2 Nephi 2: 3-9 "and by the law"

Hobbes our Dachshund will not walk in the dark

The Place of Animals

Know this that every soul is free, 

To choose his life, and what he'll be; 

For this eternal truth is given 

That god will force no man to Heaven. 

He'll call, persuade, direct aright, 

And bless with wisdom, love and light---

In nameless ways be good and kind, 

But never force the human mind. 

Freedom and reason make us men;

Take these away, what are we then? 

Mere animals and just as well 

The beasts may think of heaven or hell.
                                                      anonymous

The morning had dawned hot and humid. Rather than face the heat I postponed our usual morning walk and waited for an afternoon shower. But now it was well past dinner and our Vizsla was antsy. She wanted to walk, even if it meant walking in the dark. At this time of the night we could walk the entire neighborhood and not feel zapped by the heat. The idea of walking under the veil of a night sky exhilarated us both. "Go get your leash," I encouraged her yelps and begging whines.

When not walking with us the dogs enjoy resting.
They are always on alert 

But my Dachshund had other plans. When I asked him if he wanted to join us, (something he is normally eager to do), he tucked his tail and turned for his kennel. I laughed and thought he had misunderstood. So when the scene repeated itself the next evening, I began to see his obvious dislike for walking at night. I remembered how on previous evening escapades he had barked at every shadow, tugged on the leash in an effort to get me to turn back towards the house, refused to pass beyond our streets stop sign, and even once had to be carried out of the yard! By hiding under the covers of his kennel he was clearly showing his ability to make choice.

My dachshund knows what he likes and does not like.  Choice is not something known only to man.
Nature uses the ability to choose as a means for survival, to secure comfort and home.

Two weeks ago I became a student in Clemson University's Master Naturalist Program. It is a wonderful course that is meant to introduce me to the rich diversity of the natural world. As I learn the story of each of God's creations and their intricate role in maintaining a balanced ecology, my respect and awe for the laws of nature grew in ways I had never considered.

Dragonfly

Lacewing

Biology Taxonomy teaches us that all of life is divided into three Domains. These Domains are divided into Kingdoms, Phylum, Class, Order, Genus, Species. and even subspecies. The members of each kingdom are dictated upon by laws that govern their structure, their procreation, and their natural behavior. For instance I learned about a antlions more commonly known as lacewings or doodlebugs. Because of its four veined wings the mature doodlebug is often mistaken for the dragonfly. But that is the only similarity these two very different insects share.  Why? Because they belong to different genus and species. The field of taxonomy exists to study the different laws of each of God's creations and place it within the category of laws that best describe it.

So what does my dog and the laws of nature have to do with Lehi and his talk to Jacob? As I read about our Savior's mission of redemption, I wondered about God's creations and choice? I wondered why we alone seem to be able to make choices that dictate our eternal welfare? What about my dog's eternal welfare? If he can make choice where does the realm of his choice begin and end? And can he have joy like I have joy? (vs. 25) I wondered about the laws and the Kingdoms and what it all means.



Doctrine & Covenants 88: 36-38;42-43 

All kingdoms have a law given; And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom. And unto every kingdom is given a law and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions. And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and seasons. And their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the plants. 

Concerning laws, animals, and kingdoms I found the scriptures from Doctrine and Covenants 88 and from Byron R. Merrill, a professor at Brigham Young University I found the following:

In all scriptural accounts of the Creation, animals stand next to man in the order of their appearance on earth. Man was then given dominion over them (Moses 2:28, 5:1; Genesis 1:26), and President Kimball indicated that animals were created "for man's respectful use." 3 St. Francis of Assisi taught that all creation was brought into being "to praise the Creator; every species in existence praises God in its own special way." 4

Joseph Fielding Smith said that Latter-day Saints "do not take the view that animals have no reason, and cannot think. We have divine knowledge that each possesses a spirit in the likeness of its body, and that each was created spiritually before it was naturally." 5 

 He explained that while there is some measure of intelligence in members of the animal kingdom, the limited bounds beyond which they cannot pass are set by divine decree. These limits are not set on man, who is the offspring of God and has received commandments to become perfect like his Father. 

President Smith concluded that God "placed each [animal] in its sphere, gave it commandments commensurate with its position. They have been commanded to multiply, not to pray." 6 

 Latter-day scripture states that animal-kind will have part in the resurrection (D&C 29:24-25). 

Brigham Young indicated that animals abide the law of their Creator, unlike men and women who are the only creations of God that are disobedient. 7 

 Some refer to wicked acts as resulting from our "animal nature," but sins are really human failings, the result of evil choices, and not bestial at all.

Merrill, Byron R. "Behold, the Lamb of God : The Savior's Use of Animals as Symbols"

Men are bound by laws of nature too. Some men erroneously believe that our choice, like that of the animal world, does not carry eternal accountability.  They believe that what they do here on earth stays here on earth and this gives them justification to behave in a bestial manner.  But when men behave like animals they receive rewards similar to the beasts.  In contrast, when men act like the children of God that they are, they have the opportunity to access the atonement of Jesus Christ and lift themselves above the natural laws that bind. When we live eternal laws we receive the blessing of eternity. Lehi teaches Jacob how salvation is available to men(v3) and that the law has been given to men to know good from evil(v4). Does a beast know good from evil? Do animals become miserable forever? No. They live under a different law. Like the different laws that govern the different families of animals, they have no need for an atonement for they have not been given choice over their eternal welfare. They have a different gift. Our gift has been one of dominion and choice. (Genesis) As children of God, we alone are able to make choice that offers joy. We alone are able to make choice that brings us peace and frees us from fear. We alone are able balance the gifts of grace and truth and find eternal life. And we alone are able to comprehend truth and what it means in the realm of our eternal lives. Lehi taught Jacob that he had the gift of choice. As a young boy who was about to lose his father and was still impressionable to the influence of older wayward brothers, I believe that Lehi wanted to impress on Jacob the power he had to choose his own life. We too have the power of choice that has been given to all orders of God's kingdom, but none to the degree of man, who is free to choose his own destiny. 

2 Nephi 21: 13-32 Self-Mastery, Finding Unity

2 Nephi 21: 13-32   Self Empowerment and finding unity in all things

Once while visiting my mother's home, Mom invited me to sit and talk for a bit.  Her tone was somber but cool; direct but polite; strong but tender.  I was already married and with two small children so when she extended the invitation, I wondered what it could possibly concern:  health, legal issues, family?  But my mother, out of love for my young family and me, wanted to discuss something of greater concern – the power of drug and alcohol addiction.

As a Psych Nurse and Director of the Drug and Alcohol Unit at our local hospital she was all to aware of the dangers of drug and alcohol. She wanted to make sure I shared in her knowledge. She had both primary and secondary experience of how alcohol and drugs and a myriad of other addictions - by undermining the strength of unity and community- ruin lives and families.  In her profession she had helped de-tox patients from every corner of society.  She shared with me how alcoholism affects all social economic levels, destroys brain cells, lowers birth weights, robs one of nutrition and becomes an unquenchable thirst that destroys our God given power to choose. 

addictions rob us of choice

I respectfully  sat and I listened. I was touched by her sincerity, her determination to speak her mind, and her depth of emotion. As she shared how addictions are often unintentional inheritances, I could feel her love and concern for me.   I did not feel bothered by her desire to instill limits upon me - but rather, I felt her love for me.  She made me promise that I would never drink alcohol, under any circumstance.  I would be allowed to use her as an excuse if ever I felt hounded. I promised and then assured her that her fears were unfounded. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints I faithfully practiced the spiritual and dietary law known as the “Word of Wisdom.”

The recognition of God's love brings us self-mastery. 

My declaration of faith did not comfort her. Her life experience had taught her that religious belief, while good, might not be enough to keep me safe.  Again she asked me to promise. So I nodded my head in assurance. Little did I know that the day would indeed come when faith-based belief would not deter social and business associates.  But when told of my respect for and promise to my mother they ceded their purpose and left me to my choice. The sincere love of a parent, a mother, can be a strong power in our lives. 

As I pondered Lehi's words, I realized that his talk with his sons, like my mother's to me, was meant to empower. My mother’s words left with a strong sense of self. And even more important, I gained the gift of family unity. I knew that if I would make wise choices, my mother’s strength would always be with me. If ever I felt alone or lost the power to choose, I had only to remember her experience to help me regain perspective. 

Addictions lead us into cycles that become hard to break

Lehi recognized that his sons actions were caught within a rut; they were not in control of their lives, their emotions, their goals or desires. He implores them to "awake"(v13) and "shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound." He wants them to "arise from the dust" and come forth out of their-self inflicted "obscurity.(v.23)"

Lehi's plea helped me to recognize that life is filled with varied and diverse powers that want to destroy our power to choose.  Lehi wanted his sons to discard the powers that bind them and recognize how the “power of God” gives us our true freedom.

When we engage the powers of God we find self. God's love is a selfless gift. In contrast, when we allow any of these other powers to control us, we unwittingly find ourselves surrounded by "the sleep of hell" or caught by the "awful chains" (v.13) that bind. A few of these might be: anger, jealousy, hardened hearts, bad habits, the need for “power over others”(v.25), alcohol, drugs, the need to win or be right etc.

Lehi understood that the powers of God bring truth(v.26) unity and self mastery(v. 15,20).  For when we are in control of our lives, we have the power of choice. Once free to make choice we are then able to choose unity. Once "united in all things" we are able to find strength beyond our own, and a safety that comes from “the arms of his love.” (v.15)

Addictions weaken our resolve to self motivate

Having tasted of the Lord's "glory", Lehi only wanted his sons to have this joy.  Lehi understood the difference between the powers that breed faith in our lives and the powers that make us weak.  As a power, faith in God's love (v.15) leads us to "the truth" (v.26) self expression(v.23), self realization(v.21), and above all self-empowerment (v.21). As a power, addictions weaken our resolve, our desires, and our ability to self motivate.  In an effort to inspire his sons Lehi expounded where weaknesses lead:

·       to a "deep sleep" (v. 13)

·       to "the sleep of hell" (v.13) 

·       to be "bound by chains"(v. 13)

·       "the eternal gulf of misery and woe."(v.14)

·        to become blind to the "statutes and judgments of the Lord"(v.16)

·       to bitterness and hard heartedness( v. 17)

·       cursing and destruction (v.18) 

·       obscurity (v. 23)

·       rebelliousness (v 24) 

·       false accusations (v 25)

·       a denial of the power of the Spirit of God

Confucious says: He who contains himself goes seldom wrong

In contrast, Lehi implores his sons to remember the goodness that comes from self mastery.  He wants them to "be men", "be determined in one mind," "be determined in one heart," and "be united in all things" (v 21).  He wants them to be "righteous" (v 19) and enjoy the fruits of "prosperity" (v 21). He wants them to "remember"(v.12), hearken (v.12), "hear" (v.14), and "keep"(v.20) the commandments of God. Ill-bred obsessions keep us from remembering; they keep us from hearing, they teach us to let go of all that is eternal and all that would help us find unity.

Lehi spoke in verse 27 of the "power of God" within his younger son Nephi. Nephi, unlike his embittered elder brothers had chosen to exercise the power of belief, the power of faith, the power of righteousness, the power of truth, the power of the word of God,  the power of  "eternal welfare" and even the power of "the glory of God." Because of his choice to act in such a manner he retained the power of self-mastery, discernment, and decision making in critical situations: i.e. the saving of the ship, the loss of the bow, the finding of food, the direction of travel(1Nephi). 

My mother's love can be likened unto the love Lehi had for his sons. He implored them to arise from the dust. My mother implored me to make and keep a promise. Like my mother, Lehi shares his experience and seeks to help his sons understand he only wants for them to know "joy" (v 21). But before they can know this joy they must find within themselves the power of choice and take back the power that their unbridled passions had stolen from them. 

In her experience as a nurse, Mom had seen how unchecked habits can destroy our ability to discern life truths. And she saw many of her patients reclaim their love of self and find joy. Lehi's mastery of life powers had led him to state that "the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love." (v15) I understand now how God's love can not only empower us but can unite us. The power of self-love when combined with love of family creates a mighty force for good in our lives. 

Unity is a blessing that comes to those that seek self mastery.  In order for unity to exist each individual must exercise their own strength. They must "keep" within their heart a desire to serve, to love, to reach out and include others. They must seek the powers that strengthen. No one can force unity upon another. Unity comes first from self mastery. 

Lehi wanted his sons to know that addictions and unbridled passions separate us. He wanted them to understand that in order for them to become "men' they needed to put their fears aside and exercise faith. He understood that self-mastery unites us, but only when we are free from the powers of habits that bind. He understood that faith in a loving, all powerful, and selfless God brings the best kind of power into our life, the power of eternal joy. 

Like Adam.... Finding the Joy of Family ..Genesis 1-5

Samuel Hall Conkey age 96

My grandfather Conkey wanted to live to be one hundred years old. He almost made it. He lived to be ninety-eight and eleven months. He vigilantly took vitamins, exercised, and stayed socially active. He bowled a 200 game when he was 86! Wow! He purely enjoyed life. I remember his gentle love as he walked with me in the raspberry garden and taught me how to pick mustard weed from the corn field. 

I don’t believe Grandfather feared death, but I know he respected it. I don’t think he thought much about eternal life for himself but he did wonder about his sister who died from diphtheria at a very young age. When he spoke of her some 60 years later, I could still hear his pain.

Why do we have a fascination with eternal life? Why do we fear death?

I’ve thought about these questions and about my grandfather as I’ve thought about our first father Adam. I’ve begun to notice how our culture tends to have an unhealthy fascination with living forever.  The last Pirates of the Caribbean film took us on a quest to find the legendary “Fountain of Youth.” Also, several popular songs croon over lost opportunity or death of loved ones.

It appears that sense Adam’s dismissal from the garden, we have all worried less about how we can live to find joy and more about what we can do to live forever? Fame, fortune, and power all have roots in wanting to be remembered forever, living forever, or even having the money to freeze our bodies so that we can be revived when scientist figure it out. It is as if we have once known a distant ancestor who once had the opportunity to live forever? We tend to want to blame him for our misery. 


Wouldn't life be better for everyone if we all lived with the focus of finding joy and worried less about how long we had to find it? My grandfather had almost 100 years to find and give joy. Adam had 930! Is it significant to consider the differences in the times or the way of life? It seems to me that the farther society pulls away from the  Garden of Eden and all that nature represents, the more distant and violent we become towards the earth and one another and the less we find joy. 

Adam walked with God in the Garden. He learned to find joy from walking with God in the garden and from learning how to talk with God after he was cast from the garden. In either case he had Eve by his side. The closest my grandfather came from walking with God was when he was with my grandmother. She was a saintly angel that kept us all on the right path. I have considered that Adam may have been alone in the garden for an untold amount of time before God gave him Eve. We are not given a time period. We just know that Eve came after Adam had named all of the animals and after he had learned how to "dress and keep" the garden. Did the Lord have Adam prepare the garden for Eve? So that he could share the joy with her? So that she could help him find the joyful path? 


My grandfather learned the joys that came from the farm and garden from his father and grandfather. In fact my great grandfather lived only across the yard from him in the original family homestead.  But who taught Adam how to dress and keep a garden? Is this what God taught Adam as he walked with him? I think that maybe yes. God walked with him and taught him of everything he had created for Adam. And did he have to learn everything by experience?  Did he have to fail a hundred times before he got it right? Is that why he had 930 years of life to our almost 100? Again I think yes. It is the pattern of learning. First we are instructed then we must practice what we are taught. But how are we to practice in an environment that does not allow for mistake? And where is the joy if there is nothing to gain?


While Adam was the "keeper of the garden", he was alone. He was told to not partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. Then he was given Eve. Eve did not hear of this commandment from the Lord for she had not walked with God, nor had she been taught by God how to keep the garden. When Eve made her choice to partake, Adam was forced to make a decision. He could stay alone in the garden or join Eve and have family. Which would bring him the greatest joy? To be alone in an eternal state of bliss or to be with Eve searching for joy? 

Family would prove to be important in the search for joy as well as the setting and teaching of priorities. Family would bring companionship, aid, comfort, and help with problems. Family would bring joy and also pain as choices were made and lessons given. Family was given not as a consequence of Adam's choice but rather as a means for finding joy. With family Adam learned how to be forgiven and how to forgive. He learned how to handle the power that brought joy to others. With family Adam and Eve learned that having perfection (in the garden) was not as important as becoming perfect through family. And the only way to practice becoming perfect was to make mistakes with family. 


When I think of my grandfather's farm it was as near to perfection as I could ever imagine. It was my piece of heaven on earth. My first memory of pure joy came as I picked apples or watched the Aurora Boreallis light up the Michigan summer sky as I sat in my fathers lap. Grandfather was always peaceful and kind. I believe that Adam was a very docile man, filled with humility and the grace of God. I believe he lived close to nature, respecting the natural harmony that exists between man and animal. Adam came from the perfection of the Garden to help us all remember not how to perfectly keep a garden but how to let a garden perfectly keep us. 

Adam and Eve represent the first formed family. Together they learned how to gracefully make mistakes and keep on going. Together they learned to love their children but not let their children's choices get in between their own joy of  life. My grandfather's family represent my first formed family. Why? Because Grandfather Conkey is the first family connected to my own that I have personally known. Here outside of my own home, I saw life and love happen. I learned that my father learned from them. I loved them as they loved me. I began to understand what joy meant. 

Did Adam realize that even though he had left the garden and the glory of paradise that his choice gave choice to all family. Did my grandfather realize that all of his choice has given choice to all of my family. Because of my grandfather, I write. Because of my grandfather I love the earth. Because of Adam and my father, I love God. 

If Adam had not followed Eve would he have been able to stay in the garden, alone? If my grandfather had not loved, had not followed my grandmother would he have been able to stay in his garden alone?  He had the choice to stay in New York and follow a writing career, but rather than being alone, he chose the joy of family. I know my grandfather was a brilliant man, but as Adam learned, my grandfather learned what good is intelligence if you have no one to pass it on to? The joy of learning is not in holding onto what you know but in the passing of the torch. 

Adam felt the first shame, the first angst at Eve and yet he loved her and followed her and gave her family. Through Eve he found both faith and family. Through Adam Eve found a guide through life with the priesthood of God that would lead her back to Heavenly Father. Together that gave each other what the other lacked and found joy. 

Adam made a choice to partake of the fruit. He could have chosen to be alone. He could have chosen to let Eve suffer alone for her transgression. But he didn't. Why? Because he understood how important it was for the family of man to need one another, to be together, to help one another, and well. to be. Adam fell (he made his choice) so that we could have opportunity to make our choice. 

Death will come to us all. Adam’s choice secured this for us. But his choice also brought us the hope of eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I understand now… The fountain of Youth is not a wishing well to be found and used to morph the time existence of our bodies. The fountain of Youth exists in each of us who learn to live our lives in such a manner as to give life and joy to others. When we study truth… when we understand the principles of truth, and put them into our lives they set us free to live an eternal life of happiness.

With each life that we lift, with each child of God that we serve, we drink of the fountain of youth.

My grandfather existed on this earth for 98 years and eleven months, but his love for family taught me to love myself and others. My fountain of youth comes with each new member of my family, each new birth, marriage, and yes, even death. For is death not also a new beginning, a portal into the heavens, where joy comes not fleeting, but lasts eternal. 

It is to my grandfather I owe the joy of writing, of deep thinking, and of faith. For because of him I have my grandmother who set the foundation of faith for our family. Because of him I have a heritage of garden life, a legacy of what it means to walk with God in the garden of life. 

He who freely shares all love that comes their way

Has found the fountain where youth has chosen to stay.


L.C. Shaw 

Genesis 4: 8-27 Cain & Abel

Two Sons

One will credit the Lord

The other will spin fable.   

One will praise God

The other will honor Babel.

One will live by faith 

The other will kill to reign.

One will offer righteous sacrifice

The other will demand selfish gain.

One will teach God’s Holy way

The other will learn anger’s wrath.

One will follow his Father’s plan

The other will walk a worn path.

One will find peace from mother earth

The other will war in spiritual dearth.

One will reap God's blessings of love

We will call him  ….. Abel.

One will plot Mahan's curse of Cain. 

We will call him ....marked by his own label.   

                         Linda Conkey Shaw & Mark E. Shaw

Copyright May 5, 2011

Mark and I had a fun time writing this poem together. It is a deeper poem about the sons of Adam, Cain and Abel and it is about each of us. 

Abel was:  obedient, observant, respectful, favored, a sheepherder, a respecter of the earth, younger than Cain, close to his parents, 

Cain was: the older of the two. There really is no conclusive evidence to suggest that he was Eve's first born. In Moses we are told that Adam and Eve had both sons and daughters so that there was most likely a family. 

As I read through this several times, I was struck with how the story is really about the family of man. This story in many respects represents the first family feud, the first trial of anger, the first jealousy, the first temptation by Satan (outside of the GArden), so the first real trial of choice with a real understanding of all that was taught and without the constant companionship of the Father and his son, Jesus Christ. It was a trial of the Holy Ghost. 

We know from the book of Moses that Adam was taught how to find direction from God while outside of the Garden. He was instructed how to offer sacrifice and how to live by faith. He was to teach his children these things. The children were to learn from their parents. 

The first generation:  Here's the catch. Cain and Abel were never in the garden. They could only listen to stories their parents told. They had not experienced the joy, the peace and the desire to return to Father's presence would not have been as profound as it was in Adam's or Eve's life. What I am suggesting is that temptation came easier to those who did not have the experience to remember. And that is where the faith came into play. 

The first faith: Each of us must be born of parents who have lived lives of experience. We can choose to accept their advice or reject it. If we reject it then we must take responsibility for our own choice and the paths we trod. Each of us when we leave our homes are like Adam and Eve, we are cast from a garden where all of our needs have been met: food, clothing, shelter, love. We must learn to not only fend for ourselves with regards to food, shelter and clothing, job, etc, (the physical needs) we must also learn to love one another. 

Cain would have been the oldest. He would have experienced more of Adam and Eve's mistakes as they first left the garden. He would have seen and felt more of his parent's frustrations. His parents needed to make sure they countered these experiences with lessons of love and acceptance. I'm not blaming Adam or Eve.. I'm not blaming anyone. Life is meant to have experience. WE all must have it the experiences we need to grow. Each of our lives are custom created by a loving God to help us grow the most. 

This story of Cain choosing to walk away from all of the love of his mother is one to help us learn about not anger and murder, but rather the reasons anger comes. 

Why does anger come to you? Are you content? Are you frustrated by life's demands? Are you living in fear of not getting all you want or are you putting your faith in God to give you all you need?  

Anger comes to us all. It is part of being human, but anger only becomes a liability, a disability, a curse of mahan, when we allow is to rule our lives. Anger put to good use can be a good catalyst for change... or it can destroy ... relationships (families) , lives(Abel) , livelihoods (Cain lost his sacred trust with the earth and was called to be a vagabond) . It can become our label. or we can choose God and become able. 

God's Chosen People by Ann Y.

I realized that I promised to write about forgiveness, and I just plain forgot...

I've studied the scriptures, and I found it interesting and confusing (at first) that it seems as though Heavenly Father doesn't treat all of his children the same. What I mean is, the scriptures abound with stories of Heavenly Father's children who commit sin and are destroyed as a consequence. I don't think I need to give examples of such as there seems to be an example or two in every chapter. This destruction seems only correct, and we expect it. However, there are also stories (as mentioned in my first post) of those that commit atrocious acts and go on to be forgiven, even lauded. How can this be?

Yes, we are told that the Lord offers us his atonement to grant us forgiveness of sins, but to be forgiven and to be exalted are two different things entirely. Once again, I am drawn to the story of the sons of Mosiah. They not only sinned against man, they sinned against God. They persecuted the church. That's a pretty big offense. Many men in the scriptures were guilty of much less and were struck dead without a second thought, it seems. Why?

Well, I don't pretend to know the mind of God, by any means, but I do think it striking to note the actions of those men after their conversion. They went on to be crusaders of the truth, traveling into hostile lands and converting thousands of Lamanites to the gospel. The word then that comes to mind is "potential."

Heavenly Father knew the potential of these men who went on to greatness. He knew that if given the opportunity, they would achieve the impossible. Perhaps, one piece of the puzzle then, is their potential. Heavenly Father granted them forgiveness, in part, because he knew their future potential to save nations. If one person is granted more leeway than another because of his potential, that might lead one to assume that some of Heavenly Father's children are more blessed or loved than others, as they seem to have greater access to forgiveness of sins. That would be a dangerous and incorrect assumption.

"Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen." D&C 121:34. Many times in the scriptures, the Lord refers to "the chosen" people. So many misinterpret this. It seems, once more, to imply that some are more favored than others. I submit to you that that assumption is a lie perpetrated by Satan. We all have equal access to the atonement of Christ. Heavenly Father loves all of his children, and he wants them all to come back to him. The difference between a lost child and one that is saved is that child's own dedication to repentance. The men in the scriptures who began as grave sinners and then went on to greatness have, after their conversion, dedicated their lives to grasping and holding on to the atonement of Christ. They turn their backs on sin forever, and they do NOT ride the fence. These great men--men like Alma the Younger, the sons of Mosiah, Paul, and others--are "Chosen" men of God. Who are the "Chosen" then? God's "Chosen" people are not the people He chooses, but those who choose Him!

This means that the atonement of Christ, and really all of the blessings of the gospel, are available freely to all. Even the bloodiest of hands can be washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. All it takes is work. Success in repentance, as in life, is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. You can have your slice of the atonement, but by Golly, you've got to earn it!

Never let your past sins hold you back, and once you have repented of something, let it go and (unlike Lot's wife) don't look back. Heavenly Father does not place any glass ceilings on his children, so don't place any on yourself. Above all, don't ride the fence or allow yourself to stagnate in one spot. Life is like riding the down escalator: if you're not going forward, you're going back.

Let's show our beloved Father in Heaven that we are worthy of forgiveness. Let's show the world that, like the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, we cannot look at sin save with abhorrence. Above all, let's show the world, and our Father in Heaven, that we are His "Chosen People."

Eve's Prayer (1 Timothy 2 )

                                                                   Eve's Prayer

Paul says pray. 

To Eve's daughter 

and man "not deceived" he instructs, 

pray for a quiet and peaceful life. 

Pray for all men. 

Give thanks.

Give supplication.

Pray for intercession. 

Paul says,

to Eve's daughters

adorn not yourselves 

in costly array, 

rather dress yourselves in modesty 

and good works. 

Paul says, 

to Eve's sons, 

Pray everywhere,

with holy hands 

lifted up. 

Paul says, 

daughters should 

take lesson from Mother Eve

and exist 

in silence

in subjection

in teaching

in the rank of being "deceived." 

As a woman I pray

with my handmaiden hands, holy and pure.

I leave my wrath and doubt 

in Eden's Garden

For Paul to consider. 

For my faith is not shamefaced. 

But doth profess godliness. 

And my face doest reflect Mother Eve's choice of life.

I learn with quiet sobriety

not for my deception, 

but for the joy of God's plan for me, 

a woman, a daughter of Eve. 

In charity,

in holiness, 

do I bear the children of the world. 

Knowing that in the birthing of 

God's children God hast saved me, 

a woman, 

to steady the faith,

to silent the subjection, 

and to teach the authority

all as I rock..... the cradle. 

Most assuredly God knew and set to intercede for us when 

from the womb of Eve's daughter Mary,

came the Lord Jesus Christ 

born to mediate,

between the "one God" and man, 

even the sons of Eve. 

I enjoyed Paul's exhortation to prayer. I felt he prayed for the family. He wanted the women to not give heed to the temptations that would cause disruption in the society that depended on a "quiet and peaceable life." He understood the power of women in society and wanted to quiet it so that the church would go forth without disruption.

But did he consider the role of women as the bearers of children. If he had considered this role in a more eternal perspective, he might have understood what I believe, that Eve had choice. She exercised her choice not out of pure deception but out of desire to bring children into the world. How long did she live in the Garden? a thousand years? ?? we don't know. But we do know that she was able to watch over other life. She must have understood the need for procreation. I do not believe that her "deception" was as naive as it appears. I believe she knew that a choice between life eternal and life in the Garden had to be made. One required the sacrifice of the other.

One bestowed gifts that the other could not. With her choice to partake of the fruit of life came the responsibility of bearing life and thus began the journey to eternal life. It would require that God's son receive a body. It would require that someone be able to bear life and intercede between heaven and earth, between body and spirit. As a woman she accepted this role. Man has often scoffed at our childbirth pain. Weather this is because of their inability to comprehend it, or their jealousy at not being able to entertain it, does not matter. Paul, as a man was limited in his understanding of the joy and the saving element that childbirth brings.

Before my children were born, my life's meaning was at best temporal. I enjoyed my life. I loved learning, and enjoyed others immensely, but after the birth of my children, I began an earnest seeking of God's eternal plan. And not alone, but rather with the companion and as a family.

Corruptness of law Helaman 8: 1-7

Helaman 8: 1-7

"I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government."

Henry David Thoreau

Growing up, my brothers and the kids on our street would get together to play Monopoly ( Milton Bradley.) We could set the game up and play it all week long until someone finally won. The joys of playing meant learning about choices, one another, and life. The downside of playing came when someone became power-hungry and would try to change the rules mid-game, or cheat by throwing the dice while someone was distracted and unaware of the consequences. Inevitably we would pull the game box lid out and read through the rules one more time. At that point, we would either decide we had had enough for the day and leave it for tomorrow or we might forge forward with the "power hungry" player put back into their place. Why do we do this? Why are human's so drawn to power plays?

Our Western beliefs and culture bases its beliefs of justice upon Judea-Christina morality. Nephi is about to delve into the beliefs that God has always protected us when we live his laws, and now the people have allowed the system of laws to become corrupt. The laws of his land no longer lead them to a greater understanding of God's love, but have veered to a journey of the selfish pursuit of gain.

Christianity teaches that each of us is responsible for our own agency. In our constitution we are reminded of our individual rights so that we can have justice. Justice cannot come without mercy and mercy cannot work without justice. If we have all mercy and no justice we have chaos. If we have all justice and no mercy we have no rights.

Rights must come with limitations. The limitations come in the form of privileges for obeying the law and punishment for disobeying the law provided we get caught. Law's act as a kind of contract (either with God or with man). When we break the laws of God we receive the consequences. Likewise when we break a law of the land or step over a boundary that society has set, society will punish you for your choice.

So how do laws become corrupt? When someone gets into power who wants mercy without justice, he changes the law, or he changes the circumstances so that society will no longer want to punish him. The laws do not become corrupt. Laws are philosophical morals that lead the people who set them. They are the rules of the game that we play with one another that guarantee we will all find justice. It's when the players decide to change the rules so that they have the advantage that the corruptness begins to set in. Once one player decides to "cheat" , another sees him and must either tell or join him.

I remember the feeling of watching one player throw the dice while another was distracted and unaware of that a certain player was on his "property". I wanted to tell, but remained quiet. I now knew that when my turn came I could do the same because I had an ally. It would save me from having to pay "rent" and help me "get gain" so that I might win. If I chose to tell, then I would have made an enemy. If I kept quiet then I would have become an accomplis. What to do? Pressure? Peer Pressure. No one wants another to think badly of us?

Sometimes we think that corruptness of the law is a difficult and complicated thing. But it is not really. It really is as simple as a game of Monopoly. We can choose to remain quiet and become a part of the corruptness, or we can choose to stand up for what we know as justice and rightness. At the end of the game, if we all played fairly, then all who played can feel good about their efforts to play fairly, to help another, and to learn valuable life lessons.

Words and Phrases

vs. 1 men who were judges ... secret band - Are there secret bands in our government today? Yes there are? Where-ever the place for pride, greed, and power exist unchecked there will be secret bands who seek to get gain. And just like the players of my youth who became angry when we called them down on the "rightness" of their rule changes, or remembrance of the rules, they become angry at being called out. Most importantly.. they have turned the tables on a righteous man. So empowered they are with their social position they believe that all whom they serve have lost their sense of justice (as they have).

vs2 against our law - here they have called the laws "our law", but if it were truly "our law" there would not be the corruptness that steals the justice from some to give advantage to another.

vs 3 corruptness of the law - laws do not become corrupt without a "judge" or other leader helping to make them so. Judges make rulings on the law setting precedences of the law. Judges need to be checked in the power they have over the laws. Without the checking of their power they have power to dictate the law according to their own moral position.

vs 3 contrary to the commandments - What Nephi said was the truth. Those who do not live or know the truth have a hard time accepting it when it is before them.

vs 4 they feared the people - here we have a good idea of how far the corruptness had gone. not so far as they did not fear the people. The people still had some say in their rights, their justice, and their understanding of the laws.

vs 6 our enemies have no power over us - the thing about corruptness by power, is that you are unaware of just who your enemies are? and even if you have a good understanding of them, you are so empowered by your own sense of greed, and strength among the people that you become blinded to your own strength or weaknesses.

vs 9 if he had not been a prophet - there were some who still believed in the power of Nephi's words. Here we have the reason why we need prophets. We become so blinded by the trees that we cannot see the forest. Without the prophet to help us gain perspective, we lose sight of the eternal goals that we strive for (not only personally but as a society). We need one another, but most importantly we need our prophets (who stay close to God) to be our Heavenly barometer. If we chose to ignore the readings of the barometer we set ourselves up for destruction.