Day 2 / 1 Nephi 1-2
“The Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord, Jesus Christ… The Lord’s tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness, obedience, and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord’s timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings.”
(Elder David A. Bednar)
The first verse in The Book of Mormon is such a powerful statement and so much can be learned from it.
“I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the
Learning of my father…”
Parents who “incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding” Proverbs 2:2
They listened and knew the words of God…”their hearts were opened and they did understand in their hearts the words which were prayed” 3 Nephi 19:33
Their knowledge was “of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine” 1 Nephi 15:14
I too have been born of goodly parents – they have taught me the way of the Lord – they have encouraged me and taught me through their righteous example to listen to and follow the Spirit. Their service to family, friends, and even just acquaintances never ceases. Their love for each other and family is eternal, unconditional love. Their greatest desire is to see and be with all of their family as an eternal family. Everything they do, everything they say, every action they perform expresses this great love that they have for the Lord, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for their family. Because of their example, their teachings, their love I too want nothing more than to be encircled in the arms of my family for all eternity as a family unit.
1 Nephi 2:19
“…Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.”
Seeking diligently is a continual process – having a prayer in my heart all day long. Being humble enough to knell morning and night when I address Father in humble prayer thru the Savior Jesus Christ. Knowing that I can’t do it alone. Willing to give back to Him the only thing I can and that is my agency, my free will, my worldly desires, in doing so I will become like Him, worthy of all that He gives to me.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Day one
Preface (Title Page), Introduction, Testimony of Three Witnesses, Testimony of Eight Witnesses, Testimony of Joseph Smith
Three witnesses
Heard the voice of God – declared truthfulness unto them
Saw the plates and engravings - shown by power of God
An angle of God came down from heaven and brought then and laid them before them
Commanded by the Lord to bear record if it
Eight Witnesses
Joseph Smith showed them the book and engravings
They held the book.
Saw the engravings - appearance of ancient work
Bear record that Joseph Smith has these records
Joseph Smith
First Visit
o Angle appeared – told Joseph of the book and where it is
Second Visit
o The exact same thing happened second time
o Was told great judgments coming – great desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence – come in this generation.
Third Visit
o Same as second
o Satan would try to tempt me to get plates for riches
o Told plates were to glorify God for building His kingdom
Visits took all night – exhausted unable to work – on way home fell to the ground
Voice calling my name – same visitor again related all told from last visit – commanded me to go tell my father
Told my father – he said it was of God and told him to do as he was instructed
Went to the place where plates were deposited – found the spot – saw all that was in the box but told not to touch it.
Joseph was instructed to return every yr on this day for instruction until day he would obtain them.
Each year received instruction and intelligence from on high
September 22 1827 was given the engravings to protect and translate.
Preface (Title Page), Introduction, Testimony of Three Witnesses, Testimony of Eight Witnesses, Testimony of Joseph Smith
Three witnesses
Heard the voice of God – declared truthfulness unto them
Saw the plates and engravings - shown by power of God
An angle of God came down from heaven and brought then and laid them before them
Commanded by the Lord to bear record if it
Eight Witnesses
Joseph Smith showed them the book and engravings
They held the book.
Saw the engravings - appearance of ancient work
Bear record that Joseph Smith has these records
Joseph Smith
First Visit
o Angle appeared – told Joseph of the book and where it is
Second Visit
o The exact same thing happened second time
o Was told great judgments coming – great desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence – come in this generation.
Third Visit
o Same as second
o Satan would try to tempt me to get plates for riches
o Told plates were to glorify God for building His kingdom
Visits took all night – exhausted unable to work – on way home fell to the ground
Voice calling my name – same visitor again related all told from last visit – commanded me to go tell my father
Told my father – he said it was of God and told him to do as he was instructed
Went to the place where plates were deposited – found the spot – saw all that was in the box but told not to touch it.
Joseph was instructed to return every yr on this day for instruction until day he would obtain them.
Each year received instruction and intelligence from on high
September 22 1827 was given the engravings to protect and translate.
Book of Mormon Reading in 100 days
I am reading the Book of Mormon in 100 days. I want to share some of my thoughts and feelings while I read this wonderful book. I hope I can keep on track. I hope your heart is softened with the things I share.
“ I would like to urge everyone to again read the Book of Mormon…There is nothing we could do of greater importance than to have fortified in our individual lives an unshakable conviction that Jesus is the Christ, the Living Son of the Living God. And, my brothers and sisters, that is the purpose of the coming forth of this remarkable and wonderful book.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley
“ I would like to urge everyone to again read the Book of Mormon…There is nothing we could do of greater importance than to have fortified in our individual lives an unshakable conviction that Jesus is the Christ, the Living Son of the Living God. And, my brothers and sisters, that is the purpose of the coming forth of this remarkable and wonderful book.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley
Friday, August 12, 2011
Book of Mormon
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Book of Mormon - Keystone to Our Religion
D&C 130
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
D&C 82:10
I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."
Our commitment and devotion to Him will determine the commitment and devotion with which we are willing to obey His commandments.
The story of the Jaredites - building a barge
Ether 2:16,18
Do we do exactly according to the Lord's specifications?
President Ezra Taft Benson Nov 1986
"I want to speak about one of the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times.
This gift was prepared by the hand of the Lord over a period of more than a thousand years
By His own mouth, the mouth of the Savior, He has borne witness "
that it is true (D&C 17:6)
that it contains the truth and His words (D&C 19:26)
that it was translated by power from on high (D&C 20:8
that it contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:9, 42:12)
that it was given by inspiration and confirmed by the ministering of angles (D&C 20:10)
He gives us solemn warnings about how we receive it. After indication that those who receive the Book of Mormon with faith, working righteousness, will receive a crown of eternal glory (D&C 20:14)
There is a law irrevocably decreed..........
verse 15 "But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation"
1832 - early missionaries returned from their fields of labor, the Lord reproved them for treating the Book of Mormon lightly. As a result of that attitude, he said, their minds had been darkened. It had also brought the whole church under condemnation, The Lord said, "And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon" (D&C 84:54-57).
" It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. When you begin to hinger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance."
President Marion G. Romney testified of the blessings that can come into the lives of those who will read and study the Book of Mormon.
"The Spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the coulsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity - the pure love of Christ - will abound in our homes and lives bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness
I have a firm belief that reading the Book of Mormon will help us understand who we are why we are here and what we must do to bring peace an joy into our own lives.
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
D&C 82:10
I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."
Our commitment and devotion to Him will determine the commitment and devotion with which we are willing to obey His commandments.
The story of the Jaredites - building a barge
Ether 2:16,18
Do we do exactly according to the Lord's specifications?
President Ezra Taft Benson Nov 1986
"I want to speak about one of the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times.
This gift was prepared by the hand of the Lord over a period of more than a thousand years
By His own mouth, the mouth of the Savior, He has borne witness "
that it is true (D&C 17:6)
that it contains the truth and His words (D&C 19:26)
that it was translated by power from on high (D&C 20:8
that it contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:9, 42:12)
that it was given by inspiration and confirmed by the ministering of angles (D&C 20:10)
He gives us solemn warnings about how we receive it. After indication that those who receive the Book of Mormon with faith, working righteousness, will receive a crown of eternal glory (D&C 20:14)
There is a law irrevocably decreed..........
verse 15 "But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation"
1832 - early missionaries returned from their fields of labor, the Lord reproved them for treating the Book of Mormon lightly. As a result of that attitude, he said, their minds had been darkened. It had also brought the whole church under condemnation, The Lord said, "And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon" (D&C 84:54-57).
" It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. When you begin to hinger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance."
President Marion G. Romney testified of the blessings that can come into the lives of those who will read and study the Book of Mormon.
"The Spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the coulsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity - the pure love of Christ - will abound in our homes and lives bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness
I have a firm belief that reading the Book of Mormon will help us understand who we are why we are here and what we must do to bring peace an joy into our own lives.
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