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.

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."

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. 

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.