Saturday, March 21, 2015

The things of My soul

Boyd K. Packer
click on this link to see a great talk by Boyd K. Packer in 1986.  It explains the Book of Mormon especially for anyone who has not read it in it's entirety.
It is very clarifying to anyone.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1986/04/the-things-of-my-soul?lang=eng or copy and paste the one below.

http://scripturesbeta.byu.edu/#0cd09:t10ab$741:c0cd093

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Consequences 1 Nephi 1:13

1 Nephi 1:13

Warning of Consequences

What
Lehi read that the Lord had seen the abominations of Jerusalem, that it would be destroyed by the sword and many carried away captive into Babylon.

Why
Because of their wickedness they would be destroyed as Lehi had prophesied. That the wicked would perish.

Pattern
2 Kings 24:19 Zedikia did evil
2 Chron. 36:14 All the chief priests transgressed very much...they polluted the house of the Lord- mocked the messengers of God and misused his prophets.
Jer. 13:27 adulteries, neighings, lewdness, whoredoms...abominations
Jerusalem-2 Kings 23;27. I will remove Judah also out of my sight and will cast off this city Jerusalem.
Carried away captive
2 Kings 20: 17-18 everything will be of Hezekiah carried into Babylon and even his sons.
Jer. 52:3-15 tells the destruction and was famine, city broken up and men fled, pursued overtaken, scattered, they slew Zedikiah's sons before his eyes and all the princes and then put Zedikiah's eyes out and carried him to prison, burned the Lord's house and all the houses. They left only a few poor people as vinedressers and husbandmen (farmers to raise the crops).

Babylon- In the Bible Dictionary- described-links as Devil,Church of..Israel, bondage of.. Worldliness.

Christ
Saw the abominations and bid it be destroyed. Evil destroys evil.

Apply
Consequences
Sin destroys people. The greater the sins, the greater the destruction when people refuse to repent, they are destroyed spiritually and often in the same way as Jerusalem. They become prisoners to evil. Evil destroys evil! Misery begets misery. Thank God for repentance and the atonement for all who choose to repent.
We can shun evil and seek the good. We can also “warn our neighbors” or in other words, preach the gospel and live exemplary lives.
What evils are out there that can destroy us as individuals?

Conference
10/14 Richard G. Scott
Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority
Despite all of the negative challenges we have in our life, we must take time to actively exercise our faith. ...Through Adam and Eve's partaking of the forbidden fruit, knowledge of good and evil was introduced into the world. Their choice made it possible for each of us to come to this earth to be tried and tested. We are blessed with agency, which is our ability to make decisions and to become accountable for those decisions.

Hymns
#3 Now Let Us Rejoice

#316 the Lord Is My Shepherd

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

How to Feel the Spirit of the Lord 1 Nephi 1:12

1 Nephi 1:12
Scripture study brings the Spirit of the Lord
What
As Lehi read the book, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord.

Why
The scriptures are the word of the Lord and they bring the Spirit to us when we read them if we truly seek the spirit. Then we can receive personal revelation through our study.

Pattern
The Pharoah (Gen 41:34 recognized the Spirit of the Lord with Joseph in Egypt.

Mos. 27:24 After Alma's vision and he recovered, he said “I am born of the Spirit.

Alma 18:16 Ammon was filled with the Spirit of God

1 Cor.3 Ye are the temples of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you

D&C 121:26 God shall give unto you knowledge by His Holy Spirit ...the Holy Ghost.

Christ
The Holy Ghost (the Holy Spirit) testifies of Christ.

Apply
Like Lehi, we have been given sacred books of revelation which we can read. They will teach us much if we truly seek to know and we, too can be filled with the Spirit and receive personal revelation if we pray and prepare for it.

Conference
4/14 – Pres. Monson
Until We Meet Again
May our homes be filled with love and courtesy and with the Spirit of the Lord. May we constantly nourish our testimonies of the gospel, that they will be a protection for us against the buffetings of the adversary. May the Spirit we have felt during these past two days be and abide with us as we go about those things which occupy us each day, and may we ever be found doing the work of the Lord.

4/14 Pres. Monson
Be Strong and of Good Courage
We can help ourselves in our desire to do what is right if we put ourselves in places and participate in activities where our thoughts are influenced for good and where the Spirit of the Lord will be comfortable. ...”If you ever find yourself where you shouldn't outght to be, get out!”



Monday, March 16, 2015

A Book To Read- 1 Nephi 1:11

1 Nephi 1:11
Scripture Study

What
the Lord (One) came down from heaven to the earth and the first (the Lord) stood before him, Lehi, and gave him a book and bade him that he should read.

Why
Lehi had prayed on behalf of his people of Jerusalem. He saw and heard much and went home to bed and now he has another vision and saw God and Christ and now the Lord brings him a book to read tha would tell him more because he prayed sincerely.

Pattern
The Lord showed a Book to Ezekial to read. It was full of lamentations and mournings (a scroll).
Rev. 5:1 and Rev. 10:2-9 John sees a little book sealed with 7 seals. D&C 77:6 The book John saw revealed the will and mysteries of God.
Christ
Christ delivered the book to Lehi. He personally directs His prophets.

Apply
Lehi, Ezekiel and John were given books to read in order to receive more revelations. We are given books (the scriptures) to read from God as well and when we read, we too can be filled with the Spirit of the Lord so that we can see how they apply to our lives.
What a huge blessing it is for us to have the scriptures for everyone to read in our day! Even electronically and with wonderful cross references too!

Conference
10/14 Richard G. Scott
Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority
Don't yield to Satan's lie that you don't have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God if so, do it!....Through daily, consistent scripture study, you will find peace in the turmoil around you and strength to resist temptations. You will develop strong faith in the grace of God and know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all will be made right according to God's timing.

Hymns
#277- As I Search The Holy Scriptures.

#298- Home Can Be A Heaven on Earth