Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Saturday, July 30, 2005

2 Nephi 22 - 25

Nephi tells us that -

"...Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:1)

Because Nephi had -

"... not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:2)

But Nephi did understand the words of Isaiah and he explains why -

"...my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews, and I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews."
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:5)

He also tells those that may find the words of Isaiah difficult to understand -

"..give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:4)

And being in the Spirit, Nephi gives us a promise -

"...I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness; in the which I know that no man can err; nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass.
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:7)

Nephi loved to teach in plainness for as he said -

"...my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:4)

And then in plainness he prophecies of Christ -

"...And now this I speak because of the spirit which is in me..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:11)

"...and...the day cometh that the Only Begotten of the Father, yea, even the Father of heaven and of earth, shall manifest himself unto them in the flesh, behold, they(the Jews) will reject him, because of their iniquities, and the hardness of their hearts, and the stiffness of their necks.
13 Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:12 - 13)

"...Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:13)

And Nephi prophecies that -

"...the Jews shall be scattered among all nations [and]scourged...for the space of many generations..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:15 - 16)

"...until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind—and when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah, then, at that time, the day will come that...the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:16 - 17)

"...Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them... for they shall be given them for the purpose of convincing them of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; and unto the convincing of them that they need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:18)

Nephi then follows this prophecy with -

"And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. ...I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:20)

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.
25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:23 - 26)

And I finish with these words of Nephi -

"And now...I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.
29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:28 - 29)

Friday, July 29, 2005

2 Nephi 16 - 21

Much of the writings and prophecies of Isaiah in these chapters continue with the same themes of that of the wicked and their fate, prophecies of Christ and his mercies, and the deliverance of the righteous.

In association with the wicked -

"...they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter..."

Isaiah asks -

"...—should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead?
20 To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21 And they shall pass through it hardly bestead and hungry; and it shall come to pass that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 And they shall look unto the earth and behold trouble, and darkness, dimness of anguish, and shall be driven to darkness." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 18:19 - 22)

He again asks?

"...And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 20:3 - 4)

And five times, Isaiah tells the wicked -

"...For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

And because of that he prophecies of the Savior -

"...Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and to choose the good..."
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 17:14 - 15)

"For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people...; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
13 Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 18:11 - 14)

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever. " (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 19:6 - 7)

"And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 21:2 - 5)

'The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and increased the joy—they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 19:2 - 4)

"..Lo, this has touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged."
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 16:7)

Thursday, July 28, 2005

2 Nephi 12 - 15

Today I'm in Las Vegas on business. The slogan of Las Vegas is "what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas". Little has to be said of what the slogan suggests. I think it is quite ironic that I read the words of Isaiah as I was on my flight here. See if this sounds familiar.

"...for ye have all gone astray, every one to his wicked ways.
6 ...they be replenished from the east, and hearken unto soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.
7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots.
8 Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.
9 And the mean man boweth not down, and the great man humbleth himself not..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 12:5 - 9)

"...Ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor...the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched–forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet—" (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 13:15 - 16)

The women have -

"...the bravery of their tinkling ornaments, and cauls, and round tires like the moon;
19 The chains and the bracelets, and the mufflers;
20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the ear–rings;
21 The rings, and nose jewels;
22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping–pins;
23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and hoods, and the veils..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 13:18 - 23)

They -

...draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 15:18)

And they -

"...rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, that continue until night, and wine inflame them!
12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 15:11 - 12)

To all of this the Lord tells us -

"...Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 15:20)

Of the wicked, the tells us -

"O ye wicked ones, enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for the fear of the Lord and the glory of his majesty shall smite thee.
11 And it shall come to pass that the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, ...
12 For the day of the Lord of Hosts soon cometh...upon the proud and lofty, and upon every one who is lifted up, and he shall be brought low." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 12:10 - 12)

"And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for the fear of the Lord shall come upon them and the glory of his majesty shall smite them, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which he hath made for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;
21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for the fear of the Lord shall come upon them and the majesty of his glory shall smite them, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 12:19 - 21)

"And it shall come to pass, instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth; burning instead of beauty." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 13:24)

"Therefore, as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, their root shall be rottenness, and their blossoms shall go up as dust; because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25 Therefore, is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them; and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 15:24 - 25)

But this is not necessarily inevitable because he tells all people -

"...but his hand is stretched out still..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 15:25)

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks—nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5 ...come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 12:2 - 5)

And -

"...the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 14:4)

For in the Last Days, the Lord will raise a Church and a great missionary force, for he tells us -

"...he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and behold, they shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary nor stumble among them.
27 None shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken;
28 Whose arrows shall be sharp, and all their bows bent, and their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind, their roaring like a lion.
29 They shall roar like young lions; yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry away safe, and none shall deliver." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 15:26 - 29)

As prophesied, it is a marvelous work and a wonder.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

2 Nephi 9 - 11

This address given to the people of Nephi by Jacob is one of my favorites in all of scripture. I read it yesterday and decided to again read it this morning

Jacob begins with -

"...my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children.
4 For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:3 - 4)

He follows then with the testimony of Christ which is to come -

"...I know that... in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:5)

For -

"...it must needs be expedient that Christ...should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.
4 For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God.
5 But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 10:3 - 5)

The people of Nephi, like many people today, may have been somewhat concerned about what was to happen when a they die because Jacob begins to teach his people about this thing which is to come to them and to all men -

"For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord. (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:6)

And this power of resurrection requires an atonement -

Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. " (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:7)

Jacob suggests that because of the fall, there is a judgement at death, a first judgement, not the judgment. But without the infinite atonement of the Savior he describes what would of happen to all men -

"...Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.
[and]... if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more.
9 And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:7 - 9)

For what it is worth, and this is my opinion only, as I read these verses I have come to believe the world of spirits or where all spirits of all men that die remain here on the earth. We know that Satan and his angels were cast down to earth. In my opinion, for our spirits to become subject to the devil, it must be where the devil and his angels are and that is here on earth. In fact everything that has to do with the children of God and the plan of salvation is involved with this earth. We even know that the earth will eventually receive its paradisiacal glory and those that become celestial will reside on the earth. It just makes sense to me.

But because of the atonement, Jacob suggests that in the first judgement there are two places that the spirits of men may go - 1) hell & 2) paradise. He describes the first condition, including death or the loss of the temporal body as the "monster" -

"...the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:10)

"..which spiritual death is hell" (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:12) being that the spirit is cut off from the presence of God being subjected to the buffetings of Satan.

Who are in the grasp the monster - death and hell? The wicked, those that received not the testimony of God in the flesh (see D&C 76), and even "..those who have not the law given to them" (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:26). Some have described this as the "prison house in the spirit world" (Doctrine and Covenants Official Declaration 1:16)

The second place Jacob suggests with this first judgment -

"For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous..."(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:13)

Because of the infinite atonement of the Savior, the spirits of all men when in the grasps of the monster - death and hell or the righteous of paradise the -

"...death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other...
[And] on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect...
15 And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment–seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:12 - 15)

"...and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel... O how great the plan of our God!" (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:12 - 13)

And as we are brought before the judgement of God -

"...we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:14)

And -

"...they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still..."
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:16)

And -

"...shall receive a reward according to their works..."
(Doctrine and Covenants Section 138:59)

Jacob reminds us -

"...Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:41)

"And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.
22 And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.
23 And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
24 And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it."
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:21 - 24)

Monday, July 25, 2005

2 Nephi 5 - 8

Jacob tells his people that he is going to speak to them again, for he tells us "...I have spoken unto you exceedingly many things..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 6:2) ...for I have exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words of my father; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 6:3) But this time -

"..I would speak unto you concerning things which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you the words of Isaiah. And they are the words which my brother has desired that I should speak unto you..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 6:4)

These words of Isaiah must have been very important to Nephi for he had told us that upon these plates -

"...I engraved that which is pleasing unto God. And if my people are pleased with the things of God they will be pleased with mine engravings which are upon these plates." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 5:32)

I find it very interesting that Jacob says he will read the words of Isaiah to his people. As I read that I thought of the Lord speaking to the Prophet Joseph Smith -

"...I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it.
34 These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;
35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;
36 Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 18:33 - 36)

As I read the words of Isaiah, I tend to get emotionally pumped up, enthused, and motivated. His writings must have done the same for the people of Lehi. Maybe that is why Nephi loved the words of Isaiah so much. As one reads the words of Nephi in the 4th Chapter of 2nd Nephi he kind of does the same thing.

Isaiah writes things of the Savior like -

YEA, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
2 Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer. O house of Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make their rivers a wilderness and their fish to stink because the waters are dried up, and they die because of thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season unto thee, O house of Israel. When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning. He waketh mine ear to hear as the learned.
5 The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
6 I gave my back to the smiter, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
7 For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
8 And the Lord is near, and he justifieth me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me, and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth.
9 For the Lord God will help me. And all they who shall condemn me, behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, and the moth shall eat them up.
10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light?
11 Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand—ye shall lie down in sorrow. (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 7:1 - 11)

But these are the words of Isaiah that touched my heart -

"Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings."(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 8:7)

"I am he; yea, I am he that comforteth you. Behold, who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man, who shall die..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 8:12)

"...Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments..."
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 8:24)

Though much of words of Isaiah I don't understand, I do understand the Spirit that touches my heart.

Friday, July 22, 2005

2 Nephi 3 - 4

To Joseph of old, the Lord said -

"...A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 3:7)

We learn from Lehi, that "choice seer" is the Prophet, Joseph Smith. That prophecy has been fulfilled. I, being of the lineage of Ephraim, esteem the Prophet highly and so do thousands as was witnessed this past weekend in the Days of Celebration at Rice/Eccles stadium. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!

As I blog, I feel much the same as does Nephi -

"...For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 4:15)

I am deeply touched as Nephi shares his most innermost thoughts and feelings as I too have those same thoughts and feelings -

"...my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions... and hath preserved me...
21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
23 Behold, he hath heard my cry, and he hath given me knowledge...
24 And... have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and [the Spirit hath] ministered unto me.
25 ... mine eyes have beheld great things...
26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?
32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!
33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 4:16 - 35)

Oh, I wish I could express my thoughts and feelings as does Nephi!

Thursday, July 21, 2005

2 Nephi 2

If you were on your dying bed, what would be your last words to your children. For me, it would be "choose the right". Why? Because it is the very difference between happiness, joy, and peace and misery, pain, and sorrow. The words of the song are -

Choose the right when a choice is placed before you.
In the right the Holy Spirit guides;
And its light is forever shining o'er you,
When in the right your heart confides.

Choose the right! Choose the right!
Let wisdom mark the way before.
In its light, choose the right!
And God will bless you evermore.

Choose the right! Let no spirit of digression
Overcome you in the evil hour.
There's the right and the wrong to ev'ry question;
Be safe thru inspiration's pow'r.

Choose the right! There is peace in righteous doing.
Choose the right! There's safety for the soul
Choose the right in all labors you're pursuing;
Let God and heaven be your goal.

As he neared death, Lehi taught his son, Jacob -

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first–born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:11)

"...I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.
15 And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man...it must needs be that there was an opposition...
16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:14 - 16)

And after explaining the fall of Adam, Lehi tells his sons -

"...Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.
27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:25 - 27)

I too would want to plead with my son as Lehi did saying -

"...I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;
29 And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom. (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:28 - 29)

For it is the very difference between happiness, joy, and peace and misery, pain, and sorrow.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

2 Nephi 1 - 2

Lehi taught his son Jacob -

"...the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:5)

I believe the law Lehi is referring to in this case is the Law of Moses, even though it would apply to all laws. The jews at the time of Christ believed that it was compliance to the Law of Moses that would save them. Nothing else was required. But Lehi taught Jacob that obedience to God's law only did not save man because -

"...by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:5)

For -

"...salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses.
(Book of Mormon Mosiah 13:28)

Wherefore -

"redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:6)

For it is the Savior that

"...offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered."
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:7)

Paul taught the same to the Galations -

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (New Testament Galatians 2:16)

My profession is that of a contractor. Contracts are my business. For a contract to be valid requires an offer, an acceptance, and some form of consideration. Civil law recognizes that a default of the agreement by either party, the defaulting party has an obligation for caused damages. Sometimes those damages are pre-defined such as liquidated damages. All the conditions of the contract could be considered the "ends" of the agreement.

From Lehi we learn -

"...the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given.." that there is a punishment affixed to all laws. and the "...the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:10)

And the only condition of the law that satisfies the ends of the law is the atonement of Jesus Christ. And to satisfy or "...to answer the ends of the atonement..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:10) requires us "...to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:7)

For -

"...all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:10)

That is why we -

"...we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:26)

"...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:23)

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

1 Nephi 21 - 22

Because Isaiah was so difficult to understand, I used to read the words almost in passing to get to the chapters I could understand. After reading the old testament, I began to better understand much of the history of these people. And in doing so, some of the sayings of Isaiah began to make sense. As I began the Book of Mormon this time, I found myself looking forward to reading those chapters where Nephi shares the words of Isaiah. Though my understanding still is limited, I seem to study each sentence with determination to understand who Isaiah is referring to and what it means.

In the 21st Chapter, it appears to me that Isaiah writes as Israel being the first person. With the Savior or Messiah being of Israel, he seems to use them intermittently. We read -

"...Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 21:3)

and -

"...It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 21:6)

And of the Savior, the Lord seems to say to Israel -

"...In an acceptable time have I heard thee, O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners: Go forth; to them that sit in darkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 21:8 - 11)

Because of there unrighteousness, Isaiah teaches that the house of Israel will be scattered throughout the earth. But in due time the Lord says -

"...I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."
(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 21:22 - 23)

Nephi explains -

"...the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel.
12 Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel."
(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 22:11 - 12)

And -

"...after they shall be nursed by the Gentiles, and the Lord has lifted up his hand upon the Gentiles and set them up for a standard, and their children have been carried in their arms, and their daughters have been carried upon their shoulders, behold these things of which are spoken are temporal; for thus are the covenants of the Lord with our fathers; and it meaneth us in the days to come, and also all our brethren who are of the house of Israel.
7 And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles, yea, even upon the face of this land; and by them shall our seed be scattered.
8 And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders.
9 And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 22:6 - 9)

Nephi continues to explain the great destruction of the wicked as the wicked destroy themselves, but tells us -

"...the righteous need not fear, for they are those who shall not be confounded." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 22:22)

"...And the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall, and the Holy One of Israel must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory.
25 And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.
26 And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power...for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 22:24 - 26)

But only on one condition -

"...if it so be that they will repent." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 22:28)

Monday, July 18, 2005

1 Nephi 15 - 20

As a matter of note, I have not made any entries since last Monday because I was on a Pioneer Trek with the youth of our stake. And this morning, I'm working hard to catch up.

It is interesting to me that so many people of the world are very much like Nephi's brothers, Laman and Lemuel. There attitude is that of, if they don't know then no one else knows.

Nephi after returning from "being carried away in the spirit" he found his brothers disputing some of the spiritual things taught by their father. And Nephi

"...spake unto [his] brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations."
(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:6)

To which they responded -

"...we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:7)

And Nephi asked -

"...Have ye inquired of the Lord?" (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:8)

To which they responded -

"...We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:9)

Isn't that the same answer so many people of this world give in response to spiritual matters? Nephi then teaches this basic truth in learning the mysteries of God -

"...How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?
11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:10 - 11)

What a great promise to those who sincerely desire to know the truth.

In the same conversation regarding the dream of their father of the Tree of Life, Laman and Lemuel asks Nephi -

"...What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?" (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:23)

And again Nephi teaches another great promise -

"...it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:24)

And Nephi tells us he -

"...did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:25)

Simple principles of truth are revealed in a few words of Nephi in this discussion with his brethren. As we keep the commandments of God with diligent study of God's words, that is the scriptures and council of modern day prophets, and inquiring of the Lord with faith and believing, the promise is the mind will be enlighted and heart will be touched, and spiritual truths will be made known.

Monday, July 11, 2005

1 Nephi 12 - 14

Throughout time, the Lord has revealed many of the things which were to come to his prophets.
Beginning with Adam, wherein -

"Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation " (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:56)

Which were

"...written in the book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time."(Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:57)

From Adam to Malachi, many old testament prophets testified of things to come. This continued through the New Testament even with Paul prophesying -

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first..." (New Testament 2 Thessalonians 2:3) and a "...restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (New Testament Acts 3:21)

The Prophet Joseph Smith prophesied of many things to come including that "wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls...beginning at this place...for behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 87:1 - 3)

The Prophets of the Book of Mormon aslo prophesied of things to come. It is in these chapters that Nephi foresees the condenscension of the Savior, the ministry of the apostles, the cruxificion and resurrection, the rising of the great and abominable church, the future events of his seed and his brothers seed, the discovery of America, the restoration of the gospel, and many events yet to happen.

The point that seemed to touch me this morning was not only did the Lord reveal these things to come to his prophets but his prophets were foreordained for that very purpose and in what they were foreordained to see and what was there calling and privilege to write.

To Jeremiah the Lord said -

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." (Old Testament Jeremiah 1:5)

Of the apostles in ancient times, Paul wrote to Timothy -

9 Who...called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began..." (New Testament 2 Timothy 1:9)

Nephi also was foreordained to see the things he saw. After Nephi had received the vision of many of the things yet to come, the angel told him to Look, and Nephi looked

"...and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe.
20 And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
21 Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been.
22 And he shall also write concerning the end of the world.
23 Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men.
24 And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see.
25 But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 14:19 - 25)

"And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 14:27)

John who was yet to be born was foreordained to write these things.

Nephi tells us of -

...others who have been, to them hath he shown all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up to come forth in their purity..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 14:26)

But in Nephi's case he says -

"I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw and heard; wherefore the things which I have written sufficeth me; and I have written but a small part of the things which I saw.
29 And I bear record that I saw the things which my father saw, and the angel of the Lord did make them known unto me." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 14:28 - 29)

Friday, July 08, 2005

1 Nephi 8 - 11

Each time I read the words of Nephi, I am struck with, what I consider, the great similarities between Lehi and my own father.

Nephi tells us -

"...Laman and Lemuel....did murmur in many things against their father, because he was a visionary man..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 2:11)

He also tells his mother, Sariah -

"...complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 5:2)

And Lehi even admitted -

"...I know that I am a visionary man..."(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 5:4)

And being a visionary man, his visions and dreams were about obedience, righteousness, and his love for his family. The dream that become known as the "vision of the tree of life" reflects this. Lehi relates -

"...I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8:10 - 12)

He then tells us -

"...And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit.
14 And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go.
15 And...I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.
16 And...they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8:13 - 16)

His love for all his children, whether obedient or not, becomes apparent when he relates -

"...I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them.
18 And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8:17 - 18)

And later after the dream, Nephi tells us -

"...because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord.
37 And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them.
38 And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8:36 - 38)

I know that my father tasted of fruit of the Tree of Life very early in his life. And I know that ever since has been "desirous that [his] family should partake of it also". As long as I can remember he too has exhorted us with all the feeling of a tender parent, that we would hearken to his words and the teachings of the gospel, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful unto us. He has been a great example of his faith to us and has always bade us to keep the commandments of the Lord.

Like Lehi, my father is a visionary man. Though I could mention several visionary dreams he has related to me, the one of most significance to me came on a summer evening in 1976. I was in a deep sleep when I was awakened by my Dad in the middle of the night. He was very shaken and concerned with a dream he had just had awaken from. From his dream, like Lehi, he exceedingly feared for my well being and that I might be cast off. Though I remember very little of his actual dream, I do remember the warning. It was to the affect that the Lord had a great work for me to do. That Satan was more than aware of that and that he would do everything in his power to thwart that work. And that Satan would take advantage of my youthful foolishness to harm me physically such that I would not be able to accomplish the work.

I believed him and knew it was of God. The reality of this warning was forever etched in my mind when a week later, on a young adult trip to Lake Powell, I dove off a 125' cliff and collapsed a lung. The collapse may have not been totally caused by the recklesse height of the dive because I had had pleurisy a week earlier. Nonetheless, I was consious of my father's warning and have chosen since to follow his counsel. To this day, there is a strained muscle behind my left shoulder blade that is a constant reminder of the warning I received that summer night.

Thursday, July 07, 2005

1 Nephi 4 - 7

Moroni taught regarding faith -

"...I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Book of Mormon Ether 12:6)

To the Prophet, regarding Zions Camp, the Lord said -

"...it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:19)

And to the saints in Zion, He said -

"...For after much tribulation come the blessings." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:4)

As we begin to read the words of Nephi, it quickly becomes apparent he is a man of great faith. To his father he said -

"...I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:7)

This was not lip service just to please his father. As Nephi left his brothers hidden without the walls and crept into the city, he said -

"...I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.
7 Nevertheless I went forth..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 4:6 - 7)

The words - "nevertheless I went forth" seemed to enter my heart this morning. If that isn't "faith is things which are hoped for and not seen", I don't know what is! For Nephi -

"..remembered the words of the Lord which he spake ...saying that: Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise.
15 Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law.
16 And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 4:14 - 16)

And the blessings came as -

"...the Lord had delivered Laban into [Nephi's] hands ...that [he] might obtain the records according to his commandments. (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 4:17)

Our burden is to become as Nephi, to "nevertheless, go forth" in faith "not knowing beforehand" for we know that -

"...without faith it is impossible to please Him.." (New Testament Hebrews 11:6)

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

1 Nephi 1-3

At Fishing River, the Lord teaches Zion Camp a great doctrine -

"There has been a day of calling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are worthy.
36 And it shall be manifest unto my servant, by the voice of the Spirit, those that are chosen..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:35 - 36)

To Lehi came a call extended from the Lord. Nephi said -

"...my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.
6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:5 - 6)

Afterwards -

"...he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit and the things which he had seen.
8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:7 - 8)

"...he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.
9 And...he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven...
10 And he also saw twelve others following him,...11 And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth; and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read.
12 And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:8 - 12)

And when he -

"...had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord...
15 And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God; for his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled, because of the things which he had seen, yea, which the Lord had shown unto him." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:14 - 15)

And then upon receiving the call, Lehi -

"...he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard...and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:18 - 19)"
But -

"...the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations...and the Jews heard these things they were angry with him... sought his life, that they might take it away." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:19 - 20)

The day of choosing had come for Lehi, and he chose to be obedient. By doing so, he became worthy to be "one of those chosen". Nephi then teaches a profound principle -

"..I, Nephi, will show unto you that the "tender mercies of the Lord" (see yesterday's blog) are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance..."(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:20)

"...the Lord commanded [Lehi], even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness.
3 And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 2:2 - 3)

And after doing so Lehi -

"...built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 2:7)

The burden of recognizing the "tender mercies of the Lord" is on the recipient. To Lehi, the revelation in a dream to leave Jerusalem was indeed a tender mercy and the power of deliverance. To others such as -

"...the stiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel; for ...they did murmur in many things against their father, because he was a visionary man, and had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 2:11)

Elder David A Bednar stated -

"Some may count this experience as simply a nice coincidence, but I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord's timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them...We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord's tender mercies. The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live." (General Conference - April 2005)

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

General Conference April 2005 - Pages 87 - 103

The conference talk that I've heard more comments about is the talk by Elder David E. Bednar - The Tender Mercies of the Lord. The scripture of reference is -

"...I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:20)

Of which Elder Bednar said -

"...I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence."

And that -

"...Often, the Lord's timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them."

What are the "tender mercies of the Lord"?

"...the Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord suits "his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men" (D&C 46:15).

"...the fundamental purposes for the gift of agency were to love one another and to choose God. Thus we become God's chosen and invite His tender mercies as we use our agency to choose God."

"Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 11:20)

As I read this morning, I was specifically touched by a few closing words of President Hinckley -

'But may I say, as I have said in the past, our membership in this Church, with eligibility for all of the blessings that flow therefrom, should never be any cause for self-righteousness, for arrogance, for denigration of others, for looking down upon others. All mankind is our neighbor. When asked which was the greatest commandment of the law, the Lord said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. . . . [And] thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matthew 22:37, 39). Regardless of the color of our skin, of the shape of our eyes, of the language we speak, we all are sons and daughters of God and must reach out to one another with love and concern. Wherever we may live we can be friendly neighbors. Our children can mingle with the children of those not of this Church and remain steadfast if they are properly taught."

"We repeat what we have said before: make a habit of going to the house of the Lord. There is no better way to ensure proper living than temple attendance. It will crowd out the evils of pornography, substance abuse, and spiritual atrophy. It will strengthen marriage and family relations."

This last quote reminded me of that which the Prophet Joseph Smith addressed in the dedication of the Kirtland Temple -

"...that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them..."

"That no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself;
26 That no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:25 - 26)
(Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:22)

Friday, July 01, 2005

General Conference April 2005 - Pages 77 - 87

President Hinckley entitled his address by referencing a quote by Alvin, the brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith, where

"upon hearing of Joseph's encounter with the angel, [he] suggested that the family get together and listen to him as he detailed "the great things which God has revealed to you."

He followed -

"I take that statement as the subject of my talk—the great things which God has revealed through Joseph the Prophet. Permit me to name a few of many doctrines and practices which distinguish us from all other churches, and all of which have come of revelation to the youthful Prophet."

"The first of these, of course, is the manifestation of God Himself and His Beloved Son, the risen Lord Jesus Christ. This grand theophany is, in my judgment, the greatest such event since the birth, life, death, and Resurrection of our Lord in the meridian of time. We have no record of any other event to equal it...I submit that in the short time of that remarkable vision Joseph learned more concerning Deity than all of the scholars and clerics of the past. "

"He simply says that God stood before him and spoke to him. Joseph could see Him and could hear Him. He was in form like a man, a being of substance. Beside Him was the resurrected Lord, a separate being, whom He introduced as His Beloved Son and with whom Joseph also spoke. "

"In this divine revelation there was reaffirmed beyond doubt the reality of the literal Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This knowledge of Deity, hidden from the world for centuries, was the first and great thing which God revealed to His chosen servant."

President Hinckley stated the next important thing which God revealed is -

"The Book of Mormon has come forth by the gift and power of God. It speaks as a voice from the dust in testimony of the Son of God. It speaks of His birth, of His ministry, of His Crucifixion and Resurrection, and of His appearance to the righteous in the land Bountiful on the American continent. It is a tangible thing that can be handled, that can be read, that can be tested. It carries within its covers a promise of its divine origin. Millions now have put it to the test and found it to be a true and sacred record."

"This sacred book, which came forth as a revelation of the Almighty, is indeed another testament of the divinity of our Lord."

"Another is the restored priesthood. Priesthood is the authority to act in the name of God. That authority is the keystone of any religion. I have read another book recently. It deals with the Apostasy of the primitive Church. If the authority of that Church was lost, how was it to be replaced? Priesthood authority came from the only place it could come, and that is from heaven. It was bestowed under the hands of those who held it when the Savior walked the earth.
First, there was John the Baptist, who conferred the Aaronic, or lesser priesthood. This was followed by a visitation of Peter, James, and John, Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, who conferred upon Joseph and Oliver Cowdery the Melchizedek Priesthood, which had been received by these Apostles under the hands of the Lord Himself..."

"Another great and singular revelation given to the Prophet was the plan for the eternal life of the family. The family is a creation of the Almighty. It represents the most sacred of all relationships. It represents the most serious of all undertakings. It is the fundamental organization of society. Through the revelations of God to His Prophet came the doctrine and authority under which families are sealed together not only for this life but for all eternity. "

"The innocence of little children is another revelation which God has given through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph. The general practice is the baptism of infants to take away the effects of what is described as the sin of Adam and Eve. Under the doctrine of the Restoration, baptism is for the remission of one's individual and personal sins. It becomes a covenant between God and man. It is performed at the age of accountability, when people are old enough to recognize right from wrong. It is by immersion, in symbolism of the death and burial of Jesus Christ and His coming forth in the Resurrection.

"I go on to mention another revealed truth. We are told that God is no respecter of persons, and yet, in no other church of which I am aware, is provision made for those beyond the veil of death to receive every blessing which is afforded the living. The great doctrine of salvation for the dead is unique to this Church. Men boast that they are "saved," and in the same breath admit that their forebears have not been and cannot be saved. Jesus's Atonement in behalf of all represents a great vicarious sacrifice. He set the pattern under which He became a proxy for all mankind. This pattern under which one man can act in behalf of another is carried forward in the ordinances of the house of the Lord. Here we serve in behalf of those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel. Theirs is the option to accept or reject the ordinance which is performed. They are placed on an equal footing with those who walk the earth. The dead are given the same opportunity as the living. Again, what a glorious and wonderful provision the Almighty has made through His revelation to His Prophet.

Another -

"The eternal nature of man has been revealed. We are sons and daughters of God. God is the Father of our spirits. We lived before we came here. We had personality. We were born into this life under a divine plan. We are here to test our worthiness, acting in the agency which God has given to us. When we die we shall go on living. Our eternal life is comprised of three phases: one, our premortal existence; two, our mortal existence; and three, our postmortal existence. In death we die to this world and step through the veil into the sphere we are worthy to enter. This, again, is a unique, singular, and precious doctrine of this Church which has come through revelation. "

"There is one more that I must mention. This is the principle of modern revelation. The article of faith which the Prophet wrote declares, "We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God" (Articles of Faith 1:9). A growing church, a church that is spreading across the earth in these complex times, needs constant revelation from the throne of heaven to guide it and move it forward. With prayer and anxious seeking of the will of the Lord, we testify that direction is received, that revelation comes, and that the Lord blesses His Church as it moves on its path of destiny. "

Of Joseph Smith, Pres. Hinckley testified -

"He was truly a seer. He was a revelator. He was a prophet of the living God who has spoken to his own and all future generations. To this I add my solemn witness of the divinity of his calling, of the virtue of his life, and of the sealing of his testimony with his death, in the sacred name of our Redeemer, even the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen"