Days 309 & 310

309 - Mormon 3: 8-11  refusing to be commander

The study guide talks about how Mormon was abridging the plates still, while all of this was going on... and surely he was learning about the wars of the past and the righteous cause with which his people used to fight.  Now the purpose of war is to avenge and out of hate.  He removes himself from that.
This abridging he is doing is surely how he continued in righteousness... getting that lift and connection he needed with Heavenly Father while the world around him fell into wickedness.  There is something to learn from that right?  Stay in your scriptures, there is safety there!

I also read down into verse 12 and Mormon talks about how he had led the Nephites, as a commander, how he loved them, despite their wickedness.  He stuck with his people.  He led them.  He continued to cry repentance unto them... he continued to love them... even as they turned from their faith, even as they spiraled further into wickedness.  When is the time to separate yourself from those you love, that may be wicked?

There is a point of no return. 
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) described how we today might also remove ourselves from the cleansing grace of repentance: “It is true that the great principle of repentance is always available, but for the wicked and rebellious there are serious reservations to this statement. For instance, sin is intensely habit-forming and sometimes moves men to the tragic point of no return. … As the transgressor moves deeper and deeper in his sin, and the error is entrenched more deeply and the will to change is weakened, it becomes increasingly near-hopeless, and he skids down and down until either he does not want to climb back or he has lost the power to do so” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 117).

Mormon separates himself, but I'm sure the love for his people still remains.

310 - Mormon 3:20-22 admonition to believe in Christ

Is there any question we are Christian?  The Book of Mormon is here as an additional witness that Jesus is the Christ!  We do have this record among us today, brought forth at a time the world needs additional witnesses, additional record, that our Savior indeed walked the earth, atoned for our sins, died on the cross, returned as a resurrected being and established his church here on the earth.  And, it has been restored to the earth again.  This book is witness of that!

Pride and Rebellion Against God

From last week...

What I've been pondering most about last weeks reading is from 4 N 1:20... there began to be Lamanites.

Divisiveness is a result of unrighteousness. The following commentary suggests that pride is the beginning of all such divisions and the reason that some individuals “revolted from the church” and took upon themselves the name Lamanites (4 Nephi 1:20).
“Why would it matter to a people what they were called? Why would it be so important for them to be called Lamanites? Why would a group choose to forsake the transcendent privileges of unity in order to be designated by this or that name?
The answer is simple: pride. A desire to be different. A yearning to be acknowledged. A fear of being overlooked. A craving for public notice.
The righteous feel no need for attention, no desire to be praised, no inclination to demand recognition.
The prideful demand their rights, even when they are wrong. The prideful feel that they must do things their way, even when that way is the wrong way. The prideful insist that they must pursue their own path, even when the road they take is wide and broad and leads to destruction” (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Robert L. Millet, and Brent L. Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4 vols. [1987–92], 4:204–5).

I've thought about this in my own life, as I label myself a Mormon. 

Of course I'm not revolting from anything or creating a separation from the gospel of Jesus Christ, but I wonder if others look at us and think that we are.  Is that label so important?  Is it so important to separate ourselves from other followers of Jesus Christ?

Labels are of course good, and create clarity and organization, which I think is the intention of labeling myself a Mormon... or anyone stating which faith they belong to... or don't belong to.

We see, though, that the caution is in the pride factor, which can change everything.  If for any reason that label begins to bring about an air of entitlement, or a craving for recognition, or an 'I'm better than you' attitude we've slipped into the pit of pride.  Just something to watch for.  Where is your heart?

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And, I love this thought regarding the willful rebellion against God (Mormon 1:16)... do we see this today?  Yep!

Remember Mormon’s description of those who turned away from the true path in his day. They did not sin in ignorance. They willfully rebelled against God. It did not occur as a universal movement. It began as individual members of the Church knowingly began to make compromises with the Lord’s standard. They sought justification for their diversions in the knowledge that others were compromising as well. Those who willfully sin soon seek to establish a standard of their own with which they can feel more comfortable and which justifies their misconduct. They also seek the association of those who are willing to drift with them along this path of self-delusion.

“As the number of drifting individuals increases, their influence becomes more powerful. It might be described as the ‘great and spacious building syndrome.’ The drifting is the more dangerous when its adherents continue to overtly identify with and participate with the group that conforms to the Lord’s way. Values and standards that were once clear become clouded and uncertain. The norm of behavior begins to reflect this beclouding of true principles. Conduct that would once have caused revulsion and alarm now becomes somewhat commonplace” (“Likening the Scriptures unto Us,” in Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr., eds., Alma, the Testimony of the Word [1992], 8).

Week 45 Scripture Prompts

Week 44 Scripture Prompts

Days 293 & 294... and some from last week.

Last week was such a busy week for me...
And the reading was just what I needed.
Monday was a crazy day, I was anxious, I had a bunch to do... as I was fidgeting and working, feeling a little crazy in my mind... I stopped.
I know what my solutions is.  Always.
My road to calm is paved with prayer and scripture study.
There I find peace, perspective, guidance, priority, fulfillment... calm.

I thought it was interesting that my first reading of the week was the importance of scripture study... right there as a reminder as I headed into my busy week.

I didn't write last week, I hope to still find the time to share what I learned, but I read. 
I need that.  Is that where you are? Do you need that?  I thirst and hunger for it, it soothes my soul.

We are commanded to search the scriptures, and with this command, as we see with others, the Lord's commandment isn't a punishment, it's a blessing.  It is to me, whenever I choose to obey.

Calling it a commandment, instead of a suggestion, implies obedience or disobedience, which is always a choice, not just a happenstance.  It gives us ownership and accountability which can be rewarded. 

And when we choose to obey, we are rewarded.

I felt that last week, many times.

Day 293 Neither Root Nor Branch
3 Nephi 25:1
I think as I've previously read this scripture I've thought it's just saying those that are proud and wicked will be burned, so nothing remains, neither root nor branch!

I learned this scripture is actually referring to the sealing power of the priesthood.  Our ancestors, our roots and our future posterity, our branches.  The wicked and proud won't be burned... they will be cut off from their families... disconnected from root and branch... that may just be worse, maybe not!

Day 294 If they Believe, Then Greater Things Will be Made Manifest
3 Nephi 26:6-12
This is the principle of line upon line.  As we learn more, invest more, we get more, we grow... ever upward.

Is it really fair to ask for more when we don't really make use of all that we already have?

I also read this quote where President Kimball talks about people asking when we'll get the rest of the Book of Mormon records and his response was... how many of you have read the record that already exists?  Hmmm.

"We are quite often looking for the spectacular, the unobtainable.  I have found many people who want to live the higher laws when they do not live the lower laws. 

Food for thought.

Week 43 Scripture Prompts

Week 42 Scripture Prompts...

Here are the prompts for this week.
Happy reading! 

I studied later today so didn't get today's up.  And it's late so I'm going to bed!  I'll be back to post soon!