Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Lord's University
Grandpa always said we come to motel Earth to gain a body and be tested. What he never specified is where we get our instruction from. Sure, you can say it comes from the scriptures or church or just life lessons, but I heard from a reliable source, that those are more like elementary, middle, and high school. Good resources, but not really able to give you what you need to have. So that begs the question, where is the Lord's University? Good question. First let's examine the evidence: Moses had access to it, the 12 in Jesus' time had access to it, and we have access to it. Have you figured it out? Its the temple. The analogy is great. Not any old schmuck can get in, you have to be worthy or earned it. There is often one near your house, and you don't get dinged if you don't go, but when you do, you are amply rewarded. And most important and best of all, you can receive information and instruction there that you simply cannot receive anywhere else.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Your Light
I was reading a letter I received from a friend of mine who is serving a mission. It stuck me his remarkable words and testimony. He is tasked with a very, VERY challenging job and I love the way he is sticking to the Lord for aid. I'm going to share some of his letter here.
The Lord has taught me many times through the presence of His Spirit. I learn from notes I take and impressions I receive. This though came from a comparison by Justin Martyr nearly two thousand years ago, his explanation of the relationship between God and Christ, before the doctrine of the Trinity was established in Nicaea.
Each one of us carries a light within us, divinely given for the purpose of illuminating our part of the world. We are as billions of torches, casting light and shadow depending on the direction in which we move. When one torch begins to gutter and fade in a strong wind, a more powerful flame can be brought to it and rescue it, offering help without diminishing the stronger torch's light and heat. The Savior is the ultimate torch: His light is infinite, and illuminates all that we will permit. That said, sometimes we must too be torches, and rescue those around us who fall. We may enlighten and inspire those around us, help to bear their burdens, and generally help them, all without ever weakening ourselves. It requires that we let ourselves shine, and not bear ourselves down with unconfidence or sin. In the end, though, we may help many more than we can imagine, for the other torches that we light can then be used to rescue other guttering flames.
The Lord has taught me many times through the presence of His Spirit. I learn from notes I take and impressions I receive. This though came from a comparison by Justin Martyr nearly two thousand years ago, his explanation of the relationship between God and Christ, before the doctrine of the Trinity was established in Nicaea.
Each one of us carries a light within us, divinely given for the purpose of illuminating our part of the world. We are as billions of torches, casting light and shadow depending on the direction in which we move. When one torch begins to gutter and fade in a strong wind, a more powerful flame can be brought to it and rescue it, offering help without diminishing the stronger torch's light and heat. The Savior is the ultimate torch: His light is infinite, and illuminates all that we will permit. That said, sometimes we must too be torches, and rescue those around us who fall. We may enlighten and inspire those around us, help to bear their burdens, and generally help them, all without ever weakening ourselves. It requires that we let ourselves shine, and not bear ourselves down with unconfidence or sin. In the end, though, we may help many more than we can imagine, for the other torches that we light can then be used to rescue other guttering flames.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Achieving the Impossible
Place a cube of ice in a glass of water. It floats right? K, so now I have another glass. Looks like the same clear liquid. I'm going to add a cube of ice - should float, right? Wrong. It sinks.
It may look the same, but its not. We can look the same to other people, but what is inside and our final destination make the difference. It is impossible to make it back to live with our Heavenly Father and be perfect like him, unless we have something different inside us and use the atonement of Jesus everyday.
What would it mean to have it all? Be happy? Be safe? Be loved? Live with God? Yes, to all of it. "The secret to having it all, is knowing you already do.
We know from the scriptures, that the Lord does not expect us to "run faster than we have strength." And "King Benjamin indicated that “it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize.” God will not require more than the best we can give because that would not be just, but neither can He accept less than that because that would not be just either." We just have to realize we already have the power of the atonement within our grasp but we have to reach out and use it.
Also, as we recommit to returning to live with him, we must remember that "by partaking worthily of the sacrament, the commitment we made with our Heavenly Father the moment we entered the waters of baptism and when we received each one of the ordinances of the restored gospel."
It is possible for us to be happy now and forever. We need to fill our glasses with the right substance to achieve the impossible.
It may look the same, but its not. We can look the same to other people, but what is inside and our final destination make the difference. It is impossible to make it back to live with our Heavenly Father and be perfect like him, unless we have something different inside us and use the atonement of Jesus everyday.
What would it mean to have it all? Be happy? Be safe? Be loved? Live with God? Yes, to all of it. "The secret to having it all, is knowing you already do.
We know from the scriptures, that the Lord does not expect us to "run faster than we have strength." And "King Benjamin indicated that “it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize.” God will not require more than the best we can give because that would not be just, but neither can He accept less than that because that would not be just either." We just have to realize we already have the power of the atonement within our grasp but we have to reach out and use it.
Also, as we recommit to returning to live with him, we must remember that "by partaking worthily of the sacrament, the commitment we made with our Heavenly Father the moment we entered the waters of baptism and when we received each one of the ordinances of the restored gospel."
It is possible for us to be happy now and forever. We need to fill our glasses with the right substance to achieve the impossible.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Eve Rocks!
In preparation for our lesson today in relief society, I thought I'd learn about Adam and Eve. Being something that I was taught in the temple and is also something that most Christian religions believe, I thought it was kind of a simple lesson, but was really surprised at how well it turned out.
First we wrote out what we know about Adam and Eve. We came up with a few things, and then researched and participated in a discussion to tell me what I didn't know.
We knew: They were the first people on Earth. They had no opportunity for exaltation. They had no need for a Savior and had restricted choices. They were the first parents and Eve is the mother of all living. I found out Adam and Eve were not mortal and were married! (D&C 107:54-56)
We have a fairly descriptive account of the life of Adam and Eve in Moses 3 and 4. This part of scripture was shown to Moses in a vision. It doesn't change any of the facts recorded in the Old Testament, but it does provide clarity.
After Eve partook of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil, they were cast out of the Garden of Eden. How did that change their lives?
1. They had to work for everything. Food, clothes, shelter, survival - everything.
2. They had a mortal body that was subject to illness, heat, cold, death, pain, health, and everything associated with mortality.
3. They now had to deal with sin and opposition.
4. Adam and Eve had the opportunity to experience joy, pain, and other emotions.
5. They now had a need for a Savior and repentance.
6. They had the opportunity for exaltation.
How many of those did you know? Me? Well, I guess I knew all of them, but some just hadn't occurred to me. Like the opportunity for exaltation. Of coarse if we're never tried we can never be exalted, and of coarse they couldn't be tried before they knew good from evil, but I guess it just hadn't hit me.
Then an interesting question was raised in Relief Society. Was Eve wise or naive to partake of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil? Hmmm. There was silence, and then, the discussion ensued. What was ultimately shared was that we don't know how long Adam and Eve were in the Garden before Satan convinced Eve to take the fruit. And yes, Satan did tell Eve a partial lie, but at the same time, Eve could use logic to realize something was missing. While they didn't have worldly knowledge, they did have the limited experience they had gained while they were in the Garden. It was compared as children while they have no real world knowledge, they do have experiences in their limited world. That was what was Eve used to make her choice. As they gained mortal bodies when they were cast out of the Garden, they had not been able to "multiply and replenish the earth" and therefore no matter what they chose or did, were breaking the Lord's commandments in some way.
And where Eve was the first to partake of the fruit, Adam stood by her side even when speaking to the Lord. While Adam was given dominion over his wife, in some ways this makes him and his priesthood responsible for his wife's behavior. Many LDS women resent having a man have "dominion" over them, but in many ways, this does not mean that he can control the woman, but rather that there is responsibility for the things she does and choices she makes that affects people other than herself.
The second Article of Faith states, "We believe man will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression." It doesn't say, 'Adam's sin' but rather his 'transgression.' What is the difference between a "sin" and a "transgression"? The miriam-webster dictionary defines a transgression as: infringement or violation of a law, command, or duty. Whereas sin is defined as: an offense against moral law. So we know from the second article of faith that God did not consider partaking of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil a sin, but rather a transgression.
And finally, Why is it important that we learn about the fall of Adam of Eve?
We learn the principle of work and what it will take for man to survive (Moses 4:23-25). The principle of work is an eternal one. Our work will not stop when we die, but will continue for the rest of our existence. But the most important reasons are summarized in Eve's response, written in Moses 5:11.
"And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had a seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."
First we wrote out what we know about Adam and Eve. We came up with a few things, and then researched and participated in a discussion to tell me what I didn't know.
We knew: They were the first people on Earth. They had no opportunity for exaltation. They had no need for a Savior and had restricted choices. They were the first parents and Eve is the mother of all living. I found out Adam and Eve were not mortal and were married! (D&C 107:54-56)
We have a fairly descriptive account of the life of Adam and Eve in Moses 3 and 4. This part of scripture was shown to Moses in a vision. It doesn't change any of the facts recorded in the Old Testament, but it does provide clarity.
After Eve partook of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil, they were cast out of the Garden of Eden. How did that change their lives?
1. They had to work for everything. Food, clothes, shelter, survival - everything.
2. They had a mortal body that was subject to illness, heat, cold, death, pain, health, and everything associated with mortality.
3. They now had to deal with sin and opposition.
4. Adam and Eve had the opportunity to experience joy, pain, and other emotions.
5. They now had a need for a Savior and repentance.
6. They had the opportunity for exaltation.
How many of those did you know? Me? Well, I guess I knew all of them, but some just hadn't occurred to me. Like the opportunity for exaltation. Of coarse if we're never tried we can never be exalted, and of coarse they couldn't be tried before they knew good from evil, but I guess it just hadn't hit me.
Then an interesting question was raised in Relief Society. Was Eve wise or naive to partake of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil? Hmmm. There was silence, and then, the discussion ensued. What was ultimately shared was that we don't know how long Adam and Eve were in the Garden before Satan convinced Eve to take the fruit. And yes, Satan did tell Eve a partial lie, but at the same time, Eve could use logic to realize something was missing. While they didn't have worldly knowledge, they did have the limited experience they had gained while they were in the Garden. It was compared as children while they have no real world knowledge, they do have experiences in their limited world. That was what was Eve used to make her choice. As they gained mortal bodies when they were cast out of the Garden, they had not been able to "multiply and replenish the earth" and therefore no matter what they chose or did, were breaking the Lord's commandments in some way.
And where Eve was the first to partake of the fruit, Adam stood by her side even when speaking to the Lord. While Adam was given dominion over his wife, in some ways this makes him and his priesthood responsible for his wife's behavior. Many LDS women resent having a man have "dominion" over them, but in many ways, this does not mean that he can control the woman, but rather that there is responsibility for the things she does and choices she makes that affects people other than herself.
The second Article of Faith states, "We believe man will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression." It doesn't say, 'Adam's sin' but rather his 'transgression.' What is the difference between a "sin" and a "transgression"? The miriam-webster dictionary defines a transgression as: infringement or violation of a law, command, or duty. Whereas sin is defined as: an offense against moral law. So we know from the second article of faith that God did not consider partaking of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil a sin, but rather a transgression.
And finally, Why is it important that we learn about the fall of Adam of Eve?
We learn the principle of work and what it will take for man to survive (Moses 4:23-25). The principle of work is an eternal one. Our work will not stop when we die, but will continue for the rest of our existence. But the most important reasons are summarized in Eve's response, written in Moses 5:11.
"And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had a seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."
Monday, March 1, 2010
Womanhood - Such Potential
I have discovered so much the value of womanhood in my years since I got married. Let me suffice it to say my opinion of the values of being a woman was that they were there to attract, tease, and entice men to do what you wanted them to. I didn't value much more than that as a woman. What else did I have to offer? Our lesson in relief society yesterday really taught me the kinds of things women have. Some men have as well, and others they don't. But the point that was made in class, was that they should be things all men want in their lifelong (existence long) companion. The discussion and materials of the lesson were taken from a talk by President James E Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.
So the 10 values talked about are: faith, honesty, chastity, humility, self-discipline, fairness, moderation, cleanliness, courage, and grace. Some of them I thought to be obvious...honesty? faith? chastity? duh.... But as I reflected on my own appreciation of womanhood and listened to the words said regarding each, I thought maybe I did have some space to grow.
Faith was one that I kinda really thought was a duh virtue. But the last line in this section caught me off guard. "In exercising faith, we become cheerful and optimistic, charitable and courageous, because faith is the moving cause of all of these virtues." This sentence reminds me of James 2:17, D&C 20:14, and 2 Nephi 1:10. All of which talk about how you have to have faith and works together to reach to your highest potential. The verse in 2 Nephi is worth putting on my mirror in my bathroom. What great motivation and reminder of faith.
Honesty - my favorite part was again at the last, that "you cannot be honest with others unless you are honest with yourself." So True! So much of what is important in life relies on an honest representation. And really, until I know what is honest and true, I cannot tell anyone else what that truth is. Whether I'm talking about learning to read, my current weight, or any other reason - honesty is crown and golden.
Chastity - Sometimes I wonder, 'for how long are we going to beat that horse?' Then I think, well, we wouldn't be hearing it so much if we were doing correctly, right? The passage quotes Jacob 2:28, similar to Proverbs, 31:10 - declaring the value chaste women. President Faust continues to say, "Those who engage in physical intimacies with someone outside of marriage are likely to suffer feelings of guilt as well as deep emotional and physical hurt. Intimate relationships between men and women outside the bounds the Lord has set bring great misery, shame, degradation, and unhappiness to those involved." The thought that struck me, is that sometimes those feelings don't come right away. So often it is after choices have been made to return to the Lord that the full reality of all that transpired takes its full effect. Such hard emotions to deal with! I remember those moments of sorrow as I realized how deeply I had offended and saddened my Lord.
Humility - My neice and I talked sunday night about having peace in life and balance in all things. Humility is the same way - keeping balance by being willing to graciously accept a compliment but remain humble and teachable.
Self Discipline - Self discipline to accomplish goals and enhance natural strengths. This discipline also will remain as part of my character for the rest of my life and even rise with me in the Resurrection (D&C 130:18).
Fairness - When raising my children, and often in dealing with my spouse, sometimes that fairness is difficult to achieve. I know that I am to forgive as I have been forgiven and remember the parable in the scriptures about the master who forgave the large debt but the servant who would not return the same fairness to his debtor.
Moderation - For this one, I am going to just copy the first paragraph, "Part of the spirit of the Word of Wisdom is moderation in all things, except those things specifically forbidden by the Lord. It is well to avoid extremes in dress, hairstyles, makeup, conduct, speech, and music. Extremes may attract the attention of some, but they are more likely to turn off those you really want to impress." We discussed some of the things critical moderation like balance and gratitude. So many things all tied up in moderation!
Cleanliness - When I was younger I liked the movie, 'Clueless.' There's a part where the main character says something to the effect of, "The boys roll out of bed, throw on some mismatched clothes, slick back their greasy hair under a backwards baseball cap, and we're supposed to swoon! As if!" This part of the talk reminded me of that. Not only do my clothes need to be clean, but so does my body and spirit.
Courage - I also like the movie, 'Princess Diaries'. "Courage is not an absence of fear, but rather a judgment that something else is more important." The Lord will strengthen me, help me, and cause me to stand. I can tell you this more today than in the last several months. I am not pain free, but I am drug free. Time ran short today and pain ran high and I didn't get out to refill my prescription. The only way I make it up to the bathroom is with the Lord's help.
Grace - In D&C 50:40 we are told to grow in grace. This is one of those traits that I don't think men have much of a chance to obtain. "Grace is a God-given virtue. It is a disposition to be kind and to do good." Grace comes from a feeling of personal dignity and an inner beauty that comes from a feeling of self-worth. I think it is something we develop over time and it has to be something I constantly work on. I like looking at the wives of prophets and apostles. They seem to have a positive outlook and look about them that makes me want to develop that grace this talks about.
So the 10 values talked about are: faith, honesty, chastity, humility, self-discipline, fairness, moderation, cleanliness, courage, and grace. Some of them I thought to be obvious...honesty? faith? chastity? duh.... But as I reflected on my own appreciation of womanhood and listened to the words said regarding each, I thought maybe I did have some space to grow.
Faith was one that I kinda really thought was a duh virtue. But the last line in this section caught me off guard. "In exercising faith, we become cheerful and optimistic, charitable and courageous, because faith is the moving cause of all of these virtues." This sentence reminds me of James 2:17, D&C 20:14, and 2 Nephi 1:10. All of which talk about how you have to have faith and works together to reach to your highest potential. The verse in 2 Nephi is worth putting on my mirror in my bathroom. What great motivation and reminder of faith.
Honesty - my favorite part was again at the last, that "you cannot be honest with others unless you are honest with yourself." So True! So much of what is important in life relies on an honest representation. And really, until I know what is honest and true, I cannot tell anyone else what that truth is. Whether I'm talking about learning to read, my current weight, or any other reason - honesty is crown and golden.
Chastity - Sometimes I wonder, 'for how long are we going to beat that horse?' Then I think, well, we wouldn't be hearing it so much if we were doing correctly, right? The passage quotes Jacob 2:28, similar to Proverbs, 31:10 - declaring the value chaste women. President Faust continues to say, "Those who engage in physical intimacies with someone outside of marriage are likely to suffer feelings of guilt as well as deep emotional and physical hurt. Intimate relationships between men and women outside the bounds the Lord has set bring great misery, shame, degradation, and unhappiness to those involved." The thought that struck me, is that sometimes those feelings don't come right away. So often it is after choices have been made to return to the Lord that the full reality of all that transpired takes its full effect. Such hard emotions to deal with! I remember those moments of sorrow as I realized how deeply I had offended and saddened my Lord.
Humility - My neice and I talked sunday night about having peace in life and balance in all things. Humility is the same way - keeping balance by being willing to graciously accept a compliment but remain humble and teachable.
Self Discipline - Self discipline to accomplish goals and enhance natural strengths. This discipline also will remain as part of my character for the rest of my life and even rise with me in the Resurrection (D&C 130:18).
Fairness - When raising my children, and often in dealing with my spouse, sometimes that fairness is difficult to achieve. I know that I am to forgive as I have been forgiven and remember the parable in the scriptures about the master who forgave the large debt but the servant who would not return the same fairness to his debtor.
Moderation - For this one, I am going to just copy the first paragraph, "Part of the spirit of the Word of Wisdom is moderation in all things, except those things specifically forbidden by the Lord. It is well to avoid extremes in dress, hairstyles, makeup, conduct, speech, and music. Extremes may attract the attention of some, but they are more likely to turn off those you really want to impress." We discussed some of the things critical moderation like balance and gratitude. So many things all tied up in moderation!
Cleanliness - When I was younger I liked the movie, 'Clueless.' There's a part where the main character says something to the effect of, "The boys roll out of bed, throw on some mismatched clothes, slick back their greasy hair under a backwards baseball cap, and we're supposed to swoon! As if!" This part of the talk reminded me of that. Not only do my clothes need to be clean, but so does my body and spirit.
Courage - I also like the movie, 'Princess Diaries'. "Courage is not an absence of fear, but rather a judgment that something else is more important." The Lord will strengthen me, help me, and cause me to stand. I can tell you this more today than in the last several months. I am not pain free, but I am drug free. Time ran short today and pain ran high and I didn't get out to refill my prescription. The only way I make it up to the bathroom is with the Lord's help.
Grace - In D&C 50:40 we are told to grow in grace. This is one of those traits that I don't think men have much of a chance to obtain. "Grace is a God-given virtue. It is a disposition to be kind and to do good." Grace comes from a feeling of personal dignity and an inner beauty that comes from a feeling of self-worth. I think it is something we develop over time and it has to be something I constantly work on. I like looking at the wives of prophets and apostles. They seem to have a positive outlook and look about them that makes me want to develop that grace this talks about.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Much have I learned
Yesterday I went to a woman's conference with my Stake. It was so good! The speaker was Sister Olsen. She has a master's in Middle Eastern Studies that she got mostly while attending the BYU extension in Jerusalem. Also, she knows Hebrew. She taught us many things, but today I want to talk about Sariah from the Book of Mormon, mostly mentioned in 1st Nephi. This mention of Sariah crosses the time when Lehi was commanded to leave Jerusalem and head for the Promised Land. So to start, a little history:
2nd Chronicles, Chapter 35. In about 620 BC King Josiah took found a scroll in a temple they were tearing down. Between him and his ancestry, they had been turning from the old religion and tearing down temples for at least 100 years. When King Josiah found the scroll, he wanted to know if it was from God. This chapter covers about 7 years in history as close as we can tell. It was between verse 18 and 19 that the scroll that changes King Josiah happens and he wants to keep the commandments. And just as that his happening the king of Egypt, Necho, invades Jerusalem and we see the destruction and the reason Lehi was told to leave. So it was in 613 BC that King Josiah was killed.
Now, in the first part of 1st Nephi, it says, "...being born of goodly parents..." I've read it a million times. I always thought it meant his parents were good and kind. In reality, when that type of phrase was said back in Jerusalem (she explained the Hebrew but I didn't catch it) it isn't talking about being nice and good, it is explaining how much wealth or comfort they were able to attain. From the ruins in the supposed area where Lehi lived, these homes had irrigation into the homes with running water and plumbed toilets or toileting areas. There were family areas with separated sleeping areas, several rooms in the house.
Also in that age, and mostly in history changing only recently, the women were responsible for the children, livestock, cooking, cleaning, clothing, set-up and take-down of camps when away from home. The men were responsible for finding a safe place to settle, fresh/drinkable water, and food.
Now most LDS women know Sariah as a complainer. Practically the only information we have out her is that she murmured and then later she bears a small testimony. Many LDS women lament that one of the only women well known in the scriptures is known for murmuring. But if you think about what she endured and what her purpose was, you start to wonder... why didn't she murmur more or earlier?
Think about this: Sariah had a large estate; running water and plumbed bathrooms. Her husband comes home and states he's had a dream and that she should get the tents, pack the house, ready the kids/animals and they're leaving. Also, as Lehi would be come the new and natural leader, thereby the patriarch of the family and church. Naturally, the family would need a strong Matriarch as both a standard family and church family. We all know, without women, so many things would go undone and one woman does need to be in charge. So Sariah had to leave all she had, ready everything and be in charge of everything. With no help from other women, that we know of, except many current historians think Nephi had to have at least 2 sisters who would help Sariah and provide wives for the son's of Ishmael (but that comes later)and may have been born in the wilderness.
Sariah followed her husband. Packing all, being responsible for all, and leaving all behind (1 Nephi 2:4) without murmuring. She was able to rely on her husband's testimony of what he had seen. But to have a strong matriarch, she needed to have a testimony of her own. So the Lord pushed and pushed until she finally had to have her own. It was when the Lord instructed Lehi to send the boys back to Jerusalem to get the plates from Laban. As a mom, you know how long things take.... (it should take this long to get there, that long to get the plates, this long to get back) and sat expecting them. It was when they didn't come back when she thought they should that there was a problem. In 1 Nephi 5 Sariah complains against her husband. And also that she obtains her testimony. Another thing I've learned, is in the scriptures when it states, "And after this manner of language did she speak." it means that person says it over and over and over again, repeating it frequently.
Sariah really left a lot behind. And she endured a lot, all at the testimony of her husband, but when she came to possibly loosing her children, that was the line. She had to seek the Lord herself. How many times do we need to be pushed to get where the Lord wants us to be? What's it going to take to turn you into the Matriarch or strong woman? It was good that Sariah was faithful unto her husband as he led her in righteousness. But she had to have her own legs to stand on. A woman is almost never quoted in the scriptures, but Nephi, so impressed by the strength and power of his Mother's testimony, published it in Verse 8 of Chapter 5.
Also, in Hebrew there is a tense they have that we do not. We only have past, present and future, they have the 'prophetic past' tense. There is an interesting verse in this part of 1st Nephi that demonstrates it. 1 Nephi 5:5 "..I have obtained a land of promise.." See, he's talking in past tense about something in the future. This obtaining of land in the future has not happened, but he is talking like it has already occurred because he knows it will. Kinda cool!
2nd Chronicles, Chapter 35. In about 620 BC King Josiah took found a scroll in a temple they were tearing down. Between him and his ancestry, they had been turning from the old religion and tearing down temples for at least 100 years. When King Josiah found the scroll, he wanted to know if it was from God. This chapter covers about 7 years in history as close as we can tell. It was between verse 18 and 19 that the scroll that changes King Josiah happens and he wants to keep the commandments. And just as that his happening the king of Egypt, Necho, invades Jerusalem and we see the destruction and the reason Lehi was told to leave. So it was in 613 BC that King Josiah was killed.
Now, in the first part of 1st Nephi, it says, "...being born of goodly parents..." I've read it a million times. I always thought it meant his parents were good and kind. In reality, when that type of phrase was said back in Jerusalem (she explained the Hebrew but I didn't catch it) it isn't talking about being nice and good, it is explaining how much wealth or comfort they were able to attain. From the ruins in the supposed area where Lehi lived, these homes had irrigation into the homes with running water and plumbed toilets or toileting areas. There were family areas with separated sleeping areas, several rooms in the house.
Also in that age, and mostly in history changing only recently, the women were responsible for the children, livestock, cooking, cleaning, clothing, set-up and take-down of camps when away from home. The men were responsible for finding a safe place to settle, fresh/drinkable water, and food.
Now most LDS women know Sariah as a complainer. Practically the only information we have out her is that she murmured and then later she bears a small testimony. Many LDS women lament that one of the only women well known in the scriptures is known for murmuring. But if you think about what she endured and what her purpose was, you start to wonder... why didn't she murmur more or earlier?
Think about this: Sariah had a large estate; running water and plumbed bathrooms. Her husband comes home and states he's had a dream and that she should get the tents, pack the house, ready the kids/animals and they're leaving. Also, as Lehi would be come the new and natural leader, thereby the patriarch of the family and church. Naturally, the family would need a strong Matriarch as both a standard family and church family. We all know, without women, so many things would go undone and one woman does need to be in charge. So Sariah had to leave all she had, ready everything and be in charge of everything. With no help from other women, that we know of, except many current historians think Nephi had to have at least 2 sisters who would help Sariah and provide wives for the son's of Ishmael (but that comes later)and may have been born in the wilderness.
Sariah followed her husband. Packing all, being responsible for all, and leaving all behind (1 Nephi 2:4) without murmuring. She was able to rely on her husband's testimony of what he had seen. But to have a strong matriarch, she needed to have a testimony of her own. So the Lord pushed and pushed until she finally had to have her own. It was when the Lord instructed Lehi to send the boys back to Jerusalem to get the plates from Laban. As a mom, you know how long things take.... (it should take this long to get there, that long to get the plates, this long to get back) and sat expecting them. It was when they didn't come back when she thought they should that there was a problem. In 1 Nephi 5 Sariah complains against her husband. And also that she obtains her testimony. Another thing I've learned, is in the scriptures when it states, "And after this manner of language did she speak." it means that person says it over and over and over again, repeating it frequently.
Sariah really left a lot behind. And she endured a lot, all at the testimony of her husband, but when she came to possibly loosing her children, that was the line. She had to seek the Lord herself. How many times do we need to be pushed to get where the Lord wants us to be? What's it going to take to turn you into the Matriarch or strong woman? It was good that Sariah was faithful unto her husband as he led her in righteousness. But she had to have her own legs to stand on. A woman is almost never quoted in the scriptures, but Nephi, so impressed by the strength and power of his Mother's testimony, published it in Verse 8 of Chapter 5.
Also, in Hebrew there is a tense they have that we do not. We only have past, present and future, they have the 'prophetic past' tense. There is an interesting verse in this part of 1st Nephi that demonstrates it. 1 Nephi 5:5 "..I have obtained a land of promise.." See, he's talking in past tense about something in the future. This obtaining of land in the future has not happened, but he is talking like it has already occurred because he knows it will. Kinda cool!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
We believe in God, the Eternal Father....
At the end of last week, I had the thought to write this week on a talk I found on prayer. But then as I was sitting in Relief Society today, I was struck by the obvious basicness of the lesson, and yet its absolute importance. So while we may get on to the other talk, for the first part of this week, I'm going to share some of the things that struck me from our lesson today.
To start, we had pictures up of all over the North American continent. Beautiful fields with flowers, dry desert plateaus, snow capped mountains, fall trees in their fall glory, plus an illustration of a planet other than ours in the solar system with all the stars surrounding it. There was also one picture of the Savior standing at a door, knocking. Many times we see this and are told that the Savior is just waiting for us to let him in, but it seems so often the door is just more difficult to open sometimes. The good news is that there are people in our lives on whom we can rely to help us open the door. Our teacher, Cassidy, relayed a story in which she couldn't open her bedroom door in her apartment. She wondered if she was just being retarded. How many times had she opened a door, or even this door? What was she doing wrong? Cassidy ended up having to call her brother at 1am who laughed a bit and then climbed in her window to assist her. The mechanism in the handle had an issue, but she related it to this picture, that Satan will always be there to put feeling into our hearts that we are inadequate. And there are many people we can call on to help us let the Savior in.
Even the fact that there is a Savior speaks to the fact that there is a God. Alma 30:44 has this, written by Alma, "All things denote there is a God, ; yea, even he earth, and all things that are upon the face of it yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." We know that God is all about order. Sometimes the creation seems truly amazing, sometimes - eh, it's just the creation. But think, we have two places which clearly speak of the creation. It is recorded both in Genesis and in Moses. I always find it amazing that the Lord appeared to Moses when he was in a "high mountain". Until I learned the symbolism for mountain in the scriptures. A mountain is a temple. Therefore I can read Moses 1:1 "The words of God, which he spake unto Moses at a time when Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high [temple]" (2) "And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses therefore Moses could endure his presence." And after Moses stood in the presence of the Lord, it was Satan who came tempting him saying, "Son of man, worship me." It is such like Satan to demote us to just son of Man. You wouldn't catch him reminding us of our lineage and Parentage. In fact it is his hope to dissuade us of our parentage. It was Joseph Smith who taught that God is the "Great Parent of the Universe". If he made the heavens and the earth and everything upon the earth, and we are upon the earth than we know that we must be His, and He our parent. "In the heavens are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare. Truth is reason, truth eternal, tells me I've a mother there." (O My Father, Hymn 292) It is just like any father, and parent to love and want what is best for their children. To love and to help them in the ways they think are best and to plant people and things in their lives to shape them into the person they are to become. He wants us to, "Return with the Pearl, brave your way through the maze of that world. And you'll have my honor. Return to my side and I'll clothe you in raiment of light, just like thy brother. Heir to forever. Because you remembered to get the Pearl." It is earlier in the song, The Pearl, that it states, "He forgot he was the child of a King." Whenever I hear that song I wonder. How can anyone forget they are the child of a King? Its not like there isn't evidence every day they are the child of a King. Its not like there aren't parents around to remind them. Oh, I guess sometimes I forget I am the child of a King. Hmmm. It struck me like a ton of bricks. God is the Eternal Father. My Eternal Heavenly Father. He helps me in whatever ways he thinks I need it as parents let children experience life for themselves, so he does for me.
To start, we had pictures up of all over the North American continent. Beautiful fields with flowers, dry desert plateaus, snow capped mountains, fall trees in their fall glory, plus an illustration of a planet other than ours in the solar system with all the stars surrounding it. There was also one picture of the Savior standing at a door, knocking. Many times we see this and are told that the Savior is just waiting for us to let him in, but it seems so often the door is just more difficult to open sometimes. The good news is that there are people in our lives on whom we can rely to help us open the door. Our teacher, Cassidy, relayed a story in which she couldn't open her bedroom door in her apartment. She wondered if she was just being retarded. How many times had she opened a door, or even this door? What was she doing wrong? Cassidy ended up having to call her brother at 1am who laughed a bit and then climbed in her window to assist her. The mechanism in the handle had an issue, but she related it to this picture, that Satan will always be there to put feeling into our hearts that we are inadequate. And there are many people we can call on to help us let the Savior in.
Even the fact that there is a Savior speaks to the fact that there is a God. Alma 30:44 has this, written by Alma, "All things denote there is a God, ; yea, even he earth, and all things that are upon the face of it yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." We know that God is all about order. Sometimes the creation seems truly amazing, sometimes - eh, it's just the creation. But think, we have two places which clearly speak of the creation. It is recorded both in Genesis and in Moses. I always find it amazing that the Lord appeared to Moses when he was in a "high mountain". Until I learned the symbolism for mountain in the scriptures. A mountain is a temple. Therefore I can read Moses 1:1 "The words of God, which he spake unto Moses at a time when Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high [temple]" (2) "And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses therefore Moses could endure his presence." And after Moses stood in the presence of the Lord, it was Satan who came tempting him saying, "Son of man, worship me." It is such like Satan to demote us to just son of Man. You wouldn't catch him reminding us of our lineage and Parentage. In fact it is his hope to dissuade us of our parentage. It was Joseph Smith who taught that God is the "Great Parent of the Universe". If he made the heavens and the earth and everything upon the earth, and we are upon the earth than we know that we must be His, and He our parent. "In the heavens are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare. Truth is reason, truth eternal, tells me I've a mother there." (O My Father, Hymn 292) It is just like any father, and parent to love and want what is best for their children. To love and to help them in the ways they think are best and to plant people and things in their lives to shape them into the person they are to become. He wants us to, "Return with the Pearl, brave your way through the maze of that world. And you'll have my honor. Return to my side and I'll clothe you in raiment of light, just like thy brother. Heir to forever. Because you remembered to get the Pearl." It is earlier in the song, The Pearl, that it states, "He forgot he was the child of a King." Whenever I hear that song I wonder. How can anyone forget they are the child of a King? Its not like there isn't evidence every day they are the child of a King. Its not like there aren't parents around to remind them. Oh, I guess sometimes I forget I am the child of a King. Hmmm. It struck me like a ton of bricks. God is the Eternal Father. My Eternal Heavenly Father. He helps me in whatever ways he thinks I need it as parents let children experience life for themselves, so he does for me.
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