Week 4

2 Nephi 27 - Jarom 1
Pages 106-140
Jacob rehearses Zenos's allegory of the Olive Tree. Although this allegory can rightfully be correlated to the House of Israel.   I feel it can also be a metaphor for an individual life.  The Savior as "Lord of the vineyard" is ever watchful over each of us ready to provide love and nourishment.  Is our ground fertile?  Are we as the tree with good roots but our fruit is wild, making us unprofitable servants?  Or are we anxiously engaged in a better cause and laying up good fruit for the season thereof?

Week 3

2 Nephi  7 - 2 Nephi 27
Pages 70 - 105

In these chapters, Nephi, in addition to his own prophecies,  records the teachings and prophecies of two other prophets, his younger brother Jacob and the old testament prophet, Isaiah.  For me, these chapters focus on a few themes.  First and foremost, the atonement and constancy of the Savior, Jesus Christ.   The first time I read 2 Nephi 9,  I was sitting in a park on a warm fall day in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (I was in the process of receiving the missionary discussions from Elders Roberts and Moniz in the home of my friend, Terry Rogers.)  For the first time I began to gain an understanding of the infinite atonement as the Holy One of Israel suffereth...the pains of every living creature, both men, women and children who belong to the family of Adam.  (2 Nephi 9:21)

The Isaiah chapters can be vexing but I find a major theme to be the scattering and gathering of the House of Israel of which we are a part.   In  addition, each of us individually are scattered and need to be gathered back into the fold.  The Savior is always ready the gather His chicks and His sheep back to the fold.

The Isaiah prophecies are Messianic and millennial but are also serves as a reminder that God  is the same yesterday, today and forever.

 Nephi sums it up best:

 

We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

2 Nephi1 25:26

Week 2

1Nephi 16 to 2 Nephi 7
Pages 35 to 70

There is so much valuable information in this section that we have read this past week.  I  am focusing on one to write about. In 2 Nephi 4, the prophet writes about his own shortcomings and weaknesses.  I love how Nephi writes, "I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.  And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins, nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.  My God hath been my support; he hath led me through my afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. 2 Nephi 4: 18-20 (emphasis added)

So,  it is for me.  Despite my sins and follies, I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me.

Week 1

November 9 - November 15

1 Nephi 1 - 1 Nephi 16

The beginning chapters of the Book of Mormon provide a fast paced narrative written by Nephi the son of Lehi.   At times, one can pass over much of the beautiful gospel doctrine taught in this portion of the book.  That is understandable as Nephi treats us to so many fundamental gospel truths, one can study over a lifetime to draw a full application.  

I love the Book of Mormon and am so grateful to The Lord for allowing me the privilege to sup from these pages.

My hope is that each member of my family would be drawn in to this study.  I am disappointed that more of them have not taken  the challenge at this particular point...but I continue to pray they will do so, that all of us will be enabled to join at the tree of life and partake of the fruit that is most desirable above all things and the most joyous to the soul.

Tender Mercies

Last night, as Spencer, Mom and I were talking to Chloe via Skype.  I received a telephone call from my High Priest Group Leader requesting assistance in administering a priesthood blessing to a sister in the hospital.  Neither of us knew the sister or her family.  Even though it was late in the evening, we proceeded to the hospital, met the family and gave the priesthood blessing.  I don't know what the fate of this sister will be, but the Holy Spirit was So Strong!

Often, it is so easy to move on and forget the tender mercies of the Lord.  Although this was a small and seemingly insignificant experience, my hope is that all involved will recall the sweet Spirit of the Lord that permeated us.

"I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us."  

Elder David A. Bednar

Book of Mormon

I have lately been contemplating the potential value of the Book of Mormon in our day to day lives as well as the effect for our eternal salvation.

I say potential because I don't feel that any of us (myself included)  have really harnessed the power we can receive from studying and prayerfully learning from this book.

Therefore, I am issuing an challenge to each member of our family to read the Book of Mormon.  If we start on next Sunday, November 9, 2014 and commit to read 5 pages a day, we will be done by February 22, 2015!

In reading the Book of Mormon, each person can find their own purpose, but here are a two ideas:

To find the Savior.  How the Lord, Jesus Christ changed the lives of the individuals in the book?

To liken all scripture unto yourself.  How can these stories have application in my life?

So, that is my challenge for each of us.

Will you commit to do it?