I think it says a lot about Nephi's character and desires that he was always disappointed by the wickedness of the people. This was the attitude he had when he began praying on his garden tower, as people gathered to hear him there. This was his attitude after the whole business with the chief judge being murdered, and how great of a converting experience it could have been for people who just paid attention to the Spirit and witnessed what had happened with Nephi prophesying about it. They just started to fight again, and Nephi started to ponder.
"3 And it came to pass as he was thus pondering—being much cast down because of the wickedness of the people of the Nephites, their secret works of darkness, and their murderings, and their plunderings, and all manner of iniquities—and it came to pass as he was thus pondering in his heart, behold, a voice came unto him saying:
4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments." (Helaman 10:3-4)
To be much cast down because of the wickedness of the people requires that you care about the people. You are concerned about everyone, everywhere. When the people are being wicked, it is really disappointing, and you just want everyone to feel what you have felt and experience what you have experienced, and to know what you know.
Nephi was so disappointed by the peoples' wickedness. You can imagine the kinds of things potentially running through his head, like "if only I was a better teacher" or second-guessing your effectiveness as a missionary.
He really needed a pick-me-up, and he got it in a big way. Nephi was heading home, when he heard the voice basically saying "Well done, thou good and faithful servant". He is even given the sealing power. I feel like this would have been immensely satisfying to Nephi, to know how much God trusts you.
I would love to be that kind of person--someone the Lord trusts. I do pretty ok, but I know I miss things. I know I might skip doing things that I know I should do, just because I didn't really "feel" like it at the time. I can do better.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Nephi's Prophecy
Nephi prophesied that the chief judge, Seezoram, had been murdered by his brother Seantum. There were certain people who didn't believe him. He was able to give them a play-by-play rundown of how the conversation would go when they confronted Seantum. He told them he would deny their accusation, and then eventually, he would confess.
"And it came to pass that they went and did, even according as Nephi had said unto them. And behold, the words which he had said were true; for according to the words he did deny; and also according to the words he did confess." (Helaman 9:37)
The question is, why would God give Nephi the ability to get so specific about a single event? I think it is because of the possible positive outcome of the group at large.
"And there were some of the Nephites who believed on the words of Nephi; and there were some also, who believed because of the testimony of the five, for they had been converted while they were in prison." (Helaman 9:39)
There were a number of the people that were converted. Some of them converted because of what Nephi said, and some of them for other reasons, but this event was the catalyst for some peoples' conversions. Heavenly Father is really a loving Father who wants the best for every person, every one of His children. He will give them the best chance for coming back to live with Him after this mortal life, even if that means something as seemingly small as helping solve a murder mystery.
He really is in control.
"And it came to pass that they went and did, even according as Nephi had said unto them. And behold, the words which he had said were true; for according to the words he did deny; and also according to the words he did confess." (Helaman 9:37)
The question is, why would God give Nephi the ability to get so specific about a single event? I think it is because of the possible positive outcome of the group at large.
"And there were some of the Nephites who believed on the words of Nephi; and there were some also, who believed because of the testimony of the five, for they had been converted while they were in prison." (Helaman 9:39)
There were a number of the people that were converted. Some of them converted because of what Nephi said, and some of them for other reasons, but this event was the catalyst for some peoples' conversions. Heavenly Father is really a loving Father who wants the best for every person, every one of His children. He will give them the best chance for coming back to live with Him after this mortal life, even if that means something as seemingly small as helping solve a murder mystery.
He really is in control.
Nephi Spoke the Truth
Nephi was speaking to the crowd that had gathered by his garden gate as he was praying. There were different people there, including some people who were part of the secret band of Gadianton, who had done some pretty bad things, including the murder of past leaders, to try to manipulate people and situations to their favor.
These people didn't like that Nephi was talking about some of their corruption and wickedness, so they tried to incite some negativity among the crowd.
"For behold, Nephi had spoken unto them concerning the corruptness of their law; yea, many things did Nephi speak which cannot be written; and nothing did he speak which was contrary to the commandments of God." (Helaman 8:3)
Why would this be such a bad thing for Nephi to do? To call people to repentance and expose the wickedness of the people. Well, here's the answer:
"And those judges were angry with him because he spake plainly unto them concerning their secret works of darkness; nevertheless, they durst not lay their own hands upon him, for they feared the people lest they should cry out against them." (Helaman 8:4)
This is often the case for the righteous. You try to bring the truth to light and share it with others, and there will always be people who oppose what you are saying. In fact, often, they will be so opposed to what you are saying that you will get threatened and maligned. Luckily, I haven't been put into this situation, especially to the extreme of when people were trying to threaten me harm. However, I have been in the situation where I've had to have some difficult conversations with people based on their behavior. It's not easy to tell people they need to repent. However, my experience has been that when you tell someone that out of love and respect for them, they will often feel the genuine feelings that led you to tell them in the first place, and your relationship will be strengthened rather than diminished.
God loves all of His children. He wants all of them to be happy, and He knows that there's only one real way to true happiness, and that is through repentance and through His plan. I know he made that plan for me and I hope when I am faced with opportunities to call people to repentance, I can be bold enough to just come out and say it, without fear.
These people didn't like that Nephi was talking about some of their corruption and wickedness, so they tried to incite some negativity among the crowd.
"For behold, Nephi had spoken unto them concerning the corruptness of their law; yea, many things did Nephi speak which cannot be written; and nothing did he speak which was contrary to the commandments of God." (Helaman 8:3)
Why would this be such a bad thing for Nephi to do? To call people to repentance and expose the wickedness of the people. Well, here's the answer:
"And those judges were angry with him because he spake plainly unto them concerning their secret works of darkness; nevertheless, they durst not lay their own hands upon him, for they feared the people lest they should cry out against them." (Helaman 8:4)
This is often the case for the righteous. You try to bring the truth to light and share it with others, and there will always be people who oppose what you are saying. In fact, often, they will be so opposed to what you are saying that you will get threatened and maligned. Luckily, I haven't been put into this situation, especially to the extreme of when people were trying to threaten me harm. However, I have been in the situation where I've had to have some difficult conversations with people based on their behavior. It's not easy to tell people they need to repent. However, my experience has been that when you tell someone that out of love and respect for them, they will often feel the genuine feelings that led you to tell them in the first place, and your relationship will be strengthened rather than diminished.
God loves all of His children. He wants all of them to be happy, and He knows that there's only one real way to true happiness, and that is through repentance and through His plan. I know he made that plan for me and I hope when I am faced with opportunities to call people to repentance, I can be bold enough to just come out and say it, without fear.
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Knowing What to Teach
Nephi, the son of Helaman, had spent all this time with his brother preaching the word. Eventually, they had to leave the land where they had been preaching because the people rejected him. When he got home, he realized that the people were very wicked, which caused him much sorrow and grief.
He began to lament, and cry unto God, about his sorrow, and he happened to be in a place where some people started to gather around and listen to h. When he finished praying, he began to preach to the people who had gathered together. He gives them a number of things to think about, especially pointing out their wickedness, and the consequences of their actions, including that they would be destroyed from off the face of the earth.
"Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself, because it is not of myself that I know these things; but behold, I know that these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me, therefore I testify that they shall be." (Helaman 7:29)
He then goes on to explain that these are not guesses, or his opinion. The information came from God.
This is how we much teach or preach. We must have the Spirit, and be able to state with boldness and confidence that what we are teaching is right and true. This is one way to instill that same confidence to those who we are teaching. The truth that we teach will help them feel the Spirit (if they are willing to receive it), and they can know if it's true. This can lead to a change of heart, which can lead to a change of action. This is what it means to be converted. And often, that all starts with a teacher sharing what they know, and knowing that what they are sharing comes from God.
He began to lament, and cry unto God, about his sorrow, and he happened to be in a place where some people started to gather around and listen to h. When he finished praying, he began to preach to the people who had gathered together. He gives them a number of things to think about, especially pointing out their wickedness, and the consequences of their actions, including that they would be destroyed from off the face of the earth.
"Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself, because it is not of myself that I know these things; but behold, I know that these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me, therefore I testify that they shall be." (Helaman 7:29)
He then goes on to explain that these are not guesses, or his opinion. The information came from God.
This is how we much teach or preach. We must have the Spirit, and be able to state with boldness and confidence that what we are teaching is right and true. This is one way to instill that same confidence to those who we are teaching. The truth that we teach will help them feel the Spirit (if they are willing to receive it), and they can know if it's true. This can lead to a change of heart, which can lead to a change of action. This is what it means to be converted. And often, that all starts with a teacher sharing what they know, and knowing that what they are sharing comes from God.
Who Will Have The Spirit?
This is pretty straightforward, but it's worth pointing out. The Nephites and the Lamanites went through a period of peace and righteousness. They traded and traveled freely among each other, and things were good, so the Lord blessed and prospered them.
As often happens with prosperity, there began to be some wickedness among them. The Gadianton robbers grew strong, and the people, especially the Nephites, became more and more wicked.
"35 And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts.
36 And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words." (Helaman 6:35-36)
The phrase "And thus we see" occurs frequently in the scriptures, and it usually shows up in a spot where the author wants to point something out about cause and effect, or the consequences, good or bad, of the peoples' actions.
In this context, it is explaining the basics of how to lose the Spirit. When we're wicked, it will withdraw. Also, when our hearts grow harder. When we're not willing to listen to righteous words, and even if we hear them, we're not willing to make any changes in order to heed the words.
When we're righteous and when we are willing to not only hear, but heed the teachings, the Spirit grows stronger with us.
The Spirit is key to our testimonies, and to making good choices. He helps us and protects us. It is important to have the Spirit. So how do we do that? Well, if we are righteous, and display ease and willingness to follow the gospel teachings, we will have the Spirit.
As often happens with prosperity, there began to be some wickedness among them. The Gadianton robbers grew strong, and the people, especially the Nephites, became more and more wicked.
"35 And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts.
36 And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words." (Helaman 6:35-36)
The phrase "And thus we see" occurs frequently in the scriptures, and it usually shows up in a spot where the author wants to point something out about cause and effect, or the consequences, good or bad, of the peoples' actions.
In this context, it is explaining the basics of how to lose the Spirit. When we're wicked, it will withdraw. Also, when our hearts grow harder. When we're not willing to listen to righteous words, and even if we hear them, we're not willing to make any changes in order to heed the words.
When we're righteous and when we are willing to not only hear, but heed the teachings, the Spirit grows stronger with us.
The Spirit is key to our testimonies, and to making good choices. He helps us and protects us. It is important to have the Spirit. So how do we do that? Well, if we are righteous, and display ease and willingness to follow the gospel teachings, we will have the Spirit.
Thursday, February 1, 2018
The Only Way
The people had become wicked. Because of this, Nephi gave up the judgement seat and went around with his brother Lehi preaching the Gospel.
One of the things that seemed to give them courage and strength as they went around teaching people is remembering what their father had told them. First he explained to them that he named them Nephi and Lehi, after the two great men who left Jerusalem and came to the promised land, in the hopes that they would think about them and try to be like them.
Then, their father reminded them of probably the most crucial point that any of us can remember.
"yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world." (Helaman 5:9)
It is so important for us to remember the Savior and the atonement. Without it, we are lost, because we are all sinners. We all distance ourselves from God by at least some of our actions, and the only way to become fully clean and sin-free again is through repentance.
Also, the famous words of Helaman to his sons:
"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12)
I love this passage of scripture for a number of reasons. First off, life is hard. You always have challenges, and sometimes those challenges seem like mighty storms, and sometimes it feels like you're gonna be dragged down to the gulf of misery and endless wo. But if we build our foundation on Christ, the storm doesn't have power to drag us down. Will it beat on us? Yes. Will we make it through completely unscathed? Probably not. However, if Christ is our foundation, we CANNOT fall. There isn't any bit of uncertainty in that statement. The only way to be certain of our ability to weather the storm is to build our foundation on the rock of our Redeemer.
It's a life-long pursuit, but it is definitely worth it.
One of the things that seemed to give them courage and strength as they went around teaching people is remembering what their father had told them. First he explained to them that he named them Nephi and Lehi, after the two great men who left Jerusalem and came to the promised land, in the hopes that they would think about them and try to be like them.
Then, their father reminded them of probably the most crucial point that any of us can remember.
"yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world." (Helaman 5:9)
It is so important for us to remember the Savior and the atonement. Without it, we are lost, because we are all sinners. We all distance ourselves from God by at least some of our actions, and the only way to become fully clean and sin-free again is through repentance.
Also, the famous words of Helaman to his sons:
"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12)
I love this passage of scripture for a number of reasons. First off, life is hard. You always have challenges, and sometimes those challenges seem like mighty storms, and sometimes it feels like you're gonna be dragged down to the gulf of misery and endless wo. But if we build our foundation on Christ, the storm doesn't have power to drag us down. Will it beat on us? Yes. Will we make it through completely unscathed? Probably not. However, if Christ is our foundation, we CANNOT fall. There isn't any bit of uncertainty in that statement. The only way to be certain of our ability to weather the storm is to build our foundation on the rock of our Redeemer.
It's a life-long pursuit, but it is definitely worth it.
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