1 Nephi Chapters 16-22
Two things strike me about this week’s chapters, two things that I think are intricately related. The first is Nephi’s faithfulness through all manner of afflictions. The second is Nephi’s testimony of Christ.
I marvel and Nephi’s faithfulness through the episodes of the broken bow, his brothers and the building of the boat, and his brothers while on the boat. Through all those experiences, Nephi was the only one who did not murmur or complain at the difficulties they were experiencing while trying to keep the commandments God had given them to guide them to the promised land.
In chapter 17, verse 3, we get Nephi’s perspective on why he tries so diligently to keep the commandments through those times of difficulty. “If it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them.” That is a lesson that I know I need to internalize. If I will keep the commandments, God will provide the means—God will open up the way—for me to get to my promised land.
But that begs the question of how can I develop the faith necessary to live that faithfully?
The answer, I believe, comes from Nephi’s testimony of Christ, which we get in subsequent chapters. In chapter 19, Nephi prophecies and testifies of what Christ will endure and why. “The world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.”
This, I think, is helpful in developing faith in Christ, by understanding how willingly he suffered all manner of afflictions because of his loving kindness. Though Nephi’s own words are very faith inspiring, he tells us, “But that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah.”
I am grateful that he included these words of Isaiah. For me, these are some of the most beautiful words written about Christ.
Chapter 21, vs. 14-16:
“The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.” (I have probably murmured those exact words more times than Laman and Lemuel!)
“But he will show that he hath not.
“For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?
“Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee…
“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands[!]”
During our darkest hours of affliction, during our most trying times of temptation, we can find the faith necessary to keep living the commandments because we can know Christ will never forsake us. Look what he has already endured for us. Is he going to forget us and give up on us now that we are graven upon the palms of his hands? Of course not. And that is why we can have the faith that he will send the help and hope we need to live faithfully to make it to our promised land, both here in this life and in the world to come.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Ocimar Lima says...
1 Nephi Chapters 7-15
There is just so much that I like about these chapters
that Its is a hard thing to know where to start. I
will take this time to share just one or two
principles that I like and hope that you will also
take the time to take a closer look at these things
and be attentive to these ancient instructions
recorded. I will start by saying that the promise has
been clearly written that any person who will
diligently seek with real intent will find; and not
only shall they find but the mysteries of God shall
also be unfolded unto that person. So it pays to
diligently seek. Another crystal clear principle that
I like that is recorded in such a clear way is that no
unclean person will enter in to God’s residence to
dwell with Him. I mean that if we are filthy here we
will be filthy there still. If we are selfish here, we
will remain a selfish being there too. But if we are
clean and full of charity here, we will sure remain a
clean and true individual there in His presence and
then we will have a shot in perfecting our character,
attributes and faith until the perfect day.
I am glad that I have this sacred text readily
accessible in my day-to-day life.
There is just so much that I like about these chapters
that Its is a hard thing to know where to start. I
will take this time to share just one or two
principles that I like and hope that you will also
take the time to take a closer look at these things
and be attentive to these ancient instructions
recorded. I will start by saying that the promise has
been clearly written that any person who will
diligently seek with real intent will find; and not
only shall they find but the mysteries of God shall
also be unfolded unto that person. So it pays to
diligently seek. Another crystal clear principle that
I like that is recorded in such a clear way is that no
unclean person will enter in to God’s residence to
dwell with Him. I mean that if we are filthy here we
will be filthy there still. If we are selfish here, we
will remain a selfish being there too. But if we are
clean and full of charity here, we will sure remain a
clean and true individual there in His presence and
then we will have a shot in perfecting our character,
attributes and faith until the perfect day.
I am glad that I have this sacred text readily
accessible in my day-to-day life.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Brianne Adison says...
CHOOSE WITH NO REGRET
1 Nephi 7-15
The choices and path Laman and Lemuel decided to follow astounded Nephi in their rebellion. In verses 8-12 of chapter 7, Nephi grieves for the hardness of their hearts and for the blindness in their minds that they have to look to their younger brother as an exemplar. He also goes on baffled by the fact that they have so easily forgotten the Lord, especially after the many great and wonderful things they have beheld.
These verses struck me to ponder and reflect back in my own life of how is it that I so easily forget the Lord? Especially, like Nephi said, after all the many things I have seen and witnessed in my life over and over. Well, I think simplicity is the key- everything is mapped out for us. All we have to do is Choose The Right! A lot of times when we are given things easily we tend to take it for granted. Which is why we are continually given trials in our lives, so that we can learn, grow and become mature, enough to appreciate the importance of this gospel in life. We are put through the refiners' fire many a time. But even then I would say we are still even more so a very fortunate people than the rest.
I have a friend serving a mission in England and I enjoy reading his weekly emails about his spiritual experiences and a particular one stood out to me. In it he mentioned how he has become a "shoulder to cry on" for many investigators in England. He hears many sad and tragic stories of how hard its been for these people throughout their lives. He was very taken back and amazed and humbly asked "What have we done to deserve such great lives?"
So what have we done to deserve such great lives? Ultimately we chose to ome to this Earth and face the trials we have been given. Everyday is a choice of whether or not we continue to walk the path of righeousness. Chapter 8 was above all my favorite; here it talks about Lehi's vision of the tree of life. I have such a conviction about this chapter, everytime I read it builds my testimony. My favorite part is when Lehi partakes of the fruit of the tree of life and he his filled with such joy that he can't help but desire to share with everyone else. This at portrays complete unselfishness, which is the pure love of God. The tree of life is also symbolic of the love of God, which is the most desirable above all else. We should be seeking after this treasure. We are the chosen ones and the Lord certainly has no regrets on that. So in turn, we should without a doubt choose to stay on and follow the straight and narrow path and hold to the iron rod. It will be only then that there will be no regrets to the path we choose.
1 Nephi 7-15
The choices and path Laman and Lemuel decided to follow astounded Nephi in their rebellion. In verses 8-12 of chapter 7, Nephi grieves for the hardness of their hearts and for the blindness in their minds that they have to look to their younger brother as an exemplar. He also goes on baffled by the fact that they have so easily forgotten the Lord, especially after the many great and wonderful things they have beheld.
These verses struck me to ponder and reflect back in my own life of how is it that I so easily forget the Lord? Especially, like Nephi said, after all the many things I have seen and witnessed in my life over and over. Well, I think simplicity is the key- everything is mapped out for us. All we have to do is Choose The Right! A lot of times when we are given things easily we tend to take it for granted. Which is why we are continually given trials in our lives, so that we can learn, grow and become mature, enough to appreciate the importance of this gospel in life. We are put through the refiners' fire many a time. But even then I would say we are still even more so a very fortunate people than the rest.
I have a friend serving a mission in England and I enjoy reading his weekly emails about his spiritual experiences and a particular one stood out to me. In it he mentioned how he has become a "shoulder to cry on" for many investigators in England. He hears many sad and tragic stories of how hard its been for these people throughout their lives. He was very taken back and amazed and humbly asked "What have we done to deserve such great lives?"
So what have we done to deserve such great lives? Ultimately we chose to ome to this Earth and face the trials we have been given. Everyday is a choice of whether or not we continue to walk the path of righeousness. Chapter 8 was above all my favorite; here it talks about Lehi's vision of the tree of life. I have such a conviction about this chapter, everytime I read it builds my testimony. My favorite part is when Lehi partakes of the fruit of the tree of life and he his filled with such joy that he can't help but desire to share with everyone else. This at portrays complete unselfishness, which is the pure love of God. The tree of life is also symbolic of the love of God, which is the most desirable above all else. We should be seeking after this treasure. We are the chosen ones and the Lord certainly has no regrets on that. So in turn, we should without a doubt choose to stay on and follow the straight and narrow path and hold to the iron rod. It will be only then that there will be no regrets to the path we choose.
Why did President Hinkley Love the Book of Mormon so much?
He states...
"Its appeal is as timeless as truth, as universal as mankind. It is the only book that contains within its covers a promise that by divine power the reader may
know with certainty of its truth. Its origin is miraculous."
"Its appeal is as timeless as truth, as universal as mankind. It is the only book that contains within its covers a promise that by divine power the reader may
know with certainty of its truth. Its origin is miraculous."
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
We're Going to Miss This Guy...
There aren't really adaquate words to describe how much this man has touched our lives. We don't need further conviction that he is indeed a Prophet of God and has lived his life in a way that we should emulate. I don't want to speak for the members of this ward, but I think it is safe to say that we truely are thankful for a living prophet to guide us and direct us. That is a gift. As much as we will miss him, it brings so much comfort to know that he is reuniting with loved ones. Eternal life is such a sweet part of this gospel. He will be greatly missed, but he has laid a powerful foundation for us to go forth and do better.
A favorite quote from President Hinkley,
"I could wish for you nothing better than that your lives be fruitful, that your service be dedicated and freely given, that you contribute to the knowledge and the well-being of the world in which you live, and that you do it humbly and faithfully before your God. He loves you. We love you. We want you to be happy and successful, to make significant contributions to the world in which you will live and to the on-rolling of this great and majestic work of the Lord."
This Prophet had a testimony of The Book of Mormon and urged us to read it back in 2005. Let's again take this challenge to honor him and in turn increase our own testimonies and grow closer to our Savior Jesus Christ.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE COMMENTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT THE PROPHET ON THE COMMENTS PAGE.
We love you President Hinkley!
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