Struggling Against the Lord

As I read the story of the people of King Limhi this morning a simple thought popped into my head.  The people of King Limbo were in bondage to the Lamanites who taxed them heavily and for all intents and purposes generally made there everyday lives pretty miserable. This state of being came about over time as they ignored the commandments of the Lord and did not live according to His statutes. In verse 24 of Mosiah 7 we read where King Limhi is speaking to his people

Yeah, I say unto you, great are the reasons which we have to mourn; for behold how many of our brethren have been slain and their blood has been spilt in vain, all because of iniquity.

As King Limhi's people were in bondage they had a desire to reprice their burdens. Therefore they went to war with the Lamanites on more than one occasion. Each time they lost and lost many of their brethren. All because they were living the way that they should have been living. After they have been sufficiently humbled and begin to live according to the Lords commandments the Lord heard their cries and sent Ammon from Zarahemla to help them. He devised a plan to get the Lamanite guards drunk on a certain night and then at night all of the people were able to escape without the shedding of blood.

This here is a great example to me of the difference of trying to do things without the Lords help and then with his help. When they were living wickedly, they were not able to escape because they did not have the Lord with them, and they suffered great losses trying to fight the Lords will. When they listened to the Lord and followed his commandments, they were able to easily escape and not a single soul was lost. This is a great reminder of the importance of always staying close to the Lord and following his commandments.

Succor

I am reading in Mosiah 4:14-27. These verses discuss at length the need for each of us to help eachother. Verse 16 says " Ye...will succor those that stand in need of succor". Yesterday I was in Ward Council and we were discussing the needs of many of the members of the ward and what the ward or ward council could do to help. I had a thought that stood out to me. It became very clear to me that we were not individual people who were sent here to live individual lives moving in parallel with eachother. Our purpose is to connect with eachother to interact with eachother and to help eachother. It would be very simple for us to just live our lives in the path that we had desires to go, taking care of our own needs and giving very little thought for those around us but we would be missing a great opportunity to help and love those around us. It is as if the Lord has said help those in near you who need your assistance. Take of the blessings that I have given to you and give to those around you, in fact, I have not given you extra that you might hold on to it for yourself but that you might help those in need. Any blessing from the Lord is either to take care of a need you have or so that you might take care of a need another person may have. It is the Lords work and his glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man and the reason that he bless us is that we might help him in this work.

April General Conference Thoughts

The following was recorded in my Journal on April 1, 2012

The last two days have been General Conference. Once again I feel as if I have been pointed in a  certain couple areas to improve. The one that stands out the most came from President Monson's talk in Priesthood Session. He talked about what our duty is. The duty of the Priesthood. The things that stood out to me was the following scripture reference.

He referred to Doctrine and Covenants 107:99:

"Wherefore let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office to which he is appointed"

The word tat stood out to me was "learn". I am to learn my duty. Not be taught my duty.  must admit to a foolish mode of thinking, many times I complain, vocally and non-vocally, about what I perceive to be a lack of training in certain areas. Home Teaching has been at the fore-front of my mind lately. I feel like I wasn't blessed with incredible consistency when it came to my Senior Companion when I was a youth and therefore I have and excuse for why I am not good at it, but the verse clearly puts the onus on me to lean what my duty is. I am commanded to learn.

Verse 100 even adds to this line of thought.

"He that is slothful shill not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself  not approved shall not be worthy to stand. Even so. Amen"

Here not only is a command given for the law but a condemnation is affixed. Those (myself) who blame others for their own failings "are not worthy to stand." The Lord did not  leave in that little loop hole that I have been holding onto.

I feel like this is important. I would consider myself in every way a poor home teacher. I go sporadically and I am not always excited if I do go. The Lord seems to be telling me to be better.  The lesson last week in Elder's Quorum was on home teaching and many talks today talked about the effects of home teaching. It seems I know what i need to do I just need to get going and do it. I wonder sometimes why is it so difficult to go Home Teaching or to do anything that for one reason or another I am reluctant to do. I feel it is because I have a lack of desire for responsibility, I would prefer it if someone else made all of the decisions for me. I like the idea of a new calling or responsibility until it comes to time to act, then I have a hard time with it, and I yearn for something else more prestigious and with  less responsibility. I only write this down because I am tired of running from it. I want to be in Elder's Quorum Presidency not because of any desire to help others or strengthen the quorum. No, I like the way it would make me feel about myself. I think that there really could not be an more selfish reason for wanting to be in a position. The Lord knows my heart and sees the part that I afraid to look at. I am completely naked before him. He sees the good and the bad. He knows why I struggle with Home Teaching and callings. He wants me to better. Whats next? How do I learn my duty? I should first turn to the Lord and allow him to spiritually undress me. Allow me to turn my will to his, become his man. Sounds simple. In reality, this may be the hardest thing I will overcome.

Remember, Search, Diligently and Profit

In the beginning of the Book of Mosiah, we read an account of King Benjamin teaching his sons; Mosiah, Helorum and Helaman. These men had a great teacher and had great opportunities to learn from his very righteous example. In the account we read of King Benjamin teaching his sons of the blessing of the records that they have. He teaches that Father Lehi and his family was greatly blessed because they had the plates of brass to help them remember the Lord and teach then the law. He also reminded them how blessed they were because they had the words of Lehi and Nephi and all of the prophets. In verse 7 he makes a statement that is profound but I feel at time may be overlooked at times as we read through these verses.

Mosiah 1:7

And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby...

As I read this verse there are 4 words that stand out to me; remember, search, diligently and profit.

Remember: We should always remember all of our blessings. The time that we get into trouble are when we forget all of the many ways that the Lord has blessed us. The word remember is all through the Book of Mormon because the prophets new that as the people remember the Lord they stay close to Lord and as they forget to remember they fall away and wander and are lost.

Search: The counsel to search is basic to finding answers in the scriptures. I think that far to often I spend time reading the scriptures but do not really get anything out of it. While I am reading I am not looking for answers or insights how I can grow closer to the spirit. There is a significant difference between reading the scriptures to check off that box on the to do list and searching for answer to life's questions in the words of the prophets.

Diligently: This word is a describing word for the word search. King Benjamin wanted his sons to not only search the scriptures when they had questions but to do so at all times in their life. They were to be diligent in their efforts to draw close to the Lord. In order to do something diligently not only do we complete the task when everything is easy or when it is incredibly necessary or urgent, but also when it is not easy or necessary urgent. They were to make it a habit to take time regularly to search the words of the prophets. Diligence requires sustained effort over a long period of time. Diligence requires a singleness of heart. We cannot diligently do something half-heartedly. Diligence requires your whole effort.

Profit: The scriptures have been given for our prophet and learning. The scriptures offer blessings to all that are willing to receive them. The sole purpose of the scriptures are that a person may pick them up and gain from them. They only require time and effort and the reward is very profitable to the soul. 

This verse is given during a time of serious reflection by a great man of God as he considers what will be the most important thing that he can leave with his sons. Is it any wonder that these words are included in the things that list.This is the process that he more than likely followed as he came to know his savior. Later in the verse he references that this is one of the things that they need to do in order to prosper in the land. He knows that any blessing that he has received is because he has been obedient to the commandments of the God, and how can you be obedient to the commandments if you do not know what they are. As you learn about the commandments you will learn how to stay close to the savior. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to first remember how merciful that the Lord has been to me and my family throughout my whole life, and then also to remember the extent to which he has been merciful to all of his children. I am humbled to think of the many ways he has extended his hand to bring his children back to him. Then as I search through the words of the prophets both ancient and modern I can recognize his hand even still. As I diligently strive to make it a daily habit and really search for the word of God in the scriptures and what he would have me to learn each and every day I can clearly see how I and my family have profitted from his loving hand and the words which he has caused to be written.

Offer Your Whole Souls

Today I was reading in Omni 1:26 and Amaleki describes what is necessary for eternal life.

26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

I loved the action words, come unto Christ...partake of his salvation...offer your whole soul as an offering...continue in fasting and praying...endure to the end...

There is significant power in these words and phrases. These statements do not paint a picture of a half-hearted attempt at becoming a disciple of Christ, those who desire to be his servants must be willing to go all the way. It's all or nothing. We cannot "kind of" be disciples, we cannot "sort of" keep his commandments. We cannot be Christians on Sundays only and then spend the week doing what ever we want. The Lord requires whole souls. "Offer your whole soul as an offering". There is not much wiggle room in that statement. I think of many members and quite frankly myself many many time where I am not willing to give 100%. I look for loop holes or exceptions to certain commandments based on my circumstances. It is easy to justify almost anything, and wait for it to get easier to follow the Lord. Until then we will do "the best I can" considering my circumstances.  The truth is that the Lord requires our whole soles, all of the time. 

The other part about this commandment is that even though he requires our whole souls in order for us to be his, I am amazed at how quickly the Lord turns around and gives you back to yourself, more you than you were before. I am not sure how it is done, but by giving yourself to the Lord he makes you ... you.

I was reading tonight in chapter 13 of Alma and I was focusing on the office of high priest. It talks about some of the charachteristics of high priest. One of the things that is mentioned in Repentance.

Poor Spot of Land

Jacob 5 recounts the allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Tree. In the allegory the Lord of the Vineyard takes some of the branches from the Tame Olive Tree and grafts them in to a tree in the nethermost parts of the Vineyard. When they went back the Lord noted that the tree had produced natural fruit. The servant of the vineyard questioned the Lord in verse 21, "How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard." In verse 22 the Lord answers "Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit." This stood out to me tonight. The Lord can take anything and turn it into what he needs it to be. There is obviously some time involved. He had to nourish the ground for a long time before he saw the results from his labors but he did see the results. I think this is also true in many ways in our own lives. I am amazed at what the Lord can do with some people. I have seen some of the most unlikely people rise up in his service and become extraordinary servants. Usually we only see the tree after it has been "nourished ... this long time." We don't see the condition of the ground before. I know in my life he has spent significant time nourishing me. Last week I was sustained as the Second Counselor in the Bishopric. I am sure more than a few people saw me get called and then said like the servant "him?" I know that the Lord can do all things. If I will only let him, he can take me, this poor plot of lands and turn me into a thriving vineyard.