We are reading the Book of Mormon as a family. I'm not sure if we'll get through it in three months, but we're going to try. :)
This morning we read 1Nephi 15. I started giggling after reading verse 3. Why? Well, I'll tell you.
I was just remembering every Sunday School or Relief Society lesson I've ever been in where Isaiah is mentioned. As soon as that great prophet's name is mentioned a few audible moans are heard, followed by grumblings and sometimes murmurings. Isaiah has been a stumbling block for many a Latter-day Saint. I've even heard some people admit that, when reading the Book of Mormon, they skip 2 Nephi just to avoid reading Isaiah.
Personally, I have always loved Isaiah. I had a wonderful seminary teacher, Brother K. Herbst, who, with a few small details, opened a greater understanding of Isaiah in my mind. I think I was also blessed with the gift of understanding in regards to the scriptures. Either way, I love Isaiah. But back to my giggling...
I started giggling because there, in 1 Nephi 15: 3, the chapters preceding Isaiah, Nephi tells us how to understand difficult things. He lays the path before us very simply and in a Very straightforward manner. But I hadn't really noticed it before. Not in this context.
The verse: "For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought."
I giggled because the answer to understanding Isaiah is simple. "Inquire of the Lord."
I giggled because the same people who moaned about Isaiah were the same people who, upon reading 1 Nephi chapter 15, condemned Laman and Lemuel for not asking the Lord.
There are many things within the scriptures that can be hard to understand. But I know that if we ask the Lord, He will help us. He did not want us to be lost and wandering. The whole point of the scriptures is to clearly point the way back to our Father in Heaven. And fortunately for us, our God is not a tricky and sneaky God. No. He is a loving and kind God who had set the path before us. The path is strait and narrow, but not impassable. Inquire of the Lord and you will find the way.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Today's the Day!!
If you're reading The Book of Mormon in 3 months with us, today's the day to start!! I'm going to try to keep an update in the sidebar of the reading schedule for each week, but no promises! :)
But I can promise that this will bless your lives! The Book of Mormon is an essential part of the Gospel. It's crucial to learning about the Savior.
No matter how you read The Book of Mormon - with us in 3 months, by topic, verse by verse - it will bless your life. I know that!
"The Book of Mormon is a book with a promise. . . . All who study and ponder its teachings are given a promise found in the last chapter of Moroni (see Moroni 10:3-4) as well as in the introduction to the Book of Mormon, where we read: 'We invite all men [and women] everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost.'
" 'I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. . . . I commenced its contents by course. I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep."
'As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists.'"
Parley Pratt was then 23 years of age. The reading of the Book of Mormon affected him so profoundly that he was soon baptized into the Church and became one of its most effective and powerful advocates. In the course of his ministry he traveled from coast to coast across what is now the United States, into Canada, and to England; he worked in the isles of the Pacific and was the first Latter-day Saint missionary to set foot on the soil of South America. . . ."
Parley Pratt's experience with the Book of Mormon was not unique. As the volumes of the first edition were circulated and read, strong men and women by the hundreds were so deeply touched that they gave up everything they owned, and in the years that followed not a few even gave their lives for the witness they carried in their hearts of the truth of this remarkable volume."
But I can promise that this will bless your lives! The Book of Mormon is an essential part of the Gospel. It's crucial to learning about the Savior.
No matter how you read The Book of Mormon - with us in 3 months, by topic, verse by verse - it will bless your life. I know that!
"The Book of Mormon is a book with a promise. . . . All who study and ponder its teachings are given a promise found in the last chapter of Moroni (see Moroni 10:3-4) as well as in the introduction to the Book of Mormon, where we read: 'We invite all men [and women] everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost.'
" 'I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. . . . I commenced its contents by course. I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep."
'As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists.'"
Parley Pratt was then 23 years of age. The reading of the Book of Mormon affected him so profoundly that he was soon baptized into the Church and became one of its most effective and powerful advocates. In the course of his ministry he traveled from coast to coast across what is now the United States, into Canada, and to England; he worked in the isles of the Pacific and was the first Latter-day Saint missionary to set foot on the soil of South America. . . ."
Parley Pratt's experience with the Book of Mormon was not unique. As the volumes of the first edition were circulated and read, strong men and women by the hundreds were so deeply touched that they gave up everything they owned, and in the years that followed not a few even gave their lives for the witness they carried in their hearts of the truth of this remarkable volume."
-Gordon B. Hinckley
"A Testimony Vibrant and True," Ensign, Aug. 2005, 3-4
"A Testimony Vibrant and True," Ensign, Aug. 2005, 3-4
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Blackberry Bush
This was another article in the Ensign that got me thinking.
Donnell Allan, “The Blessing of the Blackberry Bush,” Ensign, Feb 2009, 53
Donnell Allan, “The Blessing of the Blackberry Bush,” Ensign, Feb 2009, 53
"One day when our son Jesse was a toddler, I was watching our children play in the yard. Suddenly I realized that he was no longer with the others. One moment he was there, and the next he was gone.
"My heart pounded in panic. I called out for him as I frantically searched the yard. Soon I heard his frightened cries, which I followed. I found Jesse in the yard next door, entangled in the middle of some blackberry vines. He struggled to escape, but each time he moved, thorns from the vines buried themselves deeper into his clothing and skin. He was frightened and in pain. It took me quite some time to remove each thorn and pull Jesse free.
"It hurt me to see my little child suffer. But then I remembered the large pond located in the neighbor’s yard. If the blackberries had not detained Jesse, he might have wandered into the pond and risked drowning.
"I’ve since learned that God sometimes allows us to stumble into thorny places to protect us from more harmful situations. He loves us and does what is best for us, even when it hurts terribly, because sometimes the pain is necessary for our physical safety or spiritual growth. When we turn to Him in our trials, He carefully pulls out the thorns and comforts our hearts.
"Years after that incident with Jesse, I was touched when I came across this passage from Elder George Q. Cannon (1827–1901): “The Saints should always remember that God sees not as man sees; that he does not willingly afflict his children, and that if he requires them to endure present privation and trial, it is that they may escape greater tribulations which would otherwise inevitably overtake them. If He deprives them of any present blessing, it is that he may bestow upon them greater and more glorious ones by-and-by.”1
"My experience with my son—what I now call “the parable of the blackberries”—has brought comfort to me as I have watched my children endure trials and challenges. I am reminded that our trials and suffering have purpose and that the Lord always has our best interest in mind, even when allowing us to suffer temporarily among life’s blackberry thorns."
Sometimes I think about the trials I go through and wonder about the trials I could be asked to endure instead. While I have some hard days, I feel so fortunate to have trials that I know I can handle. (I may not feel like that at the time, but it IS true!)
The third paragraph of this article also makes me think of our Heavenly Father. He can only help us as we call to Him. It pains Him to see us struggling, but He can't do anything until we make the choice to ask Him for help. As soon as we do, He's there to help us and comfort us.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
New Resource
I've just discovered a great new website. It's called Mormons Made Simple.com. It has a few simple videos that explain such things as what to expect when coming to an LDS church on Sunday, or what is The Book of Mormon. They're already planning on more videos, as well. It seems to be a great resource, so go check it out!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Book of Mormon in 3 Months
I've decided to read The Book of Mormon in 3 months again, and I would love for you to join me! Last summer I did this same thing, and I learned SO much!!
I'll be starting March 1st, so you still have time to decide. But please let me know if you'd like to join me! I can email you a copy of the chart I've made up that tells you how much to read each day.
I know that reading The Book of Mormon makes life easier! Every day I DON'T read is a chaotic day!! I love reading it in all different ways - fast, slow, by topic. Each way teaches me something different, and I love it!
My email: blhvamos (at) gmail (dot) com
My email: blhvamos (at) gmail (dot) com
Monday, February 9, 2009
Running to Him
Every once in a while, I come across a really great article in the Ensign that I can't help but share. This one is from this month's Ensign.
"Years ago my son Derek competed in a much-anticipated track meet. For three years of his young life, he had prepared for and hoped to win the two-mile race. Now as we watched with the crowd gathered near the finish line, it seemed the race would last forever. When Derek crossed the line first, the crowd burst into cheers. He was surrounded by coaches, teammates, and friends offering congratulations. Derek seemed relieved and thrilled to have finally accomplished his goal.
"I noticed, however, that in the tangle of the crowd, he was frantically scanning the field as though he wanted to be somewhere else. I watched, with tears in my eyes, as Derek bolted across the field, arms outstretched, into the open arms of his father - the place he wanted to be. I recorded that moment in my mind - a moment when I saw just how much our son loves and needs his dad.
"Derek's preparation for this event had not been easy. There were times of discouragement, disappointment, and sometimes despair. But Derek had the constant support of his greatest fan - his father! In rain, wind, sleet, or snow my husband was at every race offering Derek encouragement.
"At those races my husband stood apart from the other spectators at what I considered an odd place. He wasn't at the finish line or even along the final stretch, but at a distant corner on the far side of the field. Once I asked him why he stood there. I will never forget his answer. He said, 'I stand at the place my son needs me the most. He needs to know I'm there at the most challenging moment - when his legs burn and he feels like he cannot go on. He needs to hear at that far corner a voice telling him to keep moving because he has worked hard and deserves to do his very best. There will be cheers at the beginning and loving support at the end, but I will be at the corner where I know he feels like giving up.'
"As I watched Derek leave his team at the finish line and run a great distance into his father's arms, I realized that spiritual whispers of encouragement from my Father in Heaven have not come at moments in my life when I felt most sure of myself. Instead, those reminders of His love have come when I thought I could go no farther, when I felt as if my spiritual legs would collapse in exhaustion. I have felt His love and I have known then, as I know now, that I am His child. As I remember my husband's arms encircling our son, I imagine what it will be like to cross the finish line of this life and run into the waiting arms of our Father in Heaven. I am grateful for His support and that of our Savior, Jesus Christ, which has helped ease every difficult turn in my life."
"Years ago my son Derek competed in a much-anticipated track meet. For three years of his young life, he had prepared for and hoped to win the two-mile race. Now as we watched with the crowd gathered near the finish line, it seemed the race would last forever. When Derek crossed the line first, the crowd burst into cheers. He was surrounded by coaches, teammates, and friends offering congratulations. Derek seemed relieved and thrilled to have finally accomplished his goal.
"I noticed, however, that in the tangle of the crowd, he was frantically scanning the field as though he wanted to be somewhere else. I watched, with tears in my eyes, as Derek bolted across the field, arms outstretched, into the open arms of his father - the place he wanted to be. I recorded that moment in my mind - a moment when I saw just how much our son loves and needs his dad.
"Derek's preparation for this event had not been easy. There were times of discouragement, disappointment, and sometimes despair. But Derek had the constant support of his greatest fan - his father! In rain, wind, sleet, or snow my husband was at every race offering Derek encouragement.
"At those races my husband stood apart from the other spectators at what I considered an odd place. He wasn't at the finish line or even along the final stretch, but at a distant corner on the far side of the field. Once I asked him why he stood there. I will never forget his answer. He said, 'I stand at the place my son needs me the most. He needs to know I'm there at the most challenging moment - when his legs burn and he feels like he cannot go on. He needs to hear at that far corner a voice telling him to keep moving because he has worked hard and deserves to do his very best. There will be cheers at the beginning and loving support at the end, but I will be at the corner where I know he feels like giving up.'
"As I watched Derek leave his team at the finish line and run a great distance into his father's arms, I realized that spiritual whispers of encouragement from my Father in Heaven have not come at moments in my life when I felt most sure of myself. Instead, those reminders of His love have come when I thought I could go no farther, when I felt as if my spiritual legs would collapse in exhaustion. I have felt His love and I have known then, as I know now, that I am His child. As I remember my husband's arms encircling our son, I imagine what it will be like to cross the finish line of this life and run into the waiting arms of our Father in Heaven. I am grateful for His support and that of our Savior, Jesus Christ, which has helped ease every difficult turn in my life."
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Speaking by the Power of the Holy Ghost
Today, I came across 2 Nephi 33:1. The last half reads, "for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men."
In the margins, I have written, "always speak with the Holy Ghost, especially to kids." This was, once again, an eye opener to me. There's been a lot of stress in my life lately, and when I'm stressed I tend to not be so nice. (Read: I tend to yell more.) This scripture made me realize that all the yelling in the world isn't going to do anything!
When I have the Spirit with me, He will carry my message "unto the hearts of the children." If I speak with the Spirit, they'll understand with the Spirit.
In the margins, I have written, "always speak with the Holy Ghost, especially to kids." This was, once again, an eye opener to me. There's been a lot of stress in my life lately, and when I'm stressed I tend to not be so nice. (Read: I tend to yell more.) This scripture made me realize that all the yelling in the world isn't going to do anything!
When I have the Spirit with me, He will carry my message "unto the hearts of the children." If I speak with the Spirit, they'll understand with the Spirit.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Who Will Believe?
I found a cool scripture chain that I thought I would share.
Isaish 53:1 is Isaiah writing and wondering who will believe his writings.
There are three ways to come by belief. You can find one of them in Romans 10:16-17. The other two are found in John 12:37, 38, 40. Each of those scriptures quotes Isaiah and also gives the answer to who will believe.
Isaish 53:1 is Isaiah writing and wondering who will believe his writings.
There are three ways to come by belief. You can find one of them in Romans 10:16-17. The other two are found in John 12:37, 38, 40. Each of those scriptures quotes Isaiah and also gives the answer to who will believe.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
How Great Thou Art Scriptures & Background Story
I'm sharing a tidbit from a series I am posting on my main blog. I love the hymns and thought you all might enjoy this little scripture study session as well.
I deemed it appropriate to begin with something Swedish. {I am 1/2 Swedish and very much attached to my Swedish heritage.} This is why I chose the hymn How Great Thou Art for my first selection. Oftentimes I will include music with the song I choose, but I can't do that this time due to copyright restrictions on this song. Hopefully you have a hymn book yourself, or a good memory.
Scriptures for this song:
Psalms 8:3-9 David here recounts numerous wonders of the Lord and His amazing mercy towards each on of us.
Psalms 9:1-2 Here David speaks of his own desires to praise and rejoice in the Lord. How Great Thou Art song lyrics seem to be derived from David’s message.
Mosiah 4:5-13 In King Benjamin’s speech, he reminds us all of our own unworthiness without the Lord and of God’s great goodness. Each of us should remember to rejoice and be filled with the love of God.
Various facts:
English text by Stuart K. Hine, 1899
Original Swedish text by Reverend Carl Boberg “O Store Gud” or “O Mighty God”
Tune Swedish folk medley
The story behind the song:
This hymn originated in Sweden. The author apparently wrote the song while walking home in during a thunderstorm after church services. It was translated into a few different languages when English missionaries, Reverend and Mrs. Stuart K. Hine, heard the hymn in Russia. They wrote up an English version of the song using 3 verses. After WWII, eastern European refugees were flooding into England looking to find a new home. It was at this time that the 4th verse was written, receiving inspiration for the words after listening to the wondering questions about home from these people who were without one.
I am doing a little research online to find these things out. I also have a book entitled "Our Latter-day Hymns The Stories and the Messages" by Karen Lynn Davidson from which I am finding information on these songs. If you want more info, the aforementioned book and the internet search engines can get you much more than the little bit I shared.
I deemed it appropriate to begin with something Swedish. {I am 1/2 Swedish and very much attached to my Swedish heritage.} This is why I chose the hymn How Great Thou Art for my first selection. Oftentimes I will include music with the song I choose, but I can't do that this time due to copyright restrictions on this song. Hopefully you have a hymn book yourself, or a good memory.
Scriptures for this song:
Psalms 8:3-9 David here recounts numerous wonders of the Lord and His amazing mercy towards each on of us.
Psalms 9:1-2 Here David speaks of his own desires to praise and rejoice in the Lord. How Great Thou Art song lyrics seem to be derived from David’s message.
Mosiah 4:5-13 In King Benjamin’s speech, he reminds us all of our own unworthiness without the Lord and of God’s great goodness. Each of us should remember to rejoice and be filled with the love of God.
Various facts:
English text by Stuart K. Hine, 1899
Original Swedish text by Reverend Carl Boberg “O Store Gud” or “O Mighty God”
Tune Swedish folk medley
The story behind the song:
This hymn originated in Sweden. The author apparently wrote the song while walking home in during a thunderstorm after church services. It was translated into a few different languages when English missionaries, Reverend and Mrs. Stuart K. Hine, heard the hymn in Russia. They wrote up an English version of the song using 3 verses. After WWII, eastern European refugees were flooding into England looking to find a new home. It was at this time that the 4th verse was written, receiving inspiration for the words after listening to the wondering questions about home from these people who were without one.
I am doing a little research online to find these things out. I also have a book entitled "Our Latter-day Hymns The Stories and the Messages" by Karen Lynn Davidson from which I am finding information on these songs. If you want more info, the aforementioned book and the internet search engines can get you much more than the little bit I shared.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
A Few Simple Things
I was blessed this past week in testimony meeting. Despite feeling frazzled, frustrated and pessimistic, I was able to feel the Spirit of the Lord. It started with a simple story shared in a testimony and then grew from there until I was pleasantly surprised to find the familiar feeling that comes when touched by the Spirit.
One mother shared a story of how her little daughter lost her favorite purple dress. She was so distressed about it. Together they knelt in prayer. Then they took more action in searching. They found the dress and the little one immediately thought to take time to offer a heartfelt thank you to her Father in Heaven.
A lady who had served a mission with her husband bore testimony that made me grateful for the blessing of the gospel in my life. She mentioned learning, recently, from their mission area that had decided to turn their backs on the teachings of Christ.
The Young Men's President referred to several of the testimonies that had been born. He somehow linked them together for our ward. Just like the girl who was searching for her purple dress, each of us can come to the Lord with anything going on in our lives. He knows how to help us with any problem.
Another mother bore a "reluctant", yet poignant, testimony. Through her tears a message came, even though I didn't catch a lot of what she said.
All these simple testimonies woven together increased my own faith, provided enlightenment to my heart and mind. Isn't it wonderful how you can be blessed even when you probably don't deserve it? Sometimes it is through small, simple things that our hearts get touched. I guess that is the way the gospel works. :)
One mother shared a story of how her little daughter lost her favorite purple dress. She was so distressed about it. Together they knelt in prayer. Then they took more action in searching. They found the dress and the little one immediately thought to take time to offer a heartfelt thank you to her Father in Heaven.
A lady who had served a mission with her husband bore testimony that made me grateful for the blessing of the gospel in my life. She mentioned learning, recently, from their mission area that had decided to turn their backs on the teachings of Christ.
The Young Men's President referred to several of the testimonies that had been born. He somehow linked them together for our ward. Just like the girl who was searching for her purple dress, each of us can come to the Lord with anything going on in our lives. He knows how to help us with any problem.
Another mother bore a "reluctant", yet poignant, testimony. Through her tears a message came, even though I didn't catch a lot of what she said.
All these simple testimonies woven together increased my own faith, provided enlightenment to my heart and mind. Isn't it wonderful how you can be blessed even when you probably don't deserve it? Sometimes it is through small, simple things that our hearts get touched. I guess that is the way the gospel works. :)
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