How much do I value the scriptures? How can I increase my appreciation for the scriptures and my testimony of the importance of scripture study in my life?
The brass plates are so vital to the survival of Lehi's seed that the boys return to Jerusalem and risk their lives to retrieve the plates before the family continues on their journey. When Lehi receives the brass plates, he gives thanks to God and begins to "search them from the beginning." He finds the books of Moses, prophecies of the holy prophets, and a genealogy of his fathers. He is filled with the Spirit and begins to prophesy concerning the record and his seed.
Nephi closes this section by stating that he and his father have "kept the commandments", obtained the records, found them "desirable" and of "great worth" and acknowledges that it was "wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us."
Bishop Dean M. Davies observed that "our spirits and souls will be replenished and strengthened by feasting upon the words of Christ...Searching, pondering, and applying the words of Christ as taught in the scriptures will bring wisdom and knowledge beyond our mortal understanding. This will strengthen our commitment and provide the spiritual reserves to do our best in all situations." "A Sure Foundation" April 2013 General Conference
I love the middle of that quote, "wisdom and knowledge beyond our mortal understanding" and the promise of "spiritual reserves." That's what Nephi has. That's what I want.
There's a great Primary song, Scripture Power. Words here. Audio file here.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
1 Nephi 5:1-9 Fear and Faith
How do I keep from being paralyzed or overwhelmed by fear? How do I respond to or help those whose faith is threatened by fear?
In the beginning of chapter 5, Sariah rejoices at the return of her sons, the more so because she had feared their death as well as her own. She had accused Lehi of being a "visionary man" and leading them out of Jerusalem to their deaths.
How does Lehi respond to these accusations?
With truth and with love.
He acknowledges that he is a visionary man, then continues with his testimony that if they had not been led out Jerusalem by a vision of God, they would have perished. He concludes with his testimony that he knows God will deliver their sons and bring them safely back to them.
Lehi not only comforted his wife, he strengthened her faith and testimony by speaking truth in love and by the Spirit.
There are several excellent scriptures and conference talks on fear and faith.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a strong mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you" D&C 68:6
"My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." Be of Good Cheer, Thomas S. Monson
"Faith and fear cannot coexist. One gives way to the other...In a household of faith, there is no need to fear or doubt. Choose to live by faith and not fear." Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Kevin W. Pearson
"So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism." Faith--The Choice is Yours, Richard C Edgley
"When we choose to follow Christ in faith rather than choosing another path out of fear, we are blessed" Live by Faith and Not by Fear, Quentin L. Cook
"We live in a time of turmoil...But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith." Face the Future with Faith, Russell M. Nelson
"Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character...As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced." The Transforming Power of Faith and Character, Richard G. Scott
"In both of the experiences that these good families endured, pain and sorrow left because of the light of the gospel, which filled them with peace and comfort, providing the assurance that everything would be well." Faith in Adversity, Rafael E. Pino
In the beginning of chapter 5, Sariah rejoices at the return of her sons, the more so because she had feared their death as well as her own. She had accused Lehi of being a "visionary man" and leading them out of Jerusalem to their deaths.
How does Lehi respond to these accusations?
With truth and with love.
He acknowledges that he is a visionary man, then continues with his testimony that if they had not been led out Jerusalem by a vision of God, they would have perished. He concludes with his testimony that he knows God will deliver their sons and bring them safely back to them.
Lehi not only comforted his wife, he strengthened her faith and testimony by speaking truth in love and by the Spirit.
There are several excellent scriptures and conference talks on fear and faith.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a strong mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you" D&C 68:6
"My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." Be of Good Cheer, Thomas S. Monson
"Faith and fear cannot coexist. One gives way to the other...In a household of faith, there is no need to fear or doubt. Choose to live by faith and not fear." Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Kevin W. Pearson
"So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism." Faith--The Choice is Yours, Richard C Edgley
"When we choose to follow Christ in faith rather than choosing another path out of fear, we are blessed" Live by Faith and Not by Fear, Quentin L. Cook
"We live in a time of turmoil...But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith." Face the Future with Faith, Russell M. Nelson
"Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character...As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced." The Transforming Power of Faith and Character, Richard G. Scott
"In both of the experiences that these good families endured, pain and sorrow left because of the light of the gospel, which filled them with peace and comfort, providing the assurance that everything would be well." Faith in Adversity, Rafael E. Pino
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
1 Nephi 4:20-38 Choices
One man in a wicked environment chose to follow God. While my immediate surroundings are peaceful, the world is rapidly increasing in wickedness and distancing itself from God. The world calls "evil good, and good evil." Isaiah 5:20-21
How can I keep myself prepared to hear and follow God when he calls? Even when the "whole world" cries one thing, how do I keep my ears and heart turned towards God?
We see Nephi prepared to do God's work, and I think Zoram is also prepared. Of all the people in Jerusalem who were chosen to leave Jerusalem, there is Lehi and his family, Ishmael and his family, and Zoram, a servant of Laban.
We know little of Zoram's life before this time, but we do know he is chosen by God to accompany Lehi's group into the wilderness, and is later commended as being a true friend to Nephi and is promised that his descendants would be blessed and prospered in the new land.
I think when Nephi speaks to Zoram, the Spirit of God conveys the truth of his words. Whether Zoram was outwardly religious or righteous before this time or not, when he heard Nephi speak, Zoram chooses to follow the path to freedom, the path of obedience, and the path to God.
How can I keep myself prepared to hear and follow God when he calls? Even when the "whole world" cries one thing, how do I keep my ears and heart turned towards God?
We see Nephi prepared to do God's work, and I think Zoram is also prepared. Of all the people in Jerusalem who were chosen to leave Jerusalem, there is Lehi and his family, Ishmael and his family, and Zoram, a servant of Laban.
We know little of Zoram's life before this time, but we do know he is chosen by God to accompany Lehi's group into the wilderness, and is later commended as being a true friend to Nephi and is promised that his descendants would be blessed and prospered in the new land.
I think when Nephi speaks to Zoram, the Spirit of God conveys the truth of his words. Whether Zoram was outwardly religious or righteous before this time or not, when he heard Nephi speak, Zoram chooses to follow the path to freedom, the path of obedience, and the path to God.
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