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.
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1 comment:
Bri is so correct. The choices we make produce the results of our lives. We are fully accountable for each choice. No one else. Not parents, not friends, not church leaders, no one. Only we can own these choices. But Heavenly Father provides so many guideposts and indicators to help us make good choices. Remember the story of Moses holding up the staff with serpent. The Israelites need to look to live. We, too, can do the same. Look to the Savior and let Him guide our choices. The Liahona certainly is a symbol for us today. We don't have the physical tool. But in many ways we have much more. And remember, these tools only work when we are faithful. It is so easy to reject good guidance when we are not living in harmony with the principles of truth. Thank you, Bri, for such a wonderful and important lesson! Best wishes to all, Bishop Schneiber
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