Guide Your Ship 1 Nephi 18:22

1 Nephi 18:22

Guide Your Ship

What

 22 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did guide the ship, that we sailed again towards the promised land.

Why

When we trust in the Lord's appointed leaders, we will be on the right path to the promised land/celestial Kingdom. The plan of salvation is to return to our Heavenly Father and our brother Jesus Christ and to live with our families forever.

The prayers of the righteous were answered when Nephi was able to guide the ship and follow the directions on their compass.

Pattern

Romans 2:19

19 And art confident that thou thyself art guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

• Doctrine and Covenants 101:63

63 Again, verily I say unto you, I will show unto you wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be guided in a right and proper way for their salvation—

• Doctrine and Covenants 46:2

2 But notwithstanding those things which are written, it always has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning, and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Doctrine and Covenants 45:57

57 For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.

• John 16:13

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Christ

D&C 45:

55 And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.

 56 And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.

 57 For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the  fire, but shall abide the day.

 58 And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.

 59 For the Lord shall be in their amidst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver.

Conference

4/16 Mary R. Durham (2^nd C. Primary)

A Child's Guiding Gift

At times we may all feel as if we are drowning. Life can be heavy. We live in “a noisy and busy world. … If we are not careful, the things of this world can [drown] out the things of the Spirit.”1

How do we follow the example of this father and kick off some of the weight of the world we carry, so we can keep our children’s heads and our own worried minds above the water? How can we, as Paul counseled, “lay aside every weight”?2 How can we prepare our children for the day when they can no longer cling to us and our testimonies—when they are the ones swimming?

An answer comes when we recognize this divine source of strength. It is a source often underestimated, yet it can be used daily to lighten our load and guide our precious children. That source is the guiding gift of the Holy Ghost....

At age eight, children can experience baptism. They learn about and make a covenant with God. Those they love surround them as they are immersed and come out of the font with a feeling of great joy. Then they receive the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, a gift that may guide them constantly as they live for that blessing.

Elder David A. Bednar said: “The simplicity of [confirmation] may cause us to overlook its significance. These four words—‘Receive the Holy Ghost’—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon.”3

Children have a natural desire to do good and to be good. We can feel their innocence, their purity. They also have a great sensitivity to the still, small voice.

Apply

We all have storms in our lives. Some storms are totally overwhelming and some are ever tossing us until we find it hard to tell which way we are drifting. The trouble is that we never drift effortlessly to anywhere good. We will find ourselves going in circles or down in a bigger storm. It takes effort and faith to follow the compass of direction. We are given many guides by the Lord

D&C 1:

 37 Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.

 38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voiceof my servants, it is the same.

Just s Nephi guided the ship toward the promised land, we can be guided and guide our families and others we are called to guide. We can only be a true guide if we follow the the Holy Ghost as he guides us. Our called leaders are at the helm of the church. They have a compass to guide them in the work. We are blessed to know for ourselves which way to go. To be more like Christ is the ultimate goal. We can choose how we will navigate in stormy and calm seas. We will have them both in our lives and the Spirit will only guide us if we receive Him.

Hymn

83-Guide Us Oh Thou Great Jehovah

 57 For they that are wise and have received the atruth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their bguide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the cfire, but shall abide the day.

101- Guide Me To Thee

Children-

164- I will Follow God's Plan For Me

105- The Holy Ghost

Calming The Tempests 1 Nephi 18:21

1 Nephi 18:21

Calming The Tempests

What

 21 And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold, I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it. And it came to pass that I a prayed unto the Lord; and after I had prayed the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm.

Why

1- They loosed Nephi because they realized that they would be destroyed by the storm if they did not.

2-As soon as Nephi was released he took the compass which had not been working and it worked for Nephi because he was righteous and desired only the Lord's will.

3-Nephi prayed that the storm would stop because they were all in danger of being drowned in the sea.

4-The storm stopped because the storm had also stopped inside the people on the ship and they were all submissive to his will.

5-Because they had all now shown repentance and Nephi was now the leader, they felt the spirit of the Lord and there was a calm in the sea and a calmness in their hearts. Satan no longer had power over their journey.

Pattern

A similar situation happened with Jonah

Jonah 1:66

6  So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

Christ

Matthew 8:24-27

 24 And, behold, there arose a great a tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye a fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and brebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the asea obey him!

Conference

4/2001 Thomas S. Monson

To the Rescue

While reading this letter, I returned in my thoughts to a visit to one of the great art galleries of the world—even the famed Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England. There, exquisitely framed, was a masterpiece painted in 1831 by Joseph Mallord William Turner. The painting features heavy-laden black clouds and the fury of a turbulent sea portending danger and death. A light from a stranded vessel gleams far off. In the foreground, tossed high by incoming waves of foaming water, is a large lifeboat. The men pull mightily on the oars as the lifeboat plunges into the tempest. On the shore there stand a wife and two children, wet with rain and whipped by wind. They gaze anxiously seaward. In my mind I abbreviated the name of the painting. To me, it became To the Rescue.

Amidst the storms of life, danger lurks; and men, like boats, find themselves stranded and facing destruction. Who will man the lifeboats, leaving behind the comforts of home and family, and go to the rescue?

President John Taylor cautioned us, “If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty.”2

Brethren, our task is not insurmountable. We are on the Lord’s errand, and therefore we are entitled to the Lord’s help. But we must try. From the stage play Shenandoah comes the spoken line which inspires: “If we don’t try, then we don’t do; and if we don’t do, then why are we here?”

...In a day of danger or a time of trial, such knowledge, such hope, such understanding bring comfort to a troubled soul and a grieving heart. Shadows of despair are dispelled by rays of hope; sorrow yields to joy; and the feeling of being lost in the crowd of life vanishes with the certain knowledge that our Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us.

In closing, I return to the painting by Turner. In a very real sense, those persons stranded on the vessel which had run aground in the storm-tossed sea are like many young men—and older men as well—who await rescue by those of us who have the priesthood responsibility to man the lifeboats. Their hearts yearn for help. Mothers and fathers pray for their sons. Wives and children plead to heaven that Daddy and others may be reached.

Tonight I pray that all of us who hold the priesthood may sense our responsibilities and, as one, follow our Leader—even the Lord Jesus Christ, and His prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley—to the rescue.

Apply

How can I rescue? How can I calm the storm-tossed sea in my life and in the lives of others? First, we must calm the storms in our own lives. Bring peace to our own souls by turning to Christ and following His example then we can reach out to others.

Continue to have faith like Nephi, Do not complain but be patient and trust in the Lord and His power.

Hymn

105 Master the Tempest Is Raging

Children

177-Teach Me to Walk In The Light

57- Tell Me The Stories of Jesus

Power of God 1 Nephi 18:20

1 Nephi 18: 20

Power of God

What

 20 And there was nothing save it were the power of God, which threatened them with destruction, could soften their a hearts; wherefore, when they saw that they were about to be swallowed up in the

depths of the sea they repented of the thing which they had done, insomuch that they loosed me.

Why

Laman and Lemuel were hardhearted, rebellious, stiffnecked and wicked. They were intent on following the destroyer.

he followers of their family had been praying and pleading with the Lord that Nephi would be loosed from the bands. The storm came as an answer to accomplish this because the brothers refused to choose to back down on their violent actions and intent. The brothers would only repent of their actions through fear of destruction.

The power of God

President Brigham Young defined the priesthood as “a perfect system of government, of laws and ordinances,” that “can deliver the human family from all the evils which now afflict its members.” Active in both time and eternity, the priesthood is “the law … which brings worlds into existence and peoples them” and “by which we can be prepared to … go into the presence of our Father and God” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 125–26).

Moroni 10:7

7 And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.

Zeck1:4Z1:4

Zech. 1:4  Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lordof hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord.

1 Sam. 6:6

1 Sam. 6:6

6  Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

Christ

Luke 22:69

69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power ofGod.

Luke 9:43

43 ¶And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

Matthew 9:8

8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

• 1 Peter 3:22

22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Conference 4/16 Kent F. Richards

The Power of Godliness

As the Lord has revealed, the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood is found in the temple and its ordinances, “for therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained, that you may receive honor and glory.”2“Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.”3 This promise is for you and for your family.

Our responsibility is to “receive” that which our Father offers.4 “For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power”:5 power to receive all that He can and will give us—now and eternally;6 power to become sons and daughters of God,7 to know “the powers of heaven,”8 to speak in His name,9 and to receive “the power of [His] Spirit.”10 These powers become available personally to each one of us through the ordinances and the covenants of the temple.

Nephi saw our day in his great vision: “I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.”11

4/16 Russel M. Nelson
The Price of Priesthood Power
How else can we increase our power in the priesthood? We need to pray from our hearts. Polite recitations of past and upcoming activities, punctuated with some requests for blessings, cannot constitute the kind of communing with God that brings enduring power. Are you willing to pray to know how to pray for more power? The Lord will teach you.

Are you willing to search the scriptures and feast on the words of Christ 13—to study earnestly in order to have more power? If you want to see your wife’s heart melt, let her find you on the Internet studying the doctrine of Christ 14 or reading your scriptures!

Are you willing to worship in the temple regularly? The Lord loves to do His own teaching in His holy house. Imagine how pleased He would be if you asked Him to teach you about priesthood keys, authority, and power as you experience the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the holy temple.15 Imagine the increase in priesthood power that could be yours.

Apply

Power comes through God. He is always mindful of us and our needs. He loves us and if we pray in faith and worthiness, He will grant our righteous desires.

We can be grateful for the power of God in our lives that rescue us from destruction. He is there, He hears us and will answer our prayers. Many times we have to endure the storms of life but with our faith and trust in Him the storms will end and we will one day be with Him again. Life is full of opposition and though it is hard to understand and be patient we will see the light at the end of the tunnel that will guide us through. The test is how we will act. Will we act or react? We can ask what the Lord would have us do in our particular circumstances. Then follow the promptings, the modern day prophets and the scriptures.

Hymns-

20-God of Power, God of Right

Alma 26: 35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all a power, ball wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a c merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

Children-

89-The Priesthood Is Restored

Protecting Children- 1 Nephi 18:19

• 

• 1 Nephi 18:19

  Protecting Children

  What

   19 And Jacob and Joseph also, being young, having need of much nourishment, were grieved because of the afflictions of their mother; and also amy wife with her tears and prayers, and also my children, did not soften the hearts of my brethren that they would loose me.

  
  

  Why

  Jacob and Joseph were young and afraid because Laman and Lemuel we so hard hearted that their hearts were not softened. They continued on their destructive path of trying to destroy Nephi and the journey to the promised land. This action caused so much grief and sorrow to Lehi and Sariah and Nephi's wife and children and his little brothers.

  
  

  Nephi was concerned for the children and the families on the ship.

  
  

  Pattern

  1 Nephi 7:19  And it came to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the daughtersof Ishmael, yea, and also her mother, and one of the sons of Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my life.

  Christ-

  Matthew 19:14

  14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

  Luke 9:42

  42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

  Luke 18:16

  16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

  Luke 9:47

  47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

  Doctrine and Covenants 74:7

  7 But little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ; and this is what the scriptures mean.

  
  

  Conference 4/12-Dallin H. Oaks

  Protect The Children

  
  

  Even in rich nations little children and youth are impaired by neglect. Children growing up in poverty have inferior health care and inadequate educational opportunities. They are also exposed to dangerous environments in their physical and cultural surroundings and even from the neglect of their parents. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland recently shared the experience of an LDS police officer. In an investigation he found five young children huddled together and trying to sleep without bedding on a filthy floor in a dwelling where their mother and others were drinking and partying. The apartment had no food to relieve their hunger. After tucking the children into a makeshift bed, the officer knelt and prayed for their protection. As he walked toward the door, one of them, about six, pursued him, grabbed him by the hand, and pleaded, “Will you please adopt me?”8
  

  We remember our Savior’s teaching as He placed a little child before His followers and declared:

  “And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

  “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:5–6).

  When we consider the dangers from which children should be protected, we should also include psychological abuse. Parents or other caregivers or teachers or peers who demean, bully, or humiliate children or youth can inflict harm more permanent than physical injury. Making a child or youth feel worthless, unloved, or unwanted can inflict serious and long-lasting injury on his or her emotional well-being and development.9 Young people struggling with any exceptional condition, including same-gender attraction, are particularly vulnerable and need loving understanding—not bullying or ostracism.10
  

  With the help of the Lord, we can repent and change and be more loving and helpful to children—our own and those around us.

  
  

  Apply

  The Relief society Theme states:”We are women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who...Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families, and homes.”

  
  

  There are children in need all around us. Reach out to those near you and help them. Then use your talents and abilities to bless the lives of as many children as you can. Follow the example of the Savior and see that they feel loved. Strengthen families, beginning with your own family. The best solution is to be Christlike. Kindness, gentleness, patience and caring go a long way in nurturing and protecting children. Teach them what is right. Give them opportunities to grow and play and develop their talents.

  Hymns

  96- Dearest Children God Is Near You

  304- Teach Me To Walk In The Light

  
  

  Children

  301 Hymnal- 2 Children Songbook-I Am A Child Of God

the Canker of Contention 1 Nephi 18:18

1 Nephi 18:18

The Canker of Contention

What

 18 Because of their grief and much sorrow, and the iniquity of my brethren, they were brought near even to be carried out of this time to meet their God; yea, their agrey hairs were about to be brought down to lie low in the dust; yea, even they were near to be cast with sorrow into a watery grave.

Why

Lehi and Sariah felt they could not bear any more sorrow over their children.

Pattern

Jacob also flelt this sorrow

Gen.42:38

2: 36 And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take aBenjamin away: all these things are against me.

 37 And aReuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.

 38 And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with asorrow to the grave.

Christ

Russel M. Nelson

When Christ did come to the Nephites, He confirmed that prophecy:

“He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me [saith the Lord], but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.” (3 Ne. 11:29–30.)

Conference

April 1989- Russel M. Nelson

The Canker of Contention

Creator of Contention

To understand why the Lord has commanded us not to “contend one with another,” we must know the true source of contention. A Book of Mormon prophet revealed this important knowledge even before the birth of Christ:

“Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come.” (Hel. 16:22.)

When Christ did come to the Nephites, He confirmed that prophecy:

“He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me [saith the Lord], but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.” (3 Ne. 11:29–30.)

“Alma, having authority from God, … commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.” (Mosiah 18:18, 21; see also Mosiah 23:15.)
Steps to Supplant Contention

What can we do to combat this canker of contention? What steps may each of us take to supplant the spirit of contention with a spirit of personal peace?...

To begin, show compassionate concern for others. Control the tongue, the pen, and the word processor. Whenever tempted to dispute, remember this proverb: “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.” (Prov. 11:12; see also Prov. 17:28.)...

Bridle the passion to speak or write contentiously for personal gain or glory. The Apostle Paul thus counseled the Philippians, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philip. 2:3.)...

Shun contention. Seek godliness. Be enlightened by eternal truth. Be like-minded with the Lord in love and united with Him in faith. Then shall “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philip. 4:7), be yours, to bless you and your posterity through generations yet to come. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

April 1899 Gordon B. Hinckley

Let Love Be the Loadstar of Your Life

There are even those among us whose lives are torn with hate. They lash out at one thing and another, including the Church. They manufacture and spread vile falsehoods behind which there is not a shred of truth. There is nothing new about this, except that there have been those in each generation, including this generation, who appear to be possessed of a sickness that so manifests itself. In such circumstances, we draw comfort from the words of the Master: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” (Matt. 5:11.)

We think also of the mandate of modern revelation: “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.” (D&C 64:10.)

We think of a public figure who, when driven from office, said: “Those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them—and then you destroy yourself.”

Apply

And the divine voice of revelation speaks: “Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.” (D&C 108:7.)

Contention is truly a canker and a cancer. It is something that we want to keep out of our families and our lives. Although Lehi and Sariah were in a terrible situation that we seldom see, we can appreciate their circumstances.

For the most part a kind word and loving, forgiving spirit can reduce the tension and contention in our lives.

Let us humbly bridle our passions and follow the advice of our prophets to reach out in love,

Hymns

336 School thy Feelings

Prov. 16:32  32 He that is slow to aanger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Children

145 Kindness Begins With Me