come, learn, do, share

2 Nephi 12:3

This is one of those scriptures that just sums things up nicely. 

Come and learn, do, share.

swords and plow-shares

2 Nephi 12:4

Micah 4:3

Isaiah 2:4

They shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks.

This change is interesting. A *tool* is *changed* from *destructive* to *productive*. Weapons used for combat and war are made into farming equipment that produces food. The change is from killing people to feeding people. 

Alma 24:12-17

Alma 53:19

The anti-nephi-lehis / people of ammon made this same change. They went from destructive to productive when they buried their swords. Eventually, they produced food for the armies and took in any lamanite soldiers that wanted to make the same change.

I strive to be a *tool* in the hand of the Lord. To do that, my heart and will need to be *changed*. My will may not be the best for me. Sometimes, anger, doubt, depression, all the negative things get to me. All of thise things are *destructive*. If I turn to the Lord, He can soften my heart and direct my energy. If I do that, my efforts become *productive*. Instead of spiritually killing people or myself with negative thoughts, words, and actions, I can spiritually feed myself and others.  

Swords are still important for defense. The time for plow-shares and pruning hooks is much more often.  

Alma 31:5

Spiritual feeding is more powerful than combat.  

I know that I've been blessed as I recognize the urge to wage war as a hunger that needs fed. Most swords really serve better as plow-shares. 

flowing uphill

2 Nephi 12:2-3

Isaiah 2:2-3

Micah 4:1-2

The Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains,....and all nations shall flow unto it.....let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.

Flow indicates water. Water doesn’t flow up a mountain. Anything "flowing" up into a mountain is against nature. Does God expect us to go against our nature? The nature we were born with? Yes!

“Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation” 

Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, 6:7

Think of all the sacrifices that we give. Early morning seminary, Sundays in church, temple trips, word of wisdom, etc. Sacrifices that we (should) give "with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance".

Doctrine & Covenants 59:15

I hope you recognize when you're flowing uphill and can find joy in it.

glitchy

Sister Cameron told a story in sacrament meeting of her daughter watching a video on her phone. It started getting kind of glitchy. (Glitchy didn't translate from English to German very well. 😆) The girl moved closer to the router and told her mom that if it's glitchy, move closer to the source. She then related that to Spiritual glitching and moving closer to God.

I found this quote

"Our Savior wants us to really love Him to the point that we want to align our will with His. We can then feel His love and know His glory."

Drawing Closer to God  

By Elder Terence M. Vinson

Oct 2013

This made me think of Stonehenge and other structures that align with the sun at certain times of the year. It's not the sun that's changing its position in relation to us. The earth is moving.  

It's the same with God and us. God isn't moving toward or away from us. He stays still, and we choose to move toward or away from Him.  

Enos 1:27

3 Nephi 9:13-14

character heritage

Character heritage 

2 Timothy 1:3

"By birth or adoptive lineage, we are ultimately all connected in the family of God and in the human family."

We Each Have a Story  

By Elder Gerrit W. Gong

We think of our family heritage a lot. Today, I had a strange thought, "What about my character heritage? "

Who and what has shaped my character? The instance that brought it to mind was remembering a time before I can actually remember. I was an infant. My mom was in the grocery store and had to pit some things back because she didn't have enough money. A couple behind her, she describes them as a young hippie couple, told the cashier to leave everything on the bill and then paid for it all. My mom asked for their information so she could pay it back. They told her to pay it forward. They said that sometime she'd have enough and would be able to do the same for someone else. They then explained that they had received similar help and the same direction to pay it forward instead of back.  

These people that I never knew are part of my character heritage. Paying things forward has always been part of who I am. Little, anonymous acts of kindness are part of my core. Yes, it's part of my family's beliefs, but these anonymous strangers are a part of who I am too.

Consider the people that are your character heritage. Consider what traits you're passing downto the people around you. I love what elder Gong said about everyone being part of one family. I'm sure I'm the weird aunt but I also hope I'm the kind one.

truly understand

“There is one important identity we all share now and forever. … That is that you are and have always been a son or daughter of God. … Understanding this truth—really understanding it and embracing it—is life-changing.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Children of Heavenly Father” (Brigham Young University devotional, Mar. 3, 2020), speeches.byu.edu

(BTW I copied the reference from the footnotes in the app. They added that feature now!)

What difference does it make to "really understand and embrace" that you are a child of God?  

A couple of mine are that I know how much God loves me. 

I know that a parent wants the best for their children so I can trust Him.

I want to be close to God because He is my father.

I want to go home to my Heavenly Parents.

What does it mean to you?

falling and getting back up

2 Nephi 9:6

"For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator,"

Physical and spiritual death. Physical death is necessary in order to move on to the next part of God's plan. Spiritual death is inevitable because we make mistakes.

"there must needs be a power of resurrection,"

Physical and spiritual resurrection. One, reunites our spirit and body so we can continue our eternal journey. The other reunites us with God after repenting. 

"and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord."

We're not perfect. We all fall. Adam and eve fell. We get to choose things for ourselves and sometimes we choose unwisely. God saw our eager little souls wanting to progress and knew falling is the best way to learn so He made a place for us to try things out. He also allowed a volunteer to come do it totally perfect so we'd have an example and a Savior. It's really beautiful and kind.  

I'm grateful for the chance to screw up and the gift of trying again. 

a walk in the garden

2 Nephi 8:3

This verse is a slow walk in a peaceful garden.  

*For the Lord shall comfort Zion,

That's me! I'm zion!

*he will comfort all her waste places; 

My waste places are trials, insecurities, depression, inadequacy 

*and he will make her wilderness like Eden,

I'm all kinds of wilderness. I like the wild part but wilderness is usually lacking in some of the comforts I enjoy: indoor plumbing, tp, stocked kitchen, soft bed. I think it means peace and reliability even in trials.

*and her desert like the garden of the Lord. 

Deserts are barren. The Lord provides. Material things and spiritual.   

*Joy and gladness shall be found therein,

No one likes trials but there is peace, guidance, and comfort to be found. Just being with someone that's positive and happy, someone you can rely on brings joy and gladness in any situation. 

 *thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

That's how you do it. Gratitude, joy, being positive, and kind. Find the humor, the joy, the fun. Sing, dance, rejoice in all things.

cooperation

2 Nephi 7:5

This scripture kind of struck me differently today. The Lord brings me part way by opening my ear. Then, I have to accept it and not be rebellious or turn my back. The duality of it, the cooperation just stuck out to me.  

the shelf

2 Nephi 3:12

Ezekiel 37:16-17

Nash said he used a shelf as an example of the Bible and book of mormon supporting each other. If you have one bracket under a shelf, it won’t hold anything. There are shelves with one bracket but they either aren’t very stable or are still attached to the wall on both ends. One end secures the other in place. Otherwise they tip.  

1 Nephi 13:23-29

We see how much the bible was tipped / moved / misinterpreted over the many years before the Restoration. People who aren’t anchored with the book of mormon still misinterpret it.

Isn't it wonderful that God has given us two books and prohets to help us know and understand his will for us?

who's in the boat?

Sacrament meeting notes:

Elder Johnson 

Matt 8:23-27

Jesus slept on the boat in the storm.

Who is in the boat? If Jesus is in the boat with you, there's no need to fear. He'll still the storm, call up whales, walk on the water, or deliver you in some way. Even if it's delivering you to Heavenly Father, fear not. 

integrity

2 Nephi 2:16

The freedom to choose. Lehi's family showed up on foreign shores. They could do anything they wanted. No law or cultural expectations. The lamanites went a bit sideways. The nephites chose a different path.

"Integrity in individuals and corporate bodies is not to ask, “What will others think of me, and my practices?” but, “What do I think of myself if I do this or fail to do that?” Is it proper? Is it right? Would the Master approve? … Integrity in man should bring inner peace, sureness of purpose, and security in action. Lack of it brings the reverse: disunity, fear, sorrow, unsureness."

- Spencer W Kimball

rejoice

2 Nephi 4:28-30

"At times when our faith is slipping, we are tired, or we need to summon strength, we might speak to ourselves in the same way: “Have faith. Be calm. Don’t be angry. Fear not. Trust the Lord. Don’t give up!”

“My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord”

Stephen Jones

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/stephen-jones/soul-delighteth-things-lord/

I love these self pep talk scriptures.   

this is a recording

2 Nephi 5:28-33

I'm prepping the lesson for this week. Lehi and Nephi both left parting messages to their progeny. I think it's important to do that all your life and not just at the end. Of course, they are also good examples of teaching their children their whole lives too. One part that I struggle with and am working on is recording it. It's not enough to say it, live it, and teach it. It's important to record it. Nephi is recording events 30 years after they happened. That's just when he carved them into the plates. I'm guessing he had paper records that he'd been writin all along. Memories fade and mutate. It's important to write things down as you go. You think you'll remember but you don't. These stories are what make you who you are. Don't let them become lost to time. It's important for you and future generations. 

teaching moments

"Any moment can be a teaching moment. Don’t think of teaching your family as something you do once a week during a formal lesson. Think of it as something you do all the time."

Come follow me 2024

February 12–18: “We Lived after the Manner of Happiness” 2 Nephi 3–5

1 Peter 3:15

Mosiah 18:9

Doctrine & Covenants 84:85

"Most of the Savior’s teaching did not happen in a synagogue but in informal, everyday settings—while eating a meal with His disciples, drawing water from a well, or walking past a fig tree."

Teaching in the Savior’s way (2016)

Part 2: Teach by the Spirit.

What better way to apply the teaching than to actually apply it?  

checkpoints

2 Nephi 1:23

"Awake, my sons;"

Remember who you are and where you are going. Look off in the distance and make some course corrections.

Pres Uchtdorf: 

"It was a terrible tragedy brought on by a minor error—a matter of only a few degrees. Through years of serving the Lord and in countless interviews, I have learned that the difference between happiness and misery in individuals, in marriages, and families often comes down to an error of only a few degrees."

We have a sister in our ward that works as an aur traffic controller. She said it's not just on the pilot. There are a lot of people on the ground that are keeping an eye on modern airplanes. There are checkpoints and people who track every plane in the sky. She reminded us that we have family, friends, ward members and leaders, ministers, the Holy Ghost, prayer, scriptures, prophets, God and Jesus Christ all looking after us. Like Lehi calling on his sons to make some changes, we all have people around us that love us and want to help us reach our destination. Sometimes they let us know we're a few degrees off. Sometimes we let them know. We take care of each other.

choice

2 Nephi 2:27

This was the scripture if the day in the app and it fit perfectly with the scripture I chose for my year of the book of mormon, 2 Nephi 1:7.

Both stress the importance of choice. So much of life leaves us with little choice. We can't control what others do and are left to make the best of situations a lot of the time. Even in bad situations, our choices matter. Eternity isn’t based on the circumstances surrounding us. Eternity is completely our choice. That's comforting. It's freeing. It's completely up to you.

rest

Alma 8:1

Alma worked and then he returned to his house to rest.  

Matt 11:28-30

John 16:33

I had a lot to do the other day. Things seemed to pile up and my schedule got totally blown. Years of mothering kids through anxiety filled, last minute projects kicked in. (I'm sure the ministeting of angels was happening too) It was a calm frenzy. My mom voice just kept me in motion. My adhd brain kept me on several tasks at once.  

There was a fair amount of anxiety but there was also calm. I think that’s the yoke. It's work but you know you'll get done as much as you can and it will be enough. It's not permission to slack but it's also not the mad drive we often put upon ourselves. There's middle ground, a balance.  

I'm not sure how related this all is but it's my scriptural thoughts for the day.

leap of faith

1 Nephi 18:5

Ether 6:4

Matthew 14:29

Casting off into the water is more scary to me than just wandering in the wilderness. If you screw up on land, you don’t have endless depths waiting to swallow you up. If your ship fails, you can only tread water for so long.  

My seminary teacher always told us, "You can do hard things." Of course, he meant that with God's help we can do anything He asks us to do.  

These scriptures and many circumstances in my life have brought to mind the leap of faith in Indiana Jones. I feel like the Lord often asks me to simply cast myself into the void and trust that He'll catch me. You know what? He always does.

the great likening

1 Nephi 19:23 "liken the scriptures"

This is another of my favorite scriptures. It's just such an important principle. The scriptures aren't just stories. They are truths to be applied from every angle.  

Nephi didn’t just preach likening though, he did it. In 1 Nephi 4:2 he uses Moses parying the Red Sea as a scriptural example for his brothers. That's way back when he was just 16. He continues to use Moses and the Israelites as an example for his brothers. I like the additional dialog in the book of mormon movies where one of his brothers tells him he isn’t Moses. 😆 I have to believe they said something similar to some at some point.

All kidding aside, it's easy to hear scriptural stories and think, "You're/I'm not Moses" so this doesn't apply. It won’t work.  

Exodus 14:21

The principles still apply whether we are called to part a great body of water, a sea of despair, or an ocean of evil. We are still given guidance, protection, and the power to overcome.  

the immense Atonement

From family scriptures tonight:

Alma 7:11-13

I think this is one of the best scriptural descriptions of the sheer enormity of the atonement. He covers sin and death but also sorrow and illnesses. Jesus Christ took *all* things, good and bad, upon Him "that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

Gen 11:1-9Ether 1:3-5 & 33-35Genesis 19:17The Lord often calls His righteous people out of evil places. 1 Nephi 17:7Lehi’s family was comfortable and well equipped in bountiful. They had everything they needed. The Lord calls us out of our bountiful or comfortable places too. It's harder to get up out of the comfort zone to go and do than it is to escape a bad situation. Both are necessary.

do what you do know

"I am reminded as I approach you today of a scripture that was written to me in a letter by one of the missionaries in the North Carolina-Virginia Mission. It expresses the feelings in my heart and is taken from Alma, the 29th chapter, verses 9 and 10, where we find:

(Quotes Alma 29:9-10)

That we may all remember that arm is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

This 1.25 minutes was the entirety of an October 1972 conference talk titled, "An Instrument in the Hands of the Lord” By President Rex D. Pinegar Of the First Council of the Seventy

In the "follow Him" podcast they used 1 Nephi 17:9 (where shall I go to find ore) to demonstrate being an instrument in the hands of the Lord. Nephi didn’t know how to build a ship but he knew he'd need tools. That much he knew how to do.

It reminds me of the phrase so often said in response to, "Mom, I don’t know how to do this/where this goes/etc."

"Do what you do know. Then we'll talk about the rest"

I love the super short conference talk. He had just been called as a general authority for the first time. He probably didn’t ve much time to prep. He did what he could. He said what he knew.  

How often do we have something in front of us and we panic, "I don’t know what to do!" You are an instrument in the hands of the Lord. Not just when you're doing church stuff. You are His. He is always there to help. Just start with what you do know. The rest will come.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1RBbHKclELl7W40R4JhCBC?si=gJwj2LvVTgG5XT-oN3BHWw