The Atonement of Jesus Christ: The Best Victory of all.

My daughter coaching her Lacrosse Team

I was asked to speak on the atonement and its relevance to the Book of Mormon. I chose to use a sports metaphor as I believed it would reach the younger crowd in our ward. 

Choose your Sport 

In 2001, we moved to Georgia. Our daughter, who is now 28 was then a Junior in High School. When she discovered that her new High School did not have her beloved sport of Lacrosse.. she was not happy.

While investigating the possibility of starting a Lacrosse team, she was instructed(by her ex pro physician Dr. Kosobucki) that in the south there were only three sports. 1. Football 2. Football and 3. Football.

I tell you this because sports play an important role in our lives. For young people maturing and growing in our society they teach the importance of rules and laws.

Sports help teach the concept that rules help us achieve goals. 

Sports also teach us how to feel the joy of winning.. and how to handle the agony of loss.

There are numerous analogies that be drawn between sports and the game we call life.

Heavenly Father's Plan 

Life however is not a game. Rules that are broken lead to players being sidelined or even being permanently removed, ie. death.  There are no rain delays and certainly no tiebreakers in the game we call mortality. Mortality offers us no eternal security. 

Like the coaches that establish rules, draw up game plans and put key players into the game, our Heavenly Father has given us eternal laws, designed a plan of happiness for us and even given us a key player that insures us joy.

Games and sports allow for only one winner and many losers. Heavenly Father’s plan of Eternal Happiness, however, was designed that all might know the joy of success.

A Key Play: The Atonement 

This eternal plan of happiness as the Book of Mormon prophet Alma called it (Alma 42:8), is otherwise known as the atonement. Jesus Christ is the star and key player. Prophets both living and ancient bear witness of his divinity, of his role in helping us all learn how to practice and find eternal joy.   

The Atonement in the Book of Mormon: Law 

The Book of Mormon prophet Lehi understood he could not travel into the wilderness of a new land without the laws that taught of Jesus Christ’s divine mission and role in God’s Plan of Happiness. Without the brass plates he would not be able to teach of his father’s eternal covenants with God, of past prophets testimonies, of the Ten Commandments, or of God’s love.  

In 1 Nephi 4:15 we read :

Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law.

Lehi was the first prophet of the Book of Mormon to testify to the divinity of Jesus Christ’s role in the Great Plan of Happiness. The Book of Mormon has multiple prophets that testify of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

GamePlan: Atonement

The prophet Jacob asked, 

“Why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him?” (Jacob 4:12)

Kay Player: Jesus Christ

­­­­­­­­

The brother of Jared shared the savior’s words to him : In Ether 3:14 we read:

Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ.

To the list of Book of Mormon prophets who testified of Jesus Christ and his divine atonement we can add Zenock, Neum, and Zenos ( 1 Nephi 19:10).  King Benjamin, Alma the Elder, Alma the Younger, Amulek, the sons of Mosiah, Captain Moroni, the brothers Nephi and Lehi, Samuel the Lamanite, Enos, Jarom, Amaron, and Amaleki also testified of the atonement.

The Book of Mormon – another testament of Jesus Christ – contains 6,607 verses. 3,925 refer to Jesus Christ.  It references the Savior’s atonement 39 times and speaks of the resurrection of Jesus Christ 81 times. When you consider that Jesus Christ is it’s principal character there can be little mistake that the Book of Mormon makes the solemn declaration that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. (A Testimony of the Book of Mormon)

One of my favorite prophets is the courageous Abinadi. He gives us a good understanding of the relationship between living the rules (law of Moses) and in utilizing the atonement of Jesus Christ.  After prophesying the people’s destruction, he has been taken before the courts of King Noah to be questioned.. To Noah’s priest’s, Abinadi taught and testified:

And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it?  Mosiah 12:29-31

Noah and his priests soon are ready to be done with Abinadi, but Abinadi is filled with the spirit of God and cannot be touched. He then recites to them the Law of the Ten Commandments and tells them they are not living them, nor are they written on their hearts.

He continues to explain the atonement to them.  From Mosiah 13: 27-28 we read:

And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses.

In  Mosiah 15:1-7 Abinadi continues:

 I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.

 Mercy and Mistakes

In learning how to play a sport mistakes are inevitable. And mistakes ensure both a winner and a looser. Shots will be missed, fouls incurred, rules and boundaries broken, and we might even score a goal for the wrong team.

 In life we might commit what we perceive as an unforgivable sin, a no win situation, but as Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy points out, “through the infinite Atonement, God has provided a means whereby we can both overcome our sins and become completely clean again. This is made possible by the eternal law of mercy. Mercy satisfies the claims of justice through our repentance and power of the Atonement. Without the power of the Atonement and our complete repentance, we are subject to the law of justice. (2006 April General Conference, The Great Plan of Happiness)

Additionally Alma taught that “mercy claimeth the penitent” (Alma 42:23) and that the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance.” (Alma 42:13). 

Russel M. Nelson said that, “The resurrected Lord taught, "This is the gospel which I have given unto you--that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me." (3 Ne. 27:13. Then He amplified that one-sentence definition: "My Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me." (3 Ne. 27:14)  This unique mortal mission of the Lord--the gospel as He defined it--we know as the Atonement., (A Testimony of the Book of Mormon Russel M. Nelson.)

The personal ministry of the resurrected Lord to people of ancient America bears an unmistakable testimony of the Savior’s mission.  To them He made this revelatory announcement:  "Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. . . .  ". . . The scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled. . . .  "I am the light and the life of the world. . . .  ". . . Whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost. . . .  ". . . I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.  "Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. . . . I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me, . . . and be saved." (3 Ne. 9:15-16, 18, 20-22) 1999 October General Conference, (A Testimony of the Book of Mormon)

 

Temp View High State Lacrosse Champs. My son as their coach. 

I have watched my children participate in many sport events. Some they have even coached and refereed for. I have witnessed their joy when the scoreboard favored their team. I have wiped away tears when it did not. 

But Of all the victories that I hope my children will understand and strive to win, I hope they will seek the victory of eternal life that comes through the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Jacob taught that without the atonement we might all be like the losers on the sport field. We might all be lost.He said:  

And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost. Jacob 7:12

The Book of Mormon testifies not only of the atonement, but of its infinite power to bring us joy, no matter what the score board might read. Through the Savior’s example of mercy and charity we all are given the power to lift not only ourselves up to a happier state, but to also offer that same score to our fellow saints and teammates. The atonement of Jesus Christ offers a win win situation.  

I bear witness that there is a power of goodness and healing that comes from reading the Book of Mormon. I believe this power stems from the pureness of God's atoning love and from the witness that is brings to us, the covenant people of Israel. 

In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

"Grace and Truth" 2 Nephi 2:3-30

Grace and Truth
(Because men are that they might have joy)

And ye are saved

Because the way is made ready from the fall of man

Because to the meek,  salvation is free

Because He offereth himself for sin

Because He intercedes for all the children of men

Because by the law men are cut off from heaven

Because it is promised to be fulfilled

Because not one jot nor one tittle shall pass away

Because of the power of the law we've been given

And ye are saved

Because He layeth down his life, according to the flesh

Because He taketh it up again

Because He was the first to rise

Because He adds strength to our weakness

Because men are instructed to their flaw

Because no flesh can dwell before God

Because men know good from evil

Because He alone answers the ends of the law

And ye are saved

Because in the service of thy God shall thy days be spent

Because you have knowledge and believe in Him

Because of the power of His merciful Spirit

Because He carries your woe of discontent

Because by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good

Because the spirit is the same yesterday and forever

Because he cometh to bring salvation unto men

Because thou hast tried the law and done all that you could

And ye are saved

Because without goodness thou art forever in misery   

Because thou hast learned how to act -not be acted upon

Because He is the first fruit unto God

Because of the righteousness of His mercy

Because thou hopes for things that are not seen

Because thou hast a contrite spirit 

Because redemption comes through the Holy One

Because through righteousness his love reigns 

C Linda C.Shaw 2012 

Lehi teaches Jacob about Grace and Truth. If you look carefully from verse 6 when Lehi tells him the Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth you can see how Lehi then goes on to explain the Grace and Truth that comes from Jesus Christ. 

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. 

"So Do" 1 Timothy

"So Do"

To my own son,

a man

in the faith

of God our Father

and Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Of faith, make

not a shipwreck.

Have "no other doctrine"

steer your course.

Let not "what they say"

hold wind

to your sail.

To the fable's teacher,

question a destination.

To the endless genealogies,

turn from the power of their tale.

Know that these teachers'

vain janglings

hold no power of place,

And bend from the law

that bestows a course

of both mercy and grace.

From their

fruitless jabberings,

turn aside.

Remember

that charity,

from a pure heart

doth unfeigned faith abide.

Turn your hearts course,

back to faith's pattern,

let it tack across God's

open ocean.

Ministry with

a good conscience

play upon the wave of His law

with the steadiest of

emotion.

Set your sextant

upon the light

of God's brightest star.

Charge all who would

sail with you

to defend the truth

and war a good war.

Teach them that the law is not

meant to set fear to mutiny's race,

but to serve them

with edification's

of God's mercy and grace.

Hold strong to your pattern of faith,

let its course set you,

upon a steady current

of long suffering hope.

Keep,
my own son,

the King Eternal,

the only true and wise God

for ever and ever

within your scope.

Copyright Linda Conkey Shaw Sept 23 2010

Words and Phrases 

vs 1 which is our hope - Paul is writing a letter to Timothy.. He, as an apostle of Jesus Christ offers hope through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Savior 

vs 2 my own son - Timothy was born of a Greek mother and Paul had all but adopted him "in the faith." This verse serves as a salutation to him and offers his well wishes of grace, mercy and peace. 

vs 3 teach no other doctrine - an apostasy had begun in the church. With Paul no longer there to oversee the affairs, the teachings, and the administration of the church other's had put their words, ideas, and teachings into circulation. 

vs 4 fables - long winded stories were the known vehicle of passage of tales and teaching. The written word was scarce and the education of people depended greatly upon those that could retell a story. As time would have it the "teachings" would be tweaked and changed to make it more enjoyable, more believable, or just more entertaining. What might have started as a true account through the passage of many tellings ends up becoming a fable. 

vs 4 endless genealogies - those that have carried the power in the past sought to retain the power in the future through the recitation of their genealogical ties to greatness. It worked because of the power of intimidation and awe that accompanied the fables and tales. 

vs 4 godly edifying which is in faith - faith brings edification not doubt. Faith uplifts ones soul and casts no doubt upon the good name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith must be adhered to by the law of Moses. 

 vs 4 so do: be sure to edify through faith in all of your teachings. Do not use fables, nor hierarchies of genealogies but rather lift up those by strict adherence to God's law. 

vs 5 the commandment - speaks that faith comes from charity of a pure heart. Real faith speaks of a good conscience and pure desire to do good. 

vs 5 faith unfeigned - real faith. 

vs 6 vain jangling - unproductive speaking. Words that have no purpose or direction.

vs 7 desiring to be teachers - many have tried to teach God's law, but those that teach it in truth have had experience with God's grace and mercy and can speak of experience. These that must be teachers must understand what they say and affirm what they teach by the power of faith within them. 

vs 8 - law is good - God's law of Moses is good when used correctly. 

vs 9-10 law is not made for righteous - Law of Moses is a standard set in place to help those that do not understand God's mercy and grace find his love and faith. By measuring their lives against the law, they can correct their behavior and find place in his love. The law is for those who are unrighteous so that they might be made aware of their errant attitudes. 

vs 11 committed to my trust -Paul was entrusted in the keeping of the gospel. It was given to him to keep it pure and clean and true so that those who went to it to find a relationship with Jesus might be able to do so. 

vs 12-15 counted me faithful - Notwithstanding all that Saul did... God entrusted Paul to the ministry. 

vs 16 - for a pattern - We look to those who live contemporary lives for examples of how we might obtain mercy, grace, faith and life everlasting. 

vs 18 war a good warfare - the battle has begun to not only keep the faith, but to keep the faith pure and clean of fables, of exaggerations, of falsehoods, and of power. Paul has entrusted the church at Ephesus. 

vs 19 faith have made shipwreck - there are those who have destroyed the faith by introducing all that is pagan and false. They do so because of their love of teaching, but they don't understand what they teach or how they will lead astray those that seek to know the truth. 

  

  

 

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.

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)