In today's reading the segregation of Lehi's family occurs. Nephi made it clear things were getting pretty bad when he said, "I do not write all the things which they murmured against me. But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life." That sums it up.
Sometimes we just need to remove ourselves from evil...especially when death is on the line (spiritual OR physical).
On their own, the people of Nephi worked hard, kept the commandments and "did prosper exceedingly." Nephi says they "did live in the manner of happiness," while Laman's followers became loathsome and cursed.
"And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses. And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly..." 2 Nephi 5:10-11
Isaiah writings in 2 Nephi 8 remind us that despite trials, the Lord will "comfort and gather" us, that we will "come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon [our] heads. [We] shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away." (2 Nephi 8:11)
Let's cheerfully do all we can in the mean time (D&C 123:17), and put our shoulder to the wheel!
- Opening Song: "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel"
Discussions on The Book of Mormon:
2 Nephi 6-8; 10
“The greatest single lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right.” --President Thomas S. Monson
Elder Richard G. Scott shared how we can protect ourselves: “God has provided a way to live in this world and not be contaminated by the degrading pressures evil agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive, righteous life by following the plan of protection created by your Father in Heaven: His plan of happiness. It is contained in the scriptures and in the inspired declarations of His prophets...Avoid worldly wickedness. Know that God is in control. In time, Satan will completely fail and be punished for his perverse evil. God has a specific plan for your life. He will reveal parts of that plan to you as you look for it with faith and consistent obedience. His Son has made you free—not from the consequences of your acts, but free to make choices. God’s eternal purpose is for you to be successful in this mortal life. No matter how wicked the world becomes, you can earn that blessing. Seek and be attentive to the personal guidance given to you through the Holy Spirit. Continue to be worthy to receive it. Reach out to others who stumble and are perplexed, not certain of what path to follow” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2004, 103–4, 106; or Ensign, May 2004, 100, 102).
2 Nephi 5:10–18, 26–27. “After the Manner of Happiness”
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught similarly about happiness: “The Lord wants us to be happy. Nephi said a great thing: ‘And … we lived after the manner of happiness.’ (2 Ne. 5:27.) What a wonderful thing. I want my children to be happy. I want them to do well. I want them to live well and live rightly, properly; and, in the same way, except that my Father in Heaven’s love reaches beyond any power of love that I have. I think He wants His sons and daughters to be happy. Happiness comes of righteousness. ‘Wickedness never was happiness.’ (Alma 41:10.) Sin never was happiness. Selfishness never was happiness. Greed never was happiness. Happiness lies in living the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Explanation:
"Some people have mistakenly thought that the dark skin placed upon the Lamanites was the curse. President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained that the dark skin was not the curse: “The dark skin was placed upon the Lamanites so that they could be distinguished from the Nephites and to keep the two peoples from mixing. The dark skin was the sign of the curse [not the curse itself]. The curse was the withdrawal of the Spirit of the Lord" (Seminary Study Guide)
- Record thoughts and impressions in your journal.
- Complete study session with prayer and have a beautiful day!
As you struggle through the trials of life with faith and obedience to the Lord's commandments, you begin to learn how to be happy despite the opposition that "needs must be in all things." The foundation of that happiness rests on certain principles that begin to enlarge your soul; gratitude, love of Heavenly Father and the Savior and the unconditional trust that comes with that love, This relieves a lot of stress and self-concern. You can experience much contentment in simple pleasures; you can put the daily demands of life in their proper priority and perspective. You can look at people with new eyes seeing them in their immortal context. As the world ripens in iniquity, you realize more and more that you are a stranger and a pilgrim here, but you enjoy life and the beauties of the creation. You are willing to let things happen in the Lord's time and in the Lord's way. As you grow in the spiritual quality of charity, you feel less as a reactor and more as a proactive disciple of Christ. There are still spiritual and emotional ups and downs, but beneath it all you realize that you are happy and at peace with yourself and your lot in life.
ReplyDeleteSo true...and seeing people with new eyes, the Savior's eyes, changes everything. I love that idea of being a "proactive disciple of Christ". Thanks for your insightful comments and Amen!
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