One example of parenting that I love from Lehi in 2 Nephi 4 is how much he cares about and thinks of ways that he can help his children spiritually. You can tell that it is such a huge focus for him. He is frequently sharing with him his visions, his spiritual feelings and experiences. This is something I don't feel that I got much from my parents, probably because they were struggling in the same way that I have struggled, but I want to be able to share that with my own kids. To think of the stories of my mission and share them with them, even if I can't do that in speech and only in writing. I think that will bless and help them a lot.
Another interesting thing that happens as Lehi blesses Laman and Lemuel's children is that he blesses them that the curse of their sin might be removed from them and put on their parents heads. This tells me something about the mercy of God, that he in fact does take into account the sins of the parents in judgement of the children. God understands that we are affected by our circumstances, by our parents, the religion we grow up in, the place we live. God will take all of these things into his judgement with mercy and love.
Monday, November 20, 2017
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
They Think They Are Wise
While reading a talk by President Nelson I came across a book of Mormon scripture that made me ponder about the way my perceived wisdom can get in the way of my learning and even my happiness. It is 2 Nephi 9:28-29 and says,
“O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
...But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.”
As I read this scripture I had a sudden realization that I'm guilty of this. There are definitely times where I have been presented with the opportunity to learn great things, but because I felt like I knew it already I missed out. I didn't pay attention or I didn't place enough value on this message because I thought I didn't need it.
On the other hand there have been other cases recently in my life where I only just now have listened to lessons I thought I knew before, but because I listened I learned amazing things that have truly helped me to be healthier and happier.
Oftentimes in the Church we start to feel like we've heard it all before, we know the doctrine, we've heard the lessons 10 times or we've even taught it everyday for a couple years ourselves. Because of that, it's easy to feel like we don't need the lessons we hear. As Jacob says, we "set it aside supposing [we] know of [ourselves]" But just like those Jacob counsels, this profiteth us not and can even lead to us missing out on great blessings.
As we instead follow the Savior's counsel to be meek as little children we will be able to open our ears and hearts to hear the messages God has for us in every lesson or talk we hear. We will be uplifted and blessed and find great truth that we never would have found otherwise.
“O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
...But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.”
As I read this scripture I had a sudden realization that I'm guilty of this. There are definitely times where I have been presented with the opportunity to learn great things, but because I felt like I knew it already I missed out. I didn't pay attention or I didn't place enough value on this message because I thought I didn't need it.
On the other hand there have been other cases recently in my life where I only just now have listened to lessons I thought I knew before, but because I listened I learned amazing things that have truly helped me to be healthier and happier.
Oftentimes in the Church we start to feel like we've heard it all before, we know the doctrine, we've heard the lessons 10 times or we've even taught it everyday for a couple years ourselves. Because of that, it's easy to feel like we don't need the lessons we hear. As Jacob says, we "set it aside supposing [we] know of [ourselves]" But just like those Jacob counsels, this profiteth us not and can even lead to us missing out on great blessings.
As we instead follow the Savior's counsel to be meek as little children we will be able to open our ears and hearts to hear the messages God has for us in every lesson or talk we hear. We will be uplifted and blessed and find great truth that we never would have found otherwise.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
The Godhead Being One
I work at the MTC chatting online with people who have questions about the gospel on Mormon.org. It's an amazing job. But often we get difficult questions from people that I'm not always sure how to answer.
In everyone's lives they are likely to come across these kind of questions at some point whether it's in our interactions with non members or even members too.
One question that can be hard to answer is why it might seem that even the book of Mormon says that God, Christ and the Holy Ghost are one being as in 2 Nephi 31:21,
"And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."
However today I came across a scripture in the Book of Mormon that clarifies Christ and Heavenly Father's relationship. It's in 3 Nephi 19:23. Here Christ will teaching the Nephites teaches them what the unity of the Godhead means and how we can be part of that unity. It says,
"And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one."
"And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one."
Here we learn that Christ wants us to be in us as the Father is in him. That we may be one with both Christ and Heavenly Father. As we believe in Christ it allows him to be a part of us. As we move towards him and trust him his doctrine imprints itself on our lives, we want to do what he does, we feel the joy that he does. We become want to live as He lives, just as He lives as the Father lives.
This is a beautiful truth that not only answers a confusion about the godhead but deepens my faith in Christ and my desire to come unto him.
Friday, April 7, 2017
Your Treasure
This week I've been reading in 3 Nephi and I love the simple, yet profound truths that Jesus teaches there. One passage that particularly stood out to me this week was 3 Nephi 13:19-21
"19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
As I read this passage it really reverberated in my heart and I found myself asking, "Where is my treasure? What do I treasure and value in my life?" And while there are things I thing I do rightly value, there are also ways that my values are a little bit off the mark.
Periodically taking some time be introspective and really ask ourselves this question can be so powerful. It's easy for our motivations, our desires and our ambitions to get a little off course now and then, especially with the different messages and values taught by society.
This is one of the blessings of deeply pondering the scriptures, it allows us to continually remember the greatest treasure in life, the sweet joys of God and those we love most in our lives.
"19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
As I read this passage it really reverberated in my heart and I found myself asking, "Where is my treasure? What do I treasure and value in my life?" And while there are things I thing I do rightly value, there are also ways that my values are a little bit off the mark.
Periodically taking some time be introspective and really ask ourselves this question can be so powerful. It's easy for our motivations, our desires and our ambitions to get a little off course now and then, especially with the different messages and values taught by society.
This is one of the blessings of deeply pondering the scriptures, it allows us to continually remember the greatest treasure in life, the sweet joys of God and those we love most in our lives.
Friday, March 31, 2017
One by One
One of my favorite passages in the Book of Mormon is 3 Nephi 17. It is one of the passages that resonates most with me of who Christ truly is and what great love he has for each of his children. I especially love verses 5-7,
"5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.
7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy."
Here Christ doesn't just leave when his message is finished as it seems was his plan. Seeing the deep love the people had for him he decides to stay and to heal their sick and afflicted. He takes the time to heal each one individually as they were brought to him.
This is just one of the many examples of Christ's deep love for each individual person and his willingness to take the time to care for them one by one. Often we (and most religions) think of God almost as a great administrator, that He loves his children and takes care of them, but not that he really knows and takes care of us individually.
Or if we do know it in our head we don't fully understand it's deep meaning in our heart. When and as we come to understand how much God loves us individually then it changes how we look at the gospel and others. The gospel becomes less about law and duty and more about love. When we feel and understand God's love for us then our hearts are changed, we want more and more to follow the gospel. It changes us in amazing ways.
Sometimes it's easy as long time members to become rote in our membership, to just go through the motions, but if we simply seek to draw closer to Christ, to understand His love, then our hearts will naturally change. We will go from "going through the motions" to having real intent and a desire to serve God and the gospel will become so much more meaningful to us.
"5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.
7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy."
Here Christ doesn't just leave when his message is finished as it seems was his plan. Seeing the deep love the people had for him he decides to stay and to heal their sick and afflicted. He takes the time to heal each one individually as they were brought to him.
This is just one of the many examples of Christ's deep love for each individual person and his willingness to take the time to care for them one by one. Often we (and most religions) think of God almost as a great administrator, that He loves his children and takes care of them, but not that he really knows and takes care of us individually.
Or if we do know it in our head we don't fully understand it's deep meaning in our heart. When and as we come to understand how much God loves us individually then it changes how we look at the gospel and others. The gospel becomes less about law and duty and more about love. When we feel and understand God's love for us then our hearts are changed, we want more and more to follow the gospel. It changes us in amazing ways.
Sometimes it's easy as long time members to become rote in our membership, to just go through the motions, but if we simply seek to draw closer to Christ, to understand His love, then our hearts will naturally change. We will go from "going through the motions" to having real intent and a desire to serve God and the gospel will become so much more meaningful to us.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
When Revelation Seems Wrong
Sometimes in our lives we receive revelation that later seems to be wrong. It can be confusing if we only take it at surface value. However, this week I read a passage in the Book of Mormon that gave me valuable insights into these situations.
In Alma 60:33 Moroni, in his anger of feeling neglected by the Government, says to Pahoran,
"Behold, the Lord saith unto me: If those whom ye have appointed your governors do not repent of their sins and iniquities, ye shall go up to battle against them."
Here Moroni specifically says that he received revelation from God saying that if the appointed Governors (ie. Pahoran and his councilors) didn't repent he should go to battle against them. This implies that God is confirming that Pahoran and the government are sinners. But in reality that's not the case. Unbeknownst to Moroni Pahoran has actually been faithful this whole time.
So what happened? Was Moroni confused about the revelation he received? That's possible, but more I believe that God was using Moroni to answer someone else's question. It was revelation for Moroni in a sense, but even more so it was actually meant to be revelation for Pahoran.
In Alma 61:19-20 Pahoran writes back to Moroni,
" And now, Moroni, I do joy in receiving your epistle, for I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it should be just in us to go against our brethren.
But ye have said, except they repent the Lord hath commanded you that ye should go against them."
Moroni's revelation wasn't wrong! Perhaps Moroni misunderstood it's full meaning, but it had a powerful purpose in telling both of them how they should solve the problem they were currently facing. This spiritual confirmation was exactly what both of them needed to confront the difficult civil war they had to fight to save their people.
Often in our lives, we may similarly receive revelations that end up seeming to be wrong, but actually have a purpose beyond their face value. As we continue to be patient and wait upon the Lord he does answer our prayers often in miraculous ways we don't expect.
Revelation does come. God does answer prayers, but it doesn't always happen the way we think it will. However if we have faith and trust in God we can have a firm confidence that He will hear our prayers. This is something I want to have more faith in. As I do I know that like Moroni I will eventually see the purpose of the revelation I receive even if it isn't clear until the end.
In Alma 60:33 Moroni, in his anger of feeling neglected by the Government, says to Pahoran,
"Behold, the Lord saith unto me: If those whom ye have appointed your governors do not repent of their sins and iniquities, ye shall go up to battle against them."
Here Moroni specifically says that he received revelation from God saying that if the appointed Governors (ie. Pahoran and his councilors) didn't repent he should go to battle against them. This implies that God is confirming that Pahoran and the government are sinners. But in reality that's not the case. Unbeknownst to Moroni Pahoran has actually been faithful this whole time.
So what happened? Was Moroni confused about the revelation he received? That's possible, but more I believe that God was using Moroni to answer someone else's question. It was revelation for Moroni in a sense, but even more so it was actually meant to be revelation for Pahoran.
In Alma 61:19-20 Pahoran writes back to Moroni,
" And now, Moroni, I do joy in receiving your epistle, for I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it should be just in us to go against our brethren.
But ye have said, except they repent the Lord hath commanded you that ye should go against them."
Moroni's revelation wasn't wrong! Perhaps Moroni misunderstood it's full meaning, but it had a powerful purpose in telling both of them how they should solve the problem they were currently facing. This spiritual confirmation was exactly what both of them needed to confront the difficult civil war they had to fight to save their people.
Often in our lives, we may similarly receive revelations that end up seeming to be wrong, but actually have a purpose beyond their face value. As we continue to be patient and wait upon the Lord he does answer our prayers often in miraculous ways we don't expect.
Revelation does come. God does answer prayers, but it doesn't always happen the way we think it will. However if we have faith and trust in God we can have a firm confidence that He will hear our prayers. This is something I want to have more faith in. As I do I know that like Moroni I will eventually see the purpose of the revelation I receive even if it isn't clear until the end.
Monday, March 20, 2017
Bringing Hope
This morning I was reading in Alma 56 and I came upon a scripture that reminded me of a powerful lesson I learned on my mission. The scripture is Alma 56:16-17. It describes the effect Helamen's reinforcement of 2000 stripling warriors had on the warriors of Antipus. It says,
"16 Yea, and they were depressed in body as well as in spirit, for they had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to maintain their cities; and thus they had suffered great afflictions of every kind.
17 And now they were determined to conquer in this place or die; therefore you may well suppose that this little force which I brought with me, yea, those sons of mine, gave them great hopes and much joy."
On my mission sometimes I unrighteously judged other missionaries especially older ones that I saw as having lost their missionary fire. I thought myself better than them and judged them without trying to truly understand why they were the way they were. However, one day when I read this story on my mission I realized that many of these missionaries were just like Antipus's soldiers.
Just like these soldiers these missionaries had fought valiantly, but many of them suffered great afflictions in the course of their mission, whether it was beloved investigators disappearing the week before baptism, or maybe terrible news from home or difficult circumstances, all of these missionaries I had judged were simply struggling because of afflictions they had faced.
I'm sure when Helamen's stripling warriors saw the warriors of Antipus and the state they were in they had no judgement, only respect for the valiance with which they had fought. The soliders' afflictions were very clear and present before their eyes. However in these days many of the afflictions and struggles the people around us go through are unseen to us. We see their struggling, but not their afflictions.
If we act with love towards our struggling family and friends and treat them not as unworthy, but rather as struggling because of their valiance in fighting a great battle we can see them and their struggles with love. And that is when we will be able to truly help lift their spirits as the stripling warriors did.
"16 Yea, and they were depressed in body as well as in spirit, for they had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to maintain their cities; and thus they had suffered great afflictions of every kind.
17 And now they were determined to conquer in this place or die; therefore you may well suppose that this little force which I brought with me, yea, those sons of mine, gave them great hopes and much joy."
On my mission sometimes I unrighteously judged other missionaries especially older ones that I saw as having lost their missionary fire. I thought myself better than them and judged them without trying to truly understand why they were the way they were. However, one day when I read this story on my mission I realized that many of these missionaries were just like Antipus's soldiers.
Just like these soldiers these missionaries had fought valiantly, but many of them suffered great afflictions in the course of their mission, whether it was beloved investigators disappearing the week before baptism, or maybe terrible news from home or difficult circumstances, all of these missionaries I had judged were simply struggling because of afflictions they had faced.
I'm sure when Helamen's stripling warriors saw the warriors of Antipus and the state they were in they had no judgement, only respect for the valiance with which they had fought. The soliders' afflictions were very clear and present before their eyes. However in these days many of the afflictions and struggles the people around us go through are unseen to us. We see their struggling, but not their afflictions.
If we act with love towards our struggling family and friends and treat them not as unworthy, but rather as struggling because of their valiance in fighting a great battle we can see them and their struggles with love. And that is when we will be able to truly help lift their spirits as the stripling warriors did.
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