"he will be merciful unto you..forever" 2 Nephi 4: 1-12

Lehi speaking to Laman and Lemuel in the Valley and by the River

I cannot comprehend the love that Lehi must have felt for his son Laman, his first born. I can try but I am sure I will not come close. The love a parent feels for a child stands within its own realm. The love between father and son can be one of the greatest known to man.

While reading the first verses of 2 Nephi 4, I was struck at the imposition Laman's behavior puts Lehi in. I was struck even more by how he manages to maintain his integrity of faith and still express his love for his firstborn son. Lehi understood that the love he felt for God could only magnify the love he felt for his son. A love and life that began in Jerusalem.

Lehi's life before he left Jerusalem - what was it like? While we can really only give supposition to most of the facts, we  do know that he had great wealth. (1 Ne 3:22-24) That this wealth did not bring him joy can be deduced from his desire to forsake it and find security in the God of Abraham. Although we don't know much that occurred before his prophetic call, we do not that after his call (1 Ne 1:6) he finds great joy in the Lord. So great was this joy that he describes it as being "encircled about eternally in the arms of His love."(2 Ne 1:15) All he wants is for his "seed", like Joseph of Egypt's "seed"(2 Ne 4:2) to have the same joy and peace. He wants his son to know of God's love as he has known of God's love.

God's love is like that. It's joyful. It's life changing. When I read the scriptures and feel of their power, when I pray and feel of God's love in my life, all I want is for those I love to feel of it as I do. What I want most is to share the joy. Lehi's life changed and he only wanted to share the joy with Laman.

An Angel speaking to Laman and Lemuel

But how can Lehi convince Laman? Laman and Lemuel's behavior has caused great discontent, guilt, grievous sorrow, and even the promise of a curse. (1 Ne 2:23)

The promise of this curse came not through Lehi, but rather through Lehi's youngest son Nephi, who like Lehi had "great desires" and a "softened heart"(1 Ne 2:16). His belief caused him to speak to his brothers about their behavior and to then hear God's word. Nephi, not Lehi is promised that if his brothers rebel against him the Lord will "curse them even with a sore curse" (1 Ne 2:23).

Lehi must have taken Nephi's prophetic news with great disheartenment. He must have felt great sorrow with regards to the family discord. To suppose that the sibling rift was such that even his own impending death does little to convince them. Despite his disappointment he uses his faith to bestow blessings of promise upon his son. Despite his sorrow, he uses the power of prayer to sustain his faith and calls on the strength and promises of the prophets before him. (2 Ne 4:2)

After reading the prophecies of Joseph of Egypt concerning his own seed, (Nephi tells us that "there are not many greater," ) Lehi wants to do as Joseph did and leave a blessing upon the heads of all of his children.

Lehi understood the Lord makes covenants with those who love him and that the Lord's blessings and promises are sure. He calls his sons forth and bids them to listen.

As he contemplated the blessing he would give to Laman, Laman's contentious past must have given Lehi much pause. How many times had he and Laman and even a few of the sons of Ismael bound Nephi? or beat Nephi? or openly rebelled against Lehi? How often had he tried to teach them with his words? Only the fear of death and destruction keep them from returning to Jerusalem.

Yet Lehi loved Laban. He was his first born. He was his son. He was his seed. He loved him and wanted only to bless him with the goodness of the Lord's love.

This is where I realized that the love of Heavenly Father becomes our supreme example. Lehi realizes that he has taught them well. He quotes Proverbs 22:6 and tells them:

I cannot go down to my grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it.

He draws on the hope of his and Sarah's parenting skills. He draws on the hope of his love and concern for his son. But what if Nephi is right? What if Laman's choices have caused him to be cursed and cut off?

This is when I realized that even the best intentioned parent cannot ensure their children's salvation. Life is a gift that we receive from our parents, but salvation is a choice we make for ourselves. Aware that he can't ensure Laman's salvation, Lehi seeks to buy him more time.

Israel blessing Ephraim. Joseph is standing

Lehi was aware of the many prophetic covenants within his family line. He was aware of the Lord's own promises to him. His love for his own son is such that he does not wish him to be "cut off from "the Lord's" presence." (2 Ne 4:4) His love is such that all of his days he has tried to bring him "up in the way" in such a way that he would "not depart from it." (vs 5) Yet what if Lehi had erred? What if the guilt lay upon the parent? What if while in Jerusalem he had not taught Laman all that was required?

Lehi 's love was such that he accepts the curse upon his own head. He says in verse 6

If ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may be taken from you and be answered upon the heads of your parents." 

The mercy he feels for is own son is akin to the mercy that had been extended to him by an all loving God. For what does our Father in Heaven do for us, but say that if we will but come unto him all that we have done wrong can be answered through the atonement of Jesus Christ?

Lehi is not sure if Laman will be "cut off." He can not be sure about Laman's future choices and if he will bring a cursing upon his own head. Likewise he cannot be sure as to who to put the blame of Laman's transgressions, but he can and does know that the Lord's promises to Lehi are sure. So he promises Laman and all of his children, that they will not perish, but rather "He will be merciful unto you and unto your seed forever."

The power of this blessing comes not from the fact that Laman's actions ensured his destruction, but rather that the love of Lehi for God ensured his existence. Lehi is aware of the difference.

He bestows the same blessing upon Lemuel's seed and then states "thou shalt not utterly be destroyed." To Nephi and Sam he promises that they will be "blessed in all thy days." The contrast between the two older sons blessings with their younger siblings seems small, but a lifetime of experience proves it to be much greater.

To the elder is given "mercy ...forever" and the promise of not being destroyed." To the younger  the promise of the land and a blessing of "all they days."

Why couldn't Lehi simply bless all of his sons with great promises from the Lord? Security? Eternal life? Joy? Peace? Because it was not his to give. As a patriarch he is bound by the promises of the Lord. These promises come to those who desire to dwell within the Lord's presence. They come to those whose actions prove their love.

That Lehi loved his sons is apparent. That he worried about the err of their way is also apparent. As a prophet of God and a father what a wonderful blessing he gives to all of his sons. What a wonderful blessing of mercy he gives to those who have not yet comprehended the love of God.

I am grateful to have understood this aspect of Lehi's love. I am glad to have mercy extended to me and feel certain that Laman and Lemuel shared a love for their father, if only for the promise of mercy that he extends to them. What a blessing it is to see this mercy fulfilled later within the pages of the Book of Mormon. Jacob points out a time when Laman's children were "more righteous" than the Nephites  (3 Ne 10:18). After Christ visited the continent there was even at time when the seed of Lehi shared no contention between them. (4 Ne 1:2).

Abrahamic Covenant Genesis 17

     My earliest remembrance of learning about the Abrahamic Covenant came in Sunday School. Sister Price prepared each lesson with hand outs, visual aids, and treats. Her classroom table always had a table clothe on it upon which a vase of flowers sat. I loved her lessons.
     This one particular lesson was no less worthy of her effort. She gave us all a laminated list of what the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant meant to me. Although I had keen interest in her lesson there was much that I did not fully understand. Through the years I have always wanted to gain a deeper understanding. I got that the covenant was for Abraham, but not until recently did I understand the covenant was also meant for me. When I enter into a covenant with God he will take care of me - just as he did Abraham.
     Today I understand that Abraham's covenants started with his baptism, then his marriage, then his priesthood powers. As he and the Lord established a bond of trust and integrity with one another, God blessed Abraham and entrusted him with sacred powers of the priesthood. He taught him sacred truths.

About the Abrahamic Covenant, Elder Bruce R. McConkie had this to say:

Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation); then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestrial marriage (which is the covenant of exhaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase; finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity. (Abra. 2: 6-11, D & C 132:29-50) Included in the mortal divine promises to Abraham was the assurance that Christ would come through his lineage, and the assurance that Abraham's posterity would receive certain choice, promised lands as an eternal inheritance. (Abra. 2: Gen 17: 22: 15-18, Gal 3)
All of these promises lumped together are called the Abrahamic covenant. This covenant was renewed with Isaac (Gen 24:60; 26: 1-4), 24) and again with Jacob. (Gen 28; 35: 9-13) ; 48:3-4) Those portions of it which pertain to personal exaltation and eternal increase are renewed with each member of the house of Israel who enters the order of celestial marriage; through that order the participating parties become inheritors of all the blessing of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (D&C 132: Rom 9:4 Gal 3:4) 

            Bruce R. McConkie Mormon Doctrine 1966 Salt Lake City BookCraft 

Once I understood the importance of the covenant in my life I was able to go back and do a reread through Chapter 17.

God Says:

• I will make my covenant ... will multiply thee exceedingly  vs 2 
• I will make thee exceedingly fruitful  v. 6
• I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed v. 7 
• I will give unto thee and unto thy seed after, the land v. 8 
• I will be their God v. 8 
• I will bless her and give her a son v. 16 
• I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant and with his seed after him v. 19 
• I will establish my covenant with Isaac v. 21 

What a strong friendship. A strong promise. Who can go wrong with the God of Abraham? 

I am grateful for my baptismal covenant, for my marriage covenant, and for the reliability of the promises God made unto Abraham... and unto me. 

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Withersoever

Helaman 6:8-14

Withersoever

Withersoever: To which ever place. poetic.. archaic

Traveling withsoever we will, is a great blessing of freedom that comes with being an American. We have a fifty states with a wide diversity of geography to explore and experience. The ability and freedom of traveling withsoever we want is not free. It comes because states have learned to live in harmony with other varying state laws. Being able to travel withsoever we will brings about free trade and affords us the blessings of varying markets. Peace brings great blessings and freedoms. Peace, however is not free.

We have traveled quite a bit across the United States. Our children have likewise traveled quite frequently from the west to the east coast. When we lived in Wisconsin we traveled from the north to our family in the south. Always we encounter different cultures, laws, and situations. The reason we could travel was because of the peace our country has experienced.

A look at history will reveal that this has not always been so. During the Revolutionary War travel and free trade did not exist because peace did not exist. Great prices were paid with the blood of our ancestors to ensure that we could cross state lines, share state currency, and fish in shared waters. During the Civil War... well you get the picture. Peace needs to be part of the equation for us to be able to travel withsoever and enjoy the blessings of having whatsoever.. free trade.

Words and Phrases

Vs 8 did go whithersoever they would - only possible because everyone obeyed the laws. Only possible because of tolerance, acceptance, and adherence to higher laws of respect, forgiveness, compliance, obedience, service, selflessness, friendships,

vs 9 exceeding plenty - again caused by the majority of the people living a higher spiritual law that helped everyone focus on respecting one another over profit or to "get gain".

vs 10 curious workman - art is a sign of prosperity. Without the leisure time that prosperity brings there is little time for art, technology, and growth. Something caught my eye..

Is there a difference between prosperity and "they did become rich"? I tend to believe that where there is time to create works of curious workmanship.. then you have prosperity, but when you have excess or have attitudes where you begin to focus on your prosperity then you have "rich".

vs 12 they did flourish exceedingly - it appears that they also have had a prosperity of weather that helped them produce "grain in abundance", to the point where their population grew as they "did wax strong in the land".

vs 13 women did toil and spin and make all manner of cloth- fine twined linen and cloth of every kind. This is just an addition to the men's curious workmanship. There was such great peace that it fostered prosperity to the point where art and creative expression extended to the women. They now have time to weave not just basic cloth, but all manner of cloth. Now we have the predecessor for pride. It will be soon that the pride cycle will begin. We have great art that can be used to separate out the classes, and cloth of every kind that can be used to show off one's status.

vs 14 great joy and peace.. and much preaching and prophecies - there is religion and concern over more spiritual matters. There is discussion and teaching about this. The people have accepted one another's differences and have lived in tolerance of the differences. But mostly they have remembered their conversions and what it was that changed them spiritually.

We now have a new generation that did not know this conversion, nor did they have trials for which to gauge a contrast to. We now have an entire generation who believe because their parents believed. They have known little constraint, little conflict, little difficulty. They have enjoyed great peace, great diversity of culture as the people were allowed to go withsoever.

Will this change their perspective? Will they have the strength within them to stay close to the Lord? Will they have the memories of speaking with angels.

Enough

May you always have

enough happiness

to keep you sweet,

trials to keep you strong,

success to make you eager,

friends to give you comfort,

wealth to meet your needs,

enthusiasm to look for tomorrow,

and a growing love to make each

day better than the day before.

an old Irish wedding blessing

Which is the greater blessing? Being allowed to speak with angels and experience an eternal change of perspective or being able to travel whithersoever and having whatsoever we want?

Time Choice and Relationships

I have had to take a break on my scriptures blogging so that I could attend my daughters wedding, reception, and care for the many family members and guests in my home. It has been nice to do so. It has given me some time to read my own posts and contemplate what I am doing, how I am doing, and the joy that has come into my life because of my time choice each day.

Time comes to each of us as we open our eyes to each day's sunlight. We can choose to abuse our gift of time, or use it wisely. When we choose to include others in our daily life we make choices with our time that includes them. In doing so we improve our relationships with them. Why is this? It is because when we choose to do something with those that we love, we are saying "I love you", "you are important to me". I chose to cook, clean, play, visit, talk, and just enjoy my family this weekend. It was a beautiful and memorable weekend for all of us. Our daughter and son in law will have many wonderful memories as they begin their new life together.

They will have to learn to choose to do things together, to work together, to listen to one another, and to always place each other in the time that they have each day. They will have many opportunities to exclude one another, but with practice they will learn to balance their time and learn to include one another.

I thought about this and realized that it is not too different with our God. He is part of us. He lives within us. God is in everything that he created. When we take the time to learn of him through his words and interaction with the prophets from the past, we have great opportunity to become like him and emulate his ways.

We can read his words daily, for just a few short moments and find within us a renewal of energy that helps us live life to the fullest. I am reminded of the history of our culture and how life has (in the past ) been much simpler. We have been wooed to believe that television, radio, electronics etc. are necessary for our happiness. It does help us draw closer to one another and learn many different social skills, but there are also many moments that are lost. I think we can choose to watch television on occasion and make it that much more special. I think we can choose to draw closer to the God that is within us and learn to cultivate a love for spending time in deep contemplation about how we act toward others and how we treat those that we love.

When we evaluate the time we have with ourselves, those we love, and the Spirit of God that is within us, we realize that we have very little time each day. We have so many activities that we must participate in to ensure our own survival: food, sleep, clothing, work, etc. etc. I believe that when we learn to put God at the beginning of our day, then all things fall into place.
God loves us. He wants to bless us, (just as those that we live with want to spend time with us) but if we don't take the time to be with them, to plan our time together then we loose the opportunity to love.

I will begin another book tomorrow. I am anxious to see where God will lead me. I feel very blessed and very grateful for all that I have enjoyed these pasts weeks as I watch my own family grow and blossom.

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

“A softened heart”

1 Nephi 2: 17-24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Phrases and Words

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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