A Conference Feast

We spent Saturday and Sunday at the church watching conference with a few other individuals and families and it was GREAT!  To encourage our home and visiting teaching families to attend conference (and to remind them about conference in case it had fallen off their radar), we took each family a loaf a bread with a quote from 2 Nephi 32:3 (which also happens to be a scripture mastery scripture).

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.  Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."

The challenge this week, if you choose to accept it, is to join me in memorizing this scripture.  My personal challenge is that I will do a better job feasting from the scriptures, and not just snacking. Part of that feast includes continuing to listen to and study from the conference talks.  They all are available at lds.org (look for a link to general conference).  It's amazing what I can learn when I allow the Holy Ghost to teach me.

Love,

Lori

Scripture Mastery

Elder Richard G. Scott said, "I suggest that you memorize scriptures that touch your heart and fill your soul with understanding.  When scriptures are used as the Lord has caused them to be recorded, they have intrinsic power that is not communicated when paraphrased.  Sometimes when there is a significant need in my life, I review mentally scriptures that have given me strength.  There is great solace, direction, and power that flow from the scriptures, especially the words of the Lord"  (Ensign, November 1999, 87-88).

When was the last time you memorized a scripture?  I will admit that, although I've had good intentions, I've slacked off on this aspect of my scripture study.  So I'm beginning anew with the scripture mastery list from seminary.  You'll recognize many of these scriptures from the list that follows.  My goal is to memorize 1 scripture a week, beginning now. Anyone care to join me?

First scripture:  1 Nephi 3:7
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Book of Mormon Scripture Mastery List

1 Nephi 3:7  I will go and do what the Lord commands.
1 Nephi 19:23  I did liken all scriptures unto us.
2 Nephi 2:25  Adam fell that men might be.
2 Nephi 2:27  Men are free to choose liberty or death.
2 Nephi 9:28-29  To be learned is good if you hearken to the counsels of God.
2 Nephi 28:7-9  Many will say: Eat, drink and be merry.
2 Nephi 32:3  Feast upon the words of Christ.
2 Nephi 32:8-9  Pray always, and do not faint.
Jacob 2:18-19  Before ye seek for riches, seek the kingdom of God.
Mosiah 2:17  When you serve your fellow beings you serve God.
Mosiah 3:19  The natural man is an enemy to God.
Mosiah 4:30  Watch your thoughts, words, and deeds.
Alma 32:21  Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things.
Alma 34:32-34  This life is the time to prepare to meet  God.
Alma 37:6-7  By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.
Alma 37:35  Learn wisdom in thy youth; keep the commandments of God.
Alma 41:10  Wickedness never was happiness.
Helaman 5:12 Build your foundation on the rock of the Redeemer.
3 Nephi 11:29  Contention is of the devil.
3 Nephi 27:27  What manner of men should you be?
Ether 12:6  There is no witness until after the trial of your faith.
Ether 12:27  Then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
Moroni 7:16-17  I show unto you the way to judge.
Moroni 7:45  Charity suffereth long, and is kind.
Moroni 10:4-5  And when ye shall receive these things, ask God.

Applying our Hearts

In Mosiah 12, Abinadi is speaking to the priests of King Noah.  The priests are attempting to trap Abinadi into saying something for which he could be imprisoned.  Abinadi tells them that, as priests, they should know the answers to the questions they are asking him.

Then in verses 26 and 27, Abinadi says, "For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord.  Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise.  Therefore, what teach ye this people?"

Perhaps because I was pondering on what to teach in a fireside when I heard these scriptures, they hit me with more force than I recall feeling in the past.  The bottom line, for me, is that we need to apply our hearts to understanding the counsel we receive from our prophets and leaders - whether it's from the scriptures, Ensign, general conference, or bishop.  Then, when we know the truth, we need to apply it in our own lives and teach it to those for whom we have responsibility.

Love. . .

The word "love" appears 60 times in the Book of Mormon.  In honor of Valentine's Day (Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!), here are a few of my favorite scriptures - from the Book of Mormon, of course - that include the word Love.  What scriptures would you add?

2 Nephi 1:15  But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.


2 Nephi 9:40  O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.


2 Nephi 31:20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.


Jacob 3:2  O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.


Mosiah 3:19  For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.


Mosiah 4:15  But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.


Mosiah 18:21 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.

Clinging vs. Holding Fast

In 1 Nephi 8 we read about Lehi's vision of the tree of life. From numerous Sunday School, Primary, and YM/YW lessons, we know that the iron rod represents the Word of God. By holding to the rod we will be led to the tree of life which represents the love of God or the Savior.

There are two different groups of people who follow the iron rod to the tree.

In 1 Nephi 8:24 "And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree." But then in vs. 28 we read that "after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost."

The next group (discussed in verse 30) ". . . came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree."

There's a footnote reference to the word "clinging" in verse 24 which refers to Diligence and Perseverance in the Topical Guide. The dictionary definition of "cling"is hold on tightly to. "Clinging" and "holding fast" mean the same thing. The outward behaviors or actions of both groups of people were the same. So something else has to be going on with the two different groups of people to result in two such opposite outcomes. Something in their hearts, perhaps? Their motivation?

Clinging to the rod of iron, for the first group, was their temporal security. They knew there were obstacles ahead of them and that the rod would get them safely through the mists of darkness and past the river. Without faith and without a testimony of what they were clinging to, they didn't recognize their destination when they arrived at the tree, and they allowed themselves to turn their back on salvation and head toward the great and spacious building. The second group, however, knew that the rod of iron was their spiritual security and would lead to their salvation. And while it got them past the dangers, the important thing is that it led them to something eternally important, even the love of God. They knew the Lord, and they recognized Him when they arrived.

God loved us, so he sent his Son,

Christ Jesus, the atoning One,

To show us by the path he trod

The one and only way to God.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

With all the energies of my soul...

In 1 Nephi 15, Nephi is teaching his brothers (Laman and Lemuel), who asked about the meaning of Lehi's dream.

vs. 23 And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?

vs. 24 And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.

vs. 25 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things.

Verse 24 gives us the blessings of holding on to the rod. And then in verse 25, Nephi gives us a model for teaching those that just don't seem to "get it." He exhorted with "all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed." We probably all have those among us who just don't get it. I wonder if I am exhorting with all the energies of my soul and with all the faculties I possess to teach these principles? Even though I teach, and teach, and teach, I think I need to step it up, never give up, and dig deeper to reach into all the energies of MY soul and to tap into all the faculties I possess.

I think verse 25 has just become my new model and example to use when training the Relief Society teachers and leaders in their responsibilities.

Great Quotes about Reading the Book of Mormon

Ezra Taft Benson: “The moment you begin a serious study of [the Book of Mormon, you] will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. … When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 6; or Nov. 1986, 7).

Ezra Taft Benson: “The Book of Mormon … was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. … Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations. … If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6).

Ezra Taft Benson: “The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1975, 94–95; or Ensign, May 1975, 64).

President Spencer W. Kimball, the twelfth President of the Church, said:

"I stress. . . the deep need each woman has to study the scriptures. We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians - whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family.

"Regardless of your particular circumstances, as you become more and more familiar with the truths of the scriptures, you will be more and more effective in keeping the second great commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself.  Become scholars of the scriptures - not to put others down, but to lift them up! After all, who has any greater need to 'treasure up' the truths of the gospel (on which they may call in their moments of need) than do women and mothers who do so much nurturing and teaching?"

Please add additional quotes that inspire you to continue to read the Book of Mormon.