Read: Mormon 8-9
Mark: Mormon 9:11-12, 21
"The Lord will never forsake or abandon anyone. You may abandon him, but he will never abandon you. You never need to feel that you are alone." --Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
To ponder:
Mormon's ministry ends in these chapters. Pay attention to Moroni's warnings for our day. Righteousness sometimes seems to bring loneliness? Why are we not really as alone as we sometimes feel? In Chapter 9, look for reasons why you can rely on the Lord.
Mormon 8: There is a reason time must be spent on sharing and understanding the things of the wicked. However, the start, finish and bulk f what is shared and learned should be focused n the good - n the right steps that lead us on the path to eternal life. Focusing on what NOT to do only leaves empty spaces. Focusing on what to do leads to progress and production!
ReplyDeleteRighteousness sometimes seems lonely because our legions of supporters are often not of this world. We can feel them, but we can't see them - and we are very fond of our sense of sight! We are never alone though - whatever else He gives us, He is always with us. If we do not turn from Him - or if we have, but turn BACK to Him - He will always be present, willing to listen and answer.
There will be a day of reckoning - There will be signs leading up to this day and you can use those signs to watch, but there is no getting away from the condemnation of wickedness that is not repented of. You cannot fool time. You cannot fool the Lord.
Mormon 9: God does not vary - He is and always will be a God of miracles. He will always know and love us. We change - we shift and adjust. He responds to our changes - the same as He always has- t give us our best chance of returning to Him. Sometimes that means we get more info and other times knowledge is hidden until we're ready.
I like the thought that knowledge may be hidden until we are ready; this just makes sense to me. It's like reading the Book of Mormon this time around, I have gained so many different insights--maybe I am more ready???
DeleteMoroni must have been so lonely--he was all alone for 35 years! I love Mormon 8:12, where we learn that the Book of Mormon is not perfect, but if we will overlook the errors of man, then we will know of greater things! And I love verse 14 where it talks about the plates having no monetary value, but the content is what is so important and of great value to man. And in verse 22, we are reminded again of Joseph Smith's teachings that nothing will stop the Lord's work from progressing. And, again we are counseled to study the words of Isaiah! Verses 26-41 provide an incredible listing of all of the things that will happen as we draw nearer to the Lord's return. There is so much in just this one chapter that we can learn from.
ReplyDeleteThen in Chapter 9, Moroni sure asks some tough questions for those who have denied Christ or who do not believe! Verse 14 is pretty straightforward and clear: If you were filthy in this life, you will be filthy still, etc.! No magic will happen! :)
There are a lot of things that really made me ponder in today's reading. I also like Mormon 8:12! I thought about it a lot and about how we're all so critical of imperfections and such. Many people WOULD try to pick apart anything that wasn't exactly right in some way and then say that it isn't God's word, but it absolutely is. For those willing to humble themselves and pay attention to the message and not the grammar, spelling, etc. or perhaps some minor inconsistencies or weird organization (it was, after all, compiled by good ol' humans), they are promised "greater things than these".
ReplyDeleteIn verse 23 he tells us to "search the prophecies of Isaiah". Guess I better figure out how to comprehend that! LOL. And later, I love verse 35. Moroni saw our time. He saw some, if not all, of our faces by the power of God. Wow. Just... wow. And in verse 39--do we "adorn [ourselves] with that which hath no life" while ignoring those in need? Am I too focused on my possessions and not my fellow man?
The last thing I want to talk about is Mormon 9:22. This might seem kind of silly, but I find it REALLY interesting that Moroni uses the word "creature" instead of man, person, nation, etc. We should be preaching to every CREATURE. Which brings to my mind a hilarious story of my grandmother, as a young girl on the farm, setting up a bucket of water to baptize all their animals. Except for the mean old rooster who pecked and scratched and fought her tooth and nail, to whom she finally said, "Well. fine! You can just go to hell, then!" LOL! But in all seriousness--all life is sacred. All life is from God. All creatures deserve respect, even those we will eventually eat. What should we be doing to preach to every "creature"? What exactly does this mean? It just really made me stop and think.
Jenny, I didn't even notice the word "creature"! We will have to think about this one for awhile! :)
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