And Thus We See

It's good for us to try to spot the lessons the experiences of the people in the Book of Mormon teach us. In several parts the author helps us along by telling us, "and thus we see." In other words, "here's the point of the story and the lesson to be learned." One of those is in Helamn 3:27.

"And thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name."

The previous chapters talk about how the people we blessed after turning to the Lord after being humbled by wars. The point of including that experience of the people in the Book of Mormon is to teach us the lesson of verse 27.

And it's just as true today. We may not have been faced the wars and trails the Nephites faces, but if we pray to the Lord with a sincere heart, with real intent, he will year and answer our prayers, just as he did for the Nephites.

Baptisms for the Dead

...For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers- that they without us cannot be made perfect-neither can we without our dead be made perfect.

-Doctrine & Covenants 128:15

This is one of my favorite scriptures that really testifies how important it is for us to attend the temple as often as possible. I know that anyone who hasn't been baptized and confirmed, sealed to their family, recieved their endowments, or recieved the Melchizedek Priesthood (If able)will not be able to recieve eternal life. That is why it is essential for our ancestors who have passed on to have us represent them in the temple and do these ordinances in their behalf. For without us they cannot be made perfect in the sight of the Lord. I know that our regular attendence at the temple is important for our salvation as well. When we enter the temple and put on our white temple clothes, we are promising to leave behind our troubles and become pure like unto our garments. The temple is one of the only places that the devil's influence cannot enter. The spirit is so over whelming that you are on the verge of tears as you sit and ponder how many people gave all that they had to join the church and travel westward to start the Lord's work in what we know as Salt Lake City today. And to think how blessed we are to have a temple only five miles away from our homes. So many members of the church in other countries have to save money their whole lives just to attend the temple once. Some never get the oppurtunity. Going to the temple is our chance to read the scriptures and pray to Heavenly Father without distractions. I know that the temple is the Lord's holy house and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Alma 62:21 nad 26

Verse 21 talks about the Nephites encircling the Lamanites while they were asleep. In verse 26, it explains that the Nephites now "had possession" of their city. Even though we aren't in war, we need to keep our guard up. If we allow ourselves to "fall asleep" spiritually, we will also be taken captive. We will lose our testimonies, just as the Lamanites lost their cities. I know that reading the Book of Mormon daily strengthens me and my testimony, and that it will do the same to everyone else. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Moroni 7:29

"...Have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men." I believe in miracles. Every day of our lives. If we look for them, they are there. In the flutter of butterfly wings, the perfect innocence of an infant, the joy in friendship and sisterhood, the magic of Christmas, the quiet answered prayer, I see miracles. I believe in angels. Literal messengers from heaven. If we look for them, they are there. In the warmth of an embrace, the wiping away of tears, whether it is a Celestial body clothed in white, or the face of my mother, I see angels.

Interesting Contrast

I gained some new insight into a verse near the very end of Alma. I find it interesting what a contrast there is in the two reactions of the Nephites to the long war with the Lamanites. In Alma 62:40 we read:

"But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility."

Interesting is the contrast of the reaction of different people to the same set of circumstances. The war cause some to become hardened and others to humble themselves before God. What lesson can we learn from this in our day? I think this verse teaches us that we can let afflictions either turn us away from God or turn us more towards him. It is my prayer that we will turn to God in times of affliction and become stronger because of it.

Helaman 4:24

This is my scripture of the week that I wanted to share here on the blog. This phrase is found throughout The Book of Mormon, D&C, and the Old and New Testiment. The message is that the spirit of God dwelleth not in unholy temples. That is why it is so important for us to remain faithful and true so that Heavenly Father's spirit can be with us. He is our father and our creator. He is the one that parted the red sea and made the exodus of Egypt possible. He is the one where all blessings come from. He is the one who made it possible for Nephi to slay Laban. He is the one who protected the 2,000 stripling warriors of Helaman and allowed none to die. He is the one from whom the prophet recieves revalation. He is the one we pray to in the name of the savior each day. He is the one who knows everything about us and loves us with all his might. He is the only one, true, almighty God of us all. And as long as we are righteous he will dwell within us. This is my testimony, and I say it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Faith

I recently read Either chapter 12. I love it. Moroni states in verse 6, "I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

Sometimes, when faced with a decision or when I'm about to act on an impression, I just wish I could see the outcome -- that I could know how things will end up, or that everything is going to work out. But if the Lord always showed us the path from the beginning to the end, then that would take away our chance to exercise faith.

Alma and Amulek didn't know that the prison would tumble to the ground and they would walk out alive and free (vs 13). Nephi and Lehi didn't know that the Lamanites would indeed change their hearts and become converted (vs 14). Ammon and the sons of Mosiah didn't know that they would see such great miracles come to pass among the Lamanite people (vs. 15). "and neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith" (vs 18).

I have had numerous experiences where I wanted to keep the commandments, but I didn't know how it would work out. For example in choosing not to work on a school project on Sunday, or choosing to read my scriptures in the morning even when I was tired and my time to study for an exam was limited, or choosing to leave the theater even though all of my friends stayed. Would I get the project done? Would I pass the test? Would my friends still talk to me?

All I can say is that in every case the Lord has stepped in and taken care of me. He has far exceeded any expectations, and through His power I was given the strength I needed. I have seen miracles come to pass. I know with all my heart that the same Lord who tumbled down the walls of the prison, who parted the Red Sea, who shut the mouths of lions, is the same Lord who will stand by us today. It takes faith in Him. We have to believe that He is there, that He is able, and that He will even work miracles for US! And He will... after the trial of our faith.

It Mattereth Not; I Am Not Angry

I am always amazed when I read Pahoran's reply to Moroni's scathing epistle to him. As wonderful a man as Moroni was, he was very passionate and, in this case, his passion caused him to come to the wrong conclusion. Moroni assumes that since Parhoran as the governor is not sending more food and men to Moroni's struggling army that Pahoran is neglecting them. Moroni threatens that he will come and take down Pahoran and the government and accuses him of being a traitor.

Little does Moroni know that Pahoran is being attack by rebel Nephites and is on the run and in no position to help out. After being falsely accused by Moroni, Pahoran has every right to be angry with Moroni. But instead what does he say? In Moroni 61:9 he says:

"And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart."

What an amazing response! We can all take a lesson about forgiveness from Pahoran. Not only does he not get angry at Moroni, he actually praises him for the greatness of his heart. We would all be better off if, when we may have reason to be mad at someone for what they did to us, just forgive and say "it mattereth not (it doesn't really matter)."

Oaths and Covenants

(Alma 62:16)... they[ the Nephites] caused them[ the Lamanites] to enter into a covenant that they would no more take up their weapons of war against the Nephites. (Alma 62:17) And when they had entered into this covenant they sent them to dwell with the people of Ammon, and they were in number about four thousand who had not been slain.

I just found it remarkable that back then someone could make an oath and no matter what, they would stay true to their word. Like this instance, the Lamanites make an oath that they will not fight against the Nephites, the Nephites let them go and the Lamanites don't try to attack them any longer. We just don't have this in our world today, people cheat, they lie, they break promises, they take advantage of others, but it is our responsibility to be the example for our fellow men by not doing the things which are dishonest. It is my testimony that if we all remained faithfull to our word and helped guide others along their way, we would all be blessed and would't have to bear the grief of being cheated. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

And They Are Happy

I had the opportunity last week of performing my first marriage as bishop. A wedding is a celebration and I was happy to be a part of it. I was able to search the scriptures and the words of the modern-day prophets to find words of advice and encouragement for the new couple.

Then I thought that I may at some time be in a position to conduct a funeral. I wondered what words of encouragement to give the grieving family. What scriptures might help in that occasion?

I found one this week in the so-called "war chapters" of Alma. It talked about how the army of Antipus was so glad to be joined by the army of Helaman because Antipus' army "had been reduced by the Lamanites because their forces had slain a vast number of our men, for which we have cause to mourn." Then here is the verse that stood out to me in Alma 56:11:

"Nevertheless, we may console ourselves in this point, that they have died in the cause of their country and of their God, year, and they are happy."

While it is appropriate to mourn when we lose loved ones, as did the Nephites, we too can console ourselves that, the person who died is happy if they lived a righteous life. It also gives me motivation to live a life in the service of God so when the time comes I will be prepared.

Sometimes We Stand Alone

In Mormon 8, we learn that Mormon the prophet has been killed by the Lamanites and that Moroni is left behind to tell the "sad tale of the destruction of [his] people". He says "I even remain alone" (vs.3), "whither I go it mattereth not" (4), "I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go..." (5).

I think these are some of the lonelinest verses in all of scripture. I can't imagine losing all of my family, and not having any friends. I can't imagine not knowing what is going to happen to me and being surrounded by enemies seeking my life. Yet he moved forward in faith and finished his work. His final touches at the end of the Book of Mormon include some of the most moving passages in the Book of Mormon; he included the story of Ether and the Brother of Jared. He taught us about charity, using the spirit in making decisions, the gifts of the Spirit, the words of the Sacrament prayers, what it takes to be perfected in Christ. And yet he was alone. Hopelessly alone.

I think in our lives we are constantly faced with choices: do I go with the flow of what every one else is doing? Do I follow my friends into this movie? Do I sit in silence listening to a teacher talk critically about our religion? Do I allow others to cheat off my paper? Do I stay at this party? OR do I take a stand? Do I speak up? Do I turn around and walk away? Even if it means that I stand alone?

I hope that as we face these decisions, we will remember Moroni, who stands majestically atop our temples, yet he stands up there alone. God has a work for us too. Doing what is right is not always easy or popular, but we will never regret walking the straight and narrow path. Jesus Christ walked the lonelinest of roads so that we do not have to walk alone. He will walk beside us even when there is no one else.