1 Nephi 14
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The common thread that was most meaningful to me throughout this chapter are the promises made to us in the latter days (nearly at the end of the world- v22!)
These promises were very important, so important that the angel explained them, then he made sure Nephi remembered them (v 8). They are:
The common thread that was most meaningful to me throughout this chapter are the promises made to us in the latter days (nearly at the end of the world- v22!)
These promises were very important, so important that the angel explained them, then he made sure Nephi remembered them (v 8). They are:
- The Lamb of God shall manifest himself unto us in word, in power, and in deed. (1)
- He will take away our stumbling blocks (1)
- We shall be numbered among the house if Israel (2)
- We will be a blessed people forever (2)
- We shall be no more brought down to captivity, nor will the house of Israel be confounded (2)
- We will not perish (5)
- He will work a marvelous work among the children of men (7)
- Though we will be few in number (v 12) the power of the Lamb of God will descend upon us, the Saints of His church (14)
- We will be armed with righteousness (14)
- We will be armed with the power of God in great glory (14)
These promises are not just given freely, but given under covenant with Him. The angel called us the covenant people of the Lord (14). That means, of course, that all of these blessings are hinged on the manner in which we keep our promises to Him.
In verse 1, in the very first line you'll find the word if. It is a small word that carries great power. It is the hinge on which the marvelous and everlasting work (7) rests on.
There are only two options, two outcomes for us as stated in verse 7:
- Peace and life eternal
- captivity and destruction
Sometimes I feel overloaded with the choices that lay before me, but that really simplifies it. I choose life.
That's what the IF is- it means, it's our choice to keep up our end of the bargain.
So, what is our end?
- To hearken unto the Lamb of God (1)
- Not harden our hearts (2,6)
- Repent (5)
Seems an unfair covenant. Three things we've been asked to choose to do: be humble, listen to and follow him, and repent when we make mistakes.
We do these three things He is bound to give us everything in return- all that He has.
Seems very unfair. But, thanks to God's Plan and the blessed sacrifice of our Redeemer, it is the plan and covenant that we are invited to accept.
It is sad to me that the numbers who will accept will be few. But- this state is only short-lived. The things that John the Revelator saw attest to that.
Again, I find great joy and excitement when I find myself in the Book of Mormon. It is my story- our story. It is not only for us, but about us.
And to think we have more scriptures to come! (26)
President Hinckley was right when we said that life is increasingly exciting. It is! And I'm excited to be here, now- and that I have a choice in matter. It is my IF.
I am most excited, though, of what my choice is, that I choose to follow Him and be a part of this great and marvelous work.
President Hinckley also said: “Let us go forward in this glorious work. How exciting and wonderful it is. I do not know how anybody can feel gloomy for very long who is a member of this Church. Do you feel gloomy? Lift your eyes. Stand on your feet. Say a few words of appreciation and love to the Lord. Be positive. Think of what great things are occurring as the Lord brings to pass His eternal purposes. This is a day of prophecy fulfilled, my brothers and sisters, this great day in the history of this Church. This is the day of which has been spoken of by those who have gone before us. Let us live worthy of our birthright. Keep the faith. Nurture your testimonies. Walk in righteousness and the Lord will bless you and prosper you, and you will be a happy and wonderful people”
What more can I say than that?
I was pondering stumbling blocks. There can be so many! But the interesting thing is, a stumbling block is not a wall. It's a little thing we trip over. Maybe we fall or maybe we don't. But even if we do stumble and fall- we can still get up! That is if we keep our hearts softened.
ReplyDeleteI have seen people who trip over something and then curse the thing that was in their way. And I mean that in a literal way. The couch, the toy, the misplaced shoes can create frustration. Then frustration leads to raised voices. Raised voices lead to hurt. Hurt and anger lead to hardened hearts and then... no spirit to guide.
We learned alot about trip hazards and physical stumbling blocks the last fews months. =)
It is often the little words, or things (think legos) that can offer the greatest lessons and insights. If we allow our stumbling blocks to teach us - instead of blocking us - that is a good thing.
Nephi is surely talking to us, today starting in vs 15. We live is this time right now. And we can see that it is ramping up.
ReplyDeleteAs I started to read further into the chapter a great peace came to me, then I read vs 23 and even a woman, as myself with simple understanding can understand to precious truths of the word of God. And I can do them!
Then John is introduced. Last year I read Revelations and was blessed with a deeper understanding than ever before. Even these "imaged" scriptures, became easier for me to understand because of the Book of Mormon and the fullness of the gospel.
Michelle, thank you for also sharing President Hinckley's quote. How blessed we are to see God's plan unfolding daily and to be able to partake in the gospel with all of it's glory for ourselves and our family's. Happy Day!!!
I have heard it said (who said it?) that we already know the score, all we need to decide is whose team we are on. This is the chapter that explains that! There are only two churches on this earth, two choices and the corresponding results of those choices – two teams, if you will. Do we want to be found on the “winning” team (God’s), armed with righteousness and the power of God in great glory or the losing team (Satan’s) with the wrath of God poured out upon them?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE verse 3 and 4, which tell us justice will prevail. The pit which the devil has dug to lead us down to hell is the same pit in which he and his followers will find themselves, instead. How perfectly ironic!
Verse 7 stuck out to me, as well. It talks of the marvelous work which will come to pass (the restoration of the gospel) “…which shall be everlasting…either to the convincing of them unto peace or life eternal or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of the minds unto their being brought down into captivity…” Ahhh…there it is again…the great sifter! It’s all about CHOICE – eternal life or misery?
As my DH and I were discussing this chapter today, he proposed a very thought-provoking question. He wonders why Nephi was not allowed to write what he saw concerning the end of the world that John was allowed to write (Revelations in the Bible). He pointed out that many things are taught to us through repetition. Also, the Bible has been translated many times. Therefore, it’s accuracy is questionable (which we have been discussing on this blog) yet the Book of Mormon has been translated only once and is the most correct of any book on earth, so why would God not want to include his writings of what he saw? Too long? Hmmm…makes one ponder. Thoughts/Insights?