In Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life, he describes four groups of people. The first (vs. 21-13), was pressing forward on the path to the tree. Mists of darkness caused this group to lose their way. The second group (vs. 24-25 & 28) pressed forward and caught hold of the rod of iron and made it to the tree and partook of the fruit, but while looking around they became ashamed. This was caused in part by those who were in the great and spacious building and as a result this second group fell away.
The third group (vs. 26-27 & 31-33) are those in the great and spacious building who represent the pride of the world (1 Ne. 11:36) who mock those who are pressing forward toward the tree. This group seems to represent the largest number of people. This shows that those who follow what the foundationless low-class building has to offer need company to feel comfortable, much like a group of teenage boys need peers to play in the fountain at the mall. Whereas, if they were by alone, they would never think of doing something like that.
Group four (vs. 30 & 33) holds to the rod, presses forward, "continually holding fast" to the iron rod, and partaking of the fruit of the tree. And despite the pointing finger of those in the great and spacious building, they "heeded them not." Two things here. The first is that when they made it to the tree, they fell down. Why? Third Nephi 11:12 recounts that when the Savior appears to the Nephites for the first time and states who He is, the people fell to the earth as they remembered that He was the one the prophets has testified would come. Also, in 3 Nephi 17:10, the people fell at Jesus' feet in worship after he healed those who were afflicted. the second thought is that each of us is surrounded by the pride of the world or the "worldliness" of the world and it will be imperative for our personal salvation to hold fast to the rod and not give heed to the seductive, natural man and woman temptations that are offered to each of us constantly.
The question to ask ourselves is, what group do I fit in?
I exhort you "with all the feeling of a tender parent" (v. 37) that I may "rejoice in the Lord" (v. 3) because of your efforts to be like those in group four. So, get a grip and don't let go!!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
"I was led by the Spirit"
I have always appreciated the words of 1st Nephi chapter four, verse six. I like the idea of being led to do something of value to bless another just by being willing to be guided and by striving to be worthy of inspiration from on high.
Nephi impresses me in this instance because he knew that it was imperative to get the Plates of Brass. He didn't know "how" the Lord would prepare the way, so with an active faith, he moved ahead until the way was shown to him.
Sometimes we just need to move forward and use our best judgement and step into the darkness a bit and we will find the way is lighted ahead (see Ensign January 1981 "The Candle of the Lord" Elder Boyd K. Packer). This has happened to me several times in the last year, especially in my current calling and it is a great feeling to recognize the times when "I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things I should do."
Nephi impresses me in this instance because he knew that it was imperative to get the Plates of Brass. He didn't know "how" the Lord would prepare the way, so with an active faith, he moved ahead until the way was shown to him.
Sometimes we just need to move forward and use our best judgement and step into the darkness a bit and we will find the way is lighted ahead (see Ensign January 1981 "The Candle of the Lord" Elder Boyd K. Packer). This has happened to me several times in the last year, especially in my current calling and it is a great feeling to recognize the times when "I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things I should do."
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
"I Will Go and Do"
It is likely that the most famous scripture in the Book of Mormon is 1 Nephi 3:7. In that light, I thought it best not to skip it and to add a couple insights on this great verse.
Number one, I believe, is that the key to the scripture is the phrase 'I KNOW'. Everything hinges on this simple statement of testimony. Nephi declares that he will keep all of the commandments because he has a testimony that those commandments are from God and that He will help him (Nephi) keep them. He knows that Heavenly Father wants us to keep His commnads and therefore, will give us assistance to keep them.
Point number two is a quote by Presdient Ezra Taft Benson which says, "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." A sure sign of spiritual maturity is shown when a person recognizes that the commandments are meant to bless us and not hinder us in our pursuit of happiness. That recognition came for me sometime in my junior year of high school and I am grateful for that knowledge.
Now, go and do...
Number one, I believe, is that the key to the scripture is the phrase 'I KNOW'. Everything hinges on this simple statement of testimony. Nephi declares that he will keep all of the commandments because he has a testimony that those commandments are from God and that He will help him (Nephi) keep them. He knows that Heavenly Father wants us to keep His commnads and therefore, will give us assistance to keep them.
Point number two is a quote by Presdient Ezra Taft Benson which says, "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." A sure sign of spiritual maturity is shown when a person recognizes that the commandments are meant to bless us and not hinder us in our pursuit of happiness. That recognition came for me sometime in my junior year of high school and I am grateful for that knowledge.
Now, go and do...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Do You Believe In Angels?
As members of the Church we definitely believe in angels. Joseph Smith's visits with Moroni concerning the whereabouts of the gold plates is a great example.
But today, on the eve of game 6 between the Bronx Bombers (NY Yankees) and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, you have to ask yourself, do you believe in Angels? The Yankeees lead the series three games to two and are playing in NYC in the cold and rain. Will the spirit of Nick Adenhart, who was killed by a drunk driver after his first start this year on April 9th at the age of 22, be in attendance and guide some Angel hits over the fence? Or will some of the guys in Yankee pinstripes inexplicably miss a ground ball or swing at a pitch and miss by millimeters because of some unseen help from above? Do you believe in Angels?
Kimber-noodle-bucket does! On Thursday night she went to bed before game five was completed (Angels won 7-6 to force game six). Early Friday morning she woke up at 3 a.m. and mom went in to check on her. As mom tucked her in the following short conversation ensued.
Kimber asked, "Did the Angels win?"
Mom: Yes.
Kimber: Good!
Kimber-noodle-bucket believes in Angels and so should you!
Here's looking to a game seven with a trip to the World Series on the line...
But today, on the eve of game 6 between the Bronx Bombers (NY Yankees) and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, you have to ask yourself, do you believe in Angels? The Yankeees lead the series three games to two and are playing in NYC in the cold and rain. Will the spirit of Nick Adenhart, who was killed by a drunk driver after his first start this year on April 9th at the age of 22, be in attendance and guide some Angel hits over the fence? Or will some of the guys in Yankee pinstripes inexplicably miss a ground ball or swing at a pitch and miss by millimeters because of some unseen help from above? Do you believe in Angels?
Kimber-noodle-bucket does! On Thursday night she went to bed before game five was completed (Angels won 7-6 to force game six). Early Friday morning she woke up at 3 a.m. and mom went in to check on her. As mom tucked her in the following short conversation ensued.
Kimber asked, "Did the Angels win?"
Mom: Yes.
Kimber: Good!
Kimber-noodle-bucket believes in Angels and so should you!
Here's looking to a game seven with a trip to the World Series on the line...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
If You Wanna Be Happy For The Rest Of Your Life...
No, not the rest of that line, but 1st Nephi 2:20!
"And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise..." I like this verse because it is one of the major themes of the Book of Mormon and you can find it throughout the entire book. I enjoy seeing that this important message gets to the end of the row to many of the prophets and writers in the Book of Mormon. As you read, see if you can find as many as you can or variations of the same theme. Good luck!
I know that this promise works because I have seen it in my own life. I am certainly not perfect, but I do know that from my upbringing from my youth that striving to live the gospel fully brings prosperity (not just in a financial/material sense). I have been truly blessed in my life by my Heavenly Father because I have tried to follow this IF...Then...formula. May you be likewise blessed as you follow it in your life and then recognize those blessings as they come, even in the midst of difficult days. And, remember the promise ultimately is the Promised Land or symbolically speaking, Eternal Life.
Love, Dad
"And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise..." I like this verse because it is one of the major themes of the Book of Mormon and you can find it throughout the entire book. I enjoy seeing that this important message gets to the end of the row to many of the prophets and writers in the Book of Mormon. As you read, see if you can find as many as you can or variations of the same theme. Good luck!
I know that this promise works because I have seen it in my own life. I am certainly not perfect, but I do know that from my upbringing from my youth that striving to live the gospel fully brings prosperity (not just in a financial/material sense). I have been truly blessed in my life by my Heavenly Father because I have tried to follow this IF...Then...formula. May you be likewise blessed as you follow it in your life and then recognize those blessings as they come, even in the midst of difficult days. And, remember the promise ultimately is the Promised Land or symbolically speaking, Eternal Life.
Love, Dad
Friday, October 2, 2009
I, Nephi...
The most famous of all Book of Mormon passages must be, "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents...". I love my parents and appreciate what they taught me, but what I wanted to share from this verse in 1st Nephi 1:1 is the importance of the word "therefore". Following this word, Nephi shares that he was taught "in all the learning of my father:"
What one does with a "therefore" or "wherefore" is to look at what follows and then look back to what preceded this connecting word to see the connection. In this case, Nephi was taught by his father, which then gives new meaning to Nephi's statement about being born of goodly parents. Nephi's parents are goodly because they taught him in all things.
So, as a parent, much of what one might term success in ones children hinges upon the effort to teach our children in all aspects of learning (secular and religious). I hope this all makes sense, but it has been fun to look for these in my scripture study this year.
Another example includes--1 Nephi 1:5. Why is Lehi praying? Because the prophets were telling those in Jerusalem to repent or be destroyed and Lehi was responding to their message. One other can be found in 1 Nephi 2:16--Find the word "wherefore" and after the word it says that Nephi "did cry unto the Lord". Why is he doing this? Look to what is before the "wherefore" and it says that Nephi "desires to know of the mysteries of God".
Have a great day!
Your striving to be a "goodly parent" DAD
What one does with a "therefore" or "wherefore" is to look at what follows and then look back to what preceded this connecting word to see the connection. In this case, Nephi was taught by his father, which then gives new meaning to Nephi's statement about being born of goodly parents. Nephi's parents are goodly because they taught him in all things.
So, as a parent, much of what one might term success in ones children hinges upon the effort to teach our children in all aspects of learning (secular and religious). I hope this all makes sense, but it has been fun to look for these in my scripture study this year.
Another example includes--1 Nephi 1:5. Why is Lehi praying? Because the prophets were telling those in Jerusalem to repent or be destroyed and Lehi was responding to their message. One other can be found in 1 Nephi 2:16--Find the word "wherefore" and after the word it says that Nephi "did cry unto the Lord". Why is he doing this? Look to what is before the "wherefore" and it says that Nephi "desires to know of the mysteries of God".
Have a great day!
Your striving to be a "goodly parent" DAD
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Keystone of Our Religion
Number the paragraphs on the Introduction page 1-9 in your Book of Mormon (If you want to).
Notice the invitation to all mankind in #8. I like the phrase in the same paragraph that reads, "Those who pursue this course and ask in faith WILL gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost". It reads "will" not may or might, which when taken with the manner one should ask (Moroni 10:3-5), this promise will be fulfilled. The key to me is our "real intent" or our desires to act upon the truth when it is given to us.
The last paragraph also tells us that we will also come to know that Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the earth. I believe that this "I Know" testimony will help each of us be prepared for the 2nd Coming of the Savior.
May we each find out for ourselves...
Notice the invitation to all mankind in #8. I like the phrase in the same paragraph that reads, "Those who pursue this course and ask in faith WILL gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost". It reads "will" not may or might, which when taken with the manner one should ask (Moroni 10:3-5), this promise will be fulfilled. The key to me is our "real intent" or our desires to act upon the truth when it is given to us.
The last paragraph also tells us that we will also come to know that Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the earth. I believe that this "I Know" testimony will help each of us be prepared for the 2nd Coming of the Savior.
May we each find out for ourselves...
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