Today I read Lehi's final admonitions to his descendants, along with the events immediately following his death. Being a parent now of children that are old enough to understand and make their own choices lends a different light. You can tell that Lehi desperately wants his children to make correct choices, but cannot and will not force them. In spite of some of his children making poor choices, you can tell he loves them all the same. Following his death, we get to see into the inner struggles of Nephi. A great prophet though he is, he lets us see that the weakness of the flesh makes it difficult even for him to overcome the temptations of the devil. If we are not recommitting ourselves every day, we will inevitably yield to the cunning of the devil. Finally in chapter 5, there is a verse near the end that mentions that they ”lived after the manner of happiness.” Many times I have reread this chapter to understand what Nephi considered to be the manner of happiness. Things like being industrious, building a temple, being with family, and keeping the commandments of God stick out to me. While the do become prosperous, it seems to be more a byproduct of the way they choose to live, than a reason for their happiness because Nephi describes it as a way of living not a state of attainment. This difference though subtle is critical in our pursuit of happiness.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Section 88 Continued - Preparing for Chist's Coming
A good portion of the latter half of this coming is devoted to events that correspond with the second coming of Christ, the end of the world, and the judgements of God. I can't claim to understand even half of what is discussed, but one thing that is very clear is that there is a need to prepare. It also gives very specific ways that we can prepare that rather than rewrite in my own words I will include here in the words of the scriptures.
118 And as all have not afaith, seek ye diligently and bteach one another words of cwisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best dbooks words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
119 aOrganize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a bhouse, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
120 That your aincomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with buplifted hands unto the Most High.
121 Therefore, acease from all your light speeches, from all blaughter, from all your clustful desires, from all your dpride and light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings.
122 Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let anot all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be bedified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege.
123 See that ye alove one another; cease to be bcovetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires.
124 Cease to be aidle; cease to be bunclean; cease to cfind fault one with another; cease to dsleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be einvigorated.
125 And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of acharity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and bpeace.
126 aPray always, that ye may not faint, until I bcome. Behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen.
Sorry the footnote letters haven't been deleted, but I will do that soon.
118 And as all have not afaith, seek ye diligently and bteach one another words of cwisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best dbooks words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
119 aOrganize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a bhouse, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
120 That your aincomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with buplifted hands unto the Most High.
121 Therefore, acease from all your light speeches, from all blaughter, from all your clustful desires, from all your dpride and light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings.
122 Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let anot all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be bedified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege.
123 See that ye alove one another; cease to be bcovetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires.
124 Cease to be aidle; cease to be bunclean; cease to cfind fault one with another; cease to dsleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be einvigorated.
125 And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of acharity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and bpeace.
126 aPray always, that ye may not faint, until I bcome. Behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen.
Sorry the footnote letters haven't been deleted, but I will do that soon.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Nature of God
In my continued reading of D&C 88 I became sidetracked in studying the Nature of God our loving Father in Heaven. This came as a result of pondering verses 11-13 which read as follows:
11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.
Specifically verse 12 and 13 which speak of light proceeding forth from God to fill space and give life to all things. This scripture really stuck out to me of how God can have a body similar to man's and yet still be omnipresent. This thinking led me to reread a talk given by Elder Holland, which can be found here, given in the October 2008 General Conference entitled "The Grandeur of God." What a wonderful blessing it is to know that God is our Eternal Father in Heaven and that He loves each and every one of us individually. As Elder Holland pointed out, God shows each of us the same love and compassion that Jesus showed to the Jews back when he lived His life on earth. Daily we are recipients of His blessings if for nothing more than the air we breathe, although I believe we each receive so much more. If we look more closely we will see the many blessings we have as a result of the love of a Father in Heaven that wants the best for His children.
11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.
Specifically verse 12 and 13 which speak of light proceeding forth from God to fill space and give life to all things. This scripture really stuck out to me of how God can have a body similar to man's and yet still be omnipresent. This thinking led me to reread a talk given by Elder Holland, which can be found here, given in the October 2008 General Conference entitled "The Grandeur of God." What a wonderful blessing it is to know that God is our Eternal Father in Heaven and that He loves each and every one of us individually. As Elder Holland pointed out, God shows each of us the same love and compassion that Jesus showed to the Jews back when he lived His life on earth. Daily we are recipients of His blessings if for nothing more than the air we breathe, although I believe we each receive so much more. If we look more closely we will see the many blessings we have as a result of the love of a Father in Heaven that wants the best for His children.
Monday, July 14, 2008
D&C 88:1-3
Recently I had the opportunity to attend a training meeting which influenced me to make a study of Section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants. The first three verses are as follows:
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you who have assembled yourselves together to receive his will concerning you:
2 Behold, this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice over you; the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world.
3 Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John.
The part that stuck out to me (as highlighted) was the Lord sending the Holy Spirit of promise to the people. Typically I have thought of the Holy Spirit of promise to be a role of the Holy Ghost in which he seals and confirms in heaven priesthood ordinances that are performed by one with proper authority to one worthy of receiving it as described in D&C 132:7 and by Elder Faust here. This verse in Section 88 however, implies another role for the Holy Spirit of promise as coming upon the people of God's church who have an open heart and a willing mind that are striving to know and do the will of the Lord. It appears to me for these to roles to be consistent that receiving the Holy Spirit of promise is representative of the Lord "sealing you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation, and eternal life (Mosiah 5:15)." This sealing up unto the Lord can be lost if we choose to go another way, but as long as we are continuing each day following the Lord's will, we may have the promise of eternal life confirmed to us by the sealing power of the Holy Ghost.
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you who have assembled yourselves together to receive his will concerning you:
2 Behold, this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice over you; the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world.
3 Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John.
The part that stuck out to me (as highlighted) was the Lord sending the Holy Spirit of promise to the people. Typically I have thought of the Holy Spirit of promise to be a role of the Holy Ghost in which he seals and confirms in heaven priesthood ordinances that are performed by one with proper authority to one worthy of receiving it as described in D&C 132:7 and by Elder Faust here. This verse in Section 88 however, implies another role for the Holy Spirit of promise as coming upon the people of God's church who have an open heart and a willing mind that are striving to know and do the will of the Lord. It appears to me for these to roles to be consistent that receiving the Holy Spirit of promise is representative of the Lord "sealing you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation, and eternal life (Mosiah 5:15)." This sealing up unto the Lord can be lost if we choose to go another way, but as long as we are continuing each day following the Lord's will, we may have the promise of eternal life confirmed to us by the sealing power of the Holy Ghost.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Inspiration for the Blog
Today I read an article in the July 2008 issue of the Ensign that can be found here. As a result I have decided to start this blog as a way to encourage myself to be more diligent in my gospel study as well as share my growing testimony with people around me. Hopefully all who read this will find something to uplift them as we learn and grow together.
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