Asking in Humility

As I read last night in 1 Nephi chapter 15, I had a few insights that I’d like to write down. In the beginning of the chapter, Nephi talks about how, after he saw a vision about the tree of life, he returned to the tent of his father to find his brothers disputing over his father’s words. Nephi said, “For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought” (1 Nephi 15:3).

Nephi inquired of his brethren the reason for their contentions. They responded saying, “Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken…” (1 Nephi 15:7). And Nephi said unto them, “Have ye inquired of the Lord?” (1 Nephi 15:8). The reason for their misunderstanding becomes evident in their response, “We have not; the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us” (1 Nephi 15:9).

Laman and Lemuel lacked faith. In spite of all they had been taught, in spite of all the miracles they had seen, in spite of an angel of God coming to speak to them, they still doubted the validity of God. Because they lacked faith, they didn’t take the time to ask Heavenly Father, assuming that He wouldn’t answer them. Was this an excuse? Were they just lazy?

There are ways that we all are like Laman and Lemuel. At times, we fail to call on our Heavenly Father for answers or for clarification. However, Nephi provides a way for us all to improve, “Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said? – If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you” (1 Nephi 15:11).

I know that Heavenly Father is there and wants to bless us, but we must choose to come unto Him through our words and our actions. If we are doing out part, in His own time, He will clarify any questions we have concerning the gospel or our lives.

This Morning's Scattered Bullet Points...

Here are some thoughts as I read in Doctrine & Covenants, Section 5:
*Heavenly Father has provided a wonderful plan for us!
*The most important gift of that plan is that we have the ability to receive eternal life.
*In addition to that supreme gift, He provides us with other gifts along the way. He provides us with peace and comfort. He provides us with earthly and spiritual comforts and knowledge.
*How can people say that God doesn’t love us, or that there isn’t a God, when it is evident in everything around us? How ungrateful can people be to say that there is no God?
*People struggle with finding the purpose of this life, if there be any. We’re blessed with the knowledge that there is a God and He has masterfully created a plan for us. The odds are stacked on our side. We only have to do our best, to overcome our faults and mistakes, in order to return to Him. Sure, life isn’t always easy, but God is there to love and protect us, if we are living worthy of that love and protection.

Thoughts as I read 1 Nephi chapter 6:
*The scriptures are important… Nephi states that his purpose in writing is to persuade men to come unto God. He also says that he “will give a commandment unto [his] seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men” (1 Nephi 6:6). The scriptures are important to us in our day to provide knowledge, strength, and comfort. We need to use them in order to have power in our lives, for knowledge (especially spiritual knowledge) is truly power.

Easter's Reminder of the Comfort Jesus Provides

Here are some thoughts about Easter I wrote in my journal:

Today is Easter Sunday, and as such, I’d like to talk my Savior. I’m am eternally indebted and grateful for His atoning sacrifice. I know that He died for me and loves me. I listened to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s recent talk about Jesus Christ and his complete (and then some!) understanding of us because of His infinite atonement. He felt lonely and pain such that we’ll never feel. He went through so much in his short 34 years that we will NEVER have to experience. And he did it all so that we might live. He did it all for the glory of others, not for himself. It’s amazing and unfathomable to me that He gave his life for everyone around Him, save himself. “Glory be to God,” he said. He was the most selfless person that walked the earth and He invites us to partake of His atonement, to utilize that power in our lives so that we can be comforted, so that we can hope. I know that my Redeemer lives. He loves me as an individual. I thank my God for that sacrifice of His son. I know that allowing His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON to die feeling utterly alone was difficult, but He allowed it to happen because God loves us. He saw the bigger picture. He knew what the outcome would be. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for thy love, for thy care, for this atonement that provides me with hope, strength, and the gift of eternal life. I am trying my best to live up to the gift I’ve been given.

Praise for General Conference

Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for General Conference this past weekend. Like many, General Conference always seems to happen exactly when I need the spiritual sustenance it provides without fail. I am thankful for the leaders of our church who prayed and studied laboriously to create messages Heavenly Father wanted ME to hear. I downloaded all of the talks on Sunday and created CDs. I'm excited to listen to these messages over and over to remind myself how I can better my life and draw closer to my Heavenly Father and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Here are some talks I particularly enjoyed:

*Elder Robert D. Hale's talk on overcoming debt- This is something I've really been working on this year. Although I only have a car loan and student loans to pay, I feel the need to be careful of my spending in order to save and have no debt. This talk was very insightful and provided a good guide for me (as well as for Evan and I together) to determine that I will not spend my money on things that I don't need to.

*Elder D. Todd Christopherson's talk on keeping our covenants- I am preparing to go to the temple to receive my endowments this year. Recently, I've really been contemplating and praying about the temple. This talk helped me to see the power that is given to those who make AND KEEP sacred covenants with Heavenly Father.

*Along those same lines were two talks about the temple, Elder David A. Bednar's talk (see posting about last general conference) and Elder Gary E. Stevenson's talk. As Elder Bednar would say, these two talks in particular were a tender mercies from the Lord. He knew what I needed to hear about the temple, He knew that I needed Elder Bednar to speak about the temple. I gained so much power, strength, and understanding because of these words. I know that, as Elder Bednar said, there is protecting power in the covenants made and kept in the temple. And that, as Elder Stevenson said, we are never lost (proverbially) when we can see the temple.

There are a million other talks I also loved... Elder Holland's talk on the Savior's atonement and how because he suffered, He can now help us to NEVER feel alone. Or, President Uchtdorf's talk on the path of discipleship. Elder Oaks talk about service and love also inspired me to look outside of myself to work on improving the charity I have for others.

Time will not allow me to mention all of the insights I gained from general conference. I do want to say that I know that these men and women are called of God to lead our church in these latter days. I know that President Monson is a prophet of God. I appreciate his words, his cautions, and his guidance, for I know that they come from God, Our Heavenly Father. I want to adhere my life to the principles mentioned during conference. I hope that little by little I can progress as I try to so do.

Beginning Again...

Here are some thoughts as I’m reading in 1st Nephi, chapter 1 this morning:
*Because Nephi’s parents taught him well, he was able to have faith in his father’s words.
*Nephi’s father, Lehi, expressed exceedingly LOVE and faith as he prayed for his people. Because of this great love and faith, he was able to feel the spirit and see a vision.
*Version 14 Lehi says to the Lord, “Because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!” I have faith that this is true in our lives still today. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will not spare us from suffering and trials, but I do know that they will be there to guide us and comfort us along the way.
*In verse 18, Lehi goes forth prophesying unto the people of the things he saw. Imagine how hard this would be! I bet Joseph Smith related to this passage of scripture particularly because he understood what it meant to proclaim to the people the vision you had, even though people mocked and scorned.
*They were able to do this because “the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Nephi 1:20). Heavenly Father delivered Joseph Smith time and again just as He delivered Lehi from death in Jerusalem. Heavenly Father also will provide tender mercies for us as we strive to follow Him and do what He has asked us to do, in spite of the hardships that may arise because of it.

End of Another Journey

I finished The Book of Mormon a few days ago. Finishing The Book of Mormon is always anti-climactic for me. I always think that there will be fireworks and a a large celebration springing out of The Book of Mormon as I read through Moroni's final admonitions. None of those things happened this time. What did happen is a renewed peace and knowledge that The Book of Mormon is true. I love this book. I love its words and the comfort they provide in my life. The admonitions in The Book of Mormon on how to live a better life help me to improve and to be more charitable. I am grateful for this book and the opportunity that I have to read it again and again. Each time I read it, I realize something new. Here's to another beginning of The Book of Mormon!