"between me and thee," Integrity Genesis 17:2

      INTEGRITY: honesty, probity, rectitude, honor, good character, principle(s), ethics, morals, righteousness, morality, virtue, decency, fairness, scrupulousness, sincerity, truthfulness, trustworthiness. Unity, unification, coherence, cohesion, togetherness, solidarity. soundness, strength, sturdiness, solidity, durability, stability, stoutness, toughness

"Between me and thee"

              I once met an older woman who talked of her life with bitter regret. She believed that by the time she reached a certain age, (she was over 75) she would have wisdom to share with those who would gather around as she recalled her life story.  She had hoped that others would see her as kind and humorous -revered. Instead- she believed – her aged body, lack of popularity and accumulated failures had earned her sarcastic disdain and disrespect. Her sarcasm tainted her. Although she was acclaimed, intelligent, witty, and insightful in her field, these talents did not bring her closer to a sense of spiritual wholeness. Integrity comes from what we give not what we gain. How we serve not how we are served. The good that we see in others not the good that we gain from others. 

        There is a misconception in life that if life is good enough to allow us the privilege of longevity we will automatically gain the respect of our peers. Integrity however, as Abraham learned, walks hand in hand with respect for life's higher power. Those who do not understand the reality, the love, and the power of God spend much of their life chasing after life's mirages of hope: youth, wealth, popularity, political power, intellect, beauty, etc. To befriend God is to learn the meaning of integrity.

       Abraham understood that in order to gain the respect, one had to give respect. Not only to God but also to family, to self, and to all those that serve you. Respect represents the beginning of friendship. Friendship can bring the sacredness of covenants. Covenants exist because two parties of integrity agree to uphold their promises toward one another.

       Who was Abraham that God should choose him to share the blessings of a covenant? Who am I that I too can enter into a covenant with my God and expect his blessings in my life? And how to I learn to repay God's blessings with sincere gratitude?  As I read these verses and considered Abram - at the age of 99- I wondered about my own relationship with God? I wonder about Abram and what he did to be called of God as one who would establish God's covenant with man. 

          Consider who Abram was and how he had proved himself to his God:

•  Obedient/ Humble - When told to leave the land of his inheritance he does 12:5
• Respectful/Grateful/ prayerful - Pious, He built altars for prayer  12:7 13:18 16:10-11
• Humble/ Trusting  Asks Sarai for help with the Egyptians 12:11 
• Peaceful/ family peace  – Abram did not want strife with Lot's servants 13:8
• Fair – gives Lot the good land and divides it 13: 11
• Honorable & dutiful – returns Lot from captivity 14: 16
• Sober – refused to take spoils of war or to make any situation that would take the credit from God, the possessor of heaven and earth 14: 23
• Truthful – gives God credit for battle victory 14: 22
• Believer/ faithful- he believed the Lord 15:6 17:3
• Ethics/ Moral Abram had Sarai deal with her servant in her own manner. 16:6

How God proves his love to Abraham: Gifts given to help him

• Visionary/ seer/ revelation  – The Lord appeared to Abram and he saw him in a vision talked with God.   12:7 15:1 15:13-16   17:3
• Protected/ Blessed - God will bless and curse those that bless or curse him 12:3
• Watched Over- God protects Abram and his family from the famine, his family, and other unseen threats. Tells him to leave/ Protects him from Egyptians 12:11
• Family/ Trusting - God promises that in Abram all families of the earth will be blessed. Will land unto Abram’s seed. Shows himself to Abram 12:2 13:15, 16

Other Qualities

• Family – Abram takes Sarai, and his brothers son Lot with him

• Aged -found his wisdom in the Lord’s guidance - 75 years old when asked to leave We are not told of his first 75 years. 12:4 

The amazing thing to consider about Abram, is that before his covenant with God 17:4 , he had almost everything that man could ever want: power, wealth,success, fame,  a wife, (two), land, political respect, security, servants, etc. He lived by his faith. But still he was missing something eternal -something bigger than life itself. This infinite part of Abraham's life, and our own life, can be found when we understand the power of integrity as they pertain to sacred covenants.  When we partake of the blessings of God's covenants: baptismal,  marriage, or others  we find eternal perspective. We begin to understand the shortness of our time, the scale of our existence, and the greatness of God's love and glory. 

No matter the success that life brings, man will always need to remember there exists a higher power. Protection, love, wholeness, and perspective are promised to those who learn that this power of God's love exists to bind us with our God.  It is the power that we call integrity and a power God said is "between me and thee." 

Genesis 6:5 Into My Garden

Into My Garden

I pinch and pick  

weeds

that sprout small.

I plow and pull 

grass

that towers tall.

I tug on

errant seed

that wraps itself

around the heart

of my perennial joy.

I fight evil

Fear-filled

Imaginations

Of continuous lost ground

Weeds

Spew their 

violent soil

into the heart 

of my garden.

Spattered by mud

I rip at roots

that fill my earth

and corrupt my garden way

Then with aching knees

I stand.

I resolve. 

I wipe my soiled brow.

Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth. and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 

It is a dark thing to think about a world where all of our imaginations are evil always. Where good has no ground. Where love cannot be found. Where man has chosen wickedness over wisdom's path.

Weeds come seasonly. Here they came in full abundance after our drought ended. Weeds must have a constant combatant. They must be either prevented by routine habits of wise choice or they must be continually fought.  Which is easier? To prevent them through good habits or by constantly fighting them. Which has the greatest beauty and brings the greatest peace.

As I read and thought about the earth prior to the flood, I was taken by the usage of the word violence. It appears to me that there is a connection between our imagination and the amount of violence we encounter.
Imaginations can be good and bad. But evil imaginations lead to the the thoughts of the heart becoming evil, continually. It is a sad day when hobbies, pastimes, and other "jobs" cause us to have every imagination of our heart turn from the wisdom of God's love.
God promised that he would never again flood the earth and kill all of the life that he created. This however does not mean that we cannot reach the level of wickedness that was prevalent prior to the flood.

I am so grateful to God's plan that shows me to see the beauty of my garden. To hope for the strength of my flowers and all of their blossoms. I am grateful to the scriptures that lead my heart to find happiness in all of God's truths.
I realize this poem was dark. But it is so so that we might understand the darkness of our "flesh" that would lead us continually away from God's wisdom and love.

Who Is Wise? Ecclesiastes 8 P

Ecclesiastes 8

Who is Wise?

Who is as the wise man?

Me. I am as the wise man.

When I practice my turn to

figure out a problem, interpret a solution,

and to know the root of all wisdom.

There is wisdom that flows through me

as I break down my piece of life

one section at a time, trial upon trial.

I find a great boldness that causes

me to begin to shine forth.

It changes my countenance.

God placed on this earth a government

that brings peace and prosperity

to my daily commune.

Who is wise? I am. In my obeying

my king's command as he obeys

the oath of our God.

I can practice wisdom when I choose to

forgo my hastiness and stay close

to my king. My king's wisdom

and power of word gives him cause to do

whatsoever thing he pleases.

But he, like me, must face the

same time and judgment

when spirit retains spirit

For no matter my loyalty,

This war will claim all.

But my king with power over me

I have wisdom to know that he is

no better than I. Yet his vexation

increases and my freedom decreases.

And I have wisdom to know that

yet I seek it

I cannot find it.

Yet I know it.

I cannot have it.

Who is wise?

Anyone who thinks he is

must consider how he became such and

realize that to consider this shows

that he is not.

Yet we all can impart bits of wisdom

We all can feel the joy of touching wisdom

And know the change that comes upon us

when but for a brief moment we feel

the power of wisdom surge through us.

Who is wise?

He who seeketh to interpret.

Whenever I have figured something out, it brings great energy to my soul. When I read this I think that Solomon is asking us to think about what it takes to be wise? And asking if we have ever had the experience where we have known just a small bit of wisdom?

I once watched my son, (age 12) figure out a song he was learning on the piano. He played through it once so to learn the notes. Then he learned the harmony. (left hand) Then he learned the dynamics. And then two hands together.Finally, he began to polish it off and make it sing beautifully. Now he was beaming. Eventually he dissected every part of this song and could play it with his eyes closed. I enjoy listening to him as he masters the many different parts of the song.

I enjoy watching him feel happy as he learns to use his wisdom to interpret the song.

The joy that came from interpreting the one piece of music to his own understanding was written all over his countenance. But mostly it was written in the way he played.
He knew that he not only understood the piece, but that he had interpreted it correctly and played it with his soul. When we learn to dissect a problem the way he was able to dissect this beautiful song, we too will play beautiful music.

The thing about learning to play a piece of music is that there are certain rules you must follow in order to unlock the beauty that lies written on the page. You must learn to read the music notes, dynamics, style, tempo. etc. You must learn to practice it correctly. I have heard him practice a song foolishly thinking that if he played it anyway he wanted, his fingers would forget how he practiced it and find some magical formula when it came time for performance.

When we keep the commandments the way we learn to play a piece of music, we find that we are able to progress with greater ease and speed.

Speed seems to be something that my son likes when it comes time to play his pieces. He loves playing fast. Sometimes he ruins his songs. The most memorable songs I have are the ones he has played them with melody, emotion, and the interpretation of his soul. He seems to forget this often and simply try to be "hasty" and quickly be done with his practice. I am trying to help him learn to discipline himself and not "do whatsoever pleaseth him."

The power comes to him when he learns to follow the instruction of his teacher and the interpretation of his soul. The power of a king comes from his word that follows the oath of God. The power of a good pianist comes from his word that follows the oath of instruction and practice.

When my son is able to "keep the commandments" of piano practice he is able to finish in a timely manner and work through each piece with focus and safety from mistakes. When he does not focus there is a fear of the evil thing. Having to repeat, repeat and repeat.

When unraveling the wisdom of a problem, Solomon tells us that a wise man discerns both time and judgment. When playing a piano piece well, a wise piano student will practice his piece with time and judgment. Time comes with rhythm and the part of the day he sets aside to work on his problem piece. Judgment comes with the choices he makes that daily helps him improve his performance and find strength in his skills.

The thing about problems is that we don't know when or where they will crop up upon us. Like playing a piano piece for someone we meet, it is important to practice daily study so that when the opportunity comes to play (problem solve) we are ready to preform without mistakes. Our fingers are strong, our form is solid, our hands are relaxed and we need not fear. We simply practice what we do every day. It becomes natural to us.

When we practice wisdom, this happens the same way. like playing music.

Solomon does not speak about playing the piano here. But rather he speaks about learning to keep the laws of our land and honor those that govern over us. He helps us see that they too must die, but even still they deserve our respect, even when they rule to our hurt. We are all human and even though we have wisdom, we also lose our wisdom.

Wisdom is something that must be practiced and maintained, and even then it is difficult to hold onto. It changes us. It is always changing. It is truth. It is the inevitable. It is knowing the tomorrows and not knowing what to do with what we know. It is learning to bridle the tongue and keeping our knowledge to ourselves unless invited to share. For some are ready to hear what we may impart and others will find pain by our words.

Wisdom comes from those that seek it. We all have that ability. We must search this not only in study but in practice. How wonderful it is when we are able to but touch it, it touches us with its energy and power and changes our faces to that of a shining smile.

Words and phrases

vs 1 - who is as the wise man? - We all can be wise in our own way. We all have our perception of life that will cause others to see what their views cannot.

vs 2 keep the king's commandment - obey the laws of our land.

vs 3 stand not in an evil thing - don't forgo obedience to the laws to stand in evils way, but rather find wisdom in being obedient to the laws of the king.

vs 5. A wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgement - the wise have a sense of time concerning the problems they are working on, as well as a judgment of good and evil.

vs 6. the misery of man is great upon him - the king who must execute judgment of his law must face the misery of those whom he must judge.

vs 8 power over the spirit to retain the spirit - we all will die. Even the king. No man of great earthly power can escape the heavenly law of death.

vs 8 no discharge in that war - we all must fight the battle of death and we all lose.

vs 9 to his own hurt - when we obtain power we all find a way to abuse it. We face frustration, jealousy, etc. and must find a way to overcome the desire to hurt others.

vs sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily - it takes time for the evil work of the wicked to come to light.

vs 16 I applied my heart - give it all your heart to know a problem, a challenge, a task and it will become clear, strong and sure to you. When we seek wisdom we will find it, but it will also be elusive because of its nature and size.

A Good Name: Wisdom Ecclesiastes 7 P

Ecclesiastes 7

A Good Name:

Layeth not his heart

In the house of feasting.

But seeks to mourn

With those who mourn

And comfort those

In need of comfort.

Strengthens his heart in sorrow

And considers a sad countenance.

Seeketh the heart of the wise

In the house of mourning

And leaves the fools to their mirth.

Hears the songs that upbraid,

With an excellency of wisdom

That is meant to make better the heart.

Waits with a patient spirit;

For a thing's end brings more

Satisfaction than its beginning.

Resteth his anger,

Not in the hasty

Bosom of fools,

But rather in

He that giveth life.

Sees wisdom in he

Who can see the sun

And knows from whence

An inheritance finds profit

Knows that both wisdom

And money bring protection,

But wisdom alone giveth life.

Rejoiceth in his prosperity

But considers God

In his day of adversity.

Balances his righteousness

So that he perisheth not.

And considers his foolishness

So that he lives a long life.

Fears God

With the strength of wisdom

That brings the sadness of truth

That he is a sinner.

Judgeth not others

For their cursing.

But knows of his

Own cursing.

Asks, how do I truly know

The wisdom that elusively

Stretches before me

And dives exceedingly

deep within me?

Will yet apply his heart to know,

to search, to seek the reason of things.

Realizing that a good name

May be found in

Only one man

Amongst a thousand.

Is a precious ointment

on the day of death.

Linda Conkey Shaw copyright July 9 2010

Wisdom. Why does it elude us so? Why do we think we are wise and find out we have come so short a distance after traveling for so many years? Wisdom is defined as having experience, knowledge and good judgment. Sometimes children seem to have more than adults.

One child who was celebrating his 5th birthday with his grandfather who was celebrating his 50th birthday, said to his grandfather, "Hey we are the same age, because zero's

don't count."

And they don't. And true wisdom helps us know that age is but a number on our journey of eternal life. Experience shapes our lives, but not necessarily the wisdom within us.

Children often surprise us with the wisdom they possess, not because of their knowledge or experience, but because of their lack of experience and knowledge. It amazes me with what they often can say and come up with as it relates to the world of adults. They see life so matter of fact. It is their naivete's, honesty, and limited perspective that brings them the wisdom that so often eludes adults. Untainted by the world "of foolishness", they serve to remind us of what our maturity has forgotten.

Jesus said we should see life as little children. I am often reminded of how much humility and joy comes from a little child. My youngest grandson has a smile that lights up my world. He enjoys life to the fullest. His smiles, laughter, and questions delight me. We were sitting outside (he's 5) and he noticed our lawn chair, and its ability to have its back lowered or raised. He began to look at it from all angles. Finally he said to me,

"Gramma, look see how high this can go? Gramma, look see how low it will go? Look what makes it stay high. See how this works?"

He is observant beyond his years. His wisdom lies in the structure of life. I marvel at how much wisdom he already has in learning to understand how things are put together.

My other grandson need only hear a song and he will sing it and then play it on the piano. I marveled at his piano talent at such a young age. His wisdom lies in the melody of life. Then there is my youngest granddaughter.(18 months) She speaks to us with sign language (and a few words) and manages just fine to maneuver all through her world of discovery. Her wisdom comes through her pure joy of discovery, and the delight of her soul in making all around her smile.

It is my prayer that we will discover that wisdom comes not only from knowledge, experience, and good judgment, but also from the pureness of a new soul that craves life and sees it all anew. I believe that if we can all remember this child-like wisdom of seeing the world through the magic of belief in ourselves, in others, and in all that we experience we might just find some sense of true wisdom and give ourselves "A Good Name".

Words and Phrases

vs 1 -precious ointment - for healing, for comfort, for relaxation, for safety. a good name.

vs 9 anger restest in the bosom of fools.- Be slow to be anger or be foolish in your actions

vs 12 wisdom giveth life - without wisdom there is little life worth living. Wisdom keeps life balanced. Different people have different talents for wisdom.

vs consider the work of God - this alone is wisdom

vs 15 just man perisheth in his righteousness - He who is so sure he is right and is unwilling to change.. He who is not humble enough to admit his faults will cause himself so much grief, that he will perish in his righteousness

Vs 16 neither make thyself overwise - too much of anything is not good

vs 19 Wisdom strengthened the wise - I think of McGuiver (television) He was very wise with all of his knowledge and could always get out of trouble with his knowledge. Knowledge can keep us from trouble and help us fight our battles. The wise know that they need not be physically strong to win a battle. I think of David and Goliath.

vs 20 - not a just man upon the earth - we are all sinners. We all make mistakes even the wise. especially the wise because they believe their wisdom protects them.

vs 24 exceedingly deep who can find it - somethings that we contemplate about wisdom are much too much to comprehend. We must do our best and then let it go. it will come in time. For me it was understanding what love was. I thought it was about saying a few words. Now I know it is so much more. It is doing, saying, living, and breathing for another that you love.

vs 29 God hath made man upright - He wants us to live a good life. Man seeks many different ways to wander from God. But if we want we can have wisdom and walk upright before God.

Solomon's Need of Want Ecclesiastes 2

Ecclesiastes 2

It is possible to never have "need of want". But is it possible to fill our "want of need"?

Solomon discourses on this truth in this chapter of Ecclesiastes. He realized that he had everything he could ever want. He would never "need of want" for: food, work, pleasures, folly, mirth, possessions, gems, etc... His physical body (senses) would never have need. He was set. He is trying to help us see that although being king or (having everything) may fill his cup of "want", it will not fill his cup of "need".

Want and needs are two different things. Solomon told us in the first chapter of Ecclesiastes that those who focus on the physical aspect of "the days of our lives" will never find contentment. Contentment cannot be found in a never ending cycle. We will always want for more. But here is Solomon the King and he has no need for want. Why then does he still need?

We are both spiritual and physical beings. We all have physical and spiritual needs. Until our spiritual needs are met (by giving and serving a higher purpose) it does not matter how many of our physical needs are met. We will still fill empty.

Spiritual needs are set up differently. Unlike the physical which must "take in" in order to be fulfilled, the spirit must "give out" in order to find fulfillment.

Words and Phrases

vs 1. mirth and pleasure ... Solomon's words taken out of context here can bring the wrong message. I don't believe he is saying that mirth and pleasure are wrong because they are vain. Later in the chapter we realize that he is saying that without God, they bring only vanity.

vs 2 laughter - laughter cleanses the soul. It is good medicine. But without God it is of no value.

Vs 3. what they should do under heaven - what do we do? What is that thing we do? Solomon apparently was a busy man because he is going to recount to us all of the things that he has done his whole life to keep busy. He says that without God, without the higher purpose it brings only vexations.

vs 4-6... He made many things. We too have many duties that keep us focused in this life. We too have many jobs that help us move forward and find a feeling of accomplishment. But how much is this accomplishment worth if we can't take it with us? If it is bound to this earthly world?

vs 7-9 - He collected many things of value and worth: servants, gemstones, land, etc. We too collect many things as we travel on our journey of life. We too carry with us many different items in our tote-bag. How important are they if they do not fill our spiritual needs.

v9 my wisdom remained with me - Solomon truly was wise. He knew that it wasn't about what you had, or what you did, or (what he is trying to help us see) what we don't have or what we don't get to do. It's about seeking wisdom and living in such a way as to be able to retain it.

vs 11 no profit under the sun. Here he is cataloging all that he has done, all that he has owned, and considering if he has real profit? His wisdom has brought him to a higher understanding. His wisdom has helped him to see that while all of these things help us as we pass our days "under heaven" they give no real profit. Why ? Because we can't take them with us.

vs 13 wisdom exceedeth folly - He compares wisdom to light and folly to darkness. Those who choose to be foolish with their time will walk in darkness, while those who seek wisdom will fine light.

vs 14 the event happeneth to them all - We are all subject to life experience. What determines how we will react to the experiences we have in life is weather we have cultivated wisdom or folly.

vs 15 Why was I more wise? a bit of self reflection here? Some self abasement as well. Solomon was a humble man.

Vs 16 how doeth the wise man? Solomon believes that the wise man who believes he is wise will die a fool not because he is wise but because the cycle of life will cause him to be forgotten. Then how has his wisdom profited him?

He is actually using a bit of Socrates philosophy here and using the question to lead him to an answer.

18 I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me - Wo.. this is profound. Solomon realized that no matter how hard he worked, no matter how hard he tried to be in control of his labors, his life, his "wisdom", he was not. It would be left to the cycle of humanity that would follow him. Left to their interpretation of him, left to their perspective. His vanity causes him great pain. He feels caught between his own wisdom of what he has figured out and what he is to do with it?

vs. 19-23 He's cycling down now. His thoughts are becoming deep and despairing. He saying that vanity comes from his realization that he is proud of his work and does not want another to overseer it.

vs 24.. make his soul enjoy good in his labor - from the hand of God. He's beginning to see that he does not need to be frustrated. He does not need to be vexed. He just needs to realize that when we let God in our lives.. we have no need.

For God giveth to a man that is goo in his sight wisdom, and knowledge and joy.

What else can we take with us when we pass on but wisdom, and knowledge and joy? Wisdom from our experience. Knowledge from our learning and experience and Joy from our relationships that allow us to give of ourselves.

When we live for a higher purpose we are able to have our needs met. We don't need to feel the frustration and depression that Solomon felt. We can learn lessons from his wisdom and know that our labors are not in vain when they are done through and for God.

As an example, consider the words that we are reading. Where did they come from? Solomon. Are his words lost on his vanity? Or are they spread to all the earth because of his wisdom?

Seeking wisdom Ecclesiastes 1

Ecclesiastes 1

Mark 16:26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Today I take a sidetrack from the Book of Mormon and read from the books of Solomon. Solomon is credited with three books from the Old Testament: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Psalms. All were very poetic in their verse.

How I read it:

• 1. I read it through one (two) times.
• 2. I went back and thought deeply about certain verses that jumped out at me and I asked questions?
• 3. I tried to imagine that I was the author. Why would I say what I said this way? What was his mood? (Somber) What was his intention?
• 4. I tried to remember something about Solomon to help me. What I couldn’t remember I looked up.
• 5. Finally, I was able to pull from it what was pertinent to me.

Life can be hopeless, if you let it. Wisdom comes to those who seek it, and when we find the knowledge needed to make us wise, it often brings us sadness. Why? Because, true wisdom does not come from knowledge (alone) of this earth which is cyclical, repetitive, and predictable. It is not until you add the element of God’s spirit into your life do you find something that will lift you above the mundane. Something that is able to help you make choices based not on pattern, but on truth that comes from an eternal source.

What is the difference in wisdom and profit? Why was Solomon bemoaning the fact that he could not have any real profit from doing his earthly labor? How you think Solomon saw profit? Did he include wisdom in his equation of profit? Wisdom is knowledge + spirit. Wisdom is knowledge + experience. Without a touch of experience to season our knowledge, knowledge is a valuable as vanity. Without the spirit to season our knowledge it brings us little gain. When you think of it this way, you can find a new understanding of Solomon’s words.

I have known quite a few older people in my life. I watch these older people. Why? Because I want to see if they have found the secret of life, or are they tired, lonely and angry. The ones that are happy, really happy with a smile that burns through to your soul, are the ones that have kept a higher law. They are not shy about telling you so. They have an energy about them that draws you to them. And when you are around them, you feel alive, full of hope and you begin to cultivate a desire to have wisdom. I think that we have a choice in life to choose to be a battery charger or a battery drainer. When we choose God, we become a charger.

I once met an older man at a social gathering. When his son introduced me to him, it was like plugging into a battery charger. He was in his late 80’s, but carried the demeanor of a much younger man. His smile spoke volumes about his faith. I knew from knowing his son that he (my friends father) was a man of great faith, but I didn’t have to be told that. His faith was apparent in his aura, in the way he treated others, in his smile and his consideration for others. He was happy! No he was full of joy! Happy comes from earthly experience, Joy comes from God.

When we get our energy from something “above the sun”, when we find our wisdom from keeping God’s commandments we forego the frustrations of life. We forego the difficulties and the seemingly endless cycles of life that “run into the sea” and “return again”.

You can read this with a touch of pessimism as many have, or you can read the first chapter of Ecclesiastes with a touch of optimism. It does get rather boorish listening to Solomon recount the reasons that life without the spirit does not bring profit, but I believe he is trying to emphasis these points so that he can help us understand where exactly our focus should be if we want to have true profit from our lives.

(Words and Phrases)

Vs 2 Vanity.. all is vanity. Vanity: worthless, pride, narcissistic, egotism. Basically anything that you can't take with you when you die.

Vs 3 What profit our work for this life? When we die do people really remember what we did or didn’t do to make a living? I have done a great deal of genealogy work and discovered that when we die we are most remembered for whom we lived with, where we lived, and the families that we bore. Sadly, we are also often remembered for the “skeletons” we create. The best way to be remembered in this life is to be kind. To be forgiving. To love another human being. When we become too caught up in our work, in ourselves, in our vanities… then we become part of the life cycles that never end, and never change. We must live a higher law.

Vs. 4 One generation passeth away.. another cometh. The families of man are born. They die. And the earth on which we live abides.

Vs. 5 A day.. a cycle in the time we have here on earth. A small circle of time in the larger span of time in our existence here.

Vs. 6 according to its circuits – even the wind has its patterns. Meteorologist know the patterns of wind. They are daily, seasonal, and patterned. Forever

Vs 7 all the rivers. – the cycle of water it comes from the rivers, to the sea, and back again. It is a never-ending cycle of moving water.

Vs 8 full of labor – No matter what man does for his labor, he will never be satisfied. There is not contentment in a world where the cycles of life are never ending.

Vs 9 no new thing - Elements. We are made of elements. The world within which we live is made of elements. There is no new thing. It just all gets transferred from one phase of the cycle to the other.

EXCEPT WHEN we show kindness, show love. This is new. To the soul that receives it, it is new. Spiritual truths, spiritual gifts, spiritual kindness always brings newness. New ideas, renewed hope, understanding. When the spirit has gone out of us, when we loose hope then we are merely elements awaiting our cycle to turn its course.

Vs 11 no remembrance of former things – I believe this is a reference to the veil. We cannot remember our lives before. When we are on this earth, we must be content with the elements that exist. We cannot know what is to come (after this life)

Vs 13. I GAVE MY HEART TO SEEK AND SEarCH OUT BY WISDOM -

Enough said. Give your heart to know wisdom. Wisdom comes from God.

Vs 14vexation of spirit – Solomon is frustrated because he wants more. He was the king over Israel. He does not understand the prophets, the hope the promise. Or if he does he still wants more and God will not give it to him.

Vs. 18 he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow – knowledge alone will not bring us joy or lift up our spirit. Knowledge used for vanity brings sorrow. At the end of the book Solomon will tell us that knowledge used for service of God brings joy

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As I read this first chapter of Ecclesiastes, I was reminded to consider that a life lived for oneself is vanity. Vanity is worthless and meaningless. There can be little joy in labor that does not serve a higher purpose.

But wisdom can be found within the cycle of life. It comes in keeping God's commandments and learning to understand God's ways.

One of the greatest gems I received today was the realization that the spirit of giving renews us all. We all have a spirit of goodness within us. We all have a spirit of God. We can choose to ignore it and live a life of drudgery, or we can choose to embrace it and help bring a new spirit to those we meet, we work with, to those we love. We can do this by giving our heart to search out wisdom.

Try Try Again 1 Nephi 3: 16-31

1 Nephi 3: 16-31

How many times have I received a request to do something and it has been too hard for me? How many times have I tried to do what God has asked of me and I have failed? Why does He ask these things of me? oops starting to sound like murmuring. But seriously How much are we expected to do alone?

I don't believe we are expected to do anything alone. When the Lord asks us to do something, "a calling", "a parental duty", "education", "service" etc. he provides a way for us to do it. We must believe this to be true. In believing we have won one half of the battle. When we take on a task of our own making (and we do not have the Lord's blessing, then we might be alone, but we can always ask for his help and his blessings.)

As I thought about today's scripture, a pattern became clear to me. So todays post will have both the words that I have found interesting and a pattern of how we "may accomplish the thing which he commandedth them" (vs 7).

Phrases and Words

(comments on phrases of words)

I. Problem (vs 4) Edict, commandment, Do thus... What is our first response when we are asked to do something? What we don't always realize is that we have a choice as to how we will respond. The natural thing to do is to murmur?(vs 5) Why? Because it requires the least amount of energy.It usually leads to inaction. As human beings that expend energy, we like to do that that requires the least amount?

OR WE CAN show faith (vs 6) which will leads to action. When given a task from the Lord, which do I do?

Faith - Nephi realized that there was much he didn't know but he was a man of action. He didn't have to have all the glory, he was willing to share the planning, the power, and the glory with God. I wonder if my own faith understands that God will help me accomplish all that He has need of me to do? Nephi knew that the power of God's love was great. Whatever he saw, heard or felt when the Lord manifest (vs 1 Nephi 2:17) himself unto him changed him. He knew God's love was pure enough, strong enough, and true enough to sustain him. All he had to do was believe.

II. Consultation ... did consult one with another (vs 10) What's the plan? We have the goal now how are we going to accomplish this goal? Is it a worthwhile goal? Who is on the team? Is it something we believe in? If not, do we believe in the God who asked this thing of us? How are we going to go about doing this? faith requires action. murmuring requires inaction.. and somewhere in-between.. well that requires minimal action.

III. Plan A cast lots (vs 11) Let's send someone up but does it matter who? What will be find? Laban was one of their cousins that's why he had the family records, but how would he receive them? Do you think they were a bit afraid? Why didn't all of them go together? In reading this I got the impression they just wanted to take the fastest and simplest way out.

1.he desired (vs 12) - Ask. As I thought about this I realized that the first step in all problems is to ask? But in what manner did Laman ask? Did he make excuses? Did he beg? How did he represent the Lord on the Lord's task? Did he ask with the Spirit of the Lord? How do we ask for things when we are on the Lord's errand?

2. Sorrow had done unto us (vs 14) Failed attempt usually ends in sorrow and self pity. Look what was done unto us. I wonder how many times I have said in a defiant tone, "I tried, I failed, and look what happened unto me" You have proof. He tried to kill me. Is my life worth this? Surely the Lord will not require so much from me?

3. Remember let us be faithful (vs 15) Its not always about the task. Sometimes its about us. Not me, but the us, the we, the group, the team. Let us remember this is not a selfish endeavor. How can we work together? How can we obey the commandments? How can we think better? How can we remember that we are not alone? We have faith. We have our God. God asked this of us. He has a reason!

IV Plan B let us go down (vs 16) Do we give up? Do we try again? Faith beckons that we try again? So they try another plan. When asking didn't work, an appeal for worldly lust might. Let's barter our goods for that which God says is more valuable. Before Plan B can be implemented a pep talk is in order. We need to revive the spirit, share some reasoning as to why we need to put ourselves on the line once more.

1. Wisdom (vs 19) It is wisdom - The Why of it all. Nephi speaks to their ability to reason. He says first we need our history, second we need our language so that we can teach our children and third, Do it for the children. If you don't want your history or your language for yourself, realize your children will need it. It really isn't about the group here, (the us) it's about the next generation. We are giving a service to our progeny. We need to preserve our words (vs 18)

2. Stick to the Plan "persuade my brethren" (vs 21) What's the plan? The Plan is to keep the commandments. Why? Because we will have blessings if we do and sorrow if we don't. So What's the plan again? To get the plates.

3. Action (vs 22)

V Evaluation How did it work? Not so well for Lehi's boys. Let's evaluate. They were tired, hungry, their lives were threatened, and they were afraid. When I'm tired, lonely, hungry or unsuccessful, I usually get a bit cranky. How about you? How do you respond when nothing goes your way? Well Laman and Lemuel were angry and like I said before anger leads to a. casting out b. hitting c. killing ... Let's face it most of us want success. When we don't get it it usually leads to a division. (casting out) Argumentation. So now what?

Was it the Lord's will? an angle of the Lord came (vs 29) How do you know if you are not Nephi that what you are doing is God's will? How do we know it wasn't Nephi's ego? Did the Lord say he would help? Does he remind us often that we are not alone? Who are my angels when I am on the Lord's errand? Will I recognize the earthly angels (those with faith) or my heavenly angels? (those with God's spirit)?

It is important to recognize that in all accomplishments of great worth there will be opposition. Satan will not stand aside and let the Lord's work go un-twarthed. In this story there was anger, lust, apathy, confusion, and greed.

VI Plan C - The Lord's Way - Here is the beauty of this story of faith. After all we can do, the Lord will provide. Why didn't God just tell Nephi the first time? Why did he allow Nephi to fail twice? Why did he allow them to become angry, hungry, frightened, excited, alone, and ripe for discouragement? He knew all along that Laban would not cooperate. Didn't he? Here in lies the biggest lesson of all. He didn't do it for Nephi, because he wanted Nephi to learn a few things. Namely 1. Growth in reasoning 2. Growth in the group (that his brothers may see and feel of God's power and love for them 3. Leadership in righteousness 4. greater faith 5. When we serve God, one another, or even ourselves with the intent to do God's will, He will not leave us alone.

Laman and Lemuel learned their faith from the power of an angel's reprimand. How do we learn our faith? reprimand or remembrance? I was struck with the fact that even after they had seen an angel (maybe the same angel that Nephi saw when he learned of God's mysteries) the first thing they do after the angel departs is to murmur? Why? My guess is because of what they loved. It is a hard thing to receive something that you don't believe in or understand? Try receiving a new language when you can't see the need or value of it your life? God's love is a new language. It is the language of eternal love. It requires us to see more than our eyes will behold, to feel more than our senses will record, and to understand with a deep and abiding purpose.

God will show them the way to accomplish all that He desires of them. In chapter four we will discover that God did prepare a way, when all else failed. When man's attempts failed, God prepares the way.