Sunday, June 20, 2010

1 Nephi chapter 9

1 Nephi 9:6 - "But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words."

In this Nephi is talking about the Lord's commandment that Nephi should keep a record of his people; that he doesn't know the purpose for it, but he knows that God knows and is wise and has a purpose for everything.

I believe that's true. And this verse is applicable to more than just this particular situation. It means a lot to me at this point in my life with the things that I have going on right now. Speaking of my decision to move out west and not knowing exactly how that's going to work out. But I know that it's the right thing for me to do, and I know that God will find a way to make it happen, in a way that is best for me.

1 Nephi chapter 8

Okay, so this one is really interesting. In this chapter, Lehi has the vision of the Tree of Life. What I noticed and wondered about was that Lehi first saw a field, and then the Tree of Life, but he didn't notice anything else, until after he partook of the fruit of the tree; after which he looked for his family, and Sariah, Nephi and Sam came forth and ate the fruit. But it wasn't until after all of this that Lehi saw the rod of iron, and the straight and narrow way. We know through Nephi's interpretation of the dream that the rod of iron is the word of God, not only contained in the brass plates, but also in the scriptures that we have today. But why would Lehi not see the rest of the vision until after he ate the fruit of the Tree of Life? I've never thought of it before, but perhaps it is because he knew of the goodness of God in his life before he actually received the plates (I can't help but think, though, that it must go deeper than that). And the same would go for his family. Or perhaps he needed to understand the goodness of God in order to understand the rest of the dream. I really don't know. That's something that I'll have to think about a little more.

1 Nephi chapter 7

This chapter talks a lot about how Laman and Lemuel wanting to return to Jerusalem because they did not believe the words of their father, Lehi and younger brother, Nephi that Jerusalem would be destroyed. It reminded me of Lot's wife, who, while leaving the unrighteous city, Sodom, looked back on the city and immediately turned into a pillar of salt. The Old Testament is filled with stories that in our day, may seem a little dramatic, but Lot's wife was specifically disobeying the commandments of the Lord. The symbolism in her looking back on the city is similar to those of Lehi's party who wanted to return to Jerusalem, and is equally as relevant in our day. Sure we won't be struck by the Lord, and we most likely will not be turned into a pillar of salt. But we sometimes look back on our sins the way Lot's wife looked on Sodom, and the way Laman and Lemuel wanted to return to Jerusalem. It's the inability to completely let go of our sins, and not look back, but to move forward with an eye single to the glory of God and the pursuit of things spiritual and to cast off the natural man. We must do this to progress in this life, and become more like our Savior. We must! I know this is something that I sometimes struggle with, and have my whole life, but I'd like to think that I'm getting better. And that's part of what this blog is for. To commit myself (with Daryl's help) to reading the scriptures regularly, but also to really ponder the meaning of those things that will add depth to the application of these teachings in my life. It is like bearing my testimony, perhaps only to myself, but by writing my thoughts, I realize that I truly have a testimony of the teachings of the prophets, both past and present. It is what keeps me going in this life, and what gives me hope in the future. How fortunate I feel to have the knowledge that I have, and how much more I want to learn to gain more. This is my pursuit in life.

1 Nephi chapter 6

This chapter is short, but the part that I really like was in verse 5, where it talks about things which are pleasing unto the world versus things that are pleasing unto those that are not of the world. This really makes me think of the "natural man" and the things that appeal to our "human nature" versus things that our spirits are drawn to. When we read our scriptures and grow our spirituality, that we may be more in tune with the Holy Ghost, we strengthen our resolve and ability to resist temptation. This is a crucial part of our test here on this earth, and this is what we agreed to when we accepted the announcement of the plan of salvation as laid out before us by our future Savior, and loving Brother, Jesus Christ. How much we must have loved Him and admired Him in that moment, before we came to this earth and our spirits were clouded with the veil. But how lucky are those of us now, who have been chosen to come to earth during the last days, when we have a true fullness of the gospel. And how important is it that we do missionary work that we might spread that good fortune and blessings to those who do not have it.

I was talking with my sister, Caroline this morning, as we both dreamt of our Papa last night. She told me of a dream that many in our family have had about our Papa and the work that he is doing in the spirit world right now. We know that it is just as crucial for those who have returned to life beyond the veil to do the work of the Lord to prepare for His coming. I have a testimony of that work, that as it says over and again in the Doctrine and Covenants, that God's work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. It is our work through Him to help, by serving our fellow man. And so that is what I will try to do.

1 Nephi chapter 5

The only thing I really made note of in this chapter is Sariah's mourning for her sons, as they waited for them to return from Jerusalem with the brass plates. I couldn't help but draw a parallel to Emma Smith's suffering as she lost child out of child during the hardships that the pioneers faced as they were driven out of each city and had to start over. I've noticed the same kind of mourning in my own mother at times, as she worried about the many difficulties that her own children have gone through (which has seemed to be an awful lot for one family). I couldn't help but wonder what motherhood must be like and how hard it must be to watch your children go through hard times, or even worse to lose a child. I think that is one of my biggest fears in this life.

Anyway, that's what I noticed in this chapter.

1 Nephi chapter 4

Two things stood out to me in this chapter:

First, Nephi reasoned within himself the words of the angel and the justification in slaying Laban when the Lord delivered Laban into his hands. Specifically he realizes that in order for his posterity to have the law of Moses, that they might be obedient to the Lord in the promised land, they need to actually have the words of the law of Moses with them to be able to teach it to the people. I just find it interesting the thought process that Nephi goes through in order for him to understand this particular commandment of the Lord, even after the angel gives him a reason as well. I know that sometimes I need to understand why the Lord would have me do something in order to have the faith to do it, while other times I follow the commandment blindly, trusting that things will work out and I will understand them later. Even earlier in the chapter, Nephi leaves his brothers outside the city walls to go into the city himself. He even states that he "was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do," (vs 6).

The other thing that stood out to me was the faith of Zoram, after he follows Nephi outside the city walls to his brothers, and Nephi invites him to join them. The scriptures do not tell us the thought process that Zoram must have gone through in considering whether or not he should go with Nephi and his brothers. Was he afraid? Or did he simply have the faith to know that this what the right thing for him to do? It seems in the scriptures that he accepts the invitation immediately, and I think it is impressive that he does not seem to hesitate. We know, through further reading, that Zoram remains righteous and obedient with Nephi and his people whenever Laman and Lemuel and part of Ishmael's family rebel against Nephi and Lehi. I think such faith is to be admired, and I would like to aspire to be more like that.

1 Nephi chapter 3

Of course the first thing in this chapter that I marked and took note of is scripture mastery: "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them," (vs 7). There are so many times in life that this scripture is crucial to remember. So many times have I felt like the path set before seems impossible, and yet I need to remember that when the Lord commands us to follow a road that is not easy, He does not do so without giving us a way to accomplish the task. That doesn't always mean that he makes the path clear for us, but that sometimes he merely gives us strength to climb over the rocks and even mountains in our way.

1 Nephi 3:31 talks about how easily Laman and Lemuel complained even after being visited and reprimanded by an angel for not having faith that they could obtain the brass plates from Laban. Again it's easy to point a finger at Laman and Lemuel, who in my opinion were indeed very lost in their understanding of the gospel and power of God, but I still think a parallel can be drawn between them and ourselves. There are times when it is easy to forget the blessings and manifestations of God that He is real and present in our lives, and we sometimes succumb to the discouragement and doubt that the world and Satan would have overcome us. I have known that discouragement all too well. And yet, I can also say that I have experience the power of God in my life in ways that I know He loves me and has never forsaken me. It has not been easy to learn this, but it has definitely been worth it. I had a blessing once when I was in the middle of just such a troubled time that explained that my pain and suffering was allowed by God so that I would be able to help those whom I may come across in my life that need the same kind of understanding that I have gained through the gospel. I'll probably say it more than once, but it has been the price I've paid to know God, and I would not give it up for anything in the world.