72 The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized.
73 Immediately on our coming up out of the water after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly Father. No sooner had I baptized Oliver Cowdery, than the Holy Ghost fell upon him, and he stood up and prophesied many things which should shortly come to pass. And again, so soon as I had been baptized by him, I also had the spirit of prophecy, when, standing up, I prophesied concerning the rise of this Church, and many other things connected with the Church, and this generation of the children of men. We were filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of our salvation.
I'm really glad that he had some truly wonderful experiences since he had to go through many sad things in his life. Stuff like this probably sustained him.
Helaman 8
24 And now, seeing ye know these things and cannot deny them except ye shall lie, therefore in this ye have sinned, for ye have rejected all these things, notwithstanding so many evidences which ye have received; yea, even ye have received all things, both things in heaven, and all things which are in the earth, as a witness that they are true.
It's interesting to read the above verses and then this one. We talked about this in class at church today too, the ideas behind the three verses linked. I've not been denying this stuff and I do know it's true.
25 But behold, ye have rejected the truth, and rebelled against your holy God; and even at this time, instead of laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where nothing doth corrupt, and where nothing can come which is unclean, ye are heaping up for yourselves wrath against the day of judgment.
This is an area to work on, I don't know how many treasures I have been laying up in heaven. I get pretty lazy sometimes.
26 Yea, even at this time ye are ripening, because of your murders and your fornication and wickedness, for everlasting destruction; yea, and except ye repent it will come unto you soon.
This is my comical relief for the day, I am definitely not doing these things.
27 Yea, behold it is now even at your doors; yea, go ye in unto the judgment-seat, and search; and behold, your judge is murdered, and he lieth in his blood; and he hath been murdered by his brother, who seeketh to sit in the judgment-seat.
And I'll leave this verse in so you know the context of the verses.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Jonah 4
1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?
I like 4. That's a good question. Bad feelings feed that part of you that need them. Sometimes it feels good to be angry and get to be out of control and yell and complain. It feels bad at the same time, but still good to your ego that wants it. Of course it never does you well to be angry.
5 So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
6 And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
Interesting, I always thought it was a tree. I feel for Jonah in this situation. I was thinking yesterday that I forgave someone who doesn't care one whit that they hurt me. One thing that helps initially with coming to the decision to forgive is that they will have to own up to it on judgment day. But what happens if they repent before then and they don't have to "get theirs"? I guess I still have hurt in my heart because that bugs me, I want this person to have to pay for it! That is completely not charitable of me but it's the truth. It's the same thing with Jonah here.
7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
I feel like there is a lesson here but I can't think of it. My mind feels like it's right on the verge of it but it's not there. If you know it, chime in please!
9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
Ego!
10 Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?
Now this is confusing because it doesn't seem that he was pitying the gourd. Chris said something interesting though.. The point (at least in part) of the gourd was to show Jonah that God has the power to create and destroy what he wants and when he wants.
And verse 11 is really confusing. What do hands and cattle have to do with anything?
2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?
I like 4. That's a good question. Bad feelings feed that part of you that need them. Sometimes it feels good to be angry and get to be out of control and yell and complain. It feels bad at the same time, but still good to your ego that wants it. Of course it never does you well to be angry.
5 So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
6 And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
Interesting, I always thought it was a tree. I feel for Jonah in this situation. I was thinking yesterday that I forgave someone who doesn't care one whit that they hurt me. One thing that helps initially with coming to the decision to forgive is that they will have to own up to it on judgment day. But what happens if they repent before then and they don't have to "get theirs"? I guess I still have hurt in my heart because that bugs me, I want this person to have to pay for it! That is completely not charitable of me but it's the truth. It's the same thing with Jonah here.
7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
I feel like there is a lesson here but I can't think of it. My mind feels like it's right on the verge of it but it's not there. If you know it, chime in please!
9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
Ego!
10 Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?
Now this is confusing because it doesn't seem that he was pitying the gourd. Chris said something interesting though.. The point (at least in part) of the gourd was to show Jonah that God has the power to create and destroy what he wants and when he wants.
And verse 11 is really confusing. What do hands and cattle have to do with anything?
Friday, November 28, 2008
D&C 75, Mormon 7
23 And again, thus saith the Lord unto you, O ye elders of my church, who have given your names that you might know his will concerning you—
24 Behold, I say unto you, that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.
Back then, men were called to leave for years at a time and leave their families behind so the need for support was incredible. But I know this applies today too. When missionaries are gone we really should check in with the families and see how they are doing. The last month that Chris was gone two different families chipped in and made my life much easier and it was just so nice. People should think about this and do it more.
Mormon 7
5 Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up.
6 And he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead, whereby man must be raised to stand before his judgment-seat.
7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.
The only way to do this is to learn to apply the atonement in your life. I finally know how and it's exciting for me!
8 Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you.
And these verses have the whole thing, be baptized, repent, the plan of resurrection. Pretty cool how it's contained in just a few verses.
24 Behold, I say unto you, that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.
Back then, men were called to leave for years at a time and leave their families behind so the need for support was incredible. But I know this applies today too. When missionaries are gone we really should check in with the families and see how they are doing. The last month that Chris was gone two different families chipped in and made my life much easier and it was just so nice. People should think about this and do it more.
Mormon 7
5 Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up.
6 And he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead, whereby man must be raised to stand before his judgment-seat.
7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.
The only way to do this is to learn to apply the atonement in your life. I finally know how and it's exciting for me!
8 Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you.
And these verses have the whole thing, be baptized, repent, the plan of resurrection. Pretty cool how it's contained in just a few verses.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
3 Nephi 30, Mormon 9
2 Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.
I guess this is a good list of stuff to guard yourself against and stay away from. Some of them are so large that they aren't an issue. I need to still work on envyings and strifes. And of course we all make idols in our lives, like the TV... I'm better with that one, but not perfect yet.
Mormon 9
29 See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out.
These two go together, both about baptism and worthiness. I love it when that happens.
30 Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead; for I know that ye shall have my words.
31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.
I like this. Don't judge me by what my father has done. Learn from my mistakes. There are some people who can learn from the mistakes of others, but I suspect most people can take the warning, but do it anyway and learn from their own. It's unfair to say that since the father committed adultery that the son will too, but people make that generalization all the time.
32 And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.
33 And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record.
Why would the language matter in making it perfect? Can they express things more clearly in Hebrew?
34 But the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our language; and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof.
Good thing too.
I guess this is a good list of stuff to guard yourself against and stay away from. Some of them are so large that they aren't an issue. I need to still work on envyings and strifes. And of course we all make idols in our lives, like the TV... I'm better with that one, but not perfect yet.
Mormon 9
29 See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out.
These two go together, both about baptism and worthiness. I love it when that happens.
30 Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead; for I know that ye shall have my words.
31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.
I like this. Don't judge me by what my father has done. Learn from my mistakes. There are some people who can learn from the mistakes of others, but I suspect most people can take the warning, but do it anyway and learn from their own. It's unfair to say that since the father committed adultery that the son will too, but people make that generalization all the time.
32 And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.
33 And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record.
Why would the language matter in making it perfect? Can they express things more clearly in Hebrew?
34 But the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our language; and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof.
Good thing too.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
D&C 100
11 And I will give unto thee power to be mighty in expounding all scriptures, that thou mayest be a spokesman unto him, and he shall be a revelator unto thee, that thou mayest know the certainty of all things pertaining to the things of my kingdom on the earth.
12 Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end.
I feel like this is just advice for life and also a part of what is happening and going to happen for my reading scriptures like this.
13 And now I give unto you a word concerning Zion. Zion shall be redeemed, although she is chastened for a little season.
14 Thy brethren, my servants Orson Hyde and John Gould, are in my hands; and inasmuch as they keep my commandments they shall be saved.
Again with the keeping the commandments...
15 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church.
16 For I will raise up unto myself a pure people, that will serve me in righteousness;
Sounds about right. Good to remember, but then it can be really tough to take when you are going through something hard. It's hard to feel comforted sometimes.
12 Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end.
I feel like this is just advice for life and also a part of what is happening and going to happen for my reading scriptures like this.
13 And now I give unto you a word concerning Zion. Zion shall be redeemed, although she is chastened for a little season.
14 Thy brethren, my servants Orson Hyde and John Gould, are in my hands; and inasmuch as they keep my commandments they shall be saved.
Again with the keeping the commandments...
15 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church.
16 For I will raise up unto myself a pure people, that will serve me in righteousness;
Sounds about right. Good to remember, but then it can be really tough to take when you are going through something hard. It's hard to feel comforted sometimes.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Abraham 3, D&C 30
21 I dwell in the midst of them all; I now, therefore, have come down unto thee to declare unto thee the works which my hands have made, wherein my wisdom excelleth them all, for I rule in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath, in all wisdom and prudence, over all the intelligences thine eyes have seen from the beginning; I came down in the beginning in the midst of all the intelligences thou hast seen.
22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
It's hard to comprehend what it would be like to see those things. How great and magnificent. It boggles my mind trying to think about it.
23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.
I wonder if all the world leaders were among them or only prophets. I like to imagine that it was all the leaders, especially ours. I've always liked to think that God is choosing who he wants to lead (Chris does not believe this, haha). I'd like to see that gathering of souls, that's a nice image too. I wonder if there were groups of souls like this that have become our families. I like to think about that too.
24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;
25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
Is this referencing Christ?
D&C 30
5 Behold, I say unto you, Peter, that you shall take your journey with your brother Oliver; for the time has come that it is expedient in me that you shall open your mouth to declare my gospel; therefore, fear not, but give heed unto the words and advice of your brother, which he shall give you.
6 And be you afflicted in all his afflictions, ever lifting up your heart unto me in prayer and faith, for his and your deliverance; for I have given unto him power to build up my church among the Lamanites;
You'd grow very strong together if you went through each others afflictions together.
22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
It's hard to comprehend what it would be like to see those things. How great and magnificent. It boggles my mind trying to think about it.
23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.
I wonder if all the world leaders were among them or only prophets. I like to imagine that it was all the leaders, especially ours. I've always liked to think that God is choosing who he wants to lead (Chris does not believe this, haha). I'd like to see that gathering of souls, that's a nice image too. I wonder if there were groups of souls like this that have become our families. I like to think about that too.
24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;
25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
Is this referencing Christ?
D&C 30
5 Behold, I say unto you, Peter, that you shall take your journey with your brother Oliver; for the time has come that it is expedient in me that you shall open your mouth to declare my gospel; therefore, fear not, but give heed unto the words and advice of your brother, which he shall give you.
6 And be you afflicted in all his afflictions, ever lifting up your heart unto me in prayer and faith, for his and your deliverance; for I have given unto him power to build up my church among the Lamanites;
You'd grow very strong together if you went through each others afflictions together.
Monday, November 24, 2008
D&C 49, Helaman 15
12 Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the beginning and the end;
13 Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins;
14 And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.
15 And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.
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;
17 And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made.
18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
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.
20 But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.
21 And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.
I tested that I needed to read this once before, I must have missed something and I think I missed it again because I didn't get anything new out of it... Though, Chris and I are back together again and it's nice. The bit about marriage made me say that...
Helaman 15
14 Therefore I say unto you, it shall be better for them than for you except ye repent.
15 For behold, had the mighty works been shown unto them which have been shown unto you, yea, unto them who have dwindled in unbelief because of the traditions of their fathers, ye can see of yourselves that they never would again have dwindled in unbelief.
I feel like my muscle testing is off. This makes no sense.
13 Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins;
14 And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.
15 And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.
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;
17 And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made.
18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
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.
20 But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.
21 And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.
I tested that I needed to read this once before, I must have missed something and I think I missed it again because I didn't get anything new out of it... Though, Chris and I are back together again and it's nice. The bit about marriage made me say that...
Helaman 15
14 Therefore I say unto you, it shall be better for them than for you except ye repent.
15 For behold, had the mighty works been shown unto them which have been shown unto you, yea, unto them who have dwindled in unbelief because of the traditions of their fathers, ye can see of yourselves that they never would again have dwindled in unbelief.
I feel like my muscle testing is off. This makes no sense.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
3 John 1, D&C 65
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.
This sounds like they mean prophets. Few people have seen God besides the prophets, so that must be what it means.
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.
Keep a journal! So many scriptures point to that, and here is yet another one. I love how it says he has a good report of all men. I certainly don't have that. Most people like me, but I have alienated a few and angered others. I am sure there are some people who don't like me at all. It's an amazing gift to have a good report of all men.
D&C 65
4 Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people.
I like this too. I have been working on learning about the atonement and how to use it. I recently found out how I can use it and apply it in my life. So I will be calling upon the Lord in a different way from now on when trying to apply the atonement. I always share good things that have come to me that are from the Lord. All things are, but some are more apparent I guess.
This sounds like they mean prophets. Few people have seen God besides the prophets, so that must be what it means.
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.
Keep a journal! So many scriptures point to that, and here is yet another one. I love how it says he has a good report of all men. I certainly don't have that. Most people like me, but I have alienated a few and angered others. I am sure there are some people who don't like me at all. It's an amazing gift to have a good report of all men.
D&C 65
4 Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people.
I like this too. I have been working on learning about the atonement and how to use it. I recently found out how I can use it and apply it in my life. So I will be calling upon the Lord in a different way from now on when trying to apply the atonement. I always share good things that have come to me that are from the Lord. All things are, but some are more apparent I guess.
Friday, November 21, 2008
All of the Articles of Faith
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/a_of_f/1
I am not posting them all since they are fairly well known but if you want to see the reference, that is the link. And here are my notes:
2: I am very glad we are not punished for Adam's transgression and I don't get why other churches think that. It's important to say that not all churches believe this, but there are some that do. I can see how they can say that he started it, but it's weird to say that too, was Eve less accountable?
3: We can be saved by obedience through the Atonement. This is a sticky one that other churches don't like! My dad is awesome though and also believes this, he just doesn't know how close his beliefs are to LDS. It's funny.
10: This is a very bold thing to say and I love it. It's a beautiful verse and I am scared for the days leading up to it, but I really hope I can be around when it happens.
11: Acceptance of all faiths and practices, I love this. So many churches condemn what they don't know and I love that we don't. (or at least, aren't supposed to.) Other faiths and denominations have beautiful things they do and I think it's great that it's ok to like it and accept it. I love in particular the different ways the Christmas holidays can be celebrated and want to explore it more. And we can do that according to the dictates of our own conscience. We even have freedom do worship as we feel like we should. If I feel like yoga is a good form of prayer then so be it, I love the freedom in this verse.
12: This verse just got me all riled up... Supporting the law and the government. So here is my rant that only a couple people will read, haha. I spent 6 out of the last 8 years trying to figure out a way to not hate our president because I knew we were supposed to support and sustain him. It took me that long before a wise soul told me how to do it. After all that hard work I put in trying to do it in the last two years, I now hear so many LDS people who are so mad about the new president. I know it's their walk in life and not mine, but it's irritates me that they aren't trying to do what we are supposed to do and I tried very hard and I struggled with it until I understood it. And this is the advice I got: It's ok to not like the president, we are not called to be friends with every being on the planet. But to sustain him I had to realize that there are things that need to be done for the second coming to happen and our leaders play a role in that. God had a need for something to happen and Bush was the man for the job. I don't have to like it, but I need to acknowledge that God is in charge and he chooses our leaders. (Chris, I know you will have something to say about that, but that's what I believe, haha)
13: This is a direct quote from the last one, and it's so beautiful that I will just end with it.
"We follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things"
I am not posting them all since they are fairly well known but if you want to see the reference, that is the link. And here are my notes:
2: I am very glad we are not punished for Adam's transgression and I don't get why other churches think that. It's important to say that not all churches believe this, but there are some that do. I can see how they can say that he started it, but it's weird to say that too, was Eve less accountable?
3: We can be saved by obedience through the Atonement. This is a sticky one that other churches don't like! My dad is awesome though and also believes this, he just doesn't know how close his beliefs are to LDS. It's funny.
10: This is a very bold thing to say and I love it. It's a beautiful verse and I am scared for the days leading up to it, but I really hope I can be around when it happens.
11: Acceptance of all faiths and practices, I love this. So many churches condemn what they don't know and I love that we don't. (or at least, aren't supposed to.) Other faiths and denominations have beautiful things they do and I think it's great that it's ok to like it and accept it. I love in particular the different ways the Christmas holidays can be celebrated and want to explore it more. And we can do that according to the dictates of our own conscience. We even have freedom do worship as we feel like we should. If I feel like yoga is a good form of prayer then so be it, I love the freedom in this verse.
12: This verse just got me all riled up... Supporting the law and the government. So here is my rant that only a couple people will read, haha. I spent 6 out of the last 8 years trying to figure out a way to not hate our president because I knew we were supposed to support and sustain him. It took me that long before a wise soul told me how to do it. After all that hard work I put in trying to do it in the last two years, I now hear so many LDS people who are so mad about the new president. I know it's their walk in life and not mine, but it's irritates me that they aren't trying to do what we are supposed to do and I tried very hard and I struggled with it until I understood it. And this is the advice I got: It's ok to not like the president, we are not called to be friends with every being on the planet. But to sustain him I had to realize that there are things that need to be done for the second coming to happen and our leaders play a role in that. God had a need for something to happen and Bush was the man for the job. I don't have to like it, but I need to acknowledge that God is in charge and he chooses our leaders. (Chris, I know you will have something to say about that, but that's what I believe, haha)
13: This is a direct quote from the last one, and it's so beautiful that I will just end with it.
"We follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things"
Thursday, November 20, 2008
3 Nephi 19, D&C 50
28 Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.
29 Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.
30 And when Jesus had spoken these words he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesus.
This is interesting, I don't think there is another verse, not one that I have read, that said that Jesus smiled. That is such a nice image to think about.
D&C 50
34 He that receiveth of God, let him account it of God; and let him rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive.
What does this mean? Just to let people know that you believe, like bearing your testimony? Praying in thanks? Something else? All of the above?
40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.
I like this because it makes me feel like I am being taken care of. Being a mom it doesn't feel like I am taken care of very often because I am the one doing the caring.
29 Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.
30 And when Jesus had spoken these words he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesus.
This is interesting, I don't think there is another verse, not one that I have read, that said that Jesus smiled. That is such a nice image to think about.
D&C 50
34 He that receiveth of God, let him account it of God; and let him rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive.
What does this mean? Just to let people know that you believe, like bearing your testimony? Praying in thanks? Something else? All of the above?
40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.
I like this because it makes me feel like I am being taken care of. Being a mom it doesn't feel like I am taken care of very often because I am the one doing the caring.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
D&C 40
1–3, Fear of persecution and cares of the world cause rejection of the gospel.
2 And he received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him; and the fear of persecution and the cares of the world caused him to reject the word.
What else does the fear of persecution cause? Causes you to conform to a certain style of dress or hairstyle, at least it did for me as a youth. It causes conformity instead of individuality. It can cause you to be afraid to speak your mind. It can cause you to leave the church in the case of the man in this chapter.
It's about feeling safe being who you are, and being secure in knowing who you are. And also just not caring about the judgments of other people. One way to force it to happen faster is to start dressing differently or wearing dreads :) When you do something that is counter-culture it's really easy to not allow the judgments of other people dictate what you say or do.
2 And he received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him; and the fear of persecution and the cares of the world caused him to reject the word.
What else does the fear of persecution cause? Causes you to conform to a certain style of dress or hairstyle, at least it did for me as a youth. It causes conformity instead of individuality. It can cause you to be afraid to speak your mind. It can cause you to leave the church in the case of the man in this chapter.
It's about feeling safe being who you are, and being secure in knowing who you are. And also just not caring about the judgments of other people. One way to force it to happen faster is to start dressing differently or wearing dreads :) When you do something that is counter-culture it's really easy to not allow the judgments of other people dictate what you say or do.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
D&C 136, Articles of Faith 5-6
40 Have I not delivered you from your enemies, only in that I have left a witness of my name?
41 Now, therefore, hearken, O ye people of my church; and ye elders listen together; you have received my kingdom.
42 Be diligent in keeping all my commandments, lest judgments come upon you, and your faith fail you, and your enemies triumph over you. So no more at present. Amen and Amen.
I had another mini-crisis tonight and it was interesting that these verses came up. I highlighted the parts that I needed to read. I have been working on doing what was promised to me would increase my faith and it has many times. There is just one area I am having issues with and I need to have more faith there. There is no reason not to. I guess my enemies are really working that sore spot. I recognize it now though so that's good.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
I guess I just never read these and it's good to know. These verses don't speak to me the way the other ones did, but these are good things to be aware of and know.
41 Now, therefore, hearken, O ye people of my church; and ye elders listen together; you have received my kingdom.
42 Be diligent in keeping all my commandments, lest judgments come upon you, and your faith fail you, and your enemies triumph over you. So no more at present. Amen and Amen.
I had another mini-crisis tonight and it was interesting that these verses came up. I highlighted the parts that I needed to read. I have been working on doing what was promised to me would increase my faith and it has many times. There is just one area I am having issues with and I need to have more faith there. There is no reason not to. I guess my enemies are really working that sore spot. I recognize it now though so that's good.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
I guess I just never read these and it's good to know. These verses don't speak to me the way the other ones did, but these are good things to be aware of and know.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Articles of Faith, D&C 121
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
Sounds simple enough... Weird that I tested this up to read...
D&C 121
13 Also because their hearts are corrupted, and the things which they are willing to bring upon others, and love to have others suffer, may come upon themselves to the very uttermost;
Sounds like 13 year old girls to me. This really does describe them when they are cliquey and mean.
14 That they may be disappointed also, and their hopes may be cut off;
15 And not many years hence, that they and their posterity shall be swept from under heaven, saith God, that not one of them is left to stand by the wall.
16 Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they have sinned when they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded them.
17 But those who cry transgression do it because they are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves.
18 And those who swear falsely against my servants, that they might bring them into bondage and death—
19 Wo unto them; because they have offended my little ones they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house.
It's interesting that people will do that, (the last two verses) the people who will go about swearing falsely against people, I don't know who they think they are fooling because the people who are righteous wouldn't do that.
20 Their basket shall not be full, their houses and their barns shall perish, and they themselves shall be despised by those that flattered them.
21 They shall not have right to the priesthood, nor their posterity after them from generation to generation.
I'm guessing this just means that their posterity also won't be worthy of it and not that they just can't have it because that doesn't seem right to me.
22 It had been better for them that a millstone had been hanged about their necks, and they drowned in the depth of the sea.
This is a really sad thought that it would be better to have died earlier. But I don't think it matters because it's the attitude that counts whether it's earlier or later.
Sounds simple enough... Weird that I tested this up to read...
D&C 121
13 Also because their hearts are corrupted, and the things which they are willing to bring upon others, and love to have others suffer, may come upon themselves to the very uttermost;
Sounds like 13 year old girls to me. This really does describe them when they are cliquey and mean.
14 That they may be disappointed also, and their hopes may be cut off;
15 And not many years hence, that they and their posterity shall be swept from under heaven, saith God, that not one of them is left to stand by the wall.
16 Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they have sinned when they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded them.
17 But those who cry transgression do it because they are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves.
18 And those who swear falsely against my servants, that they might bring them into bondage and death—
19 Wo unto them; because they have offended my little ones they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house.
It's interesting that people will do that, (the last two verses) the people who will go about swearing falsely against people, I don't know who they think they are fooling because the people who are righteous wouldn't do that.
20 Their basket shall not be full, their houses and their barns shall perish, and they themselves shall be despised by those that flattered them.
21 They shall not have right to the priesthood, nor their posterity after them from generation to generation.
I'm guessing this just means that their posterity also won't be worthy of it and not that they just can't have it because that doesn't seem right to me.
22 It had been better for them that a millstone had been hanged about their necks, and they drowned in the depth of the sea.
This is a really sad thought that it would be better to have died earlier. But I don't think it matters because it's the attitude that counts whether it's earlier or later.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
D&C 136, D&C 116
40 Have I not delivered you from your enemies, only in that I have left a witness of my name?
41 Now, therefore, hearken, O ye people of my church; and ye elders listen together; you have received my kingdom.
42 Be diligent in keeping all my commandments, lest judgments come upon you, and your faith fail you, and your enemies triumph over you. So no more at present. Amen and Amen.
116
1 Spring Hill is named by the Lord aAdam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where bAdam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet.
That is the entire chapter of 116. That surprised me, extremely short. Anyway, reading these both together sounds like a commandment to Chris and I to buy that piece of land near there. Since we have talked about it, it just seems that we need to do it. I even looked for properties out there so that's progress of a sort. Maybe we can go visit before we leave Missouri.
41 Now, therefore, hearken, O ye people of my church; and ye elders listen together; you have received my kingdom.
42 Be diligent in keeping all my commandments, lest judgments come upon you, and your faith fail you, and your enemies triumph over you. So no more at present. Amen and Amen.
116
1 Spring Hill is named by the Lord aAdam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where bAdam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet.
That is the entire chapter of 116. That surprised me, extremely short. Anyway, reading these both together sounds like a commandment to Chris and I to buy that piece of land near there. Since we have talked about it, it just seems that we need to do it. I even looked for properties out there so that's progress of a sort. Maybe we can go visit before we leave Missouri.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Ether 8, D&C 130
18 And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God;
19 For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.
20 And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites.
How weird would it be to have the oaths they took that were evil in our scriptures. Like a How To guide to bad stuff.
21 And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.
22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.
Could that be Iraq and other nations with large terrorist groups?
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
This is pretty powerful. You are COMMANDED to awake and come out of it. The image I get is a person coming out of being brainwashed.
D&C 130
15 Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man; therefore let this suffice, and trouble me no more on this matter.
It's kind of sad that he didn't make it, but he probably saw it much sooner this way.
16 I was left thus, without being able to decide whether this coming referred to the beginning of the millennium or to some previous appearing, or whether I should die and thus see his face.
17 I believe the coming of the Son of Man will not be any sooner than that time.
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
I LOVE this. I am striving to learn more and more on the topics I think are important. It feels so good when I am learning.
19 For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.
20 And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites.
How weird would it be to have the oaths they took that were evil in our scriptures. Like a How To guide to bad stuff.
21 And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.
22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.
Could that be Iraq and other nations with large terrorist groups?
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
This is pretty powerful. You are COMMANDED to awake and come out of it. The image I get is a person coming out of being brainwashed.
D&C 130
15 Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man; therefore let this suffice, and trouble me no more on this matter.
It's kind of sad that he didn't make it, but he probably saw it much sooner this way.
16 I was left thus, without being able to decide whether this coming referred to the beginning of the millennium or to some previous appearing, or whether I should die and thus see his face.
17 I believe the coming of the Son of Man will not be any sooner than that time.
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
I LOVE this. I am striving to learn more and more on the topics I think are important. It feels so good when I am learning.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
D&C 36
2 And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom;
3 And you shall declare it with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna, blessed be the name of the most high God.
4 And now this calling and commandment give I unto you concerning all men—
5 That as many as shall come before my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., embracing this calling and commandment, shall be ordained and sent forth to preach the everlasting gospel among the nations—
I thought this was neat because look how important the Holy Ghost is. When you have it, and know it, it's not that big of a thing. It's great, an I love it. But it's one of those things you notice more when it's gone. I'm going to try and remember what a blessing it really is.
Also, the last line I think applies to everyone. Not to the same degree, some people will never go on a full time mission. Some people will only do it in their families, others to their neighbors or friends. But it is important and faith building to get the message out. It's also hard and really scary.
3 And you shall declare it with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna, blessed be the name of the most high God.
4 And now this calling and commandment give I unto you concerning all men—
5 That as many as shall come before my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., embracing this calling and commandment, shall be ordained and sent forth to preach the everlasting gospel among the nations—
I thought this was neat because look how important the Holy Ghost is. When you have it, and know it, it's not that big of a thing. It's great, an I love it. But it's one of those things you notice more when it's gone. I'm going to try and remember what a blessing it really is.
Also, the last line I think applies to everyone. Not to the same degree, some people will never go on a full time mission. Some people will only do it in their families, others to their neighbors or friends. But it is important and faith building to get the message out. It's also hard and really scary.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Helaman 16, D&C 138
13 But it came to pass in the *ninetieth year of the reign of the judges, there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled.
14 And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled.
In our day we have seen prophesies being fulfilled as well, it's a neat thing to be able to witness.
15 Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their aown strength and upon their own wisdom, saying:
16 Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.
And this is happening to this day as well!
17 And they began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying:
18 That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem?
19 Yea, why will he not show himself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem?
20 But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true.
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.
This sounds like a reasonable fear to me. It is possible for people to be kept in ignorance and be at the mercy of the leaders for the information they need. It doesn't seem like such a wicked worry to me. But I understand why it is because if you apply it to today, that would be like me feeling like I couldn't trust the prophets, and that's where it becomes "foolish and vain."
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.
D&C 138
28 And I wondered at the words of Peter—wherein he said that the Son of God preached unto the spirits in prison, who sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah—and how it was possible for him to preach to those spirits and perform the necessary labor among them in so short a time.
29 And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them;
30 But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to fall the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.
I never thought of it like this. I always just assumed the Lord could do anything and I never wondered how he could reach everyone at once. It's weird to me that it even matters.
31 And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel.
It would be harder to repent of things once you are dead. Like, an addiction to alcohol or something. How do you overcome that once you are dead? You'd have to do more than just stop drinking, you'd have to stop wanting to, and that is harder than just learning will power.
32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.
33 These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands,
34 And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
35 And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross.
36 Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojourn in the world of spirits, instructing and preparing the faithful spirits of the prophets who had testified of him in the flesh;
37 That they might carry the message of redemption unto all the dead, unto whom he could not go personally, because of their rebellion and transgression, that they through the ministration of his servants might also hear his words.
38 Among the great and mighty ones who were assembled in this vast congregation of the righteous were Father Adam, the Ancient of Days and father of all,
39 And our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshiped the true and living God.
The last verse is interesting to me because I recently had a blessing that said that in the pre-existence I was friends with Eve and I have been told to study about her and learn what I can. I never knew this about her.
14 And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled.
In our day we have seen prophesies being fulfilled as well, it's a neat thing to be able to witness.
15 Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their aown strength and upon their own wisdom, saying:
16 Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.
And this is happening to this day as well!
17 And they began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying:
18 That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem?
19 Yea, why will he not show himself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem?
20 But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true.
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.
This sounds like a reasonable fear to me. It is possible for people to be kept in ignorance and be at the mercy of the leaders for the information they need. It doesn't seem like such a wicked worry to me. But I understand why it is because if you apply it to today, that would be like me feeling like I couldn't trust the prophets, and that's where it becomes "foolish and vain."
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.
D&C 138
28 And I wondered at the words of Peter—wherein he said that the Son of God preached unto the spirits in prison, who sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah—and how it was possible for him to preach to those spirits and perform the necessary labor among them in so short a time.
29 And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them;
30 But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to fall the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.
I never thought of it like this. I always just assumed the Lord could do anything and I never wondered how he could reach everyone at once. It's weird to me that it even matters.
31 And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel.
It would be harder to repent of things once you are dead. Like, an addiction to alcohol or something. How do you overcome that once you are dead? You'd have to do more than just stop drinking, you'd have to stop wanting to, and that is harder than just learning will power.
32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.
33 These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands,
34 And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
35 And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross.
36 Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojourn in the world of spirits, instructing and preparing the faithful spirits of the prophets who had testified of him in the flesh;
37 That they might carry the message of redemption unto all the dead, unto whom he could not go personally, because of their rebellion and transgression, that they through the ministration of his servants might also hear his words.
38 Among the great and mighty ones who were assembled in this vast congregation of the righteous were Father Adam, the Ancient of Days and father of all,
39 And our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshiped the true and living God.
The last verse is interesting to me because I recently had a blessing that said that in the pre-existence I was friends with Eve and I have been told to study about her and learn what I can. I never knew this about her.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Ether 14, D&C 125
13 And it came to pass that Coriantumr pursued him; and Lib gave battle unto him upon the seashore.
14 And it came to pass that Lib did smite the army of Coriantumr, that they fled again to the wilderness of Akish.
15 And it came to pass that Lib did pursue him until he came to the plains of Agosh. And Coriantumr had taken all the people with him as he fled before Lib in that quarter of the land whither he fled.
16 And when he had come to the plains of Agosh he gave battle unto Lib, and he smote upon him until he died; nevertheless, the brother of Lib did come against Coriantumr in the stead thereof, and the battle became exceedingly sore, in the which Coriantumr fled again before the army of the brother of Lib.
17 Now the name of the brother of Lib was called Shiz. And it came to pass that Shiz pursued after Coriantumr, and he did overthrow many cities, and he did slay both women and children, and he did burn the cities.
18 And there went a fear of Shiz throughout all the land; yea, a cry went forth throughout the land—Who can stand before the army of Shiz? Behold, he sweepeth the earth before him!
19 And it came to pass that the people began to flock together in armies, throughout all the face of the land.
20 And they were divided; and a part of them fled to the army of Shiz, and a part of them fled to the army of Coriantumr.
The only thing I thought of while reading this is Shiz sounds as scary as Goliath was.
D&C 125
1 What is the will of the Lord concerning the saints in the Territory of Iowa?
2 Verily, thus saith the Lord, I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name, that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come.
3 Let them build up a city unto my name upon the land opposite the city of Nauvoo, and let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it.
4 And let all those who come from the east, and the west, and the north, and the south, that have desires to dwell therein, take up their inheritance in the same, as well as in the city of Nashville, or in the city of Nauvoo, and in all the stakes which I have appointed, saith the Lord.
Well, I have no idea why I tested to read either of those but I tested over and over again if it was right and it is. Am I missing something?
14 And it came to pass that Lib did smite the army of Coriantumr, that they fled again to the wilderness of Akish.
15 And it came to pass that Lib did pursue him until he came to the plains of Agosh. And Coriantumr had taken all the people with him as he fled before Lib in that quarter of the land whither he fled.
16 And when he had come to the plains of Agosh he gave battle unto Lib, and he smote upon him until he died; nevertheless, the brother of Lib did come against Coriantumr in the stead thereof, and the battle became exceedingly sore, in the which Coriantumr fled again before the army of the brother of Lib.
17 Now the name of the brother of Lib was called Shiz. And it came to pass that Shiz pursued after Coriantumr, and he did overthrow many cities, and he did slay both women and children, and he did burn the cities.
18 And there went a fear of Shiz throughout all the land; yea, a cry went forth throughout the land—Who can stand before the army of Shiz? Behold, he sweepeth the earth before him!
19 And it came to pass that the people began to flock together in armies, throughout all the face of the land.
20 And they were divided; and a part of them fled to the army of Shiz, and a part of them fled to the army of Coriantumr.
The only thing I thought of while reading this is Shiz sounds as scary as Goliath was.
D&C 125
1 What is the will of the Lord concerning the saints in the Territory of Iowa?
2 Verily, thus saith the Lord, I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name, that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come.
3 Let them build up a city unto my name upon the land opposite the city of Nauvoo, and let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it.
4 And let all those who come from the east, and the west, and the north, and the south, that have desires to dwell therein, take up their inheritance in the same, as well as in the city of Nashville, or in the city of Nauvoo, and in all the stakes which I have appointed, saith the Lord.
Well, I have no idea why I tested to read either of those but I tested over and over again if it was right and it is. Am I missing something?
Friday, November 7, 2008
D&C 63
38 Wherefore, let my disciples in Kirtland arrange their temporal concerns, who dwell upon this farm.
39 Let my servant Titus Billings, who has the care thereof, dispose of the land, that he may be prepared in the coming spring to take his journey up unto the land of Zion, with those that dwell upon the face thereof, excepting those whom I shall reserve unto myself, that shall not go until I shall command them.
40 And let all the moneys which can be spared, it mattereth not unto me whether it be little or much, be sent up unto the land of Zion, unto them whom I have appointed to receive.
41 Behold, I, the Lord, will give unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., power that he shall be enabled to discern by the Spirit those who shall go up unto the land of Zion, and those of my disciples who shall tarry.
42 Let my servant aNewel K. Whitney retain his store, or in other words, the store, yet for a little season.
Notice the change from His to The, sounds like consecration. Interesting how one word changes the whole meaning.
43 Nevertheless, let him impart all the money which he can impart, to be sent up unto the land of Zion.
44 Behold, these things are in his own hands, let him do according to wisdom.
45 Verily I say, let him be ordained as an agent unto the disciples that shall tarry, and let him be aordained unto this power;
46 And now speedily visit the churches, expounding these things unto them, with my servant Oliver Cowdery. Behold, this is my will, obtaining moneys even as I have directed.
Interesting, I seem to go through topics. Money us this one.
39 Let my servant Titus Billings, who has the care thereof, dispose of the land, that he may be prepared in the coming spring to take his journey up unto the land of Zion, with those that dwell upon the face thereof, excepting those whom I shall reserve unto myself, that shall not go until I shall command them.
40 And let all the moneys which can be spared, it mattereth not unto me whether it be little or much, be sent up unto the land of Zion, unto them whom I have appointed to receive.
41 Behold, I, the Lord, will give unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., power that he shall be enabled to discern by the Spirit those who shall go up unto the land of Zion, and those of my disciples who shall tarry.
42 Let my servant aNewel K. Whitney retain his store, or in other words, the store, yet for a little season.
Notice the change from His to The, sounds like consecration. Interesting how one word changes the whole meaning.
43 Nevertheless, let him impart all the money which he can impart, to be sent up unto the land of Zion.
44 Behold, these things are in his own hands, let him do according to wisdom.
45 Verily I say, let him be ordained as an agent unto the disciples that shall tarry, and let him be aordained unto this power;
46 And now speedily visit the churches, expounding these things unto them, with my servant Oliver Cowdery. Behold, this is my will, obtaining moneys even as I have directed.
Interesting, I seem to go through topics. Money us this one.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
D&C 114, D&C 119
1 Verily thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant David W. Patten, that he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may perform a mission unto me next spring, in company with others, even twelve including himself, to testify of my name and bear glad tidings unto all the world.
Wow, can you imagine being called up by the Prophet and he tells you to sell everything you own and go on a mission. It would be scary and exciting. Like the feeling I get with an impending move, especially this one when we still don't know where we're going. It would be scary to liquidate everything you own though, there goes your security (as you know it). It would be exciting to live "on the Lord" though.
119
4 And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord.
5 Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you.
6 And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you.
Pay your tithing! You won't have Zion unless you do. Interesting. You could live in actual Zion and it wouldn't be Zion for you if you aren't tithing.
Wow, can you imagine being called up by the Prophet and he tells you to sell everything you own and go on a mission. It would be scary and exciting. Like the feeling I get with an impending move, especially this one when we still don't know where we're going. It would be scary to liquidate everything you own though, there goes your security (as you know it). It would be exciting to live "on the Lord" though.
119
4 And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord.
5 Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you.
6 And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you.
Pay your tithing! You won't have Zion unless you do. Interesting. You could live in actual Zion and it wouldn't be Zion for you if you aren't tithing.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Mormon 8, D&C 117
21 And he that shall breathe out wrath and strifes against the work of the Lord, and against the covenant people of the Lord who are the house of Israel, and shall say: We will destroy the work of the Lord, and the Lord will not remember his covenant which he hath made unto the house of Israel—the same is in danger to be hewn down and cast into the fire;
What a ludicrous thing to say.
22 For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled.
23 Search the prophecies of Isaiah. Behold, I cannot write them. Yea, behold I say unto you, that those saints who have gone before me, who have possessed this land, shall cry, yea, even from the dust will they cry unto the Lord; and as the Lord liveth he will remember the covenant which he hath made with them.
24 And he knoweth their prayers, that they were in behalf of their brethren. And he knoweth their faith, for in his name could they remove mountains; and in his name could they cause the earth to shake; and by the power of his word did they cause prisons to tumble to the earth; yea, even the fiery furnace could not harm them, neither wild beasts nor poisonous serpents, because of the power of his word.
Wow, that's the kind of faith to strive for. I got a warm feeling reading this.
25 And behold, their prayers were also in behalf of him that the Lord should suffer to bring these things forth.
26 And no one need say they shall not come, for they surely shall, for the Lord hath spoken it; for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lord, and none can stay it; and it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead.
Well, I still hear of people saying that miracles have been performed... I don't understand the last part of the line, about the speaking from the dead. Do you guys know?
D&C 117
11 Let my servant Newel K. Whitney be ashamed of the Nicolaitane band and of all their secret abominations, and of all his littleness of soul before me, saith the Lord, and come up to the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and be a bishop unto my people, saith the Lord, not in name but in deed, saith the Lord.
I read this and immediately thought of buying land near there. It just sounds like a good idea. We've talked about that a lot.
12 And again, I say unto you, I remember my servant Oliver Granger; behold, verily I say unto him that his name shall be had in sacred remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord.
I have no idea who that is.. Maybe I should look into him.
13 Therefore, let him contend earnestly for the redemption of the First Presidency of my Church, saith the Lord; and when he falls he shall rise again, for his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase, saith the Lord.
What on earth was happening in the church? Sounds bad.
What a ludicrous thing to say.
22 For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled.
23 Search the prophecies of Isaiah. Behold, I cannot write them. Yea, behold I say unto you, that those saints who have gone before me, who have possessed this land, shall cry, yea, even from the dust will they cry unto the Lord; and as the Lord liveth he will remember the covenant which he hath made with them.
24 And he knoweth their prayers, that they were in behalf of their brethren. And he knoweth their faith, for in his name could they remove mountains; and in his name could they cause the earth to shake; and by the power of his word did they cause prisons to tumble to the earth; yea, even the fiery furnace could not harm them, neither wild beasts nor poisonous serpents, because of the power of his word.
Wow, that's the kind of faith to strive for. I got a warm feeling reading this.
25 And behold, their prayers were also in behalf of him that the Lord should suffer to bring these things forth.
26 And no one need say they shall not come, for they surely shall, for the Lord hath spoken it; for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lord, and none can stay it; and it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead.
Well, I still hear of people saying that miracles have been performed... I don't understand the last part of the line, about the speaking from the dead. Do you guys know?
D&C 117
11 Let my servant Newel K. Whitney be ashamed of the Nicolaitane band and of all their secret abominations, and of all his littleness of soul before me, saith the Lord, and come up to the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and be a bishop unto my people, saith the Lord, not in name but in deed, saith the Lord.
I read this and immediately thought of buying land near there. It just sounds like a good idea. We've talked about that a lot.
12 And again, I say unto you, I remember my servant Oliver Granger; behold, verily I say unto him that his name shall be had in sacred remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord.
I have no idea who that is.. Maybe I should look into him.
13 Therefore, let him contend earnestly for the redemption of the First Presidency of my Church, saith the Lord; and when he falls he shall rise again, for his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase, saith the Lord.
What on earth was happening in the church? Sounds bad.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
D&C 110, Jude 1
13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—
15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—
16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.
I just keep seeing the theme of the Second Coming in these verses I read. That is so interesting to me. I want to learn more about it so this is good.
Jude 1
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Having not the spirit... Is this literal, like all non-LDS people, or are we talking the Light of Christ? I am inclined to think the latter.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Again, second coming.
14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—
15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—
16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.
I just keep seeing the theme of the Second Coming in these verses I read. That is so interesting to me. I want to learn more about it so this is good.
Jude 1
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Having not the spirit... Is this literal, like all non-LDS people, or are we talking the Light of Christ? I am inclined to think the latter.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Again, second coming.
Monday, November 3, 2008
D&C 128 and 86
18 I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding clink of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Wow, I had to read this more than once, this verse is packed with stuff.
19 Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!
The first thing I think of is positive thinking, being happy and upbeat. These are good things.
22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.
I love the imagery of this verse. On the day before the election this is really sounding like a political speech. "Let the earth break forth into singing" I just love the thought of that. That would be wonderful. I have been watching Hairspray about 5 times this week, ha ha. I love the music and the dancing. Today I was at the grocery store dancing in the isles. It was really funny, but I couldn't get the music out of my head.
D&C 86
2 Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the sowers of the seed;
3 And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness.
4 But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender—
5 Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;
6 But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.
7 Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.
The last verse just made me think of the world today. I used to be a tare, and I have had many tares in my life. There are still a few. What to do about it is a tough choice. We are all growing together, do you minister to them or ignore them? They aren't going away, we are all in it together. Some of them won't be ready to be ministered to by me when I am there, and some of them might be. I hope I can have the wisdom to know the difference. The last part of the verse reminded me of when Abinadi said that those people would perish as he had. The field remaineth to be burned.
Wow, I had to read this more than once, this verse is packed with stuff.
19 Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!
The first thing I think of is positive thinking, being happy and upbeat. These are good things.
22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.
I love the imagery of this verse. On the day before the election this is really sounding like a political speech. "Let the earth break forth into singing" I just love the thought of that. That would be wonderful. I have been watching Hairspray about 5 times this week, ha ha. I love the music and the dancing. Today I was at the grocery store dancing in the isles. It was really funny, but I couldn't get the music out of my head.
D&C 86
2 Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the sowers of the seed;
3 And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness.
4 But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender—
5 Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;
6 But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.
7 Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.
The last verse just made me think of the world today. I used to be a tare, and I have had many tares in my life. There are still a few. What to do about it is a tough choice. We are all growing together, do you minister to them or ignore them? They aren't going away, we are all in it together. Some of them won't be ready to be ministered to by me when I am there, and some of them might be. I hope I can have the wisdom to know the difference. The last part of the verse reminded me of when Abinadi said that those people would perish as he had. The field remaineth to be burned.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Good Idea
I got a great idea from a home teacher last month. He said that he bought a bunch of the Missionary Books of Mormon and in each copy he would highlight different topics. He'd have a whole BoM for Faith, one for Repentance, one for everything about the Atonement, etc. I LOVE this idea. You could read the entire thing each year searching for different topics. At the end of 10 years, you'd have 10 volumes of different topics. If you did it with a spouse you'd have 20, if you do it twice as fast that's 40 topics. And that is completely do-able.
Mosiah 18 and D&C 49
17 And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church.
So simple and so sweet. I just like the feeling I get from this verse.
18 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
19 And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.
20 Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.
21 And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.
I understand the point of not teaching things that aren't in the scriptures and things that the prophets say. But I wonder how energy work fits in. Some people in the church would undoubtedly think it's witchcraft or something else weird.
Verse 21 is one that everyone should have in their homes and cars and everywhere they need it. People forget and contention can sometimes be fun, in the form of gossiping, but that's the wrong sort of fun and it's never good.
22 And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of God.
23 And he commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God.
I give thanks all the time. Keeping the Sabbath holy is another thing. It's so much easier when Chris is around. I always want to do it, but the action isn't there. I skip church. I try not to spend money, but there are times when I do. I don't plan well and need gas, or diapers, or milk or something. This is something to work on. When Chris and I are together things are so much easier, when he's gone I can find all kids of excuses to do what I want.
24 And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support.
25 And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together.
26 And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.
27 And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.
28 And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.
Hello? Everyone listening? This is what we should all be doing. I wish people would just do it of their own free will. Those that have a ton of resources could help those with nothing. Those of us what are comfortable, but maybe not extremely rich, can still help out a huge amount. If everyone did this we wouldn't need crappy government programs that don't work.
D&C 49
12 Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the beginning and the end;
13 Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins;
14 And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.
15 And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.
This makes me wonder who is forbidding people to be married. I know only of the gay marriage stuff. Other than that I don't really know what this is about.
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;
17 And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made.
Sound familiar? I tested up these verses before.. Must really need to hear about it.
18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
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.
20 But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.
21 And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.
Again, this goes back to the scriptures above that make me think of people with excess who should share with those who have little. I read a story once of a girl who would make a bunch of sandwiches every Saturday to hand out to the homeless. I've also thought that we should have a stack of $1s in the car to hand out to people in need, you always see them with signs. Or you could carry crackers or fruit around for them or something. It feels good to help in any way. And you often get REAL gratitude in return.
22 And again, verily I say unto you, that the Son of Man cometh not in the form of a woman, neither of a man traveling on the earth.
23 Wherefore, be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro as a drunken man, and for the valleys to be exalted, and for the mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become smooth—and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet.
I know this says to look forward to this, but it still sounds scary to me.
24 But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.
25 Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed.
Is this Missouri? Or Utah? Also, what does Jacob flourishing in the wilderness mean? Lamanites blossoming, does that mean Mexico, Central and South America are going to start doing really well?
What do you think?
So simple and so sweet. I just like the feeling I get from this verse.
18 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
19 And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.
20 Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.
21 And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.
I understand the point of not teaching things that aren't in the scriptures and things that the prophets say. But I wonder how energy work fits in. Some people in the church would undoubtedly think it's witchcraft or something else weird.
Verse 21 is one that everyone should have in their homes and cars and everywhere they need it. People forget and contention can sometimes be fun, in the form of gossiping, but that's the wrong sort of fun and it's never good.
22 And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of God.
23 And he commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God.
I give thanks all the time. Keeping the Sabbath holy is another thing. It's so much easier when Chris is around. I always want to do it, but the action isn't there. I skip church. I try not to spend money, but there are times when I do. I don't plan well and need gas, or diapers, or milk or something. This is something to work on. When Chris and I are together things are so much easier, when he's gone I can find all kids of excuses to do what I want.
24 And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support.
25 And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together.
26 And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.
27 And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.
28 And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.
Hello? Everyone listening? This is what we should all be doing. I wish people would just do it of their own free will. Those that have a ton of resources could help those with nothing. Those of us what are comfortable, but maybe not extremely rich, can still help out a huge amount. If everyone did this we wouldn't need crappy government programs that don't work.
D&C 49
12 Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the beginning and the end;
13 Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins;
14 And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.
15 And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.
This makes me wonder who is forbidding people to be married. I know only of the gay marriage stuff. Other than that I don't really know what this is about.
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;
17 And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made.
Sound familiar? I tested up these verses before.. Must really need to hear about it.
18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
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.
20 But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.
21 And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.
Again, this goes back to the scriptures above that make me think of people with excess who should share with those who have little. I read a story once of a girl who would make a bunch of sandwiches every Saturday to hand out to the homeless. I've also thought that we should have a stack of $1s in the car to hand out to people in need, you always see them with signs. Or you could carry crackers or fruit around for them or something. It feels good to help in any way. And you often get REAL gratitude in return.
22 And again, verily I say unto you, that the Son of Man cometh not in the form of a woman, neither of a man traveling on the earth.
23 Wherefore, be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro as a drunken man, and for the valleys to be exalted, and for the mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become smooth—and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet.
I know this says to look forward to this, but it still sounds scary to me.
24 But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.
25 Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed.
Is this Missouri? Or Utah? Also, what does Jacob flourishing in the wilderness mean? Lamanites blossoming, does that mean Mexico, Central and South America are going to start doing really well?
What do you think?
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