Nephi was led by the spirit in order to get the plates, because of his righteous life and his continued desire to follow and do as the Lord commanded. He was asked to kill Laban which was a hard task for him, I wonder if it was a test of faith from the Lord to see if he would follow through with the command. -How often does the Lord test us and see if we will have faith and trust in Him and in His plan for us? 1 Nephi 4:13 is a great verse; "Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purpose. It is better for one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief." God desires all of His children to believe in Him and to have the faith in Him that Nephi had. Nephi not only put true faith in the Lord but total trust in Him that he would be able to accomplish what was asked and come out alive despite the man he was going against was the strongest man in the city with many guards and servants who could kill Nephi. That takes true ...
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1 Nephi 3:7; Nephi was promised that the way will be prepared for him. but before that, he said; " I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded ." We need to be willing to show God our obedience and willingness towards Him, His plan, and what He wants us to do before He promises us anything. God will always come through with His promises its us that need to follow through with our end of the deal. Nephi was able to " persuade " his brothers to " be faithful in keeping the commandments of God. " But if he wouldn't have been doing that exact thing it wouldn't have been so easy to persuade his brothers. An angel appears to them after Laman and Lemuel were hitting Nephi and it still doesn't change their hearts. Their father is a prophet of God as well and their hearts are still hard and they will not listen. What does it take for me to truly believe and understand God and His will for me? Blessing: I get to go to education week...
Sarah's name means princess, and in Genesis it was changed from Sarai to Sarah, which means princess, -How can we more easily live our lives in order to believe and follow our leaders more closely? I learned at gospeldoctrine.com that Lehi must have held the Melchizedekidic priesthood in order to build an alter and worship God in this way. -When life gets hard am I going to act like Nephi or Laman and Lemuel? Which is easier? Which is more as the Savior would respond in hard times? Neal A. Maxwell said, "Enduring 'well' means passing the breaking point without breaking , having cause to be bitter-as men measure cause-without being bitter. Enduring 'well' means the disciple in the very trough of his difficulties avoids, as Job wisely did, having 'charged God foolishly.' The 'murmuring' so often mentioned in the Book of Mormon is kindred to the feelings we may sometimes have when we do not really question God's existence but rather ...
Nephi talks about his responsibilities of writing his own record/ testimony. We need to live in a way that we are strengthening our testimonies and feel the needed desire to bear them to those around us. When we bear and live our own testimonies it is strengthened because we are living witnesses of the things we desire to or believe. Nephi was a great example of living what his father said and knowing what was right and wrong. Being perfectly obedient and righteous enough to have angels come to him is amazing. The way he starts this book is amazing he is already setting the mood of the story and allowing us to get to know him and who he is and his role in his family. Blessing: I was able to go to church yesterday and strengthen my own testimony.
Nephi starts out the Book of Mormon talking about his "goodly parents". That tells you right there how important family is and how they should be treated. He talks of "many prophets, prophesying unto the people" in Jerusalem about repenting or the city will be destroyed. Lehi prayed, "with all his heart, in behalf of his people." 1 Nephi 1:6 How often do we pray for other people, besides the leaders of the church and missionaries, with all our hearts? How should we change our prayers? How can we improve them? Lehi saw our Savior Jesus Christ with His apostles in a vision, and they gave him. I often wonder what percentage of revelations actually gets revealed to the people by a prophet. in vs 6 it says, "he saw and heard much;". Which indicates that he probably knows more then Nephi was able to or knew about to write in the scriptures. I often think about that when we have General Conference, what could our leaders in Salt Lake City they tel...
In starting The Book of Mormon over again it's amazing the strength and power it gives to those who read it. As I read the introductions, the testimonies, and the brief explanation this morning I was able to again receive that witness from the Holy Ghost that the Gospel contained in this book is the word of God. I know that He worked through the prophet Joseph Smith in order to translate His words so His children could receive the fullness of His gospel. Joseph Smith suffered and died for this Gospel just as our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for this gospel. They were both called of God at different times, both persecuted by those who didn't and still don't believe and yet never denied the truth and what they knew to be truth. While reading this it makes me think about testimonies and the strength they give and can give to each of us as we learn of the gospel and have a desire and pure heart in the learning of it. Often times I think there is confusion on what a t...
So I read a quote yesterday that said we are supposed to be reading the Book of Mormon every single day. So I'm going to start it again. I'm still planning on reading the Doctrine and Covenants but it will probably be at night or something. Introduction of the Book of Mormon; "The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. " "The Prophet Joesph Smith said; I told the bretheren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on the earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book ." That is an amazing promise. The last two pharagraphs in the Introduction are amazing. They are one of my favorite parts of the Book of Mormon; We invite all men everywhere to 1. read the Book of Mormon, 2. to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and 3. then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Chri st if the book is tru...
I was just thinking today what are the definitions of the words; doctrine and covenants? Doctrine - In a general sense, whatever is taught. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master. The doctrines of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles. The doctrines of Plato are the principles which he taught. Hence a doctrine may be true or false; it may be a mere tenet or opinion. Covenants - A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, to do or to forbear some act or thing; a contract; stipulation. A covenant is created by deed in writing, sealed and executed; or it may be implied in the contract. D&C 3 This chapter testifies and speaks of the power of translation and that the manuscript will be lost. But in vs 16 God said, "Nevertheless, my work shall go forth, for inasmuch as the knowledge of the Savior has come unto the world, through the ...
Doctrine and Covenants "the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world." 1:23 Missionaries are younger now than they ever have been, back in the days of Joseph Smith they were men who had families that would leave them to go out and teach the gospel or 3+ years. Now we have young men 18 years old who go out and teach the gospel, who are weak and simple because of their limited education and learning. This to me allows them (missionaries) to be more humble and submissive to God, in order to call upon Him for guidance. "these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understand." 1:24 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it i...
"And the first fruits of repentance is; 1. baptism;and baptism cometh by 2. faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; 3. and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth 4. remission of sins; And the remission of sins bringeth 5. meekness and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh 6. the visitations of the Holy Ghost," (Moroni 8:25-26) "ponder it in your hearts." Moroni 10:3 When introducing the Book of Mormon to both member and investigators on my mission I would point out that in the challenge at the end of Moroni that it says, "And when ye shall receive these things, i would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true;" (Moroni 10:4) It's a challenge, and a promise in it'self that we might know that we will receive the answer that it is true when we ask. But the trick is we must, "ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having fa...
Moroni 8:8, "the curse of Adam is taken from them (little children) in me, that it hath no power over them;" Moroni 8:9, "it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children." "perfect love casteth out all fear." 8:16 How can we gain perfect love in order to not have fear? Fear cometh from Satan and is not of God, so we need to develop a stronger relationship with God in order to cast out all fear. Our desire to be like Christ: "i am filled with charity, which is everlasting love," 8:17 Blessing: I got some amazing books at the DI this weekend.
"search diligently in the light of Christ that ye man know good from evil;" (Moroni 7:19) It shows us that we have to work for answers, in other words, do our part to search, recognize, and receive the answers of our hearts. " all things which are good cometh of Christ;" (Moroni 7:24) it is important to recognize our feelings and realize that if we don't feel good about something it's not coming from Christ and we need to seek out the reason why and what we can do in order to fully understand what we need to change or improve on in our lives. vs 26 "as surely as Christ liveth" --> vs 31 "bear testimony of him." -Colo 3:17 "whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be done unto you." (Mornoni 7:26) Believing stuck out to me in this scripture probably because a lot of things are easy to believe in as long as you see them happening in...
I love the sacrament prayers; there is so much meaning and symbolism in them. I think the difference and similarities are fascinating between the two prayers. It is asked that Christ would BLESS and SANCTIFY the bread. Sanctify - 1. In a general sense, to cleanse, purify or make holy. 2. To separate, set apart or appoint to a holy, sacred or religious use. Then we are asked to partake of it and remember our Saviors Body and the sacrifice He has made for each of us. We promise; 1. take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, 2. always remember him and to 3/ keep His commandments. We are promised: that we will " always have hisSpiriti to be with " us. Moroni 4:3 "... remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; " We need to live righteous lives and do as our Father in Heaven and Savior direct us to do. That which is good cometh of God and that which is evil cometh of the devil. We must learn to recognize the difference in our lives ...
The people always fight in the Book of Mormon. Why do we allow Satan to get ahold of our hearts so easily? Why is it so much easier for us to allow Satan to have our hearts then it is to allow Christ and our Father in Heaven to have it? It seems that in the scriptures, in history, and today so many people would wrather follow Satan until they hit rock bottom. Even when life gets hard i know it is easier to follow Christ and do the things that He has asked us to do like; read the scriptures, pray, go to church, attend the temple. I often have thoughts that I am not doing all I need to or should be doing in order to recieve all my blessings. Blessing: my garden is growing and it is looking good.
Ether 12:4, "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world... hope cometh of faith,... make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." I like this because it is asking us to not only believe to have hope in better things to come as we live righteously. It is our job to be sure and steadfast as well as always be abounding in good works. It's important to be caught doing good. Having faith always is hard because; "faith is things which are hoped for and not seen;" Ether 12:6 "it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God." Ether 12:10 We must have faith in order to be called of God and be in His service. (Mosiah 2:16-17) "faith, hope, and charity bringeth unto me the fountian of righousness." 12:28 " thou worketh after men have faith. " Ether 12:30 Ether 12:41, "seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have writte...
Ether 12:4, "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world... hope cometh of faith,... make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." I like this because it is asking us to not only believe to have hope in better things to come as we live righteously. It is our job to be sure and steadfast as well as always be abounding in good works. It's important to be caught doing good. Having faith always is hard because; "faith is things which are hoped for and not seen;" Ether 12:6 "it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God." Ether 12:10 We must have faith in order to be called of God and be in His service. (Mosiah 2:16-17) "faith, hope, and charity bringeth unto me the fountian of righousness." 12:28 " thou worketh after men have faith. " Ether 12:30 Ether 12:41, "seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have writte...
We learn that those who follow Christ and Father in Heaven and their teachings prosper and are a very happy people and those who don't end up in posterity. Why can't we take the lessons from our ancestors and history and learn from then and don't make the same mistakes they did instead of making the same mistakes and trying to learn the same lessons ourselves? We make life way more complicated then I think it has to be. I'm thankful for the free country in which I live in and the blessing I have in my life because of it like freedom of religion, freedom to have a job I want, live where I want...
"the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved ." (Ether 8:26) How can we and how should we persuade people "to do good continually? I think being an example of righteous living is a great way that doesn't really take a lot of effort on our part if we continuously try to do that but it shows a lot of dedication and devotion to others. The Lord is so merciful to all of His children, even after they (we) sin he is there and willing to bring us back to Him, assist us in the forgiveness process, and bless us for nothing we do. We sin every single day and yet God and Jesus Christ are there with outstretched arms willing and ready to take us in and bless us for following them and trying to do their will. Blessing: I am able to get as many hours in for work as I want.