Mosiah 9:18 "And God did hear our cries, and did answer our prayers, and we did go forth in His might." Whenever we are in great need, we can call upon the Lord and His Might will be with us as we push through. This is a very important principle to me, that the Lord will make us strong if we only ask. I need this more often than I know how to say, and I'm so grateful for it.
Something that comes from living with His might is the ability to see things from a different perspective. I know some of this is because of me, but I can't deny that the Lord is helping a lot. In Mosiah, after Zeniff finishes explaining the sin his people are in, he says: (Mosiah 7:28) "Therefore, who wondereth that they are in bondage, and that they are smitten with sore afflictions?" This brings up an interesting point. If you feel like things are unfairly bad, think of what YOU can do better. We are more in charge of our lives than we sometimes like to admit.
I'm so glad for teachers and prophets that give me insight so I know how to receive more on my own. Mosiah 8:19 says: "and these interpreters were doubtless prepared for the purpose of unfolding all such mysteries to the children of men." All of our prophets and teachers are 'interpreters' of a sort, and unfold mysteries and bring us great understanding. Amen, amen.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
"Except it were for the help of these plates"
I know I say this every week, but I'm every so grateful for the scriptures, and the power of the spirit that is magnified as I read them. It brings so much truth and insight into my life.
Mosiah 1:4 "except if were for the help of these plates"
Just like the people in Mosiah's time, we cannot learn the things the prophets of old wanted to teach us, except through the scriptures. And, as stated in verse 6: "these sayings are true... records are true... also the plates of Nephi... they are true, and we can know of a surety because we have them before our eyes." The scriptures are a gift of truth to us in the confusing world. If we use them properly, not only will we know of their surety, but we will be more sure and confident about the truth in our own lives.
Something I really like about Mosiah is that he never forgets to mention that the Lord has given us everything, and is behind everything in our lives. He is a great example to me, and I want to follow him and learn to NEVER forget the Lord in anything and everything I do.
Mosiah 2:8: Mosiah had his words recorded, so that all could learn from them. Today, we follow that pattern. Through church magazines and other literature, we have the words of the prophets recorded so we can be taught from them. Just like Mosiah, our prophets want us to hear their words.
These insights in Mosiah have really helped my appreciation for prophets, old and new, grow. They care about us, and they have guidance for us that will help us in ways we usually can't see. I now have a new resolve to listen more intently to their words (or read them more carefully) and learn to apply them in my life.
Mosiah 1:4 "except if were for the help of these plates"
Just like the people in Mosiah's time, we cannot learn the things the prophets of old wanted to teach us, except through the scriptures. And, as stated in verse 6: "these sayings are true... records are true... also the plates of Nephi... they are true, and we can know of a surety because we have them before our eyes." The scriptures are a gift of truth to us in the confusing world. If we use them properly, not only will we know of their surety, but we will be more sure and confident about the truth in our own lives.
Something I really like about Mosiah is that he never forgets to mention that the Lord has given us everything, and is behind everything in our lives. He is a great example to me, and I want to follow him and learn to NEVER forget the Lord in anything and everything I do.
Mosiah 2:8: Mosiah had his words recorded, so that all could learn from them. Today, we follow that pattern. Through church magazines and other literature, we have the words of the prophets recorded so we can be taught from them. Just like Mosiah, our prophets want us to hear their words.
These insights in Mosiah have really helped my appreciation for prophets, old and new, grow. They care about us, and they have guidance for us that will help us in ways we usually can't see. I now have a new resolve to listen more intently to their words (or read them more carefully) and learn to apply them in my life.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Rely on Him
In reading this week, I found a string of scriptures that relate to each other very well. It amazes me how this seems to work out. One thought leads to another and then you have a whole list of cross references to help you out in your life. The power of the Holy Ghost is amazing!
2 Nephi 32:3: "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."
It's comforting to know that Christ has all the answers, and that whenever we have a tough decision, if we rely on Him, he'll help us find the answer.
Jacob 5:7: "It grieveth me that I should lose this tree;"
Not only CAN Christ help us through everything, he really really wants to. He is sad when He is losing us. He cares about EACH ONE of us greatly, and wants to help.
Jacob 5:12: "watch the tree, and nourish it"
Because God cares about each of us so much, he wants us to be happy and looked after. It is our responsibility to help Him carry some of this out. We need to watch and e there for our ward members and other around us. They need our strength, friendship, and knowledge.
And this one isn't necessarily connected to the above string of thought, but I though it was cool anyway. :)
Jacob 5:36: "evil fruit"
Evil is not a word one would normally use to describe fruit. It's probably used that way here so we recognize the fact that this is a metaphor. In helping Joseph Smith translate the BoM, God knew what wording would be needed. All of these little miracles are always amazing to me. (And the farm boy does it again!)
Inspiration-ally enough, my Sunday school lesson today followed the same type of message as my scripture reading this week. I Love this gospel, and how much each aspect in it relates to the rest. Here's the jist of today's SS lesson:
By the way, Sunday School today was taught be Steve Robinson. He is great!
We started out by talking about Faith. In the modern, English interpretations of this word, we put meanings on it that the people who wrote it didn't mean. When we think of Faith, most people think of something related to belief. Faith is not a belief word. It is a behavior word. :) When we think of a"faithful husband" (or wife) we think of someone who is loyal and committed. Coincidentally, the interpretation of the ancient language's term for Faith means things like loyal, pillar (steadfast, sure, certain), and being committed to a covenant.
He connected this with the concept of the Lord's law. Merely following a list of do's and don'ts (however good they are) does now necessarily show Faith, or 'save' you. When we merely follow a list of things to do, we are always striving to be perfect in doing them. We try and try to make ourselves perfect, and are constantly discouraged because we never make it up to par. How do we get Home? By being FAITHFUL to Him. Be loyal. Be committed to the covenants you have with Him. We do need to follow the commandments, but the law alone will not save us. (This is said throughout scripture a lot, but today we were talking specifically of Paul's teachings.) We need not focus on doing every little thing and being a quote on quote 'perfect person'. That is not the point of us being here, nor will it bring us where we need to be in the long run. The point of us being here is to learn to rely *wholly* on Christ. To be faithful. And by that, Paul (and other teachers) doesn't just mean believe. Belief alone also will not save us.
"Believing is not sufficient. The devil believes, he knows God exists. Belief isn't what divides us, it is *behavior*." --Brother Robinson
I Loved today's lesson, and how Brother Robinson taught us that the most important thing is to rely on Christ always, and not be so worried about being completely perfect. Through relying on Christ, we will become the people we need to be, step by step. I Love Love LOVE this concept. And I Love this gospel!
2 Nephi 32:3: "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."
It's comforting to know that Christ has all the answers, and that whenever we have a tough decision, if we rely on Him, he'll help us find the answer.
Jacob 5:7: "It grieveth me that I should lose this tree;"
Not only CAN Christ help us through everything, he really really wants to. He is sad when He is losing us. He cares about EACH ONE of us greatly, and wants to help.
Jacob 5:12: "watch the tree, and nourish it"
Because God cares about each of us so much, he wants us to be happy and looked after. It is our responsibility to help Him carry some of this out. We need to watch and e there for our ward members and other around us. They need our strength, friendship, and knowledge.
And this one isn't necessarily connected to the above string of thought, but I though it was cool anyway. :)
Jacob 5:36: "evil fruit"
Evil is not a word one would normally use to describe fruit. It's probably used that way here so we recognize the fact that this is a metaphor. In helping Joseph Smith translate the BoM, God knew what wording would be needed. All of these little miracles are always amazing to me. (And the farm boy does it again!)
Inspiration-ally enough, my Sunday school lesson today followed the same type of message as my scripture reading this week. I Love this gospel, and how much each aspect in it relates to the rest. Here's the jist of today's SS lesson:
By the way, Sunday School today was taught be Steve Robinson. He is great!
We started out by talking about Faith. In the modern, English interpretations of this word, we put meanings on it that the people who wrote it didn't mean. When we think of Faith, most people think of something related to belief. Faith is not a belief word. It is a behavior word. :) When we think of a"faithful husband" (or wife) we think of someone who is loyal and committed. Coincidentally, the interpretation of the ancient language's term for Faith means things like loyal, pillar (steadfast, sure, certain), and being committed to a covenant.
He connected this with the concept of the Lord's law. Merely following a list of do's and don'ts (however good they are) does now necessarily show Faith, or 'save' you. When we merely follow a list of things to do, we are always striving to be perfect in doing them. We try and try to make ourselves perfect, and are constantly discouraged because we never make it up to par. How do we get Home? By being FAITHFUL to Him. Be loyal. Be committed to the covenants you have with Him. We do need to follow the commandments, but the law alone will not save us. (This is said throughout scripture a lot, but today we were talking specifically of Paul's teachings.) We need not focus on doing every little thing and being a quote on quote 'perfect person'. That is not the point of us being here, nor will it bring us where we need to be in the long run. The point of us being here is to learn to rely *wholly* on Christ. To be faithful. And by that, Paul (and other teachers) doesn't just mean believe. Belief alone also will not save us.
"Believing is not sufficient. The devil believes, he knows God exists. Belief isn't what divides us, it is *behavior*." --Brother Robinson
I Loved today's lesson, and how Brother Robinson taught us that the most important thing is to rely on Christ always, and not be so worried about being completely perfect. Through relying on Christ, we will become the people we need to be, step by step. I Love Love LOVE this concept. And I Love this gospel!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
My Soul Delighteth
2 Nephi 25:13: "Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning Him, for I have seen His day, and my heart doth magnify His holy name." Nephi's testimony burns so brigthly that he delights to speak of Christ. I'm developing that same kind of testimony, and I'm so thankful for the Joy His gospel brings!
2 Nephi 26:24: "He doth nothing save it be for the benefit of the world." And for me. He/His prophets will not do or say anything unless it will benefit us. This is very good motivation to follow them, because it's for our own good. After reading this scripture, I found this one: (verse 33, same chapter) "He doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men." This was a great follow up scripture to confirm my previous insight. His law is simple and direct, follow it!
2 Nephi 28: 21 + 30: The devil "leads carefully down to hell"; step by step and little by little. Across the column from this is the concept that Christ leads us "line upon line, precept upon precept". I'm finding that the devil has many counterfeits to the Lord's way of doing things. This is one of them, they both lead us the way they wish us to go little by little. The devil works with the same kind of methods that the Lord does. Don't fall for it.
ISAIAH TIPS! Actually, just one. Isaiah is a poet, and his words are MUCH better understood when read like poetry. However, his poetry does not follow the same criteria that most of our poetry does today. Isaiah is a Hebrew poet. They don't necessarily rhyme or have a specific rhythm scheme, but something my professor told us is that Hebrew poets *repeat themselves*. Isaiah follows suit to this rule. He makes a habit of saying something, then saying it again a different way. For example: "red as scarlet... white as snow" followed by "red as crimson... white as wool." I'm seeing this repetition all over the place now. It helps me really get Isaiah and I'm ever so grateful for that. I can now join Nephi in saying "My soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah." :) Thanks Brother Griffin!
2 Nephi 26:24: "He doth nothing save it be for the benefit of the world." And for me. He/His prophets will not do or say anything unless it will benefit us. This is very good motivation to follow them, because it's for our own good. After reading this scripture, I found this one: (verse 33, same chapter) "He doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men." This was a great follow up scripture to confirm my previous insight. His law is simple and direct, follow it!
2 Nephi 28: 21 + 30: The devil "leads carefully down to hell"; step by step and little by little. Across the column from this is the concept that Christ leads us "line upon line, precept upon precept". I'm finding that the devil has many counterfeits to the Lord's way of doing things. This is one of them, they both lead us the way they wish us to go little by little. The devil works with the same kind of methods that the Lord does. Don't fall for it.
ISAIAH TIPS! Actually, just one. Isaiah is a poet, and his words are MUCH better understood when read like poetry. However, his poetry does not follow the same criteria that most of our poetry does today. Isaiah is a Hebrew poet. They don't necessarily rhyme or have a specific rhythm scheme, but something my professor told us is that Hebrew poets *repeat themselves*. Isaiah follows suit to this rule. He makes a habit of saying something, then saying it again a different way. For example: "red as scarlet... white as snow" followed by "red as crimson... white as wool." I'm seeing this repetition all over the place now. It helps me really get Isaiah and I'm ever so grateful for that. I can now join Nephi in saying "My soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah." :) Thanks Brother Griffin!
Monday, October 3, 2011
His Claim
I have reached a lot of really cool insights in my scripture study this week. I'm so very grateful we have the spirit to give us insight, it brings me much Joy. :)
2 Neph 9:25: "the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon [us]." We are in debt to the law, because we all have sinned. Christ and His Atonement payed the price for us, and that's very much the same as buying us out of captivity or slavery. We are now His servants, and must begin to repay the debt through doing His will. I say "begin" because we cannot ever fully repay it. when we do His will, He blesses us even more, leaving us forever in His debt, which He is more than willing to do. We talked about this is Gospel Doctrine a little while ago, and it's cool to be able to pick out again throughout scripture.
2 Neph 9:51-52: "Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and *let your soul delight in fatness*" I take from this to focus on the important things. God gives us an unlimited supply of the joy of the Gospel to feast on, and we should take advantage of it and let our souls delight in fatness. :)
2 Neph 10: 2: "That which will give them true knowledge" We don't always have *immediate* knowledge, but the Lord gives us that which will GIVE us knowledge, after application of Faith.
2 Neph 10:20 "We have been led to a better land" Because we came to this earth, the Land of our Eternity will be that much better. :)
2 Neph 19:4 : "But His hand is stretched out still." Even after we have discouraged Him by making mistakes, He is REACHING out for us. This is AMAZING to me.
Again, I'm very very grateful I've been learning so much about how to receive insight from the spirit. The Gospel is true!
2 Neph 9:25: "the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon [us]." We are in debt to the law, because we all have sinned. Christ and His Atonement payed the price for us, and that's very much the same as buying us out of captivity or slavery. We are now His servants, and must begin to repay the debt through doing His will. I say "begin" because we cannot ever fully repay it. when we do His will, He blesses us even more, leaving us forever in His debt, which He is more than willing to do. We talked about this is Gospel Doctrine a little while ago, and it's cool to be able to pick out again throughout scripture.
2 Neph 9:51-52: "Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and *let your soul delight in fatness*" I take from this to focus on the important things. God gives us an unlimited supply of the joy of the Gospel to feast on, and we should take advantage of it and let our souls delight in fatness. :)
2 Neph 10: 2: "That which will give them true knowledge" We don't always have *immediate* knowledge, but the Lord gives us that which will GIVE us knowledge, after application of Faith.
2 Neph 10:20 "We have been led to a better land" Because we came to this earth, the Land of our Eternity will be that much better. :)
2 Neph 19:4 : "But His hand is stretched out still." Even after we have discouraged Him by making mistakes, He is REACHING out for us. This is AMAZING to me.
Again, I'm very very grateful I've been learning so much about how to receive insight from the spirit. The Gospel is true!
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