We learn in 1 Nephi 16 about Nephi breaking his bow, and what a trial it was for everyone. The other bows had lost their spring, and there was no way to obtain food.
The broken bow was no one's fault; it just happened! Sometimes in our lives, it feels as if our bow is broken. Some of the feelings that might have come to them (and probably come to us) were: Why did this have to happen? What did I do to deserve this? Why me? How can I move forward now with this broken bow? I'm just trying to do those things the Lord asked of me, but how can I possibly do them with this huge handicap?
We all know of people who are trying so hard to do the Lord's will, and sacrificing (seemingly) all to obey His will, and then some tragedy or trial or affliction comes to them, and they're left wondering how they can possibly complete their task. Cancer strikes, or financial problems, or other problems, and they wonder how they can make bricks if they have no straw.
If only we could all be like Nephi and look for the next alternative and go and fashion a bow out of wood. We should move forward with all the courage we can muster, and affirm our faith that the Lord is in charge and that He will get us through our wilderness if we humble ourselves and follow Him.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
We Shall See Him As He Is
Twice in the scriptures, this phrase is used:
. . . when he shall bappear, we shall be clike him; for we shall dsee him as he is.
One of the times is in 1 John 3:2 and the other is Moroni 7:48. I've always loved the idea that we would be like Him, but was unsure about what it meant to see Him as He is. Some people have explained that seeing Him with a resurrected body, not just a spirit body, is what is meant. But during my prayers this morning, the thought came to me that I was full of gratitude for the knowledge that God and His Son are not like the gods worshiped by the majority of the Christian world. They worship a god who is "without body, parts, or passions". The god of the holy trinity is so confusing that people have been debating it for thousands of years, and if you do a Google search, you see that many people are still struggling with the concept.
A popular description of why God does the things He does is that it is for His own good pleasure. So our God is moving us around as puppets for the enjoyment of the show? He is playing a game of Sim World for the entertainment we provide? It makes me think of Q on Star Trek. These Q had all power, but played with species and peoples and worlds just to watch them squirm or see what they would do. Everywhere you go, you see examples of gods that are Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient, but have no love. How can anyone worship a God who is all powerful, everywhere-present, and knows all, but views our lives and our loves and fears and desires and hopes with detachment and amusement or scorn?
The God I worship has all power, but is filled with love and compassion. The Son endured unimaginable pain and suffering for us while the Father suffered as He watched and allowed His Only Begotten to suffer such pain. These are not passionless Gods. They have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to provide and succor and comfort all of us.
If I want to go where God goes and do as He does and be like Him, I must realize what He's like as much as I can. I must study His works and His words, and talk to Him frequently and fervently, and emulate Him more and more. He loves us; He serves us; He comforts us and sacrifices for us. This is a God worth worshiping.
. . . when he shall bappear, we shall be clike him; for we shall dsee him as he is.
One of the times is in 1 John 3:2 and the other is Moroni 7:48. I've always loved the idea that we would be like Him, but was unsure about what it meant to see Him as He is. Some people have explained that seeing Him with a resurrected body, not just a spirit body, is what is meant. But during my prayers this morning, the thought came to me that I was full of gratitude for the knowledge that God and His Son are not like the gods worshiped by the majority of the Christian world. They worship a god who is "without body, parts, or passions". The god of the holy trinity is so confusing that people have been debating it for thousands of years, and if you do a Google search, you see that many people are still struggling with the concept.
A popular description of why God does the things He does is that it is for His own good pleasure. So our God is moving us around as puppets for the enjoyment of the show? He is playing a game of Sim World for the entertainment we provide? It makes me think of Q on Star Trek. These Q had all power, but played with species and peoples and worlds just to watch them squirm or see what they would do. Everywhere you go, you see examples of gods that are Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient, but have no love. How can anyone worship a God who is all powerful, everywhere-present, and knows all, but views our lives and our loves and fears and desires and hopes with detachment and amusement or scorn?
The God I worship has all power, but is filled with love and compassion. The Son endured unimaginable pain and suffering for us while the Father suffered as He watched and allowed His Only Begotten to suffer such pain. These are not passionless Gods. They have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to provide and succor and comfort all of us.
If I want to go where God goes and do as He does and be like Him, I must realize what He's like as much as I can. I must study His works and His words, and talk to Him frequently and fervently, and emulate Him more and more. He loves us; He serves us; He comforts us and sacrifices for us. This is a God worth worshiping.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
He Beheld Not the Filthiness
Nephi is explaining Lehi's dream to his brothers and they want to know about the river of water. Nephi tells them that the water was filthiness and ". . . so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water."
In our lives we are surrounded by filthiness, as much as we would like to avoid it. We certainly don't want to go wading in it, but Lehi's experience teaches us that if we fill our minds and lives with good, uplifting things we can tune out much of the worldly and unworthy parts of the world around us.
I remember hearing a story about President David O. McKay being at a Pioneer Day parade in Salt Lake. Someone later asked him if he wasn't scandalized at the short skirts of the cheerleaders and pom pom girls in the parade. He replied that he hadn't noticed any short skirts; he only saw some lovely, sweet young ladies.
"Unto the pure are all things pure", according to Titus 1:15. We need to focus on the good, the uplifting, the holy; studying our scriptures, attending the temple and our church meetings, being righteously engaged in service and other good causes. Only then can we travel through the World that we are "in but not of", and "[behold] not".
In our lives we are surrounded by filthiness, as much as we would like to avoid it. We certainly don't want to go wading in it, but Lehi's experience teaches us that if we fill our minds and lives with good, uplifting things we can tune out much of the worldly and unworthy parts of the world around us.
I remember hearing a story about President David O. McKay being at a Pioneer Day parade in Salt Lake. Someone later asked him if he wasn't scandalized at the short skirts of the cheerleaders and pom pom girls in the parade. He replied that he hadn't noticed any short skirts; he only saw some lovely, sweet young ladies.
"Unto the pure are all things pure", according to Titus 1:15. We need to focus on the good, the uplifting, the holy; studying our scriptures, attending the temple and our church meetings, being righteously engaged in service and other good causes. Only then can we travel through the World that we are "in but not of", and "[behold] not".
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Chosen to Minister
In Nephi's vision, he was shown Jesus' ministry to His people after His resurrection. Jesus chose twelve apostles who would minister to the people on the American continent. The angel told Nephi, "Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed."
The phrase "chosen to minister" was interesting to me. If we apply that phrase to our lives, it seems to be telling us that at times we are also "chosen to minister" to people whom we are called to serve. Minister means to give service, care or aid. As I think about my callings, I need to ponder how I can best care for those I serve, to aid them, or give service, . As I minister, I should be contributing to their comfort or happiness.
This is different than simply giving a lesson or planning an activity. The end result, the objective, is to bless these people's lives, to make them better, to bring them closer to Christ. If I focus on an activity or lesson without thinking about ministering to those I'm teaching, I'm simply filling an assignment.
The other part of the phrase is the "chosen" part. Out of the thousands of people who gathered to witness the coming of Christ in America, only Nephi and twelve others were chosen to minister as apostles. And only I (and my partner) have the calling of visiting teacher to those sisters we visit. Only I have the calling of choir director in the ward. Only I have the calling of Relief Society Meeting Coordinator. If I neglect these callings, or do them halfheartedly, or simply go through the motions, who will step in to do these duties? No one else has been chosen. Others have their own assignments. My callings are where I have been "chosen" to serve.
The phrase "chosen to minister" was interesting to me. If we apply that phrase to our lives, it seems to be telling us that at times we are also "chosen to minister" to people whom we are called to serve. Minister means to give service, care or aid. As I think about my callings, I need to ponder how I can best care for those I serve, to aid them, or give service, . As I minister, I should be contributing to their comfort or happiness.
This is different than simply giving a lesson or planning an activity. The end result, the objective, is to bless these people's lives, to make them better, to bring them closer to Christ. If I focus on an activity or lesson without thinking about ministering to those I'm teaching, I'm simply filling an assignment.
The other part of the phrase is the "chosen" part. Out of the thousands of people who gathered to witness the coming of Christ in America, only Nephi and twelve others were chosen to minister as apostles. And only I (and my partner) have the calling of visiting teacher to those sisters we visit. Only I have the calling of choir director in the ward. Only I have the calling of Relief Society Meeting Coordinator. If I neglect these callings, or do them halfheartedly, or simply go through the motions, who will step in to do these duties? No one else has been chosen. Others have their own assignments. My callings are where I have been "chosen" to serve.
Monday, September 19, 2011
What Desirest Thou?
The question, "What desirest thou?" really can reveal who we are and where we are headed. If we can truthfully look at our desires and honestly prioritize them, we can know where we are going. Maybe it's easiest to evaluate our desire based on our actions. Because what we do is a physical evidence of what we want.
If I say I want to become a great pianist, and spend my days watching television, then obviously my desire to be a pianist isn't very strong. Our actions and our desires have to be aligned for us to progress.
The general conference talk from April 2011 by Lynn G. Robbins discusses this idea. He talks about DO and BE and says in order to BE the person we want to be, we must DO the things to get us there. We may pretend to BE a righteous person, but in secret we are DOING things we shouldn't be doing. Or we may DO good things to be seen of men, but have wicked motives. Which brings me back to desires.
In my times of contemplation, of worship, of prayer, I truly desire to be the best daughter of my Heavenly Father that I can be. But then life interferes and I may slight my scripture study, or ignore a prompting to call my neighbor, or snap at my husband. However, if I focus on my righteous desires, I will prioritize scripture study, try harder to listen to the Spirit, attend the temple and apologize to my husband. My desires will be fulfilled as my righteous actions lead me closer to my Father in Heaven.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
We Heeded Them Not
Nephi tells this part of his father's vision of the Tree of Life: And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of ascorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.
One of Satan's powerful tools is ridicule and he uses it brilliantly. Having the approval and acceptance of others is a basic human need, and when we don't get it, it can be devastating.
This scorn can come in many ways. Sometimes it comes from those close to us, from family or friends or acquaintances. Other times it may be more generalized, as when national figures such as athletes or movie stars or comedians or politicians ridicule the church, or righteous standards. Our society loves to support and praise immorality and drug use and drunkenness, while scoffing at virtue and sobriety and honesty.
But Nephi simply says, ". . . we heeded them not". He didn't struggle with it, he just ignored it. He later tells us that those people who paid attention to the ridicule coming from the spacious building fell away and were lost.
A lady in my ward told about someone at work who has set a goal to get her to drink a cup of coffee. She keeps saying that it's just one cup of coffee and it won't hurt her. So she asks her several times a day if she'd like a cup of coffee. This sweet young woman just turns her down over and over. She heeds her not.
One of Satan's powerful tools is ridicule and he uses it brilliantly. Having the approval and acceptance of others is a basic human need, and when we don't get it, it can be devastating.
This scorn can come in many ways. Sometimes it comes from those close to us, from family or friends or acquaintances. Other times it may be more generalized, as when national figures such as athletes or movie stars or comedians or politicians ridicule the church, or righteous standards. Our society loves to support and praise immorality and drug use and drunkenness, while scoffing at virtue and sobriety and honesty.
But Nephi simply says, ". . . we heeded them not". He didn't struggle with it, he just ignored it. He later tells us that those people who paid attention to the ridicule coming from the spacious building fell away and were lost.
A lady in my ward told about someone at work who has set a goal to get her to drink a cup of coffee. She keeps saying that it's just one cup of coffee and it won't hurt her. So she asks her several times a day if she'd like a cup of coffee. This sweet young woman just turns her down over and over. She heeds her not.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Exceedingly Great Joy
Who doesn't want "exceedingly great joy"? But how do we get it? What must we do?
Lehi gives the answer as he recounts his dream of the Tree of Life. The thing that gave him exceedingly great joy was to partake of the fruit.
It's not always easy or convenient to partake of the fruit. Sometimes it involves sacrifice. But the reward is so great!
It's interesting to me that the very next thing Lehi did after he partook of the fruit and experienced such joy was to look around for his family. Of course he would want to share such joy with his loved ones. What point is there in keeping joy to yourself? When your loved ones experience joy also, it multiplies your own joy. Who hasn't watched their children tearfully bear their testimony, while tears ran down their own faces? We rejoice in the righteous lives and examples of our children. We rejoice in our Savior. We rejoice in the Fruit. This is true joy.
Lehi gives the answer as he recounts his dream of the Tree of Life. The thing that gave him exceedingly great joy was to partake of the fruit.
It's not always easy or convenient to partake of the fruit. Sometimes it involves sacrifice. But the reward is so great!
It's interesting to me that the very next thing Lehi did after he partook of the fruit and experienced such joy was to look around for his family. Of course he would want to share such joy with his loved ones. What point is there in keeping joy to yourself? When your loved ones experience joy also, it multiplies your own joy. Who hasn't watched their children tearfully bear their testimony, while tears ran down their own faces? We rejoice in the righteous lives and examples of our children. We rejoice in our Savior. We rejoice in the Fruit. This is true joy.
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