Read: Helaman 13-15
Mark: Helaman 14:30-31
"Spiritual maturity is understanding that we cannot blame anybody else for our actions. Some factors may make it harder for us to perform according to God's plan for us, but being accountable for how we use our agency means being answerable for our own behavior." --Sister Elaine Cannon
To ponder:
In what ways do you use your agency to help you to grow?
Okay, please don't laugh--but one thing that really stood out to me today is that Samuel was a Lamanite! I know, I know--how many times have we all sung the Primary song, Samuel, the Lamanite..... I have no idea why tonight this has such great meaning to me! Samuel stood on the wall (I can see the picture that we are all so familiar with) and he "prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart"! He didn't say what he wanted to say or what he thought the people need to be told; he was led completely and totally by the Spirit and spoke only those things that the Lord wanted the people to know.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Helaman 13:38, it talks about the days of your probation are now past! Yikes!!! How would you feel if you were told that? You have procrastinated the day of your salvation, until it is everlastingly too late. These are serious words that I never ever want to hear spoken to me!
The other thing that really stood out to me is near the end of Chapter 15, where we are reminded that if we have been given much knowledge and truth, then we are responsible and the bar is raised for each one of us.
There's so much in these three chapters!
I always think about how Samuel is a Lamanite and how that may have made it harder for the already struggling Nephites to accept him - not a good excuse, but still. So Joseph Smith preached the day after he was tarred and feathered. Some of the men who tarred and feathered him witnessed his preaching and were converted. This is much like some of the Lamanites who performed horrendous acts but saw the humility of others or stopped to listen to the right missionary and converted to the truth. Now imagine that the descendents of those men who once tarred and feathered the prophet preaching to the descendents of some of the descendents of the first members of this dispensation. They are already struggling so their pride could easily whisper "who are these people to preach to you - these people who come from such a horrid ancestry line" At any rate, I think it teaches us something very important. A person who is righteous is given the spirit and truth. We are in complete control of the knowledge we are given - it is based on our righteousness and willingness to do the right thing with the precepts He gives us. As we follow Him, He provides more truth and knowledge. If others struggle, we can witness to them the Word God has given us - and it is part of His work and glory for us to do so! Samuel rocks!
DeleteHelaman 13: You reward is your choice. It is a direct result of your actions. You have the power to control & direct your destiny. No matter how good you are or how hard you work you are not entitled any blessings on your timeline. So, whatever blessings you are given remember always Who provided them.
ReplyDeleteHelaman 14: Take advantage of the knowledge He has already given us. He has given us a how to guide for life, directions on how to navigate the good times & bad times. He's given us examples of what to do and what not to do. He has told us what is to come & given us signs to look for to know that time is coming! He has not given us the time line, but He has explained to us why. Why then do we focus on what He has not provided??? He's given us enough - don't neglect this gift!
We are not victims of our circumstances - or we don't have to be. It's a choice. We still make our own decisions and choices and our rewards will be based on those choices.
Helaman 15: Fear sin more than you fear "missing out" on something the world has to offer. Those who dwindle in unbelief because they are not taught but would do right if given that wisdom will be redeemed. Judge not! And do what you know to be right.
Owning my own choices helps me respond to both good and bad things better. I don't get all pompous about every good thing that happens and I don't get completely discouraged and feel powerless when bad things come my way either. I realize that I am not in control of WHAT happens to me from others, but I am in control of how I respond and what impact I have on the environment around me. I don't feel powerless anymore. I can be accountable for what happens - sometimes that means I have to face my own mistakes, but facing them keeps them from creating spiritual ulcers and I can move past them and grow much faster!
Wow... what great thought tonight! These chapters really DO give us a lot to think about! Helaman 15:2 has always made me go "yearGh!". I cringe every time I read it. It's pretty grim and incredibly graphic. But I think that's why Samuel was inspired to say it. I spoke with Joseph about this when I read it and pondered. Starting at the beginning of chapter 15 he moves more from the individual to the family. He says their houses will be left unto them desolate. There will be no place of refuge for their nursing wives (which also, in turn, means for their newborns as well); their pregnant women will be so heavy that they cannot flee and will be "trodden down and shall be left to perish." That's so sad! But think about how many people think "yeah, yeah... yada yada yada" until you bring their families into it. I know that I, for one, think of things much more seriously when they affect others, especially my family, than if it only affects me. I tend to sacrifice my own well being pretty much constantly for other's sakes, so a prophecy like this would be really effective for me. It's so amazing to see everything he prophesied. And I, too, love that he is a Lamanite! But it's not surprising--there weren't exactly many righteous vessels to choose from on the Nephite side of things! LOL. Although I imagine it'd be the equivalent to a former Klan member climbing up on a wall to tell the Black Panthers that their ways are not right. Can you imagine how terrifying that would have to be? Samuel really is amazing.
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