Day 12: 2 Nephi 8-9

Welcome to Day 12...

                         

The prophet Jacob reminds us that to be "carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal." Our bodies will die someday - that's a given. But our SPIRITS never HAVE to! Filling our minds with the word of God and regularly living true to what we learn, will keep us spiritually alive and strong enough to master our bodies in life, and increase our joy in the world to come. When we set our hearts upon things of this world, and are carnally minded, our spirits  deteriorate to a state of deception, despondency and death - much worse than physical death. 

A plea to church members:                           

"Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion." (2 Nephi 8:24-25 ) 

If we "shake ourselves from the dust (this world), despite the temptations and disappointments of this life, exaltation and joy WILL be ours.

                         

I love this musical verse: "The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away."

There are so many beautiful verses in today's reading that remind us to be powerful and LIVE, as well as build the kingdom of God in the latter-days. Great job choosing to be spiritually minded and feasting on His word today!

Opening Song: "More Holiness Give Me" by Jenny Phillips

Scripture Study: 2 Nephi 8-9  (listen)
Study Guide: (here)

Discussions on the Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9 (part 1):

Discussions on the Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9 (part 2):

                                  
Scripture to Mark and Ponder: 2 Nephi 9:28-29 (It's okay to be "learned" if we stay humble.)

 

2 Nephi 9:21
"And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

“Sometimes we just lose our focus and drift away. Sometimes we have our feelings hurt or some other problem occurs. It all ends up the same, and we fail to claim the blessings that can be ours. Pride, distrust, deceit, discouragement, and many kinds of sin can be removed by a change in our hearts and by following the path that the Savior has shown us … The Savior has paid our ransom. He loves each of us and reaches out to all who will come and follow Him.”
--Elder Ned B Roueche

• Record thoughts and impressions in your journal.

• Close session with prayer, however "pray continually by day..." (2 Nephi 9:52)

Enjoy a "spiritually minded" day!  :)