Although I've read Ether 12 dozens of times, this morning something stood out that never has before. This is one of the rare instances in scripture where a two way conversation with the Lord is shared with us. I encourage you to read Ether 12 and listen to this conversation. Moroni had several different concerns he brought to the Lord, all of which the Lord resolved. Of note:
- Moroni was concerned about his weakness in writing and the Lord comforted him.
- Moroni prayed that we (the Gentiles) might have charity and grace. He was essentially told that it mattereth not to Moroni what the Gentiles do because his garments are clean from our blood.
This is a powerful conversation and it should give us great insight into both Moroni's personality and the Lord.
A couple of points:
- When we have a weakness, where do we go to seek comfort and strength? The reality is, rarely to the Lord, and more often to the world.
- The Lord told Moroni, "Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness." Fools take advantage of the weakness of others. The humble and meek will learn from and lift others and seek the Lord, who will identify our own weaknesses and make those strong.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Friends
This weekend we had some of our closest friends visit...it was a wonderful time! After they left, I took a few minutes to reminisce on the blessings of such good friends. There are a lot of people who have touched our lives and there are a handful of people who have had a deep and profound impact, I can't imagine what our lives would have been like without having those associations.
I want to cite a few examples from scriptures of the powerful impact friends have had on some of my heroes throughout history:
2 Nephi 1:30 "And now, Zoram, I speak unto you: Behold, thou art the servant of Laban; nevertheless, thou hast been brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever." Imagine the strength and bond that existed between Zoram and Nephi, we only get hints into what a strength they were for each other.
Alma 62:37 "Now it came to pass that when Lehi and Moroni knew that Teancum was dead they were exceedingly sorrowful." Imagine fighting side-by-side and all the experiences they shared together. Imagine the incredible respect and love these three men had for each other. I'm sure they trusted their lives and everything they had to each other.
Alma 27:16-17 "And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the place of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting. Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth." After more than a decade of being apart, these men who had once rebelled and repented, were united again. So great was there joy that Ammon lost his strength and fell to the ground.
D&C 121:9 "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. During four arduous months in Liberty Jail when Joseph felt abandoned at times, the Lord reminded him that his friends still stand by him and will greet him with warm hearts. This had to provide encouragement for Joseph when he felt alone and in despair.
D&C 135:3 "He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated! Joseph and Hyrum were brothers and relied on each other on many different occasions. There was a bond and a trust. I love the phrase, "in life they were not divided." Joseph lost many of his "friends", but he never lost that bond and friendship with Hyrum.
The examples go on and on. In most cases, where there are great men, they've had close friends who were an anchor and rod of support for them. I'm grateful for all the people we've associated with in this life who have blessed us. I'm especially grateful for some close friends who (to us) are like Zoram, Ammon, and Hyrum were to their associates in these examples. These type of friendships are a tender mercy from the Lord!
I want to cite a few examples from scriptures of the powerful impact friends have had on some of my heroes throughout history:
2 Nephi 1:30 "And now, Zoram, I speak unto you: Behold, thou art the servant of Laban; nevertheless, thou hast been brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever." Imagine the strength and bond that existed between Zoram and Nephi, we only get hints into what a strength they were for each other.
Alma 62:37 "Now it came to pass that when Lehi and Moroni knew that Teancum was dead they were exceedingly sorrowful." Imagine fighting side-by-side and all the experiences they shared together. Imagine the incredible respect and love these three men had for each other. I'm sure they trusted their lives and everything they had to each other.
Alma 27:16-17 "And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the place of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting. Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth." After more than a decade of being apart, these men who had once rebelled and repented, were united again. So great was there joy that Ammon lost his strength and fell to the ground.
D&C 121:9 "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. During four arduous months in Liberty Jail when Joseph felt abandoned at times, the Lord reminded him that his friends still stand by him and will greet him with warm hearts. This had to provide encouragement for Joseph when he felt alone and in despair.
D&C 135:3 "He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated! Joseph and Hyrum were brothers and relied on each other on many different occasions. There was a bond and a trust. I love the phrase, "in life they were not divided." Joseph lost many of his "friends", but he never lost that bond and friendship with Hyrum.
The examples go on and on. In most cases, where there are great men, they've had close friends who were an anchor and rod of support for them. I'm grateful for all the people we've associated with in this life who have blessed us. I'm especially grateful for some close friends who (to us) are like Zoram, Ammon, and Hyrum were to their associates in these examples. These type of friendships are a tender mercy from the Lord!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
A Time of Election and Awareness
With politics and all the national issues on the forefront of our minds, it should cause us to be quite concerned about our country and the world. If the establishment of this nation had the hand of the Lord in it, then it makes sense the adversary would try to overthrow it.
As Moroni abridged the Jaredite plates, he inserted what he saw in the last days (Ether 8:22-25):
"22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations [do we?], to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles [this refers to us], it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you [What is shown unto us - the fall of a nation?], that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you [How do we prevent them from getting above us?], which are built up to get power and gain [Do we see the desire for power and gain in our local and federal government? Are elected leaders still servants of the people?]—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be [We've just been told that if we sit idly by and do nothing, the sword of justice will fall upon us!].
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you [to do something is a commandment from the Lord, not a request or suggestion], when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation [are we as a country awake when we are dependent on the government, taking God out of every public place, murdering hundreds of thousands of unborn children annually, approximately 55% of the population won't vote, etc.?], because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or [The word "or" indicates we can do something about it, IF we awake to sense of our awful situation] wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people [Satan is a person who uses the same tactics through the ages. He's overthrown countless nations by the use of secret combination and wickedness], for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning."
We should have ample evidence around us of what is happening to our nation. Moroni and many others saw it and his concern was that we sit idly by while the secret combinations and wickedness overthrow our freedom and bring upon us our destruction. He's warning us that it's not too late, but that these things originate from the devil and if we do nothing, wo unto us! This isn't doom and gloom, this is a prophetic reality and has been seen and foretold for a very long time.
As Moroni abridged the Jaredite plates, he inserted what he saw in the last days (Ether 8:22-25):
"22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations [do we?], to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles [this refers to us], it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you [What is shown unto us - the fall of a nation?], that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you [How do we prevent them from getting above us?], which are built up to get power and gain [Do we see the desire for power and gain in our local and federal government? Are elected leaders still servants of the people?]—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be [We've just been told that if we sit idly by and do nothing, the sword of justice will fall upon us!].
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you [to do something is a commandment from the Lord, not a request or suggestion], when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation [are we as a country awake when we are dependent on the government, taking God out of every public place, murdering hundreds of thousands of unborn children annually, approximately 55% of the population won't vote, etc.?], because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or [The word "or" indicates we can do something about it, IF we awake to sense of our awful situation] wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people [Satan is a person who uses the same tactics through the ages. He's overthrown countless nations by the use of secret combination and wickedness], for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning."
We should have ample evidence around us of what is happening to our nation. Moroni and many others saw it and his concern was that we sit idly by while the secret combinations and wickedness overthrow our freedom and bring upon us our destruction. He's warning us that it's not too late, but that these things originate from the devil and if we do nothing, wo unto us! This isn't doom and gloom, this is a prophetic reality and has been seen and foretold for a very long time.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
After Many Days
My wife and I attended the Mt. Timpanogos temple last night and had a wonderful experience. I was reminded of a truth which should be applied to every one one of us.
Nephi shares with us how he applies the scriptures in 1 Nephi 19:23 when he states, "for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." Likewise, in the temple we are to consider ourselves as if we were Adam and Eve - in other words, it should be a personal and individual journey. It's likening and applying all of these teachings to ourselves for our "profit and learning".
After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden, they built an altar and offered sacrifices. After many days an angel of the Lord appeared to them and asked them why they offered sacrifices? Adam responded, "I know not save the Lord commanded me." The angel then began to teach them the purpose of the sacrifice and other important doctrines. (Moses 5:4-6)
It was that experience that began a journey of progression and preparation for Adam and Eve. Additional angels appeared to them without revealing their identity to test and evaluate them, then angels returned disclosing their identity and casting out the adversary, over a period of time and other experiences they were prepared in all things to meet the Lord.
Among several interesting lessons in this endowment, I want to share just one:
Adam and Eve followed divine direction, even when they didn't know WHY they were doing it. They continued to perform this labor (offer sacrifice, with little understanding why they were doing it) for many days. For a couple who lived for more than 900 years, many days could be weeks, months, years, or decades. It was this act of faith that started a journey of progression until they were pulled into the presence of the Lord.
- How many of us obey the commandments of the Lord, even when we don't understand all the reasons?
- How many of us get impatient with the Lord, especially after MANY DAYS?
- How many of us continue to humbly seek the Lord to better understand how all things point to him?
I love the temple and all it has to offer. It points the way to Christ. It teaches us how to seek him and humbly serve him. It should remind us that he is in all things. We should patiently and humbly seek him and never weary of obeying his word, even if it requires MANY DAYS of sacrifice. What we learn in the temple is that he does hear those prayers and he will teach us when we obey his voice (D&C 93).
Nephi shares with us how he applies the scriptures in 1 Nephi 19:23 when he states, "for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." Likewise, in the temple we are to consider ourselves as if we were Adam and Eve - in other words, it should be a personal and individual journey. It's likening and applying all of these teachings to ourselves for our "profit and learning".
After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden, they built an altar and offered sacrifices. After many days an angel of the Lord appeared to them and asked them why they offered sacrifices? Adam responded, "I know not save the Lord commanded me." The angel then began to teach them the purpose of the sacrifice and other important doctrines. (Moses 5:4-6)
It was that experience that began a journey of progression and preparation for Adam and Eve. Additional angels appeared to them without revealing their identity to test and evaluate them, then angels returned disclosing their identity and casting out the adversary, over a period of time and other experiences they were prepared in all things to meet the Lord.
Among several interesting lessons in this endowment, I want to share just one:
Adam and Eve followed divine direction, even when they didn't know WHY they were doing it. They continued to perform this labor (offer sacrifice, with little understanding why they were doing it) for many days. For a couple who lived for more than 900 years, many days could be weeks, months, years, or decades. It was this act of faith that started a journey of progression until they were pulled into the presence of the Lord.
- How many of us obey the commandments of the Lord, even when we don't understand all the reasons?
- How many of us get impatient with the Lord, especially after MANY DAYS?
- How many of us continue to humbly seek the Lord to better understand how all things point to him?
I love the temple and all it has to offer. It points the way to Christ. It teaches us how to seek him and humbly serve him. It should remind us that he is in all things. We should patiently and humbly seek him and never weary of obeying his word, even if it requires MANY DAYS of sacrifice. What we learn in the temple is that he does hear those prayers and he will teach us when we obey his voice (D&C 93).
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Ancient Book of Mormon Characters and Humility
In the famous account from Martin Harris, he said,
"I went to the city of New York, and presented the characters which had been translated, with the translation thereof, to Professor Charles Anthon, a gentleman celebrated for his literary attainments. Professor Anthon stated that the translation was correct, more so than any he had before seen translated from Egyptian. I then showed him those which were not yet translated, and he said that they were Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyric, and Arabic; and he said they were true characters.
He gave me a certificate, certifying to the people of Palmyra that they were true characters, and that the translation of such of them as had been translated was also correct. I took the certificate and put it into my pocket, and was just leaving the house, when Mr. Anthon called me back, and asked me how the young man found out that there were gold plates in the place where he found them. I answered that an angel of God had revealed it unto him.
He then said to me, "Let me see that certificate." I accordingly took it out of my pocket and gave it to him, when he took it and tore it to pieces, saying, that there was no such thing now as ministering of angels, and that if I would bring the plates to him, he would translate them. I informed him that part of the plates were sealed and I was forbidden to bring them. He replied, "I cannot read a sealed book."
And thus was an ancient prophecy fulfilled. A small piece of that facsimile carried by Martin is shown above.
There are several great lessons to be learned in this story. I'll share one of them here:
We're taught in 2 Nephi 9:29 that "To be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God."
I read it exactly that way, when we hearken to the counsels of God and are truly humble before him, we can be the instruments to bring about his work. When we rely solely on our learning, rather than him, we are stuck and make no progress. To be instruments in his hands, it necessitates our humility before him, which comes from sincere prayer and a contrite heart!
A great example of this is found when Joseph could make no progress in translating the plates. I quote from David Whitmer as he recounted,
"At times when Brother Joseph would attempt to translate...he found he was spiritually blind and could not translate. He told us that his mind dwelt too much on earthly things, and various causes would make him incapable of proceeding with the translation. When in this condition he would go out and pray, and when he became sufficiently humble before God, he could proceed with the translation."
David Whitmer went on to recount an experience when Joseph had a disagreement with Emma and immediately went upstairs to translate, but couldn't decipher a single letter. Joseph then went out and prayed for an hour in a grove, returned and asked Emma for forgiveness, and continued to translate.
Not only was this post an example of prophecy fulfilled, but the lessons contained should teach you and I a great lesson. We can be learned, and that is good, IF we hearken to the counsels of God. No man has ever accomplished the work of God by their learning alone, it was ONLY when they were humble and diligently sought his counsel in sincere prayer!
Monday, October 8, 2012
General Conference
This is an interesting time. It seems like following conference, there's people who find ways to critique and find what was "missing" or find those points that don't coincide with their own understanding.
That's fine. But, it seems those people miss out on something so uplifting and inspiring.
Referring to the scriptures, Nephi said, "I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." (1 Nephi 19:23).
I try to approach conference the same way. What can I liken and apply to myself, for my profit and learning. In other words, how can I repent and be a better instrument in the hands of the Lord. I've listed just a couple of questions that I liken to myself:
1. President Monson shared stories of receving a prompting and acting immediately. How often do I look for those whispering's? Am I living quietly in a way in which I can hear those promptings when they come? Do I respond immediately and act on them?
-- What would our church be like if everyone listened and responded immediately to direction from the Spirit?
2. What type of spiritual leader am I in the home? Do I lead the family in some of the outward expressions of the Gospel such as scripture study, FHE, prayer, etc.? More importantly, do I work with my Wife to lead with love and kindness in the home? Have I sought the Lord to have him reveal the potential of our children, he certainly sees them in a different way than I do?
3. Regarding Church Service. Do I serve as I've committed to serve? How can I help the young men and others become fully converted to the GOSPEL?
4. Elder Holland. When was the last time I shared my testimony or feelings about the gospel with someone outside the church? How often do I go "back to my fishing nets" rather than focus on our true mission?
There are numerous other opportunities for revelation and inspiration as we reflect on how we could be better servants to our Master. There will always be opportunities to find faults and "pick' at others - we'll find what we search for!
I'm grateful for a weekend of reflection, a weekend which allows us to recommit to the Savior, and a weekend that inspires me to be a better person. I personally walked away with several specific things in which I can do and act on now. I love the gospel and the organization of the church, despite its imperfections and the weakness of man!
That's fine. But, it seems those people miss out on something so uplifting and inspiring.
Referring to the scriptures, Nephi said, "I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." (1 Nephi 19:23).
I try to approach conference the same way. What can I liken and apply to myself, for my profit and learning. In other words, how can I repent and be a better instrument in the hands of the Lord. I've listed just a couple of questions that I liken to myself:
1. President Monson shared stories of receving a prompting and acting immediately. How often do I look for those whispering's? Am I living quietly in a way in which I can hear those promptings when they come? Do I respond immediately and act on them?
-- What would our church be like if everyone listened and responded immediately to direction from the Spirit?
2. What type of spiritual leader am I in the home? Do I lead the family in some of the outward expressions of the Gospel such as scripture study, FHE, prayer, etc.? More importantly, do I work with my Wife to lead with love and kindness in the home? Have I sought the Lord to have him reveal the potential of our children, he certainly sees them in a different way than I do?
3. Regarding Church Service. Do I serve as I've committed to serve? How can I help the young men and others become fully converted to the GOSPEL?
4. Elder Holland. When was the last time I shared my testimony or feelings about the gospel with someone outside the church? How often do I go "back to my fishing nets" rather than focus on our true mission?
There are numerous other opportunities for revelation and inspiration as we reflect on how we could be better servants to our Master. There will always be opportunities to find faults and "pick' at others - we'll find what we search for!
I'm grateful for a weekend of reflection, a weekend which allows us to recommit to the Savior, and a weekend that inspires me to be a better person. I personally walked away with several specific things in which I can do and act on now. I love the gospel and the organization of the church, despite its imperfections and the weakness of man!
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