Read: 1 Nephi 6-10
Mark: 1 Nephi 10: 17-19
"The intensity of our desire to share the gospel is a great indicator of the extent of our personal conversion." --Elder Dallin H. Oaks
To ponder:
What was Nephi's response when the people in the strange building mocked him and the others who were partaking of the fruit? Why?
Well, the thought for today's reading ("What was Nephi's response...") isn't really applicable, since Nephi didn't receive the vision until Chapter 11. But Elder Oaks quote is really nice. I have a great desire for the people around me to know the gospel and love it like I do! I want to have discussions with them about those things. But I'm also really scared to just bring it up. I love when people bring it up with me and am always so excited to set things straight and hopefully leave them with a true idea of what a Mormon really is. I think Lehi's vision is more clear now than ever in the age of internet. The people from the spacious building are trolling all over the web, not to mention political standpoints that are directly against doctrine and commandments from God. It's easier now than ever to feel the mocking, judgement, and temptation from the pointing fingers in that building. Ultimately it's up to us to choose whether we are ashamed of the gospel or happy with it. One thing's for sure--doing this challenge is an EXCELLENT way to boost our testimonies and "hold to the rod!"
ReplyDeleteJenny, thanks for sharing your thoughts! I have been trying so hard to "have a gospel conversation" as we have been challenged to do! But it's hard! Why are we so afraid? Why do we think that if we share the gospel that we might offend someone? This is just plain craziness! We have some great neighbors who need the gospel and we are afraid to share it with them! We've just got to do this!
DeleteI loved today's reading! I have some kind of random thoughts to share: 1) You have to kind of feel for Laman and Lemuel, can you imagine having to leave your home, friends, and everything behind, and then being asked to go back to your home not once but twice? How hard would that be??? Laman and Lemuel must have felt the Spirit from time to time because they did obey their father and went back to get the plates and they went again to bring Ishmael and his family with them. They also prayed for forgiveness! I have always loved the part about the tree and the fruit, and the field and the spacious building. Tonight as I was reading, I got out my book "Verse by Verse: The Book of Mormon" by Ogden and Skinner. I was reminded that the spacious building did not touch the ground, but was filled with people. How did these people get there? It was by the pride of their hearts that they were lifted up and into the building. Then Nephi writes that those who partook of the fruit, fell to their knees and we are reminded to be humble. I love that in Nephi 10:17-19, Nephi writes that he believes the words of his father but he wants to have this testimony for himself, and explains that each of us can have this testimony too. What a powerful reminder and example! I love Nephi and the many many things we are learning from him.
ReplyDeleteI love how Nephi was so worried about his brothers and his family that he
Deletewept for them. Corey and I were watching a movie and in it, it asked who
is your brother? I thought about this and how I sometimes let my feelings
of be inadequate get in my way when I try to share the gospel.
Now I am praying that I will not let what others may think of me influence
me serving and sharing the gospel with my brother
Once I heard a speaker say that the primary difference between Nephi and Lamen and Lemuel was that Lamen and Lemuel murmured and Nephi did not. Makes me consider carefully what my attitude is toward church responsibilities and commitments.
ReplyDeleteSo I just typed a lot and then my internet froze up... hate it when that happens! I had made two points...I remember the second one - I'll sum it up this way - I think people (or maybe it's just me) find it easy to place blame and pass judgement on Laman and Lemuel and their murmuring ways. I mean, they had a prophet for a dad and brother - they had to KNOW what was right and what was true. But look at Lehi's vision again - they NEVER partook of the fruit. They never had that sure testimony. Sure, they had a chance to claim a sure testimony, but they kept their hearts hard enough that they never knew what was right. There were times that they were touched by the Spirit and maybe even believed the truth, and they will have their reward for their hard heartedness. However, I KNOW Jesus is the Christ, I know Lehi was a prophet and that Joseph was a prophet on down to Thomas S Monson! I have a sure testimony that Christ's church is on the Earth today to guide us towards eternal happiness. I have partaken of the fruit - and yet I sometimes find myself behaving like Laman and Lemuel still. I murmur and forget what I do know. I need to leave the judging of those two to the Lord, and chin up and do a little better myself. Doubt my doubts, find blessings in my trials, and determine to make my weaknesses turn to strengths in the Lord's work!
ReplyDelete