Safety and Security in Covenants Mosiah 18:10

Penny is waiting for me as we take a walk through the back woods near our home.
The fall color has begun to paint itself upon the landscape. Nov 2013

I’m sitting in my writing chair. My walking companion of nearly twelve years now is tucked in close beside me, her long red nose, peppered with white is resting on my knee. She is patiently waiting for me to rise from my morning scripture time to walk with her.  I’m sure she is dreaming about the scent of rabbits or the adventure of a chase. Every now and again her deep restful breathing will change and she will raise her head and sigh deeply as if to say, “I’m here, but can we go yet?” I have promised to walk her, she has promised to make sure I get my exercise and to protect me. 

Her presence comforts me. I am aware of the safety in her friendship and as I watch her warm body rising and falling to the rhythm of life, I am reminded of her loyal companionship. As long as her mortal body will allow, she will not leave my side. She will come to me daily for love and to remind me of my daily need for friendship.  Her role in our family is to offer not only love but also protection. 

Now I reach my long fingers behind her ears and scratch them until her ears flop loosely atop her head. As I read I let my fingers move in circles on her shoulders. I hear her audible sigh of contentment.  There is a level of trust and understanding that exists between us. She helps me see how good friendships bring safety, how loyalty is love, and how trust is security.  

So I begin to think about the scriptures and what they bring to me. I begin to think about friendships and how good friendships and family ties bring me safety and security. I begin to see that each of us wants this from life, safety in our relationships with one another, the ideal that we can enjoy peace and loyalty in our friendships.

As I read my scriptures I was reminded about Abraham and how fearful life was for him. Wanting not only security from the lack of civility in a lawless and fearsome world, Abraham sought peace through the covenants of Lord. He sought to have a family that followed the counsel and laws of God. Nephi, who understood and lived by the covenants of Abraham wanted all of his family to feel of this safety, but he too had to leave the land of his inheritance to flee from his brother’ hatred. It seems that security cannot be found in the selfish ways of the world, but must first come in understanding the laws of God.

It’s time for me to rise and exercise my body. My dog loves the idea and now sits ready at the door, waiting for me to put my shoes on, to gather her leash and to fulfill my promise to her.

I realize that family is about promises. Promises we make with God, who is our measure of integrity and promises we make to one another. But of what use is the promise to one another if we love not God. If we love money, or idols or fame or any other fleeting promise what safety is secure?

That is why I walk my dog, because she has trusted me to love her and her love brings safety and security to my long day ahead. That too is why I read the words of God’s holy prophets, because they too bring an eternal perspective to the safety and security of my day. They help me understand the eternal importance of my family and the security and strength that their presence brings to my existence

.Mosiah 18: 10  Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

the gift of God which in in thee ( 2 Timothy 1)

Be strong in the faith

Sept 11, 2001 

I woke early and drove our young son to preschool. As I returned home the phone rang. My husband Mark was calling me to ask if I had seen the news? He was in Japan on a business trip and had seen video of the air plane attack. Not able to speak English, a Japanese restaurant owner had pantomimed the planes flight into the tower.  

I turned on the television in time to see the second plane hit the second tower. I fell to my knees in prayer. What else could I do in such a time of fear and trembling? 

With imminent threat still looming, all air traffic stopped. Mark was now stranded in Japan. For how long? No one knew. The uncertainty of the situation caused me great anxiety and fear. I felt certain that I would not see him again. 

Again I prayed. Like Paul's letter to Timothy I prayed both night and day (vs 3) for the safe return of my husband and children's father. I had a great desire to see him and fill my void with tears of joy (vs 4). 

Like Timothy I had to be reminded of my "unfeigned faith" and the gift of God that had once been in me. So great was my fear and anxiety, this gift of the Holy Ghost had to be stirred unto remembrance.( vs 5,6). 

I remember calling our bishop and asking for a priesthood blessing. I remember praying often to know what to do, what to expect, and what to tell my children, two of whom were away at college. 

So many thoughts ran through my mind. Were we at war? Would other airplanes be attacked? How would he return to the American continent if not by plane? It was a time to watch the news and hope for the best. It was a time of faith in the power of the Holy Ghost. I called family and friends to garner support. 

In answer to my prayer, I was reminded again and again, "for God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 

I searched the scriptures for comfort and learned to "hold fast the form of sound words," which I "heard of (apostles), in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."(vs 13). 

And soon the answer came. One morning I woke to a clear calm voice that rang through me.
It said very distinctly, "Mark will come home today." I had no proof other than the comforting words of the "gift of God within me," but it was enough to calm me and give me peace. 

Within a few hours the phone rang and it was Mark on the other end, "I'm flying out in 3 hours. I should be home by tomorrow morning." 

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to Timothy. He was alone, tired, and sick. Timothy as a physician new of his beloved apostles pain and suffering and wanted desperately to succor him and to understand those that would abuse the Lord's servant.

Paul's vision however was not of pain and fear, but of the power, love and sound mind that comes with faith. Paul stood firm and not ashamed of his situation nor his circumstance. He had a pure conscience (vs 3) and a vision of eternal life (vs 10). He was trying to get Timothy to learn how to rely on the gift of the Holy Ghost that dwelleth in us (vs 14). He wanted to teach Timothy that fear holds place with those that have the limited vision of an earthly life, but faith brings us the vision of eternal reward.

My husband was returned to our family "according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." 


Have you ever felt afraid, alone, or abused? Have you ever had need to have the "gift of God" stir within you? If so, then you can understand Paul's "form of sound words"(vs 13) and find the grace, mercy and peace"(vs 2) that God intends for you to have through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. 

  

Under the Sun Ecclesiastes 4 P

Ecclesiastes 4

Under the Sun

Hot and long are my days under the sun.

Oppressed without hope of comfort, I cry out.

He who holds power over my labor, casts us into

A demonic cycle where we,

My oppressor and I, face a hopeless struggle.

He replaces his fear of right with an impotent offer of solace.

I replace my comfort lost with the celebration of my dead

And a grievance for my unborn.

Under the sun,

A mirage of escape looms, Untouchable,

Masked in the pretense of a “right work”.

Success lends itself to envious strife and

Broken promises of rewards

That causes my contentment to fly away

With both hands full of emptiness.

Under the sun,

A fool, I languish so that I might fold my hands

And eat my own flesh.

Under the sun,

Learned, I strive for the envy of my neighbor

And the vanity of my success.

Under the sun

Alone I must trudge

with neither eye satisfied,

Always wondering

“For whom do I serve?”

Under the sun

Alone I face a sore travail

and taste not of the “good reward”

Reserved for the two

That lift one another,

Warm one another,

And offer a threefold cord.

Under the sun

I serve an old and foolish king

That turns away from humble counsel and

Fills his kingdom with desolate spirits

Who are unable to comprehend,

The quiet freedom, comfort and contentment

A poor and wise child could bring.

Under the Sun

Did Solomon sing,

A mournful yet beautiful hymn

To the lonely, the oppressed and even the fool

God's love wants only to comfort, quiet, befriend.

Linda Conkey Shaw July 4, 2010 Copyright

I actually thougth when I first read this chapter that it was going to be an easy blog.

It was not easy to comprehend. It was not easy to get. I had to read, and reread it. Finally it fell into place.

Solomon sees only evil "under the sun". He does not understand how any who live only for the day to day cycle of life find comfort, companionship, or contentment. He sees how the powers that oppress rob all of mankind from the hope of a better way. He sees how the powers that drive us to put success over relationships, over companionship bring empty wealth. He sees how kings (himself) finds nothing but arrogance, selfishiness, and power hungry people in his kingdom. He sees that life is not good this way.

I know that this is true. In my own life I have seen many who have travailed "under the sun" and found no real happiness. The corporate world makes the world go around, and down. It often looses its balance when it places profit, success and greed over the humane needs of feeling accepted, balanced and humble.

Words and Phrases

vs 1 all the oppressions.... the world is full of oppression. If someone cannot directly oppress you through work, they will seek to lure you into oppression through "evil designs" that cause you to become addicted to their product, etc.

vs 1 no comforter... The Holy Ghost is the first comforter to those that believe in Jesus Christ.

We need not have "no comfort" in this life. We only choose to not accept the comfort that was planned for us from the beginning.

vs. 2 I praised the dead.... so great is the cage of oppression that many who are caught into it celebrate their dead more than their own life. They praise those that made it through their trials. and greive for those who have yet to come. Life is not meant for this despair. Life is meant to have Joy.. Joy in the Journey.

vs 4. every right work... Solomon is going to now consider the travail's of man's labor. and

first he will look at "every right work" the successes that men have in their lives and what it brings them when they are not balanced.

vs 5. the fool, foldeth his hands. ... second solomon will look at the fool who refuses to work. He ends up eating himself .. when we don't prepare for the future and use wisdom to plan for our tomorrows we deceive ourselves into a false sense of security only to be surprised that we must eat up all of our resources. We should always plan prudently

vs 6. a favorite verse... A handful of quietness.. ... It is better to be content with a little than to have frustration with too much. There is greater joy in contentment. There is greater joy in understanding how to balance our wants with the needs of our spirits.

vs 7. vanity under the sun... another look at how we ply emptiness in our world.

vs 8. for whom do I labor? the lonely must labor all day and to no reward. to no satisfaction or contentment. They do not share their lives with any one so they must fall alone, sleep alone, be cold alone, and never understand that their pursuit of wealth does not bring them good rewards. There is no family, no friends, no rejoicing in hard work that serves itself.

vs 9 two are better than one... The Lord has taught me this.. two missionaries, two animals, two partners, two visiting teachers, two home teachers, two .. strength in pairs.

vs 10. for if they fall... safety, security, promise of help from those you serve.

vs 11 how can one be warm alone? the warmth of friendship. the warmth of togetherness and of sharing thoughts, feelings, love, hopes, dreams, tomorrows, laughter, etc.

vs 12 a threefold cord is not quickly broken. .. strength in numbers. don't go it alone

vs 13 who will no more be admonished... will I ever receive so much success, wealth, want, that I forget how to take counsel.

vs 16 shall not rejoice in him... who can not rejoice in the Lord God? Who cannot see the strength that faith in him will bring?

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