The Best of Times/The Worst of Times...

The Book of 4th Nephi shows a great contrast between the blessings of righteousness and the consequences of wickedness. The best of times can be found in verses 1-22 and the worst of times can be found in verses 23-46. As I studied this chapter recently, I again noticed in verse 11 that the people "were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made." I believe in marriage and the promised blessings that have come my way because my eternal companion and I strive to claim those promised blessings. Marriage has its challenges, but as we continually seek to strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father, put our faith in Christ, our marriage will be blessed. It doesn't mean everything is perfect, but it does bring peace of mind, a best friend to talk to, and a plethora of other wonderful blessings.

The Three Pillars of Eternity

I enjoy looking for what many gospel scholars call "The Three Pillars of Eternity" in the scriptures. The three pillars are the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement. Some examples are found in 2 Nephi 2, 2Nephi 9:6-7, Mosiah 4:2-7, Alma 18:36-39, and Alma 22:10-14. Our Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation/Redemption/Happiness could not have been brought to pass without these three pillars, which came about through our Savior Jesus Christ. I appreciate that our Father has a plan for each of us to be happy and that is available to each of us because of the grace Jesus offers. I am glad the scriptures remind me often of my dependence on Him.

A Very Simple Conection

I noticed a very simple connection in Moroni 7:12-13 & 17 that I believe is worth pointing out because of its simplicity. The words GOD and DEVIL appear in these verses along with the words GOOD and EVIL. I understand that most of you reading this will be impressed with my scriptural skills and ability to mine those little nuggets of truth, but stay with me. GOD=GOOD and EVIL=DEVIL. So far, so good!

The DEVIL invites and entices us to do EVIL (vs. 12, 14, & 17), but GOD also invites and entices us to do GOOD (vs. 13 & 16). This opposition is a major part of the Plan of Happiness, as is the law of agency, which is at work here as well. The real question is, can we know how to know if something is of GOD or GOOD or of the DEVIL or EVIL. The answer in verses 15-17 is a resounding yes! WE can know with "a perfect knowledge" whether a choice is of GOD or of the DEVIL. That sounds like an absolute.

As Latter-day Saints we sometimes will rationalize our behavior by putting a choice we make into what many call the "grey area". It seems that according to these verses there is no such thing. It is either of God/GOOD or it is of the DEVIL/EVIL. WE can run a spiritual diagnostics test on a decision we make to see if it brings us closer to Christ and GOD or if our decision leads us to deny GOD and Christ and therefore serve the DEVIL.

If we are totally honest with ourselves and are striving to be worthy of the influence of the Holy Ghost we can know with a perfect knowledge if a choice is GOOD or not. As we use the Light of Christ (our conscience) and the gift of the Holy Ghost we may "be a child of Christ" (v. 19). Now, go and do what E.T. said, "BE GOOD".

Know The Decrees Of God--Ether 2:11

There is an important lesson in Ether 2 that is important for each of us to consider. The Jaredites were led to the Promised Land, a land "preserved for a righteous people" (v. 7). Unfortunately, they became unrighteous and destroyed themselves. Lehi and his family were led to the Promised Land as well, only to end up like the Jaredites; destroyed. Two civilizations brought here by the hand of the Lord and two civilizations who became extinct. My guess is that we should pay attention to why this is in the Book of Mormon.

Now here we are living in this Land of Promise and facing many things that are very similar to the things you read in the Book of Mormon (the book after 4th Nephi). Moroni offers counsel to each of us in Ether 2:8-10. Simply put, we will be preserved in this choice land if we serve God and if we don't, then we will be swept off. He states the same thing three times. I love repetition, don't you? If you don't, how do you feel about breathing?

The message is clear. May each of us do our very best in serving God!

Should I Stay or Should I go? That is the Question!

The story in 3rd Nephi 28 of the three Nephites choosing to tarry on the earth until Christ would come in His glory always fascinates many people for several different reasons. The thought of these three (and John the Beloved--see John 21:21-23) still living on the earth for almost 2,000 years is enjoyable to ponder over. Where are they? What do they look like? Do they go two by two? How do they get around? And so forth.

Some may have heard their Uncle Jebediah tell of the time he was driving in a terrible blizzard back in the winter of 1957 and then got a flat tire. As he was changing the tire, three men appeared out of nowhere and offered to help. As Uncle Jebediah was putting the jack back in the trunk, he turned back to thank the men for their assistance and to his utter astonishment, the men had disappeared into thin air. It must have been the three Nephites coming to his rescue. Cool story. Could it be possible? Sure. But should Uncle Jeb's story be taken as gospel truth? Probably not.

Here is a little quote from the Seminary and Institute website to add some authority to the issue of spreading Mormon Urban Legends.

President Harold B. Lee said ―Rumor and gossip . . . when once started, gains momentum as each telling becomes more fanciful, until unwittingly those who wish to dwell on the sensational repeat them in firesides, in classes . . . without first verifying the source before becoming a party to causing speculation and discussions that steal time away from the things that would be profitable and beneficial and enlightening to their souls (in Conference Report, Oct. 1972, 125; or Ensign, Jan. 1973, 105; emphasis added). Quoting spurious material is detrimental to the Spirit and will not bless the lives of the students. As we teach students the gospel, we must reach past their emotions to their spirits and let the Holy Ghost, not the sensational, bring them to Christ.

The main reason for my post is not to speculate about the whereabouts of the three Nephites or any of the particulars that are fun to contemplate, but to highlight some insights I came across while preparing and presenting chapter 28 for a seminary lesson recently.

In verse seven, Jesus says to the three disciples who have desired what John had desired, that "more blessed are ye..." Why would these three be more blessed than the other nine who desired to come back into the Father's presence when their mortal life was over? The answer can be found in verse nine, which says, "...for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of men unto me..." It seems that the Savior is confirming his teaching in Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16 where he states that great shall be your joy if you bring one soul unto Him, but how great shall be your joy if you bring many souls unto Him. It was a great thing the nine disciples desired, but even greater to desire to minister to all mankind until Christ comes a second time. The lesson of the three Nephites seems to be that we are blessed when we seek to bring souls back to our Heavenly Father and the way we can be like these three, is to spread the gospel in every way possible.

One final thought. In verse 17, Mormon says that he doesn't know whether the three Nephites are mortal or not. But, if you look at verse 37, he says that he "inquired of the Lord" to know more about their translated state as opposed to an immortal or resurrected state. The point is that Mormon didn't know and then prayed to know more clearly what their status was. We may do the very same thing. We may not know all things at a certain time, but as we continue in faith, the knowledge we seek is given to us. And until we receive the answer we seek, we move forward in faith until an answer is given.

The three Nephites are cool to think about, but the lessons embedded in this account are meant for us to liken to ourselves and the situations of our time. May we inquire to know the will of the Lord in our lives and may we share with others these pearls of great price we have been blessed to have in our lives.

"Get A Grip"

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!!!

"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."