ship builders

1 Nephi 17:8+

How often are we asked to buld a ship?

All the time. Ships are a major part of the plan. Family relationships / kinship, friendships, citizenship, membership, partnership. Those are all ways we interact with others. How we love, serve, lift, and share eith each other and in each other's lives. 

Apprenticeship, internship, mastership, workmanship, scholarship, and craftsmanship are all ships about learning, growing, changing, and becoming a better person.

Ownership. This one is really important. Because we have the freedom to choose, we own our eternity. We own our choices and consequences. We own our failures and victories. I think I says this at leadt once a day to someone, "You control you. You can't change anyone else. You can ony change you. You are responsible for your actions no matter what anyone says or does around or to you. You are the only one responsible for your choices."  

That brings us to a more important ownership, God created us and Jesus Christ paid the ransom for each of us. God owns us, our lives. He gave it to us and sustains it everyday. 

Psalm 24:1

1 Chronicles 29:14

1 Corinthians 6:9

Mosiah 2:21

John 3:16

2 Nephi 2:26-27

(There are too many scriptures to list. Find, mark, and cross reference the ones you find.)

The interesting thing about Christ owning us is that he doesn’t force it upon us. He has paid for each of us but only invites us to accept Him. The price is paid no matter what. If we don’t accept, we'll have to pay it again. Although I am a boisterous, head strong woman, I bow gratefully at the feet of my Savior and gratefully call Him Master. I gladly strive to build His ownership of my life.  

This brings a whole new meaning and application as I read about Nephi building the ship.

that's literally the plan

1 Nephi 17:14 . . . .ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction. . .

Newsflash: You were never meant to do this by yourself. We rejoiced for the plan of Salvation that gave us a Savior. We chose to follow Jesus and fought by His side to keep that plan in place. So often, we still try to do things on our own. Silly, isn't it? You are supposed to rely on the Lord. That's the plan. That has always been the agreement.  

"Do your best and trust the rest."

- Mom

nephi's advantage

"I have often thought that Nephi’s being bound with cords and beaten by rods must have been more tolerable to him than listening to Laman and Lemuel’s constant murmuring. Surely he must have said at least once, “Hit me one more time. I can still hear you.” Yes, life has its problems, and yes, there are negative things to face, but please accept one of Elder Holland’s maxims for living—no misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse."

The Tongue of Angels  

By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

1 Nephi 3:28-31

I think every mom gets that too.  

Before the main part of the journey begins, Nephi is given an advantage. He tried to share it. Sam and Zoram accept the advantage from Nephi. It still required work and faith but it had to help them through all the trials. Here it is: Nephi has seen it all.  

1 Nephi 12:1

He saw his posterity and the posterity of his brothers and Zoram in the land of promise. He knows they make it. He knows that they not only survive but thrive.

It feels a little like a patriarchal blessing. We've been made promises. We just have to remain faithful, repent, and correct our course when necessary. The promises are there waiting for us. We just have to go and do.

1 Nephi 3:7

everybody's a slacker sometimes

1 Nephi 16:18-23

And it came to pass that everything went wrong. Everyone was tired, and hungry, and cranky so they started complaining. 

And it came to pass that Nephi said, "Heck if I'm just sittin' here complaining. Imma make a bow."

And it came to pass that Nephi went to his fam and said, "Oi! Sitting here moaning isn’t fixing things. Y'all need to shape up or we're gon die up in here!"

And it came to pass that Nephi's words woke everybody up and got them on the right track again. They humbled themselves before the Lord and remembered what they were supposed to be doing in the first place.

And it came to pass that God said, "Did you forget what you were doing? Get back over by me, ya slackers. Y'all aren't gonna have it easy all the dang time so buck up and think Celestial."

And it came to pass that after God reminded them to stop being slackers, they did stop being slackers. Lehi looked at the ball. The ball pointed the way. Nephi pointed his new bow and sharp stick at things. Things became food. They made dinber and then no one was hangey anymore. They were all grateful and agreed they shouldn't ever be complaining slackers again.

And it came to pass more bad stuff happened and the complaining started again.

It's a good thing God is patient because I'm a slacker way too often. I'm really grateful that I can keep fixing my 'tude and come back to try again . . .and again . . .and again . . .

use the difficulty

I'm prepping a lesson for Sunday school and this is one of the sub-topics:

2 Nephi 2:1–4, 6–25 

God can turn my trials into blessings.

It's a common gospel topic. Usually, I reflect on the people I've been able to help through the death if loved ones because of lessons I learned at the passing of my dear family members. This time, a new association was made.  

My mindless Facebook scrolling is to thank for this. A video of an interview with Michael Caine. (Scrooge in Muppet Christmas Carol is my favorite thing he's done. I'm sure that would disappoint him terribly.)  

In this interview he tells of a time he was rehearsing a play. He was supposed to enter a scene where a husband and wife were fighting. Their fight was completely improvised and they had started throwing things. A chair had lodged in the door that he was supposed to come through blocking it. When he peeked out and asked the director what to do, the director said to "use the difficulty". If it was a comedy, trip over the chair, for a dramatic scene he should pick it up and smash it.  

Micheal said he adopted this into his real life as well. Whatever trials come up, his family asks themselves how they can use the difficulty or how they can turn it to get something out of it. He said that even if you only get 1/4 of a percent advantage out of it you're ahead and you didn't let it get you down. If that's not a hospel principle fpund in the wild, I don't know what is.

Use the difficulty 

- Michael Caine

We have the advantage of God guiding and inspiring us. He will always show us how to use the difficulty.   

I can't upload the video so here's a link to where I found it: https://youtu.be/GAB89fOdA-I?si=991Nqqm6tY9Oq_Wb

could you reach that for me, please?

She is short and cannot reach to the high shelves unless she uses a chair or ladder, but I can reach the things from high shelves for her because I am taller than her. Taking our Savior’s yoke upon us is like that. As we yoke ourselves to Him, we can do things we couldn’t do on our own because He can do the things we cannot do for ourselves.

Do You Want to Be Happy?  

By Elder Yoon Hwan Choi

First, Elder Choi is about 5'11", about the same height as Elder Anderson. You're welcome.

As a short person, I appreciate tall people willing to reach things down for me. Of course, the Atonement is infinitely more helpful than someone reaching something down to you. It does speak to our small part though. Part of yoking ourselves to the Lord is accepting His call to care for each other. Even the smallest acts of kindness are part of His work.

earthquake resistant

"I cannot teach you how to design a building that is against, that is ‘anti-’ or that is opposed to, an earthquake. This makes no sense,” he said, “because earthquakes will occur anyway, whether we like it or not.” Then he added, “What I can teach you is how to design structures that are seismic-resistant, structures that can resist the forces coming from an earthquake, so that the structure remains standing without suffering any serious damage and can then continue offering the service for which it had been conceived.”

Building a Life Resistant to the Adversary  

By Elder Jorge F. Zeballos

1 Nephi 1:1

I loved this analogy. Earthquakes are going to happen. They sure happened in nephi's life a lot. Reflecting back on his life in 1 nephi 1:1 he calls it, "having seen many afflictions in the course of my days". That's how life is. 

2 Nephi 2:26–27

Through it all, we have choices to make. The Lord provides scriptures, prophets, and the Holy Ghost to teach us how to be "affliction resistant" and "temptation resistant".  

Jeremiah 1:5

Abraham 3:22-23

As we build ourselves and our testimonies according to God’s design, we can remain standing even through the earthquakes in our lives. We can continue and fulfill the purpose the Lord has for us.

hearts and minds

"When we humbly share our testimony of the Lord through our words and actions, the Holy Ghost confirms to those with real intent, open hearts, and willing minds that Jesus is indeed the Christ."

Bearing Witness of Jesus Christ in Word and Actions  

By Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella

Alma 12:10

Moroni 10:4-5

Doctrine & Covenants 64:34

The first time I read this, it seemed to simply repeat the basic "missionary work accompanied by the Holy Ghost". Then I realised that it includes a responsibility on 3 sets of shoulders.  

Of course, we bear responsibility for bearing testimony. St. Francis of Assisi has often been quoted, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.”

The Holy Ghost will always do His part. 

Lastly, hearts must be open and minds willing in order to recieve the message and the Holy Ghost.  

It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant."

- Robert Louis Stevenson

It's our job to open the door for the Holy Ghost and keep our own minds and hearts open and willing. I've often had the Spirit fill my mouth in the moment I needed it. I've also had the Spirit shut my mouth when the hearts and minds attending weren't ready. Shutting my mouth is a bigger miracle than filling it. I'm grateful for the Spirit doing his part either way.

coincidence? I think not!

I learned something very interesting in class today. Joseph Smith senior had a dream of the tree of life that was very similar to Lehi’s dream. His wife recorded it more than 15 years after the book of Mormon was translated. Detractors say this is proof that Joseph Smith wrote the book from his and his family's life experiences. Whatever you may think of that, gospel truths cannot be proven by tangible methods. Only the Holy Ghost can help you know the truth.

When the teacher told us about these extraordinarily similar dreams, it reminded me of the video about wilford woodruff finding the church. A family friend, robert mason, had a vision where he was in a grove of fruit trees. There was no fruit on any tree. All of the trees begin to fall, leaving an empty orchard, not unlike the vast empty space lehi saw. One tree is there with a similar description to the tree of life. He picks the fruit but wakes up before tasting it.  

I'll just give you the link to watch the video instead of telling his interpretation of it.

We discussed how these similarities are not coincidence. They testify of each other. I'm going to start cross referencing visions and parables. I'll start by linking back to adam and eve. They had a tree of life and were cast out into a "dreary waste".  

It was also brought to my attention that the angel never explained anything to nephi. Instead, nephi was shown people and events. He then knows what it means. That a good way to teach actually. It gives a person responsibility and a deeper understanding.  

Here's the similarities between Lehi’s dream and Joseph Smith Senior's dream, stolen . . . I mean quoted from the fair mormon site linked below.

*A desolate field representing the world (8:4).

*A narrow path (8:20).

*A river of water (8:13).

*A rope running along the bank of the river (similar in function to the rod of iron in 8:19, 24).

*A tree with dazzling white fruit (8:10–11).

*Joseph, Sr. desires that his family should partake of the fruit also (8:12).

*A spacious building filled with people who are mocking those who eat the fruit (8:26–27).

*Joseph, Sr. and his family ignore the mocking (8:33).

*The fruit represents the love of God (11:22).

*The building represents the world (11:36; 12:18).

Coincidence?  I think not!

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2010-07-0002-a-search-for-truth?lang=eng

https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Question:_Did_Joseph_Smith_incorporate_his_father's_dream_of_the_tree_of_life_into_the_Book_of_Mormon%3F#cite_note-1

humbly bold

I've been choosing a scripture that testifies of God and Christ from my daily reading in the book of Mormon to make into a mene every day. The study plans in the app separated it all out for me to finish in a year. Some of the little bite sized bits are harder to find a suitable phrase for a meme than others. Today was one of those days.  

I ended up choosing 1 Nephi 13:16.  

Finding inspiration for a daily thought is easier some days than others. Today's quote in the app was something I had already highlighted and actually fit with the scripture meme.  

"Clearly, our heavenly destiny is not altered when we suffer adversity. In Hebrews we are counseled to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Jesus Christ is “the author of eternal salvation. " 

(Hebrews 4:16 & Hebrews 5:9)

Be Peaceable Followers of Christ  

By Elder Quentin L. Cook

question authority

1 Nephi 10:19

For he that diligently seeketh shall find . . . Unless you're playing an rpg game and want a specific thing really bad. Then it will never pop up! 😆😆😆 I've been trying to get vauban prime in warframe for 2 rotations now. I got 2 or 4 pieces last time. Someone traded me the blueprint tonight, 🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉! One less piece to hunt for! 

But seriously, seminary this week has been all about nephi taking the time to question his father's vision. This is one of my favorite things about the gospel. We are directed to ask questions.   

My science teacher in high school started every year with the same speech, "Question Authority. Do it respectfully. Use proper channels (at least at first). But always, always question authority."  

That has always stuck with me. It's one of my core beliefs. You don’t learn if you don’t ask questions.  

God expands that idra in another if my favorite scriptures. Doctrine & Covenants 58:26. He directs us to think and act for ourselves. Yes, we turn to Him for guidance and He promises to give warning if we're headed the wrong way. We're here to learn and you don't learn if you don't try things. It's one of the most beautiful teachings of the gospel.

sheddeth itself abroad

1 nephi 11:21-22

I don't have a great quote but I just love this description of the Love of God. A tree is amazing. Just sitting at the base of a tree is so cleansing and strengthening. Trees give us shade, food, shelter, paper etc etc etc. God's love provides everything. I love the phrase "sheddeth itself abroad". Over arching branches just protecting, reaching, providing. I just love it. It just makes me feel loved.

firm, steadfast, and immovable

1 Nephi 2:10 Lehi wished Laman and Lemuel would be firm, steadfast, and immovable 

3 Nephi 6:14 the church is broken up except a few Lamanites that are firm, steadfast, and immovable in their faith

That phrase is only used twice in the book of Mormon. The anti-nephi-lehis are also lamanites that become some of the most faithful people ever.  

What's the lesson? I'm not sure. Maybe it's just interesting. Maybe there are several.  

As a parent, Laman and Lemuel break my heart. Knowing some of their children were giants of faith is bittersweet. Seeing the progeny of the lamanites is hopful. There must always be hope. It may take time, even generations but there must always be hope. Lehi saw in vision that half of his sons would rebel. He kept trying. He never gave up hope. I've always thought the faithful lamanites were the beneficiaries of Lehi’s last blessing.

2 Nephi 4:5-9

The other thought I had was that it's never too late in this life to change. Better sooner than late, but better late than never.

Lehi’s dream and you

1 Nephi 8 - Lehi’s dream

"You are in it; all of us are in it. Lehi’s dream or vision of the iron rod has in it everything a … Latter-day Saint needs to understand the test of life."¹

I often imagine myself in Lehi’s vision. Sometimes under the tree, looking out into the mist, calling out into the world. Being careful to stay near the tree and not wander out into darkness.

Sometimes, I'm clinging to the iron rod. Unseen forces push and pry and my grip. Hurricanes whip all around me threatening to pull me into the devouring mist.  

1 Nephi 11:24–25

1 Nephi 12:16–17

"The mist of darkness will cover you at times so much that you will not be able to see your way even a short distance ahead. You will not be able to see clearly. But you can feel your way. With the gift of the Holy Ghost, you can feel your way ahead through life. Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go."¹

In those times, when the storms rage and darkness consumes, I hold to the rod and feel hold to me. No force can get my fingers free. I choose. If I choose to hold the rod, the maker if the rod holds to me.

1 - quotes from "Lehi’s Dream and You"

By Boyd K Packer, Jan 2007

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/boyd-k-packer/lehis-dream/

daily bread

Acts 17:11

Doctrine & Covenants 64:33

Psalm 86:3

John 8:31

The joke about not needing that math you learned in school popped into my head as I opened the app to look for a daily thought. The Spirit paired that with daily scripture study and prayer. Those are the go to answers in primary. We were taught that scripture study and prayer would be necessary our whole lives. While I do occasionally use some of that math, the primary answers have proven to be useful and even necessary on a daily basis.  

keep going

My dear friends in Christ, you are doing much better than you think. Just keep working at it.

Preserving the Voice of the Covenant People in the Rising Generation  

By Brother Jan E. Newman

Alma 17:10

3 Nephi 18:25

Philippians 4:13

Doctrine & Covenants 11:12-13

2 Nephi 31:20

intent

1 Nephi 6:4

Ether 12:24-27

And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

- Book of Mormon title page

Nephi and Moroni expressed their self doubt in effectively recording the matchless wonder of God's loving plan for us. I feel like that every time I teach or give a talk. I even feel like that when I try to express some small thought on social media. I agree with Alma in Alma 29:1, "O that I were an angel . . . ". Speaking with thunder sounds more effective but it didn’t sway Laman and Lemuel or the majority of the Israelites.   

"A manifestation of an angel, or even of the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase.  

Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten.”

- Pres Joseph Fielding Smith (One of my favorite quotes ever!)

In the end, I guess just trying to open the door for the Holy Ghost is enough.  

the most important knowledge in the universe

This knowledge of “the only true God, and Jesus Christ” (John 17:3) is the most important knowledge in the universe. The lack of it is the ignorance referred to in the revelation wherein it is written: “It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.” (D&C 131:6.)

You know the way now. It is not a mass experience. It must come to each individually. It must come to you.

You who have been baptized have the right to it. Desire it. Pray for it. Work for it, and God will give it to you.

“Except a Man Be Born Again”  

By President Marion G. Romney

Pres Romney tells a story of his wife gaining her testimony as a young girl. I thought of Enos and his "wrestle before God" to gain his testimony. Each of us has to return again and again to build our testimony piece by piece. I feel like I can see the whole picture but as I continue to study and pray, I keep gaining details. The main subject is recognizable but the true beauty and glory of the plan only comes with continually returning and fine tuning. Each small detail connects me further, enlarges my understanding, and helps me apply the knowledge more effectively. It truly is "the most important knowledge in the universe."

why religion?

1 Nephi 10:17

...I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things,...

In order to move forward with anything, a person needs to want to. What makes a person desirous to seek the Lord?  

Psychology says religion fills some basic needs that all people have. It sounds like humans have holes and are always looking for ways to fill them. Some people call it filling your cup. Psychology may have it right.  

Psalm 23:5 says "my cup runneth over" 

John 6:35 "he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Alma 5:34 "partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely"

There are many more scriptures with a similar theme. Feeding hunger, quenching thirst, filling needs. According to psychological studies, people seek or deny religion because they think it will or won't fill those holes. I guess the question is just how to show a person that their holes can be filled through Christ. Maybe the first question should be whether we've been filling our own holes with Christ.

Lehi showed his family that he turned to God to fill his own needs. Nephi believed his father, Sam believed Nephi. Laman and Lemuel never did. I don’t know why some believe and some don’t. It's worthy of some pondering. It may even be a perspective worth applying. What are my needs and am I filling them with Christ? I think if you start within, the rest works itself out.

Adding a couple vaguely related mo ie quotes for your entertainment 

pushing the wheelbarrow

Nothing happens in this Church unless you work. It is like a wheelbarrow. It doesn’t move until you get ahold of the two handles and push. Hard work moves the work of the Lord forward, and if you have learned to work with real integrity it will bless your lives forever. I mean that with all my heart. It will bless your lives forever.

Gordon B Hinckley 

When we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it.

To Learn, to Do, to Be  

By President Thomas S. Monson

Mosiah 24:13-15

murmuring

I know this is a longer one but I'd never thought of murmuring as satan's deception before. I just loved this talk and wanted to share:

"Today I hope to persuade you to follow the living prophets and to warn of a deception the adversary has devised to prevent you from following them. The scriptures refer to that deception as “murmuring.”

Doc & Cov 101:43–62

According to the Lord’s parable, murmuring consists of three steps, each leading to the next in a descending path to disobedience.

First, the servants began to question. They felt to exercise their own judgment upon the instruction given by their master. Verse 48

Second, they began to rationalize and excuse themselves from doing what they had been instructed to do. Verse 49

The third step inevitably follows: slothfulness in following the commandment of the Master. Verse 50

The simplest of instructions may reveal the tendency to murmur. I attended a meeting once when the presiding authority invited members of the congregation to come forward in the meeting room. A few stirred. Most did not.

I was recently in a Church meeting in West Africa when a priesthood leader invited the brethren to come forward and occupy the first three rows of the chapel. Every man immediately stood and moved his seat according to instruction.

The adversary whispers the deceptive invitation to murmur to thus destroy the power that comes from obedience."

Beware of Murmuring  

By Elder H. Ross Workman

Doc & Cov 58:29

1 Nephi 2:12

steps to perfection

We don’t come to Jesus because we are perfect. We come to Him because we are flawed and in Him we can “be perfected.”

The Power of Jesus Christ in Our Lives Every Day  

By Elder Joaquin E. Costa

Moroni 10:32

James 1:4

3 nephi 12:48

Be perfect one step at a time. We work on perfecting prayer, fasting, scripture study, etc. Line upon line. Perfection is built one small step at a time.

hope

Abraham 3:25-26

We must have believed then that whatever mortal weaknesses we would have and whatever evil forces would be against us, the forces of good would be overwhelmingly greater.

Abraham 3:27