Life

09 MAR 15

Commandment to search these things diligently. (3 Nephi 23:1)

I am grateful for the time I have to search these scriptures as part of this class. It has given me a reason and format to dig deeper into things than I have had a chance to do in a while.

Christ reminds them to record the words of Samuel the Lamanite. (3 Nephi 23:6-13)

In 3 Nephi 23:6-13 Jesus says, “how be it that ye have not written this thing…?” This is when he brought to their remembrance how Samuel the Lamanite had prophesied concerning the resurrection and how “many saints did arise and appear unto many”. To me this was a powerful rebuke straight from the Savior for remembering some of what might be called the little things of keeping accurate records of events. To me this also falls in with the principle of gratitude, to remember to be thankful for all the knowledge and gifts the Lord has given us. I am grateful for the many records we have today. In my pocket I’m able to have the standard works, years of church publications and other records of the prophets. It’s amazing how many wonderful uses technology can have for expanding our access to records of the Gospel.

10 MAR 15

Tithing (3 Nephi 23:8-10)

One of the things I love about tithing is that it’s one of the commandments that we can say we are perfect in performing it. You either do it or you don’t. With some of the other commandments it’s much more of a qualitative analysis in how we are doing with the principle that we have been commanded. With a commandment like tithing we can easily add up all that we give and know for a surety that we are living the Lords law.

Wicked burn. (3 Nephi 25:1)

In this verse it tells us the wicked will burn but I found it interesting that it includes saying “neither root nor branch” will be left. I think this is connected to families and the sealing power that is often connected to these scriptures concerning Elijah. Those that are wicked will not have the benefit of this.

Elijah the prophet. (3 Nephi 25:5-6)

I am grateful for the sealing power that connects families for eternity. I was not born in the covenant and I grateful that my son will have that opportunity.

11 MAR 15

Resurrection. (3 Nephi 26:5)

The contrast of the two parts of this scripture sticks out to me. Either we receive the resurrection of everlasting life or of damnation. It’s up to us to decide every day which we choose.

Sacrament (3 Nephi 26:13)

This scripture talks about the example the Savior shows by meeting and taking the sacrament often. I’m an introvert. It’s good that this is a commandment and that he has shown his example in doing this. If it weren’t for that I would probably more naturally not attend as often as I should.

Literary devices in the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 27:33)

I like catching some of the examples of literary devices used in the Book of Mormon such as chiasmus or parallelism. In 3 Nephi 27:33 we see the use of contrasting ideas parallelism in one verse that also contains a central point like chiasmus.

1. straight is the gate.
2. narrow is the way.
3. few there be that find it.
4. wide is the gate.
5. broad the way

After doing some research I found this article which explains the different literary devices better than I do. I noticed this particular verse myself and I probably ended up doing a little more research than I needed on the subject. Finding little pieces in the Book of Mormon adds further to my testimony as I see an accumulation of things no single young man or even committee could have written.

12 MAR 15

3 Nephites (3 Nephi 28:7)

I wonder why they didn’t spend more time with Mormon and Moroni while they were in their self exile watching their nation crumble and fall? If I remember correctly the Moroni and Mormon where ministered to, maybe by them. I just think they both seemed much too lonely and that the company might have been appreciated.

3 Nephites – trials (3 Nephi 28:20-22)

This almost seems like showing off. Delivered from being buried, cast into a furnace three times, twice in den of wild beasts. They sound like super heroes with their abilities.

3 Nephites – Jews and Gentiles know them not (3 Nephi 28:27-28)

This scripture interests me because I wonder what they are up to now? Do they live among us in regular lives and help perform miracles as needed? Do they live apart and only come as the angels on special missions for the Lord? They are a big mystery and I wish there was more out there about their modern day actions that was not from apocryphal sources.

13 MAR 15

In 3 Nephi 29:5–7 Mormon gave us some specific warnings and consequences that applied to our day:

Specific warnings:

spurneth at the doings of the Lord

him that shall deny the Christ and his works

deny the revelations of the Lord

say the Lord no longer worketh by revelation, or by prophecy, or by gifts, or by tongues, or by healings, or by the power of the Holy Ghost

say at that day, to get gain, that there can be no miracle wrought by Jesus Christ

Consequence:

he that doeth this shall become like unto the son of perdition, for whom there was no mercy

02 MAR 15

In 3 Nephi 18:3-9 we are told of the sacrament and the manner it should be taken. I found it interesting to note that it is for “all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name”. I take that to mean it’s a commandment for those that are baptized to take it but for others shouldn’t. The only exception I know of are children.

3 Nephi 18:20 gives us a powerful promise. We are told that whatever we ask that is right and we believe we will receive; it will be given us. This makes me feel like I’m missing out. If I just had more faith and if I were more intune with the spirit, I could have miracles happen in my life if I prayed for it. I know I am not perfect, so this is one thing to strive towards.

“Pray in your families” (3 Nephi 18:21).

We just had family prayer, so this scripture sticks out to me more. I love to hear the innocent voice of my son as he prays. He is just three years old but he knows that we can pray for comfort for himself and to ask for comfort for others. It’s still amazing to me how much he picks up of others in need.

Meet together oft… forbid them not (3 Nephi 18:22).

I haven’t seen anyone come to church to learn that was turned away. I have seen one that reviled against the church and was just there to cause trouble removed. The Denver 2nd Ward always had the most unique Fast and Testimony meetings in my mission. There was a women living within the boundaries that would actively try to seduce missionaries. She was an off limit contact in our mission. She showed up to Sacrament in a suit and her male partner wore her dress. That was of course not how they normally dressed, they were just there to make a circus. After she started bearing testimony against the church, the Bishop had her removed. The Bishop has a responsibility to ensure falsehood is not preached from the pulpit. In this case I don’t think her removal violates this commandment as they were only there to cause trouble and not to worship.

03 MAR 15

In 3 Nephi 19:23 Christ says, “And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one”.

This verse is a good way to clarify some of the scriptures that are misinterpreted concerning the Father and Son being one. When it’s Christ being in us as the Father is in him, it makes it clear that he is not speaking in a literal physical sense. In this case it’s a symbolic relationship of being together in purpose and heart. I’m grateful for having the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ to help clarify some of the plain and simple truths that were lost or misread in the Bible..

In 3 Nephi 19:35 Christ gives those present great praise when he says that he had never seen so great of faith among the Jews. Of all the great miracles that were shown during Christ’s ministry, he was still restrained due to lack of faith. In the case of the Nephites he didn’t have that restraint.

04 MAR 15

In Luke 9:16 Christ took some loaves and fishes and multiplied them for the multitude. In 3 Nephi 20:3-6 he just creates the food. In 3 Nephi 19:35 Christ had said he was able to do greater miracles because of their faith compared to the Jews. I think this is one good example of the great miracles he was able to do. He literally one upped a miracle he previously did.

05 MAR 15

In 3 Nephi 20:30-31 Christ speaks of the time that the fullness of the gospel will be preached across the land. I find it amazing when we find scriptures written for us around 2,000 years ago.

“Free people” (3 Nephi 21:4)

In my previous entry I spoke about Christ speaking to our day. Here is another good example. It also gives us a great insight that the formation of the United States was divinely inspired and prepared for. This brings to my memory the record of Wilford Woodruff telling us how the spirits of the forefathers came to him in the temple asking for their temple work to be done.

06 MAR 15

Enlarge the place of thy tent. (3 Nephi 22:2)

This scripture is using the visualization of tents comparing to spreading the gospel in our stakes. Nowadays many people don’t experience tents with poles, cords and stakes. While in the Army I set up more GP Medium tents with those characteristics than I can remember. If you didn’t set it up right it could collapse in on itself and shrink in a way. By have the cords out and stakes firmly set the  tent is at it’s largest. In this case we need to spread the gospel and grow our stakes.

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (3 Nephi 22:17)

Now how powerful of a promise is this? When we are in despair and the world is against us we need to remember this scripture and march on. When we are on the Lord’s errand, nothing can stop us.

23 FEB 15

In 3 Nephi 13:3-4 we are told to give our alms in secret. Tithing and other offerings should of course be given without fanfare but I think we can also expand this principle to acts of service. While sometimes it can be good to broadcast doing service activities to get others to join in, I find that there is a certain joy in helping others without much fan fare. During a conversation at a pathway gathering we discussed some of the ways we can secretly serve others. One of the ways I like is doing small acts of service for neighbors without them knowing. Another of the students in my group told of how she has paid ahead for groceries of a family she was prompted was in need and left before they could see she did it. There are many ways we can serve God and others in secret. Have you been the recipient of some secret act of service like I have mentioned? If anyone is actually reading my blog please comment below.

In 3 Nephi 13-14 it talks about forgiving “men their trespasses”. This is one I actually struggle and think about often as a principle in my life. I was abused by my parents and later placed in foster care. Have I forgiven them of their trespass or am I too emotionally indifferent to them after all these years to really feel a trespass from them? It’s a difficult area for me to be introspective of myself on. I often look at my pass divorced of emotion in a third person observer view. I hope I have done well enough in this area to acknowledge the need to forgive them.

24 FEB 15

Mote or beam in eye. (3 Nephi 14:3-6)

This scripture is a nice reminder to not be too judgemental of others. We all have things we can do better in our lives. When we become judgmental of others, we also display a level of pride that can blind us to the pride and other things we need to fix in our own lives. In many ways the pride itself that we display when we are unrighteously  judgmental of others can be the whole beam in our eyes itself.

By their fruits ye shall know them. (3 Nephi 14:15-20)

This scripture tells us how we can identify a true prophet by the fruits that they bring forth. I think we can apply this same principle to other things in our lives. One example would be relationships. There are positive relationships and some can be negative. We can tell them apart by the fruits of the feelings they create. When a person is in a relationship that causes mistrust or fear, it is most likely a negative relationship and that should be evaluated. If the relationship breeds love, comfort, trust and other positive feelings, then that is a relationship to cherish and nurture.

25 FEB 15

In 3 Nephi 15:18 we learn about the direct connection between belief and understanding or as the verse puts it unbelief and not understanding. I think part of this can be due to the teaching nature of the Holy Ghost when we are humble and prepared to listen. I think the other part of what causes this connection is the closed mindedness that comes with self assurance and not being open to learning. When a person thinks they already know something they will often discredit evidence to the contrary, even when it’s not logical. This creates a large difference when comparing the learning potential of those who are open to believing and those who are closed to it.

Here is a good quote another student shared with me this week on this subject.

Joseph Smith said, “As far as we degenerate from God we descend to the devil and lose knowledge, and without knowledge we cannot be saved.” Shared by Toni Maxwell.

27 FEB 15

In 3 Nephi 16:7 it talks about the fulness of the truth coming out to the Gentiles. It’s interesting to catch these prophetic words of our day. The gospel has been restored and is spreading across the earth. I had the chance to serve a mission. After my mission I have even been blessed with an opportunity to bless and baptise a person while I was deployed in Iraq. We currently have 84,000 missionaries serving across the world. To put that in perspective that’s more people than the total number that serve in Australia’s military and numerous smaller countries. There is a spiritual army of God spreading the gospel across the earth.

28 FEB 15

In 3 Nephi 17:4 Christ tells us he is going to speak to the lost tribes of Israel. I wonder if this was literal or if he meant less literally in that the people didn’t know they were of the lost tribes. I suppose when he spoke to the Nephites and Lamanites he was speaking to one branch that new their lineage. When he spoke to others, did they know their lineage was of the lost tribes. We we have a chance to read more about this one day? Those are some questions I have about it.

What were the great words spoken of in 3 Nephi 17:16-17? It makes me wonder if it was something like some of what is taught in the temple and they considered the exact words too sacred to share in a direct written record. Hopefully we will find out in our own way one day.

2,500 souls (3 Nephi 17:25)

I wonder how much time did it take for Christ to minister individually to all the children in that group? That is a lot of time when you think of it. What a sweet blessing it must have been to those children and their descendants.