An LDS Conversation
A daily log of the Lord’s blessings in my life!Archive for January, 2008
1 Nehpi 19
Well, I was sitting in bed playing puzzle quest (best game and so addicting) when the thought came into my head that I hadn’t read scriptures today or posted on here. I thought, Oh I’ll just let it go. But you know what! No. I am not going to let it slide, cause one time of that and there is more. Plus it is the last day of January and I have not missed a day. I have to post. I am just barely getting it in today too.
I read the first five verses, that is all I have time to post about. Nephi was commanded to make the record of his people. I love that he writes that he doesn’t know why he is writing the, but the Lord knows and it is a wise purpose in Him. Everyone has been asked to keep a journal. I heard a talk about journal writing a while ago that I really liked. A dad had kept a journal of the ways the Lord blessed his family’s life. Then he gave a copy of it to each one of his kids. I really liked that idea. Then, they are able to see how the Lord blesses us when they need it most.
So, I write! 
I have written in my journal pretty consistently for the past five or six years. Maybe more. I am happy about that. That is all for tonight.
1 Nehpi 18
The shipped is finished and they sail to the promise land.
Now, here is another time when Laman and Lemuel are faithless and try to harm Nephi. Man, they just never quit. They tie him up and a big storm comes. People try to talk them into letting Nephi go, but they will not. Finally, the power of the Lord loosens the bands and he is free. The storm is calmed and the ball works again according to Nephi’s faith.
They arrive safely in the promised land and find plenty to fulfill their needs. They made it.
1 Nephi 17
I love Nephi’s response to the Lord asking him to build a ship. He doesn’t question the Lord about why or how or doubt. He simply asks where he is to go to find the ore he needs to make the tools. He is so obedient.
And Laman and Lemuel give the same response as usual. They murmur against their brother and call him a fool. I am just amazed at how little faith they have and hope that if someone were writing my life story I wouldn’t look as stupid as they do all the time.
Reading the Book of Mormon gives me such hope for the future for the righteous. We are constantly reminded that if we keep the Lord’s commandments we will prosper in the land. Also, Nephi tells us that the Lord “raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked” (1 Nephi 17:37). We just need to be on the Lord’s side, fighting the good fight!
Nephi also talks of Moses in this chapter and the children of Israel. One of the most interesting parts of the exodus story to me is when fiery flying serpents bit the children of Israel and the way to be healed was to only look upon Moses’ staff, but because of the simpleness of the way, many did not look and were not healed. Amazing. What in our lives could be like that staff? What is so easy that we just don’t do it. Reading scriptures is easy. Going to church is easy. Every week I am tempted not to go to church. And it seems like now that I have been reading and I have a calling and a reason to be there, I am even more tempted not to go. Weird. Satan never sleeps. He never gives up. We have to be constantly watchful!
I just thought about Nephi and his brothers in a new way. I am always thinking how wicked and stupid they are and never once did I think to love them. But they were Nephi’s brothers and I am sure he loved them so very much. In verse 47 he writes, “my soul is rent with anguish because of you” speaking of his brothers. Hmm. That really sheds a different light on Laman and Lemuel for me. Plus, I heard something on the radio today that made me think too. A talk radio guy (not sure who it was) said to treat the illegal immigrants with compassion like they were real people. Wow, you don’t hear that everyday in the political world. I mean yeah,treat people with compassion because we are all God’s children. What a wonderful lesson.
Nephi finishes this chapter with a bang. He tells his brothers that if they touch him they shall wither like a reed for he was filled with the power of God. Also, he says,
And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.
Wow!! That is faith. I mean that is what we should all strive for. I really enjoyed this chapter. I am also glad I have this blog even if nobody really reads it. 
1 Nephi Chapter 16
Wow, this is a loaded chapter.
In the beginning of the chapter, Nephi tells us that the guilty take the truth to be hard. I find this very applicable in my life. Whenever I react to a situation defensively, I almost automatically know that I am in the wrong and will be apologizing for it once I calm down enough to admit it. I am very grateful for this in my life, because it helps keep in line.
He goes on to tell of his travelings in the wilderness and their possession of a curious ball. This ball is the Liahona. It is interpreted as compass, but this compass is no ordinary compass. The Liahona works according to the diligence and heed you give to the word of the Lord. So when they are being faithful, the ball points them where they need to go to find food and also writing appears on the ball. Well, several times throughout this chapter Laman and the rest of the doubters murmur against Nephi. They are also humbled each time they do.
I can’t help but notice how often Laman, Lemuel and those who follow them murmur and then so quickly are humbled by the Lord. Then are so quick again to murmur. I really have to stop and look at myself and see how often it is I murmur against the things in my life which inevitably are things the Lord has given me and thus a murmur against the Lord. I would just hope that I could be more like Nephi in being steadfast and true!
That is all for now. I really enjoyed reading this chapter and catching another glimpse of Nephi’s great faith in the midst of terrible doubting.
President Hinckley Dies
President Hinckley died tonight at 7pm. How sad. He was a tremendous person. I just wanted to dedicate this blog to him tonight. I gave a lesson in Relief Society the other month and my hand picked topic was optimism. President Hinckley was a big part of that. I just wanted to include some of that lesson.
In January of 1995, there were 47 operating temples. In this last conference report of 2006 there were 124 in operation. There are still more on the way. That is 77 temples built while he was the prophet.
Here is the talk that I based my portion about him on.
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Words of the Prophet: The Spirit of Optimism,” New Era, Jul 2001, 4
I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight.
ImageThere never was a greater time in the history of the world to live upon the earth than this. How grateful every one of us ought to feel for being alive in this wonderful time with all the marvelous blessings we have. … And on top of all that is the Restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with all of the keys and authority, with all the gifts and blessings, with all the organization and doctrine of all previous dispensations all brought into one. And you and I are partakers of that marvelous restoration (from Church News, Aug. 14, 1999, 7).
I see so many good people everywhere—and there’s so much of good in them. And the world is good. Wonderful things are happening in this world. This is the greatest age in the history of the earth. …
We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. … You can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen (from Ensign, June 1995, 4).
Truth will triumphI suppose you have heard the story of the absent-minded professor who went shopping and lost his umbrella. Discovering his loss, he retraced his steps. At the first three stores on which he called, the clerks denied having found his umbrella. At the fourth store the clerk handed him the missing umbrella. He grumbled, “Thank goodness for an honest man. The other three told me they didn’t have it.”
I am inclined to think that notwithstanding the gains we see in the work of the Lord, notwithstanding the reformation we see in the lives of many people, we are prone to emphasize the problems and disregard the progress.
I [am] an optimist concerning the work of the Lord. I cannot believe that God has established His work in the earth to have it fail. I cannot believe that it is getting weaker. I know that it is getting stronger. …
I have a simple and solemn faith that right will triumph and that truth will prevail. I am not so naive as to believe there will not be setbacks, but I believe that “truth crushed to earth will rise again” (from Improvement Era, Dec. 1969, 97–98).
Be happyI have a great and compelling sense of gratitude and optimism about the youth of the Church. In saying this, I do not wish to imply that all is well with all of them. There are many who have troubles, and many who live far beneath the high expectations we have concerning them.
But even considering these, I have great confidence in our young people as a whole. I regard you as the finest generation in the history of the Church. I compliment you, and I have in my heart a great feeling of love and respect and appreciation for you (from New Era, Sept. 1993, 4).
I have little doubt that many of us are troubled with fears concerning ourselves. We are in a period of stress across the world. There are occasionally hard days for each of us. Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. Opportunities will eventually open to you. Do not let the prophets of gloom endanger your possibilities (from Ensign, Apr. 1986, 4–5).
The Lord has said: “Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made” (D&C 25:13).
I believe He is saying to each of us, be happy. The gospel is a thing of joy. It provides us with a reason for gladness. Of course there are times of sorrow. Of course there are hours of concern and anxiety. We all worry. But the Lord has told us to lift our hearts and rejoice. I see so many people … who seem never to see the sunshine, but who constantly walk with storms under cloudy skies. Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine (from Ensign, Nov. 1984, 91–92).
The good newsLet us not partake of the negative spirit so rife in our times. There is so much of the sweet and the decent and the beautiful to build upon. We are partakers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel means “good news!” The message of the Lord is one of hope and salvation! The voice of the Lord is a voice of glad tidings! The work of the Lord is a work of glorious accomplishment!
In a dark and troubled hour the Lord said to those He loved: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
These great words of confidence are a beacon to each of us. In Him we may indeed have trust. For He and His promises will never fail (from Ensign, Apr. 1986, 6).
Be positiveI am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we “accentuate the positive.” I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentance. Wise is the man who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his course.
What I am suggesting is that each of us turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom we associate, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism, that our faith exceed our fears. When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my father would say: “Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve (from Ensign, Apr. 1986, 2–4).
Let us go forward in this glorious work. How exciting and wonderful it is. I do not know how anybody can feel gloomy for very long who is a member of this Church. Do you feel gloomy? Lift your eyes. Stand on your feet. Say a few words of appreciation and love to the Lord. Be positive. Think of what great things are occurring as the Lord brings to pass His eternal purposes. This is a day of prophecy fulfilled, … this great day in the history of this Church. This is the day which has been spoken of by those who have gone before us. Let us live worthy of our birthright. Keep the faith. Nurture your testimonies. Walk in righteousness, and the Lord will bless you and prosper you, and you will be a happy and wonderful people (from Ensign, Aug. 1996, 61).
[illustrations] Illustrated by Scott Greer
He was the prophet for most of my adult years to this point. The really only one I remember having. I am grateful for his dedicated years of service. I am glad he and his wife are back together again.
My night
Well, last night I put my faith to the test. I have diabetes and I spent half the night with low blood sugar. Then, after eating what seemed like everything in sight and it was still low, I got a little sick feeling. Well, I got sicker and sicker. I finally puked. Eew. Then I had diarrhea. Something was in my body that it didn’t like. So, after puking a few times and it was like 2am, I prayed that I could just get to sleep cause I knew if I could do that then I would be ok.
Well, I did get to sleep right after that. I also had the impression to ask John for a blessing, but he said a prayer for me and I felt that was enough. I am really grateful for my health. After spending the night puking and pooping I realized that I have some good health that I should thank my Heavenly Father for more often. I really don’t notice how well my health is until it is bad.
I didn’t get any scriptures read today. I was still a little sick in the morning, but not puking. I just wanted to write about my testimony a little.
Mitt Romney
I was watching the debates last night. I know this is off the topic of the Book of Mormon, but I have read the chapters for this week and the questions I might answer tomorrow. Today I wanted to share something about the Presidential Debate.
Mitt Romney as I am sure everyone knows by now is LDS. He was asked last night what he thought about polls saying that like 40% of Americans think that a Mormon in the White House wouldn’t be able to unite the country. Well, he gave what I thought was a great response. He said that the constitution stated that there should be no test of religion while running for office. He said that if he were to win the nomination and go up against Hillary (if she won the Democrats), then people would vote for one or the other not based on his religion but based on the ideas that he had that were different from hers.
I just couldn’t imagine being the center of that much attention from the media about the church. People have so many questions that you never really think about on a regular basis. I mean you learn things and then you do things. As I live my life, I don’t spend too much time researching polygamy and who did it and who had so many wives, but there are people who do and then want me to answer their questions just because I am LDS. I don’t think it is fair. They already know the answers better than I do yet they are asking me. They usually aren’t LDS and for that reason they have no understanding of the faith we as an LDS people have. Cause when it comes down to it, we have to rely on our faith.
And that is all for today. I just think Governor Romney handled that question very well last night. And he has handled those questions well throughout his candidacy.
1 Nephi 13-14
Well, last night I read chapter 13 and this morning I read chapter 14.
I can’t figure out how to exactly write this blog. I am not too sure there are many people who read very post. Really I am just doing it for myself, to see if I can read my scripture everyday and write my inspirations. I usually write in my journal, but I don’t really write like people will be reading. So I think I will shift a little toward that. Especially since I have not had many comments at all. I just don’t know how to make this “a conversation.”
In the last days or our times, there are only two churches, the church of God and the church of the devil. The bible has been altered by the great and abominable church. Plain and precious things have been taken from it. We have the translations of parts of the bible thanks to Joseph Smith.
Who is that great and abominable church? I am not sure. I interpret these scriptures as, the LDS church is the one church of God and all the others are the devil’s. Now, it sounds a bit harsh, but that is the truth. The only way back to Christ is through Him. Everyone will receive a chance to accept or reject the message so that it is completely fair. We have been given free agency for a reason! God is not going to force us to chose Him. Jesus says come unto me those who are heavy laden. Well, that is what we have to do, come unto Him.
I find sometimes I just read through the chapters and never look back. I am hoping that in the lesson on Sunday I will find the answer I am looking for, or even before then.
Nephi’s Visions
So, let me be honest, this morning I went to get my driver’s license since I have lived here for two years and still had an Alaska license. So I thought I could get my scriptures in at the beginning of the day while I waited, but turns out I only had to wait about five minutes. Then, as expected, my day never slowed down to where I could sit and read scriptures, or to where I did. I tried a bit, but I didn’t clear enough of what I was doing.
So for the second straight day I have nothing to write. Also, John just hooked up another computer at our desk and the one I use wasn’t hooked up to the internet and I didn’t want to mess with his new one. So, I have excuse after excuse, but I am going to read the chapter, just not going to come back to post.
Chapter 13 vs 1-5
I only had a short time this morning because I woke up late soI read the first few verses. This is a vision that Nephi sees of future people. I just got the tip of it. So more tomorrow.
