My Revelation!

Christ atoned for our sins and allowed us to be saved "it be through the merits, and mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah," (2 Nephi 2:10) INTERCES'SION ,  noun  [Latin intercessio, from interce do.] The act of interceding; mediation; interposition between parties at variance, with a view to reconciliation; prayer or solicitation to one party in favor of another, sometimes against another. "there is an opposition in all things."  Becuase of the opposition in all things we must have a conscience in order to truly understand what the right choices are. Richard G. Scott said "Sadness, disappointment, severe challenge are events in life, not life itself....A pebble held close to the eye appears to be a gigantic obstacle. Cast on the ground, it is seen in perspective. Likewise, problems or trials in our lives need to be viewed in the perspective of scriptural doctrine....Some people are like rocks thrown into a sea of problems. They are drowned by them...

TRIBULA'TION ,  noun  [Latin tribulo, to thrash, to beat.] Severe affliction; distresses of life; vexations. In Scripture, it often denotes the troubles and distresses which proceed from persecution. Trials vs tribulations, it talks about trials which from this definition sounds so much worse than just having or going through a trial. 2 Ne 2:2 he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain. Most members of the church are all too familiar with this principle. It seems if there is one concept that is well appreciated it is this one-that the trials and tribulations of mortality serve God's purpose because they become the refining fire which purifies the soul and gives us experience. Some of the better quotes on this subject are included, Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's glory, saith the Lord (DC 98:3). ...

" I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love."  (2 Nephi 1:15) I love this because it shows the relationship Lehi had with his Father in Heaven. Hugh Nibley "To be redeemed is to be atoned. From this it should be clear what kind of oneness is meant by the Atonement--it is being received in a close embrace of the prodigal son, expressing not only forgiveness but oneness of heart and mind that amounts to identity, like a literal family identity as John sets it forth so vividly in chapters 14 through 17 of his Gospel... "This is the imagery of the Atonement, the embrace: 'The Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love' (2 Nephi 1:15). '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!' (2 Nephi 4:33). 'Behold, he sendeth an invitation unt...

2 Ne 1:4  a land which is choice above all other lands In the allegory of the olive tree, the land of promise is referred to as a good spot of ground (Jacob 5:25). See also Ether 2:7-12. The reasons why this is such a choice land is described in the next several verses. The Lord will covenant with us and He will keep His promises, but we must be willing to do the same.  Marvin J. Ashton said, "Who among us hasn't felt the chains of bad habits? These habits may have impeded our progress, may have made us forget who we are, may have destroyed our self-image, may have put our family life in jeopardy, and may have hindered our ability to serve our fellowmen and our God. So many of us tend to say. 'This is the way I am. I can't change....'Lehi warned his sons to 'shake off the chains' because he knew that chains restrict our mobility, growth, and happiness. They cause us to become confused and less able to be guided by God's Spirit...Samuel Johnson ...

1 Ne 22:7 Who is this mighty nation?  The mighty nation is the United States of America. The U.S. government is largely responsible for what happened to the American Indians in the early decades of the nation. I don't think we understand truly how blessed we are to live in this nation. I know I take it for granted. I just think of all the things that happened and has happened here because we live in a free country. The constitution, freedom of speech and religion, freedom to believe and live how you would like. I truly believe some people have taken advantage of this blessing but it's important to recognize it as a blessing.  1 Ne 22:17  he will preserve the righteous by his power...Wherefore, the righteous need not fear Brigham Young "God has been and is our helper, and is on our right and left, and round about us like a wall of fire to defend this people, if they serve him with an undivided heart." ( Journal of Discourses , 8:172 as taken from  Latter-da...

1 Nephi 21:22, Nephi later interprets this scripture in chapter 22 vs 6-12 and explains to us a little more about what it means. An d   Orson Pratt said,  "This is a great latter-day work also for the gathering of the house of Israel-a work which shall commence among the Gentiles. In ancient days the Lord commenced his work among Israel. The kingdom of heaven was preached among the Jews, but they proved themselves unworthy, and says Paul, 'Lo, we turn to the Gentiles,' and the kingdom was taken from the Jews and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. The natural branches of Israel were broken off, and the branches of the wild olive tree-the Gentiles-were grafted in. But the Gentiles, since they were grafted in, 1800 years ago, have fallen after the same example of unbelief that the ancient Jews did, and they have lost the power and authority which they once possessed; and for many centuries they have had no apostles, no prophets, no angels from heaven, no ...

How can we be a bigger part of the gathering of Isreal? 1 Ne 21:8  I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant Who is this servant? The context of the verse makes it clear that we are talking about a later time period. This is the 'day of salvation' for the house of Israel. Therefore, this servant must be Christ, Joseph Smith, or both. Christ is the mediator of the new and everlasting covenant referenced in this verse and Joseph Smith is the prophet who establishes this covenant in the latter days for the salvation of the Jews. We need to do our part. "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." (1 Nephi 21:16) Chirst will suffer for each and every one of us, not for His people as whole.  1 Nephi 21:17; We must raise strong Children so that they will not allow the evil of the world around them affect them or impact the way they live their lives.  The Lord will fight for those who are on His side fightin...

1 Nephi 19:23, Brigham Young "Do you read the Scriptures, my brethren and sisters, as though you were writing them, a thousand, two thousand, or five thousand years ago? Do you read them as thou you stood in the place of the men who wrote them? If you do not feel thus, it is your privilege to do so, that you may be as familiar with the spirit and meaning of the written word of God as you are with your daily walk and conversation, or as you are with your workmen or with your households." ( Discourses of Brigham Young , p. 128 as taken from  Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon  compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p.63) We need to liken the scriptures unto ourselves in order to recognize things we need to work on. We need to gather the children of Isreal both physically and spiritually. Blessing: I have God's word at my fingertips that I am able to study and use as a map or guide to my life.

"And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men." (1 Nephi 19:9) That is a lot of love, and not only that but he also, "yieldeth himself ,...as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenok, and to be crucified,...to be buried in a sepulchre,..the three days of darkness, which should be a sign given of his death..." (1 Nephi 19:10) 1 Ne 19:12  The God of nature suffers This was evident even to the Roman centurion standing guard at the crucifixion of Jesus, for he said, Truly this was the Son of God (Matt 27:54). We need to live our lives in a way that we aren't continuously making Christ get on that cross time and time again for us. By living our lives the best w...

Nephi says " and I did pray oft unto the Lord;" "Nephi was a man of prayer.  He instructed those of our generation to 'pray always,' and 'not [to] perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ' (2 Nephi 32:9).  Laman and Lemuel tie Nephi up and it seems that it really made life easier for Nephi because He was died to the boat and didn't have to worry about being thrown around during the storm he even says in vs 13, "nevertheless they did not loose me." Blessing: I have the Holy Ghost with me leading me and guiding me to do the Fathers will.

It's interesting how in the scriptures with Laman and Lemual that they have to have continuous signs of God and of His power. How often are we like that? What do I need to do to have more faith and patience with the Lord God? They have many might miracles that they are blessed to witness throughout the time they leave Jerusalem to the promise land and yet they still murmer and complain. Goal is to complain less and to seek counsel with my Lord God and not counsel him.

The children of Isreal were lead by God throughout their entire journey and they still rebelled against God's commandment. 1 Nephi 17:30 God gave them everything they needed in order to accomplish what it was He asked of them. " ...he that is righteous is favored of God ." (1 Nephi 17:35) As we are righteous and obeying God's commandments it is our duty to also be aware of the blessings we receive and to thank God for them. I love this scripture, (1 Nephi 17:40) " And he loveth those who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers, " They people were asked to look at the serpent on a stick and live but "because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished." 1 Nephi 17:42 Boyd K. Packer said, "How silly," some must have said. 'How can such a thing cure me? I'll not show my stupidity by paying any attention,' and some would not look.... "And today many say, ...

Among all of Nephi and his families many sufferings in the wilderness he says, " so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, " (1 Nephi 17:2) After much suffering and pain, Nephi still says, "I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence." strive -  To make efforts; to use exertions; to endeavor with earnestness; to labor hard; applicable to exertions of body or mind. A workman strives to perform his task before another; a student strives to excel his fellows in improvement.  I love the word strive it means using great effort and we all need to strive for good things in our lives. I love the definition "to labor hard". I am a hard worker at my job around my house in my garden, in relationships and I love the satisfaction of accomplishing things after I worked hard. Plus the Lord needs hard workers in His kingdom. Blessing: I love to work!!!

1 Ne 16:27 What writing was it that made everyone fear and tremble exceedingly? Nephi never tells us the meaning of the writings on the Liahona. He does explain that his father and just about everyone in the group 'did fear and tremble exceedingly' when they read what was written on the ball. This suggests that it was a warning or punishment from the Lord. It is possible that the reason they wandered in the wilderness for 8 years instead of traveling directly to the promised land was because of their murmuring at this time. Alma hints that this was the case:    'They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works cease, and they did not progress in their journey;    Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not  travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions...our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass' (Alma 37:41-43). At this time t...

" the guilty taketh the truth to be heart, for it cutteth them to the very center. " (1 Nephi 15:2) The truth is hard to take regardless of who it is coming from especially if it is asking us to change our lives in a way we already know we should. "if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God," (vs 3) 1. We must be righteous, 2. willing to hearken to the truth and 3. be ready to give heed to it. -Righteousness means more than going to church it is living the Gospel it is changing ourselves and allowing God to change us as He will. Being willing to harken to the truth is more than just listen to others teach the truth and taking it as a suggestion it is living it and changing our own lives whatever might need attention in order to be more like our Savior Jesus Christ. "be ready to give heed" Being ready means we have a testimony and we are ready and waiting for our Father ...

Nephi was continuously receiving strength from our Father in Heaven to do as he was asked to do in order to fulfill God's commandments. vs 6 Nephi's brothers tell him that "the Lord maketh no such things known unto us." (1 Nephi 15:9) I think they knew within themselves that they were not worthy to have the spirit in order to receive the answer they were seeking. It has been promised that the Lord will answer our prayers. I love in Richard G. Scott in his talk ' Learning to Recognize Answer to Prayer' from 1989 he says these things concerning prayer,  " When answers to urgent prayer don’t seem to come, it can be that we don’t understand some truths about prayer, or because we don’t recognize answers when they come ."  Then he goes on later in the talk and says, " 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...

"...Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth." This is the end of the fence sitters, everyone will have to make a choice to join the church or to follow Satan. Bruce R. McConkie "The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify all churches or organizations of whatever name or nature -- whether political, philosophical, educational, economic social, fraternal, civic, or religious -- which are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and thus from salvation in the kingdom of God...." "Hence we find our Lord saying, 'He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.' (Matt. 12:30.)" ( Mor...

In Chapter 13 it talks about Columbus listening to the spirit of God and obeying, as well as taking his people across the water to be free people. Then starting in vs 20 it talks about "a book" and the importance of having two witnesses. It is important for us to have both The Bible and The Book of Mormon to study from so that we have two witnesses; Matt 18:16, 2 Cor. 13:1. The scriptures contain the covenants of the Lord to his people the house of Isreal. The gospel of Jesus Christ is "plain and precious" (vs 34-35) if there is anything that is not it is of Satan. 1 Ne 13:42  the last shall be first and the first shall be last. This scripture has been confusing to some but is quite simple. The "first" refers to the house of Israel; the "last" refers to the Gentiles. Christ made it clear during his ministry that he was sent only to the house of Israel. In speaking to the woman of Canaan, he said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of th...

"And I also saw and bear record that the Holy Ghost fell upon twelve others; and they were ordained of God, and chosen." 1 Nephi 12:7 God chooses those who lead His church according to their obedience, but we can all serve God by serving others. "the twelve disciples of the Lamb,"  vs 8 James E. Talmage said  "Discipleship is general; any follower of a man or devotee to a principle may be called a disciple, The Holy Apostleship is an office and calling belonging to the Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood, at once exalted and specific, comprising as a distinguishing function that of personal and special witness to the divinity of Jesus Christ as the one and only Redeemer and Savior of mankind. The apostleship is an individual bestowal, and as such is conferred only through ordination. That the Twelve did constitute a council or  'quorum' having authority in the Church established by Jesus Christ is shown by their ministrations after the Lord's re...

" I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."  I wish more people knew this truth. I think even those who do have had times when they doubted or at least thought God didn't care or wasn't in our lives. Neal A. Maxwell said "There have been and will be times in each of our lives when such faith must be the bottom line: We don't know what is happening to us or around us, but we know that God loves us, and knowing that, for the moment, is enough." ( Not My Will, But Thine,  p. 120.) Do we believe this more often than not? vs 25 says, " ...I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen was the word of God, which led to the foundation of living water, or the tree of life; " Then I remember Christ talks to the woman at the well about living water so I went to John 4. "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall g...

pondering will bring us new meanings and understanding to the things we are learning than reading will.  1 Ne 11:16  Knowest thou the condescension of God? This unusual phrase, "condescension of God," deserves some comment. It does not appear anywhere in the scriptures with the exception of 1 Ne 11. In English, to condescend is a commonly used verb, but as a noun, it is rarely seen. In the context of this scripture, it means Jehovah's voluntary surrender of his exalted status as a pre-mortal God to be born into mortality in the most humble of circumstances. The Dictionary defines condescension as the "'voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior.'  President Ezra Taft Benson  taught, 'It means to descend or come down from an exalted position to a place of inferior station.' " ( Ensign , Dec. 2001, 18). Before being born of Mary, he was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. After the virgin birth, he was see...

Nephi writes several sets of scriptures on plates, he talks about them each; one for the ministry of my people, "another plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions," 1 Nephi 10:1 Nephi lets us know that this is the beginning of His "reign and ministry;" He is done abridging what His father did and taught. In verse 10 it talks about Jesus Christ being baptized by John the Baptist; and that John "should behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God," It makes me wonder if he wrote scriptures too that we don't have about his ministry and life? Nephi is testify and witnessing to people he doesn't even know. Again he is doing what the Lord has commanded Him without fully understanding it. How can we gain such great faith and desire to serve and listen to the Lord? Blessing: I have an amazing job that allows me to have flexible hours.

1 Nephi 8:10; it's interesting the contrast in the beginning of this chapter with "a dark and dreary wilderness." and Lehi goes and partakes of the "fruit" that "was desirable to make one happy" David A. Bednar said; The fruit on the tree is a symbol for the blessings of the Atonement.  Partaking of the fruit of the tree represents the receiving of ordinances and covenants whereby the Atonement can become fully efficacious in our lives.  The fruit is described as "desirable to make one happy" (1 Ne 8:10) and produces great joy and the desire to share that joy with others. ( Ensign , Oct. 2011, 34) Right after Lehi partook of the fruit He felt of its goodness and had such love for his family that he desired them to partake of the fruit.  "And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about if they were ashamed." My mission president told me that 60% of those that leave the church will retur...

It's interesting that in chapter 7 the Laman and Lemual didn't complain about going back to Jerusalem the second time to get Ishmael and his family in order to obtain wives. I think often we complain easily about things unless we benefit or get something out of the deal. -Nephi is questioning his brothers on how they could forget the many miracles the Lord has done on their behalf and still they sin and rebel. I thought, though, how often does the Lord help me and yet I am not thankful, I complain and want more or something different? Nephi asks his brothers how they could " have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, " I think this is one reason we are asked repeatedly by the brethren to go to church, partake of the sacrament, study the scriptures, say our prayers, go to the temple... They understand and now that we need to remember what our Lord God has done for us in order to stay faithful to His commandments. At this time is when the people are ...

Lehi after receiving the plates that Nephi and his brothers went back for; first gave thanks to the Lord that his sons were able to return back to them safely. Also when his sons returned is when it says "my mother was comforted." She received her witness of the gospel and of the importance of keeping the Lords commandments. It doesn't show that she had a lot of faith at this time but that she needed to see it for herself that everything was going to work out. But she shares her testimony with her kids and Nephi records it. I love the phrase she uses, "I know of a surety". (1 Nephi 5:8) (Sariahs testimony) What things do I know of a surety? Do I doubt when times get hard like she did or do I keep the faith? "Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world." (1 Nephi 6:5) He wasn't writing to impress others or to make others think better of...