Pres. Monson said, “Decisions determine destiny” (Ensign, May 2002, 100). ---see 1 Nephi 7:15
In Chapter 7, Nephi questions Lehi & Lemuel. The relevance of his questions should not be mistaken or ignored by us:
1. How is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds? (v. 8)
2. How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord? (v. 9)
3. How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen? (v. 10)
4. How is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done? (v.11)
5. How is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able? (v. 12)
The above begs the question, “How many times is the word "remember" found in the scriptures? Check out the following sites for the answer:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_times_is_the_word_remember_mentioned_in_the_Bible
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_times_is_the_word_remember_used_in_the_Book_of_Mormon
We spent a good portion of our time discussing Lehi’s dream and Nephi’s interpretation of it. Once again, your artwork proved you have a good understanding of what Lehi saw. Hopefully as we discussed his vision and Nephi’s explanation of it, we are all better able to apply the principles and doctrines taught in our own lives. You each have a copy of the following talk for your personal files:
They’re Not Really Happy, Bishop Glenn L. Pace, Ensign, November 1987
It can also be found at
Here is an excerpt from it:
“Even though you have a testimony and want to do what is right, it is difficult not to be drawn to the great and spacious building. From all appearances, the people in the building seem to be having a great time…. They look happy and free, but don’t mistake telestial pleasure for celestial happiness and joy. Don’t mistake lack of self-control for freedom. Complete freedom without appropriate restraint makes us slaves to our appetites. Don’t envy a lesser and lower life. To those of you who are inching your way closer and closer to that great and spacious building, let me make it completely clear that the people in that building have absolutely nothing to offer except instant, short-term gratification inescapably connected to long-term sorrow and suffering…. There are absolute truths of eternity. They do not change as a society drifts from them. No popular vote can change an absolute, eternal truth. Legalizing an act does not make it moral. Don’t be fooled by the argument ‘Everybody’s doing it.’ Your spirit should be offended and your intelligence insulted by such reasoning.”
Here is the excerpt we covered in class:
“One word in this dream or vision should have special meaning to you young Latter-day Saints. The word is after. It was after the people had found the tree that they became ashamed, and because of the mockery of the world they fell away….
At your baptism and confirmation, you took hold of the iron rod. But you are never safe. It is after you have partaken of that fruit that your test will come….
You will be safe if you look like and groom like and act like an ordinary Latter-day Saint: dress modestly, attend your meetings, pay tithes, take the sacrament, honor the priesthood, honor your parents, follow your leaders, read the scriptures, study the Book of Mormon, and pray, always pray. An unseen power will hold your hand as you hold to the iron rod.
Will this solve all your problems? Of course not! That would be contrary to the purpose of your coming into mortality. It will, however, give you a solid foundation on which to build your life. (See Helaman 5:12).
The mist of darkness will cover you at times so much that you will not be able to see your way even a short distance ahead. You will not be able to see clearly. But you can feel your way. With the gift of the Holy Ghost, you can feel your way ahead through life. Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, you can feel your way through life. (See 3 Nephi 18:25; D&C 9:8)….
You who are young will see many things that will try your courage and test your faith. All of the mocking does not come from outside of the Church. Let me say that again: All of the mocking does not come from outside of the Church. Be careful that you do not fall into the category of mocking….
You live in an interesting generation where trials will be constant in your life. Learn to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. It is to be a shield and a protection and a teacher for you. Never be ashamed or embarrassed about the doctrines of the gospel or about the standards that we teach in the Church. You always, if you are faithful in the Church, will be that much different from the world at large.”
One more quote for all the current parents and all the someday parents:
1 Nephi 8:37. “Feelings of a Tender Parent”
• “We too must have the faith to teach our children and bid them to keep the commandments. We should not let their choices weaken our faith. Our worthiness will not be measured according to their righteousness. Lehi did not lose the blessing of feasting at the tree of life because Laman and Lemuel refused to partake of its fruit. Sometimes as parents we feel we have failed when our children make mistakes or stray. Parents are never failures when they do their best to love, teach, pray, and care for their children. Their faith, prayers, and efforts will be consecrated to the good of their children” (Elder Robert D. Hales, Ensign,May 2004, 88).
In Chapter 15, Nephi speaks of the justice of God in dividing the wicked from the righteous. Elder Oakes explained what the determining factor for that is:
“Many Bible and modern scriptures speak of a final judgment at which all persons will be rewarded according to their deeds or works or the desires of their hearts. But other scriptures enlarge upon this by referring to our being judged by the condition we have achieved. The prophet Nephi describes the Final Judgment in terms of what we have become: ‘And if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God’ (1 Nephi 15:33; italics added). Moroni declares, ‘He that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still’ (Mormon 9:14; italics added; see also Revelation 22:11–12; 2 Nephi 9:16; D&C 88:35). The same would be true of ‘selfish’ or ‘disobedient’ or any other personal attribute inconsistent with the requirements of God. Referring to the ‘state’ of the wicked in the Final Judgment, Alma explains that if we are condemned by our words, our works, and our thoughts, ‘we shall not be found spotless; . . . and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God’ (Alma 12:14). From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become” (Elder Dallin H. Oakes, Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32).
No comments:
Post a Comment