tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19871795409663991932024-02-06T19:56:13.196-07:00Sunday School ThoughtsThese are some of the thoughts I've had while preparing for the weekly Gospel Doctrine lessons...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-69342162350842745902016-10-01T21:56:00.000-06:002016-10-01T21:56:32.489-06:00Divinity of the Book of Mormon<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This isn’t about trying to convince anyone to think the
way I do, it’s just me explaining what I know and how I got there. In the
Church, we often talk about the divinity of the Book of Mormon, but what does
that really mean? When we say the book is divine, does that just mean it’s
really good? I’ve heard people exclaim that a particular dessert is divine, but
I doubt it’s the same.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To me, there are three aspects of the divinity of the
Book of Mormon:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Divine
Purpose</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Divine
Origin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Divine
Translation</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If any one of these is removed, the other two don’t
stand. So let’s look at each one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Divine Purpose<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Why do we have the Book of Mormon? The Title Page, which
Joseph Smith translated with the plates, states that the book is:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Written to the Jew and Gentile (that covers
everyone)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Written by commandment, “and also by the spirit
of prophecy and of revelation”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->To be interpreted “by the gift of God”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->To convince Jew and Gentile (again, that’s
everyone), “that Jesus is the Christ”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mormon taught us that the record was written so we would
believe the “record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews” saying
that if we believed that record, we would also believe this record (the Book of
Mormon). Those who have come to love the Bible will recognize that same spirit
in the Book of Mormon, as they are from the same divine source. Nephi also saw
this in a vision, where “plain and precious” things had been lost or removed
from the Bible over the years (1 Nephi 13:26) and that the coming forth of the
Book of Mormon would “establish the truth of the [Bible]”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now we have the Bible and Book of Mormon to jointly
testify that Jesus is the Christ. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Divine Origin<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Through the prophet Lehi, we learn that Joseph in Egypt was
taught about a branch of his seed that would be broken off and raised in
righteousness (2 Nephi 3), and that this branch would keep a record that would
one day “grow together” with the writings of the seed of Judah (the Bible). He
was also taught about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and translation by
one who would be “called after me; and ... after the name of his father.” I
wonder what went through Joseph Smith’s mind as he translated that passage and
realised it was speaking about him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lord was preparing for the Book of Mormon for
hundreds of years before Lehi’s family ever left Jerusalem, and His hand can be
seen as various writers added their commentary to the record.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nephi mentioned a couple of times in his writings that he
didn’t know why he was making a second set of records, other than “the Lord
hath commanded me... for a wise purpose in him” (1 Nephi 9:5, 1 Nephi
19:2-3). He also said that he wasn’t
going to write anything on the plates “save it be that I think it be sacred” (1
Nephi 19:6). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Moroni knew the record he had compiled was not for his
day, but for ours. “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye
are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing”
(Mormon 8:35). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Divine Translation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Moroni said that after he hid the record, no one would be
able to “bring it to light save it be given him of God” (Mormon 8:14).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Emma Smith, who often helped Joseph as a scribe during
the translation process, described how Joseph would work. She said, “When he
stopped for any purpose at any time he would, when he commenced again, begin
where he left off without any hesitation, and one time while he was translating
he stopped suddenly, pale as a sheet, and said, ‘Emma, did Jerusalem have walls
around it?’ When I answered, ‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘Oh! [I didn’t know.] I was
afraid I had been deceived.’ He had such a limited knowledge of history at that
time that he did not even know that Jerusalem was surrounded by walls” (Edmund
C. Briggs, “A Visit to Nauvoo in 1856,” Journal of History, Jan. 1916, p. 454).
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As part of her final testimony to her son, she said
Joseph “could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter, let
alone dictate a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active
participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the
translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it
is marvelous to me, "a marvel and a wonder," as much so as to anyone
else...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I am satisfied that no man could have dictated the
writing of the manuscripts unless he was inspired; for, when acting as his
scribe, your father would dictate to me hour after hour; and when returning
after meals, or after interruptions, he could at once begin where he had left
off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to
him. This was a usual thing for him to do. It would have been improbable that a
learned man could do this; and, for one so ignorant and unlearned as he was, it
was simply impossible.” (Emma Smith - Last Testimony of Emma Smith 1879 Q&A
between Emma and Joseph Smith III, The Saints' Herald 26 (Oct 1879))</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To me, that is what it means to say “the book is divine”.
It is divine because its purpose is to bring us closer to Christ. It is divine
because God has guided the events surrounding it for centuries and foretold its
coming. It is divine because it was translated by the gift and power of God. It
is divine because I have received divine confirmation that it is true. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The last chapter in the book contains a promise,
that “...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; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith
in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy
Ghost” (Moroni 10:3).</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-87136782072296597192014-09-15T08:27:00.001-06:002014-09-15T08:27:40.391-06:00Burdens and the Atonement<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I was asked to give a talk recently from Elder Bednar's "<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/bear-up-their-burdens-with-ease?lang=eng" target="_blank">Bear Up Their Burdens With Ease</a>" from the April 2014 conference:</i><br />
<br />
<br />
In the April Conference this
year, Elder David A. Bednar told a story of a friend who purchased a 4WD
pickup. He said: </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Shortly
after taking possession of the new vehicle, my friend ... decided he would cut
and haul a supply of firewood for their home. ...[the] snow already had fallen
in the mountains where he intended to find wood. As he drove up the
mountainside, the snow gradually became deeper and deeper. My friend recognized
the slick road conditions presented a risk, but with great confidence in the
new truck, he kept going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Sadly, my friend went too far along the snowy road. As he steered the
truck off of the road at the place he had determined to cut wood, he got stuck.
All four of the wheels on the new truck spun in the snow. He readily recognized
that he did not know what to do to extricate himself from this dangerous
situation. He was embarrassed and worried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #F9F6ED; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-CA">“My friend decided, “Well, I will not just sit here.” He climbed out of
the vehicle and started cutting wood. He completely filled the back of the
truck with the heavy load. And then my friend determined he would try driving
out of the snow one more time. As he put the pickup into gear and applied
power, he started to inch forward. Slowly the truck moved out of the snow and
back onto the road. He finally was free to go home, a happy and humbled man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Elder Bednar pointed out that it
was the load of wood that gave the truck enough traction to get out of the snow
and return home. “Each of us also carries a load,” he added. “Our individual
load is comprised of demands and opportunities, obligations and privileges,
afflictions and blessings, and options and constraints.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We need to ask ourselves, “What
am I carrying in my truck?” Or as Elder Bednar put it, “Is the load I am
carrying producing the spiritual traction that will enable me to press forward
with faith in Christ on the strait and narrow path and avoid getting stuck?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Here are a few points I took from
Elder Bednar’s story to help me get my truck out of the snow:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>First</b>, watch what I put into the back of my truck. I worked for a
moving company for the year before my mission and I saw people pack things I
considered to be odd. One family brought their water storage with them, others
brought stacks and stacks of old newspapers and magazines, furniture
restoration projects in various stages of completion that they were going to
get around to finishing “one day”, the old-fashioned metal milk cans (the tall
ones) full of wheat, boxes and boxes of books that had never been read. Then
they were usually confused at the end why we couldn’t get everything to fit
into the truck. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We had an experience several
years ago when we moved from Edmonton to Strathmore that helped us learn the
lesson of prioritizing what goes into the truck. My experience in moving helped
me determine that we needed the large truck, even though at the time we only
had two small children. I made the reservation a few weeks in advance and when
I went to pick it up, the truck wasn’t available and we had to use a
medium-sized truck. I knew right away we wouldn’t have room for everything, but
despite my protests this was our only option and we had to make some decisions
about what we wanted to bring with us. Friends who came to help us load the
truck found themselves taking things home with them so that we would have room
to pack the items we <i>really</i> needed.
While we weren’t exactly thrilled at the time, it did help us to weed out some
of the “nice” things we really didn’t need in favor of the items that we needed
most.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Elder Bednar cautioned, “we
should be careful to not haul around in our lives so many nice but unnecessary
things that we are distracted and diverted from the things that truly matter
most.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There is a quote attributed to
the French writer Voltaire, “The enemy of the best is the good.” If we put too
many good things in our truck, we may not have room for those things which
would give us the best traction. Elder Oaks said in his Oct 2007 conference
talk, “Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing
television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or
magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain
interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion
of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best.”
(Oct 2007 General Conference)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There were probably many other things
Elder Bednar’s friend could’ve used to fill the back of his truck, but the load
of wood was the best to provide the necessary weight and traction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Second</b>, like everyone else, I’m going to have to carry a burden. That’s
part of the terms and conditions we agreed to when we said we’d follow our
Heavenly Father’s plan before we came to mortality. Elder Bednar said, “Sometimes
we mistakenly may believe that happiness is the absence of a load. But bearing
a load is a necessary and essential part of the plan of happiness.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Did he just say we can’t
ultimately be happy without bearing a load? That probably seems
counter-intuitive to most of us. Captain Moroni could teach us about being
cheerful during hard times. He was the head of the Nephite army for 17 years of
war with the Lamanites. It was during this time of war that it was recorded, “…behold
there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi..." (Alma 50:23).
Despite the constant war, the Nephites were happy because of their
righteousness and obedience to God. And not just a little happy, but like
"they're making a new Star Wars movie" happy. In fact, this was the
happiest they had been as a people since Lehi and his family walked off the
boat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A spirit of gratitude seems to be
essential to finding happiness in the midst of trials and burdens. Section 78
of the Doctrine and Covenants instructs us that, “And he who receiveth all
things with thankfulness shall be made glorious” (D&C 78:19). Not just some
things, or most things, or the things we like, but <i>all</i> things. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sister Bonnie D. Parkin taught in
the April 2007 general conference, “The kind of gratitude that receives even
tribulations with thanksgiving requires a broken heart and a contrite spirit,
humility to accept that which we cannot change, willingness to turn everything
over to the Lord—even when we do not understand, thankfulness for hidden
opportunities yet to be revealed. Then comes a sense of peace.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Third</b>, Elder Bednar spoke of the importance of the Atonement in our
lives in relation to being able to bear our burdens. He said the Atonement “enables
us to do good and become better in ways that stretch far beyond our mortal
capacities.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In a 2001 BYU devotional, he
said, “I suspect that you and I are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming
power of the Atonement than we are with the enabling power of the Atonement. It
is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for us… But we also
need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the
power of the Holy Ghost, to live in us—… to empower us... Most of us clearly
understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that
we know and understand that the Atonement is also for … good men and women who
are … striving to become better and serve more faithfully.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Nephi recounted his experience of
being tied up by his angry brothers and left “in the wilderness to be devoured
by wild beasts.” (1 Ne. 7:16). He prayed to be delivered according to his
faith, “…yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I
am bound.” (vs. 17)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In that situation, I can
guarantee my prayer would not have been so charitable and probably would’ve had
a few requests to smite my evil brothers because they so clearly deserve it.
Notice Nephi didn’t ask for the Lord to magically make the ropes fall off. He
asked for enough strength to free himself, something he could not do without
the added ability through God’s help. In essence he was saying, “I will do
everything I can to get free, please make up the difference.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Book of Mormon offers another
example of how the Lord’s enabling power helped the people accomplish more than
they could on their own.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Alma the Elder and his people
were being oppressed by Amulon, a former priest of King Noah. Amulon and the
Lamanites put such heavy burdens on Alma’s people that they “[cried] mightily
to God” (Mos 24:10) to the point Amulon instructed the guards to kill anyone
found praying to God. They continued to “pour out their hearts” in prayer, and
the Lord promised to “deliver them out of bondage” saying, “I will … ease the
burdens which are put upon your shoulders” (Mos 24: 13-14).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Lord made it clear that while
Alma and his people were still in bondage, they would still have to carry the
burdens so they could stand as witnesses and “know of a surety that I, the Lord
God, do visit my people in their afflictions” (Mos 24:14). In other words, the
burdens they had to bear were intended to bring the people closer to the Lord
and strengthen their testimonies. He wants us to know that we don’t have to go
through hard times alone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
President George Q. Cannon
taught, “No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the
affliction, [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He
cannot do it. It is not His character [to do so]. … We have made Him our
friend, by obeying His Gospel; and He will stand by us. We may pass through the
fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed
nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the
better and purer for them, if we only trust in our God and keep His
commandments. ["Freedom of the Saints," in Collected Discourses,
comp. and ed. Brian H. Stuy, 5 vols. (Burbank, California: B.H.S. Publishing,
198792), 2:185]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes the Lord removes our
burdens, but most often He helps us become strong enough to carry them. The key
is to “…submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord" (Mos
24:15). That seems like a difficult thing to do as we are struggling with our
burdens.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Joseph Smith also set an example
of cheerful and patient submission while he was confined in the Liberty Jail. In
Doctrine & Covenants 123:17, the last verse written while he was still in
jail, he wrote, “Therefore, dearly beloved … let us <i>cheerfully</i> do all things that lie in our power; and then may we
stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for
his arm to be revealed.” (italics added)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes when we are so focused on our own burdens, it can
be hard to hear the gentle invitation from the Lord, “Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That means Christ is offering to
help us carry our load. Think about that for a minute. No matter what we’re
carrying, Christ is extending the invitation to bring it to Him and He’ll help
us carry it. As Elder Maxwell taught, “We can confidently cast our cares upon
the Lord because, through the agonizing events of Gethsemane and Calvary,
atoning Jesus is already familiar with our sins, sicknesses, and sorrows. He
can carry them now because He has successfully carried them before” (Neal A.
Maxwell Gen Conf Oct 1987).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I feel sometimes we have a
tendency to think the Atonement can help us <i>after</i>
we’ve done all the work. Nephi did say that it is “by grace that we are saved,
after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23), right? It’s like we’re trying to move a heavy
piano up a flight of stairs on our own, thinking that if we can just get it to
the top of the stairs, <i>then</i> Christ
can help us roll it into nicely into place. We need to remember that His
invitation was to those “that labor and are heavy laden” and not to those who
are already finished. As I understand it, Nephi’s statement means that the
strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement will save me over and above
everything I can do. I will never get the piano to the top of the stairs on my
own, so it’s a matter of accepting the Lord’s invitation to help and then not
complaining about how heavy the piano is while He is doing most of the work.</div>
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Elder Bednar went on to say, “We
are not and never need be alone… There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound,
no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness you or I ever
confront in mortality that the Savior did not experience first. In a moment of
weakness we may cry out, “No one knows what it is like. No one understands.”
But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne
our individual burdens. And because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice (see
Alma 34:14), He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He
can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could
ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own
power. Indeed, His yoke is easy and His burden is light.”</div>
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He concluded his talk by saying, “I invite you
to study, pray, ponder, and strive to learn more about the Savior’s Atonement
as you assess your individual load… The unique burdens in each of our lives
help us to rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah (see 2
Nephi 2:8). I testify and promise the Savior will help us to bear up our
burdens with ease (see Mosiah 24:15). As we are yoked with Him … and receive
the enabling power of His Atonement in our lives, we increasingly will seek to
understand and live according to His will. We also will pray for the strength
to learn from, change, or accept our circumstances rather than praying
relentlessly for God to change our circumstances according to our will. … We
will be blessed with spiritual traction.”Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-68784680171950266032012-11-19T22:28:00.001-07:002012-11-20T06:28:56.223-07:00Week 2: Tree of Life<div style="text-align: justify;">
The reading for this week was 1 Nephi 8-15.</div>
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I wrote a <a href="http://garys-class.blogspot.ca/2012/01/tree-of-life.html" target="_blank">post on 1 Nephi 8</a> earlier this year, so I won't rehash that material right now.</div>
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Some other thoughts I had which I didn't cover before:</div>
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-The iron rod. I noticed how close the iron rod was to many of the dangers, such as the river. Wouldn't it make sense to move the rod a little further away? Then I realized that would make it harder for people trying to make their way back to reach the rod, or for those holding the rod to reach out and help others.</div>
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-The sole purpose of the GSB (Great and Spacious Building) seems to be for people to dress up really nice and point fingers at those eating the fruit. Sounds like a good time. All who gave heed to the GSB, "fell away into forbidden paths and were lost" (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.28?lang=eng#27" target="_blank">1 Nephi 8:28</a>) while the faithful "heeded them not" (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.33?lang=eng#32" target="_blank">1 Nephi 8:33</a>). In the eternal scheme of things, no matter how sophisticated or cunning the arguments sound as they come from the GSB, it can't amount to more than a pointing finger.</div>
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<b>Chapter 9</b>. Nephi takes a break to let us know the Lord told him to make another set of plates. The Lord has a "wise purpose" and Nephi is obedient even though he doesn't know what that purpose is. It's enough to know that "the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning..." and "...he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words..." (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/9.6?lang=eng" target="_blank">1 Nephi 9:6</a>). </div>
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<b>Chapter 10</b>. After hearing Lehi's account, Nephi desires a first-hand witness. It seems from Nephi's account in Chapter 11 that Lehi didn't explain the dream, because Nephi told the Spirit that he wanted "to know the interpretation thereof". </div>
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"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/10.19?lang=eng#18" target="_blank">1 Nephi 10:19</a>). </div>
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<b>Chapters 11-14</b>. Nephi is carried away in the spirit as he sat pondering the vision of Lehi. One of the benefits I've noticed already from following the reading schedule is how liberating it is to know I have seven days to finish seven chapters. I don't feel as pressured when I pick away at a chapter throughout the day. There's no rush to move on to the next chapter right away and I have more time to think about what I'm reading. A quick quote from Pres. Eyring:</div>
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"... reading, studying, and pondering are not the same. We read words and we may get ideas. We study and we may discover patterns and connections in scripture. But when we ponder, we invite revelation by the Spirit. Pondering, to me, is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying in the scriptures carefully." (Pres. Henry B. Eyring, <i><a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/serve-with-the-spirit?lang=eng" target="_blank">Serve with the Spirit</a></i>, Oct 2010 Gen Conf)</blockquote>
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And one from Elder Scott:</div>
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"...I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures." (Elder Richard G. Scott, "<i><a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/how-to-obtain-revelation-and-inspiration-for-your-personal-life?lang=eng" target="_blank">How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life</a></i>", April 2012 Gen Conf)</blockquote>
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Notice how many times during Nephi's vision the Spirit, and later the angel, tells him to "look". I used to think that was a little weird. After all, Nephi asked to see the vision, what else is he going to be doing? The angel isn't telling him to put his phone away and pay attention, I think there's so much going on in the vision that the angel needs to direct his attention to the key elements. I think it's not so much "look" (implying he wasn't looking before) as it is "look over there". By Chapter 13, Nephi seems to have "caught up" to the point the angel no longer needs to keep telling him where to look and transitions from "look" to "thou hast beheld".</div>
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<b>Chapter 15</b>. Nephi goes back to his father's tent and his brothers were "disputing" about some of the things Lehi told them. I don't know how I missed it before, but the next part never really clicked in for me. In verse 5 Nephi says "...I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall." Nephi came out of a great spiritual experience, being privileged to see the Savior's mortal ministry and His post-resurrection appearance to the Nephites. I never really grasped the impact it would have after seeing those wondrous events to then witness the destruction of the Nephites because of their wickedness. No wonder he had to wait to receive his strength again before dealing with his brothers. <br />
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They told Nephi, "...we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken..." (vs 7) and "... the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us." (vs 9).<br />
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The prophet Joseph Smith taught:<br />
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"God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and <i>even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them</i>" (Teachings, p. 149, <i>emphasis added</i>).</blockquote>
It's one thing to explain something to a person who really wants to understand. It's a completely different experience to have to explain something to someone who should know but doesn't want to put in the effort to find out for themselves (<i>Call me </i>one more time<i> to ask me about something I covered in the staff meeting...)</i>. Points to Nephi for not trying to beat it into them with the brass plates.<br />
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I like the "If... Then..." statements in the scriptures. They make it easy to follow along and replicate the results. Nephi quotes a scripture in vs 11:<br />
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"...If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."</blockquote>
If these things are not being "made known unto [us]", then we must not be meeting all the required conditions. Failure to meet any one of the conditions will result in not receiving the promised blessing.<br />
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Another point I just noticed this week and find very fascinating is how Nephi handled the little Q&A session. In vs. 8 he asks, "Have ye inquired of the Lord?" and could have easily added something along the lines of, "I asked and the Lord showed me the vision too." Not once does he mention to his brothers that he had a personal witness of Lehi's vision.<br />
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I also wonder if the brothers ever picked up on the fact Nephi was explaining points of Lehi's vision which Lehi himself didn't notice? Nephi pointed out that Lehi didn't notice the river of water was filthiness because he was so caught up in other things (vs 27). "<i>If Dad didn't notice, how do you know?</i>"<br />
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So, that's a very brief overview of the reading for week 2. Week 3's assignment is 1 Nephi 16-22. Feel free to comment with anything which impressed you during the week. Don't be shy...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-77261678799668260282012-11-11T09:52:00.002-07:002012-11-12T07:36:37.824-07:00Moroni's Quest: Week 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since I'm not teaching any more, I figured this would be a good way to keep me studying on a regular basis. Our stake is doing Moroni's Quest in July and they handed out the reading assignments, so I thought I'd follow along in my book and make notes here of things which impressed me.</div>
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<b>Week 1: 1 Nephi 1-7</b></div>
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I wonder how Joseph Smith felt as he translated Lehi's experience in Chapter 1. Lehi described "a pillar of fire" (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/1.6?lang=eng#5" target="_blank">1 Nephi 1:6</a>) and an incredible vision where he saw Christ and was taught many things only to be mocked later by the people he was trying to save. Truman Madsen indicated some of Joseph's earlier accounts of his First Vision used the word "fire" instead of "light" as well as his amazement that the trees around him did not catch fire.<br />
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In <b>Chapter 2</b>, Lehi is commanded to take his family into the wilderness so he leaves everything behind and takes his family on a camping trip. At this point, it doesn't seem like the Lord has told them where they are going or how long they'll be gone. God said, "Go" so Lehi left.<br />
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Later in Ch 2, Nephi prays to the Lord and had his heart softened "that I did believe all the words of my father" (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.16?lang=eng#15" target="_blank">1 Nephi 2:16</a>). He doesn't say that was the specific intent of his prayer, but it seems likely. Did Nephi doubt his father? That doesn't seem to fit his character. I think he recognized a need for a spiritual conversion stronger than what he already had. He then prayed on behalf of his stubborn older brothers and the Lord tells him, "...inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord" (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.21?lang=eng#20" target="_blank">1 Nephi 2:21</a>). Notice He didn't say, "<i>if</i> thy brethren shall rebel against thee". Every time Nephi exhorts his brothers to be faithful, remember that he already knows they are going to be cut off.<br />
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<b>Chapter 3</b>, Lehi tells the boys to make the 12-14 day trip (around 180 miles) back to Jerusalem to pick up the brass plates from Laban. I've been in the car not two minutes away from my house and not turned back to get something I have forgotten. I can't imagine travelling for 2 weeks one-way to pick something up. If the plates were so important, why couldn't the Lord say, "Don't forget to pick those up on your way out of town"? Nephi would've missed the opportunity to find out how obedient he really was, and Sariah wouldn't have received her witness either.<br />
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<b>Chapter 4</b>. Nephi goes out to get the plates, knowing only that God has "prepared a way" to accomplish His commands. How many times in my life have I felt frustrated because I couldn't see how things would end up? Nephi sets the example by doing everything in his power to be obedient and trusting the Lord will pick up the rest.<br />
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Nephi finds Laban passed out drunk, then gives us a detailed description of Laban's sword and the metals used to make each piece. Based on this, and Nephi's ability to molten ore and make tools, I think he worked in the trade.<br />
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<b>Chapter 5</b>, the boys return with the plates. Mother Sariah has been a little worried because they were taking so long. Lehi & family offer sacrifice and burnt offerings in thanks. Upon receiving the brass plates, Lehi "did search them from the beginning" (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/5.10?lang=eng#9" target="_blank">1 Nephi 5:10</a>). There are examples in Church history of those who received the Book of Mormon in a similar spirit. Parley Pratt recorded of his experience:<br />
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“I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. I then read the testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner of its being found and translated. After this I commenced its contents by course. I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep. </blockquote>
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“As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, 3d ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, pp. 36–37).</blockquote>
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I've had the Book of Mormon all my life and I don't think I've ever read it with that much enthusiasm.<br />
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<b>Chapter 6</b>, "Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men" (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/6.6?lang=eng#5" target="_blank">1 Nephi 6:6</a>). Everything Nephi and the following writers chose to include is "of worth unto [us]".<br />
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<b>Chapter 7</b>, Lehi sends the boys back to town to pick up Ishmael and his family. What would you say to another family to convince them to leave the comforts of home and wander in the wilderness. What would it take for me to drop everything and go?<br />
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On the way back, Laman & Lemuel want to go back to Jerusalem. Nephi tries to talk them out of it and they tie him up and leave him to be eaten by wild animals. The interesting part to me is that after they left Nephi, they kept going in the wilderness rather than going back like they said they would. What changed their minds? They had the perfect opportunity to go back, but they didn't. It's also amazing to me that Nephi "did frankly forgive them" (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/7.21?lang=eng#20" target="_blank">1 Nephi 7:21</a>) after they were sorry and asked to be forgiven. Nephi doesn't seem to be the type to hold a grudge.<br />
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So, there's week #1 in a nutshell. I'm happy for the excuse to go through these scriptures again with a very specific reading schedule which makes me slow down and think about what I'm reading. Please feel free to comment on anything which sticks out to you.<br />
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<b>Reading for Week 2: 1 Nephi 8-15</b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-83029698376134213302012-10-07T08:06:00.000-06:002012-10-07T08:06:49.407-06:00Deliverance<div style="text-align: justify;">
No, not the kind with the paddles and banjos... A <a href="http://barefootbarbara.blogspot.ca/2012/10/dark-days-and-happy-endindins.html" target="_blank">friend's post</a> has had me thinking a lot about the theme of deliverance throughout the Book of Mormon. And since I recently listened to the entire Book of Mormon in the car over a 2.5 week period, some of the examples are still fairly fresh in my mind. </div>
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The Book of Mormon writers (and abridgers) wanted to make sure we understood that Christ delivers the faithful and those who put their trust in Him. What really stuck out to me this time is the thought that very seldom are we spared from trials/tribulations/etc. or rescued immediately. The Lord's timing can be as instructive as is our delivery by His hand.</div>
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Nephi had an awesome attitude and never faltered in his faith. He and his brothers are sent back to Jerusalem to retrieve the brass plates. Their first two attempts didn't go well and they end up hiding. Laman and Lemuel proceed to beat Nephi and Sam with rods. An angel appears, and asks why they are beating their younger brothers. If it were me, I'd probably be asking the angel if he was stuck in traffic or stopped to get a snack. This sort of intervention would've been great <i>before</i> the beatings started. But Nephi doesn't complain and takes the opportunity to give his older brothers a pep talk.</div>
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On the way back from picking up Ishmael and his family, Nephi gets tied up and left to be eaten by wild animals. He prays and receives the strength to burst his bands. No waiting, just pray and receive; immediate deliverance.</div>
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FFWD >> Laman & Lemuel didn't like Nephi correcting their rude behavior on the boat, so they bind him with strong cords for four days. They eventually untie him when they realize they are about to be killed in the storm. Nephi grabs the liahona and prays to the Lord. My prayer would've included, "... and if Laman and Lemuel should happen to <i>accidentally </i>fall over the side, please let them get eaten by sharks", but Nephi just prays and gets the ship back on course. So, what does this teach me about deliverance? Do you think at some point during those four days Nephi may have prayed, "O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound" as he did in the wilderness (1 Nephi 7:17)? It worked the last time. Each previous time Nephi had been delivered, it had been with minimal waiting. Why did the Lord wait so long this time? It doesn't seem fair that Nephi had to suffer so Laman and Lemuel could be taugh a lesson. Maybe Nephi needed to learn something about himself which he couldn't learn in any other way?</div>
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What about the story of Alma and Amulek? Their time in Ammonihah did <i>not</i> go well. They end up being cast into prison where the judge and several of the people take turns hitting them and spitting on them, and taunting them for a few days while depriving them of food and water. They finally stand and plead with God, "How long shall we suffer these great afflictions, O Lord? O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance." They break their bands, the prison comes tumbling down around them, killing their captors, and the two men walk out free and unharmed. Score one for miraculous deliverance.</div>
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Alma was "constrained by the spirit" not to use the priesthood to prevent the faithful women and children from being burned in the flames. Could he also have been constrained not to use it to free themselves from prison and the related abuse? Do I have enough faith in the Lord and His plan to sit patiently, often enduring great hardships, until He says it's time to use the "get out of jail free" card?</div>
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So, where am I going with all this? The thought which keeps coming to mind is that God does deliver the faithful. No question there. But, the desired deliverance almost <i>never </i>comes how we expect it, or even when. For Abinadi, deliverance came through his martyrdom in flames. The women and children of Ammoniah who were thrown into the fire? The "Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory". The Army of Helaman was miraculously delivered in battle, even though each of them were wounded. Nephi and his brother Lehi were delivered from the Lamanite prison after being starved for a few days. The Nephites who believed Samuel's message of the Lord's birth were delivered, almost literally, at the last minute.</div>
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I do not doubt the Lord will deliver me from trial and hardship. I do, however, wonder a little bit as to whether I will play the part of Nephi and burst my bands right away, Alma the Elder whose burdens were made light so he couldn't feel them, Alma and Amulek who endured and witnessed great suffering before the prison comes down around them, or even Abinadi whose deliverance came in death. Whatever the Lord has in store for me, I just hope I can hold on long enough for the deliverance to come.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-71492175994510753022012-08-06T08:53:00.000-06:002012-08-07T10:25:37.612-06:00Stay on Your Mountain<div style="text-align: justify;">
The lesson (in our ward anyway) for next week is <a href="http://www.lds.org/manual/book-of-mormon-class-member-study-guide/lesson-31-firm-in-the-faith-of-christ?lang=eng" target="_blank">#31</a> and is the start of the "war chapters" in Alma. This is one of my favorite sections in the Book of Mormon. I'll admit, it's easier to read about all the wars and fighting than it is to read something like Jacob 5, but I am starting to see more of the value behind these chapters.<br />
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Let me start with a quote from Elder M. Russell Ballard which helps make it easier to apply the war chapters to our lives today:</div>
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“We are in a war. This is the same war that raged in the premortal world. Lucifer and his followers are committed in their evil direction. But we must never forget this about Lucifer: he is a liar. He is the father of all lies and has been from the beginning. He was cast out of Heavenly Father's premortal kingdom because of his disobedience, and now he has one goal, one eternal commitment that has never changed from the time of the war in heaven until the present day. His sole purpose
is to make you and me as miserable as he is, and the best way for him to
accomplish that is to entice us into disobedience.” (BYU Devotional, March 12,
1996)</blockquote>
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I don't think we'll have many times in our lives when we'll be required to put on our breastplates and armor, grab our sword, and run off into battle. But we can apply many of the things Mormon chose to include in the abridgment to our lives to help keep us safe from the adversary and his forces.</div>
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I'm going to start with <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/47?lang=eng" target="_blank">Chapter 47</a> because this went from being just a cool story to something I could really understand. Amalickiah and his group join the Lamanites, he gets the king wound up to go to battle against the Nephites, the majority of the Lamanite army doesn't like the idea and went up to the top of Mt. Antipus so they wouldn't have to go against the Nephites. The king gave Amalickiah command of the army and told him to "compel them to arms". Amalickiah says, "Excellent, this fits into my plan to become king."</div>
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Now, I'm not going to claim any interpretive ability here as that's not my job. I will, however, suggest this is one possible application. Put yourself in Lehonti's place for the story (he's the leader of the army who has "fixed in their minds with a determined resolution" not to go against the Nephites). Where has he and the army taken refuge? "...upon the top of the mount..." (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/47.7?lang=eng#6" target="_blank">Alma 47:7</a>). Does that mean we should go hide out in the wilderness to avoid the influence of the world? No... the Lord wants us to be "in the world, but not of the world." What comes to my mind is the scripture in <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/2.2?lang=eng" target="_blank">Isaiah 2</a>:</div>
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"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that
the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow
unto it."</blockquote>
The "mountain of the Lord's house" is the temple. Pres. Hunter taught, "we again emphasize the personal blessings of
temple worship and the sanctity and safety that are provided within those
hallowed walls. It is the house of the Lord, a place of revelation and of
peace." (Oct General Conference, 1994). <br />
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Obviously we can't spend all day every day in the temple, but if we work to stay worthy and honor the covenants we've made, that protection will follow us home.<br />
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So if we're assuming the part of Lehonti, who is playing Amalickiah? Hmm... who else has an overwhelming desire to destroy our freedom and make us miserable? Who tries to get what he wants through lies and deceit? Oh yah, that would be Satan.<br />
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So Amalickiah takes his army to the foot of the mountain, waits for night then sends a "secret embassy" to get Lehonti to come down. Lehonti is no dummy, he refuses to come down. Amalickiah tries three times unsuccessfully before changing his tactic. This time he goes up the mountain, "nearly to Lehonti's camp" and asks Lehonti to come down with his guards. After all, Amalickiah was only concerned about Lehonti's comfort and safety and had his best interests at heart. Seems legit, right? You don't want to watch that R-rated movie with the graphic depictions of sex? No problem, how about you watch this one instead? It doesn't actually <i>show</i> anything, but they talk about it all the time and show enough that you'll know what's going on. The one I heard the most growing up was, "You can repent in time to serve a mission." That rarely ended well either.<br />
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Lehonti fell for it and met with Amalickiah, who tells him, "Sneak down during the night, surround my army, we'll surrender, and you'll be in charge of the whole army. All I ask is to be second in command." Again, seems like a good deal. Lehonti gets what he wants (doesn't have to go against the Nephites), plus a bonus.<br />
<br />
Everything goes according to plan. Unfortunately, it was Amalickiah's plan and not Lehonti's. We need to remember that every time Satan offers us a deal, it fits his plan and not ours. Whatever Lehonti had planned for his new position didn't last long. Amalickiah had one of his servants "administer poison by degrees" to Lehonti. Notice he didn't kill him outright, any more than Satan gets us to jump straight into the deep end. That's not his style. Rather than try to come at us head-on, he usually sides-up beside us so he can put his arm around us and pacify us, get us to let down our guard, and before we know it we're on the wrong path (See <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/28.21?lang=eng#20" target="_blank">2 Nephi 28:21</a>). Lehonti probably didn't even know he was being poisoned.<br />
<br />
Lehonti dies, Amalickiah becomes leader of the whole army, visits the king, has him killed, and is now king of all the Lamanites. If Lehonti had stayed at the top of the mountain, he would've been safe. Amalickiah could not have gained an advantage, and would never have become king.<br />
<br />
So, the moral of this story: "Don't come down off your mountain!" Not even a little bit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-60750412035027455672012-08-04T07:25:00.000-06:002012-08-04T07:25:00.016-06:00Experiment on the Word<div style="text-align: justify;">
I really need to work on updating this one more often. I'm such a slacker...</div>
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Anyhow, I recently had the opportunity to fill in for our Gospel Doctrine instructor for a few weeks and really was meaning to post a few things here (really, I was). The last lesson I did was on Alma 32, which was a bit of a challenge. Most everyone in the class is likely to know the story line already (Alma & co. visit the apostate Zoramites in an effort to bring them back on-side, they find a group of the poor & humble who are receptive to the message, Alma teaches them about faith and experimenting on the word of God). So, how do you present the material in a way that doesn't put everyone to sleep?</div>
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First, let's dispel a lingering myth. At no point in chapter 32 (or anywhere else I can find) does Alma compare faith to a seed. You can look all you want, but you won't find it because it's not there. What he says is, "...we will compare the word unto a seed" (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.28?lang=eng#27" target="_blank">Alma 32:28</a>).<br />
<br />
Here are some of the points which jumped out at me:<br />
-<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.11?lang=eng#10" target="_blank">Verse 11</a>, am I a "Sunday Mormon"? Or do I live it 7 days/week?<br />
<br />
-<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.26-27?lang=eng#25" target="_blank">Verse 26-27</a>, it's interesting to me that Alma gives the humble Zoramites the "scientific method" for discovering truth right after the story of Korihor, who basically said "if you can't prove it scientifically, it doesn't exist."<br />
<br />
-Alma's discourse on the seed seems to be a continuation of the Parable of the Sower. He's talking to those who's hearts are "good soil", so he can spend more time talking about nurturing the seed rather than the condition of the ground.<br />
<br />
-The biggest insight I had this time came from two quick references in verses 13 and 22:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>13</b> And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>22</b> And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word.</blockquote>
I've read this passage many times, I've had many lessons on this chapter, but this was the first time this idea occurred to me. And when it did, it was like someone had <span style="background-color: yellow;">highlighted </span>and <u>underlined</u> it for emphasis and I had one of those, "how long has <i>that</i> been in there?" moments. Before Alma starts talking about faith and making room in their hearts for the word of God, he plants the idea that God is merciful. He says in verse 13 that everyone who repents will find mercy. Those are pretty good odds. Then he says God is merciful to everyone (again, loving the odds here) who believes on his name.<br />
<br />
So now I have to ask myself, "Why is it so important to Alma that these Zoramites understand the mercy of God?" Maybe because they had dissented from the Nephites and perhaps had doubts they could be accepted again. Satan is quick to tell us that we've come too far to turn around, regardless of what we've done. Not only had these people left the church, they actively built another one to teach there would be no Christ (<i>oops... awkward</i>).<br />
<br />
Then it hit me again in chapter 33. Alma wants to really drive home the point that these people don't have to come to the synagogue to worship, so he uses a scripture about prayer to back up his point (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/33.3-11?lang=eng#2" target="_blank">Alma 33:3-11</a>). Okay, so we can pray in the wilderness, the field, our houses, closets, when we're alone or surrounded by people... that's comforting. Alma could've used any number of scriptures to back up his point. There are many great examples of prayer which would help illustrate how you don't have to be in church on Sunday to pray. He chose this one for a reason. Count how many times in those nine verses where God's mercy is mentioned. It's okay... I'll wait for you to come back...<br />
<br />
Six times in nine verses. It really seems like Alma is trying to get this idea to stick. So, hidden in a story I thought I knew was this wonderful underlying message that God is merciful. Not just some of the time either. All the time. And not just to the preferred customers, but "whosoever repenteth shall find mercy" because "God is merciful unto all who believe on his name".<br />
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Thanks to that insight, this passage now has a new depth of meaning for me. Experiment on the word, plant it in your heart and nourish it until it grows. I've done that with various aspects of the gospel and it has never failed. And now I can add the understanding and reassurance of God's mercy to the process.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-64072007093056211602012-01-15T13:35:00.000-07:002012-01-15T13:35:00.191-07:00The Tree of Life<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yah, I know... it's been a while since my last post here. I haven't actually been the Gospel Doctrine instructor since the ward boundary change last year. I came across something which helped me understand Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life a little better than I had before. Amazing what happens when I actually read the lesson material before class...<br />
<br />
The lesson manual pointed out there were four groups of people described in the vision:<br />
A. Those who started on the path, but became lost in the mist of darkness (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.21-23?lang=eng#20" target="_blank">1 Nephi 8:21-23</a>)<br />
B. Those who managed to partake of the fruit, but then became ashamed and fell away (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.24-28?lang=eng#23" target="_blank">1 Nephi 8:24-28</a>)<br />
C. Those who partake of the fruit and remain faithful (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.30?lang=eng#29" target="_blank">1 Nephi 8:30</a>)<br />
D. Those who go straight for the GSB (Great and Spacious Building) without even getting on the path (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.31-33?lang=eng#30" target="_blank">1 Nephi 8:31-33</a>)<br />
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I had one of those "how long has <i>that</i> been there??" moments. I'm not sure what the trigger was this time, but I realized, "This sounds an awful lot like the parable of the Sower!"<br />
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Let's look at the four groups of people described in Matthew 13:<br />
1. Those who hear the word, don't understand, and are caught away by Satan (<a href="https://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/13.19?lang=eng#19" target="_blank">Matt 13:19</a>).<br />
2. Those who receive the word with joy, but fall away after tribulation or persecution (<a href="https://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/13.20-21?lang=eng#19" target="_blank">Matt 13:20-21</a>)<br />
3. Those who receive the word, but let the cares of the world take over (<a href="https://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/13.22?lang=eng#22" target="_blank">Matt 13:22</a>)<br />
4. Those who receive the word and bear fruit (<a href="https://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/13.23?lang=eng#23" target="_blank">Matt 13:23</a>)<br />
<br />
This reminded me of the matching sections on exams where you link items from one column to the corresponding item in the other column. I like it when things break down into pieces I can understand.<br />
<br />
Here are my answers:<br />
A3. They start off on the path, but their desires to reach the fruit get choked by the desires of the world.<br />
<br />
B2. These people experience the joys of the gospel, but become ashamed or offended and fall away. This to me is the saddest group. They had first-hand experience of the fruit and how it was "desirable to make one happy" (<a href="https://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.10?lang=eng#10" target="_blank">1 Nephi 8:10</a>). They ate the fruit and left. Not because the fruit didn't taste good, but because of how others made them feel about it. Maybe some of them came back, but too many do not. It reminds me of Lyman E. Johnson's story. He was the first apostle chosen in this dispensation, but eventually fell away and was excommunicated. He once told the brethren:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt;">"I
would suffer my right hand to be cut off, if I could believe it
again. Then I was full of joy and gladness. My dreams were pleasant.
When I awoke in the morning my spirit was cheerful. I was happy by
day and by night, full of peace and joy and thanksgiving. But now it
is darkness, pain, sorrow, misery in the extreme. I have never since
seen a happy moment." (As cited by Brigham Young, in Journal of
Discourses, 26 vols. (London: Latter-day Saints Book Depot, 1854-86),
19:42.)</span></blockquote>
He should be the poster boy for the GSB.<br />
<br />
C4. These people went through all the same hard spots on the journey, passed through the same mists of darkness and endured the same tauntings from the GSB residents and still remained faithful.<br />
<br />
D1. These guys thought the GSB looked more appealing than some glowing fruit and didn't even get on the path. Maybe they didn't understand how that little piece of fruit was worth all the effort. Maybe they didn't see how it could make them happy. Everyone at the window pointing their fingers seemed to be having fun.<br />
<br />
A few other observations I had...<br />
-I've often wondered about the man "dressed in a white robe" (1 Nephi 8:5) who was Lehi's guide at the beginning of the dream. He tells Lehi to follow, and that's the last we read of him. Was Lehi's experience similar to Nephi's? Did the 'man in white' stick around and explain things as they went along? What was Lehi thinking as he was walking through the "dark and dreary waste... for the space of many hours"? After all, he was being obedient and still found himself in a dark place.<br />
<br />
-I found it a little interesting there was a very clear-cut path, albeit strait and narrow, and a rod of iron leading travellers to the tree of life and the fruit, but the way to the GSB was shrouded in the mist of darkness to the point where those trying to make their way had to "[feel] their way" (1 Nephi 8:31), which tells me they were walking blind. Many of them were drowned, many were lost, all just trying to get to the GSB so they could have fun pointing out the window at people eating fruit (sounds like a good time to me). Don't get distracted by the GSB travel brochures, read the fine print. Satan doesn't care if you get lost or drown along the way, he just wants you off the path and away from the iron rod, "for he seeketh that <span class="highlight">all</span> <span class="highlight">men</span> might be <span class="highlight">miserable</span> like unto himself." (<a href="https://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2.27?lang=eng#26" target="_blank">2 Nephi 2:27</a>)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-8008564650961063792011-05-27T08:56:00.000-06:002011-05-27T08:56:57.982-06:00A Blonde Moment<div style="text-align: justify;">I took three of the kids to stake conference on Sunday (#4 wasn't feeling well). I have been listening to the Book of Mormon as I drive, so it started playing again when I started the car. After one of the many "I, Nephi..." verses, Allie (6yrs) asked a very serious question:<br />
<br />
"Dad, how did Nephi know how to talk to the radio?"<br />
<br />
After explaining it wasn't actually Nephi speaking, but someone reading the scriptures, she was fine again.<br />
<br />
I worry about that girl sometimes. Cute, but the blonde goes all the way to the roots some days...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-43754650940407821212011-04-11T18:28:00.001-06:002011-04-11T18:28:00.150-06:00Lesson 14: Pesky Neighbors<div style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a href="http://lds.org/manual/new-testament-class-member-study-guide/lesson-14-who-is-my-neighbour?lang=eng" target="_blank">lesson</a> deals with probably my second-favorite parable. The more I learn about the <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/10.25-37?lang=eng#24" target="_blank">"good" Samaritan</a> (<i>Note, Christ never used the term 'good' in relation to this parable</i>), the more appreciation I have for my Savior.<br />
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A lawyer, trying to trap Jesus, asked what he had to do in order to inherit eternal life. Christ turned the question back on him saying, "You're a lawyer, what does the law say?"<br />
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This must've been a bit embarrassing for a lawyer to appear not to know a basic question like that, so he answered, 'Love God and your neighbor'. In an effort to save face, he added, "And who is my neighbor?"<br />
<br />
Essentially he's asking, "Where is the dividing line between neighbor and non-neighbor? If someone asks me for help, where's the cut-off point where I'm no longer obligated to do anything?" I'm sure we've all had neighbors we'd rather not have to help if we could get away with it. Maybe they play their music really loud at all hours of the night, maybe they let their dog wander around on your lawn. To the Jews of the day, any Israelite was considered a neighbor. However, if you saw a Gentile drowning, you weren't technically obligated to help under the law. <br />
<blockquote>"The rabbis said, 'An Israelite killing a stranger-inhabitant doth not die for it by the Sanhedrin, because it is said, If any one lifts up himself against his neighbor.' 'We are not to contrive the death of the Gentiles, but if they are in any danger of death we are not bound to deliver them... for such a one is not thy neighbor.' (J. R. Dummelow, <i>The One Volume Bible Commentary</i>, p. 751)</blockquote>Christ referred to this point earlier in his ministry, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/5.43?lang=eng#42" target="_blank">Matt 5:43</a>).<br />
<br />
Jesus responded to the lawyer with a parable:<br />
<blockquote><i>...A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.<br />
<br />
And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.<br />
<br />
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.<br />
<br />
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,<br />
<br />
And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.<br />
<br />
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.</i></blockquote>Jericho was a Levite city about 12-15 miles away from Jerusalem and the road was called the "red path" or "bloody way" as it was known for frequent attacks on travelers. The wounded man in the story is left unaided by a passing priest and Levite, who move to the other side of the road to avoid him.<br />
<br />
While this may seem a little harsh to us, the listeners would've understood, as the priest and Levite would've held responsibilities in the temple and any contact with one who was dead would result in being made unclean (Numbers 19:16) and unworthy to serve in the temple without a lengthy cleansing period.<br />
<br />
The stinger for them would've been the actions of the Samaritan who saved the life of the wounded man. In fact, when asked who he thought was neighbor, the lawyer couldn't even say Samaritan but referred to him only as "he that shewed mercy".<br />
<br />
On the surface, the moral of the story seems to be "do good to everyone", which is definitely one important application. But remember the lawyer's original question, "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" I feel we as readers often take the wrong role in the story. We think we are to be the Samaritan, when in fact we are the wounded traveler. It's almost as if Jesus was asking, "what can you do, as the wounded, dying man on the side of the road, to save yourself?" The answer is clear, we are vulture bait unless someone steps in to help. The only source of salvation comes from one they despised most. Earlier in Christ's ministry, the Jews applied what was probably the worst label they had, "Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan...?" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/8.48?lang=eng#47" target="_blank">John 8:48</a>)<br />
<br />
The Samaritan in the story gave the inn-keeper two-days wages as payment in advance, which would've been more than enough, and a promise he would pay more if needed. Eternal life comes through Christ no matter how unpopular He may be, whether in His day or in ours.<br />
<blockquote>"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/25.23?lang=eng#22" target="_blank">2 Nephi 25:23</a>)<br />
<br />
"Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah..." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2.8?lang=eng#7" target="_blank">2 Nephi 2:8</a>) </blockquote></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-5419256894085959152011-03-27T08:44:00.000-06:002011-03-27T08:44:37.574-06:00Lesson 13: Fish Again?<div style="text-align: justify;">If you live in Raymond, you don't get a lesson this week, one of the casualties of the boundary adjustments and the creation of a new ward. The rest of you are probably on <a href="https://lds.org/manual/new-testament-class-member-study-guide/lesson-13-i-will-give-unto-thee-the-keys-of-the-kingdom?lang=eng" target="_blank">Lesson 13</a>.<br />
<br />
This is my first "civilian" posting, which was an interesting experience. I had a few ideas and insights as I read, but mostly questions.<br />
<br />
Jesus and the disciples had gone up to Tyre and Sidon from Capernaum (about 60km away). Matthew and Mark don't mention the reason for the detour, only that while they are there a Greek woman "besought [Jesus] that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/7.26?lang=eng#26" target="_blank">Mark 7:26</a>). Matthew records she "cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on my, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/15.22?lang=eng#22" target="_blank">Matt 15:22</a>). She was making enough of a scene the disciples "besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/15.23?lang=eng#23" target="_blank">Matt 15:23</a>). <i>"Can't you just help her so she'll go away?"</i><br />
<br />
Christ told the woman, "Let the children <i>of the kingdom</i> (JST Mark 7:26) first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs." Ouch, that seems a little harsh. But the Greek word used here means "little dog" or family pet.<br />
<br />
The woman, who seems to have understood what Jesus was saying, replied, "Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/7.28?lang=eng#28" target="_blank">Mark 7:28</a>).<br />
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Jesus, impressed with her faith (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/15.28?lang=eng#28" target="_blank">Matt 15:28</a>) tells her she can have what she wants and her daughter was made whole.<br />
<br />
So, was this the primary reason Christ came to the region? Nothing else is recorded of the trip. It seems a long way to go to test the faith of a gentile woman. Was this a primer for the apostles, letting them know the time will come when they will take the gospel to the gentiles?<br />
<br />
From the coast of Tyre and Sidon, they traveled to Decapolis, ten cities to the south east of the sea of Galiliee, again largely populated by gentiles. The people had followed the Savior for three days as he healed their sick (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/15.32-39?lang=eng#32" target="_blank">Matthew 15:32-39</a>/ <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/8.1-10?lang=eng#1" target="_blank">Mark 8:1-10</a>). Four thousand men (not counting women and children) were starting to get a little hungry and Jesus had compassion on them. The disciples pointed out they were in the wilderness and couldn't buy bread, and didn't have enough to feed everyone. Christ took the seven loaves and the few small fish, gave thanks, and broke them. The disciples then distributed them among the multitude, and after everyone was full, they collected seven baskets of left-overs.<br />
<br />
<strong>Some of my questions</strong>:<br />
-Why did he wait three days before having compassion on the multitude? The 5,000 were fed after only a single day.<br />
-Why didn't the disciples just ask for a repeat performance? They had seen him feed 5,000 with only five loaves. Were they afraid to ask for something which seemed so far out of reach?<br />
-Why were there only seven baskets left over? For that matter, why were there twelve baskets left over the first time?<br />
<br />
<strong>A couple of points I'm taking from these two experiences</strong>:<br />
-I need to be more like the gentile woman in my prayers. Her faith and persistence resulted in the desired blessing. My prayers could use a bit more faith and persistence.<br />
-Don't be offended or hurt when the Lord tests my faith. In the scriptures, every time faith is tested a great blessing awaits on the other side, "for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12.6?lang=eng#6" target="_blank">Ether 12:6</a>)<br />
-The multitude followed Christ for three days without eating. What am I willing to give up to be closer to him? A bad habit or two? Maybe a favorite sin?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-55620261854893269942011-03-21T18:37:00.009-06:002011-03-21T18:37:00.484-06:00Not How I Had Pictured It...<div style="text-align: justify;">Any calling to serve in the Church comes with an eventual release date (with a very few exceptions). I knew my day would come eventually, although I had imagined it quite differently. I figured in about 4-5 years, despite my best efforts to stay under the radar, someone would realize I was still teaching and move me to some other calling. Sure, I'd accept the new position, but on the inside I would still be missing my favorite calling of all time. That's not how it happened...<br />
<br />
Last night there was a meeting for the Raymond stake in which all the ward boundaries were revised and the new Raymond 9th ward was created. Speculation has been running rampant for over a year now, but last night it became official. I thought it was rather amusing they chose "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" as the opening hymn. The stake went through and released a couple of bishops as well as some other stake callings, so we were all trying to guess where the boundaries would be, based on who was being released. I honestly thought we were safe because they only seemed to be affecting three of the wards. But sadly, we got traded to First ward.<br />
<br />
To say we have mixed emotions is somewhat an understatement. Trevor is excited because now his friend and his cousins will all be in the same ward. Rhys is excited because his friend Owen is also in 1st ward (we live two houses away, pretty good odds we were going to be in the same ward). I'm sure 1st ward will be fine, but it's still hard leaving 5th ward. <br />
<br />
I'm very grateful to have been given the privilege of teaching Gospel Doctrine for nearly five years. I've had so many great learning experiences and will miss everyone. I take with me all the things they taught me (even though I was supposed to be the teacher). If you've never taught Sunday School, you're missing out on what it's like to see people in the class have "ah-ha!" moments, or to feel guided to take the lesson in a different direction and see it touch someone. <br />
<br />
This calling has given me the wonderful opportunity to serve alongside some great men. Two of the most influential:<br />
<br />
<b>Brother Terry Tieland</b>, I still remember your Book of Mormon lessons and feeling your testimony as you taught. One of my biggest worries when I was first called was how high you had set the bar.<br />
<br />
<b>Bishop Bernie Orr</b>, from being priesthood helpers on Beehive camp, to teaching, to your time as bishop, I've always looked up to you. The hardest part of this whole transition was probably the realization I'm not in your ward any more. I am a better person because of the things I've learned from you.<br />
<br />
So, to the 5th ward Gospel Doctrine class, I thank you. I learned far more from you than you did from me. <br />
<br />
Now I just wait to see where I get called next. In the meantime, I'll still keep working on the weekly lessons because it's fun for me.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-61053013096927285872011-03-18T18:18:00.000-06:002011-03-18T18:18:54.351-06:00Lesson 12: Never Seems to Work With Ice Cream<div style="text-align: justify;">The other point I wanted to cover from this week's lesson is the feeding of the 5,000.<br />
<br />
A large multitude had been following Jesus because they had seen the great healings he had performed. As the evening drew close, Christ had compassion on the people and asked Philip where they could buy enough bread to feed the people (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/6.5?lang=eng#5" target="_blank">John 6:5</a>). Philip replied two hundred pennyworth (the equivalent of 200 days wages) wouldn't be enough to feed the crowd, even if they all only had a small portion.<br />
<br />
Andrew said there was a boy who had five loaves of bread and two small fish, "...but what are they among so many?" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/6.9?lang=eng#9" target="_blank">John 6:9</a>). I wonder if Andrew caught a glimpse of what Jesus had already set out to do. In my limited understanding, he seems to be either using this to show they had no way to feed such a large group, or he was cautiously hoping the Master could miraculously provide for them.<br />
<br />
Christ instructed the disciples to arrange the crowd into groups of fifty (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/9.14?lang=eng#14" target="_blank">Luke 9:14</a>), took the loaves and fish and blessed them. The disciples were then instructed to distribute the food to the multitude. After everyone had eaten and was full, twelve baskets of left-overs were collected. <br />
<br />
Here are a few thoughts I had this week...<br />
<br />
-<b>Give Your All</b><br />
I would love to one day find out how the young boy responded to the request for his food. What did Andrew say to him? <i>"Excuse me, would you mind donating your food to help feed this crowd? Thanks."</i> <br />
<br />
How would you even respond to that? <i>"With all due respect sir, you should wear a hat and not spend so much time in the sun. Drink more water too, stay hydrated. Just sayin'..."</i><br />
<br />
By all indications, this boy willingly gave everything he had even though it was clear it wouldn't be enough. When we are asked to do something big (maybe speaking in Church, a calling to the primary, etc) and everything seems to suggest our capacity may not be enough, we need to remember the Lord's math is different than what we normally use. Christ can do more with our mere loaves and fishes than we could, he just asks that we give him everything we have so he can make more of us than we could on our own. Seems like not a bad deal.<br />
<br />
-<b>Christ Never Runs Out</b><br />
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "...Don't worry about Christ running out of ability to help you. His grace is sufficient. That is the spiritual, eternal lesson of the feeding of the five thousand" (Jeffrey R. Holland, "<i><a href="http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=2912&x=55&y=9" target="_blank">Come Unto Me</a></i>", BYU Fireside, 2 March 1997).<br />
<br />
No matter what our problem or difficulty, we can be completely confident in Christ's ability not only to understand our situation, but also to provide the needed assistance. We may not understand how he can have more of us left over than what we started with, but fortunately he's not restricted to our understanding.<br />
<br />
Along those same lines, have you ever had an experience where one verse or passage of scripture opened up and you learned far more than you ever thought you could? It usually happens to me while I'm preparing for a lesson. A seemingly insignificant passage I may be inclined to gloss over suddenly becomes a rich spiritual feast and I find myself having difficulties trying to catch it all.<br />
<br />
-<b>Gather Up the Extra</b><br />
I wonder if the apostles gathering the remnants of the bread and fish could be symbolic of the gathering of the twelve tribes of Israel. Just sorta thinking aloud there...<br />
<br />
I'd be very interested to learn what they did with those twelve baskets. Did they use it to sustain themselves, or did they share it with those in need as they traveled? Either way, nothing was wasted. I wonder how often in my life I have wasted the generous blessings I've been given. Probably more often than I care to admit. <br />
<br />
Anyhow, I hope my ramblings make sense. I'd love to hear any thoughts you might have on this...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-16764674389636067672011-03-16T06:23:00.004-06:002011-03-16T08:48:45.177-06:00Lesson 12: Your Focus Needs More Focus<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm trying not to succumb to the rumors flying all over town of impending ward boundary adjustments (<i>everyone knows someone who knows someone who is related to someone who saw the newly revised map</i>) and the fear that this lesson may be my last as the 5th Ward Gospel Doctrine instructor. This time, the stake actually put an announcement in all the ward bulletins and is having a meeting for the adults on Sunday evening.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, the <a href="http://lds.org/manual/new-testament-class-member-study-guide/lesson-12-i-am-the-bread-of-life?lang=eng" target="_blank">lesson</a> covers a few events I'd like to discuss in a little more detail than what we are normally able to do in class. The first of which is when Christ walked on the water to reach the disciples in the boat.<br />
<br />
After Christ had miraculously fed the five thousand, he sent the disciples into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee and meet him on the other side while he went up to a mountain be alone (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/14.22-23?lang=eng#22" target="_blank">Matt 14:22-23</a>).<br />
<br />
A storm had come up which slowed their progress. By the fourth watch (3:00am - 6:00am), they had only gone about 25-30 furlongs (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/6.19?lang=eng#19" target="_blank">John 6:19</a>), or about 5-6km. As they were struggling against the wind and waves, they saw what they thought to be a spirit coming across the sea towards them. Jesus called out to them "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/14.27?lang=eng#27" target="_blank">Matt 14:27</a>). Peter said, "If it really is you, tell me to come out to meet you." Jesus invites Peter, who almost made it the whole distance before he started sinking.<br />
<br />
For those of us who don't spend a lot of time boating or don't forsee the need to walk on water in the future, what can we apply from this event to our lives today?<br />
<br />
<b>-The Lord takes the most direct route</b><br />
Knowing the severity of the storm and knowing his disciples were struggling, Christ naturally took the most direct route to help them. He didn't wait for them to reach the shore (which they probably would have done in the morning when the winds calmed) and congratulate them for toughing it out. He also didn't calm the storm, as he had done before. This time, he let his presence calm the disciples. We were never promised we wouldn't have storms in our lives, or even to have all our storms calmed. But we do have the promise we can make it through the storms with Christ. He will always take the most effective, the most direct path to succor us.<br />
<br />
<b>-Be of good cheer</b><br />
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "This scriptural account reminds us that the first step in coming to Christ--or his coming to us--may fill us with something very much like sheer terror. It shouldn't, but it sometimes does. One of the grand ironies of the gospel is that the very source of help and safety being offered us is the thing from which we may, in our mortal shortsightedness, flee." (Jeffrey R. Holland, "<i><a href="http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=2912&x=52&y=6" target="_blank">Come Unto Me</a></i>", BYU Fireside, 2 Mar 1997)<br />
<br />
<b>-Come</b><br />
Make the effort to come to Christ. His invitation goes out to all of us, not just a few, and not just when <i>we</i> feel we're ready or worthy. Just as the father ran to meet his prodigal son, Christ will make sure we do not have to walk home alone. We shouldn't be surprised if sometimes it seems we are called to walk on water (or through it, in Moses' case). Just remember God never sets us up to fail, so if he asks us to do something we can be confident he has "prepare[d] a way for [us] that [we] may accomplish the thing which he commandeth [us]" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/3.7?lang=eng#7" target="_blank">1 Nephi 3:7</a>).<br />
<br />
<b>-Keep your eyes on Christ</b><br />
Peter jumped out of the boat and walked towards his Master. When he noticed the winds, he got a little nervous and started to sink. He was close enough that all Jesus had to do was "immediately ... [stretch] forth his hand, and [catch] him" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/14.31?lang=eng#31" target="_blank">Matt 14:31</a>). I once heard a quote which has stuck with me: <br />
<blockquote><i><b>"<span style="color: #990000;">An obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off your goal</span>."</b></i></blockquote>While he was walking, Peter's focus remained on Christ. But when he looked at the waves, he started to sink. When things are going rough in our lives, if we see waves there's a good chance we're looking in the wrong direction.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-14755970047636762122011-02-10T19:25:00.000-07:002011-02-10T19:25:24.672-07:00Lesson 7: "Be not afraid, only believe"<div style="text-align: justify;">For some reason of all the miracles Christ performed, this one (well, technically two) sticks out to me the most this week.<br />
<br />
All we know about Jairus (Greek, "whom God enlightens") is that he was "one of the rulers of the synagogue" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/5.22?lang=eng#22" target="_blank">Mark 5:22</a>). His faith in Christ's ability to heal his daughter seems genuine, and he implored Jesus to come with him to save her. He knew if Christ would come, his daughter would be spared from death.<br />
<br />
As they went a large crowd followed, as it usually did. As they walked, a woman who had suffered for twelve years from a blood hemorrhage touched the Savior's clothes and was healed. He stopped to inquire who touched him, which the disciples thought was a bit odd, considering the large crowd which was no doubt constantly bumping up against him. He looked at the woman, who then confessed what she had done, and told her, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/5.34?lang=eng#34" target="_blank">Mark 5:34</a>). Not only did he know <i>that</i> she had been healed, he also knew <i>what</i> he had healed.<br />
<br />
As he is talking with this woman, someone brought Jairus the news, "Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/5.35?lang=eng#35" target="_blank">Mark 5:35</a>). Essentially, "There's nothing he can do now, there's no point in taking any more of his time."<br />
<br />
Christ told Jairus, "Be not afraid, only believe" (vs. 36). Luke adds, "and she shall be made whole" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/8.50?lang=eng#50" target="_blank">Luke 8:50</a>). Jairus did believe and his daughter was restored to life.<br />
<br />
I wish more details of this account had been preserved because I'd like to get to know Jairus a bit better. I'm left to assume because his reactions weren't recorded, he was quietly trusting in the Lord. I'm sure someone would've written something had Jairus snapped... "We need to walk faster." "Why are we stopping to see who touched you? We're on a tight schedule!" "If we hadn't stopped, maybe we would've made it in time and my daughter would still be alive!"<br />
<br />
There was only quiet faith on the part of Jairus. How hard would it be to calm the natural sense of urgency a parent would feel on behalf of a dying child? Instead of letting the incident with the healing of the woman irritate him, he seems to have let it build his faith in Christ's ability to grant the desired blessing. Even when he received word of his daughter's death, he quietly followed the Master. When those around him were laughing to scorn, he still showed faith. <br />
<br />
This whole experience seems to have been tailored to build Jairus' faith in Christ's power to heal. Jesus could easily have simply told him to go home and his daughter would be healed, as he had done with the centurion (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/8.5-13?lang=eng#5" target="_blank">Matt 8:5-13</a>) and the nobleman (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/4.46-53?lang=eng#46" target="_blank">John 4:46-54</a>). But Jairus would've been deprived of his walk with the Master. They could have walked a different route where they would not have been "interrupted" by the woman seeking healing for herself, Jesus could've simply found her on the way back and healed her later. <br />
<br />
So, what can we learn from Jairus and his experience? <br />
<br />
First, miracles are predicated on faith. The woman was told it was her faith which made her whole, not the touching of Christ's clothes. Often, we will experience ridicule or scorn for exercising our faith. There is no evidence from the scriptural account to show Jairus ever lost his faith in Christ.<br />
<br />
Second, the Lord is keenly aware of us. He knew who, out of a large pressing crowd, had touched his garment. We can be assured he is also aware of our needs, many times even when we are not.<br />
<br />
Third, we shouldn't get too caught up in our own needs that we can't stop to help someone else along the way. Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught:<br />
<blockquote>"When, for the moment, we ourselves are not being stretched on a particular cross, we ought to be at the foot of someone else’s—full of empathy and proffering spiritual refreshment." (Neal A. Maxwell, <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1990/05/endure-it-well?lang=eng" target="_blank">"Endure It Well"</a>, April General Conference, 1990)</blockquote>Fourth, no one is beyond the healing reach of the Savior. How often do we consider ourselves as having gone too far astray? We have wandered off beyond Christ's ability to help us back. We give up on ourselves just as those in the house had given up on the daughter (turns out she was only <i>mostly</i> dead...). <br />
<br />
Finally, we need to exercise patience when asking for blessings from the Lord. God has a way of using what we feel are delays and turning them to our benefit. We can grumble about having to wait (and probably miss out), or we can let it strengthen our faith like Jairus did.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-2826014073923620232011-02-09T06:49:00.003-07:002011-02-09T08:56:59.152-07:00Lesson 7: Needs of the One<div style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a href="http://lds.org/manual/new-testament-class-member-study-guide/lesson-7-he-took-our-infirmities-and-bare-our-sicknesses?lang=eng" target="_blank">lesson</a> deals with Christ's miracles. There have been chapters and books written about the various miracles performed, so what does that leave for a 45-minute lesson? There are so many ways to apply the lessons to our lives today, how does one pick a few selected examples when they are all so rich?<br />
<br />
When I worked on this lesson last time (four years ago), one of the strongest impressions I had was how much the Lord loves the individual. I went through and counted 21 miracles performed for just one person; healings, casting out devils, even raising the dead. He often went out of his way to reach someone. If I have time this week, I'll see about picking a few miracles to discuss, but now I want to focus on "the one".<br />
<br />
The Lord used the image of the shepherd leaving the "ninety and nine" to search for the one sheep which had gone astray (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/18.12-13?lang=eng#12" target="_blank">Matt 18:12-13</a>) to show us (among other things) how much he cares for us. And notice the sheep didn't get a lecture all the way home, but the shepherd rejoiced in finding the one which had been lost.<br />
<br />
When the resurrected Savior came to visit the Nephites, he told the multitude to come forward to feel the nail marks in his hands and feet, they came "one by one until they had all gone forth" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.14-15?lang=eng#14" target="_blank">3 Nephi 11:14-15</a>). So, how many people are we talking about? Thirty? Fifty? How about 2,500 (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/17.25?lang=eng#25" target="_blank">3 Nephi 17:25</a>). Even with a group of 2,500 people, he still made sure they had individual one-on-one time with him.<br />
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That's how I imagine the atonement taking place. We talk about the infinite atonement (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/9.7?lang=eng#6" target="_blank">2 Nephi 9:7</a>, <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/34.12?lang=eng#11" target="_blank">Alma 34:12</a>) which makes it easy sometimes to forget the very personal nature of the sacrifice. I haven't found any supporting evidence of this, but I believe the atonement was made one person at a time. The closest I've been able to find is a quote from Elder John H. Groberg:<br />
<blockquote>"I feel that as [the Savior] hung upon the cross and looked out…, he saw through the stream of time. His huge, magnanimous, loving soul encompassed all eternity and took in all people and all times and all sins… Yes, he saw down to you and to me" (John H. Groberg, "Beauty and Importance of the Sacrament", <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1989/05/the-beauty-and-importance-of-the-sacrament?lang=eng" target="_blank">Conference Report Apr 89</a>).</blockquote><br />
In my heart, I see the Savior in Gethsemane taking on himself the burden of our sins. When my name "came up" I imagine him pulling my picture out of his wallet (<i>I'll never understand how it was done, so I put it into terms I can grasp a bit better</i>) until he was <b>sure</b> I had been sufficiently covered before he pulled out the next person's photo. "I ... [suffer] these things for [you], that [you] might not suffer if [you] would repent" (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/19.16-18?lang=eng#16" target="_blank">Doct and Cov. 19:16-18</a>). And then, just to make sure, he went through it all again on the cross:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"...while he was hanging on the cross for another three hours, ... all the infinite agonies and merciless pains of Gethsemane recurred." (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane", <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1985/05/the-purifying-power-of-gethsemane?lang=eng" target="_blank">April General Conference 1985</a>)</blockquote><br />
So, while there are so many great spiritual lessons to be found in the miracles performed by Christ, one of the biggest for me is the reminder of the importance and value in God's eyes of the one.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-38600286108044923372011-02-04T20:29:00.000-07:002011-02-04T20:29:41.918-07:00Lesson 6: Once More, With Feeling<div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes, lessons jump out at you from unexpected places in the scriptures. I've been wondering all week how to approach this week's <a href="http://lds.org/manual/new-testament-class-member-study-guide/lesson-6-they-straightway-left-their-nets?lang=eng" target="_blank">lesson</a> on the selection of the 12 Apostles. I went through all the scriptures listed in the manual and wondered, <i>"what am I going to do with the other 40 minutes of class time?"</i><br />
<br />
Then I read something about the experience with Peter before his call to the apostleship. In <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/5?lang=eng" target="_blank">Luke 5</a>, Christ was teaching the people near the Sea of Galilee and a large crowd was gathering. He saw two ships docked as the fishermen were working on their nets after an uneventful night of fishing. Christ entered one of the boats and taught the crowd from there. When he finished, he instructed Simon (not Peter yet) to "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught" or large catch (vs. 4). Simon responded that they had been fishing all night without any success, "nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net" (vs. 5).<br />
<br />
This may be obvious to some of you, but it was one of those, <i>"how long has </i><b>that</b><i> been in there??"</i> moments for me. I knew he went back and always thought, "Good job Peter, you're such a trooper" but never tied it in with anything, so I missed the bigger picture...<br />
<br />
-Hey, Nephi. Would you mind going back to Jerusalem? Turns out we need the Brass Plates (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/3?lang=eng" target="_blank">1 Nephi 3</a>). Nephi says, "Sure Dad, anything the Lord asks!"<br />
<br />
-Hey, Nephi, this is going to be a long trip. Would you mind going back to Jerusalem to pick up Ishmael and his family? Thanks. (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/7?lang=eng" target="_blank">1 Nephi 7</a>). By this time I would've been murmuring, <i>"anything else you need while I'm in town? If we forget anything else, we'll just have to do without because I'm not going back in again"</i> but Nephi is faithful and goes without complaining. <br />
<br />
-Alma, I know you just got kicked out of Ammonihah, but would you mind going back? Yeah, the Lord needs you to tell them to repent or be destroyed. <i>"Have fun storming the castle..."</i> (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/8?lang=eng" target="_blank">Alma 8</a>). Even though the people of the city had just "reviled him, and spit upon him, and caused that he should be cast out of their city" (verse 13), he "returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah" (verse 18). No complaining, no "you could've told me while I was still there", just willing obedience.<br />
<br />
-Samuel (the Lamanite, not the Old Testament prophet. See <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/13?lang=eng" target="_blank">Helaman 13</a>), how about going back to Zarahemla and "prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into [your] heart" (verse 3). <br />
<br />
So, when the Lord asks us to do something, again, what is our attitude? Do we complain a little? Maybe subtly remind the Lord (as Peter did) that we just tried that and it didn't work? Imagine if Naaman only dipped himself in the river Jordan six times instead of seven. <i>"Three... nope, Four... nothing, Five... still not getting any better here... Six, that's it. I'm going home!"</i> Or do we, like Alma and Samuel the Lamanite, immediately turn around and go back? Simon Peter's previous try simply didn't work, it's not like the fish threw him off the lake. Alma was thrown out of the city, but went back faithfully and "speedily".<br />
<br />
Why does the Lord so often ask us to do things repeatedly? Just once, wouldn't it be nice to have someone come up and say, "Here is the golden horseshoe and silver platter you ordered, will there be anything else sir?" The first time I prayed for a testimony of the Book of Mormon, I didn't get an answer. Didn't get one the second time either, or the third... I think I had read it at least four times before my answer came, and I can't imagine it would've had the same lasting impact had it come when I asked the first time when I "took no thought save it was to ask" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/9.7?lang=eng#6" target="_blank">Doct. and Cov 9:7</a>).<br />
<br />
So, what I learned from Peter, and by extension the other examples used here, is that I will be asked to do things over. Things which didn't work out well, or at all, the first time. Things I would rather just leave behind and move on. Things which the Lord knows I could do better. Will I grumble a bit, or welcome the opportunity?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-29760281099330866862011-01-30T14:36:00.000-07:002011-01-30T14:36:48.980-07:00Lesson 5: How's Your Cup?<div style="text-align: justify;">I didn't have anywhere near enough time to go through everything I found for the <a href="http://lds.org/manual/new-testament-gospel-doctrine-teachers-manual/lesson-5-born-again?lang=eng" target="_blank">lesson</a> this week, so I'll hit some of it here.<br />
<br />
I won't go over the visit of Nicodemus, but I do want to share something that caught my attention with the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. I've heard and read this story so many times and could only see the "Christ is the Living Water" message, which is still pretty powerful, don't get me wrong. But this time something else grabbed me and showed me another level to the story.<br />
<br />
The woman came to the well prepared to take water home with her. Seems a bit obvious in hindsight. What's the point of coming to the well if you aren't going to get any water? Spiritually, how many times do we come to church, conference, personal/family scripture study, etc. without bringing anything to hold the "living water" (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/4.10?lang=eng#10" target="_blank">John 4:10</a>) which is waiting? So, to help me identify the issues easier, I came up with three problems we might face with our containers.<br />
<br />
First, <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/jer/2.13?lang=eng#13" target="_blank">Jeremiah 2:13</a> ties in with this (to me, anyway):<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"For my people have committed two evils;" <i>It's nice when the Lord breaks it out into points we can easily identify...</i><br />
<br />
"they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters," <i>Some of us aren't even </i>trying<i> to get any water, but that's not what I'm worried about right now. I just want to focus on those who actually show up...</i><br />
<br />
"[and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." <i>there's a hole in yer bucket, dear Lizza, dear Lizza...</i></blockquote><br />
There's our first issue. We need to examine our container to see if we have any leaks or cracks. We're trying to get "living water" from the scriptures or from meetings, but we can't hold on to it because things in our lives are interfering. We feel good at first, but it quickly fades as other concerns or interests take the place which the Spirit would otherwise occupy.<br />
<br />
The next two come from a devotional given by Elder Bruce R. McConkie:<br />
<blockquote>"...sometimes a speaker brings a jug of living water that has in it many gallons. And when he pours it out on the congregation, all the members have brought is a single cup and so that's all they take away. Or maybe they have their hands over the cups, and they don't get anything to speak of." (Bruce R. McConkie, <a href="http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6770" target="_blank">"The Seven Deadly Heresies"</a>, Fireside Address, 1 June 1980)</blockquote><br />
The second issue, as mentioned above, is that we don't bring a large enough cup. Maybe we haven't prepared ourselves sufficiently to be receptive to the message being presented, or maybe we choose, through commission or omission, to bring a small cup. How many times have you heard, "Oh, I forgot it was high council Sunday" and see people (or yourself) mentally tune out. I've done it before. We show up to church and essentially hold out a tiny cup when the speaker has come prepared to share gallons of "living water" with us.<br />
<br />
The third one, and possibly the most damaging, is when we put our hands over our cup to keep us from getting any water at all. Why would someone come for water, but then put their hand over their cup? Well, what if the speaker was talking about a "pet sin" I wasn't ready to give up just yet? I'd either have to acknowledge the issue and deal with it, or I could just tune out and effectively put my hand over my cup.<br />
<br />
So now I have an easy checklist to make sure I'm getting enough "living water":<br />
- Do I have any cracks in my cup? <br />
- Is the cup large enough? <br />
- Did I actually take the lid off the cup before trying to fill it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-74180647797811706452011-01-24T20:29:00.000-07:002011-01-24T20:29:00.282-07:00Some Favorite Scriptures<div style="text-align: justify;">I picked up a CD by John Bytheway titled <a href="http://deseretbook.com/Earth-Shakers-Seven-Scriptures-Will-Rock-Your-World-John-Bytheway/i/5044700" target="_blank">"7 Scriptures That Will Rock Your World"</a> and listened to it on my way up to Calgary this morning. It was very good and got me thinking about a few things. While I recommend the talk to anyone, I don't want to give a feeble summary here. Let's face it, I'm no John Bytheway. Instead, I thought I'd talk about a few scriptures which have really impacted me in my life. I know from experience when people talk about their favorite scriptures, it doesn't always hit the listener the same way it does to the person sharing. That's fine, often the same verse(s) of scripture will often have a different impact on us at different times in our lives depending on our current circumstances and that is part of the beauty of the scriptures; they reach us when we need it most. Kind of like "spiritual Motrin"... <i>The scriptures target your needs the same way geeks target a Star Trek convention</i>.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to rank these to say one is more a favorite than the others or had more an impact, and there's a good chance I will have to stretch this out over several posts to get them in. Here goes...<br />
<br />
The first one is in <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/21.14-16?lang=eng" target="_blank">1 Nephi 21:14-16</a> (also in Isaiah 49).<br />
<blockquote>"But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me—but he will show that he hath not.<br />
<br />
"For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.<br />
<br />
"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."</blockquote><br />
I had missed this one for quite a while because it was tucked away in the "Isaiah chapters" of 1 and 2 Nephi. I don't recall exactly what was happening when this scripture "rocked my world", but I was in high school and was feeling down about something. Everything in high school seems to get blown out of proportion and feels like the end of the world. I remember reading this (must've been senior year because that's the year we were covering the Book of Mormon in seminary) and it made me slow down to think. <br />
<br />
Back before the days of the Palm Pilot or smartphones, when I needed to remember something I usually wrote a note on my hand; school assignments, girls' phone numbers (well, that's where I <i>would've</i> written them if I ever got any), scheduling items, etc. That's when the light went on for me. This is what Christ was saying here, "I'm never going to forget you because you've been 'graven ... upon the palms of my hands', I always have a reminder of you." He didn't use a pen, but instead the nails which pierced his hands, wrists, and feet. The marks in his hands which he invites all to come and feel for themselves (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.14-15?lang=eng" target="_blank">3 Nephi 11:14-15</a>) as a witness of his divinity serve as a reminder of us.<br />
<br />
It came as a comfort, as well as a gentle "suck it up" moment, to realize that no matter how bad things were (or how bad I <i>thought</i> they were), I was not alone and the Lord was very much aware of me. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught, "Considering the incomprehensible cost of the Crucifixion, Christ is not going to turn his back on us now" ("<a href="http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=2912&x=36&y=7" target="_blank">Come Unto Me</a>", BYU Devotional, 2 March 1997).</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-17711127456534066112010-11-28T17:23:00.000-07:002010-11-28T17:23:48.389-07:00Talk on Prophets<div style="text-align: justify;">We got a phone call on Tuesday evening from one of the counsellors in the bishopric, which is always a little nerve-racking at the best of times. Let's face it, they don't call just to catch up and see how things are going. There's always a reason behind it. <br />
<br />
<strong>Brother Gibb</strong>: "How are you doing?"<br />
<br />
<strong>Me</strong>: "I'll tell you in a minute, depends on how the rest of this call goes..."<br />
<br />
<strong>Brother Gibb</strong>: "We've had to make a change..." after what seemed to be minutes (long enough for me to frantically try to remember which auxiliaries he handled, and I know Brother Tieland is the counsellor over the Sunday School, so if this is headed in the direction I feared it was going, I was about to lose my favorite calling ever), he continued, "...in the speakers on Sunday."<br />
<br />
Well, why didn't you just say so? I'll gladly speak on Sunday. In fact, I'd speak every Sunday if it means keeping my calling in the Sunday School. I was given the topic of "How Old Testament Prophets Can Help Us in Our Day" and Dawn got the modern prophets version<br />
<br />
Here's a link to the <a href="http://www3.telus.net/public/gwhamon/Talk_-_OT_Prophets.pdf" target="_blank"><strong>whole talk...</strong></a><br />
<br />
This is not the version I gave in Church, however. Due to some delays in getting bread for the sacrament, the meeting was about ten minutes late getting started. Dawn and I were chopping whole sections out of our talks as we waited for our turns.<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed preparing for my topic, it was hard narrowing it down to what I had on paper. I have to say I'm really enjoying the Old Testament this year. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to prepare the lessons which make me dig into the scriptures deeper than I would normally.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-81151344509792636542010-09-20T21:40:00.013-06:002010-09-20T22:07:09.938-06:00Lesson 36: Don't Be Afraid, it's Just Isaiah<div style="text-align: justify;">In my years of working with computers, I've met several people who are afraid to do even simple tasks because they just know there's a hidden "self-destruct" button that they are bound to inadvertently hit. Smoke will start coming out the back, the keyboard will start melting, it will somehow take down anything connected to the computer, and then with it's dying breath send out a message of warning on the internet so everyone will know not to give them a computer again. I haven't done an extensive search, but I'm fairly confident there aren't any documented cases of this worst-case scenario actually happening. People are just naturally cautious about what they don't understand.<br />
<br />
The same seems to hold true with Isaiah. When these lessons roll around during Old Testament or the Book of Mormon, I see the same look of trepidation in some of the class members, shear terror in others. I can almost see the eyes glaze over at the mention of Isaiah, especially when they realize there are four weeks of Isaiah lessons.<br />
<br />
When I was younger, I thought Isaiah was boring and hard to understand, so I usually read those chapters a little faster. Now, while I don't claim to understand much of it, I do actually enjoy the Isaiah chapters. Sunday's <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=0bca8c8fd6c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=198bf4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD" target="_blank">lesson</a> dealt with the first six chapters in Isaiah (yah, I know I'm late. Deal with it). There's no way I can cover all the cool parts in those chapters, so I'll just tackle a few of them and see how far I get.<br />
<br />
The first one <i>has</i> to be one of my favorites:<br />
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/isa/1/18/#18" target="_blank">Isaiah 1:18</a>).<br />
<br />
The invitation from the Lord here is as always: "Come". Even if your life seems permanently stained with sin, we can be made clean and pure through the atonement of Christ. He doesn't say "Come, after you've worked it out on your own," the invitation is for us to "Come <i>now</i>".<br />
<br />
The next one is <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/isa/2/20/#20" target="_blank">Isaiah 2:20</a>:<br />
"In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats" <br />
<br />
So, the time will come when men's idols will be cast away to dark and hidden places. The part that never really stuck out to me before was the fact they had made their own idols on an individual basis. Maybe I don't like golden calves, maybe my idol is a silver Corvette stingray. It could also be the sound-proofed man-cave with projector & large-screen, 5.1 surround sound, equipped with the mini-fridge and microwave within arm's reach of the couch. So I had to stop and think (<i>some might argue I haven't started up again</i>), what is <i><strong>my</strong></i> idol? To what do I give the devotion which rightly belongs to God? Whatever it is, things don't look very bright for it or me if I haven't removed it on my own.<br />
<br />
Number 3 is from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/”http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/4/5-6" target="_blank">chapter 4:5-6</a>…<br />
<br />
"And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory [of Zion<b><span style="color: red;">*</span></b>] shall be a defence. <br />
<br />
"And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain." (<span style="color: red;"><strong>*</strong></span>See <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/14/5" target="_blank">2 Nephi 14:5</a>)<br />
<br />
This was always a bit confusing for me until I taught the Exodus lesson a few years ago. While the Israelites were wandering around in the wilderness, the Lord blessed them with a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night. These not only provided protection, but were a sign to Israel that the Lord was with them. This protection is promised to “every dwelling place of mount Zion”, or every faithful home. This isn’t just a little bit of smoke coming out of the fireplace, this has reference to the presence of the Lord.<br />
<br />
So, those are just a few of the thoughts which jumped out to me from this week. Once I get a chance to draw breath this week, I'll see if I can tackle next week's <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=271c8c8fd6c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=198bf4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD" target="_blank">lesson</a>.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-63467636919921484832010-08-29T08:12:00.000-06:002010-08-29T08:12:31.220-06:00Lesson 33: Hide and Seek<div style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=3e898c8fd6c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=198bf4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD" target="_blank">lesson</a> deals with the prophet Jonah. You're probably familiar with the story: God calls Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, Jonah decides to go AWOL and head to Tarshish instead, storm comes up, Jonah gets thrown overboard and then swallowed by a big fish who apparently doesn't like Hebrew food and spits him up on the shore three days later. Jonah preaches, the city repents, and he pouts because now the Lord won't destroy the city.<br />
<br />
What do we know about Jonah? Not a whole lot, really. The Book of Jonah doesn't really talk your ear off with details. Fortunately, in <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_kgs/14/25#25" target="_blank">2 Kings 14:25</a> there is another reference which identifies Jonah as a prophet (which his book does not), and as living in Gath-hepher (Hebrew, "the winepress of digging") which was a small town about three miles north-east of Nazareth.<br />
<br />
Why did Jonah get on a boat when the call came to go to Nineveh? He must've known you can't get to Nineveh by sea any more than you could take a cruise liner to Las Vegas. I think part of what motivated him was the belief that the house of Israel was somehow special, almost to the point of being an exclusive club. Yes, they had been given special promises and blessings, but if they checked the fine print they would've seen those promises extend to anyone who was obedient to God's commandments.<br />
<br />
So Jonah opens up his mission call, "<i>Jonah, you are hereby called to serve as a missionary and are assigned to labor in the Assyria Nineveh mission...</i>" To really understand the reaction to the call, imagine being called to serve a mission in Germany during World War II. The Assyrians had quite a reputation for being very brutal in battle, and afterward with any survivors.<br />
<br />
He didn't get on the boat because he was afraid of the Assyrians, he got on because he didn't want to waste his time on a people he felt didn't deserve a chance to repent. Even after the whole city of Nineveh were in the process of repenting in sackcloth and ashes, and the king had imposed a mandatory fast for the whole city (including animals), Jonah went outside the city to pout and hoped the Lord would still use the smite button on Nineveh.<br />
<br />
Great story, but what can we apply in our lives today? <br />
<br />
<strong>First</strong>, how about "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/18/10#10" target="_blank">Doct and Cov 18:10</a>). We tend to prejudge others, a lot. So much that we don't often realize we're doing it. We feel someone is more trustworthy because they are wearing a clean crisp suit, or less trustworthy because they are wearing a thread-bare t-shirt and look like they haven't shaved since birth. But "the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_sam/16/7#7" target="_blank">1 Sam 16:7</a>).<br />
<br />
The resurrected Savior taught the Nephites, "unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/3_ne/18/32#32" target="_blank">3 Nephi 18:32</a>).<br />
<br />
<strong>Second</strong>, God is the undefeated champion at Hide and Seek. We could sooner hide ourselves from His sight than we could hide our thoughts and desires from Him. To say that God is all-seeing and all-knowing isn't exaggeration or hyperbole. To the faithful, this means there is no depth of despair or suffering where He cannot reach with comfort and peace.<br />
<br />
<strong>Third</strong>, if God can show mercy to a bunch of "heathens", maybe I have a shot too. One of Satan's tactics is trying to get us to believe that we have traveled beyond the Lord's reach or past the "point of no return". <i>"There's no way you can come back after the things you've done..."</i> I find it somewhat ironic that Satan tries to lure us out by telling us we can go back any time we want, but once we're out he says we've come too far to go back again. Remember the story of the <a href="http://garys-class.blogspot.com/2007/05/i-was-hoping-this-lesson-would-fall-on.html" target="_blank">prodigal son</a>? The Father is always watching and will not let us make the return journey alone.<br />
<br />
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: <br />
"Just because God is God, just because Christ is Christ, they cannot do other than care for us and bless us and help us if we will but come unto them, approaching their throne of grace in meekness and lowliness of heart. They can't help but bless us. They have to. It is their nature" (<a href="http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=2912&x=51&y=6" target="_blank">"Come Unto Me"</a>, BYU Fireside address, 2 March 1997).<br />
<br />
I wonder if Jonah had accepted his call to Nineveh with the same zeal as the sons of Mosiah had when they took the gospel to the Lamanites (see Alma 17-26), would the people have been truly converted? It's hard to tell from Jonah's brief account if the people really understood why they were repenting. Judging from Nahum's <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/nahum/3/7#7" target="_blank">prophecies</a>, it didn't fare well for them later. If Jonah had tried to help them instead of standing back far enough to get a good view when they were destroyed, would he have had results similar to Ammon and his brothers?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-81058042425313395142010-08-08T08:52:00.001-06:002010-08-08T08:53:36.735-06:00Lesson 30: Learning from Zeke<div style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=efea8c8fd6c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=198bf4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD" target="_blank">lesson</a> has a few points which have great application for daily life.<br />
<br />
In 2 Kings 18/2 Chronicles 29 we are introduced to King Hezekiah (Hebrew for "<i>Jehovah is my strength</i>"). His father, King Ahaz, had taken all the gold and silver from the temple and given it to the king of Assyria. 'Zeke's first order of business after assuming the throne is to repair all the damages done to the temple and get the priests sanctified and back on track. The priests "brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the Lord ... and ... [carried] it out abroad into the brook Kidron" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_chr/29/16#16" target="_blank">2 Chron 29:16</a>).<br />
<br />
Passover was to be held on the 14th day of the first month, but since the priests and temple wouldn't be properly sanctified in time, passover was rescheduled for the second month. Apparently it has been a while since they had observed the passover, so he invited the Northern kingdom to come for passover as well. It might not seem like much, but North and South haven't been getting along, so this was a huge step. Many who were invited "laughed them to scorn, and mocked them" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_chr/30/10#10" target="_blank">2 Chron 30:10</a>), but there were a few who humbled themselves and accepted the invitation. The passover celebration was such a success, the people decided to extend it for another week.<br />
<br />
Later, the king of Assyria was rampaging through Israel and Judah with no signs of slowing down. 'Zeke prepared Jerusalem as best he could, repairing the walls, making weapons and shields, and appointed military captains. He also had his workers tunnel 540 meters through limestone under the city to bring the waters of the Gihon spring into the safety of Jerusalem. <i>Then</i> he approached the Lord in prayer, pleading for help. <br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the Assyrians are taunting the people, essentially saying "the gods of the other nations couldn't save their people, what makes you think your god will save you?"<br />
<br />
The prophet Isaiah came to reassure 'Zeke, and during the night an angel of the Lord came and killed 185,000 of the Assyrian soldiers (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_kgs/19/35#35" target="_blank">2 Kings 19:35</a>).<br />
<br />
So, it's a really cool story, but what do we get out of it. Let's see how many I can get through:<br />
<br />
<b>1. "...be ye clean..." </b>(<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/52/11#11" target="_blank">Isaiah 52:11</a>)<br />
'Zeke recognized the need to be clean before the Lord and made sure the proper steps were taken to sanctify the temple and those who officiated there. Through the power of the atonement, we have the precious gift of repentance so even if we weren't clean yesterday we can become clean today (or at least start the process). When we "...[bring] out all the uncleanness" from our lives, we should take it to our "brook Kidron", which was well outside the city, and leave it there. Whatever our individual weakness is, we need to remove the triggers which lead to that behavior. Elder David A. Bednar taught, "The standard is clear. If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing" (David A. Bednar, <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=8c98e2270ed6c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">"That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us,"</a> Ensign, May 2006, 28–31).<br />
<br />
<b>2. Better Late Than Never</b><br />
Rather than wait another year to hold the passover on the prescribed dates, 'Zeke wanted to have it done as soon as possible. How many times have I heard people say "I can repent later" as they do something they know is wrong. Some even made plans to "live a little" and then repent in time to serve their missions (several of them didn't actually end up going). 'Zeke and the priests didn't calculate how much time it would take to repent and be cleansed so they could leave it to the last minute, they worked to put things in order now.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Do What it Takes</b><br />
I imagine tunneling through 540 meters of limestone isn't an easy task. If they decided to only go 530 meters, the whole city would've been taken because no one would have any water. Christ referred to Himself as the "living water" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/john/4/10-11#10" target="_blank">John 4:10-11</a>) and it's not a big stretch to apply this to the efforts needed to bring the spirit of Christ into our lives. According to other sources, workers were carving out the tunnel from both ends. In our lives we'll find that as we work to move closer to Christ, He is also moving closer to us. Just as the father of the prodigal son didn't let him make the journey home alone, Christ doesn't make us walk home on our own either.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Trust God</b><br />
After we have done, or are doing, everything we can, we need to trust God to keep His promises (and He has a very good track record). I think the story would've had a dramatically different ending if 'Zeke had sat around saying "please help me out of this one" without doing anything on his part. I heard someone say once, "if you want God to direct your footsteps, you have to move your feet." I'm sure we'll all have times in our lives when we are figuratively surrounded by an unbeatable army. Whether it is by an angel during the night, chariots and horses of fire, or three hundred men with trumpets and lanterns, trust God to deliver us (and usually in a way we haven't considered). The world <b>will</b> taunt and try to discourage us, but we need to stay strong in our faith.<br />
<br />
I'm sure there are countless other applications we can pull from the story (and I didn't even get into King Josiah). Feel free to comment on anything that sticks out to you. One of my favorite parts of teaching Sunday School is hearing the insights from the class.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-88724516849750493842010-07-28T22:21:00.004-06:002010-07-29T06:15:39.476-06:00Lesson 29: Advanced Math<div style="text-align: justify;">I won't actually be teaching the <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=30fc8c8fd6c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=198bf4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD" target="_blank">lesson</a> on Sunday, so I'll try hard not to steal any thunder. One of my favorite scriptures is covered in this week's reading, so I couldn't resist jumping in.<br />
<br />
It seems the Lord repeatedly tries to teach Israel that He does math a little differently than we do. A couple of examples to set the stage:<br />
<br />
<strong>1. Gideon</strong> (Judges 6-7)<br />
The armies of the Midianites and Amalekites came up against Israel and Gideon was chosen by an angel to lead the armies against them. The Lord told Gideon there were too many people in the army and they would boast of their own strength rather than attribute the victory to God. Gideon tells them they can go home if they want and 22,000 leave. The Lord tells Gideon the 10,000 who remain are still too many, so Gideon calls a break and selects 300 men who remain watchful. These 300 men go into battle armed only with trumpets and lanterns and are lead to victory without ever having to raise a sword (<i>don't be surprised when the Lord doesn't answer your prayers in the way you expect</i>).<br />
<br />
<strong>2. Jehoshaphat</strong> (2 Chronicles 20)<br />
The Moabites, Ammonites, and another group identified only as "other beside the Ammonites" (verse 1) come up against the newly appointed king Jehoshaphat. He is a little worried and prays to God for help while instituting a city-wide fast. He gathers the people together and offers a prayer asking for deliverance. The answer comes, "Be not afraid, nor dismayed... for the battle is not yours, but God's" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_chr/20/15#15" target="_blank">verse 15</a>). They are to go down to the battle against their enemies with the reassurance "Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you..." (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_chr/20/17#17" target="_blank">verse 17</a>).<br />
<br />
Just imagine being told to show up to a battle (unarmed, no less) when you are vastly outnumbered, and not to worry because somehow you'll win without having to fight.<br />
<br />
The king "appointed singers unto the Lord" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_chr/20/21#21" target="_blank">verse 21</a>) who went out in front of the Israelite army. When they started to sing, their enemies began attacking and killing each other to the point where "none escaped" (verse 24). Makes me wonder, just how bad was their singing? But I digress...<br />
<br />
To give us an idea of how vast the defeated armies were, the record indicates it took three days for the Israelites to gather all the spoils from dead soldiers.<br />
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Okay, ground work set, now onto the story (2 Kings 6). The king of Syria is a little upset with the Prophet Elisha, who keeps warning the king of Israel what the Syrians are planning. So the king of Syria's master plan is to surround Elisha during the night with "horses, and chariots, and a great host" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_kgs/6/14#14" target="_blank">verse 14</a>). Elisha gets up early in the morning and sees the army surrounding him, and his servant gets a little stressed about the situation. Elisha calmly responds, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_kgs/6/16#16" target="_blank">verse 16</a>).<br />
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The poor servant is probably hoping the ninja convention is in town, because he's not seeing all these people who are supposed to outnumber the Syrians. I'm sure Elisha could sense the fear in his servant and prayed, "Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see" and sure enough, there were horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_kgs/6/17#17" target="_blank">verse 17</a>).<br />
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It is so easy in life to get caught in the trap of believing we have to do everything ourselves. Walk into a bookstore and check out the self-help section, there are shelves of books devoted to all the different ways you can help yourself overcome various problems from gambling to addictions to depression to debt to time-management and more. I strongly believe one of Satan's most effective tools is getting us to believe we have to fix ourselves before the atonement will work in our lives. "You've sinned, you can't pray now" or "how can you even think of reading your scriptures after what you've done?!"<br />
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I think we try to fight too many battles which the Lord has designated as being His, not ours. We should follow Jehoshaphat's example more closely in our lives. Start with prayer, real prayer, not your pre-recorded "prayer #7" (admit it, you have prayers you pull out when you don't want to put in the effort). Whenever possible, we need to "study it out in your mind; then you must ask [God] if it be right" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/9/8#8" target="_blank">Doct and Cov 9:8</a>), but there are times when all we can do is admit we have no idea what to do and plead for guidance. Sometimes fasting is needed, and you might have to enlist the help of those around you as well. <br />
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Once you've done all you can and receive your answer, go out to the front of the battle and sing praises to the Lord and let Him take care of the rest. Be where you should be, doing the things you should be doing and you'll find there are more that be with you than against you. Stop to open your eyes and see the horses and chariots of fire set to protect you. <br />
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"Any two people can be a majority, as long as one of them is God."</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987179540966399193.post-33654802031986575842010-07-17T08:14:00.074-06:002010-07-17T09:07:17.175-06:00Lesson 27: Wachutalkinbout Willis??<div style="text-align: justify;">There's a brief story tucked away in the reading for this week's lesson (<a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=a00a8c8fd6c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=5158f4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD" target="_blank">#27</a>) which is a bit confusing on the first time through. It's not really covered in the lesson, so I thought I'd go through it here.<br />
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As a brief preface, the end of Solomon's rule wasn't a happy one for the people, unless you were lucky enough to be of the tribe of Judah. King Solomon placed a heavy tax on the people and placed them in conditions similar to slavery. When Jeroboam took over, he made things worse instead of better. To keep people from going to Jerusalem to the temple, he made two golden calves for the people to worship from the comfort of their own land; one in Bethel and the other in Dan. He then appointed a feast day which coincided with the official feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.<br />
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Imagine a state-sanctioned party which included a feast, lots of drinking, and ceremony consisting of offering sacrifice and some fertility rites. Sounds a bit like the Calgary Stampede, doesn't it? (<i>Oops, that was my outside voice again, huh</i>)<br />
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Anyhow, an unnamed man of God comes on the scene in <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/1_kgs/13/" target="_blank">1 Kings 13</a>. He comes in, tells Jeroboam another king will be raised who will overthrow the idol worship, splits the altar by the power of God. Jeroboam does a little bit of back-pedaling and invites this guy (who really needs a name) to come back for supper. <br />
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"...If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:<br />
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"For so it was charged me by the word of the Lord..." (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/1_kgs/13/8-9#8" target="_blank">1 Kings 13:8-9</a>)<br />
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Not only was he told not to eat or drink until he got home, he couldn't go back the same way he came. He tells the king there is no reward worth breaking a commandment from the Lord.<br />
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On his way home, he met up with "an old prophet" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_kgs/13/11#11" target="_blank">1 Kings 13:11</a>) who told him an angel came and said it was okay to come in and eat. The King James Version reads "...but he [the old prophet] lied unto him [the man of god]" (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_kgs/13/18#18" target="_blank">1 Kings 13:18</a>). The Joseph Smith Translation offers a bit of help here: "...Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water, <i>that I may prove him; and he lied not</i> unto him." (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_kgs/13/18b" target="_blank">footnote b</a>)<br />
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Wait a minute, now I'm even more confused. It's easier to read this story as if the prophet had been a false prophet, but here he is acting under the Lord's direction and intentionally trying to trick the man of God. It almost seems a bit under-handed. But I guess it wouldn't be the first time the Lord has tested his prophet, remember Abraham? <br />
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So the man of God goes back with the prophet and has dinner, then on his way home is killed by a lion as a result of his disobedience (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_kgs/13/20-24#20" target="_blank">1 Kings 13:20-24</a>). Ouch, that seems a bit harsh. But what can we learn from the story?<br />
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The man of God received his directions from the Lord Himself. Pretty straight-forward: 1) don't eat or drink until you get back, and 2) don't go home the same way you came. Fairly simple and direct personal revelation. So on his way home, someone else comes and says it's now okay (for whatever reason) to do contrary to the Lord's command, and he goes along with it. He received the original instructions through personal revelation, shouldn't any amendments or adjustments also come through the same channel?<br />
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The punishment of physical death seems to be a representation of the natural spiritual consequences we face when we are disobedient. There are many "spiritual lions" just laying in wait, ready to pounce on us when we step off the path. <br />
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Is the natural consequence of an action a punishment, or just how things work? For example, if we choose to disobey the law (in Alberta, anyway) by driving without wearing a seatbelt, when we get thrown through the windshield as the car hits something, is that our punishment or just the natural consequence? When we disobey a commandment, are we punished by being separated from the Spirit, or is that just natural cause and effect?<br />
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So, here's what I take from this story:<br />
1. It is sometimes harder to be faithful under seemingly good circumstances than it is in the face of opposition. There wasn't anything Jeroboam could throw at this man to make him go against what the Lord had commanded. We see this many times in the Book of Mormon where the Nephites can stay faithful during times of war and hardship, but when things started getting easy for them they started to waiver.<br />
2. Continuing personal revelation is vital, especially in our day. The directions we receive from the Lord through personal revelation are as binding as those which come to us from the prophet or other leaders. <br />
3. There will be all kinds of convincing arguments on why we should disobey the commandments (usually just one or two at a time). In the end, the reasons and reasoning are irrelevent. <br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05299511097168246014noreply@blogger.com0