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.

Are we there yet?

Do you ever wonder why Lehi's family had to return several times to Jerusalem after they had left?  I'm thinking that there may have been multiple reasons (in addition to getting the plates from Laban).  Some ideas:

1. Did the Lord want to give Laman and Lemuel an opportunity to step it up, stop murmuring, and be part of the family?  Obviously they failed the test, but is it a reminder for us that the Lord will give us multiple opportunities to do the right thing?
2. Was it to help Nephi, who seems always to have been the good kid, recognize his own faith, obedience, and love for the Lord?
3. Was it a test for Lehi and Sariah to see how they would respond as the Lord asked ever more from them? First to leave their home and wealth, then to travel in the wilderness, then to send their boys back into hostile territory. . .
4. Were these trips back to Jerusalem necessary to cement family relationships and loyalties prior to their long journey to the promised land?

Also wondering what would have happened to the story if Laman and Lemuel had just returned to Jerusalem and stayed there?  They would have been destroyed when the city was destroyed.  Without the Lamanites, would the Nephites have had a different outcome?

I think the family needed to stay together because that's what families are supposed to do.  We give each other the benefit of the doubt, we support and encourage each other, we help each other, we forgive each other. . .  Everyone has their own agency and can choose their responses to any given situation.  Maybe the sheer meanness of Laman and Lemuel help us see the things out of alignment in our own lives and encourage us to do better.

What do you think?

Favorite Study Resources

I am loving the seminary and institute study guides for the Book of Mormon.  Both are available online.  Go to www.seminary.lds.org or www.institute.lds.org.  Look for a course list, then select the manual you want.

We (Mark & I) usually read first from the Book of Mormon, and then go back to the study guide for additional insight, and occasionally re-read certain verses if we've missed something.  The questions are good for discussion.

Best of all?  These are free when you view them online or download them.