Obedience 1 Nephi 16-18 Building One's Own Boat

If the sun were me or I were the sun.
I would shine my light for everyone.

I would not let the cold of storm
keep the earth from knowing warm.

I would not let the dark of night
make me want to hide my light.

I would not let the thick of cloud
keep me from shining- shining - out loud

I would shine on field and flower
and help them know of God's power.

I would not miss one single day
to share my light - to brighten another's way.

I would set my course..
I would set my mind.
I would set my path.
I would shine. I would shine. I would shine.


The sun comes up. The sun goes down. The world spins round. And, the sun shines. It lifts my soul, it brightens my way. It is one of God's creations that knows obedience. It is one of God's creations that displays it's purpose and power daily. It's sureness of path inspires and calms me.

With God's help, Nephi knew he could build a boat.

Like the sun that obeys God's design, Nephi knew the power that comes from obedience. He understood that God gives us commandments and sets us on a path because He loves us! God wants us to know who we are. He wants us to know our potential. But, unlike the sunshine, a knowledge of who we are is something that can't be given; It must be uncovered through our willingness to obey. The power of self is something that we have to discover.

The only way we can actually discover who we are and the power of God that lies within us is to follow God's commandments. So I ask the question, "Why does God not politely ask us to obey his commandments?"He could ask, "Would you please keep the commandments?"

The reason. God is Great. God is the creator of all things both in heaven and in earth.(17:36-39) He knows what is best for us. To ask is to suggest. Keeping the commandments is not a suggestion. It's a sure way. Like the sun, it's a path that is meant to teach us how to shine, how to give warmth, how to love, how to help all around us grow, how to learn consistency, how to stay the course and be still in an eternal realm where agency holds the key to eternal joy.

Nephi was able to build a ship and he knew it. Not because of his own power but because of the power that comes from obedience to God's commandments. (1N17:49-51)" He understood that, "When we obey God - we follow the influence of the Spirit and choose to conform to His will." (PmGpg.72)

Lehi discovers the Liahona at his tent door

But we are human. We are not the sun. We have weaknesses. When Nephi's bow breaks, Lehi and his family succumb to their hunger and begin to murmur. They had only just begun their journey when they forgot God's goodness - how he  blesses us when we obey. God knows our weaknesses. He blesses us and teaches us line upon line.. precept on precept. (2 N28:30)

To Lehi he gave a Liahona: a ball of curious workmanship whereby he might learn how God blesses us through our obedience to faith, and diligence to duty, and willingness to heed to the God's spirit.

the Liahona 

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.1 Nephi 16:28 

To Nephi he instructed through prayer.

 And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land of Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying: Arise, and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto the Lord.1 Nephi 17:7

Nephi was instructed to build a ship. Though his brothers mocked him and complained, he held sure in his belief that if God had commanded it, it was possible. His brothers had forgotten those who wanted to take their lives and the promised destruction of Jerusalem.  Wanting to remember their ancestral heritage of God's hand in their lives, Nephi spoke to them of Moses. He asked:

Do ye believe that our fathers, who were the children of Israel, would have been led away out of the hands of the Egyptians if they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord? 

Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bondage, if the Lord had not commanded Moses that he should lead them out of bondage?1 Nephi 17:23-24

Lehi's travels led them through dangerous dessert

Keeping the commandments of God protects us. It was pointed out in last nights class that while traveling in the dessert the Lord commanded the family troop to not build fire. That seems like an odd thing - when fire is needed for warmth and the preparation of food. But by not building fire, the family was protected from marauding bands that would have robbed and carried them away. The light from a dessert fire carries long and far and offers no protections from the evil heart of man.

The only protection against man's choice for evil is man's choice for good. When we choose to live God's commandments we choose protection, power, love, light and eternal life.  Alma taught about the commandments when he said,

 Wherefore, he gave commandments unto men,...., knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good—Alma 12:31

But Keeping the commandments does more than protect us. It helps us discover our eternal spirit. It helps us discover and remember a purpose greater than survival. It helps us give light and warmth and become a source for good. It helps us learn to love as God loves and see the world as He intended it to be: a place for us to grow and learn - a place for us to share his love and bask in the warmth of his word.

I can't be the sun. But I can be like Nephi. I can say..

Wherefore, I Linda, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence.1 Nephi 17:15

And like Nephi I can build my own ship of sure faith that will carry me.  I am sure there will be times when God will ask things of me that others will mock. And I myself may question, but it is my prayer that the experiences I have will help prepare my heart so that it will not be hard, but willing - and that it will not murmur - but be filled with gratitude. And that it too - like the sun - will learn to shine, shine, shine and spread God's glorious love to all who will not only embrace it, but use it as a source of strength as they too learn the power that comes from keeping God's commandments.

because thou did obey my voice Gen 22:1-18

Not too long after our son Robert was born, we moved to Tennessee. One morning while the children slept late, I took time and knelt in earnest prayer. I prayed for family, my husband, my children, my parents, and many of the dear friends I had made while living in Knoxville. As I lifted myself up off of my knees, I had the distinct impression that I needed to drop all of my plans for the day and drive over to visit Mary Anne. 


I gathered my children into the car and drove over to my friends home. I remember as I got out of the car I felt myself being wrapped with a love I had not known before. It filled me up, moved me to tears and as I walked toward the house it enveloped me.  I remember knocking on the door and having Mary Anne open the door with a look of astonishment upon her face. "What are you doing here?" she asked boldly but still trying to be polite. I stumbled upon my words, tried to hide my embarrassment and possible misjudgment and finally told her I didn't know, but I felt very impressed to come and ask if I could be of help. 


She then invited me in explained how only a few hours before she had been rear ended. Her car was severely damaged but mostly she was suffering from whiplash and was in great pain. She was angry and hurt because of the financial damage that the accident had caused. Her anger consumed her and  she had refused to pray. So why was I there? To help her pray? We enjoyed a long conversation and before I left I knelt in prayer with her. Her husband (not a believer) did not encourage prayer and she had been overwhelmed as she tried to handle everything on her own. When I first arrived, her anger seemed to be a living beast with which she had been struggling. By the time I left and we had time to talk about our faith and the power of prayer, she was much improved and the battle over anger had been won.

I remember this day not because of the pain and anger my dear friend went through, but because she had been cared for by a higher power. Her astonishment when she answered the door was not because I was there, but because of who my presence represented. I had come to serve her and help her remember God's love for her. She had been trying to handle life alone... until cornered she didn't know who to call or where to turn. God knew. God knew of her need. God had a plan to care for her. God had a plan to help her understand his love for her.  I had been listening and "because ... I did obey .."his" voice." I was able to act as a means to bring relief to my dear friend. As we sat and discussed how this all came about both of our testimonies grew. We realized that the sacrifice of both time and desire was needed for the miracle to occur. I had sacrificed my time and desire to do what I wanted. Mary Anne had sacrificed her need for independence and her will to be angry.

As I pondered what to write about I realized that the real thing that Abraham was being tested on was desire. What was his desire? To have his will over God's? or to have God's will over his own. It is a hard thing to master... this thing we call desire.

Abraham's faith was at a point where he was asked to give up the one thing that God knew he loved the most. He had spent most of his life praying for it: Gen as:2-3; 13: 14-16; 15:5; 17:2,4,7 all reveal the promises that God has made to Abraham concerning his progeny and eternal life. Genesis 22 is the climax of a great story of faith. Here he has all that he has wanted and God does not take it from him, but rather he asks Abraham to give it up. It is the ultimate test of loyalty, obedience and faith. It was meant to help Abraham understand the importance of not only loving and respecting the greater power of God, but also of giving all he had to it.

I could have brushed off my knees that morning and started one of my many projects. Or crossed off many of my "to-do" items that fill my errand list and  are always weighing on me, but I chose to listen.. I chose to follow the less traveled road ...I chose to obey...  and that made all the difference.

What if Abraham had not obeyed? What if he had become angry?  And what if the story had been played out before but we only got the condensed version? I don't mean to sacrilegious, but consider that Abraham might have had the prompting before and chose to ignore it until he was at a place in his faith that he had the strength to do what was required of him. The Lord teaches us "line upon line."I believe it's important for us to realize this possibility because the Bible Stories all come to us in a condensed version. We must consider the time schedule that were written in. We must realize that not all stories play out like a television sit com. We must also realize that this story in Genesis 22 represents the culmination of all of the faith trials that Abraham had endured. We surely did not receive all of them in the book of Genesis. As we surely can not know all of the times the Lord has spoken to him.

The Lord has blessings he will give us when we choose to obey the voice that answers our prayers. Part of the practice of prayer is learning to listen and then distinguish between the voice of our own will over that of the Lord. Consider that the angel of the Lord called a second time to Abraham that because he had not "withheld thy son, thine only son," he would fulfill all of the blessings that he had promised him.

My favorite line is "and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice." 

In my days... in my life... I can't bless "all the nations" by being obedient to the Lord, but I can bless
all the children of my family, all my friends, all of my family.  I can help those I love  remember the importance of not only listening and hearing the Lord's voice (or that of his angels), but of obeying.
It takes courage to overcome fear and discipline to forge courage. It is my prayer that my children, my children's children and my extended network of family and friends will all benefit from the blessing of my choices in life. It is my prayer that like Abraham, I will choose to "obey" my Lord's voice and counsel of wisdom.

A Letter From Mother Eve

A Letter From Mother Eve 

My daughter do you know me? 

Your first mother come from Eden’s garden? 

Born of Adam’s dream

A “help meet” to reach beyond 
the realm of senses and  

explain what reasoning cannot.

I am taken not from “the dust” 

But rather from a rib. Called woman

I was created to marrow bone 

To flesh two lives into one.

While I watched in Eden’s garden,
 There came, of every creation,
 “of their kind”.

I waited for the experience 

That promised you.

My son, do you know me? 

I am caught somewhere between 
the first lie that twisted
faith into reason. 

Yet I heard in Eden an echo

of Heaven’s perfect truth.

And I knew I was meant for more

than the garden’s perfect play. 

 Eden gave all I could ever need.

But from wisdom’s choice 

and from The God’s experience

Comes all that I shall ever love.

Some will blame me for the first fear. 
For as we heard God walk within the garden,
Our conscience awakened and
We felt his feet tread upon our hearts.

 But as I stood tall before God’s love,
As I  accepted my first choice
My love for you became real. 
You became real and

   I showed, the “first faith.” 

For though from the garden we were cast

Your eternal spirit might never have known 

The joy from the "God's experience" 
 that was meant to forever last. 

My daughter do you know me? 

Do you understand that within you 

lies the promise of each new day? 

Hope, anticipation, curiosity, and childlike faith

You, my daughter, are the Eve of every promised tomorrow.   

Linda Conkey Shaw April 8 2011 Copyright

A Vessel For Honor (2 Timothy 7-21)

 A Vessel For Honor 

May I Lord 

In my own faith

fill my vessel with 

words that will cause me to 

Stand sanctified 

Useful 

Prepared for your 

every good word. 

May I Lord 

through word 

consider 

What is right, and 

through the power

 of word unto action 

find faith 

learn Love 

practice Peace 

all with a 

pureness of heart, 

That entreats

A gentle teaching 

of patience and 

correctness of word

to those who would 

unknowingly fill 

me with 

opposition.

May my 

vessel 

stand cleansed

 of dishonor

 through 

words 

spoken  unto 

the will of God. 

Copyright Linda Conkey Shaw October 2010

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

 God's words are 

• not chained (vs 9)
• beg consideration (vs 7) 
• bring faithful sayings (vs 11)
• should not be strived about .. it brings us no profit (vs 14) 
• used to help us depart from iniquity ( vs 19) 
•  can be compared to an honorable vessel within the house of God. 

This chapter of Paul's letter to Timothy is really about words. It is our words that honor or dishonor us. It is our words that cause us to consider our faith. It is in our words that we begin to consider a possible action or belief that will lead to the actions of our lives. If you will read this chapter in Timothy with an eye for the power of words in our lives, it will bring new meaning. 

vs 7 .. consider what I say 

vs 9 the word of God is not bound... words of truth will always find a way into our hearts, minds, and lives. You can put a person in prison, you can bind him with untruths, but God's word will never be kept  bound away from others. From the time of Gutenberg God's word has found flight.

vs 11. It is a faithful saying... 

vs 12 if we deny him. ... but how could be deny him if not first with our words and then our actions. 

Paul is trying to help Timothy understand that all actions begin with the power of the word. 

vs 13.  if we believe not... but what is there to believe if not in the word of God first. We must first consider the word of God in order to believe it. 

vs 14. strive not about words to no profit... we should not argue about God's words

vs 15. Study to shew theyself approved.  Study God's words.. Why ? so that we can be not ashamed 

vs 16 shun profane and vain babblings..... more ways that words that are not considered may harm us. 

they will increase our ungodliness. profane and vain babblings are not in keeping with Gods words 

vs 17 word will eat as doth a canker.... what word? profane and vain babbling words. 

vs 18. babblings... i.e. speculations... tend to do more harm than good. 

vs 20... vessels to honor or dishonor.... Paul is beginning to make a metaphorical comparison between those members of God's house that practice honorable words and those that practice dishonorable words.

Like the urns that were used anciently for various purposes within a household some carried good (food) while others carried bad (wastes). 

vs 21  If a man purge himself of these? of what?  Paul is referencing the profane and babbling words of the unclean vessels. 

What must we do to become an honored vessel? We must learn to purge ourself of vain and useless words. We must learn to consider words that will help us sanctify ourselves, and prepare us for service. 

for every good work. 

vs 22 call on the Lord with a pure heart... we call with our words. our words bring us faith charity, peace and righteousness 

vs 23 foolish and unlearned questions? again words.. we need to avoid mysteries. 

vs 24 must not strive... but when we are brought against difficult or foolish questions, we should not get into arguments over them but rather use gentleness, patience, find opportunity to teach correct principles. 

  

 

  

Mourning for the Wickedness Helaman 7:11-29

Helaman 7:11-29

Mourning

Sadness over things gone wrong. There is not greater sadness than a mother that has tried her best to love her children and see them choose wrongly. If you have ever put great effort and love into something that you hold passionately to your heart only to see it go awry, then you will know the mourning.

Wickedness comes when we chose anything over God. Wickedness comes when we seperate ourselves from the love of God, of family, of those that deeply care for us and have the ability to make us better people.

Words and Phrases

vs 11 mourning for the wickedness of the people - the people came to see someone cry out in anguish for their wrong decisions. The problem? They did not believe they were in the wrong. That's the problem of being in the wrong... you can't see it. You have to have someone who is in the light show you how to get back into the light before you can see the darkness you were once in.

vs 13 why have ye gathered yourselves? he hoped it was so that they could learn and discover God's word. But they gathered merely to marvel. A curiosity really. Is that what the love of God is? A marvel, a curiosity. To those who do not understand it, I suppose it must be so.

vs 14 exceeding sorrow of my heart - only those who know the taste of heaven can mourn for those who cannot know heaven. Only those who have lived the laws of heaven, have known the joy that comes from living the laws of heaven, can mourn for those who refuse to accept the love of heaven into their lives.

vs 15 yea are given away - what to we give away ourselves to? entertainment, vanity, laziness, greed, anything that does not lead us to heaven will give us away to what will not take us to heaven.

vs 16 ye have given way to the enticingg - bribery, luring, enticing words, aromas, anything that will keep us from doing the Lord's work.

vs 17 Why has he forsaken you? I believe the Lord does not forsake us. He stands ready to hear our every cry, but it us that forsakes him and draws away from his love and wisdom. We draw away from him. We draw away from his word, his laws, his love, his atoning sacrifice.

Sorrow comes to those who do not get their way. But real sorrow comes to those who do not follow the counsel of God's prophets, God's word, and allow his love into their lives. Mourning comes when we allow other things to steal away our hearts and forsake the wisdom that God has given us. The thing about God's love is that it is just that. It is love. It is there for us to take, to share, to accept, to help grow, and to help another being do the same. When we love.. when we truly love another being we learn to let the other things go... so that we can feel of God's love in our life. We don't always know what is right. But we can know of God's love. When we feel God's love then we can know what is right. When we feel his joy in our heart, then we can feel his love.

When we go against his love, his word, and his wisdom then we feel mournfully sorrow. When we see others do the same, we might feel this same sorrow. Why? Because we are connected to all other human life by the God who made us all. It is impossible for the sins of others in our community not to affect us.

When another in the community within which we live, choose to do serious wrong and we turn our heads and say nothing, we might be considered respectful to their private lives, but when this life begins to spiral out of control, who then pays the price.

I did not understand Nephi's lament yesterday when he remembered the time when his forefathers first came to the land and were happy because they kept the commandments. But today I do. It is a blessing to live in a town that prides itself on helping others in need, or works hard to see that everyone hears and knows the word of God in their own way. It is an easier way of life when everyone you live with honors and obeys the same God, the same laws, and the same ideals that surround these laws. But even if you do not, you can still help others see and know that God exists in your smile, in your joy, and in your faith. God lives in your life and he can live in everyone that you see and hear.

Covenants and Contentions ( A Play)

Helaman 1: 1-13

Time: 40th year of the reign of judges (52 B.C.)

Place: Land of the Promise (Zarahemla)

Setting: Pahoran, the chief judge for 40 years has just passed away (gone the way of the earth).

Pahoran's sons contends for the election of the judgment seat. A three way race for the seat causes there to be a three way division that leads the otherwise righteous Nephites to unrighteous anger.

Players:

Pahoran (the father) - A great statesman who served as the Nephite's third judge. He is the son of Nephihah and father of Pahoran Jr. who is elected after his death. During his term of service he lead a political rally for the Free-man Party against the King-men party. He wrote letters to Moroni defending his position and expounding on his difficulty with the political turmoil and disputations within the land. See Alma 50-59

Virginia (the wife and mother of Pahoran ( I named her)) - Although there is no mention of her in the scriptures the mention of her family makes place for her in the family. In my mind she carried a heavy load helping her husband balance the stress of a political revolt, only to watch her son Paanchi follow the rebellion and then loose faith in the strength of his covenants with God.

Charles (the judge who rules on the vote for the office of the judge) Another made up role that fits in with the description of the events.

Samuel - a fourth brother who helps comfort his mother at the time of her son Pahoran's death.

(Sons of deceased Pahoran): Pahoran Jr. , Paanchi, Pacumeni

Others: Kishkumen, Trial Judge, Kishkumen's band, Poll

________________________

Opening Scene: The Funeral For Pahoran

After 8 of Pahoran's sons have acted as his pallbearers and carried his body to the gravesite, they stand behind their mother. Each one stands quietly to listen to the eulogy and prayer given in behalf of their statesman father.

Virginia: Crying quietly. Samuel comes up behind her and places his hand on her shoulder. He stands very closer to her. His seven other brothers make their way to their mother's side and offer her words of comfort. One by one they leave her side and return to their families. All except Paanchi who steals away to a grove of trees not far from the graveside. There he is seen meeting with a tall dark and ominous man and several of his friends. Kishkumen puts his arm around Paanchi and walks away with him and a following that grows larger as they exit the cemetery.

Act 1 ( verse 1-3)

The pondering of her heart.. to herself.

I wonder what will become of my family? Will my sons make peace? Will they remember the honor that their father stood for? Will they remember all of the covenants that he made with his God? our God? the God we have taught them to remember? Will they remember their good name? My sons? Your father's dirt is yet thrown upon his grave and you begin to vie for his power? Oh Paanchi why must you leave my side? Will you listen to the voice of vanity and forget your mother's greif so soon? Will you allow your lust for power to overshadow your love for your family? Do not anger so quickly?

Pahoran Jr. - Mother it is time to leave now. We have much business to tend to. Father's seat must be filled. I will run for the office. As the eldest son, I have the right to be the next judge of this land. I will fill the seat with dignity and honor.

Pacumeni - Yes brother you are the eldest, but you have not the background of law that I have. You should leave legal matters to those who know the law of the land. I would be a better judge in that I can see what you can not.

Virginia - Your father's blood has barely been spilled and you speak of such matters. I am aware that the the time has come for a new judge. Please if you must compete do so with dignity, fairness and honor. Do not allow the media to sway your good judgment. Do not allow others to diminish the power of your covenants.

Samuel- Mother. Why do you speak so of our covenants?

Virginia- Because if you do not stand for what you profess to believe in, then you stand against it. If you do not make a conscious effort to bind yourself to the covenants of truth and honor that the Lord God will hold you to, how can you find strength to withstand those that will bind you to darker covenants?

Pahoran - Father spoke often of his covenants. He was a man of honor. He believed in the covenants to God, but also the allegiance to our country and fellowman.

Virginia - That is right. He often contended with Captain Moroni, but it was not because of his lack of belief that he was not able to support Moroni, it was because of those that he lead that refused to support their government with their actions.

Samuel - What do you mean mother?

Virginia - Any fool is able to speak, but only those that truly believe what they speak are able to act on their beliefs. Before you were born Samuel, there was a war where the Lamanites came into our land. Your father lead a valiant effort to support Captain Moroni but those that felt we needed a King refused to support him or Captain Moroni.

Pacumeni - Yes there was a great election. Father was elected in a very difficult race. There was much discussion. And even though he won, the angry King men ran him from the city.

Virginia - Yes .. this is what I mean son. Only those who truly love and understand the power that their covenants bring them will live their lives to honor and protect them. Your father stood for and fought hard to convince the people that by having a King, they would loose their rights and liberty.

Pahoran Jr. I often remember his speaking of the importance of keeping the power with the people. Once a people begin to forget the power and strength their covenants with God bring them, they begin to look to darker covenants. He said, "We all enter into covenants in our life. It is by our agency that we choose covenants that bind us, or covenants that free us. God's covenants free us from the lies that bind."

Samuel - Yes, He wanted us to believe in ourselves. He taught me to believe in myself and I would never have need to follow a crowd that would persuade me to disavow my faith.

Virginia - My heart is broken for the loss of your father. My heart is again broken for the loss of your brother Paanchi. His heart has forgotten the covenants. He has been led into contentious waters that have deafened his ears to reason.

__________________________________

Act II ( verse 3-5)

Election Day:

A three way split of the people into three parties of thought has caused much contention in Pahoran Seniors family and in the land.

Pahoran Jr. -

The polls are in my favor. I have the love of the people on my side. I will try my best to secure the liberty of the people. I am worried however for the safety of those who do not believe as the King-men. They are a contentious people and will do anything to get their way.

Pacumeni -

My following has been good, but it has been much as my brother has believed. There is a need for strong leadership. I fear that the King Men will rise again. I have done my best to win, but if I do not win, I will cast my vote for my older brother.

Paanchi -

I must win. I must have the office. I have sworn an oath that I will do whatever it takes to give the power to those who want a King. A King is what this people need to be lead to stronger and greater wealth. A king will bring us peace with the Lamanites. A king, like me, could be trusted. After all It is my right. It is my heritage to lead. It is my inheritance and it cannot be taken from me if the election fails me. I will work with Kishkumen and we will have our way. We have made secret oaths that will bring us all the power we will need.

The people are gathered around the courts of law. The Chief Pollster Charles will soon announce the winner of the election. After many words of encouragement to help heal the Nephite nation, Charles suggests that they accept the voice of the people and move forward in peace.

Charles -

It is with great pride that I will now announce the voice of the people in the matter of the election of our next Chief Judge of the Land of Nephi. Although there has been a great division of opinion, the majority of the vote belongs to Pahoran Jr.

Virginia - I fear for my son's life. I fear for the safety of our country. May God be with us all.

There is great anger in the voices of those who have not won. In those who have trade their covenants with God, for a darker vote.

Pacumeni - Mother. I have come to inform you that "I will unite with the voice of the people. I will honor the election and follow Pahoran, my brother, as the 4th Chief Justice of the Land.

Virginia - Where is your brother Paanchi? He is lost? Will he come home to the love that has nurtured him?

________________

Act III(verse 7-8)

Scene: Paanchi meets with his followers and promises to overthrow the new Chief Judge (his brother). He promises that their votes for him will not be wasted and they they will have what they want. They are meeting outside the town limits in a grove of trees.

Paanchi -

Do not be afraid or lost. We will yet have what we have set out to obtain. A plan has been set in motion. Calm your fears. Soothe your anger. For tomorrow we will organize and lead a rebellion. With your talents. With your strength. I can still be governor. It does not matter that the election has taken place. These people are so stupid they do not know what they want. They cannot see what I can bring to their lives. We will organize on the morrow and you will have yet another new leader.

Police - Paanchi you are hear by arrested for the unlawful meeting with the intent to lead an insurgence in the land. You will stand trial. You will face your peers and it will be decided if you have sought to destroy the liberty of this people. If it is determined that you have done so, you will be hanged unto your death.

Kishkumen - Standing a far off. Kishkumen cannot bear to see Paanchi not only loose but be hanged for his efforts to lead as he wants to.

It is not right! It is not fair! We were guaranteed a win. Flattery always wins! Flattery always helps people see who is best! If Paanchi had won, then I would have had my post and even I would have been able to manipulate him into what I wanted for this land and this people. I will implement my plan (our plan of our dark covenant ) into action.

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I chose to do this post a bit different. I believe that many times when it is read so many of the little things are lost. I believe that if you stop and ponder you could imagine many different scenarios taking place. But undoubtedly this story is a story of a family in turmoil. A turmoil brought on by the forgetting of covenants to God and the adherence of covenants to man.

Contention- it comes when? when we are angry. When we don't get our way. When we are tired. When we are hungry. When our needs have not been met.

Covenants - A covenant is a two way agreement between two parties. One party agrees to fulfill a task, a promise, if the second party fulfills their promise. If one promise is broken then the covenant is void. Covenants can be good and bad.

God's covenants- He promises to love us, to protect us, to strengthen us, to teach us, to guide us, to give us liberty and freedom to choose. if What? if we will remember His commandments, draw near to him, and love others, even when we don't get what we want. When we don't get what we want, we can to go God our Father and he will fill our needs. We may not get what we want, but we will have our needs met. "If ye do not what I say, you have no promise" (D & C 81 :3)

Satans or man's covenants - Satan is a liar. You cannot believe any promise he will make you. Or if he does pull through, it will not be what he proposes it is. He is a master of deception. He will flatter you, attend to your ego, offer you power so that you will believe that you can have all you want, but not tell you all of the plan. Those who try to back out of a covenant with Satan or those that seek power, find they have lost freedom to choose. They loose their rights and are often abused, bullied, and force to do what they no longer want to. Once you are in Satan's covenant, you have little hope of escape, unless you beg for God's help.

This is but a little play.. in one year of the life of the Judges. It teaches us the importance of making covenants with faithful and loving followers of Christ who will adhere to their promises. It teaches us the dangers of listening to flattery that groups of piers often bring.

Paanchi lost his life because he lost his faith in his covenants with God.

I purposely put all of the background of Paanchi's father so that we would remember that he was taught of goodly parents. He watched his father stand for truth and fight for liberty. But he allowed himself to be misled by flattery and pier pressure. He allowed himself to forget to listen to God's love, his mother's love, and the strength of his family.

Vs 11 - they all entered into a covenant - this was the defining verse for me. WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE OUR COVENANTS- We can choose to bind ourselves with friends that do not exercise their faith or those that do. Who we choose to socialize with affects how we will behave and believe. When we allow ourselves to be flattered, we set ourselves up for a loss of faith, family, and freedoms.

Where did Paanchi's flattery lead him? Where did his selfish intentions take him? What happened to those whom he lead? How did life fair for them? Why is it important to listen to the faith of our covenants with a loving and righteous God?

A Plan to Look For

1 Nephi 11: 23-36

I was having a hard time finding something to draw from these verses so I began discussing them with my son. He told me to dig deeper, to think a little harder. First I had to let it go and walk away a bit. Then I had to go back and LOOK. Hidden in the story of Nephi's lesson with the angel I found a greater understanding.

There is always a plan. God gives us a plan. Most of the time we don't see it because we are so distracted with the daily chores of life, but I promise there is always a plan.

I think the angel wanted Nephi (and me) to see more than the story of God's life here on earth; he wanted me to understand that it was planned for from the beginning. We are the ones' who stray from the plan. If we will but look, there is so much we can see.

These verse deal with God's plan for man. Within the chapter there are 18 versions of the word LOOK. Most of them are dealing with how the angel was showing the vision to Nephi. But what exactly was he showing Nephi? A Plan for Man.

No words or phrases today. Just what I discovered.

Vs. 7 ... The angel tells Nephi that after he beholds the tree of life (vs. 22 tells us this is the Love of God), he will see a man descend from heaven. It is Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Vs. 8... Look and see the Love of God. After he has seen and felt the love of God, the angel asks what desireth thou?

Vs. 9. Nephi wants to know what it means? What does the love of God and the Son of God have to do with one another?

Vs. 12 Look! ... and he vanishes only to have a vision of the plan of earth comes into view.

1. Vs. 13. The Virgin Mary

2. Vs. 16 The condescension of God

3. Vs. 19 Look... the birth of Christ upon the earth

4. Vs. 21. Why does the angel ask him (after telling him of the birth of God) if he understands the meaning of the tree? Why does he put these two things together? What is the connection between the Tree of Life (love of God) and the birth of Jesus Christ? Look to vs. 25

5. 24. Look... the Ministry of Jesus upon the earth

6. 25. Look. the rod of Iron.. the word of God upon the earth and which leads to the tree of life (or to Jesus Christ).

7. Vs. 27... John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus with water and the Holy Ghost

8. Vs. 29 The Twelve Apostles

9. Vs 31. The power of the priesthood manifest in the healing of men

10. Vs 32. Jesus Christ is judged of the world

11. Vs. 34. Crucifixion of Christ and the apostasy of the Church

12. Vs. 35. The multitude of the earth is gathered together against the Church.

The angel will continue to lay out in vision the plan of God for man. He shows him that Jesus Christ was born to redeem mankind from their sins. There are many different lessons in these verses. The lessons will only be found if I will LOOK for them.

In looking at Nephi's vision I can see how God made manifest his love unto the children of men. I can see how God brings us love through providing a way for us to escape from our own mistakes and our own sins. I can see that if God wanted Nephi to LOOK and see the plan of salvation unto man, why would he not want me to look and discover my own plan.

In looking through the scriptures (like looking through a looking glass) I can see so much of my life and find the direction I need.

I wonder what keeps us from looking. If an angel came to me and told me to LOOK would I?

the pride of the world (vs. 36)... I think that is what keeps us from looking.

When I go on a trip, I look constantly at my map (my plan), my trip ticket (my plan), my route of travel (my plan). When I begin a project I have a plan and I refer back to it over and over.

The scriptures are our map and guide while we are here on earth. If we will take time to do what the angel instructed... to LOOK... at what? the plan.. the instructions, the story, the example that the Love of God left for us. We can find the strength to discover our own plan and discover within us a "most joyous soul". (Vs. 22).

I was led by the Spirit

1 Nephi 4: 6-11

I was led by the Spirit ...

Remember Wednesdays post Plan A, Plan B... This is Plan C. God's way. Nephi does not know where he is going or what he is doing. He is going on the cuff? Or is he? He believes God will deliver them. Did God tell Moses all that would transpire when he freed the Hebrews? No. Did God tell Aaron what to say before he opened his mouth? No. Did God tell Noah how complete the flood would be? Who taught Noah how to build the ark? God. These prophets were all led by the spirit.

It takes faith to be led by the Spirit. To know that with every moment God is with me. With every prayer there is an action that answers. We may not see. We may not realize immediately how the Lord has taken care of us, but he does take care of us. We must have faith, an open heart, and an ear to listen. We must be obedient to the basic laws that help shape our desire to know God.

This is really a beautiful story. Nephi tried mans way.( Plan A Plan B) How did Plan C unfold? He hid his brethren in the wall, he crept toward Laban's house, and he found Laban unconscious in a drunken stupor. The spirit says slay him. "it is better than one man should die than an entire nation should dwindle in unblief".

But this went against every thing that Nephi had ever known. The laws of civilization say "thou shalt not kill", (and yet Jerusalem had sought to slay the prophets?) He knew that this was wrong. But then why was it right for men of God to be put to death for stating the truth and giving warnings to Jerusalem's wickedness?

Laws are only good as long as the majority of the people are agreed of their value. Case in point.. Blue laws still exist in the deep south. Liquor can not be purchased on Sunday and many stores of all kind remain closed. South Carolina is one of the last strong holds of this law? Why? Because the people value its worth. A movement to repeal these laws failed not once but twice. Laws rely on the people to determine their value. Another law to consider in this regard is prohibition. After the law was passed, people found ways around it. The people could not live without their alcohol.

My point is this. Jerusalem valued not the truth the prophets gave and blatantly disregarded the laws when they sought to slay the prophets. Nephi, as a man of God chose to obey the greater law. He had to choose between man's law and the Lord's law. God had given him perspective and he saw the wisdom in having the law (the brass plate) to teach with. The spirit led him to help him retrieve the law of Moses so that Lehi's family could know and then teach the law of Moses and hence know God.

I wonder if Nephi would have acted so boldly if he had known beforehand what the Lord's plan was? I wonder if it is necessary for us to always know all that we are to do? Being led by the spirit is just that, it is not always knowing what is just around the corner, but believing it is the Lord's will anyway.

I beheld his sword (vs 9) hilt was of pure gold ...workmanship exceedlingly fine ..most precious steel..... -

Who was Laban? He was a man of great power. I know this because of Nephi's description of his sword. I think that a sword might have been like a car in our days. I noticed that everything about Laban's sword was the best of the best. This tells me that it was not going to be easy to get these plates without a fight.

Why didn't Nephi just go and steal the plates? Who was Laban? A man of great power and influence. What might have happened had he not obeyed the spirit? Lehi's family (only 3 days journey) might have been slain. This was a serious matter to consider.

I was constrained (vs 10) - compel or force (someone) toward a particular course of action - Who constrained Nephi? I am reminded that he is being led by the spirit, so I believe it is the spirit within him. And the spirit reasons with Nephi.. shows him the wisdom in this action.

dwindle in unbelief (vs 13) - Without God's law I dwindle in unbelief. When I take time each day to read his law, his words, and understand his ways, I discover "his righteous purposes." I don't want to dwindle in unbelief. I want God's love and law in my life.

I remembered the words of the Lord (vs 14) - When I read the words of God and I have to make daily choices I am glad to remember the words of the Lord. They serve as a guide post to help me through my day. Here Nephi remembers the words and they help him make a decisive choice. He remembers that it is better to serve God. God will keep His promises. God will help you prosper. When we have to make choices we need to remember the importance of keeping our covenants with God. We have his promise.

This section of 1 Nephi contains many deep subjects that could be discussed in great depth. I enjoyed contemplating these verses because they helped me see how God's love helps us preserve that which is vital for our survival. Lehi's family had everything physical that they needed for their trek into the wilderness. They needed God's law. His promises. His love written down in story. They needed to know so they could continue the traditions and "always have his spirit to be with them ." (Moroni 4:3)