I can't believe how long it's been since I posted! Beginning April 7th, I started the Book of Mormon Translation Challenge, wherein you read 6 pages of the Book of Mormon per day to finish reading the book in approximately the same amount of time it took Joseph Smith to translate it. I've done it before and decided to stop where I was reading and start over with this challenge. It's been cool--remembering things I've learned before and learning new things.
The thing that sticks out to me right now is Lehi's vision of the tree of life and the different reactions of his sons. When Nephi wants to know more, he humbles himself, believes that God can make them known to him, and ponders over the vision. When Laman and Lemuel murmur because they cannot understand the things their father has told them, Nephi asks "Have ye inquired of the lord?" 1N15:8, they answer "We have not ; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us." 1N15:9
It becomes obvious that each receives the fruit of their labor. When Nephi wants to know what the meaning of the tree is in the vision, he sees Mary, the mother of God and the condescension of the Savior in shedding his premortal glory and coming to earth as a small, helpless child. From this, Nephi deduces that the tree is "the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of men" 1 Nephi 11:22 When Laman and Lemuel ask Nephi, "What meaneth the tree which he saw?" 1N15:21 Nephi answers "It was a representation of the tree of life." 1N15:22 That's it.
Laman and Lemuel don't seem to know what they are missing. Nephi tells them if they were "righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed to it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur." 1N16:3 He also "did exhort my brethren, with all diligence, to keep the commandments of the Lord."
The incident with the broken bows continues the theme. Laman and Lemuel are sometimes obedient and sometimes faithful, but when times get hard, their testimonies are not built on a firm foundation (Hel 5:12 and 1 Nephi 2:12), and they murmur. Nephi acts in faith and asks for guidance.
Nephi also notes that the Liahona works "according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give" 1N16:28 Faith. Diligence. Heed.
Based on this, my question is, "What revelation, guidance, faith building, or higher knowledge am I missing because I need to be more obedient and/or to be faithful enough to ask, to believe God will answer me and then be willing to act on the things which I receive?"
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Saturday, April 12, 2014
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
Monday, April 29, 2013
1 Nephi 4:5-19 Trust
"Trust me."
Nephi must have lived his life in such a manner as to completely trust the Spirit of God. He must have experimented on the word sufficiently to have great faith and confidence in following the prompting of the Holy Ghost when he was led "not knowing" the things he would be asked to do.
Alma compares a seed to the word of God and how through our patience and diligence in applying the word of God in our lives, our faith and joy is increased. Nephi was undoubtedly nourishing his spirit on a daily basis.
How faithfully do I follow the guidance of the Spirit? Do I heed and follow daily promptings to serve, to study, to work and even to rest in the Lord? Do I trust and love God enough to do as he asks, even when I do not know why He is asking? Even when it is hard?
Nephi must have lived his life in such a manner as to completely trust the Spirit of God. He must have experimented on the word sufficiently to have great faith and confidence in following the prompting of the Holy Ghost when he was led "not knowing" the things he would be asked to do.
Alma compares a seed to the word of God and how through our patience and diligence in applying the word of God in our lives, our faith and joy is increased. Nephi was undoubtedly nourishing his spirit on a daily basis.
How faithfully do I follow the guidance of the Spirit? Do I heed and follow daily promptings to serve, to study, to work and even to rest in the Lord? Do I trust and love God enough to do as he asks, even when I do not know why He is asking? Even when it is hard?
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
1 Nephi 4:1-4 Remember
Remembering is a powerful tool. Sometimes, when I am walking in the morning with one of my friends, and one of us is going through a tough time, we will recall past experiences of the Lord's goodness in our lives and increase our faith that He will continue to sustain and support us in our trials.
After being threatened by Laban and chased by his servants, Laman and Lemuel grudgingly agree to return to Jerusalem, but they are afraid. Because Nephi has a testimony that "the Lord is mightier than all the earth," he is prepared to "be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord." He encourages his brothers to be "strong like unto Moses" and recounts the Exodus story and says "Ye know that this is true."
Using a past miraculous experience of deliverance, Nephi encourages his brothers to remember the strength and power of God and to have the courage to try again.
What is the source of my faith, and how can I best remember the Lord's tender mercies in my life?
After being threatened by Laban and chased by his servants, Laman and Lemuel grudgingly agree to return to Jerusalem, but they are afraid. Because Nephi has a testimony that "the Lord is mightier than all the earth," he is prepared to "be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord." He encourages his brothers to be "strong like unto Moses" and recounts the Exodus story and says "Ye know that this is true."
Using a past miraculous experience of deliverance, Nephi encourages his brothers to remember the strength and power of God and to have the courage to try again.
What is the source of my faith, and how can I best remember the Lord's tender mercies in my life?
Thursday, April 18, 2013
1 Nephi 3 Spiritual Courage
When Lehi asks his sons retrieve the scriptures from Jerusalem, Laman and Lemuel murmur, saying that he has required a hard thing of them, but Lehi knows that it is a commandment of the Lord. He encourages Nephi to go, telling him that he will be favored of the Lord because he has not murmured. Nephi responds with his famous "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded...he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 Nephi 3:7
Where did Nephi get the courage to go and then to stay even after things got rough?
1. He was taught of goodly parents 1 Nephi 1:1.
2. He prayed/humbled himself, and the Lord softened his heart. 1 Nephi 2:16.
3. He was probably consistent/diligent (1 Nephi 2:19) in his daily practices, so he was prepared, like a runner for a race or like the the Ten Virgins of the parable.
How diligent am I in my daily practices of prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments and service? Do I have sufficient oil in my lamp to meet the challenges of my day? What is one think I can do better tomorrow?
Where did Nephi get the courage to go and then to stay even after things got rough?
1. He was taught of goodly parents 1 Nephi 1:1.
2. He prayed/humbled himself, and the Lord softened his heart. 1 Nephi 2:16.
3. He was probably consistent/diligent (1 Nephi 2:19) in his daily practices, so he was prepared, like a runner for a race or like the the Ten Virgins of the parable.
How diligent am I in my daily practices of prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments and service? Do I have sufficient oil in my lamp to meet the challenges of my day? What is one think I can do better tomorrow?
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