The Family

These last two weeks have been a big focus on the family in class. Why is the family important? Why is our role in the family one that matters, not just in this life but forever? We discussed the proclamation to the family given by our church leaders 20 years ago. Here it is if you haven't seen it before. Or you can go to www.lds.org and print off your very own. 

So if I could answer the first question on why families are important... It would be because families are your very first experience in life. Really, a baby is born and handed over to two parents who are supposed to know how to teach and love this kid. That baby is often accompanied by other brothers and sisters and that makes up a family. The child also then has aunts, uncles, grandparents and such. If a baby is born it is half of the father's DNA and half of the mother's DNA. There is no scientific way around the fact that it can't be done without both halves. 

  Most importantly though is that child needs to be brought up in a home of love. In a perfect world every child would be wanted and loved and cared for. There would be no starving children because they would have a secure safety net of those who would gladly go without to make sure each child could live. "Children are the future, teach them well and let them lead the way" or so the song goes at least.  No child should ever be hurt or abused, they should be fiercely protected by their strong family unit. The Proclamation to the Family is a standard, let me explain. A standard is like an ideal situation or an ideal goal. 

  In ancient times people use to declare sides in battle and write it on material and hold it high in the air for their team to see and follow into battle. The flag holder was also called a standard bearer. He reminded them of what they were fighting for. That's how flags came to pass. That's when we see the Brittish flag we may think of Big Ben or the Queen or we might think of bread pudding. It evokes feelings and thoughts. Also when we see the flag of ISIS who we are at war with, we know who to shoot at.  The proclamation to the family is an LDS standard. 

  I have several adopted friends that were raised in amazing families. They were brought up in love and teaching with great safety nets. Often those friends are curious about where part of them came from, they want to know both sides of that DNA. It's natural to want to know more about yourself. 

   For example my friend Phil was raised not knowing his biological father. As an adult he got to meet him and know him. He and his dad look so much alike and have very similar characteristics. At the time Phil was working in home automation and when he met his dad he was shocked to find him in the same type of job. We are patterned after the likeness of our parents. 

   I am very pro adoption, I am all for saving kids from a life that is less than healthy for them. If the world was perfect every parent would be able to have healthy, happy babies and there would be no infertility problems. In a perfect world there would be no abuse, hunger, sadness or conflict. We do not live in a perfect world but our standards should be perfect. 

  We should strive for perfection even if it's impossible in this life. For example take Da Vinci's last words. 

I think he was entirely way too hard on himself because he is a genius painter. He held himself to such a high standard that he didn't feel like he had done his very best, he was working on getting better and so should we. We shouldn't rest on "okay" or "good enough" because we believe we are made in the image of God, we should strive to be like he is. Jesus Christ was that standard. 

   So how does this relate to my Book of Mormon reading these last two weeks? It relates this way: Evil hates standards. When Iran chants "death to America" it shows our flag, they want to remove that symbol and what it stands for off of the face of the earth. When terrorists hijack planes and drive them into NYC or Washington, it's trying to take down symbols of those standards. 

    In Mosiah chapter 27 of the Book of Mormon, the King named Mosiah (of whom the part of the Book of Mormon is named for) sends a proclamation to all the people in the land. He decrees all the people to be equal in the land and for no one in the church to be unkind to those who didn't believe. He tells the people outside the church to also be kind to those who do go to church and to stop fighting. He then tells the people that no matter what job they have in church or in government that they don't get to live off of the work of others. Everyone must pay for their own support. This was their standard for their day. 

  The "Family, Proclamation to the World" is our church standard and how we think it was designed by God. It's what we believe is the perfect example in a very imperfect world. Do our leaders know this? Do they know that children are being born of rape or are orphaned by disease in third world countries? Yes! Of course they do. They are aware of the struggle of human existence but they don't declare that that struggle, is what we should strive for.  We need a goal, we need an example and we need that standard or flag to look for. 

   Make no mistake there is a battle going on. My church has come under a lot of criticism for having any standards at all.  The Katy Perry song says, "I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything" we all have our standards, what we will allow others to do to us, or how to treat us. What are your standards? How do you want to be treated? What will you not allow in your home? God has laws as well. Hold a rock over your head and drop it, that's the law of gravity. As much as you might not like it, that law exists. Getting a bigger rock and dropping it over your head won't make it better, in fact the pain will be much worse. 

So it is true if we keep fighting against God's laws, he gives us laws to bless us and not to hurt us. He is a loving parent who just wants us to return to him. Sometimes he lets us have "natural consequences" to our actions, like dropping a rock on our heads. (BTW, don't try this at home) 

  His commandments are just telling us not to try this in our home because recovery will be painful. Get to know God's standards so that you can enter into his home. Look to Jesus through the scriptures to see that standard. 

Love, Lori 

Weeks 8 & 9. Follow the Prophet/ Trust your base coach. Go the temple.

                                             Weeks 8&9  My random thoughts!

There has been a constant theme going on in my life the last two weeks and it coincides with the scriptures I have been reading. The theme has been Follow  the Prophet.

  In my church there has been a few changes in how the Bishops of their Wards govern their local congregations and it has caused quite a stir. Several people I know have left the church or are leaving the church over it. They trust their own feelings or they see the reaction of the world and they have decided to openly go against their professed beliefs. It's been a really sad thing to watch and to feel helpless to help them understand that we don't always immediately see the answers to our questions.   One of my 13 year old students in my church class on Sunday named Lexi, gave the best analogy on what to do and I would like to share that and a few of my own experiences with you.

-Follow your base coach!-

  My friend Lexi is a softball player. If you were to meet this girl you would see a spunky and strong young woman who is tough in body and in spirit. She is one to fight for what she believes in, even if it's a tough battle. She is one to try and steal bases in softball and to give all of her energy to every play on the field.  She holds nothing back.

   She came home one day mad because she felt that she could steal the next base but she didn't do it, because her base coach told her to stay put. Her father gave her the wise council to "trust her base coach."  He explained to her that her base coach can see all the field and players, when from her perspective she can only concentrate on where she is at and where she wants to go. She isn't focused on the whole team and all the players like her base coach is.  Win or lose the game she should trust in her base coach to get her to where she needs to go.

   She compared this with the Prophet of the church. From a lifetime of experience (and the experiences from the 12 apostles he works with) or from divine inspiration, he can often see more of what is going on with the worldwide needs of the church than we can from our own perspective.  Lexi is awesome and I appreciated her insight.

  Lexi is right, sometimes we need to trust our base coach, or trust the prophet. 

  Let me explain this another way. I live outside of Salt Lake City.  I was married in the Bountiful, Utah temple. The temple is situated high on a hill and you can see it from the valley below. If you want to get to the temple you basically just point your car at it and go, for awhile. When you get closer to the base of the mountain it's on, you have to follow the signs though and not to rely on sight.  There are guideposts like this one that tell you where to turn and where to keep going straight.

It gets confusing because sometimes you can see the temple out of your window but the signs point you in a different direction. If you follow what you think you should do, you get lost. The road you have to take actually makes you go pretty far right before the one and only road there, loops back to the left. Any other roads will get you off the path.  The signs are not close together so you need to watch closely and wait a long time before getting new direction. 

  The same is true sometimes with following the prophet. We might not understand why he seems to tell us to do  things. We feel like we might know a better or quicker way.

   Let be be very clear,  it is important that we decide for ourselves! I would never blindly follow anyone or suggest anyone not use their own inspiration from God. We don't have to listen, we don't have to follow but we are responsible for our choices and the consequences after. That is why with any council given we are invited to pray. We are asked to pray. They beg us to pray! 

      There may be obstacles we can't see or challenges the church faces that we don't understand. Trust your base coach, follow the Prophet because he knows the way. 

    I was trying to research why the Church had changed a recent policy and I came across some interesting information, that could possibly be related. In Denmark, some people had sued to have same-sex marriages done by religious institutions. Most religions protested and it went to their Parliament to be decided in court. The country decided that the government sponsored church which is Lutheran would now have to preform gay weddings and could not deny anyone getting married within their walls. Lutheran's didn't want this change but since the government helps pay to maintain their buildings than now it's punishable under their law for their clergy to deny going against their principles.  The LDS church at this time is still considered a "private church" and doesn't receive money from the Danish government so they are able to still only marry those they agree to.  Mormon's consider their temples to be their most holy places of God and Mormon's also believe that the way God wants marriage is to be between a man and a woman and those two should produce their own offspring when possible.  We also do work in the temple for those who have died and have not received sacred ordinances we believe are necessary to return to heaven. 

  

  Temple recommends are ONLY issued to members who meet a worthiness standard and have interviews to prove that worthiness to their Bishopric and Stake leaders.  Such questions asked are if we are living the law of chastity, abstaining from coffee and alcohol, and paying 10% tithing to the church.  If other governments made it law that every church had to violate their beliefs, and marry anyone who meets our church standards or not inside these temples it would be seen by members as breaking of sacred covenants and we feel like it would displease God.

     Let me also try and make it very clear that the LDS people try and love and serve others regardless of their beliefs and sexual orientation. I have a ton of gay friends 14 I think on Facebook that I can think of off the top of my head.  They are wonderful friends I have spent many years with and people I am proud to call my friends.  We as a family appreciate their gifts and their kindness and they show us so much love in return. The church never asks someone to be worthy to receive assistance, love or friendship. We just believe that for those sacred ordinances such as baptism and temple rites, that the person live a worthy life and is really committed and able to follow through on a life-long of dedicated service.  Some of the new changes to church policy might be not for the sake necessarily of local American congregations. It may be to protect itself in foreign countries that do not have "freedom of religion."  

    For many years our church was not able to have a temple in France because of the strict laws regarding public buildings.  Their government inspectors are required to go in buildings every six months or so to look for potential hazards. We believe our temples to be sacred and even those who clean the buildings have to hold current temple recommends showing they meet our basic beliefs and live those laws. It wasn't until after this was all settled that we were finally able to build a temple there.  

    We don't always get told why the church operates the way it does when new policy changes come out. That is when we need to really go and pray, trust our base coach and pray.  Taking our questions to the temple and having a quiet moment to pray and ask God helps as well.  We may not always get an answer but we can go and feel the spirit that what we are doing is right. 

  So the 3 lessons of today 

1. Trust your base coach

2.  Pray and ask for yourself

3.  Follow the Prophet and go to the temple

Week #6 & #7 Finishing out 2nd Nephi, some things I have learned.

This is to briefly cover some of what I have learned the last two weeks, from chapters 17-33.

  One of the biggest themes I took away from my reading was it talked a lot about baptism and the importance of it, so I will stick to this one subject alone this time. Please also feel free to read the talk I wrote for my friend Jake in another post I have published.

  I am at a baptism today for my niece Marley. Thinking about baptism is right in line with my life right now and with current media events.  

  In 2nd Nephi 31:4-10 we learn how Christ was perfect and yet he set the example for all of us by being baptized.  To be baptized you first need the the willingness to be humble and obedient to the laws of God, then be baptized by his authority. 

  He then it talks about how Christ received the Holy Ghost in 2nd Nephi 31:4-9

  I want to talk a little bit about Jesus Christ and Baptism.

  Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, at age 30, by John the Baptist. He was one who had the church's priesthood lineage of that day and he was also cousins to Christ.  The direct quote from the scriptures 2nd Nephi 31:5 "and now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!"

  Christ shows us the way by submitting himself to the rules and laws of God. He didn't need to be baptized because he was without sin.  He wanted to be faithful to his father's commandments and show us the way.

In verse 7 it says; "Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

  Something of note to point out that although he didn't need it, he was humble. He did it to show obedience in all things.

   In my faith we don't believe that children are born in sin (original sin) we believe that they are innocent for much longer.  We don't baptize until 8 years old or older.  It's not a magical number, it's not innocent until eight and a half and then you are sinful. We believe that around eight is the first time you are of your own mind enough to start to choose right and wrong for yourself if you have been brought up inside our religion. For us it's a commitment and a responsibility. We at baptism decide to take on the name of Christ (meaning we try to be like him) and we are held to a higher standard.

  In 2nd Nephi 31 vs 13 it says
"Wherefore my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism-yea, by following your Lord and Savior down into the water according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel".

  It also talks about those who go against their covenant of baptism,  it says in 2nd Nephi 31 vs 14

"...and after this (you) should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me."

 God doesn't want us to take the covenant we make with him lightly and neither does the LDS presidency. In some instances it asks prospective members to wait until they are 18 years of age if they live in a household that teaches contrary to the beliefs of the church.

For me, I know being a member of the church is a great blessing but it's quite a challenge at times. I love the Lord very much but many members of my family are not of my faith. I know that the Lord loves them too, we after all are his children. I don't have all the answers but I rely on that knowledge of his great kindness and mercy and that is only through the Savior Jesus Christ. Getting to know him helps me feel more of worth and gives me the faith to trust in his timing.

A baptism talk for my friend Jake

  Recently I was asked to speak at a baptism for my sweet eight year old friend Jake.  This is the transcript of what I told the friends and family that had come to support this awesome little man.

  Dear Jake,

  I asked your mom what kind of motorized transportation you like the best. She thought that airplanes were your favorite so today I am going to talk about how baptism is like an airplane.

  Airplanes have not been around very long, they were invented a little over a hundred years ago. They were invented because people saw the need to travel faster and more directly than what had currently existed.  Airplanes require a lot of skill to both build and to fly them. You have spent the last eight years in spiritual pilot school, learning about Jesus Christ. One of the titles for Jesus is "the Master Builder." Together you two have built a trusty craft that can help you return to him and that is called baptism.

  To get a plane off the runway you need fuel. One new plane is called the "Solar Impulse" and it is powered by the sun. It converts sunlight into fuel to fly the plane. This year the builders of the solar plane tried to fly it all the way around the world. They almost made it except the plane had sustained damage to it's batteries. They were forced to re-evaluate and return to home base. They will try again next year to complete the world-wide flight.

   There are three things you and this solar plane have in common.

1.  Just like a solar plane gets it's energy to fly from the sun, we need to rely on the SON of God to fill up our testimony tank.  Without him we will never get off the runway.  We need to learn to be filled with his power and rely on his strength to keep us going.

2. Sometimes life will get very hard.  We will need to rely on our back-up batteries. Those batteries are our good friends and family. The problem with a plane powered by light is, there are sometimes storms, grey skies and there will certainly come very dark nights.  When our life gets so hard that we can't find the light, we will need to have good batteries to back us up. Make good friends that will remind you of your source of power when all seems dark.  We know you were meant to fly and we will try and encourage and support you.

3.  If you can't make it, return to home base.

  The Solar Impulse plane didn't make it all the way because the batteries were damaged. Instead of trying to risk a crash, or giving up all together, the crew decided to return to home base.  Jake, if the skies seem dark and you have no friends and family to rely on.... remember to return to home base. You built your testimony with the help of the "Master Builder" and if things are not working out, remember to return back to him.  Your family and friends are on their own journeys as well and sometimes they might fail to be there for you. He will ALWAYS be there if you go to him. Even if you have to go back to square one and re-build your plane from the ground up. Remember, the one who created you, is on this journey with you! Don't ever give up.

  I am so proud of you and this choice you have made. Try to keep your travels light, don't pick up any unnecessary baggage like sins or addiction along the way.  Please do all you can to make sure you are being constantly nourished by the Son of God.

  I am proud of you and I love you.  I leave these thoughts with you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Week #5 2nd Nephi 9-16

 *Again I am putting this disclaimer in my blog. Please read the Book of Mormon for yourself and don't just take my notes as enough if you are curious of the content. I ask you to read it for yourself and pray and ask God if it's true.  In the front of my blog #1 is the phone number for a free copy.*

2nd Nephi chapters 9-16

  I am doing it more of my feelings and impressions than a verse by verse story re-telling. I want to write more about my testimony of the things I have learned. I would love to hear your insights, feelings and impressions as well.

  Jacob, the brother of Nephi, talks about how in the land of promise (the American continent) all of the tribes of Israel will be gathered.  He also talks about the need for a Savior and how the atonement will make a way for us to be forgiven of sin and to live with God again. If we reject the gift of the atonement we will have to stand before God and be aware of all of our wrongdoings.  

 In verse 28 he talks about how if people are educated sometimes they think they know better than to rely on God and how that is a tool of the devil. He states that "to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." So education is not the problem but the pride of thinking that you know everything and that you don't look to God for more knowledge and wisdom than that is foolish.
  He also says the same thing about being wealthy, if you don't share and you look down on others for not having financial blessings, again that is worshiping your money more than God.

  He goes over most of the 10 commandments and talks about staying true to them. He asks us to be more spiritually minded and not to worry so much about the things of this world. Focus on the meekness, kindness and things that will get you closer to the Lord.

Chapter 10

  Jacob talks about how in Jerusalem at that time, Jesus would come and he would be crucified because the people were so wicked. The Jews thereafter would be scattered throughout the world, with many being destroyed and persecuted for their beliefs.  *side note, the book of Mormon was translated in the mid 1800's and 100 years later the holocaust happened where many of the Jews would be hunted, scattered and put to death*  Jacob testifies that in the last days, many of the Jews will come to accept Jesus as the Christ and that they will be restored to their lands and inheritance.

  The Americas will be a land of liberty to the Gentiles and there will be no kings here.  It will be a blessed land and a light unto the world. The wicked will not be able to stand against the country in wars unless the people here become wicked and turn their backs on God.

Chapter 11

Jacob and Nephi write about how Christ and God his father created the world and they will speak more of the words of Isaiah so we can learn to liken them to ourselves.  To liken them means to put yourself in their place and learn the spiritual lessons they are trying to teach.

Chapter 12

  Isaiah speaks of a latter day temple.  He talks about how people from all nations will come to the temple to learn and how people will repent and turn to God. He talks about the wickedness of worshiping idols, treasure and worldly wealth.  He says in the last days the rich will be humbled and the poor will be exalted or lifted up.

Chapter 13

Jerusalem will be conquered and fall into ruin because of their wickedness. There will be great destruction and there will be terrible mourning at seeing the desolation.

Chapter 14

The church of God in the last days will be glorious and beautiful. The filthiness of the world will be cleansed from the daughters of Zion (or his holy people) and they will be a light unto the world. The people of God will be a place of refuge from the storms and trials of life and from the wickedness of the world.

Chapter 15

Isaiah again talks about the destruction of the Jews and compares them to the branches of an olive tree. He talks about how desolate and scattered the Jews will become. He warns about those who drink too much alcohol and feast and indulge in laziness.  He warns against vanity and calling evil things good and good things evil. He warns about when people will "put darkness for light, and bitter for sweet" meaning telling people that something of God is bad and things of this world or of the devil are good for them. He warns of us relying on our own wisdom and persecuting those who put their trust in God.

Chapter 16

Isaiah speaks of Christ again who will come to cleanse and heal his people. There will be a remnant of the Jews who will accept him as the Christ and return to him.

Week #4 2nd Nephi chapters 1-8

   I am going to change things up a bit in this blog. So far I have just been telling you what has happened in the scriptures so far. I really encourage you reading the Book of Mormon for yourself to get the most out of it.
   Instead of going verse by verse this time telling you what happens I want to tell you my feelings about it and how it relates to me.

   In these chapters of Nephi, he often quotes the prophet Isaiah from the Bible. It's been a little bit difficult for me to understand but I will tell you what I have learned and why I think it's important.

The biggest take away I got from reading this and also studying the Institute manual is: Agency

  The Lord values agency so much that even if it should hurt us and him, he would not force us to do anything.  He wants us also not to blindly obey. He wants us to know the choices, know the consequences and to choose to follow him because we WANT to.  There was a war in heaven we can read about in Revelations 12:7 over the agency of mankind. The devil wanted to force everyone to be good and follow him, God chose instead to send an example and a savior. To quote the institute manual "God's chief way of acting is by persuasion and patience and long-suffering, not by coercion and stark confrontation. He acts by gentle solicitation and by sweet enticement. He always acts with unfailing respect for the freedom and independence we possess.

  I have been affected negatively by other people's agency. I still wouldn't take away their freedoms and rights because if I take away theirs, someone might not like my choices and take away mine. We should have freedoms to choose our own path in life but it's always best if we choose the Lord.

  I also learned more about Adam and Eve. I think a lot of people would be shocked to read the Book of Mormon and see how much it talks about the events of the Bible. LDS or Mormon people believe in the Bible it is especially important for the life and mission of Jesus Christ. We have the Book of Mormon not to replace the Bible at all but to help understand and learn the lessons that Christ taught. It's a companion to the Bible to help us more fully live it's teachings.

  In the chapters on Adam and Eve, I learned about how the world changed as well when they partook of the fruit. That everything was able to die after the fall of Adam. The animals and plants changed, they too will die. With the resurrection of all mankind after the second coming of Christ, everything will be changed back to it's natural and immortal state.

 There were so many great subjects in these chapters on Parenting and loving our children to overcoming sin and weakness. Doing these chapter summaries the last few weeks has been a buffet of knowledge, so much so that I can't effectively write it all down. Again, please feel free to read and evaluate the book for yourself.  

Week #3 1st Nephi Chapters 15-22

The Book of Mormon

1st Nephi 15-22

Chapter 15

vs 1-20  Nephi goes to see his father and he sees his brothers arguing about Lehi's visions. Nephi talks about how the work of the Lord is hard to understand if you have a hard heart and you don't inquire and find out from God.  The brothers are arguing about the parable of the olive tree. They don't understand what it means to be grafted into the olive tree. Nephi tells them that the house of Israel is the olive tree Lehi was talking about. He talks about how their family are a branch that has broken off from the house of Israel. That someday in the future they will be brought back to the knowledge of the Lord and they will be united with the church of the Lord, this is what to be grafted back in means. The Gentiles will scatter their people but then the Gentiles will also bring to them the word of the Lord. All of the house of Israel will be gathered at the last days so the olive tree will be whole. (all of the descendants of the house of Jacob)

  vs 20-36 Laman and Lemuel ask Nephi about the tree in their father Lehi's visions. Nephi tells them that this is the tree of life and that the rod that leads to the tree is the word of God or his holy scriptures. Nephi begs his brothers to listen and keep the commandments of God.  They ask Nephi about the river that their father saw. Nephi tells them that the water is the filthiness of the world that tries to take people away from God. Nephi tells his brothers about heaven and hell and the final judgement of God if people will not listen to him or his servants. He talks about how the greatest gifts of God are to have his love and that God's love is represented by the fruit of the tree of life.

Chapter 16

vs 1-6  Laman and Lemuel do not like what Nephi has told them. Nephi tells them that the wicked will think the truth is harsh to hear. Nephi says, "the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center."  He explains when you are righteous and hear the truth, you are justified instead of offended. He said if they would listen to the truth then they wouldn't complain (murmur) and think that their brother is just saying things to hurt them. Nephi again asks his brothers to listen and to obey the commandments.  The brothers started to listen and to be humble. It gave Nephi great hope to think his brothers would become righteous.

vs 7-19 The boys take the daughters of Ishmael to become their wives. The Lord tells Lehi to again start moving farther from Jerusalem and that it's time to go. The next morning Lehi finds a compass type ball that is a gift from the Lord and it tells them the direction they should go. They started traveling South, South-East away from the city.   They traveled for many days and gathered and hunted for food. Nephi ends up breaking his bow to hunt food. His family is tired and hungry and angry with Nephi for breaking his bow. vs 20-23 Even Lehi starts to complain for how rough the journey is and how hungry they are. vs 23-28  Nephi makes a new bow out of wood and then goes to his dad out of respect and following him as a prophet and asks his father where the Lord would have him go to hunt food. Lehi repents of his complaining against the Lord and asks him where they can go to get food. vs 29-33 The compass that the Lord gave Lehi only works when they are being faithful and it also has other writing that changes from time to time giving them instructions. Some of the writings on the compass chasten Lehi and his family.  Nephi is given direction on where to hunt for food to keep the family alive in the wilderness.  He returned to his family with food and his family was grateful and gave thanks unto the Lord.  They start to travel again.

vs 34-37  Ismael dies and his daugters are grief stricken. They start to complain for all of the trials that they have had in the wilderness. They now want to go home to Jerusalem along with Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael.  vs 38-39  Laman becomes angry and thinks Nephi just wants his brothers to be his servants and that he is leading them away from home to be their King. The voice of the Lord chastens or scolds them and the brothers again repent.

Chapter 17

vs 1-8 They start to journey again but this time they go East.  They have been on the journey so long that they are starting to have babies in the wilderness. Everyone is strong and healthy and blessed of the Lord.  Nephi testifies that if people listen to God he will provide a way to do hard things and they will become strong. They reach the ocean and camp beside it and they Lord tells Nephi that he needs to build a ship to cross the ocean. vs 9-18 Nephi asks the Lord where to go to get the ore to make tools. The Lord has been their guide in the wilderness and now he tells them he will lead them to the promised land. Nephi's brothers start to make fun of him for trying to build a boat.  They didn't want to help him make a boat, they didn't believe the Lord would teach their brother how to build a ship. vs 19- 21 The brothers continue to make fun of Nephi and that makes Nephi sad. When the brothers see they are getting to Nephi they mock him more and talk about how they knew that Nephi couldn't build a boat because it was too tough. They then start making fun of their father Lehi for leading them away from Jerusalem. They wish that they were able to stay in the city and enjoy their lands and riches and inheritance.
  vs 22-34 Laman and Lemuel then talk about how their city was not going to be destroyed because they were a righteous place. They think their father was just being super judgmental and Nephi is the same way. Nephi reminds them about Moses and leading the people away from Egypt. He reminds them that their ancestors were slaves and if they hadn't left they would be slaves too. vs 35-44 God loves all of his people but if they fail to listen and obey commandments, he will not bless them.  God will bless righteous nations and destroy wicked ones. He will try and teach his people like he did with Moses and the serpents but those who will not look to him and live will perish.  vs 45-47 Nephi reminds his brothers that they are slow to remember God and that they have seen an angel themselves. vs 48-54  Laman and Lemuel are again angry with Nephi and try to kill him yet again.  Nephi commands them not to touch him or the power of God will strike them dead. He tells them he will build a ship with God's help and that if God commanded them to do all things he would do all things. The brothers were afraid to touch Nephi but the Lord tells Nephi to stretch out his hand and shock them. Nephi does as he is commanded and shocks his brothers.
  vs 55  The brothers now believe Nephi and they know that the Lord has shocked them. They repent and want to worship Nephi. He tells them to worship God and to listen to their father Lehi.

  Chapter 18

vs 1-8 The family helps build the boat and it gets finished.  Nephi builds the boat in the way he is instructed by the Lord, it's done in a way he has never seen before.  He prays to the Lord often for instructions.  They load provisions and their families on to the boat, including Lehi's two new sons that were born in the wilderness named Jacob and Joseph. vs 9  After they are at sea for a long time the brothers become bored and become drunk and disorderly. They forget to be humble and they start to dance, party and be rude to the rest of the family. vs 10-14 Nephi becomes concerned that the Lord will not guide the boat because of the general attitude on the boat.  He goes with his concerns to his brothers but they just think Nephi is trying to boss them around. Laman and Lemuel take Nephi and tied him up because they didn't want to listen to him.  The compass that the Lord gave them stops working and no one knew where to steer the boat. A large storm arises and they are tossed about on the waves but the brothers would not let him be untied. It takes the brothers four days to realize that they should untie Nephi or else the Lord would continue to try and humble them by the storm.

vs 15-20  Nephi's wrists and ankles are bruised, swollen and sore.  He thanks the Lord for helping him get released. Lehi and his wife are very ill and are sick in bed on the ship, they thought they would die at sea.  The brother Jacob is young and is also falling ill because of the trials.  Nephi finds out that his wife and children had tried to soften the hearts of Laman and Lemuel to release him but nothing would work except the fear that they would drown because of the terrible storm. vs 21-23  Nephi prays to the Lord and the compass starts to work again. They are able to again point the ship in the right direction twords the land they have been promised. They finally arrive.

vs 24-25  They begin to plant seeds and the seeds began to flourish and provide food.  They find all manner of animals and ore to use.

  Chapter 19

vs 1-9  Nephi is told to record his history using ore to make plates where he can engrave his record. He tells all of these visions and their journey so far.  He is also told to make another record on more plates.  The plates that he is writing here is more spiritual things and the other plates are more of the history and of the wars.  He only writes down things he finds sacred. He worries because people often don't listen to the prophets and apostles, and someday they would even reject Jesus himself. vs 10-20 He talks about how Christ will be crucified and buried and that he will again come to life after three days of terrible darkness.  He talks about how the Jews will come to be hated of the world, how people will use their names as a curse and to mock them because of what they did to the Savior.  When the Jews will again come unto Christ in the last days and acknowledge that he is their Savior, they will be gathered together and they will be blessed. vs 21-24 The prophets of old were shown all things that were to happen before the Lord will return in the last days, much of these writings are on the plates of brass that Nephi was commanded to take from the house of Laban. Nephi again talks about how they are of the house of Israel and that someday again they will be a branch that is no longer broken off.

Chapter 20

vs 1-22 Nephi talks about the destruction of Jerusalem and how it is going to be put through the fire to clean and refine it. (similar to Isaiah chapter 48)  He gives warning to those who do not listen to the words of the Lord through his prophets.  He said that there will be no peace for the wicked.

Chapter 21

vs 1-13  The Messiah will redeem his people and all of Isreal will be reunited together. The gathering will be done through the Gentiles to redeem the twelve tribes and bring them into the knowledge of their Savior. He will free prisoners and save those without hope. vs 14-21  The Lord will not forget his people, he compares it with a mother forgetting her child. He says that Jesus has carved them into his hands and feet and he will not forget them because they are continually in front of him as a reminder.  vs 22-26  He will teach the Gentiles what his standard is so that others may follow. He will make them the example so that the kings and queens of the world will bow down before the Lord and know that he is God. God will free the oppressed and all will know he is the Lord their God.

Chapter 22

vs 1-10  Nephi's brothers ask if the things that are written in the scriptures are spiritual or physical things that will happen. Nephi tells them that they will be both physical and spiritual.  He talks about how all the tribes of Israel will be scattered and they will be separated from the knowledge of God until they will be re-taught in the last days. He talks about the nourishment mentioned in the scriptures and it means bringing the Bible and these records to all the world. (the Book of Mormon) vs 11-14 the Lord wants all the world to know of the promises and covenants he has made to his people and how to repent and come unto him. The Gentiles will be bringing these covenants to the whole world. There will be a great war and everyone who fights against the house of Israel be in battle and the great church of the devil will fall. vs 15-22 The Lord will not suffer that evil destroy the righteous.  He will use his power to preserve those who follow him, the wicked will be destroyed by fire.  The Lord will provide a way much like with Moses for the righteous to escape the fire prepared for the wicked. The righteous need not to fear.

  vs 23-25 Churches who are started to get money and popularity in the world will need to fear.  They will be brought down to the dust and consumed in fire.  The righteous will be led up "like calves of the stall" and will be lead out of danger.  God's people will be gathered from all the four quarters of the earth and they will be of one people.  vs 26-31  Because the wicked people will be destroyed and the good people will be righteous, the Devil will have no power over the hearts of the people. They will only listen to the Lord and he will personally dwell with them. All of this will be done in the flesh, these things are what will happen among the people of the world if they repent and come unto Christ. Nephi testifies that what he has read and seen is true, he tells his family to obey the commandments of the Lord.

Week #2 part 2

The Book of Mormon

1st Nephi Chapters 11-14


 Chapter 11, vs 1-10 Nephi desires to see the visions that his father has seen,  he knows that God can do anything, so he believes God can show him these visions.  The Lord shows Nephi the same vision of the tree of life.  Also the spirit shows Nephi the Savior who should come. vs 11-25  Nephi desires to know what the interpretation of the vision is.  He is shown the mother of Jesus and that she is beautiful and clean. He also sees the work and service of Jesus among the Jews. He sees that Christ loved the world so much that he would come to the earth to teach and atone for all of us.
vs 25-33  Nephi sees the rod of iron, that is the word of God or the scriptures. He sees that it leads to the tree of life that is the love of God.  He sees the baptism of Jesus by John the baptist. He sees the 12 apostles of Christ.  He sees Jesus healing the sick and ministering unto them, he sees Christ crucified and killed for the sins of the world. vs 34-36  He sees the people fight against the apostles. He learns that the great and spacious building in his vision is the pride of the world and that someday it will be destroyed.

Chapter 12

  vs 1-11  Nephi sees the land they will be traveling to, which is the American Continent. He sees a mist of darkness that comes to this land of promise and great earthquakes He sees that Christ comes to the American Continent and chooses 12 ministers to teach and preside over the church that he sets up in this land.  He teaches that the faith of those who were chosen has made their clothes white, they have been washed clean by the atonement of Christ. vs 12-18  He sees the people after some time start to war again against each other. Nephi is shown that the mists of darkness that arise among the land is the temptations of the Devil. He seeks to tempt, blind and confuse people away from both the word of God and receiving the love of God.  He sees that the great and spacious building is all the pride, wealth and vain things we can get caught up in in this life. vs19-23  He sees that the posterity of his children and the posterity of his brother's children go to war against each other.  He sees that his brother's children wipe out his children after many decades at war. He sees that his brother's posterity becomes wicked and a lazy people without the gospel.

Chapter 13

vs 1-10  Nephi sees many nations and kingdoms. He sees our days where the American Continent has been settled by the gentiles. He sees a great church that seeks for it's on gain and gold. He sees that this church tries to destroy righteous people and is out to just get praise and riches. vs 11-23 He sees that this great church is separate from his people by great oceans until they start to make boats and cross over to this continent.  He sees the new people slay his families descendants and take over the land. He sees that God is with the people of the Gentiles who settle the land and that they have a book with them.  This book is the Bible and it is the covenants of the house of the Israel and it is also the record of the Jews.  The angel tells Nephi that the bible is the prophecies of the Jews just like how Nephi is writing the record of his people.  vs 24-29  The angel tells Nephi that the Bible was the correct and pure word of God before it had been past down from generation to generation and had been altered. The Angel also tells Nephi that there were things taken from the Bible so that people could be manipulated and lead astray by those who would seek to be in power over them.  vs 30-36  Nephi sees that some of his descendants did survive and also some of his brothers descendants did survive the invasion of the gentiles.  Some of Nephi's children were lead away to safer places. The angel shows Nephi that the Lord will provide a way for the Gentiles and the Jews to be led out of blindness and to be able to have all the truths of the gospel of Christ.  vs 37-  The Lord wants to bless and teach ALL his children so the Lord will provide other books that will come forth in the last days to tell us of his holy work and how to return to him again. The first book had been the Bible out of the land of the Jews. In the last days the Gentiles will bring the records of the Lord to the Jews so the last will be first and the first will be last. ALL men must come unto Christ to be saved.

Chapter 14

vs 1-7  If the Gentiles will listen to their hearts and listen to the word of God than he shall make all the gospel known unto them. They will be a free people who will be able to know God and repent and come unto Him. They will be able to take this new knowledge and have peace and life eternal or if they reject the Lord they will be led into captivity and destroyed.  vs 8-17  If we don't follow God then we are following the Devil. The Devil has power over many lands and across many waters.  The church of God is small but exists on every land as well. A war against those who believe in God will arise in the last days. vs 18-30   An Apostle of the Lord will tell of the end of the world, this Apostle's name is John. The revelations are in the Bible but some of the plain and precious truths are taken out and most will not understand the signs before Christ will come again.






 

Week #2 part #1

 Week#2

    


 Today I will be covering what I have learned in 1st Nephi, Chapters 6-10 of the Book of Mormon.

     Chapter 6 vs 1-6.  Nephi finds out that the plates contain holy writings, their written language and his family history. He decides to only write that he is a descendant of Joseph to save on time and materials. He decides to keep the plates he is writing for the use of holy writings and of spiritual revaluations. He wants to make sure his posterity knows of his experiences and testimony of God.

    Chapter 7 vs 1-15 Lehi again sends his sons back to the city of Jerusalem. This time he sends them to bring Ishmael and his family of daughters, so his sons may have wives.  They first go and tell Ishmael of the visions and he believes and joins Nephi and his brothers and they leave the city. 

*side note, for the first time in the writings Laman and Lemuel did not complain.  lol, a woman can have a powerful influence on what a man is willing to do.

vs 16-21 The brothers again become angry and want to return to their home. They tie Nephi up and talk about leaving him to be killed by wild beasts. Nephi prays and the ropes come loose.  
  They again are angry and they want to kill him, the daughters of Ishmael convince them to not kill Nephi.  Laman and Lemuel ask Nephi for his forgiveness and they continue on their journey. They reach the rest of the family and Lehi offers thanks to God in the form of a sacrifice. 

Chapter 8

vs 1-17 They gather seeds and grains of every kind and food for their long journey. Lehi has another vision. This time he sees a tree, we call the tree of life.  The tree represents the love of God. He takes of the fruit of that tree and finds that is very good. He wants his family to try the fruit. Most of his family does come and partake of it. He starts to worry about Laman and Lemuel, he also wants them to try the fruit and join the family, they will not. 

vs 18-23 A mist of darkness arises (confusion, temptation and strife) many people who were headed to the tree are confused and lost in that mist. They wander off into strange roads or are lost. He also sees a group of people in the darkness that cling to a rod made of iron. That iron rod leads to the tree and it helps people to reach the tree although in parts they can't see because of all the darkness around them. 

vs 24-38 After some of the people who have clung to the iron rod try the fruit of the tree, they become ashamed and they leave. In vs 26 he discribes a "great and spacious" building and inside are people who make fun of those eating the fruit.  Some of those who have eaten the fruit decide they would rather be accepted by those in the building. (the building represents the world and opinions of others)

Chapter 9

vs 1-6  Nephi tells how the plates he has been asked to write will be an account of his expiriences. He will briefly talk about his father's visions and experience but he wants to save the writing to share his feeling and spiritual experiences to tell his children about God.

Chapter 10

vs 1-10 Nephi tells a bit more about what his Father's visions for the destruction of Jerusalem. Then after the city is destroyed a Messiah will be born in Jerusalem among the Jews.  Jesus will come to redeem the world from sin. Before Jesus is born though, there will be another that comes before him who will baptize Jesus.

vs 11-14 The Messiah will be crucified and then arise again from the dead. The 12 tribes of Israel (Jacob's twelve son's posterity) will be scattered all over the world and be found on every continent. They will also be lead to the land of promise and at some time they would be gathered again before the returning of Christ. 

vs 15-20 Nephi desires to see and to know through the spirit what his father saw in his vision about the tree and the fruit. Nephi testifies that through his knowledge and love of the Savior how we can know his mysteries if we desire and ask him. He talks about how Christ wants to save all who will turn to him.

****For anyone reading my blog online, I would like you to know that I am writing this for my Book of Mormon religious studies class at school. I will be going over each chapter in the Book of Mormon from Nephi Chapter 1- Alma Chapter 29.  If you are interested in getting a free copy of the Book of Mormon please call 1-877-537-0003 and feel free to write me a note about your findings or questions. I am not a scripture scholar or paid religious leader. I do teach a weekly class to the 13 year old youth in my area and I do this weekly for free. All teaching positions and clergy in my church work for free. These are my notes and the best of my understanding of what I am learning. Please be forgiving of any mistakes I make in my writing or interpretation. These are not the views of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or it's members, these views are not doctrine. Please do not judge harshly my church for my lack of understanding or the way I may phrase things. ***

Starting from the beginning of the Book of Mormon. Week #1 Nephi, Chapters 1-5

      PLEASE READ THIS FIRST
****For anyone reading my blog online, I would like you to know that I am writing this for my Book of Mormon religious studies class at school. I will be going over each chapter in the Book of Mormon from Nephi Chapter 1- Alma Chapter 29.  If you are interested in getting a free copy of the Book of Mormon please call 1-877-537-0003 and feel free to write me a note about your findings or questions. I am not a scripture scholar or paid religious leader. I do teach a weekly class to the 13 year old youth in my area and I do this weekly for free. All teaching positions and clergy in my church work for free. These are my notes and the best of my understanding of what I am learning. Please be forgiving of any mistakes I make in my writing or interpretation. These are not the views of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or it's members, these views are not doctrine. Please do not judge harshly my church for my lack of understanding or the way I may phrase things. ***

1st Nephi, Chapter One:  In verse one Nephi says, "I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents." This sentence always confused me because it sounds so much like, "I have good parents."  Further inspection of all the footnotes and cross-references in that sentence there were some added insights that I learned.  The topical guide gives a reference to a birthright and in the second footnote there is a link to Proverbs, 22:1. In looking at Proverbs 22:1 it says, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (italics added)  So if I re-read this with the understanding from the footnotes it makes a bit more sense to me.  If I were to re-write it in my own understanding it might read "I Nephi, having been born into a family where my father had the birthright of additional portion of wealth and where he gave us a prominent family name of high esteem in our community."

Also in chapter one in verse it talks about how Lehi was hearing other prophets talking about how soon Jerusalem would be destroyed. Lehi being concerned, prayed in behalf of his people, with all of his heart. He had a vision of the destruction of his people and also of the Christ who would ultimately through his power and mercy, would redeem the ones who would come unto him.

   After Nephi tells about his father's vision he tells how his father goes into Jerusalem and also warns the city like the prophets he had heard himself. The people were angry with him, they didn't want to hear that they were wicked and that their great city could be conquered.  Possibly they were more angry with him because he was seen as one of them. Lehi telling them to repent of their wickedness might have come with an additional sting because he wasn't a foreign prophet, he was one of their esteemed peers.

   In Chapter 2 the Lord warns Lehi that his life is in danger and that he needs to take his family and leave. Lehi left behind his lands, and his possessions and wealth and only took his family and provisions. It amazes me that Lehi, who was a man who owned lands and who had wealth and was able to provide his children with an education was so willing to drop everything and go into the wilderness with nothing but food, tents and his family. When Nephi wrote the verse in 1st Nephi chapter 2 vs 15: "and my father dwelt in a tent" it probably was quite a shock to see a man of wealth and some prestige living like a pauper in a tent instead of on his estate in Jerusalem.

  From the beginning it was clear that Laman and Lemuel struggled with their father's preaching and willingness to abandon their homestead. Laman had the most to lose in terms of riches, lands and his inheritance. Laman was to be the birthright son and receive the extra portion according to Jewish custom and law. Walking away from all of their gold and silver as well must have had an extra insult to him because usually a large part of that wealth would have been his. Nephi did not understand it either so he prayed to God to try to understand in verse 16. It was only after he prayed and the Lord "did soften my heart that I did believe." If Nephi didn't pray and receive his own knowledge he may have rebelled much like his older brothers did. He then spoke and testified to his brother Sam and then Sam believed Nephi's words. It seems that the whole family, not just Laman and Lemuel were struggling. The only difference is that Nephi was humble and asked of God when his brothers did not.

1st Nephi chapter 3.  The Lord asks more of the family and requests that the brother's return to Jerusalem. Again, this has to be extremely hard for the oldest two to again see everything they left behind, all of their comforts of home, for indefinitely long camping trip. In verse 5 the brothers tell their father that "it is a hard thing which I have required of them" and Lehi tells them that it wasn't him but the Lord who needed them to go back to retrieve the plates.  In the same situation I think it would be extremely hard not to complain and not to understand why you would need to be tortured with having to go again and see all that you would never enjoy again. Only with a confirmation of the Lord for better understanding was Nephi able to not complain about such an emotionally painful task.

  Despite his shortcomings Laman needs some credit, him and Nephi do go and do as their father had asked and did not resolve to give up, give in, or stay behind in the city. Laman is the first to go and ask of the plates of brass from Laban and is threatened with death for asking and is chased from the house of Laban. Having Laban threaten his life Laman must have been very frightened and disheartened after all he was trying to obey and things were not going well.  He wanted to leave, after all he had done what was asked of him.

  Verse 15-22 Nephi tells them that until they have the plates, they will not be returning to their father and he comes up with a plan to use their left behind wealth to buy the plates from Laban. It's a logical next step, Laban is a man of wealth and prominence and many people would be willing to trade plates of brass for the more valuable gold and silver the brothers had to offer.  Verse 25 states, "Laban saw our property, and that it was exceedingly great, he did lust after it" so what they were offering was substantial. Instead of  doing a fair trade he sends his servants to take it and kill the brothers and he keeps the wealth without following through with the trade.

  So if we add it up, Laban had attempted to murder Laman for just asking for the plates. Laban stole their substantial wealth and then again he tries to murder Nephi and his brothers after stealing from them. That is 3 times that Laban had done harm to the family of Lehi and committed crimes that during that time and under middle eastern law should be punishable by death. Even by today's standards in that region of the world you probably would be sentenced to death for the serious nature of these crimes.

  After the brother's fled from Laban they hid outside the city and hid in the cavity of a rock. They were frightened and angry and decided to take out their frustrations on their younger brothers by hitting them with a rod. Verses 29 & 30 an angel has to intervene and stop the brothers for their assault on Nephi and Sam. The part that astounds me is that in the very next verse 31, Laman and Lemuel go right back into being more afraid of Laban and the challenge in front of them then trusting in God to save them. I can't judge them too harshly because in my own life, I know the right things to do quite often and yet I fear what others may think of me or my ability to do hard things.

 Chapter 4 Nephi tries to give his brothers a pep talk but they still don't want to hear it, nevertheless they still go again to try and get the plates. Nephi leaves his brothers outside the wall that surrounds the city and he goes to the house of Laban. He sees a drunk, laying in the street and discovers that it is Laban himself laying there alone. He sees his sword and pulls it out to admire it. That also strikes me as funny. He is sent to do a task but is distracted by something shiny. It could have been anything but apparently swords are something in Nephi's personality or experience that appeal to him and maybe he has experience with because he in vs 9 stands there and admires the materials and the workmanship. For a lady into nice shoes, it could have been a beautiful high heel that she stops to admire and then we would have the first scripture related death by stiletto.

   In verse 10 Nephi is told to kill Laban. Even though legally he has the right to after Laban has threatened his family twice and stolen great riches from them, Nephi does not want to enact justice on him.  He has no desire to kill him and he "shrunk and would that I might not slay him." Verse 11 Nephi is reminded of the crimes against Laban. Verse 12-18 it is spelled out for Nephi that their posterity will not have the word of the Lord and be able to be saved without the plates. They have the laws and promises of God in them and all of his posterity will be in spiritual darkness if he shrinks from what has to be done in this moment.

 In verse 15 it talks about how they were required to keep the law of Moses (eye for an eye stuff) and the laws and requirements of man and the church were written upon those brass plates. So Nephi does as he is commanded to and kills Laban. He then puts his clothing on and goes to Laban's treasury to obtain the plates.  It's interesting to note that Nephi does not take back his father's possessions or any other treasures from Laban. He was there to get the history and the law and that is all he took. He asks the servant of the treasury to carry them outside the wall and the servant obeys.

Vs 28 Laban, Lemuel and Sam think Nephi is Laban and they run. Nephi calls after them and then he finds that the servant realizes it's not Laban so he gets ready to run. Vs 31 Nephi tackles the servant and makes it so he can't flee. He tells him what is going on and asks the man whom we learn is named Zoram to promise not to run. Zoram agrees and decides to go with Nephi and his family into the wilderness.

Chapter 5

   Vs 1-9 Even Sariah looses faith in her husband Lehi. She is worried that his vision of the destruction of their home was false, she is worried that she has now lost her sons as well. When her sons return, her faith in her husband and in God is restored. Her trials in the wilderness and her worry for the well-being of her children weakened her resolve as trials often weaken our dedication in our worthy goals.

vs 10-Lehi and Nephi study the plates and they rejoice in the content of them. They see now why the plates were so important for them to take with them out of the city of Jerusalem.  The brass plates also contains their family history.

*In doing a little research, I found that the family of Lehi left the city around 600 B.C. and the city was conquered by the Babylonians in approximately 587 B.C. so the destruction Lehi saw came about 13 years after they left the city.*