Often as I've read the "Isaiah Chapters" of the Book of Mormon I've either been easily confused and just skipped them, or I've quickly read the words but did not think I could ever understand the meaning. Then I was taught that in order to understand the words of Isaiah I must invite the Holy Ghost to teach me. This one thing has made all the difference, I recommend it to any who read this blog.
Another thing I thought about as I quickly read the entire chapter this morning is that the record of Nephi and edited by Mormon contained only those things that these men felt were sacred enough to be included. Space was limited and so only the most important writings made it into the book we have today. Therefore, these chapters from Isaiah must be the most important chapters the Nephites had. So I am thinking it must be very important for me to understand and personalize these chapters, which I can only do with the help of the Holy Ghost. So I returned to verse 1 and I began to be thoughtful about what I was reading and I paid attention to the impressions that came to my mind. I think this one chapter will take more than one study period.
II Nephi 8:1-3 We must look at who we are and where we came from. I don't mean our mortal genelology, although that can be pretty powerful to encourage or discourage us depending on how we view our mortal experience with our families. No, I mean our eternal identity as a son or daughter of God. We have been told throughout the scriptures and by latter-day prophets that our faithfulness in the pre-existance determined when we came into mortality and by what lineage. If we have been given the opportunity to become a member of the Lord's kingdom on earth it is an indication of our choice to follow Christ in the pre-existance. Our choicde now, today, is to build or destroy our eternal identity while we are here by how we choose to follow or walk away from the Savior and His kingdom.
Verse one the Lord commands us to pay attention to Him and remember who we are and who we may become.
Verse two reminds us of our heritage as an heir to the promises made to Abraham and Sarah through the authority and power of the priesthood.
Verse three we come to the promises the Lord makes for our chosen obedience and devotion. (1) He will comfort Zion--the pure in heart. Seeking to become pure in heart leads us through the refiners fire and that means we are often in need of comfort that can only come from the Lord. (2) I know that there are many times we read in the scriptures where the Lord has led his children to physical places that no one else wanted because that place was so barren. Then when the people are faithful He blesses them by blessing the land and they prosper. But what if we take this and see an analogy. Our souls are surrounded by the wasteland of the evil in this world. We cannot escape its influence on people and communities around us. But, if we choose to follow the Lord by keeping our covenants, no matter the price, we leave that wilderness and we find the blessings of Eden. What do we know of Eden? What kind of place was it? We know that it was a garden filled with abundance, peace, and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ walked there with Adam and Eve. It was in the garden that the tree of life enabled Adam and Eve to live forever. All their needs were taken care of. It is a place that will one day return to the earth. But the Lord promises that He will make our wilderness like Eden. I think it is entirely possible for our lives to be filled with the abundance of the Spirit of the Lord, the love of the Lord, and the peace of the Lord. The Lord will supply all that we stand in need of. And our lives can be filled with joy, gladness, gratitude, and harmony. I know the Lord always keeps His promises if I keep mine. Therefore, I have experienced joy, peace, and happiness after the trials of mortality. I have never wanted for anything that has been necessary in my life. I know that I have grown from my trials only because I have made the choice to follow the Savior no matter what may come my way. I know He lives, loves me and will continue to teach me how to become more like Him as often as I allow His Spirit into my heart and mind. In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
1 comments:
Hi Heather,
Just the fact that Heavenly Father keeps His promises is comforting. I am an imperfect mother. I do not always keep my promises, though my intentions are good. If He tells us something and tells us the consequences (good or bad) we know we can rely on that. I try to encourage my children to do what is right and to reap the good consequences. They get both the good and bad. We are the same. I don't know how many times a day I remind my kids of this, and in turn the spirit says to me, "yep, remember you reap your own consequences." It makes me think and keep myself in check- am I doing what I have been asked? What consequences am I building for myself? Am I choosing to have FHE and go to the Temple so we can have the peace that is promised? Do I do my VT this month? Should I feed my family dinner or cereal? And the list goes on...
It makes me want to live better. I am soo thankful for the opportunity to be a mom and for the learning experience it is here on earth. Heavenly Father is brilliant. How else could we learn to be more like Him than to be put in His position...no matter how small of a roll it is compared to His!
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