I got up this morning and went to re-read Chapter 14 in the BOM again so that I could write about it, but I picked up my Gospel Principles book instead. I just opened up and the chapter I opened up to was Chapter 16, The Church of Jesus Christ of Former Times. I actually looked up every scripture that it referenced and was pretty amazed at literally how in sync with the LDS church it was. Our church is designed EXACTLY how Jesus had designed His church when he was on our earth.
When you read the scriptures that it references you learn how we lost the authority that Jesus had given us through the Holy Spirit back in his days. How it all became corrupt and the following chapter talks about how Jesus restored the church.
I love starting my mornings out by reading the scriptures. It sets this tone for my day that is peaceful, and I find I have much more patience. Gospel Principles is an amazing place to start if you are curious about the church. CLICK HERE to read it online. I'm still learning so much from the book and loving all that I am learning. I think I'm going to restart from the beginning of this book and read all the scripture references and really take it in.
There's so much I want to read and never enough time.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
1 Nephi Chapter 13
You can read 1 Nephi Chapter 13 HERE
I've read this chapter a couple of times. The first time I didn't really grasp a lot of it, but this morning I opened up my Book of Mormon and re-read it again and I think I got the main points here.
First off I wanted to talk about this abominable church. The church that the devil is the founder of. Read this verse, which is 13:7-8
And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlot. (Harlots means Immoral persons or prostitutes)
And the angel spake unto me, saying: behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church.
This makes me think of when we put object, and desirable things above God. So, this "church" isn't even so much a "church", but the way that society is. Choosing the wrong things as your priorities, like going to the club, having the best of everything, doing the things that are wrong, yet are fun.... those are what makes up this "church". Sadly, society is here right now. The majority is all about these things. It's easier to be bad then good, and it might be a lot funner. Yet, once you get a taste of the joy of being good, and listening to the words of God, it's so much better. A lot of work, but like the vision ~ it is the sweetest fruit.
Next I want to talk about Nephi's vision of the Latter Days.
This chapter talks about how the Gentiles take away parts of the bible, so that basically they don't have to follow the rules. We are so blessed today to have the fullness of the gospel restored. We know the fullness of the words that God had for us. Nephi saw in his vision that the fullness of the gospel will be restored. Now we have it, and it is up to us to live by it and follow the words that God has given us.
I can tell you, by my experiences, that following the words of God have brought me so much more joy. I've had a lot of fun in my days. I've done things that I am not proud of, and these things have NEVER brought me joy. I'm so thankful for the opportunity of being able to have the fullness of the gospel in my life.
Verse 37 says:
And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.
That verse is enough for me to want to strive hard in my life to follow God's words. I say things things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I've read this chapter a couple of times. The first time I didn't really grasp a lot of it, but this morning I opened up my Book of Mormon and re-read it again and I think I got the main points here.
First off I wanted to talk about this abominable church. The church that the devil is the founder of. Read this verse, which is 13:7-8
And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlot. (Harlots means Immoral persons or prostitutes)
And the angel spake unto me, saying: behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church.
This makes me think of when we put object, and desirable things above God. So, this "church" isn't even so much a "church", but the way that society is. Choosing the wrong things as your priorities, like going to the club, having the best of everything, doing the things that are wrong, yet are fun.... those are what makes up this "church". Sadly, society is here right now. The majority is all about these things. It's easier to be bad then good, and it might be a lot funner. Yet, once you get a taste of the joy of being good, and listening to the words of God, it's so much better. A lot of work, but like the vision ~ it is the sweetest fruit.
Next I want to talk about Nephi's vision of the Latter Days.
This chapter talks about how the Gentiles take away parts of the bible, so that basically they don't have to follow the rules. We are so blessed today to have the fullness of the gospel restored. We know the fullness of the words that God had for us. Nephi saw in his vision that the fullness of the gospel will be restored. Now we have it, and it is up to us to live by it and follow the words that God has given us.
I can tell you, by my experiences, that following the words of God have brought me so much more joy. I've had a lot of fun in my days. I've done things that I am not proud of, and these things have NEVER brought me joy. I'm so thankful for the opportunity of being able to have the fullness of the gospel in my life.
Verse 37 says:
And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.
That verse is enough for me to want to strive hard in my life to follow God's words. I say things things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
It's been a while...
I got sidetracked in life. I've been going to church, but I'll be honest and say I haven't opened up my Book of Mormon since I've last updated. Things here have been so busy with summer and everything, but things with my family are still on the same path. My testimony is growing and my love for the gospel is as well. Today I was faced with a situation where I felt this overwhelming feeling inside of knowing that this church is true.
I will get back to my priorities and I will continue on my journey. Hopefully I finish the Book of Mormon before the end of the year LOL :)
I will get back to my priorities and I will continue on my journey. Hopefully I finish the Book of Mormon before the end of the year LOL :)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
1 Nephi Chapter 11 & 12
I'm combining these two chapters since they flow together. You can read Chapter 11 HERE and Chapter 12 HERE
First off, I need to apologize for taking so long on moving on to Chapter 11 & 12. I've actually read and re-read and re-read again. I really needed to take these chapters in and figure out my feelings and questions on them before I posted. So here it goes.....
I'm actually pretty proud of myself on my personal interpretation on Lehi's dream. There were areas that I was missing, but for the most part I was right on. I'm mostly inspired to talk about the building. I was listening to a rap song on the radio today called Lollipop by Lil Wayne. Listening to this song makes me think about going clubbing. Going clubbing makes me think about drinking. Something about this music pulls me into almost missing something I rarely even did.
Do I think rap is evil? No. That is a type of music I've listened to for years, however, I think that rap stands for the building for me. I hope this is making sense. The devil works in some sneaky ways. I've actually been trying to keep soft hip hop (Mariah Carey, stuff like that) and I have a church CD that my cousin Jenna made me and I listen to that A LOT. I feel like that type of music keeps me on track with what I'm working towards.
My aunt Rayna is an active Mormon as well and she used to love to go dancing at clubs without drinking. She told me the other when we were talking about these chapters that she's always looked at clubs as "the building". We all have different things in our lives that can stand for the building. It's all the temptations out there to pull you into what going against the tree of life - the love of God.
Now I want to talk about how Nephi was getting visions of everything that would happen to Jesus. First question I have is.... he saw a vision of a virgin. How does one know that someone is a virgin? That just kindof struck me as funny, so if someone could leave a comment here and explain that one to me :)
Next questions... the fact that Nephi is getting visions of the future and they're exactly what happens. That must mean that God knows a lot about the future and that leads me to question free agency. We have the gift from God for the right to choose. We make our own choices. How can God know the future if we're the ones making the choices? Does he already know which choices we're going to make?
First off, I need to apologize for taking so long on moving on to Chapter 11 & 12. I've actually read and re-read and re-read again. I really needed to take these chapters in and figure out my feelings and questions on them before I posted. So here it goes.....
I'm actually pretty proud of myself on my personal interpretation on Lehi's dream. There were areas that I was missing, but for the most part I was right on. I'm mostly inspired to talk about the building. I was listening to a rap song on the radio today called Lollipop by Lil Wayne. Listening to this song makes me think about going clubbing. Going clubbing makes me think about drinking. Something about this music pulls me into almost missing something I rarely even did.
Do I think rap is evil? No. That is a type of music I've listened to for years, however, I think that rap stands for the building for me. I hope this is making sense. The devil works in some sneaky ways. I've actually been trying to keep soft hip hop (Mariah Carey, stuff like that) and I have a church CD that my cousin Jenna made me and I listen to that A LOT. I feel like that type of music keeps me on track with what I'm working towards.
My aunt Rayna is an active Mormon as well and she used to love to go dancing at clubs without drinking. She told me the other when we were talking about these chapters that she's always looked at clubs as "the building". We all have different things in our lives that can stand for the building. It's all the temptations out there to pull you into what going against the tree of life - the love of God.
Now I want to talk about how Nephi was getting visions of everything that would happen to Jesus. First question I have is.... he saw a vision of a virgin. How does one know that someone is a virgin? That just kindof struck me as funny, so if someone could leave a comment here and explain that one to me :)
Next questions... the fact that Nephi is getting visions of the future and they're exactly what happens. That must mean that God knows a lot about the future and that leads me to question free agency. We have the gift from God for the right to choose. We make our own choices. How can God know the future if we're the ones making the choices? Does he already know which choices we're going to make?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
1 Nephi Chapter 10
You can read 1 Nephi Chapter 10 HERE
WOW! Kindof a powerful chapter here. What's amazing is that Nephi wrote of future exactly as it would happen. Everything that happened with Jesus was supposed to happen with Jesus. So he came here knowing what in store for him. He did all of that for us. Amazing. 600 years before it even happened and it was written down for what was to come.
We learn here that it's by the power of the Holy Ghost that we can learn from God. It's by the power of the Holy Ghost that we gain testimonies. Without the Holy Ghost it's almost like we would have no way of knowing anything.
I'm going off topic here for a minute to share a time that I know without a doubt that I felt the Holy Ghost. I lost a baby girl named Mya. Her heart stopped beating when she was still inside of me. After I had lost her I kept getting this warm feeling inside of me, and at that time I was being comforted for my loss from the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost was there to let me know that I'm not alone, that everything including my baby girl is okay. The things God does through the Holy Ghost makes you wonder how anyone could ever doubt it all.
The comparison to the olive tree in this chapter basically talks of how everybody will be scattered upon the earth and separated, because some will believe the words of the prophet and some won't. But it does say that the olive tree will be put back together again once the fullness of the gospel is restored. Look at what is going on. We have the gospel being brought to people all over the world. Our missionaries are in many, many countries! What was written down in this chapter is happening now. Now is the time and I am so blessed to be born in a time that I get to know these things, and know that they are true.
WOW! Kindof a powerful chapter here. What's amazing is that Nephi wrote of future exactly as it would happen. Everything that happened with Jesus was supposed to happen with Jesus. So he came here knowing what in store for him. He did all of that for us. Amazing. 600 years before it even happened and it was written down for what was to come.
We learn here that it's by the power of the Holy Ghost that we can learn from God. It's by the power of the Holy Ghost that we gain testimonies. Without the Holy Ghost it's almost like we would have no way of knowing anything.
I'm going off topic here for a minute to share a time that I know without a doubt that I felt the Holy Ghost. I lost a baby girl named Mya. Her heart stopped beating when she was still inside of me. After I had lost her I kept getting this warm feeling inside of me, and at that time I was being comforted for my loss from the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost was there to let me know that I'm not alone, that everything including my baby girl is okay. The things God does through the Holy Ghost makes you wonder how anyone could ever doubt it all.
The comparison to the olive tree in this chapter basically talks of how everybody will be scattered upon the earth and separated, because some will believe the words of the prophet and some won't. But it does say that the olive tree will be put back together again once the fullness of the gospel is restored. Look at what is going on. We have the gospel being brought to people all over the world. Our missionaries are in many, many countries! What was written down in this chapter is happening now. Now is the time and I am so blessed to be born in a time that I get to know these things, and know that they are true.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
1 Nephi Chapter 9
You can read 1 Nephi Chapter 9 HERE
Very short chapter. I got more information on this chapter with the study guide that I am using. I must say this study guide really does help. The Lord has a reason in everything he asks of us. Instead of questioning we should just do as he asks. Plain and simply.
Very short chapter. I got more information on this chapter with the study guide that I am using. I must say this study guide really does help. The Lord has a reason in everything he asks of us. Instead of questioning we should just do as he asks. Plain and simply.
1 Nephi Chapter 8
You can read 1 Nephi Chapter 8 HERE
To be honest I'm having a really hard time grasping what the message in this chapter is. I know it's right in front of my face and I think I might be looking too hard. I've actually sat on this chapter for some time now trying to figure it out. So, I am going to ask others for their input.
Here's kindof what I'm getting and I could be completely off base here. There were 4 different groups 1) The people who just got completely lost on their way to the tree of life. 2) People who made their way there and partook of the fruit yet felt ashamed as people were mocking the. 3) People who desired the building more than the tree & 4) The people who had no shame. Basically, it goes with following the gospel in a way to me....
1) There are people who get lost and are in the darkness and don't have a clue on what they should be doing with their life. 2) Being a Mormon it is difficult with our society. People judge. People mock. I can see how it can be very easy to be ashamed and to turn the other way... go with the bad, because it might seem better at the time than being mocked. I can especially see this with being a teen. 3) People desire wrong over good. We have all been given a choice to follow what God wants us to do or not. Some people go with selfish desires over what God knows is best for you. 4) The people that stand up for what they know is true. They are not ashamed.
When Lehi first had his vision he was in darkness. It's like our life here. Through prayer God took that away. Wouldn't that work for us all? Through sincere prayer shouldn't we be able to find the path that we are supposed to be on?
What do you think? Am I completely off base or are you seeing here what I'm seeing. What else can you add to this.
To be honest I'm having a really hard time grasping what the message in this chapter is. I know it's right in front of my face and I think I might be looking too hard. I've actually sat on this chapter for some time now trying to figure it out. So, I am going to ask others for their input.
Here's kindof what I'm getting and I could be completely off base here. There were 4 different groups 1) The people who just got completely lost on their way to the tree of life. 2) People who made their way there and partook of the fruit yet felt ashamed as people were mocking the. 3) People who desired the building more than the tree & 4) The people who had no shame. Basically, it goes with following the gospel in a way to me....
1) There are people who get lost and are in the darkness and don't have a clue on what they should be doing with their life. 2) Being a Mormon it is difficult with our society. People judge. People mock. I can see how it can be very easy to be ashamed and to turn the other way... go with the bad, because it might seem better at the time than being mocked. I can especially see this with being a teen. 3) People desire wrong over good. We have all been given a choice to follow what God wants us to do or not. Some people go with selfish desires over what God knows is best for you. 4) The people that stand up for what they know is true. They are not ashamed.
When Lehi first had his vision he was in darkness. It's like our life here. Through prayer God took that away. Wouldn't that work for us all? Through sincere prayer shouldn't we be able to find the path that we are supposed to be on?
What do you think? Am I completely off base or are you seeing here what I'm seeing. What else can you add to this.
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