Concerning the prophecies 2 Nephi 4:1-4

It's two a.m. and I am wide awake. My eldest son called me at 1 a.m. with a bit of news and I have not been able to go back to sleep. Not because I'm not tired but because I've had something stirring inside of me that only scriptural truths can cure. When my future becomes unsettled I like to find peace through understanding the prophecies of the past.

In these verses Lehi is about to pass through the veil that mortals call "death." I wonder what those who are not yet born call it? birth? I ask because the other reason I'm up with the owls has to do with my grandson, who is as I type, is working his way through the veil we call birth. By this time tomorrow morning he should have taken his first breath, his first look at the world. What will his life bring us? What can we give him to bless his sojourn on earth with God's love?

Lehi must have had similar thoughts concerning his grandchildren.

Birth and death seem to be the times of our lives when we think most about the past and the future. It's when we search for prophecies and when we consider our history. How grateful I am for the scriptures - for they provide perspective on our past and future. How grateful I am for prophets that put aside the things of this world to write the scriptures and listen to the spirit of revelation as it moves upon their hearts. And for the prophets that have the strength and courage to do God's will. It is what protects us.

And I had to think about these men we call prophets. When they wrote what God shared with them was there someone to read what they wrote? Did they know they were not writing for their time? Did they know that their words would shape nations? How many of the people they wrote for could read? Surely it takes great faith to write for people who do not understand much of what you write. No matter how great the prophecies are.

Nephi tells us that the prophecies of which Lehi spoke. He says, "there are not many greater." What were they? They were from the plates of brass and contained the first 5 books of Moses (1N5:11). (i.e. Old Testament .. ie Bible), a record of the Jews(1N5:12), a genealogy (1N5:14) and the prophecies "of the holy prophets", especially "of Jeremiah.

These prophecies were more important to Lehi than all of his gold and silver.  These prophecies gave Lehi a hope for the future of his people. I have to consider that he has only recently left Jerusalem, the land of his birth. He has left all of his wealth, social ties, and put all of his hope for the future of his family into the power of the brass plates.

What is amazing is that he was not young when he did this. So he knew that he would not be around to control the situations of his children's lives. They would be ...without the brass plates...   alone in the wilderness. Lost.

But with the brass plates they had stories to tell about their family and their history. These stories would be used to bring hope to the daily lives and inspire them and spur their imaginations. And with these plates they had prophecies that helped them see beyond their daily circumstances and exercise faith.

My daughter was asked to speak extemporaneously at church the other Sunday. She chose to speak about her love of prophets and of their guidance in our lives. She chose to bear witness to the power of hope and truth they bring to our lives. I join my daughter in gratitude for the role prophets play in safeguarding the prophecies of the past and helping us to understand our eternal nature by giving us prophetic counsel for our day.

And I join Lehi in studying the prophecies so that my children will know "give ear to"  and find prosperity through the love of the Lord's prophecies. His greatest being that obedience brings prosperity .. not wealth but prosperity. For Lehi had left his wealth behind so that his children might have the commandments and find true prosperity through the "consideration of the prophecies."

Abraham blesses Abilemech Genesis 20

A cursory reading of this story tends to make you believe it is a lesson on telling the truth, but I found so much more.  I like how the story shows us that when two humble parties meet, the Lord will help them both find the truth.

What is the first question that hits you when you read the first verses? For me it was why would Abilemech want Sara? Wasn't she near one hundred years old? The answer comes at the end of the story when we learn that the wombs of Abilemech's house had been shut. (20:18) I believe that Abilemech wanted Sara not for her beauty but for the possibility of her bearing him a child. Such irony.

Here is a timeline to help you see the movement of events in the story. They are important because it helps you understand that Abilemech's part in Abraham and Sarah's story occurs within the timeline of the year that Sara was to become pregnant with Isaac. Gen 17:21 is the promised blessing given to Abraham and Sarah before the arrival of the three wise men.

"The Fear of God is not in this place"

The Philistine people were known enemy to the Israelites. Although Abraham and Sara's story marks the beginning of the Israelite people, the fear of the unknown was still a real threat. Abraham and Sara had formed a plan to protect themselves from certain death or slavery when dealing with unknown culture. The times were tumultuous and certainly their approach was not unreasonable. For Abraham, it was about survival. In explaining his position to Abilemech, he says how he perceived that "the fear of God is not in this place." 

Abraham was entering a foreign land where he was unsure of how his traveling entourage would be received. Past experience in Egypt and certainly elsewhere had taught him that if presented as married there would be little regard for the husbands life and the wife would be kept as chattel. If however they were presented as siblings respect for the family would be considered and the siblings would find safety in the new land. The woman may still be at risk of violation or slavery but the male sibling would at least be spared from execution. To protect themselves against the unknown nature of their hosts, Abraham entrusted the help of the Lord. (consider Egypt)

"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"

When called to bear witness in a court of law, witnesses are sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. This is to ensure the clarity that the whole truth will bring and to guard against 1/2 truths (or 1/2 lies) or even embellished truths that might mislead. This civil tradition is one that helps society keep the peace.  But what about Abraham, a prophet, telling a 1/2 truth. In doing some research on this chapter, I did a google. I was surprised to discover that most people believe that Abraham told a lie in his telling of the 1/2 truth. They claim that as a prophet he knew better. I disagree. 

 God's Law 

God had promised Abraham that his seed (through Sarah) would number as the sands of the sea. As Sarah's 1/2 brother (by marriage) it was his familial responsibility to ensure her safety. As husband and wife it was their responsibility to ensure one anothers safety. There are many unjust or unsound laws that are not the best choice for every life situation.  Clearly Abraham's telling of a 1/2 truth until the whole truth about Abilmech was revealed to him was justified. One could argue that as a prophet he would be privy to needed information about his enemies. Maybe. But I say that as a prophet he acted in wisdom when he chose to protect his family from those whose heart he did not know. And he did not commit a crime of passion, of murder, or of stealing. In order to protect what God had given to him, he had withheld  all of the truth until he was assured that the people with whom he was to deal with would respect all of the truth. 

The real beauty of this story is that by not lying. (Abraham did not lie) he was able to win the friendship and trust of Abilemech who also was in need of the Lord's blessings. By not lying, Abraham was able to allow the Lord do his work and help Abilemech see the error of his actions. By having Abraham tell Abilemech only what needed to be told the Lord was able to speak to Abilemech through a dream and convince him of his mistake. In essence Abraham was able to bear witness of the Lord to Abilemech and convince him of the Lord's love for him.  This was possible because Abilemech was already humble and was seeking wisdom that would help him bring children back to his household.   The Lord was able to work through both parties that were equally humble and teach Abilemech the gospel and help him understand Abraham’s role as a prophet.

The question to consider is how might the story have ended if Abraham had told the whole truth: that he was both brother and husband to Sarah? How might have Abilemech reacted? Would he have cared that Abraham was Sarah's brother once he heard that he was her husband? How desperate was he to have a woman who could bear him a child? 

Both learned the lesson of how the Lord respects those who are obedient to him. Both received blessings because of the integrity they granted to one another.

Abilemech Received 

• A warning from the Lord 
• A dream from the Lord 
• A greater understanding of God's ways 
• The blessing of meeting a prophet of the Lord 
• A blessing from the Lord's Prophet 
• The wombs of his household opened - children were born 
• Renewed faith
• The whole truth - from the Lord - but only after his integrity had been established.
• The proof that the Lord considered him a "righteous nation"
• Opportunity to be obedient to his dream and God's instruction 
• A witness to the power of Abraham's God 
• Self Discovery as to his own integrity (true intentions)
• Oppotunity to bear witness what happened to him and the willingness to do what is right
• Confrontation with Abraham 

Abraham Received 

• His wife back 
• A friend and follower in Abilemech
• His faith renewed in the Lord's protection of him 
• Clear paternity for Isaac - no question reguarding Isaac's paternity 
• Consider that if Abilemech had taken Sarah how it would have thwarted the Lord's blessing to Abraham
• Cattle 
• The opportunity to testify and teach Abilemech
• Free rent on Abilemech's land 
• The opportunity to bless Abilemech with fertility 

I believe that this story is a good example of how the Lord loves all of his children. By giving Abilmech a chance to prove his willingness to obey, he is able to bless both nations with fertility. 

ye shall all be amazed and wonder (Helaman 14: 1-10)

The small room sat in the back west corner of our ranch house. We hadn't lived there very long. My Dad lived in a nearby apartment that we visited on weekends. My brothers (13, 11) and I loved the large hill that sloped down through the back yard. We had spent many hours blowing up ant hills, sinking model ships, and playing in the creek that ran through the meadow at the bottom of the hill. Because they had to "watch over" me, I was always the little sister tag-along. This room, that we were gathered now in, was the boys' room.

I stood with my back against the wall. My bandaged right arm leaned on the foot of my brother's electric hospital bed. The threshold to the door lay only a few inches to the left of my feet. As I leaned backward I could feel the light switch push in between my shoulder blades. I felt small. The room seemed to loom around me and the air swam thickly against my skin. I could see the hairs on my arm stand up.

My mother sat in a chair in the middle of the room. I remember how the ceiling light showered down upon her frail frame. I remember that her spirit exuded an understanding that I yearned to know. My two brothers were in the room, but I could only see my oldest brother. With the aid of his bed he sat as upright as his fractured vertebrae would allow. For him the doctor had prescribed "flat bed rest." Trying to find respite for our pain, he laughed. His jet black hair swung down across his pale face and he said something that calmed me. Then my mother began to speak with a quiet but pointed faith.

"He's here. Can you feel him?" She spoke with a sure tone. I looked at by oldest brother. His eyes grew large and rounded. He returned my gaze before we both turned to face my mother's question.

I had felt him from the moment I had gathered with them. I had known much of what my mother was to vocalize. She began, and I listened with an intent to know.

"Son, we know you are here. Have you come to say goodbye." An electricity shot through me and I stepped forward away from the wall. The stitches in my right knee smarted as I shifted my weight.

"Donnie, can you let us know you are here? Can you give us a sign that you are here?" My mother's whispered words fluttered across the room. My heart raced. I nor my oldest brother said a word.

That's when the light's went out. Once. Twice. Three times. I remember stepping clear from the wall in wonder. I remember reaching out to my mother but never touching her. The emotion of Don's presence engulfed me. I felt him around me. I felt him above me. I felt him near me. It was undeniable that his spirit was with us, comforting, teaching, but mostly just saying "Good bye, I won't be too far," or "Don't forget me," but mostly, "I love you."

Now we all cried. So powerful was the testimony, the sign, his spirit, that our spirits were overcome. Mother said a prayer and my oldest brother and I joined in. We felt a total and complete love. I know that my spirit was touched that day with a truth that comes from the spiritual realms of heaven. A truth that was meant to guide me home.

Don had passed away a few weeks earlier. We had all suffered from injuries from the car accident that had taken his life. My mother had spent several hard days in the hospital healing from injuries that had almost taken her as well. Forty-two years have passed and I will never forget those powerful moments reserved for me. From that day forward I have let the "amazement" of that experience carry me. I have searched to understand and have sought to "believe in his name, the Son of God" that I might have opportunity to meet my brother again.

Jesus Christ promised us that he will "redeem all those who shall believe on his name." This means that Jesus Christ will make restitution for my mistakes. I made many.

For years I did not understand that my brother's death was not my fault. I carried a heavy burden. He had sat in the front seat. I sat there before mother had made me move.

It was from the front seat that he had been thrown from the car. In my young mind I rationalized that it was me who was supposed to go back to heaven. But then I didn't get to go. Why? I was told by well meaning adults that Don got to go because he was "ready", he was "perfect" and thereby God wanted him. So what did that leave me? Imperfect? I began anew knowing I had some work to do?

Jesus Christ, I found would help me. And he started helping me that one afternoon in my brother's bedroom. There I felt the presence of my brother's spirit. I knew where it was. I saw that he was able to turn the lights on and off as I stood not one foot from the unturned light switch. And as surely as I felt his presence, I knew when he had gone. Gone where?

Back to be with our Savior Jesus Christ whose name is so powerful that the heavens and the earth respect it.

I had so many questions. That is the day that my real journey began.

So when Dad wanted me to listen to "his" faith, I looked for answers.

I found them. I found answers to why Don was able to come back, and why he had to leave, and why many years later he could not come and "watch over" me as I struggled with life.

I was eight when he passed. He was eleven. My oldest brother was thirteen. It was a hard time, but because I have believed on his name, I have seen many signs and wonders. I have known the love of my Savior around me. This has been a great joy to me. But not the greatest joy. The greatest joy has come to me as I have been able to share the love of the Savior with others. Through service, testimony, friendship, and study.

WITH MY FATHER'S FAMILY (near the grave)

These verses talk about the years that preceded our Savior's life here on earth. Samuel was but one of many prophets who have testified to the signs that will witness to his birth, his death, and his purpose. It is a gift that God has given us to help us return to him. It is a gift that must not only be opened but also be used in order for it to give us any hope of His promise.

But I promise you this. I promise that for those who "shall believe on his name" shall have many signs and wonders of his love. We pass through so much of our life with blinders on. We are so very unaware of all the work that God's angels do in our behalf. Every now and again when we have insight into his mighty miracles that help us to understand the pureness of his love, I hope that we might "fall to the earth" and give thanks for all he does for us "that believe on his name."

Words and Phrases

vs 1 which cannot be written- some prophesies are not to be written. Some cannot be for they are too sacred. They must remain between a loving father who gives them and those that believe. For those who do not believe another sign of something they do not understand will not make a difference. We must first believe.

vs2 all those who shall believe on his name - these shall be redeemed.(put back on the right path) (cleansed of sin) ..Samuel told them that a sign he would give to help them understand, to direct their path, to give them hope... and strengthen their faith. 5 years Son of man will come.

vs 3 the sign is .. that 1. there will be lights in heaven 2. no darkness

vs 4 a day and a night and a day... what was supposed to happen happened but without darkness. We saw the lights go out, but no one turned the switch. The people of Samuel's day saw the sun go down and the sun rise but no darkness came.

vs 5 a new star - astronomers have astronomical proof as to the existence of the birth of a new star at the time of Christ's birth. If it were to be infatically proven with scientific data, like in the time of Samuel, it would only be a sign to those who believe. Other's usually do not have time to think or understand because their treasures are not found in the nature that respects God, it is not found in the laws that govern the universe.

vs 6 many signs and wonders - When we believe, God sends us our own signs and wonders that He lives. We are not left alone. We are not left to our own faith. God sends us signs to direct our path and guide our choices. But we will miss them if we don't believe.

vs 7 amazed and wonder - When ye shall receive your own personal signs, ye will have amazement and wonder. Record them. Ponder them, study them, consider them, and then ask God.

vs 8 believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life- Why? Because in believing we unwrap His gift to us. In believing we find hope. IN believing we are cleansed and redeemed from our sins. In believing we find strength and knowledge, but mostly we find forgiveness.

vs 9 Cry unto this people- When you believe and you have signs and wonders that direct you and give you guidance that keeps you from harm and helps you gain greater understanding, be sure to speak your part and tell others. The power of the word will change universes.

vs 10 it was hard against you - the truth is not an easy pill to swallow. Few people can naturally do so. To hear the word of God ye must be humble, teachable, and willing to change what needs to be changed within you: attitude, service, virtue, love, and hope.

Do not cast out those that speak truth. The sad thing here is that most of those that are bold enough to speak truth to us are within our own family. The demise of the family in these last days is due mostly to the pride of men's hearts. Do not be so proud as to not hear the pain and frustration of those that love you the most.

Dear God (Helaman10: 6-19)

Helaman 10: 6-19

Dear God..

(to understand a prophet I went to the counsel of the living prophets)

I read your scripture today and I did not understand it. I tried to but it seems to be beyond anything that I can comprehend. I could never imagine that you would trust me enough to give me so much power as you did Nephi. I could never imagine that I could smite the earth with famine or that I would want to? I understand the need to discipline and to help those I love through "tough love" by being strict, firm and strong, but I don't believe I could ever be a Nephi.

But wait. Nephi was a prophet. He spoke with you often and you spoke with him. You and he had a great understanding of one another. I don't believe I could ever find anything in these scriptures that would liken me to them? Could I?

Words and Phrases

vs 6 thou art Nephi and I am God..... I see two seperate beings here. I see a God and a follower of God, a son of God, a true believer, a disciple. A prophet made so pure by his faith that he was able to earn the trust of God.

vs 7 I give unto you power... When has God ever given me power? I am a mother. I have been given God's power to co create and raise souls unto joy. I am a woman and I have been given the power to heal and to love those in need of loving. I am a daughter and I have been given the power to see the vision of my father's faith. I am a sister and I have been given the power to build up and love the siblings of my youth. I am a Saint of God and I have been given the power to help others understand his love, his faith and his path.

vs 7 I give unto you power..to seal.. I am the maker of hearts and I can seal my heart to God's by my faith. I can seal my love to my family by my actions. I can seal my acts of kindness to those in need of his love.

Helaman 10:7 whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven

Joseph Smith

“The doctrine or sealing power of Elijah is as follows: If you have power to seal on earth and in heaven, then we should be wise. The first thing you do, go and seal on earth your sons and daughters unto yourself, and yourself unto your fathers in eternal glory, and go ahead, and not go back, but use a little wisdom, and seal all you can, and when you get to heaven tell your Father that what you seal on earth should be sealed in heaven, according to his promise. I will walk through the gate of heaven and claim what I seal, and those that follow me and my counsel.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 340)

Boyd K. Packer

“That sacred sealing power is with the Church now. Nothing is regarded with more sacred contemplation by those who know the significance of this authority. Nothing is more closely held. There are relatively few men who have been delegated this sealing power upon the earth at any given time—in each temple are brethren who have been given the sealing power. No one can get it except from the prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“A clear statement follows regarding the sealing power as binding on all that we do for the living and the dead.

“’Whenever the fulness of the gospel is on earth, the Lord has agents to whom he gives power to bind on earth and seal eternally in the heavens (Matt. 16:19; Matt. 18:18; Hel. 10:3-10; D&C 132:46-49.)

“’All things that are not sealed by this power have an end when men are dead. Unless a baptism has this enduring seal, it will not admit a person to the celestial kingdom; unless an eternal marriage covenant is sealed by this authority, it will not take the participating parties to an exaltation in the highest heaven within the celestial world.

“’All things gain enduring force and validity because of the sealing power. So comprehensive is this power that it embraces ordinances performed for the living and the dead, seals the children on earth up to their fathers who went before, and forms the enduring patriarchal chain that will exist eternally among exalted beings’ (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, p. 683).

“In the Church we hold sufficient authority to perform all of the ordinances necessary to redeem and to exalt the whole human family. And, because we have the keys to the sealing power, what we bind in proper order here will be bound in heaven. Those keys—the keys to seal and bind on earth, and have it bound in heaven—represent the consummate gift from our God. With that authority we can baptize and bless, we can endow and seal, and the Lord will honor our commitments.” (Ensign, Feb. 1995, p. 32)

vs 16 he was taken by the spirit .. did Nephi die. Was he translated? Does anyone know the meaning of this verse? I do not know. What is more perplexing is when it is read in conjuction with ...

Helaman 10:16 he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them

Bruce R. McConkie

“Other prophets had been and would be transported bodily from place to place by the power of the Spirit. Ezekiel was lifted up and carried by the Spirit. (Ezek. 8:2-3.) Nephi ‘was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceeding high mountain,’ upon which he ‘never had before’ set his ‘foot.’ (1 Ne. 11:1.) Mary herself ‘was carried away in the Spirit’ at the time of the conception of Jesus. (1 Ne. 11:19-21.) Nephi the son of Helaman ‘was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst’ of those who sought to imprison him, and thus ‘he did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of God.’ (Hel. 10:16-17.) After Philip baptized the eunuch, ‘the Spirit of the Lord caught [him] away,’ and he was carried to Azotus. (Acts 8:39-40.) It is not an unheard-of thing for the Lord, by the power of the Spirit, to transport mortals from place to place…” (The Mortal Messiah¸ p. 413)

vs 17 he did go forth in the spirit-

vs 18 there began to be contentions-

Richard G. Scott

"The Book of Mormon then teaches a most impressive lesson concerning how we can learn truth: ‘And it came to pass that Nephi went his way towards his own house, pondering upon the things which the Lord had shown unto him’ (Helaman 10:2). As is characteristically the case, that pondering opened a channel of communication that brought additional understanding and truth to Nephi. In this particular instance, because of Nephi’s valiant testimony it allowed the Lord to confer upon him the sealing power. He later used that power to bring many of the Nephites and Lamanites to repentance and salvation.” (Heroes From The Book of Mormon, p. 152)

Gordon B. Hinckley

We all do a lot of studying, but most of us don’t do much meditation. We don’t take time to think. I’d like to suggest that next fast day . . . everybody in this hall set aside an hour or two. Sit by yourself. Go in the bedroom and lock the door. Go out in the yard under a tree. Go in your study if you have one and shut the door, and think about yourself and your worthiness. Read from this great book [Book of Mormon]…There’s a great word that’s used, ‘ponder.’

“’Ponder.’ What do we mean by ‘ponder’? Well, I think it simply means kind of quietly thinking things through. Ponder what you have read. Ponder your life. Are you worthy, are you living the commandments…?” (Church News, 01/06/96)

Of a Surety-Finding the key Helaman 9:1-5

Helaman 9: 1-5

Yesterday, my daughter lost her keys at the wedding reception. After looking for close to an hour and with dusk closing around us, we decided that we would have to accept that we would not (at this time) find them. LanguageLady, however would not give up and kept searching in the dark, questioning herself and others as to where they might have gone? It would have proved to be an expensive lesson if she would have had to replace the keys... to her car, to her apartment, to her bike, etc. She desperately needed to find them. She needed to know where to look.

After we had done all we could, it was decided by her father that we should have a family prayer. So we gathered in a circle in the lawn and offered thanks for all of our "evidences", and for one another's help. Then we asked for help in finding the keys. When the prayer-circle broke a few of us suggested (per an answer) that they keys must have gone home (inadvertently) in a box carried by a grandmother. There was nothing to do, but wait for sunlight and have faith.

Sometimes we look around at our life, we consider our friends, our position in life, our possessions, and our roles in others lives... and we want to know that what we are doing is right. We want to have a sure knowledge. We want to know where to find the keys that will help us "operate" our lives.

God has given us 5 physical senses to help us find our way physically through life. In searching for my daughter's keys we used "vision"(we looked), "touch" (she remembered when she last held them), taste (she was carrying a platter of food when she last held the keys), and smell (she thought she placed them underneath the crab apple tree). I used my sense of hearing as I recalled speaking to my son upon leaving the car with her next to my side. All of these senses did not help us find the keys. We needed something more.

God has also given us spiritual senses that help us find the "surety" we seek. These spiritual senses require us to look first to God, listen to his prophets, give heed to His Holy spirit, and taste of his joy. These spiritual senses are the key to us finding our surety. Physically we will all have our challenges, our labels, our blind spots. Spiritually we need not have any handicaps. Spiritually we can rely on the strength of God and know "of a surety".

There were 5 who were sent to "look" at Nephi's evidence. These 5 declared they did not believe. These 5 were going to take a look-see, all the while believing they would disprove Nephi. Why? Because they knew what they knew physically and it was all they could comprehend. Nephi presented a case for evidence ("non physical" or spiritual). Their minds could only comprehend the science of reason. They knew nothing of spiritual faith.

My daughter called this afternoon replete with joy. During her trial of the "lost keys", she had not cried out in anguish. Nor had she lost her temper. She had not gone to anger, or accusation, but she had relied on faith. Her keys were found and her faith in God found the sureness of a spiritual realm that her physical body could not give her. They had in deed gone home in the wrong box. A few phone calls, a few more prayers, and a an exercise of faith brought them home and renewed her "surety" in God's love for her.

God sends us prophets so that someone will always have the "keys" to heaven. His prophets know not only where to find these keys, but how, when and where to use them. And most importantly the prophets teach us truths that show us how to find and use the keys of truth within us.

Words and Phrases

vs 1 ran to the judgement seat - these men ran to see if what Nephi spoke was true. How often do we run to God to see if what he says is true? Do we ever doubt the admonishments of our prophets? Do we put to test what he asks of us? These men were going to the physical judgment seat to see tangible evidence. We can take our "evidence" to our "judgement seat" when we look, listen, and hearken to the love that God extends to us.

vs 2 we will know of a surety - These men expected to have their questions answered by physical evidence. When they went they did not consider what might occur to them if indeed what they found was exactly what Nephi said. Why? They were thinking with their physical senses. They were about to face a spiritual witness. They went with the intention of disproving Nephi thinking there was no way he could know. Sometimes we don't know what we don't know.

vs 2 - then we will believe that the other words are true - Their faith is immature, weak, and must rely on a very basic foundation. They can not accept one evidence without another to confirm it. God works in two's. He requires that all of his witnesses occur in two's. Two missionaries. Two leaders, Two prayers (opening and closing). Two Testaments (Old and New Testament) Two Sticks.. (Judea and Ephraim) Two sexes (male and female) etc. It is not unreasonable that someone so unbelieving would require two pieces of evidence.

vs 3 ran in their might - When we want to know something, to find something, to understand something of importance to us, do we not run in our might? Do we not seek to know with earnest? These 5 did run in their might ( strength) to know right. How wonderful it would be if we all could run as these 5 to understand God's truth in our lives.

vs 4 they were astonished exceedingly -

Astonished - stunned, bewildered, dismayed... Their intellectual self could not comprehend what their spiritual self witnessed to them. Their spirits knew the truth. Their minds could not comprehend it. Remember they went with an unbelieving heart thinking they knew more than Nephi. They went with an arrogant attitude that they were right and Nephi was wrong. So great was their spiritual astonishment that it "knocked them to the ground" and they lost all physical strength.

vs 5 when they saw they believed - a moment of truth. Spiritually they recognized the truth. The physical sense caught up with the spiritual senses and they knew. They knew that if this were true then everything else this prophet had told them was also true. They knew that they were no longer unaccountable (because of their knowledge) and they began to fear for their choices, their fate, and the changes that their new faith would bring.

The Gifts of God: Let Go and Let God!

1 Nephi 10

Two Gifts

I. Our church ward recently witnessed the conversion of an entire family. The father had spent the previous two years studying the scriptures. He bears testimony of how he knew the scriptures well, of how he attended (a different) church weekly, and yet he felt something was missing? He described his conversion as one of recognizing and accepting the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

II. The world believes that Christianity dates back to the birth of Jesus Christ. The world (because it does not believe and have faith in God nor his prophets) does not understand that the Messiah was promised "from the foundation of the world"(vs. 18). Jesus Christ is God's Gift to redeem the world.

I am aware of many gifts of God. As a child I was made to count them. I often counted them as butterflies, sunbeams, dogs, smiles, and food. But Nephi saw two other gifts of God. He recognized that God gives the Holy Ghost to those who believe in his words, and that the Messiah was a gift that came as part of the plan of salvation.

Today I learned how God uses the gift of the Holy Ghost to help me recognize all of his other gifts. Today (finally after how many years) I saw that when I am connected to God (through the Holy Ghost) I am connected to life. Life becomes more meaningful when I have eternal understanding. Life takes on a new purpose when I am filled with the Joy of God's love.

I am grateful to Nephi for helping me understand these greater gifts. (and Adena with whom I was speaking with this morning)

(Words and Phrases)

concerning the Jews (vs. 2) Nephi was a Jew. This is significant because Lehi is going to expound to him all that is going to happen to, through, and because of the House of Israel. The Lord is able to give his gifts to mankind because of the faithful prophets from the House of Israel. The Jewish people gave us many gifts: the Bible, the prophets, the prophecies, eternal perspective, the law of Moses (my Dad's specialty), traditions, culture, language, and so much more.

they should return again (vs 3)- I am of the House of Israel. I am not Jewish by religion, but the blood of the House of Israel runs through my veins. As I read about how the Jews were "carried away into Babylon", I am reminded that they returned again. I can liken this unto my own cycle and struggle with faith. I am often carried away.. only to return again. But Lehi's prophecies are not metaphorical, they are literal. History teaches us these things all took place. History teaches us how God used the Jewish nation to bestow and teach His gifts.

concerning the prophets (vs 5) - (how great a number that testified)

What of the prophets that taught of the Savior? What other gifts do prophets have? Clearly they have the gift of the Holy Ghost and an understanding of the mission of Jesus Christ, so what sets them apart?

They cultivated the desire to not only find the gifts of God, but to learn how to use them daily in their lives. I want to be like Nephi. I want to be desirous to see, and hear, and know of these things. Is this a bad thing? Why when I say it does the world want to put me down for it? Would God think it a bad thing?

I am so grateful we have prophets today. I am grateful for men who diligently seek out the Lord's will concerning men, and teach us truth not only through words, but through example. I am grateful to understand the power by which the prophets work. Nephi taught that it is available to all "those who diligently seek him"(vs 17). It was "in times of old", it is today, and it will be when Jesus Christ returns. Why because the course of he Lord is "one eternal round".

lost and fallen state (vs. 6) What does it mean to be in a lost and fallen state? If you are lost then you have need to be found? If you are fallen then you have need to be lifted up? How does the Holy Ghost and the Redeemer change things?

What I see is this: As humans in a physical state we see the world purely physically. We understand with reason, fact, and rational. We live to eat. We eat to work. We work to sleep. And we sleep to live. But this is a dreary way of life. Life eventually wears you down. Where is the Joy?

The Joy is found in God's gifts. They change us, our views, our thoughts, our spirits, our perspective. By believing there is more than the natural and physical cycle to life, we lift ourselves up to a spiritual plane. Nephi spoke of it in verse 17 when he stated, "the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God."

We are all "lost and fallen" until we learn to believe in the power of the Holy Ghost which will bear witness to us of the divinity of the Son of God's mission as our Redeemer. We are lost because we have no plan, no road, no course to follow. Fallen because we cannot go where God's love dwells.

rely on this Redeemer (vs 6) - How do we rely on this Redeemer? "by the power of the Holy Ghost which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him."(vs 17). The two work in tandem. If I accept the power of the Holy Ghost then I will know of the power of our Savior's Redemption. If I have faith to believe in the Savior's redemptive power, then I have faith to receive the Holy Ghost. By relying on either of these gifts I am entitled to have the power of both in my life.

the way is prepared for all men (vs 18) - How is the way prepared for me? Where is God's plan for me? Without the Holy Ghost or the belief in God's redemption my time here on earth takes on a view of finality. What a wonderful thing it is to know... (through faith) of God's power of Redemption and of his comforter (the Holy Ghost). I don't have to do any of this alone. I am part of the "all men". I am part of God's plan. When I use faith to ask, the Holy Ghost teaches me. When I falter, God's redemption lifts me up.

which power he received by faith (vs. 17) How does faith bring power? How does faith bridge the gap between our earthly world and God's gifts of the Holy Ghost and His redemptive love? I believe that power comes to those who believe like it comes to the seed who sprouts it's root deep. It comes to those who exercise their own power to let go of worldly views and believe in something that will lift them higher. We do not always have to understand the power, we only have to believe in it for it to benefit us. I.E. I don't understand how jets fly, but I believe they will fly me to my destination. Faith in God's power is like this, we may not understand the mechanics of it, but we only have to believe that it will help us reach the desires of our heart for it to begin to work within us. Unlike the gift of airplane-flight, the gift of faith requires that we participate. We must be the generator of the power. By believing, the power is made stronger and we gain even greater heights of understanding.

the mysteries of God (vs 19)- What is a mystery? Is it something to one but something different to another? Does it rely on our experience? Does it rely on faith to understand?

Are the mysteries of God like the mysteries of science?

I have experienced many mysteries that I have not understood. As a child I remember watching in bewilderment as a plate glided effortlessly across the table. As a pre-teen I remember learning to listen to a "still small voice" as it whispered to me that answer to a prayer on where to find the key I had lost.

God is no more mysterious than the laws of science. We need only to "diligently seek" to find. We need only to believe in God's love and gifts. He waits patiently for us to not only to open them, but to learn how to use them.

As I think about how I have used the gifts of God in my life, I am reminded of many different occasions when the Holy Ghost has prompted me to change my course while driving in the car, to call someone on the telephone (only to discover they had great need), to stop what I was doing and to pray for a child (and learn later they had a near miss accident), to learn to forgive myself and let God carry the burden for me.

My mother has a wonderful adage she tells me often.

"Let Go and Let God". In letting Go of my life, I must learn to rely on the Holy Ghost as it directs me down my path. In Letting God, I have learned to allow God's love carry me, so that I don't have to carry my burdens of mistakes.

What gifts have you been made aware of this day? What have you done to Let Go...

to Let God?