Week 30 -- Looking Back

After the Savior had taught the people so much at the Temple Bountiful, he said, “I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time. Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, . . . (see 3 Nephi 17:2-3). The recipe hasn’t changed.

Relevant quotes from the week:

“What does the Master mean when He warns us to ‘pray always’? I am not wise enough to know all of His purposes in giving us a covenant to always remember Him and in His warning us to pray always lest we be overcome. But I know one. It is because He knows perfectly the powerful forces that influence us and also what it means to be human. . . . He knows what it is like to have the cares of life press in upon us. . . . And He knows how our human powers to cope are not constant. . . . As the forces around us increase in intensity, whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough. And whatever growth in spiritual strength we once thought was possible, greater growth will be made available to us. Both the need for spiritual strength and the opportunity to acquire it will increase at rates which we underestimate at our peril. . . . Start with remembering Him. You will remember what you know and what you love. . . . The Lord hears the prayers of your heart. The feelings of your heart, of love for our Heavenly Father and for His Beloved Son, can be so constant that your prayers will ascend always” (Pres. Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, Oct. 1999, 8-10,12).

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“If we desire to improve (which is to repent) and are not under priesthood restriction, then, in my opinion, we are worthy. If, however, we have no desire to improve, if we have no intention of following the guidance of the Spirit, we must ask: Are we worthy to partake, or are we making a mockery of the very purpose of the Sacrament, which is to act as a catalyst for personal repentance and improvement? If we remember the Savior and all He has done and will do for us, we will improve our actions and thus come closer to Him, which keeps us on the road to eternal life” (Elder John H. Groberg, Ensign, May 1989, 38).

*****

“Why don’t our talks in general conference and local meetings say more about the miracles we have seen? Most of the miracles we experience are not to be shared. Consistent with the teachings of the scriptures, we hold them sacred and share them only when the Spirit prompts us to do so. . . . Modern revelation directs that ‘they shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation’ (D&C 84:73). Another revelation declares, ‘Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit’ (D&C 63:64). . . .

“Latter-day Saints generally follow these directions. In bearing testimonies and in our public addresses we rarely mention our most miraculous experiences, and we rarely rely on signs that the gospel is true. We usually just affirm our testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel and give few details on how we obtained it. Why is this? Signs follow those that believe. Seeking a miracle to convert someone is improper sign seeking. By the same token, it is usually inappropriate to recite miraculous circumstances to a general audience that includes people with very different levels of spiritual maturity. To a general audience, miracles will be faith-reinforcing for some but an inappropriate sign for others” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Miracles” [CES fireside for young adults, May 7, 2000].

TIDBITS and INSIGHTS:

“…for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel shall be your rearward” (see 3 Nephi 20:42). When asked what the word “rearward” means, William responded, “He’s got my back.” Exactly.

*****

It’s important to be reminded once again of the tremendous importance of the prophet, Isaiah. Jesus Christ, himself, quoted him and said, “And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah” (3 Nephi 23:1).

*****

The people had the words of Isaiah, but perhaps needed to be reminded by the Savior of their importance. They did not, however, have the words of Malachi since Lehi had left Jerusalem well before the time of that prophet. What Malachi taught was so important, though, that the Savior quoted him. What did the Nephites need to understand? Tithing and the mission of Elijah.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

So much was done. So much was taught. So much was witnessed. And yet, . . . there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people; But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people. And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto the people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken. And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation. Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people (3 Nephi 26: 6-11).

". . . if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock" (3 Nephi 18:12).

Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament

Bye, Meleah. Don't forget us!

Happy Birthday, Andrea!!!

The Sermon at the Temple (Group Work)

Week 29 - Looking Back

In his mortal ministry Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount to encourage His disciples to strive toward perfection with full purpose of heart. Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the Book of Mormon people in the Western Hemisphere and again delivered this sermon.

Pres. Harold B. Lee said, “In his Sermon on the Mount the Master has given us somewhat of a revelation of his own character, which was perfect, or what might be said to be ‘an autobiography, every syllable of which he had written down in deeds,’ and in so doing has given us a blueprint for our own lives. . . . Each of his declarations is begun by the word ‘Blessed.’. . . ‘Blessedness is an inward fountain of joy in the soul itself, which no outward circumstances can seriously affect’ [in Commentary on the Holy Bible, ed. J.R. Dummelow (1909), 639]. These declarations of the Master are known in the literature of the Christian world as the Beatitudes and have been referred to by bible commentators as the preparation necessary for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. . . . May I speak of them as something more than that as they are applied to you and me. They embody in fact THE CONSITUTION FOR A PERFECT LIFE” (Decisions for Successful Living [1973], 56-57).

“These choice, brief statements [Beatitudes] are not separate, disjointed platitudes; each has a relationship to the others. Let us look at them from the more complete list given in the Nephite sermon and in the Joseph Smith Translation. The Beatitudes deal first with a person’s relationship to God. They speak of such things as faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, forgiveness of sins, and receiving the Holy Ghost. (These particular features are missing from the KJV). The emphasis then shifts to a person’s feelings about himself, or of those feelings that spring from within. For example: Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are meek, and those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Then the emphasis shifts to a person’s attitude toward others. For example: Blessed are the peacemakers. And finally a fourth emphasis appears – how a person should handle other people’s attitudes toward himself. Thus, blessed are all they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake or who are reviled and persecuted falsely” (Robert J. Matthews, A Bible! A Bible! [1990], 240).

President Spencer W. Kimball explained the need to strive for perfection: “’Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect’”(Matthew 5:48, see 3 Nephi 12:48). Now, that is an attainable goal. We will not be exalted; we shall not reach our destination, unless we are perfect, and now is the best time in the world to start toward perfection. I have little patience with persons who say, ‘Oh, nobody is perfect,’ the implication being, ‘so why try?’ Of course no one is wholly perfect, but we find some who are a long way up the ladder” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 165).

“In both His Old and New World ministries, the Savior commanded, ‘Be ye therefore perfect’ [Matt. 5:48; see also 3 Nephi 12:48]. A footnote explains that the Greek word translated as perfect means, ‘complete, finished, fully developed’ [Matt. 5:48, footnote b]. Our Heavenly Father wants us to use this mortal probation to ‘fully develop’ ourselves, to make the most of our talents and abilities. If we do so, when final judgment comes we will experience the joy of standing before our Father in Heaven as ‘complete’ and ‘finished’ sons and daughters, polished by obedience and worthy of the inheritance that He has promised to the faithful” (Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1998, 14).

Interesting insight from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin in regards to 3 Nephi 13:7 – “Our prayers become hollow when we say similar words in similar ways over and over so often that the words become more of a recitation than a communication. This is what the Savior described as ‘vain repetitions’” (see Matt.6:7) (Ensign, Mar. 2004, 24).

Another insight is from Elder Dallin H. Oaks (see 3 Nephi 14:1-2) explaining the difference between righteous and unrighteous judgments: “I have been puzzled that some scriptures command us not to judge and others instruct us that we should judge and even tell us how to do it. But as I have studied these passages I have become convinced that these seemingly contradictory directions are consistent when we view them with the perspective of eternity. The key is to understand that there are two kinds of judging: final judgments, which we are forbidden to make, and intermediate judgments, which we are directed to make, but upon righteous principles. . . .

First, a righteous judgment must, by definition, be intermediate. . . .

Second, a righteous judgment will be guided by the Spirit of the Lord, not by anger, revenge, jealousy, or self-interest. . . .

Third, to be righteous, an intermediate judgment must be within our stewardship. . . .

Fourth, we should, if possible, refrain from judging until we have adequate knowledge of the facts” (Ensign, Aug. 1999, 7, 9-10).

Spring Break - Here We Come!

The View . . .

. . . from my parking space as I arrived for seminary this morning. I wish I had a camera and the skill to do it justice. Every morning this week has been beautiful as I've driven to the church house. Big, gorgeous moon with springtime beginning to unfold. It's been a very special holy week for me - not just because of the crisp, clear mornings, but because - as luck would have it - we've been able to study 3 Nephi - specifically, the fulfillment of Samuel's prophecy about the crucifixion of the Savior, His arrival in this hemisphere, and the beginning of His ministry among the Nephite people. There are many beautiful passages of scripture. None can compare, though, to those where the Savior speaks for Himself - not just through a prophet. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

Happy Easter to you all as we celebrate and give thanks for the greatest love the world has ever known.

Art Work - Events Surrounding the Crucifixion and the Savior's Arrival at the Temple Bountiful