THE POWER OF SCRIPTURE -Ricard G. Scott

The Power of Scripture

Richard G. Scott
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

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Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high.

Those of us who come to this pulpit during conference feel the power of your prayers. We need them, and we thank you for them.

Our Father in Heaven understood that for us to make desired progress during our mortal probation, we would need to face difficult challenges. Some of these would be almost overpowering. He provided tools to help us be successful in our mortal probation. One set of those tools is the scriptures.

Throughout the ages, Father in Heaven has inspired select men and women to find, through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, solutions to life’s most perplexing problems. He has inspired those authorized servants to record those solutions as a type of handbook for those of His children who have faith in His plan of happiness and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We have ready access to this guidance through the treasure we call the standard works—that is, the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Because scriptures are generated from inspired communication through the Holy Ghost, they are pure truth. We need not be concerned about the validity of concepts contained in the standard works since the Holy Ghost has been the instrument which has motivated and inspired those individuals who have recorded the scriptures.

Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

The scriptures provide the strength of authority to our declarations when they are cited correctly. They can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar. They are always available when needed. Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost. Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world.

Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change. For example, committing to memory this psalm has been for me a source of power and understanding:

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

“For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

“He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation” (Psalm 24:1–5).

Pondering a scripture like that gives great direction to life. The scriptures can form a foundation of support. They can provide an incredibly large resource of willing friends who can help us. A memorized scripture becomes an enduring friend that is not weakened with the passage of time.

Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing.

Scriptures can communicate different meanings at different times in our life, according to our needs. A scripture that we may have read many times can take on nuances of meaning that are refreshing and insightful when we face a new challenge in life.

How do you personally use the scriptures? Do you mark your copy? Do you put notes in the margin to remember a moment of spiritual guidance or an experience that has taught you a profound lesson? Do you use all of the standard works, including the Old Testament? I have found precious truths in the pages of the Old Testament that are key ingredients to the platform of truth that guides my life and acts as a resource when I try to share a gospel message with others. For that reason, I love the Old Testament. I find precious jewels of truth spread throughout its pages. For example:

“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. …

“My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

“For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:5–7, 11–13).

The New Testament is also a source of diamond truth:

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

“This is the first and great commandment.

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

“And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

“And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. …

“But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

“And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

“And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

“And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

“And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

“And Peter went out, and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:31–34, 56–62).

How my heart aches for what happened to Peter on that occasion.

This scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants has blessed my life richly: “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men” (D&C 11:21).

In my judgment, the Book of Mormon teaches truth with unique clarity and power. For example:

“And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

“And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works” (Alma 7:23–24).

And another:

“And 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.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

“But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure” (Moroni 7:45–48).

My precious wife, Jeanene, loved the Book of Mormon. In her youth, as a teenager, it became the foundation of her life. It was a source of testimony and teaching during her full-time missionary service in the northwest United States. When we served in the mission field in Córdoba, Argentina, she strongly encouraged the use of the Book of Mormon in our proselytizing efforts. Jeanene confirmed early in her life that those who consistently read the Book of Mormon are blessed with an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a greater resolve to obey His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the divinity of the Son of God.¹ For I don’t know how many years, as the end of the year approached, I would see her sitting quietly, carefully finishing the entire Book of Mormon yet another time before year’s end.

In 1991 I wanted to give a special Christmas gift to my family. In recording the fulfillment of that desire, my personal journal states: “It is 12:38 p.m., Wednesday, December 18, 1991. I’ve just concluded an audio recording of the Book of Mormon for my family. This has been an experience that has increased my testimony of this divine work and strengthened in me a desire to be more familiar with its pages to distill from these scriptures truths to be used in my service to the Lord. I love this book. I testify with my soul that it is true, that it was prepared for the blessing of the House of Israel, and all of its component parts spread throughout the world. All who will study its message in humility, in faith believing in Jesus Christ, will know of its truthfulness and will find a treasure to lead them to greater happiness, peace, and attainment in this life. I testify by all that is sacred, this book is true.”

May each of us avail ourselves of the wealth of blessings that result from scripture study, I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

NEWS - MORMON FAMILY STARS IN NEW ANIMAL PLANET TV SERIES ON PET TAXIDERMISTS

Mormon family stars in new Animal Planet TV series on pet taxidermists

 

Published: Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012

By Trent Toone, Deseret News

ROMANCE, Ark. — It all started with an email that appeared to be a hoax.
"We received an email from someone who wanted to create a TV show about a small, family-owned, taxidermy business and would we be interested," said Daniel Ross, the owner of Xtreme Taxidermy. "My wife told me about it and we thought it was a joke. We didn't take it seriously at all. But I told her to reply, 'Sure, why not?'"


Three years later, the Ross family is going on TV.
Daniel Ross, his wife, LaDawn, and three young sons, along with three employees, make up the cast of Animal Planet's new series, "American Stuffers," which chronicles the ups and downs of a rural, backyard taxidermy business that specializes in pet preservation. The series premieres Thursday, Jan. 5, at 8 p.m. MST.
At least two things set the Ross family business apart. First, the pet preservation aspect of Daniel's business is unique and clients come from far and wide with their beloved, dead pets, including raccoons, snakes, iguanas, dogs, tarantulas, scorpions, even a screech owl owned by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Second, the Rosses are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Daniel was raised in an LDS family, and his brothers served missions. As high school sweethearts, Daniel introduced LaDawn to Mormon missionaries who taught and baptized her. Daniel and LaDawn have been married for 16 years and have created a loving, supportive home environment for their three sons. There is a part in the second episode when the family reads the Book of Mormon together, followed by a game at the kitchen table.
Both elements appealed to show executives.
"It was something new to us," said Mick Kaczorowski, Animal Planet executive producer. "The whole series is about love. Daniel transforms these pets for people who don't want to depart with them and they shed tears of joy … And the whole family is involved. There is something unique and loving in everything they do. It's sort of 'I Love Lucy' meets 'Extreme Home Makeover.'"
Daniel Ross, an outdoor enthusiast, started in taxidermy about nine years ago when he decided he could save money by doing his own mounts. Business began to boom about five years ago when he started doing pet preservation.
"I wanted to learn how to do it myself to make a little money and maybe do some for my friends," he said. "But once we opened the shop, me and a buddy of mine, it was just crazy how many people brought deer in that first year. It became a flood of work. Now with the pet preservation, it's added a whole new growth to the business. This pet preservation is going to be huge."


In addition to innovation and family values, the show is funny and entertaining. In the first episode, "Keep Your Dead Animals Out of My Kitchen," Daniel uses his family's kitchen oven to dry a few animal parts. When LaDawn smells something foul as she prepares the family meal, she gets in her husband's face about it. "I thought I would kill him," she said.
In the second episode, "The Woman with a Pet Raccoon," an emotional woman comes into the shop carrying her dead raccoon, Chatters. Daniel is worried, as he is with every client, that if he doesn't arrange things just right, the client will be upset and his business will suffer. But he always finds a way.


"Many people don't have a clue that pet preservation exists. They may think it's weird and say, 'Gee whiz, something like this really goes on?'" Kaczorowski said. "But this series really has it all. It's a feel-good series. There is no screaming, yelling or fighting, but it's very entertaining."
The Ross family will spend Thursday evening at a party with media and about 200 of their closest friends and family. Daniel admits he never thought he would be on TV, but he and LaDawn are excited to see where the show takes their business and lives. The biggest challenge has been maintaining balance and a sense of normalcy in the home.
"It's crazy our lives have played out like this. I never thought I would be a taxidermist or on TV," Daniel said. "The Lord is blessing us for trying to live right and do our best."

WHY DO MORMONS SEEM SO HAPPY?

Why do Mormons seem so happy?

Posted on January 4th, 2012 by mormonwomen

 

 

We received the following question from Len a couple of weeks ago:

I’m Jewish, and I know this might seem like a weird question, but I can’t stop thinking about it: Why do all of the Mormons that I know seem so happy? So genuinely, positively happy? Why do their personal lives seem so fulfilled? Even the Mormon missionaries that I see on the street seem so warm and kind and are always smiling. I really don’t understand how they can be that way 24/7. Is it just an act? Or is it real? I know that Mormons struggle too (everyone has bad days), but I’m really puzzled to see an entire group of people emanating joy, success, and happiness.

Len, this isn’t a weird question at all. We hope it will be beneficial to read responses from several different people; we’ll be posting some of those responses over the next few days. 

One key reason why you may sense this happiness from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is because of our religious beliefs. For example:

 

 

I think this true happiness that is so apparent comes from the that we as a church really truly believe in HOPE!  That knowing that Heavenly Father lives and loves us and communicates with us through the spirit and modern day prophets makes our connection to Him very real. It also can/should give the prospective that no matter what life sends us here on Earth, if we listen and follow what we are told to do from our Heavenly Father we have the promise from the most high power that He will not ever leave us alone through any hard times. In fact that He will help us through them and we can overcome any trial that life will send our way.  Most of all that God loves us so much that he sent us a Savior to aide us in our journey through life.  Our Savior has already overcome everything and we just have to choose to follow him in order to overcome anything.  One of the best parts is that Heavenly Father trusts us enough to allow US to make the choice to follow.  We are not forced we are asked to follow, and given a promise that if we do follow we will come out on top. If we mess up, and make the wrong choice, He has given us a way around that also. It doesn’t mean it is not hard.  It doesn’t mean it is not going to be a constant battle sometimes.  It doesn’t mean that we will not be challenged to a point that seems unbearable at times.  It simply means that we can find hope in knowing that because of a loving Heavenly Father we will be empowered and victorious over anything that might be hard for us.  This gives us hope in the face of adversity and that is what makes it possible for us to find/have hope. A hope for true happiness.  If we choose to stay on the Lord’s side we are promised true happiness and given the many tools (ie family, prayer, scriptures, spirit, forgiveness, love, mercy, etc) to have it.

I truly am grateful for the knowledge that I have of our Heavenly Father’s plan, the understanding that I have been given, the hope that I have been blessed with, the faith that gets me through my trails and to be a part of such a great family!!  I am also very grateful that I am truly happy!!!

- – - – - -

~by Susan

Here’s my perspective. You’re right, everyone has challenges, trails and heartbreaks and they all make us sad, discouraged and frustrated. That’s life sometimes. The difference is, how we chose to let those things affect us. I believe that, people that have faith in a higher power than themselves, believe that things will get better and, with that higher help, they will be able to get through the trial or they have faith that eventually it all will workout for good. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, not only believe in a loving Heavenly Father and  his son Jesus Christ, but also have access to inspirational men and women that are encouraging and helpful when they say things like,

“So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment.”

(President Thomas S. Monson)

My husband and I have a favorite radio host who is Jewish, his name is Dennis Prager.  One of his themes is, “Happiness is a moral obligation.”  He concurs with what President Monson says that, “So much in life depends on our attitude.”

Mormons have a hope in Jesus Christ. Because we believe he is the Savior of all mankind, we have faith that he knows us personally, and is aware of our needs, concerns and trials. The people you mention in your question,  believe that the Son of God not only knows their life but knows them by name, when you believe that, it makes it possible to look beyond the trouble and discouragements in life, and easier to recognize all that is good and count the blessings.Lastly, when you count the blessings in life and avoid dwelling on the difficulties, you just feel happier. You can’t help it.

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In a post already published on Mormon Women (entitled “It’s Fun to be Me”, Susan also shares the following about how the gospel adds to the happiness she feels: 

[A]s a Mormon woman, I know who I am. I know why I’m here, what life is about. When you know that, it gives you perspective on everything else. It’s fun to have a sure measuring stick for life. It’s not fun to have to guess. It’s fun to know.

In a strange way it’s good to be me because I know I can be better. I am familiar with my weaknesses. They are not hard to figure out for me. They are obvious, and I claim them as my own. It’s good to be me because I know they don’t have to be permanent. It is fun to be me because I have faith and hope in my life because of the Savior.

WORK/TECHNOLOGY - INCREASE YOUR EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL BY GETTING INVOLVED IN LDSTech

Increase Your Employment Potential by Getting Involved in LDSTech

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 12:43 PM PST

When you’re looking for a job, you’re often faced with the following challenges:

• Gaps in employment. When you haven’t been employed for a period of years, the gap creates a problem with your resume. Employers are suspicious as to the reasons for unemployment and prefer to see an uninterrupted track record from one company to another.
• Lack of experience. If you’re looking to move into a specific professional field, you need experience demonstrating competence in this field. Without experience, assertions about skills often have no credibility.
• No portfolio samples. You can compensate for lack of experience or education by showcasing an impressive portfolio of work you’ve completed. But without a strong portfolio, you’re often at the mercy of your resume alone.

Involvement in the LDSTech community can help overcome these three challenges and increase your chances of finding employment. LDSTech is the community effort of the Church for IT projects. In the LDSTech community, project teams work together to develop solutions for technical problems. For example, every one of the official LDS mobile applications (Gospel Library, Mormon Channel, etc.) was developed by the LDSTech community effort.
LDSTech projects usually involve a mix of internal employees and remotely located volunteers. Currently there are about 50 projects you can join. The work you do on projects ranges widely and can include any of the following:

• Quality assurance
• Software development
• Documentation and training
• Database administration
• Project management
• Security architecture
• Web design and development
• Community management

After you join a project, the project manager assesses your skills and assigns tasks most suited to your capabilities. If you have little or no IT experience, you can still do testing, writing, support, management, communication, and other less technical tasks.
To join a project on LDSTech, click Projects in the top navigation bar. Log in with your LDS Account. Complete the Skills and Profile subtabs. Then click the Projects subtab and browse for a project to join.
You can contribute as much or as little time as your schedule allows. An active contributor usually dedicates about 10 hours a week. If you want to contribute more time, or even work full-time, you can also serve Church service missions for LDSTech.
Additional volunteer opportunities, especially for non-technical candidates, are available at another Church website: Helping in the Vineyard. The Vineyard allows members to work independently as they help with minute-sized tasks, such as checking document formatting, tagging videos, or adding keywords to images. Members who speak multiple languages can assist with community translation efforts. If you have photography skills, you can contribute your own photos.
Whatever amount of time you contribute, whether it’s through LDSTech or Helping in the Vineyard, the experience you gain helps you overcome employment gaps, find experience, and acquire samples for a portfolio. You will be much more likely to get jobs in IT fields and others as a result.

GEORGE ALBERT SMITH MANUAL -LESSON 1- "LIVING WHAT WE BELIEVE"

RS/MP Lesson 1: “Living What We Believe” (George Albert Smith Manual)

Posted by Robert C. on January 2, 2012

The theme and quotes in this lesson follow, I think, fairly expectedly from the title of the lesson. Time is short for me, so I’m going to focus on some issues relating to John 8, how it is used in this lesson, and what I think are some ways this passage gives us for thinking about the lesson as a whole in fresh ways that can generate interesting discussion. (If anyone else is interested in posting lesson notes, since time will likely be somewhat short for me for the next several months, please say so below, or email me at rcouchZZZ@gmail.com, without the ZZZ. Of course, making interesting comments is a very easy and non-committal way to help enhance the value of these notes!)
On p. 3 of the manual, Pres. Smith effectively raises the question: are we like “the self-righteous Pharisees, who rejected His message, claiming that they were the descendants of Abraham and indicated that their lineage would save them in the Kingdom of God”? This, I think, is a great question to begin the lesson with: to what extent are we (individually, as well as communally—both locally, and as a church culture more generally) like the Pharisees? What tendencies and temptations do we have that are similar? How can we overcome these tendencies? These questions lead to the following question that will set the stage for thinking about John 8:33-39 that Pres. Smith quotes: what were the Pharisees like?
The manual cites verses 33-39 of John 8, but it’s confusing to start with verse 33. Actually, it’s hard to start anywhere after verse 12, since the themes of this chapter are highly interwoven. In verses 13, after Jesus declares himself the light of the world, the Pharisees accuse Jesus of bearing record of himself. Jesus responds in a curious way, first that although he bears witness of himself, his witness is true (v. 14), but also that the Father bears witness of him (vv. 16-18). The Pharisees then ask where Jesus’s father is, and Jesus replies, “Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also” (v. 19). This theme of the Father is again picked up in verse 26 when Jesus declares, “he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those thigns which I have heard of him.” Jesus continues to declare his relation/unity with the Father in vv. 28-29, and in response some misunderstand (v. 27) whereas some believed him (v. 30).
Then we get to the more immediate context of the verses cited in the manual: Jesus says “to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (vv. 31-32). This sets the stage for the response, “We be Abraham’s seed,” which I’ll discuss more below. For now, it is worth thinking a bit about these issues of freedom and truth, and how all of this relates to what follows (and to the theme of this lesson more generally).
The notion of freedom in the New Testament usually pertains to freedom from sin (e.g., Romans 6:18-23), freedom from law (e.g., Romans 7:3; 8:2; Galatians 2:4; 4:21-31; 5:1, 13) or freedom from death (e.g., Romans 6:21; 8:21). In many ways, I think the theme of this lesson can be nicely conceived as a question regarding precisely the kind of bondage suggested by this New Testament notion of freedom:

 why, after all, don’t we live what we believe? (One possible answer, which I have in minde here: we are, effectively, in bondage to sin or death, or—in a more complicated sense, discussed by Paul esp. in Romans 7—law.)
The question of truth should be understood here, I think, in terms of the Hebrew notion of truth meaning “to be true to.” Much of what Christ is talking about here is being true to the witness of Heavenly Father—and, subsequently, being true to the legacy of Abraham. It is also interesting to note the following about truth and the Hebrew term that is the root for our term amen. First, God is called the God of “Amen” in Isa 65:16, and referred to as just “the Amen” in Rev 3:14. Thinking about the relation between Jesus and Heavenly Father in terms of “amen” is, I think, quite helpful. Also, when Jesus says in the next verse of John 8 (v. 34), “Verily, verily, I say unto you,” the word “verily” is the Greek word amen. The Holy Ghost, as a kind of second comforter (the Paraclete, in John’s gospel), is what helps us recognize this confirming relation between the Father and the Son. When Christ talks about this kind of truth rooted in his fidelity to his Father, and uses the Hebrew terms for truth to introduce his own teaching (remember, Jesus spoke Aramaic, basically a dialect of Hebrew) it sets a very rich stage for thinking about Abraham, and his seed—and in a manner that parallels the way we should think about our own baptism and the extent to which we really can be considered God’s seed (since we often like to talk simply in terms of everyone being children of Heavenly Father in a way that I think downplays the importance of the covenantal family relations that we should be focusing more on…).
So, finally, we get the response to Jesus in verse 34, “We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” First, this is a curious claim since the Israelites were in bondage at least to the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Romans. But it’s unlikely these learned Jews had forgotten these episodes in their history, so it’s more likely that they interpreted these episodes as exceptional and of short-duration in the context of their chosen and blessed status as the inheritors of Abraham’s blessings (“they had never been in a continuing state of bondage,” Andreas Kostenberger writes in his Baker Exegetical Commentary volume on John). The response here seems to have more direct canonical reference to Leviticus 25:39-42 that prescribes “that no Jew, however poor, should descend to the level of slave” (Kostenberger, p. 262).
But Jesus goes on to clarify that he is talking about slavery to sin (John 8:34). Jesus goes on in this discussion to elaborate on the idea that the Jews who do not receive him, and do not do righteous works are—as the claim of the argument culminates in v. 44—children of the devil. This is, I think, a very strong claim, and one that strikes me to the heart. Oftentimes when I fall into sin, I rationalize this away by telling myself that no one is perfect, and that God will understand and forgive me, and that I’ll just try harder, etc., etc. But I think that this line of thinking is often abused in an effort not to see the bondage that we are truly in. This is what I think Pres. Smith is ultimately getting at when he says on p. 3, “The world has gotten into such a condition and has been deceived by the adversary . . . declar[ing] that the mere belief in God is all that is necessary. . . . That is a trick of the adversary.”

 I think 1 John 2:3-6, cited in the Related Scriptures section of the lesson, would also be quite interesting to take up in the context of the thoughts above (Moroni 7:3-5, on “by their works ye shall know them,” also teaches something very similar, and thus might also be worth taking up, but I like the less familiar wording of 1 John, which might help shake us out of our tendency to read in a mode of slumber…). Verse 3 reads, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” What’s interesting to me is the way that this is said in a non-prescriptive way. John isn’t advocating explicitly here that we keep the commandments. Rather, he is simply stating that if we claim to know God, but do not keep the commandments, we are lying (v. 4). This, I think, is a powerful way to think about the underlying principle in this lesson, and in a way that is not very common for us in the Church these days, at least in my experience. If we are not keeping the commandments, and yet we claim to know God, we are in self-denial. This kind of self-deception is dangerous, since it keeps us from knowing God, and experiencing the love of God (v. 5). I think the message of 1 John is quite clear that this problem can be overcome only by recognizing and receiving the love of God, “because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19), and then showing love toward others. If we are not acting in accordance with this divine love, there is something clearly wrong in our relationship with the source of this love, and we should plead on our knees until we truly feel God’s love, and let it have its transformative effect on our hearts.

INFO - AOTHER GREAT SOURCE FOR BOOK OF MORMON SCRIPTURE STUDY

Another great source for Book of Mormon scripture study

January 2, 2012 — Geoff B

 n addition to Rameumpton’s great work on Book of Mormon scripture study, I am enjoying Prof. William Hamblin’s new blog Mormon Scripture Explorations. We newly called Gospel Doctrine teachers can never get too much information on the subject.
Prof. Hamblin puts his notes on-line as well as offering youtube videos and podcasts. Take a look.

 Nothing Wavering
 Feast Upon the Word blog.

THE BOOK OF MORMON COMIC BOOK - PART 2 THE STORY OF LEHI (1 NEPHI 2: 1-24)

Chapter 2

Lehi takes his family into the wilderness by the Red Sea—They leave their property—Lehi offers a sacrifice to the Lord and teaches his sons to keep the commandments—Laman and Lemuel murmur against their father—Nephi is obedient and prays in faith; the Lord speaks to him, and he is chosen to rule over his brethren. About 600 B.C.

 1 For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him: Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to ^atake away thy ^blife.

 2 And it came to pass that the Lord ^acommanded my father, even in a ^bdream, that he should ^ctake his family and depart into the wilderness.

 3 And it came to pass that he was ^aobedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.

 4 And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and ^adeparted into the wilderness.

 5 And he came down by the borders near the shore of the ^aRed Sea; and he traveled in the wilderness in the borders which are nearer the Red Sea; and he did travel in the wilderness with his family, which consisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brothers, who were Laman, Lemuel, and Sam.

 6 And it came to pass that when he had traveled three days in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a ^avalley by the side of a ^briver of water.

 7 And it came to pass that he built an ^aaltar of ^bstones, and made an ^coffering unto the Lord, and gave ^dthanks unto the Lord our God.

 8 And it came to pass that he called the name of the river, Laman, and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof.

 9 And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the ^afountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness!

 10 And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, ^afirm and ^bsteadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!

 11 Now this he spake because of the ^astiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel; for behold they did ^bmurmur in many things against their ^cfather, because he was a ^dvisionary man, and had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart.

 12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their ^afather. And they did ^bmurmur because they ^cknew not the dealings of that God who had ^dcreated them.

 13 Neither did they ^abelieve that Jerusalem, that great city, could be ^bdestroyed according to the words of the prophets. And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father.

 14 And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the ^avalley of Lemuel, with ^bpower, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did ^cshake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he commanded them.

 15 And my father dwelt in a ^atent.

 16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the ^amysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did ^bvisit me, and did ^csoften my heart that I did ^dbelieve all the words which had been spoken by my ^efather; wherefore, I did not ^frebel against him like unto my brothers.

 17 And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words.

 18 But, behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words; and being ^agrieved because of the hardness of their hearts I cried unto the Lord for them.

 19 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy ^afaith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.

 20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall ^aprosper, and shall be led to a ^bland of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.

 21 And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be ^acut off from the presence of the Lord.

 22 And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ^aruler and a teacher over thy brethren.

 23 For behold, in that day that they shall ^arebel against me, I will ^bcurse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed except they shall ^crebel against me also.

 24 And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a ^ascourge unto thy seed, to ^bstir them up in the ways of remembrance.