Reconciliation

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved." (2 Nephi 10:24)

Sometimes I like to look up definitions to get a clearer understanding of what something means, and sometimes I gain additional insight with the extra definitions.  So I looked up the definition of reconcile, and found the following:

"Restore friendly relations between."

I like this because it kind of implies that there is a discrepancy, and it is resolved. Applying this to the scripture saying to reconcile yourselves to the will of God, I thought about the natural man, which is an enemy to God.  If we put aside the natural man, we can let our will fall into alignment with God's. And let me tell you, it's so much easier to do the will of God when it is our will too.

Another definition I found: "Cause to coexist in harmony; make or show to be compatible"

This one was kind of interesting because I was wondering if this applied, and I think it does. It implies that our will doesn't have to be the SAME as God's, but it has to be in harmony or compatible with His will. This coordinates very nicely with a previous comment about our freedom to choose, and how precious that opportunity and ability is.  It makes sense that He wouldn't require or force our will to be exactly the same.

And of course, you don't talk about reconciling anything without thinking about it from an accounting perspective.  The lining up to make sure everything is in order and accounted for. There is no part of our will that is out of alignment with God's.  They are aligned to the penny.

So our will needs to align with God's will, meaning that we want what He wants. When we get to this point, we no longer act in a way that opposes God or His commandments, because again, we want what God wants.  Another way to look at it is that we trust God enough that even though our desires are for one thing to happen, we know He has a bigger plan for us.  And we can surrender what we want and be willing to accept whatever God gives us because of it.

I also love how Jacob throws in the last bit that even when our will is reconciled to God's, it is still only through the grace of God that we are saved.  We need to remember that we can't do it without Him.

Free to Choose

"Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves--to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life." (2 Nephi 10:23)

As I teach the primary kids lately about God's plan, and the Council in Heaven, and then the ensuing war that broke out over who would be the savior, I can't help but have it impressed on my mind how important this one fact is: that we are free to act and choose for ourselves.  The events that took place before the world was even formed emphasize this one fact.  God, our Father, chose to allow a large portion of His children (a third) to be lost over this one principle freedom.  It is sometimes glossed over in discussion, but it is a very key point of the plan.  Without it, we wouldn't have progressed and gained what we need in order to get to our Heavenly Father.  He loves us so much, and I'm sure it must have pained Him to lose so many of His children, but it had to happen in order to realize the agency that we all enjoy today.  

And what do we do with that agency, that freedom to choose and act for ourselves?

That is the next logical question.  If such an awful price was paid for such a thing, it certainly must be worth making the right choices for.  I'm sure it pains our Heavenly Father even more to see some of us go down the wrong path, but He will not take away our ability to choose the path that we will take.

That being said, we can choose which path we take, but as is hinted out in the scripture, that the choices come with their own natural consequences, which we can not "out out" of.  So our whe making a choice, we certainly should keep that in mind.

Jacob's Advice

"And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea." (2 Nephi 10:20)

I love this little pep talk given by Jacob, Nephi's brother.  He first reminds us of how merciful the Lord has been to us.  God has given us a great plan, and has provided us with so much, but He didn't just make a plan and not tell us either.  He has laid out the plan, and we are so blessed to have it.

I love the points that Jacob makes of the things we can do with that knowledge.  He reminds us to Remember the Lord, which is part of our baptismal covenants anyway, to always remember Him.  We need to lay aside our sins.  So if we are sinning (which we all are to some degree), STOP IT!  We need to repent and come unto Christ.  Then, Jacob says to not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off.  I think this is important to remember when we are working on trying to be better.  Sure, our sins weigh us down and we need to get rid of them, but they are definitely not the end of the world.  Just repent and move on.  With true repentance comes real, honest, and complete forgiveness.

Jacob and Nephi were driven out of their land.  They had to leave Jerusalem, but they were taken to a promised land, which was better.  I think we need to remember when our path, directed by the Lord, doesn't take us where we think we are going, we can rest assured that God knows what He is doing, AND that He loves us and wants the best for us.  So because of this, He will always choose a better path for us than we could possibly choose ourselves, even if it appears to be a less desirable way at times.  That has certainly been the case in my own life.

We Are Subject To Him

"...for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him." (2 Nephi 9:5)

This is an interesting observation.  I mean, can we really be expected to willingly go through this life, suffering pains, afflictions, and temptations, all the time following Christ, if He had not done so first?

He let men take Him, bind Him, persecute Him, and ultimately kill Him, not to mention the suffering in Gethsemane, all so that we as His family, could make our own choices.

Today in primary, our lesson was about God's plan, and the awful price He paid to keep His plan in tact. He lost a third of His children in that war, not to mention sending His only begotten, Christ, to suffer for all mankind. That is how important the plan really is.  Makes me think that I need to be less flippant about some of my choices, and go out of my way to make better ones.

Take Action!

"Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion." (2 Nephi 8:24-25)

I hear phrases like "Awake, awake, and put on thy strength" and "Shake thyself from the dust" and "loose thyself from the bands of thy neck" and I can't help but imagine someone who is "captive", but they really aren't guarded well, and they could leave when they want.  From their perspective, they have been captured and they must sit there and remain the rest of their days in captivity.  However, if they just decided one day to take some action and leave, they could do it.  Would it be hard and dangerous?  Probably, but totally doable.  Some action on the captive's part is required, though, to make it happen.

We are like that sometimes.  From God's perspective, we are in the exact same boat.  There is a way to escape captivity, whatever our own personal captivity looks like.  Maybe it's addiction, maybe it's depression, maybe it's a lack of faith, it doesn't matter.  What matters is that we feel trapped, like we have to stay in that spot until someone comes and rescues us.  And while it is possible that someone will intervene in our lives, and rescue us, the truth of the matter is that we've already been rescued through the atonement of Christ.  Yet we just sit there, thinking we're stuck.  Sometimes we need someone to just shake us and say "WAKE UP!"  We need some prodding sometimes and some help to do those things, but the nice thing is that we have the power within ourselves to do them.  We are amazing and Heavenly Father has given us more capacity to act than we will ever know.  Not only that, but He will help us as we try to do what he wants us to do.  Sometimes, all he needs from us is the slightest beginning of action, and then He will help us.  But if He swoops in and rescues us without having to do anything on our part, He's pretty much taking away our agency, which is EXTREMELY important to him.

I know we all get discouraged and frustrated sometimes, and feel trapped.  But "Awake" and "Shake thyself from the dust" and "loose thyself from the bands of thy neck"!  You can do it, I can do it.  He is there waiting to help us out, but we need to take that first step.  How sad if we don't, and we end up looking back at our lives and realize that the door of opportunity was wide open, but we never went through it.

Blessings for the Redeemed

"Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away." (2 Nephi 8:11)

The redeemed of the Lord.  Who are they?  The ones who were righteous.  Those who followed the commandments and lived their lives the best they could.

So imagine everlasting joy.  Imagine everlasting holiness.  Imagine gladness and joy.  Imagine sorrow and mourning fleeing away.  Doesn't that sound nice?  I can't comprehend a life without at least a little sorrow or mourning.  It's hard to picture everlasting joy.  What does that even mean?  At any rate, it seems to me that this stuff is pretty good.  While I can't exactly comprehend what it would be like, I can imagine a portion of it, and that portion to me is more than I think I could ask for.

Now, think about this too.  I want to revisit who is redeemed.  Because the Savior made an atonement for us, we are redeemed in more than one way.  One of those ways is what I described above.  If we repent of our mistakes and try to live the commandments, we are redeemed from spiritual death.  However, technically, there is another kind of death, physical death.  and EVERYONE that ever walked on the earth is redeemed from physical death.  Because of the Savior's atonement, we will all be resurrected and receive some form of glory (Celestial, Terrestrial, or Telestial),

Honestly, that right there gives me great comfort and joy, knowing (or at least partially knowing) what the Savior went through for me to redeem me.  I feel very humbled to think that He did it for me just because He loves me and wants me to partake of the blessings described above: everlasting joy and holiness.

The Lord is Your Best Ally

"And the Lord is near, and he justifieth me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me, and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth." (2 Nephi 7:8)

When I read things like this from Isaiah (Jacob is quoting him here), I always picture two armies facing off.  It's a battle between Good and Evil.  The funny thing is, it's not even a question of who will win.  Why? Because God is on the Good side.  I love where he asks the questions "Who will contend with me?" and "Who is my adversary?" There is so much confidence in being on the side of Good that it's almost like saying that there is no competition, no matter how hard Satan tries.

This concept is very comforting because we go through difficult trials in life, and have very severe temptations sometimes. But when we think in terms of this Eternal Battle, as long as we are on the Good side, we will always triumph in the end.  Satan and his minions are real and powerful, but they are no match for God. Ever.

The Lord Will Help You

"For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded." (2 Nephi 7:7)

So for a little context, Jacob is quoting from Isaiah here, in a section which I can describe as showing the Lord's support for His children.

I looked up the dictionary definition for confounded, just to make sure I had the right idea in my head about what that means, and I found the result I was expecting: bewildered, or confused. When we follow God, we know He will help us. The thing that I can say about that is when you get an answer from the Lord about anything in your life, the bewilderment and confusion disappear, if only for even a moment or two.  I think our own doubts and fears, as well as Satan's attempts to drag us down, cause those feelings.

One thing I didn't expect to find in the dictionary definition of confounded was another definition: damned.  Now, to tell the truth, this definition says that it's used as a mild oath, or swear word ("That confounded idiot!"), but the choice of swear word is interesting. Damned is another way of talking about a stopping of our spiritual progress. Used this way, that first verse changes meaning a little. In fact, that is the Savior's mission: to provide a way for man to not be stopped in our spiritual progress. And we need that help, because we can't do it by ourselves.

I'm grateful for the Savior, and His role in God's plan. I'm grateful that He has provided a way for me to return to Him. I certainly am not going to get there by myself.

Not Ashamed to Know the Lord

"...I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me." (2 Nephi 6:7)

When I read this, I pictured some of the people in Lehi's dream.  Those that struggled and made it all the way to the tree of life, and then they saw the people in the great and spacious building laughing at them and mocking them. And they fell away because of that. They had it. The fruit of the tree.  They had tated of the Love of God, but because they were ashamed to even be associated with that, they turned away from it and lost it.  It is so easy to fall into that trap.  As soon as we make right choices, Satan uses them against us.  There will always be people that mock or belittle others, especially for being righteous.

This is why we need to band together and be there for each other, supporting and sustaining and strengthening those around us.  If we do this, then we will learn that He is The Lord, and then we will not be ashamed.

Living After the Manner of Happiness

"And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness." (2 Nephi 5:27)

After Lehi died, Laman and Lemuel (and those that were on their side of things), sought to take Nephi's life.  They were going to kill him because he was a leader and example to them, but he was their younger brother, and they didn't want their younger brother telling them what to do.

So while they made plans to kill him, Nephi was warned to get out of there, so he took all those that were on his side, and left.  And he talks a little about how his people were and what they did.  I love the verse that says that they lived after the manner of happiness.  But what did they do to live that way? Well, they had the secret.  This chapter, 2 Nephi 5, has a lot of the answers to the question of how Nephi and his people lived after the manner of happiness.

"And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses." (2 Nephi 5:10)

Of course, the first thing we need to do to be happy is be righteous and keep the commandments.

"And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written." (2 Nephi 5:12)

They had the scriptures and guidance from the Lord.  I'm sure these items didn't just sit on a shelf collecting dust, either.  They probably were well used.

"And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us;" (2 Nephi 5:14)

They made a way to provide for their physical safety.  I'm not saying you need to stockpile weapons, but they had a way to stay safe from their enemies.

"And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance." (2 Nephi 5:15)

They learned trades and had livelihoods.

"And I, Nephi, did build a temple;" (2 Nephi 5:16)

I'm sure they didn't just have a temple to look at and admire.  I'm certain that it was well used.

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands." (2 Nephi 5:17)

They weren't lazy.  They worked hard.  And they weren't afraid to get their hands dirty.

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people." (2 Nephi 5:26)

They had the priesthood and church leadership.

They did a lot to be happy, and I'm sure I haven't captured everything they did.  But I know that doing more of what I have found from their account will certainly lead to greater happiness.

O Wretched Man That I Am

This is a little different post. I am including a much bigger section to talk about, and will add my own thoughts throughout.

"17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

[I've struggled too because my memory of my sins and weaknesses, but I definitely trust God)]

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

...

26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

[I have been very blessed in my life.  So why do I focus on the negative sometimes?]

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

[Why do I let myself make choices I know are wrong?]

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

[Can you imagine what life would be like if I could be like that? I wouldn't choose to sin because  I always think about the consequences.]

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way--but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."

 (2 Nephi 4:17-35)

I feel so much of what Nephi describes here.  I don't know that there is a lot I could add to express any further how I feel.

What Does My Soul Delight In?

"For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.

Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard." (2 Nephi 4:15-16)

So I read this and the first thing I thought as I read the phrase "my soul delighteth" was 'wow, that is a pretty powerful statement'.  I can say that there are relatively few things that I would say that about.  So even though I've read these things many times before, I found myself curious about what Nephi's soul delighted in.

This passage of scriptures has led to some introspection, and I'm grateful for that.  The following questions came to my mind, and I answered them for myself, but I think it wouldn't be a bad idea for anyone to answer some of those same questions, based on Nephi's writings.

What does my soul delight in? I mean, deep down, truly delight in.

Do I really delight in the scriptures?

Do I ponder the scriptures in my heart?

Do I do what I can to share them with my children?

Does my soul delight in the things of the Lord? Or do I still sort of follow Him begrudgingly?

Do I ponder CONTINUALLY in my heart the things of the Lord? Not just occasionally, but really continually.

Upon reflection of these questions, I think I find myself really lacking in some of these areas.  Something to work on, I guess.

Joseph

"And the Lord said unto me also: I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman. And I, behold, I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it." (2 Nephi 3:18)

Now Lehi is speaking to his son Joseph, and he explains a little of what has been revealed to him about a couple of different people named Joseph. First, he talks about Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and he talks about some of the prophesies that he made.  The one he focuses on is that Joseph (sold into Egypt) prophesied about another Joseph that would be of his seed, and this Joseph would have the same name as him, and that he would have the same name as his father as well.  Then he explained some of the work that Joseph would do, including that he would be a prophet and seer and do a great work.  And another task he would do is "write the writing of the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins".

I re-read that, and I think it's worth pointing out that Lehi was a descendent of Joseph who was sold into Egypt.  Also, that Lehi and his descendents wrote and kept a record.  Later Joseph Smith (who shared a name wiith Joseph as well as his father, just as Joseph had prophesied), translated ("wrote") these writings, and they have been and continue to be distributed to the descendents of those who wrote them in the first place.

I know Joseph Smith was that prophet that Joseph who was sold into Egypt prophesied about.  I'm grateful that Joseph Smith did what he was supposed to do.  I know he was indeed a prophet and seer.  I know that we also have one of those today, President Thomas S. Monson, and I'm grateful for just knowing that God watches out for us and cares for us and makes sure we have enough information to make good decisions that ultimately will lead us straight home to be with Him forever, and one of the ways He does this is by giving His children prophets to listen to.

Joseph Smith was a prophet, and he truly was prophesied about anciently.  He had a great work to do and he did it.  Christ's church was restored to the earth through him.  My life would be very different without these events.