Read: 2 Nephi 24-25
Mark: 2 Nephi 25:23, 26
"Literally, the Atonement means to be 'at one' with Him. The nature of the Atonement and its effects is so infinite, so unfathomable, and so profound that it lies beyond the knowledge and comprehension of mortal man. I am profoundly grateful for the principle of saving grace...the overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us. It is a love which is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and above all, forgiving." --President James E. Faust
To ponder:
How do you experience the Savior's love?
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ReplyDeleteWhew! Made it through Isaiah and was feeling pretty good until I read 2 Nephi 25:4, where it says that that words of Isaiah are plain unto all those who are filled with the spirit of prophecy (which I believe means all those who have a testimony of Christ). Well, the words of Isaiah definitely were not plain to me, although I do feel that I am beginning to understand bits and pieces of his teachings! I do believe in the words of Nephi and know them to be true and that at some point in time, he says (v. 8) that these words will be of great worth to each one of us in the last days. I am going to learn to understand the words of Isaiah!!!
ReplyDeleteNephi shares in v. 23 the reason why we have the scriptures: to help others believe in Christ! I love that the Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ and the Bible.
I decided to look up the word 'grace' and found this meaning: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification. I love this definition of grace and it helps me to understand truly that we are saved by grace.
Hope you are all doing well and loving this reading, studying and pondering as much as I am!
I've got to read earlier in the day so I'm not too tired to write my thoughts! I love the scriptures we were asked to mark. We do indeed have control over our own lives, but we can't make it back to heaven alone. We need the atonement, and God's grace! But grace alone won't save us if we aren't doing all that we can (which I'm convinced is a LOT less than what we THINK we should be doing because I know that I, at least, have a tendency to over-work myself and set way too high of expectations of what I can actually accomplish, and then I think I'm not doing everything I can be doing.).
ReplyDeleteI experience the Savior's love in so many different ways. Missionaries and people from the church surround me with His love. They remind me of my ultimate goal of being Christ like. I also experience the love when I see my daughter smile and when I see the beautiful sun and blue skies! I am amazed everyday at how much the Savior loves me!
ReplyDeleteI love the reminders of the blessings that we will receive by following Heavenly Father's laws. I am overwhelmed by the blessings and the idea of being in Heavenly Father's presence once again.
It's funny to me that Nephi says he shares the words of Isaiah because they are plain. And he prophecies as well and says his words are plain as well. I think the only person's writings that people find more difficult is John the Revelator because he is attempting to describe the end of the world (our day). Imagine trying to explain airplanes and helicopters - or even something like an elevator or escalator when electricity hasn't even been considered yet! At any rate, my first thought was Nephi was being a little subjective. He does allow that writings from an Israelite were more likely to be understood by another Israelite because they were raised with certain teachings and customs. But they key really is in something else he says - these scriptures will be plain to those who read with the spirit. I'll strive for that. Reading my scriptures can be a rushed thing (better than not reading), but I should try to make time for them where I can read in a quiet place and take time to consider what I am reading.
ReplyDeleteI need to study what the signs are for his second coming. Nothing will tell me the exact day and time, but there are signs I can watch for that will give me a general idea for how close we are. I usually think of the signs as being all of the scary things, but many of the signs are also blessings and good things to look for - ways in which Heavenly Father is ensuring us that He loves us and things will work out exactly right - even in the midst of all the turmoil. The question for this day's reading reminded me of this. I experience my Savior's love - sometimes with a reminder - that things are never as bad as they could be and are often better than I deserve. We have all the answers we need to get through this life successful - he has never made us want for those answers. They are always available to us, if we are but willing to ask the question and be open to the answer. I also experience the love by blessings that show me he hasn't forgotten me. He makes things fall into place when I can see no possible way for them to fit. I am also reminded that he loves me by his rebukes. He refuses to just let me have my own way - if that way leads me to unhappiness. He cares about my future and my present state. He wants the very best for me and will fight all odds (even me) to get me there.