1 Nephi 9

When I first started reading this chapter, I almost stated zoning out. I have read it several times; I know what it is about. However, as I continued to read, the spirit touched me with an understanding that was just for me today.

Just recently, I asked the Lord, "What Lack I Yet?" It's a phrase spoken by a rich young ruler during the Savior's time in the New Testament. For years, I have been impressed to WRITE--write about my impressions while reading the scriptures, write about my personal experiences, and write about the Lord's blessings in my daily life. When I asked the Lord what I lacked, the distinct impression came that I needed to write how the Lord was blessing me. It is something I have started and stopped for years. I always start out with a strong determination, but then slowly fade. This morning as I was reading chapter 9, a verse touched my heart. It reads, "Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not. But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning ; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men..." I want to follow all that the Lord prompts me to do. My flesh is weak; however, I know that with the Lord--I can do all things. And so I pray again today, for His helping hand, and I start anew with the desire to follow my Savior.

1 Nephi 8

Lehi was desirous that Laman and Lamuel also partake of the fruit, so he looked for them, and he beckoned them to come, but they would not. I think about this scenario as a parent, and I think how I beckon to my children to come; however, ultimately it is up to them to choose the pathway of happiness. I cannot force them. I can only imagine how Lehi felt as a loving parent to see his two sons turn away from something he knew was right. I can only imagine the heartache he must have felt as he pleaded for them to come. Later in the story, he describes how he had seen this vision to them, and he admonishes them to not allow it to come to pass. I can—again—only imagine what it must have been like to see his children turn from the Gospel.

In today’s world, there are so many issues that can cause confusion. People are leaving the church because of hurt feelings and misunderstandings. Testimonies are weakened, and confusion is rampant. I keep testifying to my children to hold to the scriptures. I have complete faith that as we study the scriptures, we will be able to see more clearly. The scriptures are the very rod in which Lehi beckoned his boys to grasp a hold. As we do as Lehi directs, I know that the “world”—no matter how uncertain it may seem—cannot tear us away from our testimonies. As we study, we will know, and as we know—we cannot be moved. 

On another thought but somewhat similar--I like the description in verse 21 and 24 of those who held to the rod. The words "pressing forward" and "clinging" were used. I think in order for us to hold to the truths we know to be true we must PRESS and CLING. It's not going to be an idol participation, but rather a whole heart and soul action. I hope and pray that I will PRESS and CLING, and not only myself--but my sweet family will too.

New Testament Lesson 39 "For Perfecting of the Saints"

Lesson 39: “For the Perfecting of the Saints”

1.   What do the thread and the rope have in common? (Both are made of fibers or strands of material.) 

2.   How are they different? (The thread is a single strand, while the rope is made of many strands woven together.) 

3.   Explain: Like the piece of thread, we are weak when we depend on ourselves. However, like the rope, we can be stronger when we are united with others in faith and righteousness. In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul emphasized the importance of “perfecting … the saints” and reaching a “unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:12–13). This lesson discusses HOW as families and as a Church we can work toward perfection and unity by trusting in the Savior, following the apostles and prophets, developing strong families, and putting on the whole armor of God. (List these four things on the Board.)

THE DISPENSATION of TIMES

1.   Explain: To introduce these ways of unity, first we must talk about Paul’s instruction in the first chapter of Ephesians where Paul spoke of “the dispensation of the fullness of times”.

2.   Read: Ephesians 1:10

3.   Explain: In the Bible Dictionary it reads: A dispensation of the gospel is a period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the holy priesthood and the keys, and who has a divine commission to dispense the gospel to the inhabitants of the earth. When this occurs, the gospel is revealed anew, so that people of that dispensation do not have to depend basically on past dispensations for knowledge of the plan of salvation (See Bible Dictionary, “Dispensations,” 657-58).

4.   Explain: The dispensation of the fullness of times began with the restoration of the gospel and organization of the Church through Joseph Smith.

5.   President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “You and I are experiencing the profound and wonderful blessings of the dispensation of the fullness of times. In this day and time there have been restored to the earth all of the principles, powers, blessings, and keys of all previous dispensations” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 98; or Ensign, May 1992, 70).

6.   What blessings do we enjoy in this dispensation?

Jesus Christ as our Cornerstone

1.   Explain: Paul explains the difference in People who accept Christ and People who Don’t as we read these next two verses, look for those differences

2.   Read: Ephesians 2:12

3.   Read: Ephesians 2:19

4.   Watch Video: A demonstrations of these two differences—as we watch, look for these differences: A Secure Anchor

5.   What impressed you about this message? What does this video teach us about anchoring ourselves in Christ?

6.   Explain: In verse 20, Paul explains how the people who accepted Christ—as does this video—are built upon Christ’s anchor or cornerstone.

7.   Read: Ephesians 2:20

8.   What did Paul mean by Jesus being the chief cornerstone? (A cornerstone is a foundation stone placed at a corner where two walls meet. The cornerstone is essential for the strength and unity of the structure.)

9.   How do we make Christ our chief cornerstone?

a.       Christ has given us apostles and prophets to guide us in this endeavor.

b.      Read: Ephesians 4: 11-14

10.    President Boyd K. Packer taught: “The ministry of the prophets and apostles leads them ever and always to the home and the family. … The ultimate purpose of all we teach is to unite parents and children in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they are happy at home, sealed in an eternal marriage, linked to their generations, and assured of exaltation in the presence of our Heavenly Father” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 8; or Ensign, May 1995, 8).

a.       What are some teachings from latter-day apostles and prophets that help us progress toward perfection and unity? Past Conference?

11.    Paul explains in Ephesians 4:3 that we should endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit. As we unite ourselves with Christ, we do work towards perfection.

Unity between Husband and Wife and between Parents and Children

1.       Read: Ephesians 5:22-29

2.       What does Paul counsel wives to do in order to create marital unity?

3.       What does Paul counsel husbands to do in order to create marital unity?

4.       President Spencer W. Kimball taught:  “Can you find in all the holy scriptures where the Lord Jesus Christ ever failed his church? … Was he faithful? Was he true? Is there anything good and worthy that he did not give? Then that is what we ask—what he asks of a husband. …

“… Can you think of how he loved the Church? Its every breath was important to him. Its every growth, its every individual, was precious to him. He gave to those people all his energy, all his power, all his interest. He gave his life—what more could one give?” (Men of Example [address delivered to religious educators, 12 Sept. 1975], 4–5).

5.       If husbands and wives relationships are compared to Christ and His church, what are some ways in which we can build unity?

6.       Read: Ephesians 6: 1-4

7.       Tad R. Callister taught: “We might all ask ourselves: do our children receive our best spiritual, intellectual, and creative efforts, or do they receive our leftover time and talents, after we have given our all to our Church calling or professional pursuits? In the life to come, I do not know if titles such as bishop or Relief Society president will survive, but I do know that the titles of husband and wife, father and mother, will continue and be revered, worlds without end. That is one reason it is so important to honor our responsibilities as parents here on earth so we can prepare for those even greater, but similar, responsibilities in the life to come.”

“As parents, we can proceed with the assurance God will never leave us alone. God never gives us a responsibility without offering divine aid—of that I can testify” (Tad R. Callister, “Parents: The Prime Gospel Teachers of Their Children, October 2014).

8.       As we unify our relationships with our husbands, wives and children, we work towards perfection.

Putting on “the new man” and “the whole armour of God”

1.   Read:  Ephesians 4: 21-24

2.   What did Paul mean when he encouraged the Ephesians to “put on the new man”?

3.   Explain: Paul is now going to list characteristics of becoming new through the atonement. I invite you to underline his counsel in your scriptures.

4.   Read: Ephesians 4: 25-32

5.   What are some characteristics you noticed?

6.   Explain: Paul continues in chapter 6 to exhort the people to become new by putting on the whole armor of God.

7.   Read: Ephesians 6:10-12

8.   What kind of spiritual wickedness do we face in this life?

9.   Read: 13-18 (Verse 13 holds a promise)

10.      President N. Eldon Tanner taught: President N. Eldon Tanner (1898–1982), First Counselor in the First Presidency, observed that “those who are clothed in such armor, which means keeping all the commandments of God, are able to withstand the adversary.”

He continued: “Are we studying the scriptures so that we can increase our knowledge and faith and testimony regarding the gospel? … Are we honest and truthful in our dealings? Do we keep the Sabbath day holy? Do we observe the Word of Wisdom? Do we pay an honest tithing? … Are we virtuous and clean and pure in heart and mind and deed?

“Do we fight against the evils around us … ? Do we have the courage to stand up for our convictions? Can we truly say we are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ? Do we live peaceably with our neighbors and avoid gossip and backbiting and spreading unfounded rumors? Do we truly love our neighbors as ourselves?

“If we can answer yes to these questions, then we will have on the whole armor of God, which will protect us from harm and preserve us from our enemies” (“‘Put on the Whole Armor of God,’” Ensign, May 1979, 44, 46).

11.    What can we do to put on this armor every day?

a.       Personal Experience with scripture study: Hailey going to which school and Amber explaining her feelings of reading before school.

12.    Video: Come Unto Christ

13.    Object Lesson: Oranges

14.    CHART: Robert D. Hales taught: We have the responsibility to stand strong with a shield of faith against the fiery darts of the adversary. WE are role models to the world, protecting God-given, inalienable rights and freedoms. We stand in defense of our homes and our families…How will you resist [Satan’s] aggressive tactics? Put on the whole armor of God” (Elder Robert D. Hales, “Stand Strong in Holy Places”, April 2013 General Conference).

As we put on the armor of God, we will be on the pathway to perfection.

Conclusion: AS we trust in the Savior, following the apostles and prophets, develop strong families, and put on the whole armor of God, we will be on the pathway to perfection. I know that our Heavenly Father does not expect perfection from us. However, I know that He desires our best efforts. For me, it means everything to know that as I strive to rely on my Savior, I can have confidence that all will be well—no matter my imperfections. AS, I trust in him, I will be on that pathway of righteousness, and all His promised blessings will be mine.

IN speaking about these chapters Elder Utchdorf said, “Does the Spirit of God dwell in your hearts? Are you “rooted and grounded” in the love of God and of your fellowmen? Do you devote sufficient time and creativity to bringing happiness to your marriage and family? Do you give your energies to the sublime goal of comprehending and living “the breadth, and length, and depth, and height”⁹ of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ?” (Dieter F. Utchdorf, “Lord is it I”, October 2014).

Moroni 7

This chapter had so many nuggets of truth is hard to know where to begin:

In verse 12 we learn that "all things which are good cometh of God". I love this statement, because of its simplicity.  ALL things good=from God. ALL THINGS. On this statement Moroni expounds his thoughts when he says in verse 13, "that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."

I also like that in verse 16 it explains that "the Spirit of Christ" is given to every man, that he may know good from evil. In this life, we will need that spirit to be with us. There are many things inviting us to "do" to "come"--things that need to be discerned through the Spirit of Christ. I have watched with sadness as people--I love--have fallen away from the church. I believe it is because they focused on things that were not important. Much like the Jews in Jerusalem, they have focused beyond the mark of the Savior. Jacob, in The Book of Mormon, explains this when he says, "the Jews...despised the words of plainness,...and sought the things they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken sway his plainness from them..." (Jacob 4: 14). Neal A Maxwell explains, "The gospel is plain and simple. The Jews rejected the simple gospel and God's plan by "'looking beyond the mark' (Jacob 4:14)--the mark of Christ who is the center of it all" (Neal A. Maxwell, "Not My Will, But Thine," 7).

We continue to learn that "it is by faith that miracles are wrought " (vs. 37), "no man can be saved...save they shall have faith" (vs. 38), "he (the man) cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart" (vs. 43), and "if a man be meek and lowly of heart...he must needs have charity for if not charity he is nothing" (vs. 44).

We also learn what it means to have charity in verse 45 when it says, "charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things endureth all things. I love this description or this checklist--so to speak--of charity. My mind works in formulas and checklists. As I read through this checklist, I notice similarities to the 13 article of faith. I also notice the importance to seek the good and positive in life. Just recently I have learned a lesson on charity that I hope to never forget:

I haven't been here for a while. It's not that I don't have more to say, but perhaps I've needed time...

Today I am writing about Brandon again. I was recently informed of someone speaking in a sacrament meeting about service. In his talk, he spoke of my little brother, and the example Brandon had been to him. I just received the talk, and it has caused me to reflect on life.

I always knew the things that this person shared of Brandon, but I was too busy to really "see". As I have contemplated his divine nature, I have wondered if I am neglecting an important portion of loving the people around me--if I am not taking the time to bask in their light. I think--as a mom, it is easy to always correct my children with behaviors that need correcting, and easy to neglect to praise the good. I think I am missing the process of truly seeing others as God sees them. I think I have been defining others by their trials rather than their strengths, and I need to start defining others by their strengths and not by their trials--my children included. 

I remember on Brandon's frequent visits to my home, him taking a multitude of pills. I remember watching him as he counted out the various pills that he needed to sustain his life. I remember asking him about his medical condition, about his well-being (which quite often focused on his medical condition), and about his life in general. I remember anxiously asking him of his work--always afraid that another company would view his "medical" history to be too difficult to continue employing him. I remember watching him struggle as he talked. I remember hating that his vocal chords were ruined. It was difficult for Brandon to push enough air through his throat to speak. I often worried about other people judging Brandon's difficulties, and I desired to protect him from their scrutiny.Whenever Brandon came to visit, I thought often of his medical trials, but I forgot to enjoy the person Brandon truly was... In retrospect, in my effort of protecting Brandon, I became the problem I desired to protect him against. Perhaps this is a story about loving a person entirely--the good and the bad. In my limited understanding previous to Brandon's passing, I was loving Brandon entirely; however, now--as I reflect on his life, I wonder if there could have been more charity, more love, and more joy if I had only taken the time to bask a bit in his great strengths? I wonder how I could have grown as a sister, and as a mother--if I had only allowed myself the opportunity of being the student rather than being the teacher all of the time?

Seeing people for their good qualities is a gift. This gift in which I speak is the gift of charity. Seeing others as they truly are is a lesson that will not be lost on me. 

The TALK (or a portion of it) by Greg Slevin about Brandon Elkington:

(Greg worked as a pharmacist at a Camp where Brandon was a counselor.):

Brandon was another person I met at Camp.  He was also a counselor, who had type 1 diabetes.  He was about 20 something.  Unlike Zach--Brandon also had another condition.  One of the things that the pharmacy students and I do on the Saturday that we get to camp is to set up the infirmary and package all of the staff medications in bubble packs.  The first time I met Brandon was when I was helping a student package his medications.  Not only was Brandon cursed with Type 1 diabetes--he also had another auto-immune condition that affected his other organs.  His own body would attack his other organs.  He was on some very powerful medications to prevent this from happening.  When you take powerful medications there are always side effects, sometimes powerful side effects.  He had multiple things going on that he dealt with every single day.  I can tell you that I have never seen Brandon with anything on his face other than a smile.  He was always positive.  You would never have known that he was battling multiple diseases.  He would often be giggling with a friend on the other side of the room and you would just wonder what they were talking about.  He had a gift.  Like Zach, he would do anything to help you out.  He wouldn’t even hesitate.  Didn’t care what it was.  If you asked for help he would just jump up out of his seat and say let’s go.  When I was helping to prepare for camp, I was surprised to not see his name on the roster this year.  We had talked the previous year and he thought for sure that he would be coming to camp this year.  I just assumed something came up.  It was certainly not uncommon for people to miss a year.  Sometimes if someone can’t come for the entire week they get permission to come for part of a week.  Their name may not always be on the roster.  It could have been that he was in the "maybe column"--that he hadn’t committed yet.  The roster always changes right up until camp.  Sometimes even during camp people have to go home for an unexpected reason.  At teen camp Saturday evening, we had just finished getting the medical stuff set up, and all of us headed to the lodge for staff meeting and training.  One of the first things that Alan, our camp director, said was that he had to make an announcement.  He wanted to let us know that Brandon had died.  He ended up getting a respiratory infection… I think it was the flu.  Because Brandon had to take medications to prevent his body from attacking his other organs, he could not fight infection very well.  I really don’t know a lot of the details.  I didn’t know that it had happened.  Many of the others there had known.  I was in shock.  Brandon was such a nice guy.  Brandon lived in eastern Idaho, so I didn’t really know him that well.  I just knew him one week out of the year, and can tell you he has had a tremendous effect on my life.  It is people like him and Zach that make it easy for me to be positive when I am performing service.  My words don’t even come close to describing him.  When I got back from camp, I tried to learn more about what had happened to him.  When I went to his Facebook page there were hundreds of people that had commented about him.  This is what they had to say:  1) He was truly a gift of God.   2) He is an example of the sort of positive influence that I hope to be.  3) Brandon was a great guy and a true friend to everyone he came across.  4) He was such a fun loving guy.  5) I had only a few brief interactions with Brandon. I remember being impressed with his unrelenting optimism in the face of great difficulty.  6) With the many struggles that had come your way you fought threw it, always smiling anytime I saw you. 7) You were a man people could count on, always willing to help others before yourself.  8) What an amazing guy you were! So full of life and fun!  9) He has always been so strong and a friend to everyone.  10) His kind, sunny personality will be greatly missed. The messages went on and on.  There were Hundreds of messages.  I do believe that Brandon stands blameless before God.