We’ve all
heard of “show and tell.” Nephi tells us
that if we read the scriptures the Lord will “tell you all things what
ye should do.” Likewise, he says “if ye
will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show
unto you all things what ye should do.”
This is gospel “show and tell” in its clearest formula.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Chapter 31
Nephi
records the doctrine of Christ. Faith in
God the Father and The Son; Repentance; Baptism by Immersion; Laying on of Hands for the
Gift of the Holy Ghost; Endure to the End.
The respective ordinances are: faith and repentance—baptism; the Gift of
the Holy Ghost—Confirmation; endure to the end—the endowment and sealing
ordinances of the temple.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Chapter 30
The Book of
Mormon goes forth as we speak to the world.
It will have a profound effect upon the earth’s inhabitants. The “scales of darkness” will start to fall
away from those who do not know about Jesus.
This second witness of Christ changes everything. When the Savior returns again, as prophesied,
“Satan shall have power over the hearts of the children of men no more, for a long time.”
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Chapter 29
The Lord has
caused his word to be written by whomever he has spoken to. Therefore, we have the Bible, Book of Mormon,
Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and the words of the living
prophets from General Conference and other times when they speak by the power
of the Spirit. There is much scripture
yet to be written. There is also much
scripture that has already been written but is yet to come forth, for example,
the words the Lord has spoken to the Lost Tribes of Israel. Reading scriptures fortifies us. The act of faith involved in opening the
scriptures signifies to the Spirit that we want to be taught in much the same
way raising our hands in class signals to the teacher we are ready to
learn. The Lord smiles down on us when
we read his words.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Chapter 28
Nephi
reveals Satan’s tactics in the latter-days.
Satan will say that miracles can’t happen because God has done his work
already. He will tell us to “Eat, drink,
and be merry” and that there will be no consequences for unrighteous living. Satan will encourage us to “rage” in our hearts
towards our fellow beings. He will also
pacify us and use flattery to slowly convert us to his way of using and abusing
others. Nephi makes us aware of these
tactics and warns us to turn away for Satan’s plan.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Chapter 27
We have the
Book of Mormon. It is true. Joseph Smith translated it by the gift and
power of God. Part of the book was
sealed so Joseph didn’t translate it, but it will come forth someday and we
will learn from its pages all of the works of the Lord from the beginning. The Book of Mormon has been the cornerstone
of my religion. Jesus is on almost every
page. Through the Book of Mormon I have
come to know the doctrine of Christ. I
have come to love him. Because of the
book, my children and grandchildren know to whom they can turn for remission of
sins.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Chapter 26
With his
prophetic mantle, Nephi is able to see the future and bear the sorrow of the
loss of his people. This destruction in
about 400 A.D. comes as the Nephites reject Christ. Yet, Nephi acknowledges that God is
just. He is also privileged to see
Christ’s visit to America after his resurrection. If I were able to see the future of my own
family, would I be able to see the good and the bad with Nephi’s eye,
understanding that God will take care of my family with mercy and justice? It is my prayer that my family will remain
true and faithful and be able to come unto Christ and partake of his
goodness. Meanwhile, I need to remain
faithful myself, enduring to the end with dignity, patience, and cheerfulness.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Chapter 25
I am
grateful for the Plan of Happiness. I am
grateful for my family. Had we not been
created male and female from the beginning we could not have had children. I have empathy for those who believe in same
sex relationships. I don’t condone or
condemn their actions. But for “me and
my house we will serve the Lord.” Nephi
teaches that “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we
prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children
may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” God loves all of his children. Children are the key to discerning his
purposes. He has them; and he wants us
to have them for eternity. Any plan to
the contrary is not of God.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Chapter 24
I like this
one line regarding the millennial rest, “The whole earth is at rest, and is
quiet; they break forth into singing.” I
liken this unto retirement.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)