"A softened heart" 1 Nephi 2:17-24

“A softened heart”

1 Nephi 2: 17-24

So what is a softened heart? When I read Nephi’s description I have many questions. He speaks of his great desires to know the mysteries of God. I am thinking that in order to have a softened heart, you must first have a desire for righteousness.

We know from verse 16 that Nephi was visited and the Lord did soften his heart, but what exactly happened that helped Nephi soften his heart? This remains a mystery?

Whatever the Lord spoke unto Nephi … 1. It caused him to be visited by the Lord

2. The Lord softened his heart (how) (I’ll come back to this) 3. He believed all the words which his father spoke 4. It caused him to pause and choose not to rebel.

5. It moved him to action. He spoke to Sam and he told Sam what? All that he had been told

I find it interesting that he did not tell Laman and Lemuel all that God had manifested unto him. We are told only that Lamen and Lemuel would not hearken unto Nephi?

How do you suppose the Lord softened Nephi’s heart? I know that I have had times in my life when I have gone to the Lord in humble prayer and he has enveloped me with his love. He has given of himself and helped me find my way. He has taught me how to love by loving me. My guess is that Nephi felt of God’s love and then he was also able to see and hear much of God’s plan. My guess is that he appealed to Nephi’s sense of reasoning.

Reason is present when anger is not. Lamen and Lemuel were angry over the loss of their way of life, their possessions and their identity amongst friends. When we place the basis of our identity upon the spiritual truths then how is more important than where or who.

Lamen and Lemuel were unable to hear the words of the Lord because their identities were caught up in the possessions and people they relied upon to find self-identity. When Lehi removed them from their homeland, they were left alone. Loneliness begets anger. WE MUST IDENTIFY OURSELVES THROUGH THE SPRIUTAL TRUTHS THE LORD TEACHES. This helps us build on a sure foundation.

Phrases and Words

(these are my comments on phrases of words that jump out at me)

The Lord had manifested (vs. 17) manifest - display or show (a quality or feeling) by one's acts or appearance; demonstrate. This came as a surprise to me. I always felt that manifest meant to teach. If the Lord manifested unto Nephi, then he showed him love by helping Nephi feel the love. The Lord emanated all that he taught. The Lord was the epitome of what he taught. It's not just what was said, it was how it was said. Or what was seen, it was how it was presented. The presentation is everything. The Lord manifested his knowledge through his love.

Being grieved (vs 17) – Nephi was frustrated. He knew a greater love, a better way, a greater knowledge. He had an insight to the future. He understood and he wanted those that he loved to understand. But they could not. So instead of getting angry. (not the Lord’s way)… he took to learn the “dealings of …God” (vs 12). He asked. He “cried unto the Lord for them.” He didn’t say he was angry with them, he was sad. Love begets sadness and sorrow for those we love. Selfishness begets anger and the need to control. I don’t see Nephi trying to control his brethren. He wants to share with them and teach them what he has learned. But remember he is the youngest. They will have little respect for him.

We should not put aside the words of our young. They often can hear and know what we are blinded from.

Hardness of hearts (vs 17) – anger, selfishness, hardness of heart, inability to forgive, damnation because you become stuck, blinded by rage, blinded by pride, deaf to the words of love. Unable to see the beauty, feel the love, and understand the greater and better way of life. Caught up in yourself, caught up in things. Demanding, not patient, uncaring. No hope, no faith

Lowliness of heart (vs 18) the opposite of hardness. Humble, submissive, ready to learn, understanding of own limitations, willingness to listen, charitable, giving, caring, loving, full of faith.

Inasmuch – vs 20 to the extent that; insofar as as far as you are able… If you will keep my commandments… I will bless you. I makes me wonder to what extend to I keep the commandments of God. If I keep the commandments to a full extent, do I receive the fullness of his Love and blessings? If I keep the commandments just a little, to I get just a little? I think the Lord was really wise in stating inasmuch. I should use this more with my children.

Inasmuch you will walk the dog, and keep your room clean, you will have extra time to do what you would like to do.

Inasmuch as they shall rebel (vs 21) the opposite holds true. Up verse down. Good vs bad. If you don’t listen you don’t know what to do. If you don’t follow the rules, the game does not work for you.

Inasmuch thou shalt be a ruler (vs 22) this seems like an arrogant thing for Nephi to think or even to consider. But we saw this same story in Joseph of Egypt. It is pretty much a basic rule of nature. When you learn the rules and you follow the rules you are blessed. I am reminded of D&C There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven upon which all blessings are predicated. The universe runs on laws of nature. When we understand these laws, we have power over those who do not understand them. I.E. smoking. Joseph Smith was told in 1830 of he ills of tobacco. It took thousands of lives and a hundred years for the rest of the world to come to a truth concerning the addictive and destructive qualities of tobacco. Why then do men still sell it? Those who choose to smoke it place their lives at risk.

I will curse them (vs 23) We are reminded here of the justice of our Lord. He loves us. He loves those who love him. But he will tolerate only so much before he says “enough”. When we continue to refuse God’s love in our life, when we continue to turn a deaf ear and do what we want, then God places a sore curse upon us. He does this to bring us to our knees and remember him. I have heard, God will have a humble people. We can either choose to be humble, or he will humble us. Here God tells us… be humble or suffer a curse.

Nephi is reminded that he will be safe from this curse unless he and his people also choose to rebel against God.

Scourge unto thy seed (vs 24) a person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering What do we have today that acts as a scourge unto us? What does the Lord put in our lives to help us remember him? Do we have scourges? Or do we have the pure joy of God? Since no man is perfect, I will tend to say that we all have scourges. It is the natural man that will lean toward natural ways. We must learn to lean toward the spiritual self that teaches us of God’s ways. We must learn to love others, to put away the natural man, and the selfish desires of our heart. We must find selfless ways that bring God’s love into our lives.

"the dealings of that God"

1 Nephi 2: 12-16

I wonder how many of us ask the question, "Why would God allow this?", "Or, I don't believe in a God that would be the cause of so much pain." Well, when I hear this question, I have to wonder if the people speaking has ever taken time to "know the dealings.. of that God who created them?" Rarely if ever have I heard questions like these come from the mouth of a true believer and worshiper of God. I think it is important for all of us to daily consider, the dealings of that God who created us. When we do, (take time to consider God's dealings with man) we learn to respond to life through glasses of faith, hope and charity. We learn to wipe the angry smudges from these glasses and focus on the good that comes from God. When we understand the good that comes from God, we are less likely to misunderstand "the dealings of that God."

Phrases and Words

(these are my comments on phrases of words that jump out at me)

being the eldest (vs 12) Do you suppose that God understands how birth order affects our behavioral attitudes? Actually I've always understood this to read that Nephi was telling the story. I always felt he was a bit judgmental here. AS if to say, because they were the eldest sons, they were more spoiled, more insubordinate, Lehi didn't get it right until I was born? I guess this comes from me being the baby and always hearing that the baby was the difficult child of the family. The one to "murmur" or whine. Eldest children are used to having their parents all to themselves, or at most to having a good deal of power. My guess is that when Lehi decides to leave Jerusalem, Lamen and Lemuel are stripped of that power and left at the mercy of their parents discretion. I'm just saying that in a town where they had family, friends, and great connections, it is probable that Lamen and Lemuel had great sway over their parents discipline and decisions. Once they left and went into the wilderness, it is most likely that they lost most if not all of this power.

they knew not the dealings of that God which created them" vs 12. ... How many of us know God? How many of us ask on a daily basis to understand the hows and whys of God's works? When was the last time that I murmured when things didn't go the way I wanted? I wonder if rather than murmuring, I might learn to ask God the right question, maybe instead of being frustrated, I might learn something. Ha.. I think I just learned something.

they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem (vs13) - At first glance this is not to special of a phrase, but when you realize that they were like the Jews? How were they like the Jews? Angry... yes we realize they were angry because they tried to kill Lehi. I had to wonder how else they might have been alike? Worldly? Greedy? Discontent? unable to hear the prophets? unable to feel God's spirit? I have been angry. It is not fun. I have been so hurt that I built a wall around my heart and would not allow any one in, not even God. I never want to be in a place where I can not feel of God's love again. I want to be like Lehi, leaning the prophets path.

he did confound them (vs 14) Lamen and Lemuel were surprised and confused by the "power of the Spirit". They were stricken with surprise when their father stood against them. Was it because Lehi's elder sons had grown accustomed to the ways of Jerusalem? Was it because Lehi had lost touch with his family? Why did Lehi speaking boldly confound them? They were not used to hearing the words of the prophets or the words of their father's counsel?

mysteries of God (vs 16) Nephi tells us that he had great desires to know these mysteries. Why is that we all don't have great desires? Obviously Nephi contemplated rebelling. He was the youngest. His elder brothers had great sway upon him. I know this is true. Sometimes my older children have greater sway over my younger children than me? They are after all closer in age. But what strikes me here is that Nephi makes a conscious choice to learn the dealings of that God which created him. He makes a conscious choice to seek out God and all of his mysteries. What is a mystery? It is something that is unclear or misunderstood or not known. What is a mystery to me may not be a mystery to someone else. Electricians understand great things about electricity. To me they might be a mystery. Nephi sought to know God. Again.... he saw his elder brothers murmur. He saw his father put them in their place. He might have said to himself... shaking bodies... (not good) or glowing aura (Lehi) better. Children that are exceedingly young have insights that we too often pass over. We say they are naive, but they are not. They are aware of many spiritual truths. When they are allowed to seek out the mysteries of these truths, they often lead us and help us reset ourselves. Children are naturally aware of spiritual truths. The joy of these truths is what causes us to return again and again to their smiles.

"Even In A Dream" 1 Nephi 2:1-12

1 Nephi 2

I dream. I know that everyone does not dream, or at least remember what we dream. It has been explained to me that we all dream. It is a biological fact. So I wonder, why do some of us not remember? What keeps us separated from our sub-consciousness that we can not remember anything that happened to us while we sleep? I wonder if it might be our desires?

Desires it seems set our goals, our schedules, our tasks, our "to do" list, our priorities. Desires it seems become the barometer for our consciousness. Speaking from my own personal experience, I have noted that when I am driven to accomplish, when life has taken hold of me and has caused me to focus more on earthly success, I dream less. Or, I don't remember my dreams. I don't have time. I have too much to do. Too much else crowding out my subconscious mind.

Lehi dreamed. When Nephi described his father's reasoning for leaving Jerusalem, Nephi said it was because of a dream. Lamen and Lemuel, however called it "vain imaginations of his heart."

What is the difference? What did Lamen and Lemuel value that caused them to see their father's leadership in such a negative connotations? What did Nephi value that helped him see it as "direction from God?"

Phrases and Words

(these are my comments on phrases of words that jump out at me)

even in a dream (vs 1, 2)

thou hast been faithful (vs2) - We know. In our hearts, we know when we do good. We know also when we do wrong. The difference lies in how we react to each. When we do right, we are apt to continue doing right. Similarly when we do wrong we are apt to continue. The difference is that doing right relies upon our convictions. Doing wrong relies upon the lowest common denominator that we associate with. Our convictions are closely related to our desires.

When I read this phrase "thou hast been faithful" I realize that the Lord does honor his covenants with us. When we are faithful we are promised protection, guidance, and acceptance. If Lehi had loved anything more than goodness, obedience, or the understanding of God's higher purpose it wouldn't have worked. He would have second guessed himself and not followed through. God would not have honored his convenants.

Herein lies the beauty of this story. How do you know its the Lord in your dreams? How do you know the Lord? You know! We all know goodness. It's not always what we know, sometimes its what we love most.

What is a dream? Is it something we aspire to? Is it something we gain grater insight from? Is it something we find ourselves in? Dreams uniquely are our own. Like our relationships with faith, with God, with our own conscience. Dreams help us find our path. When we do or see evil, our dreams warn us. When we hope for and see good, our dreams guide us.

600 B.C. (vs 4) - I wonder what else took place in 600 B.C. At this time in history the calendar works backward. So the century is from 600 B.C - 501 B.C. So as we move closer toward the birth of Christ we are counting down in years. Lehi leaves Jerusalem around 600 B.C. and in about 587 (13 years) Nebuchadnezzar II captures Jerusalem. He carries away it's people to Babylon or various other cities within the Neo Babylonian Empire. This empire was also called Chaldean.

land of his inheritance (vs 4)- family, hills, dales, familiar places, memories, friends, acquaintances, anything that would make you feel connected to society and feel like you had a life. What was so wrong in Jerusalem that Lehi lost all feelings of being connected with everything he had grown accustomed to in his life?

gold, silver, precious things - Jerusalem had become prosperous because of trad with other nations. This trade led to the great diversity and the watering down of their religious beliefs. It really comes back to what do we desire most in life? Prosperity or Joy? What was truly valuable to him?

he came down ... into the wilderness (v5) - Lehi left civilization, a better way of life, to go into the wilderness. He came down out of Jerusalem, out of Judaea. Why would Lehi leave the safety of his homeland? Why would he leave the security of friendships? My guess is that he would leave only if he recognized they were no longer safe. Was there imminent danger? Yes, for his life. What happens to those who spread bad karma? It comes back to them. Would you want to be in the same place with someone who you know is going to get their bad karma returned to them? He was seeking for a better way. But why did he believe he would find it in the wilderness? In the Bible the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until they had left behind all of the bad karma of the Egyptians. It was the Lord's way of helping them learn to rely upon Him for guidance. In the wilderness they could not turn to others for help, they had to figure things out. If they were to survive, they had to have faith in God. Also. God had commanded him. He did not necessarily know why, but he knew God and he know that all good comes from God.

he pitched his tent (vs5) This seemingly simple phrase hold more meaning than one might think. To pitch a tent means more than to put up a tent. It means to set it up and fix it into a definite position. When we camp I know the position of my tent is crucial to how well I sleep. Lehi pitched (purposefully set and fixed) his tent in a valley, by a river. Here he had water to bathe, to drink, to wash, to cook with. Here in a valley he was protected from the dessert storms, the wind the weather and the harshness of the wilderness.

He set up protection, he stopped and rested and what was the first thing he did?

built an altar (vs7) First things first. 1. Built an altar 2. made an offering 3. gave thanks. This really made be think.

Could I have given thanks? Would I have murmured? 3 days out it would have been easy to turn back. How do I react to the change the Lord brings into my life?

fountain (vs 9) - When I think of a fountain I think of downtown Cleveland where there is a burst of water that pours out of a statue. A fountain really means "source". Webster says it is a "source of desirable quality". When Lehi says to his son that he wishes that he would always run to the source of righteousness, he is asking that his son will always desire to bring forth good.

foolish imaginations (vs 11) This is a well known phrase. As I think about Lehi I am reminded that Nephi called his father's beliefs a dream. Lamen and Lemuel however, now that they are three days out in the wilderness and the excitement of the adventure has died down, call it "foolish imaginations of his heart". This is really a defining moment for everyone. When we are faced with challenges that will take us from our comfort zone, our way of life, our addictions, our routines, what do we call the "word of the Lord" (vs 3)? Is it a dream? A desire to live righteously? Is it vain imaginations that don't know reality from fantasy?

In the end there is no one answer. To those who have their hearts set upon the "real" world, the earthly riches, the comforts of this world, it is vain imaginations. Why? Because if you can't see anything more than what is in front of you, if you can't see the spiritual world that your conscience possesses then it is all in vain. But to those that believe in the dream, To those who have the ability to let their conscious mind live and breath and not be silenced by all of the demands of a capitalistic society, then dreams are real. Why? Because dreams represent the true spiritual nature of our being.

Like I said at the beginning. We know. We know truth when we see it. If we don't then we should listen more carefully. God brings goodness. God brings light. God brings hope and safety and security. These are things that Lehi left Jerusalem for. Jerusalem had lost its way and they had killed the prophets who would help them find their conscience.

When one's conscience dies so does his dream... When one's conscience dies it is replaced with desires for wealth, and fame and strength and power.

As a mother of a large family, I have to believe that Lehi felt the need to leave Jerusalem because he felt the weight of his parental responsibilities slipping away. The first thing he does three days out is to pull his children aside and tell them how much he loves them. What a beautiful statement"... "Oh that you might always be running toward the source of all goodness." Oh that I love you so much that all I ever wanted for you was to run to the God and see of his goodness.

I hope that I will run to God daily. I hope that I will run to the source so that I will not be carried away or lost in the wilderness of life. How do I teach my children to do this? How do I teach them to understand God's love for us? How do I teach them that we are not unlike Lehi in our journeys, in our ability to listen to the prophets, in our ability to find direction within our dreams of righteousness. I think I teach them by doing what Lehi did, letting God's love direct me, "even in a dream".

A Book From Heaven ! Nephi 1:10-20

A Book From Heaven

1 Nephi 1:10-20

As I read my scriptures this morning I wondered what a book from heaven would be like. The world has always valued books for the wisdom and the experience they present to those who could decipher them. Why didn’t I say read? Because reading is much more than pronouncing a word. Words hold priceless interpretations. They are symbols of our language, but they are not our language. Language is who we are, how we are and how we express ourselves. Words are just one way of expression.

What makes a book magical is that the reader can interpret the words according to their own understanding. Like a river that is constantly flowing and yet ever changing, when you go back to a favorite passage the words are the same and yet different. An old adage reads that you can never put your hand in the same river twice. Books are like this. It is not the water that changes, we change. Our perspective carries us along the time line of life and we see things differently. We find new understanding.

Heaven holds its own language and words. I wonder what a book from heaven would say? With all of the millions of books on the earth today, would I take time to read a book from heaven? The printing press was first invented by Gutenburg around 1440. This only magnified our ability to get the written word to the masses. Books nor stories were not new. The first known written story is the Gilgamesh 2700 and tells the story of a great flood. Stories about man’s life abound aplenty, but what would the Gods tell us?

Lehi discovered some of this in his dream. He learned that words from heaven settle bitterly in the belly but leave a taste as sweet as honey upon the lips.

Phrases and Words

(these are my comments on phrases of words that jump out at me)

they came down (vs11) Who came down? The thirteen. The one who shown brightly and the twelve that followed. Why did they come down? They came down because we cannot go up. If you have ever climbed a mountain or accomplished a task of great merit, you understand this. Taking it to the most basic form you could imagine a parent with a crawling child. The child is unable to walk, stand or climb. If a parent wants to speak to the child they must “come down” The day will come when he child will be able to stand, walk and climb but until that time, those who are able, (those who shine) must come down to us that cannot.

gave unto him a book (vs11) he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. (vs12) Again I am drawn to contemplate the thousands and maybe millions of books that have or ever will be written. Do they fill me with the spirit of the Lord? Some do? What must a book say that would fill me with the spirit of the Lord? What language must it be written in? Will it comfort me? instruct me? define me? teach me? offend me? warn me? Who wrote the book? If I am offended what does it say about me? If i am comforted ? Can I understand it? If not what do I do? The book does not change, like the river of water, I must change so that I let its wetness quench my thirst, let its energy liven my soul.

carried away (vs13) How are we carried away captive into Babylon? This book told Lehi about those that he prayed for. It answered his prayers. It told how their actions would lead them away from the peace that God would have them enjoy. It would carry them away? I wondered about how easy it is for us to allow ourselves to be carried away into a video game, a movie, a jealousy, anger, or even after something that seemingly appears to be a good desire? If it does not bring us closer to our God’s love for us, then it will carry us away... I wonder what I can do to draw closer to my God and not allow myself to be carried away?

read and seen (vs14) We see many things that are first written. It is called television, movies, videos. internet. The mind has its own video clip. I marveled that Lehi both read and saw.

Power +goodness + mercy = God (vs 14) I read this as a parent. I saw the infinite love and recognized how God’s love for us is manifested in His power (he will protect us) ,, his goodness (he will give us every good thing) and his mercy (he forgives us our shortcomings) As a parent I want to be like this. Too many parents subjugate their power to their children. When children are given power they are not able to handle it causes great problems. I am grateful to know that God has all power and will use it to bless my life, if I will but love him.

Praising of his God (vs 15) How do I praise my God? When I consider all that I have and all that he has given me, how do I rejoice? Is my whole heart filled and does it move me to action to share this love?

because of the thing which he had seen (vs15) - we see many things every day. We see God’s creations all around us. I marvel at the bird song, the beauty of a flower, and yet this is not what Lehi saw? Or is it? We are wanton to see many things in our life, but will we want to see that “which the Lord” will show us? I am reminded of Aaron in the Bible and how all the Israelites has to do to live was to look upon the Rod of Aaron. Look and live. But many refused to because they had not cast their eyes upon all that the Lord had made and was it too bright for them?

account of mine own life. (vs 17) I have to wonder if we will write an account of our own life? Writing causes us to think about our actions. The prophets have all counseled us to write a journal. Why? Because it makes us “account” for our “own life”. I hope that my writing will help me account for my thoughts, my deeds and my actions.

he testified (vs 19) I wonder how different this story would have been if Lehi had kept it all to himself? Of one thing I am sure, the beauty of God’s words and works were never meant to be harbored selfishly. This in itself seems an oxymoron. The beauty of God’s word were meant to be proclaimed like a bird song atop the trees each and every morning of our lives. Lehi did this, he testified. Why did they become angry?

abominations (vs19)- Whit exeklie iz am abomination? Hew di wa menege to sii whin wi ere wreng? Abominations are merely being wrong. a typo, a misprint, but they are purposefully done with malice. They are selfish for they draw us away from the message that God sends. They mislead. They carry us away and we miss the lessons of God.

ANGER(vs 20) Anger = cast out When we are angry with something we lose patience. First we cast it out. Then we may beat it or stone it. And if our anger remains unchecked we may slay it. Anger is not of God. God brings us mercy when we err. Anger casts us out.

tender mercies (vs 20) I first heard this word from our Stake Presidents wife. She talked about the tender mercies of the Lord in her life. Tender mercies come from God to those who have faith. He uses this faith to help them have enough self esteem, enough self will to find the energy to free themselves from that which binds them and promises to carry them away. Lehi and Nephi were given tender mercies that kept them from being carried away into Babylon. What tender mercies has the Lord given me that keeps me standing strong in my faith and helps me find strength of my own? I with the faith of the Lord can find my own deliverance.

I have been told that there are volumns of books in heaven. Volumes? If this is the case then I want to carefully select all that I read and make sure it is written with a spirit that will not carry me away but will show me God's tender mercies.

I want to understand these tender mercies and see for myself the brillance of all of God's works. If after all God will take the time to "come down" can I not make time to see and hear and taste of His Love.

1 Nephi Chapter 1 The Goodness and the Mysteries

1 Nephi Chapter 1: 1-10

I think of all the chapters in the Book of Mormon this is probably the most read. Not because it is popular, but because of where it sits, at the beginning of the book. So many of us begin reading with good intentions, and then, for one reason or another, a few days of not reading turns into a few weeks, a month.... longer ... and, we lose our place. Out of humility, forgetfulness, embarrassment or just good intentions for "doing it right" we begin again.

When we begin again, we find that God, (understanding our flaws) wants us to remember (because we keep rereading it) "our goodly parents." He wants us to know that not only is Nephi "highly favored", but we too can be "favored" if we will head the prophets and add the Lord's strength and wisdom to our own. If we will learn that there is such a thing as a "great knowledge" of the "goodness and the mysteries of God." If we will ask, "how does God favor me?"

What are the goodness and the mysteries of God? How do we obtain a great knowledge of them? Nephi introduces us to what he intends to share with us. He reaches into the many memories and recalls not the dark "afflictions" that so many are wanton to dwell on, but rather the "learning of my father", and "the great knowledge," the goodness, and the mysteries" that he has seen and known during "the course of his days."

Phrases and Words

(these are my comments on phrases of words that jump out at me)

I was taught (vs1) I hope that I can be taught. Having a teen-ager in the home, I realize that it is not only the young who believe they know everything. We are all blinded by what we think we know. I wonder if I will "be taught" all that God would teach me?

language of my fathers (vs2)- a language is a manner of communication. It consists of words, phrases, mannerisms, rituals, traditions, patterns of speech. There are many languages that each of use to communicate with everyday. I.E. Music, body language, computer, business. Each of these have many different layers within them. Music for instance has jazz, classical, country, rap, etc. For Nephi it was in "the learning of the Jews" and the language of the Egyptians. We know that Nephi's family was from Jerusalem. What is the language of your fathers? How does the language of your fathers bring you closer to God?

true- (vs3) Nephi speaks truth, and seeks truth. He knows only the truth that is in him, and he tells us that it is written, "in mine own hand" and "according to my knowledge." When I read this I am reminded that History is seen in the eyes of the beholder. If this book had been written by either of any of his brothers, Lamen, Lemuel, Sam, or Joseph, there is no doubt it would be different. Would it be wrong? No. We all have our own perspectives. What makes Nephi's view special? He made an effort to see, hear, witness, and then write his account as it relates to "the great goodness and the mysteries of God."

So why should we believe him? Belief is a choice but it's been my experience in life that we all have an ability to know good when we see it. As you experience something, you know if it is good. How it makes you feel. What effects it brings into your life. Goodness comes from God. Nephi says he will tell us about the "the great goodness" of God. What goodness of God could you share as it relates to your days?

In all his days (vs4) This really struck me. I have never lived in one place longer than a few years. So for Lehi to have "dwelt in Jerusalem in all his days" means he has never moved, went without, or lived alone. He would have always been connected to something, someone, and a definite way of life. Still he was not secure. Jerusalem was in the midst of upheaval. There was great wickedness and the prophets came to warn them.

with all his heart (vs 5) Lehi, after hearing the words of the prophets that came forth in the year of Zedekiah, went and prayed. How did he pray? With all his heart? For whom did he pray? His family, his neighbors, his people. I had to stop here and remember that he had lived here "all his days." He would have been praying for uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, neighbors, fellow business associates, teachers, his rabbi. He would have been praying for his way of life. He did not want things to change. But he did believe. He did have faith that God knew more than he did and that God would replace their afflictions with goodness. Whom do you pray for with all your heart?

I found it interesting that Nephi spoke of praying with all his heart at the very beginning of the Book Of Mormon and that Moron (Moroni 10:4)

again reminds us of the need to pray “with real intent” at the end. Those who pray with real intent or with sincerity intend to act upon their desires.

Prayer begins with good desires. Lehi wanted to help those that he loved. He wanted them to hear the words of the prophets as he had heard them.

“pillar of fire” (vs6) This intrigued me? I have always interpreted this as a wall of fire. It shows you how impressionable movies are as I got my first ‘vision’ of Moses’ burning bush as a pillar of fire in the Charlton Heston version of the Ten Commandments". Now I’m not so sure? I think rather it was like a beam of light? A pillar is defined as a tall vertical structure or something that is shaped like unto it. We know that what Lehi saw was tall and vertical, but did it burn like fire, or did it have the characteristics of fire, namely brilliantly white, hot, constantly moving with energy? Is this one of “the mysteries of God?”

“he saw and heard much”+ “he did quake and tremble” (vs6) What I gleaned from this is that if you are going to see and hear knowledge from God, your body is going to quake and tremble afterwords. So powerful was the energy that came from that “pillar of fire”, so intense were the “things” that his body was overcome.

overcome (vs7) When we speak of being overcome (in our language) we usually are referring to being (emotionally) overwhelmed or overpowered. I have been overwhelmed at the realization of my parental responsibilities, or at the great amount of trust and love that my new-born had for me. Or in viewing a vast landscape of a valley as I stand atop a tall mountain. Lehi was overwhelmed by all that God shared with him. I wonder what he saw?

I am so grateful that God gave us prophets. I am so glad that there are those who can bear all that God would say to us and that we can hear God’s words through the mouth of a holy prophet. I may be selfish here, but I am glad that it was Lehi that was overwhelmed. I think I would have had to be consumed because of my unworthiness. What bit of God's knowledge does it take to overwhelm me? What words of God's truth causes me to be overcome?

carried away in a vision (vs8) I remember reading this as a young child and being totally perplexed? How could Lehi see God? I have pondered this as I have grown and wondered if it didn't mean a spiritual vision, like unto a dream? Still the scriptures are full of different accounts of men who have seen God. (see Manifestations of God) and it does say "he thought he saw God". I think he was asleep, but I may never know.

in the attitude(vs9) As I contemplated this I realize that there is no greater virtue than to have a proper attitude toward our God. As we go through our day to day rituals and routines, as we interact one with another, there are many different things that pull and tug at our attitudes. We can be selfish, childish, demanding, disrespectful with the greatest of ease. But it takes a great deal of effort to be selfless, mature, responsive, respectful and mindful of all that is good within us. One way I can take this verse and liken it unto me, is to contemplate deeply how my attitude sings and praises my God?

luster (vs 9) The word luster refers to gentle sheen or a soft glow. But this personage that descended from heaven had a luster (a glow) that was above that of the sun at noon. I guess this would depend on what part of the earth you live to determine how bright the sun is for you at noon day? (or does it) But for me the metaphor is complete. It is to say that there was no other known shine as great as that that came from this personage from heaven.

brightness did exceed the stars (vs 10) Here again we are led to understand that one of the mysteries of God is that his energy, his light, his glow, is that above all that exists on this earth. The twelve that follow him carry an aura about them that is greater than the stars. I have pondered this. What I have learned about this is that when we are good, we glow. When we are happy we shine with goodness. When we go from one level of goodness to another we shine brighter. People who do good are easily seen by the light in their eyes. The converse is the same. People who know darkness have darkness that emanates from their souls.

I wonder how my brightness is? When others see me, does my brightness help them see the light of goodness in me?

This has taken much longer than I anticipated. But it is rewarding beyond measure. I hope that those who take time to read will glean some goodness from it.

My next blog will focus on the last ten verses of 1 Nephi. I realize that this blog will be long in its journey, but it promises as all goodness does, to be memorable.

To study the scriptures is not just to obtain a knowledge of history, of family, of life, but rather to see and feel and know of the presence of a "great" knowledge of God's goodness, a "great" knowledge of God's mysteries.

A related link: Principles of the Gospel.

Introduction

I call this blog.. "In My days", a scriptural journey through the scriptures. I recently read the scriptures and found a new joy and strength that comes from them. I want to share these strengths with those who care to hear. I want to have the opportunity to share the scriptures from my point of view. Hopefully others will benefit.
I remember the first time I read the scriptures. The Bible lost me in its archaic language. I don't, however believe that we should change the words to help us understand, we should rather change ourselves. The spirit of the Lord works within us and helps us see the hidden meanings. The spirt of the Lord helps open our eyes and our hearts so that we might hear and know the Lord's word as it pertains to our lives.
These insights are my insights. The scriptures were meant to be likened unto ourselves "1 Nephi 19:23". This just means that when we read them, we are to ask, how does that fit into my life? or, How could I see myself? Or where in this verse could I put my life? By doing this we are able to really internalize the words of wisdom and see how they can truly help guide us in our path of life.
If I say something that inspires or helps you, I hope that you will comment. If I say something that you disagree with please feel free to comment, but do so kindly. These words are written out of "goodly intent". You don't have to believe them, but you don't need to argue them either. These words represent my views as I travel on my journey in life. You are free to choose as you believe, as I am free to believe as I believe.
It is my hope that they will be a strength to someone. I will begin with the Book of Mormon. It is Another Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I will move next to the Old and then New Testament. and finally through to the Doctrine and Covenants. I will cover some chapters one at a time, and other chapters will take longer. I will use all four sets of scriptures as references.