-How much more do we need to do? They people were given knowledge " according to their desires, and their faith, and prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to come;" (Alma 9:20) They were given things according to their righteousness, what do we need to improve on to get that as well? -Those who aren't living their lives the way they know they should be take things personally and get mad a the messenger. Just like earlier in 1 Nephi 16:2 when it says, "The guilty take the truth to be heard." Are we just getting offended because it is a weakness we have or something we don't see as a problem, or even our favorite sin? Blessing: SNOW!!!
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Alma is visited by a messenger again from God and He tells him what he must do to fulfill God's will. He also says "thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God..." -What would I do, how would I prepare to have the Prophet come into my home? (Alma 8:19-20) What kind of blessing would I hope He would leave on my home? -Alma gets a companion and goes out doing the Lords work with help. He prepares Amulek for a few days probably teaching him and teaching him how to teach others. Helping him learn the gospel so they could go out and have success in their work. Then they were thrown in prison, "this was done that the Lord might show forth his power in them." -It's interesting the things the Lord has us go through to better understand ourselves or to help others understand the power the Lord has and what He can do. Blessing- I feel can feel my Saviors love every day.
Gerald N. Lund said, That is an astonishing concept. Not only did He make infinite payment for all the wrongs and injustices on earth, but He also gained infinite empathy for each of us. Somehow, in a way that is unfathomable to us, He knows exactly what [we have] endured. He knows what it is like to suffer with terminal cancer. He knows the loneliness of depression. He understands the feelings utter hopelessness that can come with some mental illnesses. There is no burden, no sorrow, no suffering that He doesn't fully understand. And because of that, there is nothing we can take to Him that brings a response of, "I'm sorry. I don't understand." ("Come Unto Me," Brigham Young University-Idaho Devotional, September 23, 2008) -We need to pray to better understand the Atonement and to better understand how Christ can help each of us throughout our lives because of the Atonement. He did it for me, He did it for you and He would do it again ...
-The church was set in order and they even use the term "laying on of hands" like we do to ordain leaders of the church, then Alma goes out to preach to the people and shares his testimony of Jesus Christ. testimony- Witness; evidence; proof of some fact. Alma says, "I do trust... that e do worship the true and living God, and that ye look forward for the remission of your sins, with an everlasting faith wich is to come." -Faith is something that we have to continually be working on. We can't just wake up one day after working on it really hard and proclaim, "I have faith." We must pray for it and work for it every single day of our lives. Alma 7:8 says something I need to remember, "the Lord God hath power to do all things which are according to his word." -I will forget this every now and then when things are hard and feel like I have to do them on my own and that I am alone. The Savior of the world is born to the earth, well tes...
Henry Erying said, "You see, it's hard to feel that you are sufficiently humble. If you did, you might not be." (To Draw Closer to God, p. 57) - How do we become more humble? How can we better recognize that all we have and who we are is because of our Savior Jesus Christ? We should be asking what we need to and should be doing with the gifts we have been given. "Whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil." (Alma 5:40) (Cross reference - Moroni 7:16) -It is testified that Christ will come and that He will "take away the sins o the world" and it is our duty to believe in Him and live our lives accordingly. God has a way of doing everything which is the holy order of the priesthood and He will make sure everything is always in His control and that nothing happens that wasn't supposed to happen under Him. Blessing: My Savior came to earth lived, and died for me and my sins.
-The people were blessed because of their righteous living to get the opportunity to be baptized and become members of Christ's church. Do we allow our hearts to change and allow them to soften when God blesses us and even when He humbles us? How can we make the process easier, because sometimes it hurts and sometimes it is just that, a process? We need to be clean and have a mighty change of heart in order to return to the presence of God and to feel the fullness of the love He has for us. We need to have a pure heart and clean hands to walk into the presence of our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ. Going to the temple and washing our garments through the blood of Christ who saved us all is the only way we can do this. Am I worthy to go to heaven and live with Christ and Joseph Smith and all those who have done so much for us in heaven with my Heavenly Father? What more can be done? How can I do better? Blessing- I have had amazing influential people in my life ...
3500 "united themselves to the church of God and were baptized." -There is strength in numbers. Alma was able to be a big part in the conversion of so many people. These are a lot of very good scriptures to remind us that evil comes only from Satan and that the pride cycle is real. Heavenly Father wouldn't want us to become prideful He wants us to be happy but also know where our talents and blessings have come and continue to come from. When we are thankful we are humble and teachable. Blessing- God is always willing to bless the righteous.
Ignominious -(IGNOMIN'IOUS, adjective [Latin ignominiosus. See Ignominy.]) 1. Incurring disgrace; cowardly; of mean character. Then with pale fear surprised, 2. Very shameful; reproachful; dishonorable; infamous. To be hanged for a crime is ignominious Whipping, cropping and branding are ignominious punishments. 3. Despicable; worthy of contempt; as an ignominious projector. What kind of dedication does it take from us to be like the people and be "steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God," and to "...bear with patience the percecutions where were heaped upon them." Comely (COMELY, adjective) 1. Properly, becoming; suitable: whence, handsome; graceful. Applied to person or form, it denotes symmetry or due proportion, but it expresses less than beautiful or elegant. This is how we should live; "they did not send away any...having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need." (Alma 1:30) - These people ...
-We need to be missionaries wherever we are to bring peace to those around us, and help them remember the plan our Father in Heaven has for us. "...the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men;" -That is an interesting concept. It makes me wonder if while he was creating each of us if He thought of that and that he would suffer for each of His creations. Alma 1:12 this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people The term, priestcraft, is defined in 2 Ne 26:29 as the practice in which men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion. -What kinds of priest craft is around us? How can we better notice it and recognize evils around us? Having the spirit with us, being worthy of the spirit is a key part to it. We need to have the spirit so that the Lord can help us to better understand what is needed and can tell us what we should...
The Sons of Mosiah were asked to go preach the gospel unto the Lamanites (their enemy). That would be a scary task knowing how much the people you were supposed to convert hated you and wanted you dead. And yet you wanted to obey God and do as He asks. They would have to have had a lot of Faith not only in their father but in their Heavenly Father to keep them safe and allow everything to go okay. Satan tries to influence Gods people and to get wicked leaders in leadership so that he can better bring our his plan. It's amazing though that we forget sometimes that really our Father in Heaven is in charge and regardless of who is in leadership no one can do anything contrary to God's will without some kind of punishment. God has his plan and it will be executed to bring good to His people. God blesses us as He sees fit, we must keep doing as He asks and continuously be looking for and recognizing the blessings He gives us each day, especially the days it's harder to not...
-We are commanded many times throughout the scriptures to repent and change our lives. We were given the perfect example to follow of our Savior Jesus Christ. But we can't do any of this without help from our Savior and our Heavenly Father. We must ask them for help and change in order to be more like God. - Mosiah 27:36-37 is a good way to live our lives bringing others unto Christ and being instruments in God's hand as missionaries. It is such a blessing to have so many programs within the church that bring much good to the world. Blessing- I only have three more days of work.
-We need to pray unto the Lord in order for us to receive answers and revelation. It is commanded of us to pray unto God and to do as He has asked of us. He also asks us to hear His words, hearing His words is more than just reading the scriptures, it's truly doing as they say and changing our hearts to be more like Him. -Christ is asking us to join His church, in essence, He is asking us to; repent and come unto Him. Mosiah 26:24 "if they know me they shall...have a place eternally at my right hand" -Do I know Christ? Do I truly know His character and that He loves me? In the 26:31 it says "And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; We must forgive those who have done wrong to us. I am going through that right now. I have been in need of Christ to help me forgive someone and to not be so upset about things they have done to me in that and things they continue to do. I can't do it alone I must have Christ help me along the path. Blessing: M...
Mosiah 24:11-12 whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death Amulon must have been the servant of Satan, for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray (2 Ne 32:8).* Thomas S. Monson said, "Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it." (Ensign, May 1992, p. 48 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 229)* Family is important, it is important to have a mother and a father who raise and nurture their children in a loving environment. I love this quote by President Faust; James E. Faust said "In the past twenty years, as homes and families have struggled to stay intact, sociological studies reveal this alarming fact: much of the crime and many of the behavi...
"...trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments." (Mosiah 23:14) -Then we many ask, how can we know if our leader is a just man? The answer to this is prayer. We can pray to know and get a confirmation that they are called of God. Mosiah 23:21 the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith Howard W. Hunter said "Mormon surely knew that no pain we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God." (Ensign, Nov. 1987, p. 60 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Dougl...
Elder said, "When we explain a problem and a proposed solution, sometimes He answers yes, sometimes no. Often He withholds an answer, not for lack of concern, but because He loves us—perfectly. He wants us to apply truths He has given us. For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions. We need to do what we feel is right. In time, He will answer. He will not fail us." "I have described the absolute reality of our relationship with our Father. There is nothing about us He does not know. He is conscious of our every need and could provide all of the answers. Yet, because His purpose is our eternal happiness, He encourages us to make the correct choices." "Ask in faith means ask in confidence" It says in Mosiah 21:15, "the Lord did not see fit to deliver them our of bondage." Sometimes the Lord isn't going to answer our prayers the way we want them to be answered, we must seek His will not our own. Blessing- Th...
There were many who "came to the knowledge of their Redeemer;" (Mosiah 18:30) -What are the best ways or what are ways we can come to a better knowledge of our Redeemer? How can we improve our relationship with Him? -I think it starts out with a desire to know Him and a willingness to change ourselves and our minds to know Him. Then we must study and search out the scriptures and other writings to better understand who He was. Knowing Christ a little better every day can really help and improve our own lives and help us have a greater desire to be like our Savior and Redeemer. Blessing: We don't have to worry about our city being taken over or armies of men coming in to destroy us. (But we must be ready with the armor or God to defeat Satan.)
Neal A. Maxwell said, "It is abundantly clear, therefore, that we have a duty to comfort others, to mourn with them, to serve them, and to help them. When there is so much to do to help others, there is little time for self-pity. We do not know all the details of the crosses others bear, but we know enough to understand that crosses are being borne valiantly. Moreover, the courage of others can be contagious." (If Thou Endure It Well, p. 94) We need to pray for and seek service opportunities in order to fully understand and do God's will. Baptism is for this life "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23) Blessing: God gives me the strength to do what is needed.
Hugh Nibley "How do you scourge the skin with faggots, and what's the difference between scourge and scorch? They're the same word, the same word exactly. Scourge, scorch, scotch, score-it means to damage the skin of someone. Our word scratch is the same thing. And you have the very same thing in Semitic languages. Harash is the Hebrew word for scratch and for to plow. Harataha is the Arabic word for 'mar the surface, engrave, make a mark on something, or plow the ground.' They all have that same word that means 'to scorch, to scourge, to scratch.' When his skin started to curl up, in other words, he said this. It's interesting. The faggots are burning brands. They burn, and we think of scourging as with a scourge, as 'to scourge with a whip.' But they're the same word exactly. They scourged him and scorched him-in other words, he was being fried. It's not a comfortable way to die, either." (Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Lectu...
Alma is the only man who believes Abinadi and is converted. But he is a great convert that goes about preaching to others and converts hundreds and hundreds of others. Alma is blessed to know and remember what Abinadi was teaching and so he writes it down for others to learn from. He risked his life for the gospel of Jesus Christ that Abinadi was trying to teach and convert others too, and was the only convert who converted many. Abinadi is a great example of doing what is right isn't always the easiest option, but it 's the right one. Christ and Abinadi were both wrongly accused and wrongly put to death. This shows how important it is to stand for what we believe. Blessing: My life has never been in serious danger when testifying of Christ.
"He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that i endless, that can never be darkened;" (Mosiah 16:9) We have been given a perfect light to follow in order to return to our Father in Heaven, all we have to do is do as commanded and be obedient to the commandments. Christ is the light and the life of the world. We can't live without the son or the sun because of the light it gives and the energy for life it provides. I like these quotes Joseph F. Smith "But the thing for us to do is to live according to the light and intelligence that God has revealed to us in this dispensation, that we may be in harmony with the heavenly powers and with heavenly beings, and especially with our Lord Jesus Christ, who stands at our head, who is our lawgiver, our exemplar, and the way of life and salvation to all the world, through whom we may enter into the celestial kingdom of God, and without whom we can never enter that state of glory worlds without end. He is...
There are many times the Prophets have testified of the Second coming and of living the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to prepare our hearts and minds. If we don't listen to their counsel and their teachings and allow them into our hearts and minds and change the ways we are thinking we will not be saved in the last day. I think way too many people think they are doing okay by going to church every once in a while, praying when they are going through a trial, reading the word of God when they have a question and they don't do it every single day. Thank heavens for the Gospel, for the Fall and for the Atonement so that we could both learn and grow from our experiences on this earth but also that we might be saved from the mistakes we make. If it weren't for Adam and Eve we would never know good from evil, nor would we be on earth (they would probably still be in the garden), and we also needed the Atonement because after the fall we could make mistakes and sin so we need...
I got thinking about the gospel and what if all of this was a lie, someone made it all up? I decided, you know if it is it's a good lie, it is making people change and become better for it. Even if we didn't receive blessings from God but it was all luck and because of what others did, believing in something is good enough for me. But I do know it's not a lie, I am a witness of the truthfulness of this Gospel. I know fist hand it's true and I wouldn't deny it for anything. I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who cares for me and watches over me, and blesses me especially when I don't deserve it. The Prophets of God are called to "publish peace" and bring us to God and his gospel. There are also many who have published salvation. James E. Talmage said "Two general resurrections are mentioned in the scriptures, and these may be specified as first and final, or as the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust. The fir...
Christs will was "swallowed up in the will of the Father." (Mosiah 15:7) Christ was so obedient and understood God and His plan so perfectly that he was willing to do all Heavenly Father wanted him to do to complete His mission on this earth. Neal A. Maxwell said, "It was all made possible by the Savior's splendid submissiveness. He did voluntarily what He was not forced to do; it was something no other child of God could do! 'There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin' (Hymns no. 194). 'Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father' (Mosiah 15:7). The imagery and theology of this verse tell us that Jesus was totally, perfectly, and fully consecrated. "Being 'swallowed up' means being totally enveloped-without question, protest, reservation, or resentment. It is 'all the way,' not halfway. Choosi...
I like this, it's a different view and way to look at the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Mosiah 14:10 yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him "Obviously God was not pleased with the way men treated Jesus, but he was pleased with his son's 'offering for sin'. The Atonement met the strictest demands of God's innate justice and made forgiveness and mercy possible on certain terms. "Elder Melvin J. Ballard explained why it pleased God not to interfere: 'In that hour I think I can see our dear Father behind the veil looking upon these dying struggles until even He could not endure it any longer; and, like the mother who bids farewell to her dying child, has to be taken out of the room, so as not to look upon the last struggles, so He bowed his head, and hid in some part of his universe, his great heart almost breaking for the love that He had for his Son. Oh, in that moment when He might have saved his Son, I thank him and praise him that He did not fail us...
OPPRESS'ED, participle passive burdened with unreasonable impositions; overpowered; overburdened; depressed. AFFLICT'ED, participle passive Affected with continued or often repeated pain, either of body or mind; suffering grief or distress, of any kind; followed by at, by or with; as, afflicted at the loss of a child, by the rheumatism, or with losses. "he should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, and that he, himself, should be oppressed and aflicted." (Mosiah 13:35) Mosiah 14:3 despised and rejected of men James E. Talmage "Isaiah was permitted to read the scroll of futurity as to many distinguishing conditions to attend the Messiah's lowly life and atoning death. In Him the prophet saw One who would be despised and rejected of men, a Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, One to be wounded and bruised for the transgressions of the race, on whom would be laid the iniquity of us all -- a patient and willing Sacrifice, silent under afflicti...
The wicked people aren't able to understand the scriptures because they don't live their lives in a way that the Spirit is able to talk to them and reveal needed truth. It also says Mosiah 12:27, "ye have not applied your hearts to understanding;" or in other words you have not applied your lives to living the things you have read and understand. Mark E. Petersen "God will not favor us if we put him in second place in our lives and if we follow after worldly things regardless of what they may be. The command of the Savior was: 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.' (Matthew 6:33). In revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith the Lord taught that we must have an eye single to the glory of God." (Old Testament Institute Manual, p. 127)* "Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands on me," Elder Cree-L Kofford said, "...having been confounded by the word of God's servant and following the...
Elder Cree-L Kofford "What is there that is so special about Abinadi? Perhaps it was his total obedience as he went, presumably alone, among those whom he must have known would take his life, to deliver the word of the Lord and to cry repentance to the people. Perhaps it is the very fact that we know so little about him, or perhaps it was simply the way with which he faced the adversities which came into his life in such a straightforward, 'square-to-the world' way. Whatever the reason, Abinadi was and is special. His life, lived so long ago, still has the power to excite the mind and cause the pulse to pound." (Heroes from the Book of Mormon, pp. 69-70)* -The Lord has been warning us from the beginning of time to obey him and keep his commandments, then he promises us that He will bless us for doing so. We are told we will have trials in this life and that they are supposed to bring us closer to God but when do the blessings come? Between the hardship? Are they o...
Mosiah is a very righteous leader, one thing that impresses me that he says is that he is going to go down and with with his people even though he is old, and he says "we did go up in the strength of the Lord to battle." (Mosiah 10:10) - We should all go to battle against satan in our own life using the strength that the Lord has promised us. Why leave our tools and weapons at home when we were given them and told, how, when, and where to use them? It is interesting that King Laman is so righteous and yet he has such a wicked son King Noah who does everything against the Lord and His commandments. You would think after thousands of years that our Father in Heavens people would understand and learn that following Satan's plan doesn't do anyone any good they just live a more miserable life because of it. It talks of people who did "labor exceedingly to support iniquity." ( Mosiah11:6) -People have been doing this since the beginning of time, it is one o...
"'A seer, ' wrote Elder John A. Widtsoe, 'is one who sees with spiritual eyes. He perceives the meaning of that which seems obscure to others; therefore he is an interpreter and clarifier of eternal truth. He foresees the future from the past and the present. This he does by the power of the Lord operating through him directly, or indirectly with the aid of divine instruments such as the Urim and Thummim. In short, he is one who sees, who walks in the Lord's light with open eyes.' (Evidences and Reconciliations, p. 258.)" (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p. 192) "Thus God provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles;" (Mosiah 8:18) -God will allow us to use His power when circumstances are right and through our faith in Him. We also need to be living a worthy live in order to be used as his instrument and tool in these days. Blessing: I am so thankful for friends and family...
"Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God," (Mosiah 7:19) How can we better trust God and not fear what is in the present and what is coming in our future? If we can a relationship with Him that is personal and know that He will be there for us it will allow us to trust Him with every decision of our lives. "But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind,..." (Mosiah 7:33) I think I need to learn to trust God more and that He has a plan for me and everything goes according to his plan because He is God and has all knowledge and power. Blessing: God puts amazing people in our lives to help us and to make us the people He wants us to become.
Mosiah 5:12 retain the name written always in your hearts This chapter is filled with temple imagery. We have already discussed how Benjamin established a covenant with the people and gave them a new name, the name of Christ (v. 8). Now, he instructs them never to forget the name but to retain it always in their hearts. He instructs them further to know...the name by which he shall call you. Lastly, the benevolent king promises his people that if they do these things, the Lord God Omnipotent, [will] seal you his (v. 15). Accordingly, it should be no surprise to us that the location for this sermon was the temple of Zarahemla (Mosiah 1:18). We need to be great leaders and perfect followers in The Church of Jesus Christ in order to be in tune with the spirit and accomplish all that is needed. If we aren't then we will miss a piece of the puzzle and we won't be ablet to accomplish the end goal. Becuase God loves us He has provided a means for all things but we must be willing ...
"...we have no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually." (Mosiah 5:2) -That is something I wish I could have, the majority of my life I try to live it in such a way that I can do good continually but I also make mistakes, thank goodness for the Atonement. MY TESTIMONY! God asks us to follow His son Jesus Christ. What does that mean to you? How can you better follow Him and obey His commandments? There are ways in which we have been guided and counseled to do and I know that by doing them that we will be blessed. By following the guidance of our leaders both locally and our General Authorities we will not go astray. Becuase the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so pure and easy to understand. I love the concept of prayer and that we can pray anywhere and anytime and God our Heavenly Father hears us and will answer our prayers. I know He hears us. Not because I have received the answers I want to every pray I've prayed but often times because I haven't and ...
Mosiah 4:24 I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give "President Harold B. Lee relied on the above scriptures on the desire to give when he defined another example of rewards for righteous desires : '(Women) who have been denied the blessings of wifehood or motherhood in this life--who say in their heart, if I could have done, I would have done, or I would give if I had, but I cannot, for I have not--the Lord will bless you as though you had done, and the world to come will compensate for those who desire in their hearts the righteous blessings that they were not able to have because of no fault of their own.' (Ye Are the Light of the World (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974), p. 292.)" (Pure in Heart, p. 61)* -I love this quote, it is so applicable to me and I'm sure to so many others out there who are or have gone through hard times when we think we could have done better or if we only would have done better. Mosiah 4:26; How do we co...
Mosiah 4:24 I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give "President Harold B. Lee relied on the above scriptures on the desire to give when he defined another example of rewards for righteous desires : '(Women) who have been denied the blessings of wifehood or motherhood in this life--who say in their heart, if I could have done, I would have done, or I would give if I had, but I cannot, for I have not--the Lord will bless you as though you had done, and the world to come will compensate for those who desire in their hearts the righteous blessings that they were not able to have because of no fault of their own.' (Ye Are the Light of the World (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974), p. 292.)" (Pure in Heart, p. 61)* -I love this quote, it is so applicable to me and I'm sure to so many others out there who are or have gone through hard times when we think we could have done better or if we only would have done better. Mosiah 4:26; How do we co...
Heber J. Grant said "I have heard men and women say that they were going to let their sons and daughters grow to maturity before they sought to teach them the principles of the gospel, that they were not going to cram the gospel down them in their childhood, before they were able to comprehend it. When I hear men and women say this, I think they are lacking faith in the principles of the gospel and do not comprehend it as they should. The Lord has said it is our duty to teach our children in their youth, and I prefer to take His word for it rather than the words of those who are not obeying His commandments.. I may know that the gospel is true, and so may my wife; but I want to tell you that your children will not know that the gospel is true, unless they study it and gain a testimony for themselves. Parents are deceiving themselves in imagining that their children will be born with a knowledge of the gospel." (Richard O. Cowan, The Church in the Twentieth Century, p. 319)*...
Continuing to study Mosiah 4:9... "The Son of Man hath descended below them all, Art thou greater than he?" (D&C 122:8) We don't nor can we come close to understanding what the Atonement was even like. Christ experienced everything so that He could better comprehend everything we go through and feel all the emotions we feel. I am so thankful for that, I am thankful I have someone I can go to who truly understands and cares enough to listen to me and what I am going through and experiencing. "if ye believe all these things see that ye do them." We are asked to live our lives better, to improve who we are and how we think and the way we do things because we believe. Because of our Savior Jesus Christ we can be clean of all our transgressions and turn to Him and be strengthened. We must act, believe and go forth and do. Blessing: I have some great jobs that I love.
".. .the atonement which had been prepared from the foundation of the world. " (Mosiah 4:6) -Becuase of the love my Savior has for me He died that I might live and made it possible for me to be forgiven of my sins as well as forgiven in my sins. Only one who truly knows how to love unconditionally could bless us with such a gift. "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power in heaven and in earth; believe that man doeth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." (Mosiah 4:9) -This scripture is intriguing to me because I often get frustrated about life and about not understanding what God see's and why I have to go through things in this life. Joseph Smith said "Let us here observe, that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation. First, the i...
Mosiah 3:19 Hartman Rector Jr. "(Speaking of Mosiah 3:19) This is strong testimony borne against man, but a perusal of the pages of history leaves little doubt as to its truthfulness. Man's inhumanity to man has always been and is now everywhere in evidence. "How can fallen human nature be changed from evil to good? Basically, this must be the most important question confronting mankind. All other questions seem to pale into insignificance when compared to this one, because man cannot be saved in his sins. And yet there are those who say, 'You can't change human nature.' This claim is very frequently and flippantly made. Of course, it is false. President David O. McKay taught something completely different from this in 1945 when he said: 'Human nature will have to be changed on an enormous scale in the future or the world will be drowned in its own blood.'" (Conference Report, Apr. 1970, p. 102)* - We are asked in this scripture too: 1. ...
Christ suffered for all, how is it that I am showing that I am thankful all He has don? How am I living my life to be better today than I was yesterday? The only way we can be saved is through Jesus Christ. "there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come..." (Mosiah 3:17) Cross-reference Mosiah 27:31 "every knee shall bow and every tongue confesses before him." Bible verse; (Romans 14:11) "...As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." We must...(Mosiah 3:18) humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." "The central chiasm found in 3:18-19 can be summarized and displayed as follows: a) humble themselves b) become as little children c) salvation through the atoning blood of Christ the Lord ...
"the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. ...they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual... if they hold out faithful to the end..." God recognizes our actions and when we are faithful to him and His commandments and will bless us for it. Mosiah 3:8 he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God Some have criticized the Book of Mormon because Book of Mormon prophets use the term "Christ" before the birth of the Savior. The word "Christ" is the Greek form of the Hebrew word for Messiah and means literally "the anointed one."* "even after all this they shall consider him a man," (Mosiah 3:9) - After all Christ did for them and even after the miracles that were performed in front of their eyes they still did not understand. They still considered him a man, not the Son of God. (Matt 22:42) Christ asks his Disciples "What think ye of Christ?" His own disciples didn't tru...
No matter what we do in this life it will NEVER be enough. We must have our Savior Jesus Christ make up for what we lack becuase we make mistakes every single day and fall short the Glory of God. We must come to know and better understand who our Savior is also. How can we expect Him to make up what we lack if we don't or aren't making it a priorety in our lives to do what we need to meet Christ at our limits? "what knoweth that ye are eternally endebted to your heavenly Father, to render to him all that ye have and are;" (Mosiah 2:34) I need to rely more on my Savior Jesus Christ. I think I often times try to do things on my own and then I get frusterated when it doesn't work out for me. If I would stop being so stubborn and accept the help the Savior offers me, as well as the love he offers me it would make my life easier and I would be happier. I am so thankful for the gospel and for the happiness it brings into my life. Blessing: I was able to read a lo...
To "search" is to try to understand, to look for personal meaning, to understand historical context, to reference other sources, to find resolution to conflicts, and to internalize principles. The Lord has never commanded the saints to "read" the scriptures; He always commands them to "search" them: search them diligently that ye may profit, and search these things diligently, for great are the words of Isaiah (3 Ne 23:1). The result of diligent searching is that one becomes as the sons of Mosiah who had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth (Alma 17:2).* - I really like this insight on searching the scriptures and using the to apply not just to mark of a duty on our daily to-do list. "go up to the temple" (Mosiah 1:18) "In June 1994, President Howard W. Hunter encouraged members to 'establish the temple of the Lord as the great symbol of their membership and the supernal setting for their most sacred covenants,' and to ...
"remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God." (Mosiah 1:3) We need to remember this and take our daily studies of the scriptures more seriously instead of just reading a verse to say we read our scriptures for the day. God has put for records on earth to testify of who He is and what He can and will do for us if we live according to what he has asked. "'A mystery is a truth that cannot be known except through divine revelation a sacred secret. In the days of Paul the important truth that Gentiles were to be admitted to the Kingdom of God without observing the Law of Moses was a 'mystery' (Eph. 1:9-11; Col. 1:25-27). In our day such great truths as those pertaining to the restoration of the Priesthood, the work for the dead, and the re-establishment of the Church are 'mysteries,' because they could not...
Every word that was written and every phrase that was ecked in and from the plated is there for us. We should be so thankful for the work that our Prophet Joseph Smith put into translating the Book of Mormon and trying to understand the meaning of these things. He had limited schooling and yet God blessed him to do amazing miracles in His name. "And in the strenth of the Lord..." (WOM 1:14) How do we access that strength that comes from the Lord? How do we need to beliving our lives? How can we change to recieve it? Are there things that need to be changed or reevaluated in our lives to gain this gift? "When Joseph Smith said 'the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth,' it seems evident that he was not talking about grammar, punctuation, or spelling. He was referring to the clarity and depth of doctrine, to the mission and message of the book, to the spirit of inspiration that it fosters, to the divine desire that it sparks in the soul...
These God chosen Prophets are inspired and as we listen to them, as read the scriptures, and change our lives accordingly we will have the blessings that have been promised to us. "for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh from the devil." That's a pretty straight forward statement and very true. Cross-reference: Alma 30:44 "all things denote there is a God." We are then invited to: 1. "come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Isreal," 2. "partake fo his salvation and the power of his redemption." 3. "offer your whole souls as an offering unto him," 4. "continue in fasting and prayer," 5. "and endure to the end; (Omni 1:26) Blessing: We have a Heavenly Father who is in charge and He won't let anything happen that isn't His will. God Bless the USA!
Jarom 1:4 have communion with the Holy Spirit David O. McKay "Let us make God the center of our lives. That was one of the first admonitions given when the gospel was first preached to man. To have communion with God, through his Holy Spirit, is one of the noblest aspirations of life. It is when the peace and love of God have entered the soul when serving him becomes the motivating factor in one's life and existence, that we can touch the lives of others, quickening and inspiring them, even though no word be spoken." (Conference Reports, Apr. 1967, p. 133)* -We are asked to "have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit", how hard is this? What are ways there can be improvement? Or what part of this are we doing well with? Blessing: We have had such nice weather lately.
- I really like this quote; Spencer W. Kimball said "Here is no casual prayer; here no trite, worn phrases; here no momentary appeal. All the day long, with seconds turning into minutes, and minutes into hours, and hours into an 'all day long.' But when the sun had set relief had still not come, for repentance is not a single act nor forgiveness an unearned gift. So precious to him was communication with, and approval of, his Redeemer that his determined soul pressed on without ceasing." (BYU Speeches of the Year, Oct. 11, 1961, p. 9) "Thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed." Enos 1:5 -What a comforting sentence to have come to Enos in this time to bring him peace and reassurance of God's love for him. It's amazing the feelings and happiness this can bring to us when we are forgiven and feel God's love. Enos 1:15 Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive ...
I love that Jacob states, " he had heard my cry and answered my prayer." talking about our Father in Heaven. Becuase He does always hear and answer our prayers but it is not when or how we always want to them to be answered. Because the people did trust their God (7:25) they did concur their enemies. -How can we be more trusting and have more faith in our Father in Heaven? Enos starts out his section with talking about a mighty prayer he has with God. I think sometimes I need to have a more intense and personal prayer with my Father in Heaven, especially when I feel lost or alone. I know He hears me. -What is it that keeps us from saying more meaningful prayers to our Father in Heaven, our Creator? I feel at times I talk to others and will tell them my worries, troubles and exciting things before I will tell God. He want's to hear it all probably more than the person we are telling does. Blessing- I am able to pray whenever I want and my Heavenly Father will hear...
-Why is it so hard for us to have unfailing faith? Why are we and others like in the scriptures always asking for sign or verification that God is real or that He loves us? Our Heavenly Father shows us evidence every single day of these things if we would open our eyes and pay attention to the things around us and be more thankful for the things we have. NOURISHED , participle passive Fed; supplied with nutriment; caused to grow. Moroni 6:4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith. We can't be "nourished by the good word of God" if we aren't pondering and learning fro...
Jacob 7:5 " I could not be shaken." Heber J. Grant said, "Many men say: 'If I could only see an angel, if I could only hear an angel proclaim something, that would cause me to be faithful all the days of my life!' It had no effect upon these men (Laman and Lemuel) that were not serving the Lord, and it would have no effect today." (Conference Report, Apr. 1924, p. 159) We need to have an open mind and heart and allow out lives to change and to grow closer to our Savior through the experiences and even hardships we go through. Sharom says "I sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you ;" (Jacob 7:6) -Satan does this as well he puts all his effort into trying to talk to us and to lead us astray that we might become miserable like he is. We need to learn and know of the tricks he uses so that we don't fall into that trap. - We must live our lives in a way that we are in tune with the spirit and that we can understand and decern ...
We are promised "how blessed are thy who have labored diligently in this vineyard;" and in 2 Nephi 25:23 it says " we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. " Gainsaying (GAINSA'YING)- participle present tense Contradicting; denying; opposing. We are to " repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God... " (Jacob 6:5) I think full purpose of heart means to give our whole heart to it, love it and dedicate our life, heart, and minds to God's work. What do we need to do to improve our lives to more fully "come with full purpose of heart" ? This is a amazing story: Marvin J. Ashton "I carry in my daily date book a few brief memo sheets....One sheet almost worn out now has nothing more on it than Jacob 6, verse 12: 'O be wise; what can I say more?' Be wise enough to accept appropriate discipline and guidelines. Be wise enough to say the right words at the r...
Gathering and doing the work for the house of Israel is so important. We need to take it upon ourselves to do more in order to fulfill God's commandments and bring to past the promises made and given to us. Sometimes in life, we labor and our labors don't show or we must go out and do more or be more than we were before. I think this parable shows a lot about life and is trying to give us a better look at what we should do and how we should live our lives to better live them the way that Heavenly Father wants us to live. Jacob 5:71 ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up The reward of the servants is that they will have joy in the fruit of their labors. The Lord has said: 'And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought...
Jacob 5:41 What could I have done more for my vineyard? Jeffrey R. Holland said "There is much more here than simply the unraveling of convoluted Israelite history. Of greater significance in this allegory is the benevolent view of God that it provides. He is portrayed here as one who repeatedly, painstakingly, endlessly tries to save the work of His hands and in moments of greatest disappointment holds His head in His hands and weeps, 'What could I have done more for my vineyard?' (Jacob 5:41, 47, 49.) This allegory is a declaration of divine love, of God's unceasing effort as a father laboring on behalf of His children. As one writer has noted, 'Zenos's allegory ought to take its place beside the parable of the prodigal son. Both stories make the Lord's mercy so movingly memorable.' (John S. Tanner, "Jacob and His Descendants as Authors," in Rediscovering the Book of Mormon, ed. John L. Sorenson and Melvin J. Thorne [Provo: Foundation fo...
Jacob 5:26,27 Let us prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it The interchange between the Lord and the servant is instructive. The Lord suggests that the Lamanites be destroyed for their wickedness. The servant intervenes on their behalf, requesting of the Lord that more work be done to save the wicked part of the tree that perhaps it may bring forth good fruit. This is exactly what happened. In more than one place in the Book of Mormon, the Nephite prophets prayed on behalf of their Lamanite brethren. They prayed that the Lord would show mercy to them in the last days and bring them to a knowledge of the truth. 'And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites... And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of him--that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, and by any means be destroyed, ...
This is interesting: Jacob 5:8,13,14 the young and tender branches are hid in the nethermost parts of the vineyard This is the scattering of Israel when the natural branches are taken and spread all over the world. Note that the execution of most of the work to this point has been done by the servant (v. 10). This act, the scattering of Israel, is done only by the Master of the vineyard himself, the Lord of the vineyard went his way, and hid the natural branches of the tame olive-tree (v. 14). Later in the chapter we learn that the Lord hid three distinct branches (v. 20-25). The only branch whose identity is known is the last, which is a representation of the descendants of Lehi. This helps us understand the chronology. It implies that the other three branches hid up by the Lord were taken before Lehi and his family in 600 BC. One of these three branches is probably a representation of the ten tribes which were taken in 721 BC. The identity of the second branch is unknown.* I r...
RECONCI'LED, participle passive Brought into friendship from a state of disagreement or enmity; made consistent; adjusted. We ned to have faith and obtain a good hope of glory in him, as well as live and stand as witnesses to God and those around us. We also need to build our lives and our testimony on "the great... and only sure foundation" (Jacob 4:16) Blessing: I was able to go to church yesterday and have a great relaxing day.
Abraham was so obedient to God that he was willing to sacrifice his only son, " which is similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son." (Jacob 4:5) Similitude- SIMIL'ITUDE, noun [Latin similitudo.] 1. Likeness; resemblance; likeness in nature, qualities of appearance; as similitude of substance. Let us make man in our image, man in our similitude Fate some future bard shall join in sad similitude of griefs to mine. It is so important to submit our will to the Fathers will and become humble as a child. "the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace,.. that we have the power to do these things." (Jacob 4:7) We must be humble and follow our Father in Heavens guidance and counsel in order to do what is needed and to "have power to do these things." (Jacob 4:7) I love this scripture Jacob 4:10 "Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand . ...he counseleth in wisdom,...
Jacob 3 His promise to the righteous is that if they pray with exceeding faith, the Lord will console them and comfort them. This great promise is available to all who diligently seek the Lord.* in vs. 2 "feast" means 'to partake freely'. Which is a great comfort that there isn't a certain level we have to be on or a certain spot in our lives we have to achieve to feel ou Saviors love. Blessing: I work a lot and don't have to be home.
"For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women." What is it that needs to be done to make this more important in the world? How can live a chaste life truly bless us? For me, something that has helped is having a guilty conscience. I don't like doing even little things that I know are wrong because I will have to feel bad about them forever. It is definitely something that is rare in these days as well with the world. About 9 years ago I met a guy in California we were talking and somehow we got on the topic of chastity and he couldn't believe I was still a virgin and that I was waiting until I was married. 100 years ago that's what people did without questioning it and now it's a question? Blessing: I have the desire to live a chaste life and stay pure until marriage