into his heart Helaman 13: 1-8

• An older gentleman with a weathered face and warm smile stood perplexed at the counter. His repeated attempts to get his YMCA card scanned kept failing. I looked into the eyes of his wife who watched over his shoulder. She seemed to be at a loss as well. "Help him out"... a clear message of what to do came into my heart. I reached over and gently helped him turn his card over so that the UPC code could be read. His eyes twinkled in appreciation. His wife

Picture from FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

giggled a measure of relief. And inside of me I felt myself smile. All because I let God's words come "into my heart".

"A handsome young man is waiting in the lobby to see you." I looked up to see the hostess of the Red Lobster where I worked as a waitress watching me. I wasn't surprised. I was decidedly overjoyed. Why? Because not more than an hour earlier a voice had come "into my heart" and told me.. "GolfGuy will be here soon". I pushed it out of my mind and decided I was too much in love to understand my own intuitions. I had somehow mixed up my desires with reality. When GolfGuy showed up (unplanned) I felt flattered, and emotionally prepared. Mostly I felt a calm assurance that this match was being guided by an unseen hand that kept putting cues such as these "into my heart".

• The cold air crept in around my ankles as I folded and stacked the laundry. My mind worried about my mother some 1000 miles south of me. Her health had recently taken a wrong turn and I was two days car drive away. My mind also turned to the difficulties our GuitarGuy was experiencing in his new middle school. I needed a plan. So I prayed. I prayed for guidance and ideas. The words "Call Jill" came into my heart. "Call Jill and talk to her about Charleston." When I called I told her I needed a five year plan. I couldn't see how we could move before GuitarGuy finished school. There was allot I couldn't see. But God could see and so Jill said.. "Come down and check it out".

We did and here we are in beautiful Charleston. Why? Because I learned to follow what God put "into my heart" and trust that I would learn to listen to his plan for me. God takes care of us. We need to learn like Samuel did to let his words find place "in our hearts".

Words and Phrases

vs 1 keep the commandments of God, according to the law of Moses ... Prayers have requirements. In order to hear the word of God we must live the word of God.

vs2 preach unto the people... When we stop letting the word of God into our hearts, God sends prophets to help us remember, to guide us, and to keep us close to him. Samuel was a prophet .. he kept the commandments according to the law of Moses.

vs 3 the voice of the Lord came unto him... How do we know when the voice we hear in our heart is of God or of our own thoughts. If it is of God, it is in our hearts as well as in our head. We hear it first with our hearts. We feel it pierce our souls. When we live the commandments we tune our souls to it so that we can hear it.

vs 4. whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart.... The Lord speaks first to our hearts... and then he sways our minds with practical reason.

vs 5 the words of the Lord... are words of comfort, words of guidance, and words of warning. When we become hardened by the ways of the world, the Lord's love protects us by sending us words of warning.

vs 6. Repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ - Samuel was not about Samuel.. he was a prophet that taught of Jesus Christ.

vs 7. An angel of the Lord - Angels do the work of the Lord by declaring truths unto those who will hear.

vs 8. I will take away my word from them... - we hear his word when we listen and live his commandments. If we do not listen he removes the blessings that come from having his word.

His word is the greatest blessing known to man. His word comforts us. His word guides us and teaches us all that we need to know in this life. His word is the way back to our Lord Jesus Christ. His word is his love. It is there. We must

let it into our hearts.

Who Do you think you are? Who is your Guide? Helaman 12

So who do you think you are?

I asked the question to a child. The child looked up at me and said "I am Trainboy!" TrainBoy is a boy of seven. Is seven years a long enough time on this earth to know who you are? Yes.

I asked an older man, "Who are you?" He told me a long story of his life and then said,

I'm almost done with my life, What does it matter who I am? " It matters. He wrote his story and published it in a book so that all the world would remember who he was. We all want to matter to someone. We think that who we are depends on what we are remembered for?

I asked my father, "Who are you?" He told me he was a son of God. He told me I was a daughter of God. He told me I

mattered to him, but mostly I mattered to God.

I know that what he told me was right. My spirit inside me told me I was more than blood and flesh. My spirit told me I was my father's daughter, but before this I was his sister. We are all children of God.

We all have to decide if we will see our lives merely as a passage of time inside a body of flesh and blood, or as a spiritual being created to have joy. If we choose one way we will seek guidance as "children of men". If we choose another, we will choose guidance as "children of God."

Who we are matters. It changes everything.

I am a child of God. I did not do it my way As a child of God I learn to do it His way and this

makes all the difference. He (God) has sent me here. I did not show up as a chance of nature. Has given me a an earthly home. I have a spiritual home that I left to come here. With Parents Kind and Dear God knew he could not be physically with me so he gave me parents to be with

me here on the earth. Lead me Guide Me Walk Beside me. Help me Find the Way My parents can lead me... They can guide my steps, my actions, my words, my pathways.. When they don't know how to guide me they turn to God and teach me to do the same.

Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday. If I am a child of man what destiny do I have after my time here is done? If I am a child of God ... I know I have a destiny, a purpose, and a life after my time here is done. I get to live with Him.. I get to love and help others who also love Him. I get to have joy in my family.

So .. who do you think you are?

God wants us to always remember we are his children. He does not want to rob us of our agency. He wants to show us what we don't know we don't know. Like a guide in a foreign land who speaks a foreign language, we can learn much from Him.

And like a master builder who knows the infrastructure of a building, he has great power and knowledge that he can use to help us as we walk through the buildings of our lives. He has the ability to move walls, raise floors, and guide us all the while. If we fear, we lose our ability to feel his love. His love is needed to help us find our way.

Words and Phrases.

Children of Men: (everlasting evil)

vs 1 unsteady hearts,

vs 2 hardened hearts,

vs 2 forget God t

vs 2 trample under feet

vs 3 not remember God

vs 4 foolish , vain, evil, devilish

vs 4 quick to do inequity,

vs 4 slow to do good

vs 4 set their hearts upon the vain things of the world

vs 5 lifted up with pride

vs 5 quick to boast

vs 5 slow to remember God

vs 5 slow to give ear to His counsels

vs 5 slow to walk wisdom's path

vs 6 they do not desire God to rule over them

vs 6 they will not that he should be their guide

vs 7 less than the dust of the earth

Children of God (everlasting Life)

vs 1 trust in Him

vs 2 prosperity, spared lives,

vs 23 blessed are they that repent

vs 23 blessed that hearken unto voice of God

vs 24 restored grace for grace

vs 24 repentance and good works

God as our Guide.. .

vs 7.. we are less than the dust.. Why? because the dust will obey the voice of God. We do not obey the voice of our God but follow our own will.. Imagine you are in the wilderness .. with your Guide and he has the power to move the earth, to move mountains, to save you. What a great guide that would be.

vs 9-10 power over the land

vs 11-15 power over the earth

vs 16-18 power over the waters of the deep

vs 18-19 Power to accurse

vs 22 -24 power to save and restore grace for grace

vs 25 power to cast out

So who do you think you are? Who do you want to be? Who will be your guide?

Is it possible for a child of seven to know who they are? Yes? They are a child of God and it is the most important thing for them to know. It alone will keep them secure, safe and sure footed on their journey through life.

Josh. 24: 15

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, orthe gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

A great band of robbers Helaman 11: 24-38

The weather has turned just a bit. Its finally cool enough in the morning to be outside (low 70's). The humidity has shown signs of mercy and I can once again enjoy being outside with nature. Here in Summerville we enjoy combining nature's beauty with sculptured art. In recent years Sculpture in the South has sponsored the placing of various works of art throughout the Summerville Parks. I love to walk the green landscapes and admire the beauty that several bronze statues bring. I love the spirit of playfulness, creativity, beauty, freedom, and the closeness to God and community that I feel when I see these works of art and soul.

So it was with great dismay that I learned of the recent stealing of not one but two of these beautiful statues. A few years back (2007)someone stole and vandalized the statue of a small

baseball boy, and Monday night someone stole the little conductor (the fourth one back) from the line of children statues on the wall (see above picture).

I am at a loss as to why people behave this way? In my family when something turns up missing it is the spirit of fear that screams inside my head, "so and so took it." Or when something is misplaced it is the spirit of fear that begs to ask others in an accusatory tone, "Did you take it?" When robbers ply their craft they take much more than the objects they plunder. They spread the disease of fear.

But fear can be combated with faith. Just last night when my cell phone was misplaced rather than allow the tone of fear to escalate inside of me, I chose to sit quietly and ponder its possible whereabouts. Eventually I found it outside on our front porch. I am so glad I did not give into the insecurity inside of me that wanted to accuse a loving member of my family.

When we don't live in faith, we live in fear.

There are forces of nature that work in opposition to one another. They balance one another. If you take a ball and bounce it, it will go high and low with equal succession until it finds its equilibrium ( a place somewhere in-between). The force of gravity is needed to create this equilibrium.

Faith and fear appear to be opposites, but unlike the forces of nature, they do not balance one another. If you bounce your fear off of your faith, you (with the force of love) can find yourself closer to your life balance. But if you bounce your faith off of your fears, there is no force of love for love does not live where there is not faith, you create greater fear. Fear can be balanced by faith, but faith cannot be balanced by fear. They are not opposite. They do not balance one another. They are two separate forces that direct us into two separate directions.

When we face fear we need love to help us rediscover our equilibrium. The love of God within each of us works to equalize this destruction. The love of God can be expressed in sculptured art, in kindness, beauty, and words of faith. The love of God works with faith to repair destructive behavior.

If we choose to live by faith, we can eradicate all fear from our lives and find peace. If we choose to not live by faith, by default we live by fear. When we (either by default or by choice) choose to live in fear, we become dissenters. Dissenters argue, fight, war, rob, plunder, and murder. They know no boundaries, no respect, and no faith.

The "robbers" who stole our statues were most likely young dissenters, a young voice crying out for relief from life- frustration. They know not who or what or how to believe in something larger than themselves. They have begun a downward spiral of fighting fear with fear. It is a fruitless path and one that Nephi speaks of in these verses. Today I will say a prayer for those who hurt so badly that they believe the thievery of art will somehow patch the whole that fear has bore into their soul.

Words and Phrases

vs. 24 dissenters from the people - dissenters are those who do not feel loved, do not have a place, have been driven out because of social standing. Where there are so many dissenters it is a sign that there is a great social division in the land. The people love their possessions more than they love their fellow man.

vs 24 stirred up to anger- fear breeds anger. Anger breed war

vs 25 murder and plunder- it is a downward spiral

vs 25 retreat and secret places when we live in fear we have need to hide.

vs 25 addition to their numbers great numbers are a sign of social unrest

vs 26 great band of robbers I wonder if there was such a distinction because of the disparity of wealth in the land. It is easy to say these people were wicked, but I believe you have to understand what caused them to be driven to living in the wild mountains. Was it because they could not find place in the community of their birth?

vs 27 great havoc great destruction fear breeds havoc and destruction. Fear within us or within our families breeds destruction.

vs 33 did visit many parts of the land- they grew bold in their robbery. Bold in their lifestyle of fear. Many would have died in fear, died because of fear, lived in fear of death, of life, of having whatever they cherished. Fear is not a way of life. Fear is a way of death.

vs 36 they did not mend their ways- even as they faced being murder, havoc, and destruction these people who were being driving by fear chose to love their possessions, to believe in their own strengths, and to love their lifestyle of fear more than faith. I guess it became a habit.

vs 37 was stronger and stronger in their pride - Pride breeds fear... pride teaches us to believe alone in our own strength, and in our own ability. Pride stands alone. Pride separates through fear.

Peace in the Land through Gratitude Helaman 11: 17-22

Seven o'clock, time to wake. Time to get the son out of bed. Time to eat breakfast. Time to shower and dress. Time to go to school. Time to ...... What makes it all bearable?

Our lives run in cycles. One clear message of the Book of Mormon is that there are many cycles in our lives. Cycles of nature and cycles of human nature. Unlike nature that lives a course bound to preprogramed cycles, we have within us the ability to recognize the cycles and correct them, but only if we will heed the lessons of history, the lessons of scripture.

When my son looks up at me and says, "Good Morning." When he reaches out for that one hug that he needs to energize his determination. When my husband gives me one last snuggle before charging into his day. When I feel appreciated for all that I do, I feel peace. Gratitude brings the "energy of peace" to my life.

Gratitude is not a cycle of nature. Gratitude comes to us as a virtue. To garner it we must purposefully reach deep inside and seek it out. We must identify it, label it and then share it. We share it through smile, attitude, gesture, manners, kindness, selflessness, words, prayer, body language, and communication. We find it by receiving gratitude as it passes like a spark of electricity from one human to another.

Gratitude is something that tends to be easily forgotten in the day to day trials and responsibilities of life. Gratitude tends to be wrung out from us in the cycles of life, but it need not be. We can learn to balance our lives and find the daily joy that gratitude can bring. When we find the balance, we find peace.

The people of Nephi's time had lost all sense of their gratitude towards God and towards their fellow man. They had allowed the cycles of their lives to put them into holding patterns of "greed and need." Only when God intervened and helped them remember the importance of the basics of life did they once again find peace. Only when their lives were reduced to a form of basic functionality and almost death, did they remember to show gratitude first to God and then to one another.

Words and Phrases

vs 17 the Lord did turn away his anger - gratitude turns away anger. respect turns away anger. love for and appreciation for what others do for you turns away anger. service to others turns away anger. Remembering others turns away anger.

vs 18 the people did rejoice and glorify God, - They were happy to be alive. Happy to not have perished as did the thousands. Happy to have made it through a great trial of faith. But still they believe ... not because of Nephi's words, but because of his signs and miracles. I wonder how many years will pass before they forget? I wonder how convicted they are to the God who has saved them?

vs 18 they did esteem him as a great prophet - Look what he had to do for them before they would believe. I'm not so sure that Nephi should be happy with this, but he is and it is a good thing that they did not die by sword or famine. Finally he receives some respect and the people begin to see peace for the gratitude that is within their hearts.

vs 19 not a whit - not any less, not any lower than Nephi, but this is Nephi's story not Lehi's.

vs 20 began to prosper again - gratitude is a good thing... it brings blessings of esteem, respect, and honor to all people. Gratitude shares the wealth. Gratitude is about all people, not just one or one group. Gratitude teaches respect, honor, discipline, hope, love, communication, and understanding.

vs 21 exceedingly great peace - prosperity, gratitude, blessings, hope, = peace... no greed, no need, no stealing, not robbery, ... just a balance of life's cycle and gratitude.

vs 22 and also they had peace ... 3 years now they have known peace. 3 years of no grief, of no trial, of rebuilding their lives after the great destruction of famine. Three years? is that long enough? How do you keep the balance? Will they keep their gratitude? manners, respect, communication and love for one another.?

Family Law: Fight or Famine (Helaman 11:1-17)

Disclaimer (I do not intend to minimize the seriousness nor the misfortune of others by comparing famine to the discipline of a child. The scriptures are meant to be likened to our lives. I have never known the pain or anguish of a true famine, (and hope I never will) but I do understand it as a principle of discipline in the form of the removal of privilege. )Famines come from many reasons. This set of verse describes the famine as a means of discipline to help us remember our God, the creator of the earth and bestower of earthly and spiritual blessings.

In our home we have a rather opinionated teen-age boy. He likes to speak his mind and often finds that this brings him into conflict with family rules and parental wishes. When he ventures off path and finds that he has spoken disrespectfully, harshly, or has refused to accept the consequences of his choices, his father and I have discovered that the best method to help him understand our love, is to remove from him that which he most cherishes. (IPod, computer, television etc.) Why does this method work? Because it causes him to reflect upon his behavior (what he did wrong and why others are upset with his behavior) and how he can best turn the situation around (how he can change). It takes the power struggle away from the parents and puts the power to choose back into his hands. He will be given back his possessions after he has pondered the problem, considered an appropriate solution, and waited a determined amount of time.

Just like Nephi learned as he tried to teach the people of God’s love, we have learned that showing our son great "signs" of our love (buying him things that entertain) or performing "miracles" (doing something that astonishes him), or showing forth our great "knowledge" (by knowing of his whereabouts and behavior through networking), or speaking to him with our words (tends to bring on arguing) just does not work. It tends to make him act more insecure and seemingly feel less loved.

Finally I learned the law of famine. When our son breaks a house rule, when he speaks with disdain, or acts impulsively, we don’t preach, we don’t argue, we don’t fight, we merely remove a privilege(our chosen famine). The removal of privileges is based on known family law. We do not listen to his excuses. We do not allow him to manipulate himself between the two of us.

This alone helps to slow him down and consider his actions. This alone causes him to consider his parent’s position and feelings, and the inappropriateness of his behavior. At first glance, famine seems like a harsh way to discipline, but it is a way that causes God’s children to seriously reflect upon the why’s, the how’s, and the what went wrongs? This method helps to change the paths of those who are headed in the wrong direction.

Let’s Look at Nephi’s history as he tried to teach the people

1.

1. He went and he taught

2. He failed at this so he went home and prayed in his garden

3. He passionately poured out his heart so that he touched the hearts of those that heard. (He was pleading for help from God)

4. He shows them a sign

5. He shows them a miracle

6. He removed himself

7. He removed their blessings

Thinking of a problem in my home.

1. I teach my young children

2. A problem arises so I withdraw within myself and to prayer (I don’t know how to help my family)

3. I plead with God in prayer for help. I might be overheard but if I am not, my countenance would be readable.

4. My Family wants to understand what has me so uptight that I can’t allow them to have a little fun… watch an R rated movie, etc..

5. I try to explain by showing them a sign of God’s love

6. They think I am power hungry and an argument ensues. The conflict increases

7. I withdraw even more and leave them to their fighting.

8. Finally I become a parent and assume my leadership role and stand up to your children by removing a privilege from them.

9. They respect my role as parent and acknowledge their mistakes.. they change their paths and find happiness. We hug and make up. :)

What brings happiness? Obedience to God’s laws. What brings us back to God’s laws? A dearth of food, of love, of association with what we hold dear?

In the many years of raising our children, I have noted that indulgence brings fighting and famine brings repentance. I could list several examples. If you will take time to observe it, this is widespread phenomenon of human nature. As soon as someone gets a new toy, they tend to believe that the old rules no longer apply. I know of several teens who lose their driving privileges on the first day they get their license.

Questions:

What is it about our body and soul that causes us to be able to remember God when we face famine, but forget him when we face fighting?

What are the patterns of discipline within this chapter for helping us know how to teach our children?

How did God and Nephi approach the problem of trying to teach God’s children?

When the people were indulged and not required to give anything back, what were the results?

Why does fighting lead us to forget about survival and concentrate solely upon destruction of our enemy(an ultimately our soul)?

Why does famine lead us to concentrate on our survival (an ultimately our soul)?

As parents we can learn from this example. Indulgence brings on conflict and selfishness. Responsibility brings on the blessings of learning how to use the power God has given us.

Words and Phrases

vs 1 contentions did increase: why? b/c of the inability to hear the word of God. The people saw it, they witnessed the miracles, but they did not hear it. We often don't listen when we have other things to entertain us.

vs 4 do not let ... be destroyed by the sword. - why? because by the sword you die in anger. If you die by famine, at least you have pondered and had time to repent. Nephi wants to buy them time. He has figured out that a famine will kill many but not in the same state of mind that a war does.

vs 5 became sore by famine - I was shocked at the photos that I found as I searched for a photo for my post. It made me sick and made me realize that this is not to be taken lightly. Famine is a serious calamity that weather it is brought on by natural circumstances or a loving God who wants us to turn again unto him, it is not to be mocked or made fun of. I even shrink that I have compared it to the circumstances of my son. Famine is a most hideous way to die. We all need food to survive. But we need God's spiritual guidance to live life eternal.

vs 6 in the more wicked parts of the land - at first this statement seems prejudice, but if you consider that the wicked would not have prepared for this day by having food stored away, they would not have cherished food that would nurture but food that was rich and fattening, they would have lived from day to day and not planned wisely, they would have found the lusts of their eyes more desirable than the sharing of food or giving selfless aid to others. The wicked would be found alone in their struggles, while the more righteous would band together to help one another. They would be organized and prepared. Hence the death of the more wicked in a time of famine would be a natural consequence of circumstance.

vs 7 remember the words of Nephi - they have been given a second chance to remember God's love and the words of prophet who spoke truth to them.

vs 8 lest all thy words be fulfilled.... - It is possible to turn things around. Repentance puts us back on the right path. Repentance changes things. Repentance causes us to have a change of heart that helps us to see, feel, and believe differently.

vs 9 when he saw the people had repented - he again petitioned God. He asked for blessings from heaven. He asks that the people recognize God's love and this third sign they understand.

vs 10 swept away the band of Gadianton - so great was their repentance that they eradicate the evil and bring on the good. They understand God's spirit of love and how the selfish band of robbers has no place if the famine is to be turned around. The famine was really in their hearts. Until the Robbers were gone, the famine of their hearts could not be repaired.

vs 15 If this people repent - When I have problems, I consider how I have gone astray... I consider how I have not done what the Lord has asked of me. I repent before I ask for blessings. I give thanks. Sometimes I am blind to what I need to repent of. Sometimes I need God to gently remind me by the consequences of my actions.

vs 17 rain should fall upon the earth - why do people not like rain. I love rain.. I love the blessings of rain. I love the sound of rain, and the wind that accompanies it. I love to be part of the life that ensues after the rain. Rain is needed for life. Rain nurtures, cleanses, replenishes, washes, etc... Rain brings us so much. I believe it is most appreciated by those who do not have it.

Notwithstanding the Miracles (Helaman 10:12-19)

"but where they have been convinced by the outpouring of the spirit of God, … they have been more likely to stand, more likely to endure persecution and trial"

NotWithStanding: in spite of : adverb nevertheless; in spite of this : conjunction although; in spite of the fact that :

Signs do not convert. Miracles do not convert. Faith alone convicts us.

Growing up in the deep south, I had ample opportunity to share the gospel with my neighbors and classmates. On different occasions someone would challenge my beliefs on faith based issues. One afternoon on my mother's dock, an older neighbor boy from down the street decided to hang out for a bit. Our conversation turned to my recent conversion and my decision to attend church. I ended up bearing my testimony to him. He told me I could not know. I told him I did know.

His lack of belief in a God caused us to get into a somewhat heated debate that ended when he said to me.. rather foolishly. "You can't know. And to show it to you, I am going to throw these rocks at you. If they hit you then you are wrong. I am sure that you are wrong and I am sure that you will get hit." (He didn't chose to throw them so that they would hurt me, but rather just to prove a point.)

I took my stance and said "Fire away". We both agreed that I would stand about 5 feet from him so that it wouldn't be too difficult or too easy, and that I would stand perfectly still. He chose several small stones and began unloading his arsenal upon me. He never hit me. Not once. He was dumbfounded. So I said.. "Well then I guess I am right".

He said that there was something wrong. So I moved closer. Still he could not hit me. Eventually he left as I had refused to argue with him. And he could not hit me. He had asked for a sign, but it did not convince him that I was protected, that God lived, or that I was right. It really did nothing more than entertain me and frustrate him.

Signs and miracles come from God as a gift to the faithful. It is not our place to ask for them. It is our place to look for them and to recognize them.

I attended a beautiful Missionary Fireside this evening where two recent converts spoke to this very topic. BrB spoke on how he had been raised by an active atheist who worked to disprove the faith of others. When he decided to give religion a try, he only knew to ask for signs. He went through this several times and each time he was awed, he was stunned, he was entertained, but he was not convicted through his faith. It was not until he asked for help, (not signs) that he learned to recognize God's love. When God's loved wrapped itself around him, his conviction changed his life forever.

God's love is not to be found in signs. It is not to be found in gimmicks or things that "prove" as if it were a science experiment. God's love is not an experiment. It is within us and can only be accessed through humble prayer.

Words and Phrases

vs 12 did not go unto his own house .. - Nephi was so obedient (remember he had gained the trust of God) that he did not stop to gain food, accessories, supplies, etc. He left immediately and returned to the multitudes.

vs 12 declare unto them - This time they were not mystified by his prayers for them (on the tower), they were not stunned by his knowledge of murderers amongst them( judges murder), nor did they witness a sign (the confession of the true murderer), instead they had to listen with their ears and their hearts to his words.

vs 13 notwithstanding that great miracle - Miracles tend to bring on power plays. I'm more powerful. I'm more knowledgeable. Miracles oftentimes can be misunderstood or explained away by the witty or learned. Miracles are for those that reason, they are not for the believers. The believers experience miracles all the time. But they do not rely on miracles to build their faith. Believers understand that it is God's love that keeps them bound to their faith.

vs 14 declare unto the word of the Lord ... In the end, we must learn to listen to God's word. We must learn to love God's word. We must learn God's love and keep it close to our hearts. Then and only then will it have sway on our minds.

vs 15 revile against him -Not only did they criticize him, but they became angry with him and tried to seize him and throw him into prison. They no longer cared about the Judge, nor the evidence, nor the truth. This was not about truth. It was about power. They wanted the power for themselves and Nephi stood in their way.

vs 16 he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away..- I don't understand if he was translated, protected, or died, but I do know that he was protected and was able to give his message

vs 17. go forth in the Spirit - Was he a spirit? Was he in his body and he carried forth with the spirit of God in him? ??

vs 18 they were divided - If it is not of God it will divide you. If it is not of God it will bring contention. They bring upon themselves their own destruction.

The following is from Dallin H. Oaks June 2001 Ensign

Why Don’t We Hear More about Miracles?

Why don’t our talks in general conference and local meetings say more about the miracles we have seen? Most of the miracles we experience are not to be shared. Consistent with the teachings of the scriptures, we hold them sacred and share them only when the Spirit prompts us to do so.

The revelation on priesthood affirms the biblical teaching in Mark 16:17 that “signs,” including miraculous healings and other wonderful works, “follow them that believe” (see also D&C 84:65). Similarly, modern revelation directs that “they shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation” (D&C 84:73). Another revelation declares, “Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit” (D&C 63:64). President Brigham Young explained, “Miracles, or these extraordinary manifestations of the power of God, are not for the unbeliever; they are to console the Saints, and to strengthen and confirm the faith of those who love, fear, and serve God, and not for outsiders.” 7

Latter-day Saints generally follow these directions. In bearing testimonies and in our public addresses we rarely mention our most miraculous experiences, and we rarely rely on signs that the gospel is true. We usually just affirm our testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel and give few details on how we obtained it. Why is this? Signs follow those that believe. Seeking a miracle to convert someone is improper sign seeking. By the same token, it is usually inappropriate to recite miraculous circumstances to a general audience that includes people with very different levels of spiritual maturity. To a general audience, miracles will be faith-reinforcing for some but an inappropriate sign for others.

There are good reasons why we do not seek conversions by exhibiting signs. “The viewing of signs or miracles is not a secure foundation for conversion. Scriptural history attests that people converted by signs and wonders soon forget them and again become susceptible to the lies and distortions of Satan and his servants (Hel. 16:23; 3 Ne. 1:22, 3 Ne. 2:1, 3 Ne. 8:4.). …

“In contrast to the witness of the Spirit, which can be renewed from time to time as needed by a worthy recipient, the viewing of a sign or the experiencing of a miracle is a one-time event that will fade in the memory of its witness and can dim in its impact upon him or her.” 8

President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), who served for more than a quarter century in the First Presidency, observed: “It has been a matter of remark among those who have had experience in this Church that where men have been brought into the Church by such manifestations, it has required a constant succession of them to keep them in the Church; their faith has had to be constantly strengthened by witnessing some such manifestations; but where they have been convinced by the outpouring of the spirit of God, … they have been more likely to stand, more likely to endure persecution and trial than those who have been convinced through some supernatural manifestation.” 9

Dear God (Helaman10: 6-19)

Helaman 10: 6-19

Dear God..

(to understand a prophet I went to the counsel of the living prophets)

I read your scripture today and I did not understand it. I tried to but it seems to be beyond anything that I can comprehend. I could never imagine that you would trust me enough to give me so much power as you did Nephi. I could never imagine that I could smite the earth with famine or that I would want to? I understand the need to discipline and to help those I love through "tough love" by being strict, firm and strong, but I don't believe I could ever be a Nephi.

But wait. Nephi was a prophet. He spoke with you often and you spoke with him. You and he had a great understanding of one another. I don't believe I could ever find anything in these scriptures that would liken me to them? Could I?

Words and Phrases

vs 6 thou art Nephi and I am God..... I see two seperate beings here. I see a God and a follower of God, a son of God, a true believer, a disciple. A prophet made so pure by his faith that he was able to earn the trust of God.

vs 7 I give unto you power... When has God ever given me power? I am a mother. I have been given God's power to co create and raise souls unto joy. I am a woman and I have been given the power to heal and to love those in need of loving. I am a daughter and I have been given the power to see the vision of my father's faith. I am a sister and I have been given the power to build up and love the siblings of my youth. I am a Saint of God and I have been given the power to help others understand his love, his faith and his path.

vs 7 I give unto you power..to seal.. I am the maker of hearts and I can seal my heart to God's by my faith. I can seal my love to my family by my actions. I can seal my acts of kindness to those in need of his love.

Helaman 10:7 whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven

Joseph Smith

“The doctrine or sealing power of Elijah is as follows: If you have power to seal on earth and in heaven, then we should be wise. The first thing you do, go and seal on earth your sons and daughters unto yourself, and yourself unto your fathers in eternal glory, and go ahead, and not go back, but use a little wisdom, and seal all you can, and when you get to heaven tell your Father that what you seal on earth should be sealed in heaven, according to his promise. I will walk through the gate of heaven and claim what I seal, and those that follow me and my counsel.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 340)

Boyd K. Packer

“That sacred sealing power is with the Church now. Nothing is regarded with more sacred contemplation by those who know the significance of this authority. Nothing is more closely held. There are relatively few men who have been delegated this sealing power upon the earth at any given time—in each temple are brethren who have been given the sealing power. No one can get it except from the prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“A clear statement follows regarding the sealing power as binding on all that we do for the living and the dead.

“’Whenever the fulness of the gospel is on earth, the Lord has agents to whom he gives power to bind on earth and seal eternally in the heavens (Matt. 16:19; Matt. 18:18; Hel. 10:3-10; D&C 132:46-49.)

“’All things that are not sealed by this power have an end when men are dead. Unless a baptism has this enduring seal, it will not admit a person to the celestial kingdom; unless an eternal marriage covenant is sealed by this authority, it will not take the participating parties to an exaltation in the highest heaven within the celestial world.

“’All things gain enduring force and validity because of the sealing power. So comprehensive is this power that it embraces ordinances performed for the living and the dead, seals the children on earth up to their fathers who went before, and forms the enduring patriarchal chain that will exist eternally among exalted beings’ (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, p. 683).

“In the Church we hold sufficient authority to perform all of the ordinances necessary to redeem and to exalt the whole human family. And, because we have the keys to the sealing power, what we bind in proper order here will be bound in heaven. Those keys—the keys to seal and bind on earth, and have it bound in heaven—represent the consummate gift from our God. With that authority we can baptize and bless, we can endow and seal, and the Lord will honor our commitments.” (Ensign, Feb. 1995, p. 32)

vs 16 he was taken by the spirit .. did Nephi die. Was he translated? Does anyone know the meaning of this verse? I do not know. What is more perplexing is when it is read in conjuction with ...

Helaman 10:16 he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them

Bruce R. McConkie

“Other prophets had been and would be transported bodily from place to place by the power of the Spirit. Ezekiel was lifted up and carried by the Spirit. (Ezek. 8:2-3.) Nephi ‘was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceeding high mountain,’ upon which he ‘never had before’ set his ‘foot.’ (1 Ne. 11:1.) Mary herself ‘was carried away in the Spirit’ at the time of the conception of Jesus. (1 Ne. 11:19-21.) Nephi the son of Helaman ‘was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst’ of those who sought to imprison him, and thus ‘he did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of God.’ (Hel. 10:16-17.) After Philip baptized the eunuch, ‘the Spirit of the Lord caught [him] away,’ and he was carried to Azotus. (Acts 8:39-40.) It is not an unheard-of thing for the Lord, by the power of the Spirit, to transport mortals from place to place…” (The Mortal Messiah¸ p. 413)

vs 17 he did go forth in the spirit-

vs 18 there began to be contentions-

Richard G. Scott

"The Book of Mormon then teaches a most impressive lesson concerning how we can learn truth: ‘And it came to pass that Nephi went his way towards his own house, pondering upon the things which the Lord had shown unto him’ (Helaman 10:2). As is characteristically the case, that pondering opened a channel of communication that brought additional understanding and truth to Nephi. In this particular instance, because of Nephi’s valiant testimony it allowed the Lord to confer upon him the sealing power. He later used that power to bring many of the Nephites and Lamanites to repentance and salvation.” (Heroes From The Book of Mormon, p. 152)

Gordon B. Hinckley

We all do a lot of studying, but most of us don’t do much meditation. We don’t take time to think. I’d like to suggest that next fast day . . . everybody in this hall set aside an hour or two. Sit by yourself. Go in the bedroom and lock the door. Go out in the yard under a tree. Go in your study if you have one and shut the door, and think about yourself and your worthiness. Read from this great book [Book of Mormon]…There’s a great word that’s used, ‘ponder.’

“’Ponder.’ What do we mean by ‘ponder’? Well, I think it simply means kind of quietly thinking things through. Ponder what you have read. Ponder your life. Are you worthy, are you living the commandments…?” (Church News, 01/06/96)

Nephi's Blessing.. In God's Garden Helaman 10:4-11

I spent the good part of my morning weeding my garden. I pulled weeds, hacked weeds, pruned bushes, and cleaned the beds. It was hot and I tasted the salty sweat as it rolled past my eyes into the corner of my mouth. This was a task that had to be done. The grass had crept its way from the edges deep into my beds. The roses had lost their bloom and wilted like baked apples. Crabgrass was not as pervasive as this one weed that carried many leaves upon each of its stems. It looks like a money plant and is everywhere. It must be its season to bloom?

I did not feel badly for pulling these weeds from my garden. I felt no remorse or concern that they would die. There were in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing and invading my beautiful garden. They had to go! I was amazed at how quickly they invaded and multiplied as we had weeded all of the beds only 6 weeks prior.

I hate weeds. They overrun, overcome, and destroy the beauty and organization of my garden plan. They kill the good plants, rob the nutrition and sunlight, and create havoc with the visual layout of my plants. Who invited them? Why do they insist on showing up? There is no place for them in my garden.

A few of them were seedling pine trees. I remember last summer when we moved here and I transplanted a few with GuitarGuy. He could not bear to kill a tree so we moved the seedlings to the side of the yard where I would not mind another pine. There is nothing wrong with pine, maple or oak saplings that come up, but they have to find their place in my garden. In the middle of a my rose bush just will not do.

As I pulled, pruned and sweated in my garden this morning, I thought of Nephi. I thought how God had entrusted him with so much power over the people. I thought how he would have had knowledge, foresight, and the ability to help God keep everything under control. Why? Because he was like a Master Gardner. He knew which plants were weeds and which were good. He knew that certain good plants could be saved and moved to a better location. He knew that some plants simply had to go, there was no redemption for them. He respected God's decision concerning his garden and eventually God turns control of it over to him.

If there is need to weed, to prune, to transplant, or to hoe God's garden, Nephi will be the one to do it.

God gave Nephi a blessing. God gave him power to be his servant so that the work would go forth. It's not about feeling sorry for the "plants" that have to go, its about the "plants" (people) learning their responsibilities concerning where they are to be planted and what they are to do with their blooms.

Words and Phrases (from a Gardner's perspective)

vs 4. unwariness unwariness declared the word - As a gardener I sow seed, fertilizer and water the plants so that they may received "the word".

vs 4 thou hast not feared them - In the garden there are many things to fear. Upon our first moving home to the south, I had memories of snakes, fire ants, mosquitoes, bugs, and spiders. Today I brushed several spider webs away as I cleared through the garden of weeds. Nephi had words to fear.

vs 4 hast sought my will and to keep my commandments - Nephi was a good apprentice gardener. He learned to follow instructions and have faith in the Master Gardeners plan and precepts concerning the welfare of the garden.

vs 5 I will bless thee forever - God is giving Nephi all of the blessings that come from being in the Garden.. (on earth). He is being blessed forever with the blessings of God's garden. Bloom, Beauty, organization, etc. and the ability to take care for the garden.

vs 5 mighty in word and in deed - Nephi's ability to "garden" is very advanced. God has decided to make Nephi a Master Gardener and turn the Garden and all the plants in it over to him. He trusts him. He feels that Nephi has such mutual respect and love for him (God) that he would never do anything contrary to his will. He knows that Nephi loves the plants of the garden as much as God does and will take great care to love and nurture them.

vs 5 will not ask what is contrary to my will - So great is the trust between God and Nephi concerning the plantings, the soil, the care of the garden that God understands that he and Nephi have the same respect, concern, love, admiration, desires for the garden. So great is the trust (for they have gardened side by side) in an attempt to help the garden bloom, that God has entrusted all of his power to Nephi.

vs 6 ye shall smite the earth with famine - If the garden needs a bit of drought, so be it. God understands that Nephi would not do anything in spite, to hurt the garden, to be mean. Pestilence - bugs, weeds,

destruction - the weeding of the garden, etc.. the death of plants b/c of weeds, or the death of one good plant when a weed becomes entwined within it's roots.

vs 7 the sealing power of heaven - the ability to take the blooms from the garden and see to it that they do not fade, they do not wilt, but have a forever bloom of joy and beauty.

vs 8 rent in twain - If a rose bush needs to be taken out, or pruned heavily to keep from losing it to disease, I will understand. It will be done.

vs 9 cast down ad become smooth - add the valleys and the hills of your garden at will.

vs 10 God shall smite - winds, heavy rains, disease, mold, a over population of insects, God will smite the people if Nephi says that it must be so, because God knows that Nephi is filled with compassion, caring, and his word, but the people have lost their reason.

vs 11 - except ye repent - The flowers of my garden should stop inviting weeds within the garden. When a weed is found within the heart of a rose bush it is but impossible to remove. You have to a. prune heavily or b. take the bush out. destroy it before the weed is able to take over the garden.

Today I was able to see the power that God granted Nephi. I was able to understand the reason for the trust. If we liken the world to a great garden where weeds and such are prone to be found, we can understand Nephi's attempt to teach them, have them reject him, and eventually Nephi having to follow God's commandments and begin the self made destruction of those who did not repent.