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)