Ether 1

THE POWER OF PRAYER

I was touched as I read in the account of Ether today about the power of prayer. The brother of Jared continuously instructs his brother to ask of the Lord, and each time--the Lord answers. I was first impressed with the faith to seek the Lord, and second impressed with power of prayer. I keep thinking that because they first had the faith to seek the Lord, they must have had complete trust that the Lord would direct and answer.


Faith in the Lord is a powerful thing. There is a difference between believing in the Lord and believing that the Lord will direct our path. Many times in my life I lean more on the simply believing in the Lord, and then I go about my activities trying to accomplish all that I must without the Lord's divine intervention. It requires great faith to stop and realize how much better we would be with the Lord directing our path, and then to trust that He can and He will. It seems to me to be a circle of faith: to first have the faith to stop and counsel with the Lord, to then listen for His direction, and then to move froward with faith.

For me, I have the faith that this pattern in life works; however, I don't often use it. When I have exhausted all other scenarios, I then seem to turn to the Lord. Why not begin with the Lord? Why must I struggle on my own? I do believe the Lord trusts us in orchestrating our lives, but I don't think that means that we can't counsel with him in all things. In fact, in Nephi we are instructed to ...counsel with the Lord in all dealings...(1 Nephi 37:37).

At the end of this chapter two powerful messages seemed to cap off my original impressions. First, in verse 42 it states, "I will go before thee." This simply promise of the Lord reminds me that the Lord is willing to be with us. However, we must first seek Him in order to have that companionship. The second phrase that hit home was in verse 43 it states, "And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me." The Lord here tells us that He will bless us when we seek Him. When we choose to allow Him in to our lives, He will make things happen to our benefit, but WE MUST trust in Him enough to first ask.

Scriptures

This past year has been a journey unlike any other I have experienced. I think the last time I posted was right before I had a skiing accident. And although the skiing accident only resulted in a torn ACL, I still found myself in a trial that was manufactured for me. After 7 months of recovery, I am looking into the face of another surgery, and although that is hard too--my determination to face it is resolute. I know it is through the Lord, Jesus Christ, that we can be carried through all of our afflictions. He is the answer to all of our trials. As we turn to Him, He will carry us. He is our balm in Gilead.
Through this trial, I have often turned to my scriptures. I haven't recorded my impressions as I did in year's past; however, the scriptures have truly been a source of peace that my Savior has offered to me. As I have turned each page, my spirit has been lifted and carried. I have found peace and comfort. I have been healed with each new realization. I almost feel saddened that I didn't record this journey as I should have; however, I do testify now of my gratitude of the scriptures. I am so grateful. So very grateful.

2 Nephi 9

There is so much in this chapter that it is difficult to be able to touch on everything. The main idea of this chapter is the Plan of Salvation--God's plan for us. One thing that seems to stand out in my mind is verse 21:

And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

My heart rejoices as I read these scriptures. My heart is full towards my Savior. Because of Him, we can live again. Because of Him, we can be clean. Because of Him, we have eternal families. Because of Him, we are not captive to the devil, but rather we can have eternal life. Words cannot describe the miraculous atonement. I am so grateful to my Savior. My God. My King.

In counseling our hearts, I love how it reads in verse 39, "...Remember to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.

In verse 41 it reads, "O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it b by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name."

And in verse 42 it reads, "And whoso knocketh, to him will he open...

In verse 50, "Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price."

My Lord my God. I am so grateful for the condescension of my Savior. My heart is full. My heart rejoiceth. I am humbled, and I pray for His hand in my life.

1 Nephi 18

vs. 9: And after we had been driven forth before the wind for the space of many days, behold, my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and also their wives began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness, yea, even that they did forget by what power they had been brought thither; yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness.

Sometimes I think it easy to become casual in everything. The way we are and the way we act. Could we be so casual that at times our actions can be called rude? Perhaps.

In our home, fart jokes and burping occasionally exist. Is it so far stretched to assume that this kind of behavior invites the exit of the spirit? Could we ask ourselves to become more refined even in the seemingly unimportant things of life?

vs. 12 And it came to pass that after they had bound me insomuch that I could not move, the compass, which had been prepared of the Lord, did cease to work.

I love that the compass works according to their righteousness. Isn't that exactly what the scriptures do for us? And aren't the scriptures are compass?

Think about it. If we simply read the scriptures without any effort to absorb them into our lives, without any desire behind our reading--can they guide us? Perhaps. I'm sure there might be a case or two where this act of simply reading has changed hearts. However, can we argue that diving into the scriptures with full purpose of heart can serve as a guide for our lives? Could the scriptures then become a compass to us as we live righteously? It is our actions or our intents in which allow the things of the Lord to guide us. These things  are there. They exist. However, they only serve to our benefit when we open our hearts to the Lord.

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).