Mosiah 17

The more tired I am and the later I get in bed, the less scriptures I muscle test that I need to read. Tonight was a one-off. My cousin is here and we stayed up late working on energy things and clearing lots of emotional stuff. But that's not the point of this blog...

20 And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death.

I was just reading in this chapter and thinking, as I do often about scriptures like this, it sounds like it could be about the end times, our days. This is more pertaining the the few verses that come before this one. About this one, I wondered if I would ever have to seal the truth of my words in such a dramatic fashion. I hope not. Do I have the faith to die for what I believe in? I don't know. I hope I would, but that is a scary thing to face.

D&C 97

8 Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.

My heart has been broken, in the sense of this scripture, several times. It is so hard to deal with. It's very hard to feel that way, but so very rewarding once you pull through it. I hope I can offer the sacrafices that are asked of me. When I think over the things the Lord asks and has asked of people, most of the things are fine, and a couple would be really hard and one in particular I just don't think I could do. It's tough.

Mormon 6

15 And it came to pass that there were ten more who did fall by the sword, with their ten thousand each; yea, even all my people, save it were those twenty and four who were with me, and also a few who had escaped into the south countries, and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites, had fallen; and their flesh, and bones, and blood lay upon the face of the earth, being left by the hands of those who slew them to molder upon the land, and to crumble and to return to their mother earth.
16 And my soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried:
17 O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!
18 Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss.
19 O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen!
20 But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return.
21 And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become incorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works; and if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your fathers who have gone before you.
22 O that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the Eternal Father of heaven, knoweth your state; and he doeth with you according to his justice and mercy.


I read the whole chapter, but this is a good summary. It just feels like the end times to me. The world is getting more and more wicked. Trials are probably getting harder too as the end approaches.

Some people take verse 20 too seriously. Or wrong I guess. The 30ish year old son of my neighbors died from cancer a few weeks ago and a half dozen pastors have told him that he must have had a great sin that he wouldn't repent from and that's why he died. Not everyone who dies is dying because of not repenting. That was just a horrid thing to say.

D&C 98, James 4

23 Now, I speak unto you concerning your families—if men will smite you, or your families, once, and ye bear it patiently and revile not against them, neither seek revenge, ye shall be rewarded;

This is super interesting because while I was getting zoned Kris said to me that I have a need for "getting even" (which is hardwired into the personality of a blue) and that is what I am supposed to work on right now.

24 But if ye bear it not patiently, it shall be accounted unto you as being meted out as a just measure unto you.

That is quite a strong thing to say. If I am not patient, then I deserved it. Wow. I don't want it like that.

25 And again, if your enemy shall smite you the second time, and you revile not against your enemy, and bear it patiently, your reward shall be an hundredfold.
26 And again, if he shall smite you the third time, and ye bear it patiently, your reward shall be doubled unto you four-fold;
27 And these three testimonies shall stand against your enemy if he repent not, and shall not be blotted out.

This is really serious stuff. I like it, but at the same time it's kind of a tall order to stop feeling like I want things even. I don't exactly want revenge, but I do like fairness and I like things to be even. I want reparations to be made, but that is against what this scripture says. It's exactly what I needed to hear.

James 4

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

I don't have a lot to say about these verses. I am thinking about how I draw nigh unto God. Sometimes I imagine that Christ is standing right next to me while I pray. I want to be able to pray like I am just talking to him, like he's in the room. So that makes me really feel close. Muscle testing helps me understand things better and trust more in myself and the answers I get in prayer. Talking about beliefs with people who build you up and inspire you to be better help me too.

Ephesians 6

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

I love the armor of God. It's such a bold thing to have. I have been thinking about it for the last two days. I learned how to make a shield with energy to keep bad things out and I even experienced it working. I had a nightmare that would have normally resulted in massive paranoia and it just didn't because before I went to bed I put the shield around me. Now, the dream still happened, but I didn't have the effects of it I normally would have. What is your favorite part of the armor? I think they can't exist seperately, but if you had to pick one... I like the shield of faith. I like the idea of feeling protected and a shield is a nice image. I didn't pick the sword because the shield feels safer to me.

Helaman 16, Ether 13

21 And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives.
22 And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come.

This is something to watch out for. It's so easy for Satan to stir up any number of things. Satan is great about putting thoughts in my head. I sometimes have a hard time getting the thoughts out once they are in. I pray about it all the time, but I must be doing something wrong in arming myself against his attacks. I have to think about who i want to have in control of me, and Satan is not it. Foolish and vain. Satan puts foolish things in my head, and even in dreams I have at night. It's not fair play when he does it at night, when the defenses are more down than during the day. I wonder what all the definitions of vain are. I don't have a lot of vain thoughts about my appearance. I wonder what else it means.

23 And notwithstanding the signs and the wonders which were wrought among the people of the Lord, and the many miracles which they did, Satan did get great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land.

It's interesting how miracles are shown to be time and time again, not faith building. You'd think that water to wine, or any other miracle would prove things and spur faith but it often doesn't. It's interesting.


Ether:
13 And I was about to write more, but I am forbidden; but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether; but they esteemed him as naught, and cast him out; and he ahid himself in the cavity of a rock by day, and by night he went forth viewing the things which should come upon the people.

For about a week now I have been thinking about what I should share about certain things, who I can tell things to, when enough is enough. It's just interesting this verse popped up when I was thinking about that.

Ether 8

13 And it came to pass that Akish gathered in unto the house of Jared all his kinsfolk, and said unto them: Will ye swear unto me that ye will be faithful unto me in the thing which I shall desire of you?
14 And it came to pass that they all asware unto him, by the God of heaven, and also by the heavens, and also by the earth, and by their heads, that whoso should vary from the assistance which Akish desired should lose his head; and whoso should divulge whatsoever thing Akish made known unto them, the same should lose his life.

I read more verses than these but these were the ones I felt like writing about.

While I was reading this I was thinking about my paranoia that I cannot seem to overcome, it's always on my mind, about how I can get over it. I feel like my feelings about these scriptures are too private to share, and I am so sorry, I want to share everything. Instead I am going to email it to Chris so Chris, watch your email!

Abraham 5

7 And the Gods formed man from the dust of the ground, and took his spirit (that is, the man’s spirit), and put it into him; and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
8 And the Gods planted a garden, eastward in Eden, and there they put the man, whose spirit they had put into the body which they had formed.
9 And out of the ground made the Gods to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food; the tree of life, also, in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
10 There was a river running out of Eden, to water the garden, and from thence it was parted and became into four heads.
11 And the Gods took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.
12 And the Gods commanded the man, saying: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat,
13 But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the time that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. Now I, Abraham, saw that it was after the Lord’s time, which was after the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his reckoning.

I was told in a blessing from Chris that while we were apart I needed to try especially hard to attend the temple every month. I've made it every month and I was thinking I wasn't going to make it this month. While I was reading this part I was just thinking about the temple and that I really do need to go. I'm not sure how yet, but I am going to really try.


14 And the Gods said: Let us make an help meet for the man, for it is not good that the man should be alone, therefore we will form an help meet for him.
15 And the Gods caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and he slept, and they took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in the stead thereof;
16 And of the rib which the Gods had taken from man, formed they a woman, and brought her unto the man.
17 And Adam said: This was bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; now she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man;

I need to be a better help meet. I have been making more strife and contention because of my stupid issues. I wish I knew how to just be done with it all and be back to "normal" except better than normal.

Omni 1

It's interesting that I needed to read from Omni again, it's such a short book. And honestly, I don't really understand why I need this. Maybe I will get it when I start writing.

7 Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.

This makes me think of the end times. Before I was a church member I read some of the Left Behind series and those books were a little scary, thinking of some of the plagues and stuff. I worry a little what it's going to be like and if I'll be ok. I like verses that say things like "spare the righteous" and I hope I can be righteous enough to be spared if and when the time comes.

8 And it came to pass that I did deliver the plates unto my brother Chemish.
9 Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end.
10 Behold, I, Abinadom, am the son of Chemish. Behold, it came to pass that I saw much war and contention between my people, the Nephites, and the Lamanites; and I, with my own sword, have taken the lives of many of the Lamanites in the defense of my brethren.
11 And behold, the record of this people is engraven upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations; and I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end.
12 Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the bland of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness—
13 And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord; and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of his arm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the bland of Zarahemla.
14 And they discovered a people, who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla; and also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass which contained the record of the Jews.
15 Behold, it came to pass that Mosiah discovered that the people of Zarahemla came out from Jerusalem at the time that Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon.
16 And they journeyed in the wilderness, and were brought by the hand of the Lord across the great waters, into the land where Mosiah discovered them; and they had dwelt there from that time forth.
17 And at the time that Mosiah discovered them, they had become exceedingly numerous. Nevertheless, they had had many wars and serious contentions, and had fallen by the sword from time to time; and their language had become corrupted; and they had brought no records with them; and they denied the being of their Creator; and Mosiah, nor the people of Mosiah, could understand them.

I wonder why they didn't write very much. Were they lazy? I do that sometimes. I'll go months without writing in my actual journal, thank goodness for blogs, they are easier! But I've never gone years. I wonder what I would write on my death bed, having written nothing of my life. I don't think it would be about passing the record onto Taiten. I would hope it would be more meaningful.

18 But it came to pass that Mosiah caused that they should be taught in his language. And it came to pass that after they were taught in the language of Mosiah, Zarahemla gave a genealogy of his fathers, according to his memory; and they are written, but not in these plates.

I wish there was a record of how the language was taught. That would be cool. I wonder what the strategy was. Might be useful to know today as I struggle to retain Spanish and Chinese and I don't really know how to start.

D&C 16, Moroni 7

1 Hearken, my servant Peter, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer.

I still hadn't done one of the things the blessing commanded me to do and I thought it was so funny that that was the verse I tested up. As soon as I read it I got a smile on my face and got on the phone and made the call.

Moroni 7

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

Ahh, how simple it seems...

18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the alight by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.

I used to be a very judgmental person. I saw many issues in black and white. I have come so far. I'm not beyond judgments, but I am way more open and accepting than I used to be. I think I try and think of how I would feel if I was judged, and I think that's what the verse is about.

19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the alight of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.
20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?


25 Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ.

The answer to the question is in italics, I added the emphasis. I never saw that before tonight.

26 And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.


And probably the most important part of this whole thing for me right now is the last line there. I have a need right now, and I know it's good, I have been asking, but I think I need to try a little more faith.

3 Nephi 26, James 2

8 And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.
9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.

It's interesting that receiving scripture was the trial of faith. We have so many scriptures and we probably only understand about a tenth of what we could. Yet we continue to learn more and more things through prayer, temple, blessings...

10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.

I don't want things withheld. Condemnation is bad.

Interesting with what I tested for next. About faith and doing the works to show the faith. Writing this blog is a work for me because I was told to do it in a blessing. I was also told that if I did it and worked hard on study that there were many specific blessings waiting for me. And it reminds me of other things I need to also do.

James 2

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

D&C 101

9 Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards them. I will not utterly cast them off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy.
10 I have sworn, and the decree hath gone forth by a former commandment which I have given unto you, that I would let fall the sword of mine indignation in behalf of my people; and even as I have said, it shall come to pass.
11 Mine indignation is soon to be poured out without measure upon all nations; and this will I do when the cup of their iniquity is full.
12 And in that day all who are found upon the watch-tower, or in other words, all mine Israel, shall be saved.
13 And they that have been scattered shall be gathered.
14 And all they who have mourned shall be comforted.
15 And all they who have given their lives for my name shall be crowned.

I'd say the cup of iniquity is pretty full right now. Other than that, I really don't know why I tested for this scripture. Maybe I am supposed to learn something from the comments?

D&C 49, Mosiah 17, Mosiah 20

D&C 49

16 Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation;

Interesting that it's the point of creation. In day to day lives it feels like there is so much going on, and the point of creation is so simple. Like the point of man, Men are that they might have joy, so simple, and so complicated.

19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.

The Secret! Abundance! It's there for us, and He wants us to have it. This is cool, I've never seen that part of this verse before.

20 But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.

You can have it all, but share it all. Hoarding is not what The Law of Attraction is about. It's meant to be used and shared. Half of the joy of having a years supply of food would be the sharing of it with those who had nothing.

21 And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.

So true.

Here's something interesting about the next two parts. I was muscle testing for what I needed to read, as I was reading Mosiah 17 (in 17 and 20 I tested for the specific verses that I have here, not the entire chapters, which makes it more cool) I was thinking, this is weird, why did I test for this, I have no idea what it's for. So read them both, together, and it's really cool. They go together, and I didn't know that when I tested for them.

Mosiah 17

16 And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all manner of diseases because of your iniquities.
17 Yea, and ye shall be smitten on every hand, and shall be driven and scattered to and fro, even as a wild flock is driven by wild and ferocious beasts.
18 And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by the hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer, the pains of death by fire.
19 Thus God executeth avengeance upon those that destroy his people. O God, receive my soul.
20 And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death.

I remember thinking while reading this that parts of it (man I hope not all of it) might be like the end times.

Mosiah 20

17 Now when Gideon had heard these things, he being the king’s captain, he went forth and said unto the king: I pray thee forbear, and do not search this people, and lay not this thing to their charge.
18 For do ye not remember the priests of thy father, whom this people sought to destroy? And are they not in the wilderness? And are not they the ones who have stolen the daughters of the Lamanites?
19 And now, behold, and tell the king of these things, that he may tell his people that they may be pacified towards us; for behold they are already preparing to come against us; and behold also there are but few of us.
20 And behold, they come with their numerous hosts; and except the king doth pacify them towards us we must perish.
21 For are not the words of Abinadi fulfilled, which he prophesied against us—and all this because we would not hearken unto the words of the Lord, and turn from our iniquities?
22 And now let us pacify the king, and we fulfill the oath which we have made unto him; for it is better that we should be in bondage than that we should lose our lives; therefore, let us put a stop to the shedding of so much blood.
23 And now Limhi told the king all the things concerning his father, and the priests that had fled into the wilderness, and attributed the carrying away of their daughters to them.
24 And it came to pass that the king was pacified towards his people; and he said unto them: Let us go forth to meet my people, without arms; and I swear unto you with an oath that my people shall not slay thy people.

Isn't it amazing that they tested up together without my knowledge that they were linked? I think the point was to show me that it's ok to muscle test for what to read in the scriptures, and that I can test accurately, and of course, to draw a connection between chapters.

Omni 1

25 And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no seed, and knowing king Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord, wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto him, exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord; and that which is evil cometh from the devil.

What I like about this verse is the last line. It's so simple, yet so complicated. Many bad things can happen that have positive results. And on another note, sometimes it's hard to tell if something is bad or good. Some things are obvious, murder, an affair, very bad. Some are not so obvious. I guess if you have to think of a way to justify doing something it might be bad.

All good things come from the Lord. What about people who are atheists who do good things? Where does that fit in? Interesting how all these questions arise out of a simple scripture.

D&C 103

35 Therefore, as I said unto you, ask and ye shall receive; pray earnestly that peradventure my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., may go with you, and preside in the midst of my people, and organize my kingdom upon the consecrated land, and establish the children of Zion upon the laws and commandments which have been and which shall be given unto you.
36 All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith.


I like "ask and ye shall receive" and verse 36 in it's entirety. It's a good reminder for me. I was given a blessing just before Chris left that said that I would have a few trials while he was gone and I would learn just how Satan attacks me. And I know. There are three major areas, and thanks to the attacks, I know just when an attack is happening and hopefully I can deal with it better since I can recognize it. Anyway, I definitely need help with them, I want to improve those areas and I don't know how. This is where verse 36 comes in. It's just what I want to hear. Diligence: Stick with it, keep praying about it and don't give up if you don't get immediate answers. Faithfulness: Believe that you are going to get an answer. Prayers of faith: Just do it.

THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN

I am just posting what I feel like posting, so not the entire chapter, if you want to read it, just go read it ;)


3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

It's neat that this tested up for me to read because over the weekend I really noticed the three things that Satan keeps beating me down about, and being a good mom is one of them. Sometimes I feel like a really bad one. I like that this says the greatest joy is to see your kids walk in truth. That is the goal to shoot for. It's kind of sad to think about the parents who have kids who don't make good choices, there must be sorrow there and not joy. Unless the parents have evolved enough to not be judgmental.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

I like this because it's about keeping a record, and that is what I am doing with scripture. I am trying to learn by writing my thoughts and feelings about what I read. It's just fitting that this is the first one I read.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

This is interesting because it sounds like me. I go on and on while talking, writing, whatever. I would rather do it face to face, but if I can't, I can write some LOOOOOONG emails. I like the last sentence too, Greet the friends by name. It's just nice.