armor of God, so that we are not so susceptible to evil influences. We don't have to be like sheep, wandering wherever the group goes.
If we're following our anointed leaders and listening to the Spirit, we can guard against those who would influence us for evil, whether they be political or moral. We don't have to join the mob, or click on the link, or watch the movie, or buy the product. We can be agents unto ourselves, and follow only the Lord and our leaders who have inspiration for us.
3 Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites.
We also have influences around us who would love to harden our hearts and blind our minds. They may be doing it with full Satanic knowledge, or they may just be misguided, or looking to "get gain". Whatever the reason, we need to put on the armor of God, so that we are not so susceptible to evil influences. We don't have to be like sheep, wandering wherever the group goes.
If we're following our anointed leaders and listening to the Spirit, we can guard against those who would influence us for evil, whether they be political or moral. We don't have to join the mob, or click on the link, or watch the movie, or buy the product. We can be agents unto ourselves, and follow only the Lord and our leaders who have inspiration for us.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Title of Liberty
Moroni was a mighty general, and was very concerned at the popularity of the dangerous Amalekiah. He knew he had to do something to rally the freedom-lovers of the Nephites.
12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole
After he showed this Title of Liberty to his people and explained it and motivated them to follow it, he wanted to use it as a reminder to them.
36 And it came to pass also, that he caused the of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.
I wanted to compare this to something in my life, to "liken" the scriptures. What is a Title of Liberty in my time? The first thing I thought of was the flag. When I see our American flag I think of liberty. The liberty to travel as we want to, to worship as we see fit, to raise our children as we would like.
Then I also thought of things that represent my beliefs, my religion. That might be things such as The Articles of Faith, The Proclamation on the Family, The Living Christ. These proclaim who I am and what I believe, and for me could be a Title of Liberty.
12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole
After he showed this Title of Liberty to his people and explained it and motivated them to follow it, he wanted to use it as a reminder to them.
36 And it came to pass also, that he caused the of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.
I wanted to compare this to something in my life, to "liken" the scriptures. What is a Title of Liberty in my time? The first thing I thought of was the flag. When I see our American flag I think of liberty. The liberty to travel as we want to, to worship as we see fit, to raise our children as we would like.
Then I also thought of things that represent my beliefs, my religion. That might be things such as The Articles of Faith, The Proclamation on the Family, The Living Christ. These proclaim who I am and what I believe, and for me could be a Title of Liberty.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Take His Name upon Me -- Gladly
The unbelievers called the church members "Christians" and it sounds as if they intended it as an insult. But the followers of Christ were not insulted.
14 For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.
15 And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.
These people believed in the prophesies about the coming of Christ, and they were faithful. I love that they took the Savior's name upon them gladly.
In our day, in 2010, the members of the Church of Jesus Christ are also Christians. Our very name says it. But many other religions would deny us that title. They disagree with our teachings and contend that unless we teach their false doctrines we cannot call ourselves Christians.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a modern-day apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, gave a masterful explanation of our teachings about the Godhead and explained why we deserve the title of "Christian". His address can be found at this link.
I hope I can always be like the Christians of Moroni's day, and bear the name of Christ gladly, proudly and deservedly. I hope that people can look at me at all times,and in all things and in all places, and see that I am a true Christian.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
One Very Wicked Man
Alma 46 is a story of two men. One very righteous and one very wicked. The righteous man is Moroni, who we meet here in more depth after being briefly introduced to him in chapter 44. The wicked man is Amalickiah.
Mormon tells us in verse 9: Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men.
Here are some things we learn about Amalickiah in the first few verses of this chapter:
Mormon tells us in verse 9: Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men.
Here are some things we learn about Amalickiah in the first few verses of this chapter:
- He would not hearken to the words of Helaman and his brethren.
- He was seeking for power, even to be king, even knowing that the laws of the Nephites had ruled against having kings.
- He used flattery, promising his followers that if they would follow him he would give them more power.
- He was exceeding wroth, insomuch that he and his followers were determined to slay the leaders.
- He and his followers were lower judges, so they had some authority and wanted more.
- He used dissension to get what he wanted.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Isaiah 42
I am like many others who have avoided and feared Isaiah, partly out of experience, partly out of reputation. But as I'm working my way through the Old Testament this year, I am trying to delve into Isaiah with joy. I am so grateful to be assisted by the interpretation of Isaiah that a good friend and scripture scholar made available to family and friends.
Everyone should study and ponder Isaiah 42. In it the Lord bears testimony of the Savior and His mission. I especially love verse 6, which says, I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a acovenant of the people, for a blight of the cGentiles;
I love that God says that He will hold the Savior's hand. How can we doubt that He loves His Son? What a loving image that brings to mind!
I know that He has also held MY hand many times. In chapter 43, verse 1, He says: Fear not: for I have aredeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
That is exactly what I want of Him - my greatest wish. To be called by name, to be His, to be redeemed of Him. What joy He gives me!
Everyone should study and ponder Isaiah 42. In it the Lord bears testimony of the Savior and His mission. I especially love verse 6, which says, I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a acovenant of the people, for a blight of the cGentiles;
I love that God says that He will hold the Savior's hand. How can we doubt that He loves His Son? What a loving image that brings to mind!
I know that He has also held MY hand many times. In chapter 43, verse 1, He says: Fear not: for I have aredeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
That is exactly what I want of Him - my greatest wish. To be called by name, to be His, to be redeemed of Him. What joy He gives me!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Exceedingly Rejoiced
Alma 45 - After the combined armies of the Zoramites and the Lamanites were defeated in a huge slaughter, the Nephites had a great celebration. They recognized the hand of the Lord in their deliverance from their enemies, so they gave thanks to Him. But their method of giving thanks included some elements that we often overlook: "they did fast much and did pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy."
I have to ask myself if giving thanks for my blessings includes such rejoicing. Does it include a lot of fasting and a lot of praying? Do I worship God with exceedingly great joy? There's a cross stitch phrase:
Worship God with exceedingly great joy.
There's no "ho-hum" in that. No mind-wandering, no worshiping from a sense of duty. Not just great joy, but exceedingly great joy! I love that. I need to learn how to do that.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Joy of Missionary Work
Alma 36 Alma is having personal interviews with each of his sons, starting with Helaman. He begins by bearing his testimony and then telling his conversion story. I'm sure it's not the first time Helaman heard this story, but Alma's not retelling it because he's getting senile, but because Helaman needs to hear it again. A good conversion can bring the Spirit each time it's told.
Then Alma tells Helaman (and us) that since that time and because of that experience he has labored without ceasing to bring others to repentance in order to share that joy he felt.
It sometimes feels like we try to share the gospel out of duty. We're told we should do it, so we try to speak up and say something. But if we could get the vision of what Alma's saying here, we would see that what we're really doing is sharing the joy.
How easy is it to tell someone about a great movie or TV show; to share a favorite recipe, or talk about a great place to go out to eat? And these are such trivial things! Why is it so easy to share something unimportant, yet so hard to share something that can give such great joy? I have in my heart something so delicious, something so joyful that it's my greatest treasure, but too bad for you, I'm keeping it all for myself, in spite of the fact that it doubles, triples, quadruples when shared.
When I think about the people who we watched accept and embrace the gospel in the mission field, my heart is filled to overflowing. Their lives have changed so much! For example, Asoncion was a single young adult, working, struggling along with her life. Her parents were both dead, so she lived with an aunt and uncle and worked at dead end jobs. She was referred by a friend and took the lessons. She drank them in, like a dry plant. We sat in on many of the lessons, and by the 3rd or 4th lesson, she was reading the Book of Mormon on her 2nd time through. She was baptized and a year later served a wonderful mission in the Singapore Mission. Now she's at BYU-Hawaii, working and going to school, attending the temple, serving in her ward. I hope she finds a wonderful young man to marry in the temple. Her life is so filled with joy. What a blessing to be part of that!
Missionary work isn't about duty. It's about joy.
Then Alma tells Helaman (and us) that since that time and because of that experience he has labored without ceasing to bring others to repentance in order to share that joy he felt.
It sometimes feels like we try to share the gospel out of duty. We're told we should do it, so we try to speak up and say something. But if we could get the vision of what Alma's saying here, we would see that what we're really doing is sharing the joy.
How easy is it to tell someone about a great movie or TV show; to share a favorite recipe, or talk about a great place to go out to eat? And these are such trivial things! Why is it so easy to share something unimportant, yet so hard to share something that can give such great joy? I have in my heart something so delicious, something so joyful that it's my greatest treasure, but too bad for you, I'm keeping it all for myself, in spite of the fact that it doubles, triples, quadruples when shared.
When I think about the people who we watched accept and embrace the gospel in the mission field, my heart is filled to overflowing. Their lives have changed so much! For example, Asoncion was a single young adult, working, struggling along with her life. Her parents were both dead, so she lived with an aunt and uncle and worked at dead end jobs. She was referred by a friend and took the lessons. She drank them in, like a dry plant. We sat in on many of the lessons, and by the 3rd or 4th lesson, she was reading the Book of Mormon on her 2nd time through. She was baptized and a year later served a wonderful mission in the Singapore Mission. Now she's at BYU-Hawaii, working and going to school, attending the temple, serving in her ward. I hope she finds a wonderful young man to marry in the temple. Her life is so filled with joy. What a blessing to be part of that!
Missionary work isn't about duty. It's about joy.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thou Hast Elected Us
The Zoramites, as part of their prayer, say "we believe that thou hast elected us". This is similar to some of our scriptures, and as Mormons we like to feel that we are elect people. But I beg to differ with they way they define the word "elect".
Genesis 12:3 is a good example of the real definition of "elect". Abraham is told that through his seed would all the nations of the world be blessed. To me, this implies responsibility to do something. It means missionary work and service. The elect of God are chosen because of their goodness and faithfulness, not to be served, but to served. Those who have great blessings have great responsibility to bless others.
Genesis 12:3 is a good example of the real definition of "elect". Abraham is told that through his seed would all the nations of the world be blessed. To me, this implies responsibility to do something. It means missionary work and service. The elect of God are chosen because of their goodness and faithfulness, not to be served, but to served. Those who have great blessings have great responsibility to bless others.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Prayer of the Zoramites
Alma took some of his dearest friends on a mission to the Zoramites. I love seeing who came with him on this mission. In addition to his original companion, Amulek, he took Zeezrom, the lawyer they had converted in Ammonihah. Also joining him were Ammon and some of his brethren who had been with Alma when the angel appeared to them. And he took two of his sons, Shiblon and Corianton.
The Zoramites climbed onto their Rameumptom and prayed. This prayer is very interesting because it is so full of false doctrine:
Alma 31:15 Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a aspirit, and that thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.
The Zoramites climbed onto their Rameumptom and prayed. This prayer is very interesting because it is so full of false doctrine:
Alma 31:15 Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a aspirit, and that thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.
16 Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that thou hast aelected us to be thy bholy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that cthere shall be dno Christ.
17 But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast aelected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bbind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God.
18 And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen.
Here are the false doctrines I notice in this prayer:
1) The nature of God -- They say that God is a spirit, has always been a spirit, and will be a spirit forever.
2) God has separated them from their brethren -- God doesn't separate us from our brethren. Sometimes he asks us to separate ourselves from their wickedness, but mostly he wants to be "in the world, but not of the world" so that we can influence others for good.
3) Belief in Christ is a childish belief handed down from their fathers -- They say that there should be no Christ.
4) They are elected to be saved while others around them will be cast down to hell -- I'll discuss this more in a later post.
These people had chosen to believe some very wicked doctrines, and these beliefs later proved to lead them in the path of destruction.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Alma's Lament
Alma had the heart of a missionary. In Alma 29 we read his famous words: 1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and acome unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
If we consider things that happened in Alma's life, I think we can better understand his feelings.
1) Ammon and his brethren had just returned with thousands of converted Lamanites.
2) The land had just been ravaged by a terrible was caused by those Lamanites who weren't converted and who were angry that the Nephites had converted their brethren.
3) Some of Alma's own Nephites hardened their hearts and refused to live the Gospel.
4) Alma, along with Ammon and the other sons of Mosiah, had been converted when an angel appeared to them and caused the ground to shake.
It grieved Alma to see any people suffer rather than to choose the joy of God's plan. But of course he acknowledges that all men have their agency and that all will be taught the Gospel, either in this life or the next.
Sometimes we wish that we could do things other than those which the Lord has assigned us. There are couples who have longed to go on a mission, but health or other problems prevented them from going. I believe that the Lord knows those righteous desires and will bless us in ways we can't imagine.
At other times, though, we wish for things that are good and righteous, but are not what is assigned for us. Alma tells us that he did sin in his wish. If our wishes prevent us from living fully in the minute, if we don't take advantage of what we DO have because we're wishing for what we DON'T have, then we need to learn from Alma. He said: I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it.
Let's glory in our assignments, whether they're mundane or impressive.
Sometimes we wish that we could do things other than those which the Lord has assigned us. There are couples who have longed to go on a mission, but health or other problems prevented them from going. I believe that the Lord knows those righteous desires and will bless us in ways we can't imagine.
At other times, though, we wish for things that are good and righteous, but are not what is assigned for us. Alma tells us that he did sin in his wish. If our wishes prevent us from living fully in the minute, if we don't take advantage of what we DO have because we're wishing for what we DON'T have, then we need to learn from Alma. He said: I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it.
Let's glory in our assignments, whether they're mundane or impressive.
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Faith of a Father
As Ammon and the king and queen and the servants are all lying on the floor, being overcome by the Spirit, a crowd of people summoned by Abish have gathered, wondering. Everyone has a different theory as to why all these people have been smitten, but one of the robbers, whose brother was killed by Ammon for scattering the flocks, draws his sword and comes to kill Ammon. And he is struck dead.
Alma 19:23 Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the aLord had said unto Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be unto him according to thy faith—therefore, Mosiah btrusted him unto the Lord.
I find it interesting that the Lord says it is because of Mosiah's faith that Ammon is protected. It probably also related to Ammon's faith, but maybe Ammon wasn't as concerned about his safety as his father was. And Mosiah was probably praying mightily for the safety of his sons.
As we send our children out into the world we have to trust that the Lord will watch over them. Especially as missionaries, our children are under the Lord's protection. But we need to continue to pray and have faith in that protection and in the Lord's promises.
Alma 19:23 Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the aLord had said unto Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be unto him according to thy faith—therefore, Mosiah btrusted him unto the Lord.
I find it interesting that the Lord says it is because of Mosiah's faith that Ammon is protected. It probably also related to Ammon's faith, but maybe Ammon wasn't as concerned about his safety as his father was. And Mosiah was probably praying mightily for the safety of his sons.
As we send our children out into the world we have to trust that the Lord will watch over them. Especially as missionaries, our children are under the Lord's protection. But we need to continue to pray and have faith in that protection and in the Lord's promises.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Light of Christ
Alma 18:5 King Lamoni was suddenly filled with fear that the Great Spirit was angry with him for killing those servants who had allowed the flocks to be scattered.
. . . nevertheless, Lamoni began to fear exceedingly, with fear lest he had done wrong in slaying his servants; . . .
I think it is the Light of Christ that touched Lamoni's heart at this time. The teachings of the Lamanites had not taught him that there was anything wrong with what he was doing.
Notwithstanding they believed in a Great Spirit, they supposed that cwhatsoever they did was right;. . .
So even though the customs said that he was justified in killing his servants, his conscience was bothering him. He had authorized those killings, but had had guilty feelings for doing so. And now that he thought Ammon was the Great Spirit, he assumed that he was being judged for what he was feeling guilty about.
This is a good example of how the Light of Christ is given to every man. The world would have us believe that our customs and teaching and social mores are what create or make up our conscience. But we are given the Light of Christ which teaches us things we are not taught of man, and gives us guidance and direction to lead us to the Light.
. . . nevertheless, Lamoni began to fear exceedingly, with fear lest he had done wrong in slaying his servants; . . .
I think it is the Light of Christ that touched Lamoni's heart at this time. The teachings of the Lamanites had not taught him that there was anything wrong with what he was doing.
Notwithstanding they believed in a Great Spirit, they supposed that cwhatsoever they did was right;. . .
So even though the customs said that he was justified in killing his servants, his conscience was bothering him. He had authorized those killings, but had had guilty feelings for doing so. And now that he thought Ammon was the Great Spirit, he assumed that he was being judged for what he was feeling guilty about.
This is a good example of how the Light of Christ is given to every man. The world would have us believe that our customs and teaching and social mores are what create or make up our conscience. But we are given the Light of Christ which teaches us things we are not taught of man, and gives us guidance and direction to lead us to the Light.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
And They Were Comforted
Ammon and his brethren had persuaded their father to allow them to go to the Lamanites to preach the gospel. As they traveled into the wilderness they fasted and prayed. They wanted to be able to help the Lamanites to repent and learn of the Lord.
Alma 27:10 And it came to pass that the Lord did avisit them with his bSpirit, and said unto them: Be ccomforted. And they were comforted.
Sometimes I request help from the Lord and He says, "Be comforted." But before I realize what's happening, I'm worrying again, gnawing on the same bone. I need to turn things over to the Lord and when He tells me to be comforted I should let go and trust Him. And be comforted.
Alma 27:10 And it came to pass that the Lord did avisit them with his bSpirit, and said unto them: Be ccomforted. And they were comforted.
Sometimes I request help from the Lord and He says, "Be comforted." But before I realize what's happening, I'm worrying again, gnawing on the same bone. I need to turn things over to the Lord and when He tells me to be comforted I should let go and trust Him. And be comforted.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
In Alma 17, we read that as Alma and Amulek continued teaching and preaching, they ran across the sons of Mosiah, who were returning from their mission to the Lamanites. Verse 2 says, Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord.
Then Mormon gives us a formula, telling us what these men had done to retain their testimonies.
1) They had searched the scriptures diligently
2) They had given themselves to much prayer
3) They had given themselves to much fasting.
I had originally thought that was the end of the list. It's a great list, with the essential elements. But today I discovered in verse 4 another step that's also very important.
4) They had been teaching the word of God for 14 years.
It's very important to gain our own testimonies and to keep those testimonies bright through study, fasting and prayer. But it's also essential to share our testimonies with others, teaching our families or church classes or through missionary work. Teaching reinforces, reminds and strengthens those things that we learn.
Then Mormon gives us a formula, telling us what these men had done to retain their testimonies.
1) They had searched the scriptures diligently
2) They had given themselves to much prayer
3) They had given themselves to much fasting.
I had originally thought that was the end of the list. It's a great list, with the essential elements. But today I discovered in verse 4 another step that's also very important.
4) They had been teaching the word of God for 14 years.
It's very important to gain our own testimonies and to keep those testimonies bright through study, fasting and prayer. But it's also essential to share our testimonies with others, teaching our families or church classes or through missionary work. Teaching reinforces, reminds and strengthens those things that we learn.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Healing
Alma and Amulek find Zeezrom in Sidom, and he's very ill because of mental torment for his sins. Alma goes to him and makes this statement.
Alma 15:8 And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be ahealed.
Then Zeezrom declares his faith in Christ, and Alma heals him, and Zeezrom leaps to his feet.
The reason this scripture touched me is that I've struggled quite a bit to understand the faith that is required to be healed. Sometimes I've wondered if I had enough faith to be healed. Not that I lack faith that the Lord CAN heal me, but was worried that He might not think it was in my best interest to be healed. Obviously, some problems and afflictions exist in people's lives for eternal purposes, and not everyone who hopes to be healed will be healed, if it's not for their best good. So I've received priesthood blessings with some reservations rather than complete faith.
But this scripture really changes my thinking! I don't have to have perfect faith that I'm supposed to be healed. I just need to have faith in my Lord, Jesus Christ. And I do have that, in abundance! I can focus on my love for Him, knowing that He loves me, and that whatever happens is best for me.
Thank you, Alma, for teaching me that!
Alma 15:8 And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be ahealed.
Then Zeezrom declares his faith in Christ, and Alma heals him, and Zeezrom leaps to his feet.
The reason this scripture touched me is that I've struggled quite a bit to understand the faith that is required to be healed. Sometimes I've wondered if I had enough faith to be healed. Not that I lack faith that the Lord CAN heal me, but was worried that He might not think it was in my best interest to be healed. Obviously, some problems and afflictions exist in people's lives for eternal purposes, and not everyone who hopes to be healed will be healed, if it's not for their best good. So I've received priesthood blessings with some reservations rather than complete faith.
But this scripture really changes my thinking! I don't have to have perfect faith that I'm supposed to be healed. I just need to have faith in my Lord, Jesus Christ. And I do have that, in abundance! I can focus on my love for Him, knowing that He loves me, and that whatever happens is best for me.
Thank you, Alma, for teaching me that!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Alma's Desires - Part Two
Alma 13:28-29 After listing things that the Ammonihahites needed to do to repent, Alma enumerated the blessings related.
The first one is one of those commandments/blessings that I find so often in the scriptures. As I've been marking the scriptures with colored pencils, I have a different color for commandments than I do for blessings. But I've come to realize that many commandments ARE blessings. For example, we're commanded to become humble, but humility is also a blessing from the Lord.
So the people are commanded to watch and pray, as I said in the previous post. But they're to pray for a specific blessing: that they are not tempted above that which they can bear. The last part would be the blessing. And what a great blessing! Could that also apply to trials? That we don't have a trial harder than we are able to bear? So that if things are really tough, we know that the Lord has the confidence in us that we can bear this hard thing without losing our testimony.
Alma then lists different blessings that come as a result of repentance and obedience.
1) Being led by the Spirit - If I could have confidence that I was always listening to the Spirit and being led by it, that would give me such confidence and joy!
2) Becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering. Here again we see attributes that can either be commandments or blessings. I believe that as we obey and repent, the Lord blesses us with these attributes.
3) Having faith in the Lord
4) Having hope of eternal life
5) Having the love of God always in our hearts
6) Be lifted up at the last day
7) Enter into His rest
8) The blessing of repentance
These are beautiful blessings and well worth all our efforts to be obedient and faithful.
The first one is one of those commandments/blessings that I find so often in the scriptures. As I've been marking the scriptures with colored pencils, I have a different color for commandments than I do for blessings. But I've come to realize that many commandments ARE blessings. For example, we're commanded to become humble, but humility is also a blessing from the Lord.
So the people are commanded to watch and pray, as I said in the previous post. But they're to pray for a specific blessing: that they are not tempted above that which they can bear. The last part would be the blessing. And what a great blessing! Could that also apply to trials? That we don't have a trial harder than we are able to bear? So that if things are really tough, we know that the Lord has the confidence in us that we can bear this hard thing without losing our testimony.
Alma then lists different blessings that come as a result of repentance and obedience.
1) Being led by the Spirit - If I could have confidence that I was always listening to the Spirit and being led by it, that would give me such confidence and joy!
2) Becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering. Here again we see attributes that can either be commandments or blessings. I believe that as we obey and repent, the Lord blesses us with these attributes.
3) Having faith in the Lord
4) Having hope of eternal life
5) Having the love of God always in our hearts
6) Be lifted up at the last day
7) Enter into His rest
8) The blessing of repentance
These are beautiful blessings and well worth all our efforts to be obedient and faithful.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Alma's Desires
Alma is almost finished preaching to the people of Ammonihah. In Alma 13:27, he tells them, And now, my brethren, I awish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great banxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not cprocrastinate the day of your repentance;
28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and awatch and pray continually, that ye may not be btempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be cled by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, dmeek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;
He gives them steps which we can apply in our lives as well:
1) Hearken - Listen, hear, internalize, be aware. He says, "Hearken unto my words". We can't hearken unless we know his words, so first we have to study and listen. That includes scriptures, conference, our leaders, prayers - any of the many ways the Lord teaches us. We need to learn, listen, hearken.
2) Cast off your sins - In other words, repent.
3) Not procrastinate the day of your repentance - We can't wait around until we're done sinning. We never know when it may be too late. We need to repent NOW!
4) Humble yourselves - We need to let go of the glorified view we have of ourselves. Today's society encourages us to think we're powerful and great, deserving of anything we want. If we could just see ourselves as little children beside a loving father, we could be teachable and grateful.
5) Call on His holy name - We need to talk to our Father, really communicate with Him.
6) Watch and pray continually - This is kind of a continuation of the previous one. Not only should we pray, but we should do so continually. Our hearts should be centered on Him, and we should be thinking about Him and discussing our day with Him and thanking Him as we go along. The word "watch" means to look, observe, pay attention. It means to stay alert and be on guard. We need to be alert and on guard against evil and Satan. We need to pay attention to promptings that come. We need to beware of laziness and complacency in keeping the commandments.
For me, the rest of this scripture selection constitutes a promise for obeying the commandments just given, so I'll discuss those in the next post.
28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and awatch and pray continually, that ye may not be btempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be cled by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, dmeek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;
29 aHaving faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the blove of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his crest.
Alma is filled with so much love for the people, he aches for them to repent and serve the Lord. But they have their agency and will choose not to repent.
Alma is filled with so much love for the people, he aches for them to repent and serve the Lord. But they have their agency and will choose not to repent.
He gives them steps which we can apply in our lives as well:
1) Hearken - Listen, hear, internalize, be aware. He says, "Hearken unto my words". We can't hearken unless we know his words, so first we have to study and listen. That includes scriptures, conference, our leaders, prayers - any of the many ways the Lord teaches us. We need to learn, listen, hearken.
2) Cast off your sins - In other words, repent.
3) Not procrastinate the day of your repentance - We can't wait around until we're done sinning. We never know when it may be too late. We need to repent NOW!
4) Humble yourselves - We need to let go of the glorified view we have of ourselves. Today's society encourages us to think we're powerful and great, deserving of anything we want. If we could just see ourselves as little children beside a loving father, we could be teachable and grateful.
5) Call on His holy name - We need to talk to our Father, really communicate with Him.
6) Watch and pray continually - This is kind of a continuation of the previous one. Not only should we pray, but we should do so continually. Our hearts should be centered on Him, and we should be thinking about Him and discussing our day with Him and thanking Him as we go along. The word "watch" means to look, observe, pay attention. It means to stay alert and be on guard. We need to be alert and on guard against evil and Satan. We need to pay attention to promptings that come. We need to beware of laziness and complacency in keeping the commandments.
For me, the rest of this scripture selection constitutes a promise for obeying the commandments just given, so I'll discuss those in the next post.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Blessing of Death
Alma 12: 26 And now behold, if it were possible that our first parents could have gone forth and partaken of the atree of life they would have been forever miserable, having no preparatory state; and thus the bplan of redemption would have been frustrated, and the word of God would have been void, taking none effect.
This is contrary to the teachings of most of Christianity today. People think that if only Adam and Eve hadn't sinned, we all could have lived forever in a state of paradise in the Garden of Eden. But if Adam and Even hadn't partaken of the fruit they never could have had children. So we wouldn't be there at all. And if they had been able to stay in the garden because of partaking of the Tree of Life, they would not have had time to repent.
The interesting alternative to save us all from that fate is death. Alma shows that introducing death to the world was a blessing to Adam and Eve, and to all of us. He says in Alma 12:27: But behold, it was not so; but it was aappointed unto men that they must die; and after death, they must come to bjudgment, even that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is the end.
Rather than have us live forever in our sins, we were blessed to have a time to repent, and then a time to die. And then a time to be judged.
Death isn't a big black monster, an end of self, a black hole of existence. It's a blessing, a "passageway to all eternity".
This is contrary to the teachings of most of Christianity today. People think that if only Adam and Eve hadn't sinned, we all could have lived forever in a state of paradise in the Garden of Eden. But if Adam and Even hadn't partaken of the fruit they never could have had children. So we wouldn't be there at all. And if they had been able to stay in the garden because of partaking of the Tree of Life, they would not have had time to repent.
The interesting alternative to save us all from that fate is death. Alma shows that introducing death to the world was a blessing to Adam and Eve, and to all of us. He says in Alma 12:27: But behold, it was not so; but it was aappointed unto men that they must die; and after death, they must come to bjudgment, even that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is the end.
Rather than have us live forever in our sins, we were blessed to have a time to repent, and then a time to die. And then a time to be judged.
Death isn't a big black monster, an end of self, a black hole of existence. It's a blessing, a "passageway to all eternity".
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Amulek teaches about the resurrection in Alma 11:
42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the abands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death. 44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be arestored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body . . .
This is one of the beautiful scriptures in the Book of Mormon which give me great comfort and hope. One of the inevitable parts of life is death. Although it's universal, that doesn't diminish the pain and anguish for those left behind. But, oh, the peace and comfort of the resurrection! The thought that our loved one will be restored to their proper and perfect form, not mouldering forever in a grave, is like a healing balm to a grieving soul. All this is possible only through the great sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. How grateful I am for Him!
42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the abands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.
43 The spirit and the body shall be areunited again in its bperfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, cknowing even as we know now, and have a bright drecollection of all our eguilt.
This is one of the beautiful scriptures in the Book of Mormon which give me great comfort and hope. One of the inevitable parts of life is death. Although it's universal, that doesn't diminish the pain and anguish for those left behind. But, oh, the peace and comfort of the resurrection! The thought that our loved one will be restored to their proper and perfect form, not mouldering forever in a grave, is like a healing balm to a grieving soul. All this is possible only through the great sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. How grateful I am for Him!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Prayers of the Righteous
In Alma 10:22-23 Amulek tells the people, "if it were not for the aprayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by bflood, as were the people in the days of cNoah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the dsword.
23 But it is by the aprayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will bcast out the righteous from among you then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the ctime is soon at hand except ye repent.
The prayers of the righteous have a great effect in the land. In Alma 14:7 we see that prophecy fulfilled as the Ammonihahites cast out and burn the righteous. Soon after that, the city is destroyed by an army of Lamanites.
We sometimes feel helpless as we try to make a difference in our lands, by our actions and our prayers. Bit we need to remember that our prayers do have a great effect and sometimes can contribute to saving the land.
The prayers of the righteous have a great effect in the land. In Alma 14:7 we see that prophecy fulfilled as the Ammonihahites cast out and burn the righteous. Soon after that, the city is destroyed by an army of Lamanites.
We sometimes feel helpless as we try to make a difference in our lands, by our actions and our prayers. Bit we need to remember that our prayers do have a great effect and sometimes can contribute to saving the land.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
I Knew, Yet I Would Not Know
Amulek now introduces himself to the people of Ammonihah. He is well known among them, but says that he never knew much of the ways of the Lord. He says, "I knew . . . but I would not know." He had seen God's mysteries and His marvelous power, but he hardened his heart. He was called many times, but he would not hear.
I think many of us are in the same condition. God is always calling and beckoning to all of us, but we always have a choice. If we harden our hearts, we can pretend that something was just a coincidence, or that we were just lucky. Sometimes it takes a great tragedy to get us to soften our hearts enough that we can hear and know. How much easier if we humble ourselves and listen for His voice, have faith, and "go and do"!
I think many of us are in the same condition. God is always calling and beckoning to all of us, but we always have a choice. If we harden our hearts, we can pretend that something was just a coincidence, or that we were just lucky. Sometimes it takes a great tragedy to get us to soften our hearts enough that we can hear and know. How much easier if we humble ourselves and listen for His voice, have faith, and "go and do"!
Monday, May 10, 2010
God Shall Come in His Glory
Alma 9:26 Alma says that Christ shall come in His glory. That confused me, because He came as a helpless baby, not in His full glory that will accompany Him at the Second coming. We are told that He proceeded from grace to grace. As He grew in knowledge and grace, I assume His glory grew as well. Even though not everyone could behold His glory, it was part of who He was. We know He had power to heal the sick and raise the dead, but He could also manifest His glory to whoever He wanted to.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Attributes of Christ
Alma and Amulek are preaching to the people of Ammonihah without much success. In Alma 9:26 Alma gives a list of the attributes of Christ. I decided to look up each word in the list of attributes in either the Bible Dictionary or Topical Guide to make sure I know the meanings of the words or phrases.
He shall be full of:
1) Grace--What He does for us. See p. 697 of BD
2) Equity--He gives each person what they NEED, distributing fairly. That means that not everyone gets the SAME, because our needs are different.
3) Truth--John 5:6 The Spirit is truth; D&C 84:45 Truth is light; my favorite is D&C 93:24 Truth is knowledge of things as they are.
4) Patience--All of the references in the TG seem to refer to patience as a quality WE need to develop, but when you look up Long-suffering, it says "see also Patience".
5) Mercy--Luke 1:50 His mercy is on them that fear Him; Isaiah 49:15 He will not forget us; Isaiah 54:8 with everlasting kindness will He have mercy on us; 1 Nephi 1:20 tender mercies id Lord are over all those whom He has chosen.
6) Long suffering--2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is long suffering to us-ward; 2 Peter 3:15 The long-suffering of the Lord is salvation.
7) Quick to hear the cries of his people--He loves us and is sensitive to the cries of his children.
8) Quick to answer their prayers--BD He wants what's best for us and will answer our requests when our wishes are the wishes of Christ.
He shall be full of:
1) Grace--What He does for us. See p. 697 of BD
2) Equity--He gives each person what they NEED, distributing fairly. That means that not everyone gets the SAME, because our needs are different.
3) Truth--John 5:6 The Spirit is truth; D&C 84:45 Truth is light; my favorite is D&C 93:24 Truth is knowledge of things as they are.
4) Patience--All of the references in the TG seem to refer to patience as a quality WE need to develop, but when you look up Long-suffering, it says "see also Patience".
5) Mercy--Luke 1:50 His mercy is on them that fear Him; Isaiah 49:15 He will not forget us; Isaiah 54:8 with everlasting kindness will He have mercy on us; 1 Nephi 1:20 tender mercies id Lord are over all those whom He has chosen.
6) Long suffering--2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is long suffering to us-ward; 2 Peter 3:15 The long-suffering of the Lord is salvation.
7) Quick to hear the cries of his people--He loves us and is sensitive to the cries of his children.
8) Quick to answer their prayers--BD He wants what's best for us and will answer our requests when our wishes are the wishes of Christ.
Friday, May 7, 2010
They That Be With Us Be More Than They That be With Them.
2 Kings 6:16, 17 Here Elisha and his young servant find themselves surrounded by an army bent on destroying them. The servant asks Elisha what they should do, and Elisha assures him that the Lord is protecting them. He then prays that the servants eyes will be opened, and the servant sees that the mountain is full of horses and chariots of fire.
Often we feel so alone and overwhelmed and desperate. We can see that we don't have what it takes. We measure our abilities and talents and resources and compare them to the needs and requirements of our lives. We see that we come up short most of the time. If we could only see that the Lord with all His angels and armies are on our side. He will sustain and help us. He will guide us. We just need to open our eyes and have faith.
Often we feel so alone and overwhelmed and desperate. We can see that we don't have what it takes. We measure our abilities and talents and resources and compare them to the needs and requirements of our lives. We see that we come up short most of the time. If we could only see that the Lord with all His angels and armies are on our side. He will sustain and help us. He will guide us. We just need to open our eyes and have faith.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thou Hast Great Cause to Rejoice
"Rejoice" is used many times in the scriptures, and this is one of my favorite references. Alma is burdened down with sorrow because he has been rejected for the first time in Ammonihah. But an angel stops him as he's leaving the city and tells him to "lift up [his] head and rejoice". The angel continues, saying, "for thou hast great cause to rejoice . . .", and praising Alma for his faithfulness since the same angel appeared to him and the sons of Mosiah.
It would seem to me that Alma had cause to be depressed. After all, his teachings had been rejected. But apparently, the Lord sees things differently. Alma had been faithful and had kept his covenants, and had been preaching the Gospel.
It feels to me like the Lord is saying that we are blessed with joy for obedience and for preaching the Gospel, and that we shouldn't lose that joy if people choose not to accept the truth. Choosing not to rejoice, regardless of circumstances, is like rejecting a gift the Lord has given us.
Being happy and rejoicing is a choice. It doesn't depend on what's happening in our lives so much as how we look at things. Counting our blessings is a large part of that. Surrounding ourselves with beauty, or finding the beauty in whatever our surroundings, listening to and really hearing the chirping of birds as well as beautiful music, appreciating and treasuring our loved ones, joying in the truths of the Gospel - all these things and more can give us cause to rejoice.
It would seem to me that Alma had cause to be depressed. After all, his teachings had been rejected. But apparently, the Lord sees things differently. Alma had been faithful and had kept his covenants, and had been preaching the Gospel.
It feels to me like the Lord is saying that we are blessed with joy for obedience and for preaching the Gospel, and that we shouldn't lose that joy if people choose not to accept the truth. Choosing not to rejoice, regardless of circumstances, is like rejecting a gift the Lord has given us.
Being happy and rejoicing is a choice. It doesn't depend on what's happening in our lives so much as how we look at things. Counting our blessings is a large part of that. Surrounding ourselves with beauty, or finding the beauty in whatever our surroundings, listening to and really hearing the chirping of birds as well as beautiful music, appreciating and treasuring our loved ones, joying in the truths of the Gospel - all these things and more can give us cause to rejoice.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
He Will Ease Our Burdens
I've been reading the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon in tandem, and it's reassuring to see themes repeated, since they come from the same Source. I read about Joseph being thrown in prison by Potifar, and realizing that the Lord allowed Joseph to remain in prison for about 3 years. Joseph was righteous and obedient. I'm sure this must have seemed like such a trial for him! Why was he being allowed to suffer so when he had been obedient and faithful.
Joseph Smith had a very similar experience. He spent many months in Liberty jail under horrible conditions. It was a time of great suffering for him, but was a great refining and sanctifying experience.
Alma and his people in the land of Helam were severely persecuted by Amulon, When they poured out their hearts to the Lord, He answered this:
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
Here is another example of the Lord allowing obedient and righteous people to suffer afflictions they didn't seem to deserve. And I started wondering why He would allow this and especially HOW he eases their (our) burdens.
For Joseph in Egypt we don't have much information. But we know he remained faithful and became a great leader. As a youth, he seemed cocky and prone to bragging and trying to lord it over his brothers. But when those same brothers arrived in Egypt many years later, he freely forgave them and provided for them.
Some of Joseph Smith's struggles are recorded in D&C 121 & 122. Here are some of my favorites:
My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
We seldom have any control over our trials. They happen to us, and our only choice is in how we respond to them. We try to hang on. We try to endure. We don't know why we have been given this trial, whether it's for our benefit and growth or to bless those around us who see our struggles. But through it all, we need to watch for the hand of God. He has promised that He will ease our burdens. He may not make the pain go away, or even be less. He may give us comfort in other ways.
A couple of years ago my arthritis was causing me a lot of pain. It was before my knee replacement, and I had changed to a different medication, but hadn't quite figured out the dosage. My knee hurt a lot whenever I moved, and often when I was just holding still. In the midst of this time two angels, members of the Relief Society presidency, came to see me within a couple of days of each other. They both said that they had been prompted to visit me, that they knew I was struggling. They expressed their love and concern and bore their testimonies. What a blessing those visits were to me! The pain didn't lessen; it still hurt to move, but I was given the assurance that the Lord was mindful of my suffering and that He loved me. He eased my burden.
When Gaea died, the pain was enormous! So many questions and regrets and the pain of missing her. But the love that flowed from our friends and family, and especially the peace and comfort from the teachings of the Gospel and from the Comforter gave me tremendous help and relief. Gaea was still dead. But the Lord eased my burden.
I love this scripture from D&C 122:7 & 8:
. . . know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
Of course, the answer is no. I will continue to have trials and problems. But they will be for my good. And He will ease my burdens.
Joseph Smith had a very similar experience. He spent many months in Liberty jail under horrible conditions. It was a time of great suffering for him, but was a great refining and sanctifying experience.
Alma and his people in the land of Helam were severely persecuted by Amulon, When they poured out their hearts to the Lord, He answered this:
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
Here is another example of the Lord allowing obedient and righteous people to suffer afflictions they didn't seem to deserve. And I started wondering why He would allow this and especially HOW he eases their (our) burdens.
For Joseph in Egypt we don't have much information. But we know he remained faithful and became a great leader. As a youth, he seemed cocky and prone to bragging and trying to lord it over his brothers. But when those same brothers arrived in Egypt many years later, he freely forgave them and provided for them.
Some of Joseph Smith's struggles are recorded in D&C 121 & 122. Here are some of my favorites:
My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
We seldom have any control over our trials. They happen to us, and our only choice is in how we respond to them. We try to hang on. We try to endure. We don't know why we have been given this trial, whether it's for our benefit and growth or to bless those around us who see our struggles. But through it all, we need to watch for the hand of God. He has promised that He will ease our burdens. He may not make the pain go away, or even be less. He may give us comfort in other ways.
A couple of years ago my arthritis was causing me a lot of pain. It was before my knee replacement, and I had changed to a different medication, but hadn't quite figured out the dosage. My knee hurt a lot whenever I moved, and often when I was just holding still. In the midst of this time two angels, members of the Relief Society presidency, came to see me within a couple of days of each other. They both said that they had been prompted to visit me, that they knew I was struggling. They expressed their love and concern and bore their testimonies. What a blessing those visits were to me! The pain didn't lessen; it still hurt to move, but I was given the assurance that the Lord was mindful of my suffering and that He loved me. He eased my burden.
When Gaea died, the pain was enormous! So many questions and regrets and the pain of missing her. But the love that flowed from our friends and family, and especially the peace and comfort from the teachings of the Gospel and from the Comforter gave me tremendous help and relief. Gaea was still dead. But the Lord eased my burden.
I love this scripture from D&C 122:7 & 8:
. . . know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
Of course, the answer is no. I will continue to have trials and problems. But they will be for my good. And He will ease my burdens.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Rewards for Service
After Alma's people had been baptized, he taught them how to be disciples. In ancient Israel, the priests were Levites, and since they did not own land, they were supported by the people. But Lehi's people were not Levites, so the rules here had to be different. Alma taught these new priests who he had anointed how they were to be supported:
24 And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained ashould blabor with their own hands for their support.
But that doesn't mean that the priests weren't rewarded for their labors:
26 And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the agrace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the bknowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.
I consider my service in the church to be worthy of some of those same blessings. And what beautiful blessings they are:
24 And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained ashould blabor with their own hands for their support.
But that doesn't mean that the priests weren't rewarded for their labors:
26 And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the agrace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the bknowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.
I consider my service in the church to be worthy of some of those same blessings. And what beautiful blessings they are:
- Grace of God
- Wax strong in the Spirit
- Knowledge of God
- Teach with power and authority from God
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
This is the Desire of our Hearts
After escaping from King Noah's guards, Alma hid himself and pondered the words of Abinidi. He had some serious repenting to do. When he was ready, he began to share the message of Abinidi and to teach others privately. They gathered in a place called Mormon, and there Alma offered them a wonderful gift. He knew of their desire to serve God and to bless one another, so he said,
Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are adesirous to come into the bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are adesirous to come into the bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are awilling to mourn with those that bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being abaptized in the bname of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a ccovenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
The people not only accepted, but they "they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts."
I've read and re-read that section over the last several days, and each time it touches me. The people were so delighted! They were promising to serve and love one another, and also to serve God and keep His commandments, with the promise that He would pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon them.
This is also the desire of my heart. I'm not perfect at serving God and my fellow man, but I'm trying to do better and to keep His commandments. And I really desire the promise that He would pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon me. Not just drip or trickle, but POUR. I need that in my life. I yearn for that Spirit. I treasure it when I feel it. This is the desire of my heart.
The people not only accepted, but they "they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts."
I've read and re-read that section over the last several days, and each time it touches me. The people were so delighted! They were promising to serve and love one another, and also to serve God and keep His commandments, with the promise that He would pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon them.
This is also the desire of my heart. I'm not perfect at serving God and my fellow man, but I'm trying to do better and to keep His commandments. And I really desire the promise that He would pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon me. Not just drip or trickle, but POUR. I need that in my life. I yearn for that Spirit. I treasure it when I feel it. This is the desire of my heart.
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Sting of Death
I'm finishing my study of the words of Abinidi to Noah and his wicked priests. Abinidi is explaining about the mission of Christ and the consequences of our actions. He says in Mosiah 16:7 & 8, " And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no asting, there could have been no resurrection.
But there is a aresurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of bdeath is swallowed up in Christ."
Were it not for Christ, the grave would be victorious. Our bodies would be trapped there forever, and our spirits would remain in spirit prison. And death would be a huge black hole that our loved ones slip into, never to return.
But because our Savior did fulfill his mission and rose from the dead and broke the bands of death, the grave has no victory and death loses its terrible sting.
We all confront the death of a loved one. When that person is old and feeble or in pain, it's easier to let them go. But if our loved one is young, it can seem very unfair. Many people never get over it. "Parents should not outlive their children!", people exclaim.
If I believed that Gaea had ceased to exist, that her life and light was blotted out forever, it would be unbearable! But I KNOW that my dear Savior gave His life so that we all can live again. That means that someday I will be able to be with Gaea again. She exists and is probably watching and helping and encouraging her family until the day that we can all be together again. Then we will laugh and love and enjoy and testify and share our lives together for eternity. Then death has truly lost its sting.
Were it not for Christ, the grave would be victorious. Our bodies would be trapped there forever, and our spirits would remain in spirit prison. And death would be a huge black hole that our loved ones slip into, never to return.
But because our Savior did fulfill his mission and rose from the dead and broke the bands of death, the grave has no victory and death loses its terrible sting.
We all confront the death of a loved one. When that person is old and feeble or in pain, it's easier to let them go. But if our loved one is young, it can seem very unfair. Many people never get over it. "Parents should not outlive their children!", people exclaim.
If I believed that Gaea had ceased to exist, that her life and light was blotted out forever, it would be unbearable! But I KNOW that my dear Savior gave His life so that we all can live again. That means that someday I will be able to be with Gaea again. She exists and is probably watching and helping and encouraging her family until the day that we can all be together again. Then we will laugh and love and enjoy and testify and share our lives together for eternity. Then death has truly lost its sting.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Book of Mormon Speed Read
I tried a different approach to the Book of Mormon this year. A friend told me that she does this at the first of each year, so I thought I would try it. Beginning on January 1st, I read 10 pages in the Book of Mormon each day. I finished the last pages of Moroni just a few days ago.
Part of the reason is the desire to read the whole book in one calendar year. The Young Women's Virtue Value experiences asks us to read the book as one of the experiences, and we have been challenged to do the Virtue Value as mothers and grandmothers.
I had been in Mosiah at the end of 2009, so I left my bookmark there and started over with my speed reading method. It wasn't a particularly satisfying method, but I wanted to try it at least once.
We're often encouraged from various sources to set time goals in our scripture reading. President Hinckley asked us a few years ago to read the whole Book of Mormon in just a few months. It was a challenge that ended up blessing the whole church. But that doesn't mean that we need to continue to push our way through the scriptures as if the same challenge exists. We are not involved in a contest. The goal is not to read the book the fastest, or the most times, but to "treasure up" the Word, to "feast". When we push quickly through our reading, it's more like a food-eating contest. How many hot dogs can we consume in 5 minutes? Is there any nutritional value to stuffing those hot dogs down our throat? Did we enjoy the flavor, and savor the taste? Compare that to the way a gourmet food judge eats a meal. He takes tiny bites and holds the food in his mouth, discerning the various flavors therein. He takes his time. He savors the food. He is truly feasting.
Now I'm back to my slower method of reading. I put a little post it note at my spot. I take one verse and look at it a phrase at a time. I ask why it was put there, what does it really mean, why that word was used, and sometimes look in the TG to see all the references on that subject. It's so much more satisfying!
Part of the reason is the desire to read the whole book in one calendar year. The Young Women's Virtue Value experiences asks us to read the book as one of the experiences, and we have been challenged to do the Virtue Value as mothers and grandmothers.
I had been in Mosiah at the end of 2009, so I left my bookmark there and started over with my speed reading method. It wasn't a particularly satisfying method, but I wanted to try it at least once.
We're often encouraged from various sources to set time goals in our scripture reading. President Hinckley asked us a few years ago to read the whole Book of Mormon in just a few months. It was a challenge that ended up blessing the whole church. But that doesn't mean that we need to continue to push our way through the scriptures as if the same challenge exists. We are not involved in a contest. The goal is not to read the book the fastest, or the most times, but to "treasure up" the Word, to "feast". When we push quickly through our reading, it's more like a food-eating contest. How many hot dogs can we consume in 5 minutes? Is there any nutritional value to stuffing those hot dogs down our throat? Did we enjoy the flavor, and savor the taste? Compare that to the way a gourmet food judge eats a meal. He takes tiny bites and holds the food in his mouth, discerning the various flavors therein. He takes his time. He savors the food. He is truly feasting.
Now I'm back to my slower method of reading. I put a little post it note at my spot. I take one verse and look at it a phrase at a time. I ask why it was put there, what does it really mean, why that word was used, and sometimes look in the TG to see all the references on that subject. It's so much more satisfying!
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