2 Nephi 2
Click here to read the chapter online.
This is one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. It breaks down the elements of agency, and the choices that are laid before us. It is educational and empowering.
Agency is one of my favorite topics. WE have been given the power to choose for ourselves (16). We are taught what it right and let free to pick our paths (26).
"What is to be is up to me." That's a quote from a talk a friend of mine gave at church last year. It is so true.
We have the power to direct our paths, to create in ourselves the kind of people we want to be. As much as we sometimes would like to, we cannot blame our personal and spiritual conditions on anyone else but ourselves.
We cannot always control our outer environment, but we have full capacity to choose the inner environment.
If you doubt that, then a little reading of Viktor Frankl, author of "Man's Search for Happiness" might do you some good.. Although I do not agree with all of his philosophies, he hung his the great truth and power of agency:
(Humans) are basically free to decide and capable of taking their stance towards internal (psychological) and external (biological and social) conditions. Freedom is here defined as the space of shaping one's own life within the limits of the given possibilities. This freedom derives from the spiritual dimension of the person, which is understood as the essentially human realm, over and above the dimensions of body and of psyche. As spiritual persons, humans are not just reacting organisms but autonomous beings capable of actively shaping their lives
He believed it that man had the power to change/control his attitude in whatever circumstance he found himself in.
“We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread.
They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
Everything thing can be taken from man- but our agency. Even if it is only the choice of attitude, which, ironically, is the most powerful element we have control over.
There is freedom in choice, but there is also responsibility. We are free to choose our attitudes, our paths- but we are not free to choose the consequences of those choices. That is why God has taught us sufficiently between right and wrong, good and bad, eternal life or eternal misery. Having that knowledge gives purpose and direction to our choices. It holds us accountable.
When we stand before the Lord at judgment day, we will not be standing next to our spouse, friends, or even enemies. There will be no one to point the finger at but ourselves. What I am to be is up to me.
How empowering and how hopeful!
But, like I alluded to on Friday, many people are quick to place blame on others. They find some strange comfort in being the victim. Whether it is someone that offended them in church, or wronged them in some way, or perhaps a church leader or educational leader said something they don't like, or the rules of their environment are uncomfortable....whatever the case may be, they allow themselves to feel victimized and subjugated. They become angry, rebellious, resentful and hurt. They might even choose another path in life, all because of this other person or situation. They dam themselves, and feel fully justified and satisfied that someone else will pay the price. (Laman and Lemuel were brilliant at that.)
Another wonderful read on this self-accountability is "As a Man Thinketh." It is a short book, and you can find the complete text here if you are interested.
One of my favorite quotes from that book is: "They themselves are makers of themselves."
James Allen, the author, goes so far as to say that no on in life is in a circumstance that they do not ultimately choose/desire to be in. It's a wonderful and powerful read. But beware, once you do read it, you understand more fully that your world, your circumstances, and your happiness, are all completely dependent upon yourself. Most people are either not ready, or simply do not want to fully embrace that truth. They want to blame their husbands for their misery because he is cranky, or blame the person at church who treats them poorly, or blame the mean boss at work. But, truth be told, we can blame no one else for our state of happiness than ourselves.
Verse 26, Lehi explains that we become "free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon."
It us truly and entirely up to us whether we choose liberty and eternal life, or captivity and death (27.) It is also completely up to us to choose liberty or captivity in all the moments that make up our lives.
Lehi knew how important that power to choose and and direct is. He spends an entire chapter talking about it, and in the last verse he says, "I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls."
That's what each choice comes down to: the welfare of our souls. The state in which we live now, and will forever retain hereafter.
That's a lot of power and responsibility.
Luckily, God has given us the knowledge of right and wrong, good and evil, to help direct our choices. We have the Savior, the gospel, the scriptures, the influence of the Holy Ghost, leaders, etc. Our path to everlasting joy is illuminated by truth and love. We can blame no one, even God, if we choose the wrong way.
It is a heavy, deep, and empowering message. And, yes, as you can see by length of my commentary this morning, one of my very favorite topics in the world.
This is one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. It breaks down the elements of agency, and the choices that are laid before us. It is educational and empowering.
Agency is one of my favorite topics. WE have been given the power to choose for ourselves (16). We are taught what it right and let free to pick our paths (26).
"What is to be is up to me." That's a quote from a talk a friend of mine gave at church last year. It is so true.
We have the power to direct our paths, to create in ourselves the kind of people we want to be. As much as we sometimes would like to, we cannot blame our personal and spiritual conditions on anyone else but ourselves.
We cannot always control our outer environment, but we have full capacity to choose the inner environment.
If you doubt that, then a little reading of Viktor Frankl, author of "Man's Search for Happiness" might do you some good.. Although I do not agree with all of his philosophies, he hung his the great truth and power of agency:
(Humans) are basically free to decide and capable of taking their stance towards internal (psychological) and external (biological and social) conditions. Freedom is here defined as the space of shaping one's own life within the limits of the given possibilities. This freedom derives from the spiritual dimension of the person, which is understood as the essentially human realm, over and above the dimensions of body and of psyche. As spiritual persons, humans are not just reacting organisms but autonomous beings capable of actively shaping their lives
He believed it that man had the power to change/control his attitude in whatever circumstance he found himself in.
“We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread.
They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
Everything thing can be taken from man- but our agency. Even if it is only the choice of attitude, which, ironically, is the most powerful element we have control over.
There is freedom in choice, but there is also responsibility. We are free to choose our attitudes, our paths- but we are not free to choose the consequences of those choices. That is why God has taught us sufficiently between right and wrong, good and bad, eternal life or eternal misery. Having that knowledge gives purpose and direction to our choices. It holds us accountable.
When we stand before the Lord at judgment day, we will not be standing next to our spouse, friends, or even enemies. There will be no one to point the finger at but ourselves. What I am to be is up to me.
How empowering and how hopeful!
But, like I alluded to on Friday, many people are quick to place blame on others. They find some strange comfort in being the victim. Whether it is someone that offended them in church, or wronged them in some way, or perhaps a church leader or educational leader said something they don't like, or the rules of their environment are uncomfortable....whatever the case may be, they allow themselves to feel victimized and subjugated. They become angry, rebellious, resentful and hurt. They might even choose another path in life, all because of this other person or situation. They dam themselves, and feel fully justified and satisfied that someone else will pay the price. (Laman and Lemuel were brilliant at that.)
Another wonderful read on this self-accountability is "As a Man Thinketh." It is a short book, and you can find the complete text here if you are interested.
One of my favorite quotes from that book is: "They themselves are makers of themselves."
James Allen, the author, goes so far as to say that no on in life is in a circumstance that they do not ultimately choose/desire to be in. It's a wonderful and powerful read. But beware, once you do read it, you understand more fully that your world, your circumstances, and your happiness, are all completely dependent upon yourself. Most people are either not ready, or simply do not want to fully embrace that truth. They want to blame their husbands for their misery because he is cranky, or blame the person at church who treats them poorly, or blame the mean boss at work. But, truth be told, we can blame no one else for our state of happiness than ourselves.
Verse 26, Lehi explains that we become "free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon."
It us truly and entirely up to us whether we choose liberty and eternal life, or captivity and death (27.) It is also completely up to us to choose liberty or captivity in all the moments that make up our lives.
Lehi knew how important that power to choose and and direct is. He spends an entire chapter talking about it, and in the last verse he says, "I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls."
That's what each choice comes down to: the welfare of our souls. The state in which we live now, and will forever retain hereafter.
That's a lot of power and responsibility.
Luckily, God has given us the knowledge of right and wrong, good and evil, to help direct our choices. We have the Savior, the gospel, the scriptures, the influence of the Holy Ghost, leaders, etc. Our path to everlasting joy is illuminated by truth and love. We can blame no one, even God, if we choose the wrong way.
It is a heavy, deep, and empowering message. And, yes, as you can see by length of my commentary this morning, one of my very favorite topics in the world.
I love how Lehi testfies of the Redeemer and that power, if applied in our lives. Also the need for opposition.I think that Lehi is telling me/us, don't be a victim. Like last week, pull up you boots and walk forward in faith.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite verses are; vs 25 ...men are that they might (by their own choosing) have joy.
vs 27 Wherefore men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death., according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
And vs30 ...And I have none other object save (interesting that he uses this word here) it be the everlasting welfare of you souls.- This is pure love of parent to child.
We are so blessed by a loving Father who want us to be refined, so we can be like Him!
I love how Lehi testfies of the Redeemer and that power, if applied in our lives. Also the need for opposition.I think that Lehi is telling me/us, don't be a victim. Like last week, pull up you boots and walk forward in faith.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite verses are; vs 25 ...men are that they might (by their own choosing) have joy.
vs 27 Wherefore men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death., according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
And vs30 ...And I have none other object save (interesting that he uses this word here) it be the everlasting welfare of you souls.- This is pure love of parent to child.
We are so blessed by a loving Father who want us to be refined, so we can be like Him!
I noticed something that I really hadn't thought much about before. vs 19-21 it basically says that the days of Adam and Eve and their children their lives were prolonged on the the earth to give them a chance to repent while in the flesh. Way back in the day... people lived 300-400-500 or more years. That is quite a long probationary time! We get 85-95 years on average. Therefore, we have a shorter probation, and less time to live and learn our lessons.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter is so full of great insight into the plan of salvation and free agency. With free agency comes great responsibility and we have to choose daily, sometimes minute by minute, who we are going to serve.
People sometimes get caught up in the "big" sins as being what we need to watch out for. For me, it's the little ones. Especially my internal attitude towards people. I can choose to follow the Savior in my thoughts or follow Satan. It is up to me. Everything else I do follows my thought process - even the big sins start out as little thoughts.
I am grateful for the spirit which can help me change my thoughts, prompt me to repent, and remind me to sing a Primary Song when I am struggling.
We better learn to be more efficient repenters!
Delete