2 Nephi 3
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I love reading about the prophecies of our time. This chapter is particularly cool because Lehi (who has prophesied of our time) is teaching his son, Joseph about his namesake, Joseph of Old, and sharing the latter-day prophesy of another who shall carry the same name (Joseph Smith.)
How cool is that?
I love, love, love LeGrand Richards, a former apostle of the church. I just found out this morning in my study that we are related! He is my second cousin! WHAT?! I was so excited! I was doing some research on this particular prophecy, and came across these comments from LeGrand:
I would like to call your attention to the promise in the Book of Mormon of the prophet that God declared he would send, the promise he made to Joseph who was sold into Egypt that in the latter days out of his seed, he would raise up a choice seer and prophet like unto Moses (2 Ne. 3:4-21). And then I remind you that in holy writ we read that there was no prophet in Israel like unto Moses because Moses talked with God face to face, as one man speaks with his friend (Deut. 34:10). According to the scriptures, most of the prophets received the word of God by inspiration, but Moses talked with God, and God declared that in this day he would raise up a prophet like unto Moses. And then he said, "Unto him will I give power to bring forth my word," and there isn't time to recount, but you just think of what the Lord has brought forth through this modern Prophet. Then he said, "And not to the bringing forth my word only—but to the convincing them of my word which shall already have gone forth among them" (2 Ne. 3:11), and that is what the missionaries of this Church are doing all over the world. They are opening the Bible, the stick of Judah, and teaching the people things they have never heard of. I have told people in the mission field plenty of times that I would show them out of that book things they had never read in their lives, I didn't care how many times they had read it. And then the Lord declared that "the thing which the Lord shall bring forth" by this Prophet like unto Moses, "shall bring my people unto salvation" (2 Ne. 3:15).
If you've never read or watched LeGrand, I highly recommend it. He wrote the book 'A Marvelous Work and a Wonder.' In the beginning of this article, he mentions his cousin by name. That's how I found out we were related. It brought me great joy, for I have always had an affinity for him- and never knew quite why.
Anyway- I love what Cousin Richards had to say. There scriptures are full of truths and teachings and miracles that we haven't yet recognized. It makes my study that much more exciting!
------
In verse 13 is says, "and out of weakness he shall be made strong." I think that's a principle that applies each of us. We cannot be made strong, unless we are weak to begin with.
Sometimes I can get down on myself, wishing I were better, smarter, more. Then I read this and I am reminded that it's ok that I'm not everything I want to be yet. I'm not supposed to be perfect yet. It is out of my weakness that He will make me strong. All I need to do is take one step at a time in the right direction, and He will bless me with the improvements and strength I need.
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Verse 24: And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in work and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God..."
In the margin next to verse 24 I have written: Joseph Smith/ Me?
I know that this verse is about Joseph, but could it well have been written about me? Am a mighty in my desires and obedience? Do I do much good in word and deed? Am I being an instrument in the hands of God? Do I have exceeding faith?
This is what I strive to be like.
I went to a funeral of a dear friend, Ellen, nine days ago. I will sorely miss her.
But, it was an occasion, as most funerals are, to reflect on my state, do a personal inventory. At my funeral, what things would/ could be said of me? What if I died tomorrow? Would I have made a difference in anyone's life? Would I have loved sufficiently, served extensively?
It is a good exercise mentally and emotionally for anyone to go through. Not that we care what others think, but, it is a great indicator of the ripples that we have created as we have been dropped into this life.
Was our presence here for the better? Small or large ripples, did I do good in the world?
It's actually an exercise that Stephen Covey does in his book 7 Habits for Highly Effective People. Here's a link to a 2 minute youtube video of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KIZK_3hbqM
When you're finished listening to him (it's SC reading reading part of his book), write down what your thoughts are. It's a wonderful exercise!
Anway- enough of the self-help today! Lol!
I love reading about the prophecies of our time. This chapter is particularly cool because Lehi (who has prophesied of our time) is teaching his son, Joseph about his namesake, Joseph of Old, and sharing the latter-day prophesy of another who shall carry the same name (Joseph Smith.)
How cool is that?
I love, love, love LeGrand Richards, a former apostle of the church. I just found out this morning in my study that we are related! He is my second cousin! WHAT?! I was so excited! I was doing some research on this particular prophecy, and came across these comments from LeGrand:
I would like to call your attention to the promise in the Book of Mormon of the prophet that God declared he would send, the promise he made to Joseph who was sold into Egypt that in the latter days out of his seed, he would raise up a choice seer and prophet like unto Moses (2 Ne. 3:4-21). And then I remind you that in holy writ we read that there was no prophet in Israel like unto Moses because Moses talked with God face to face, as one man speaks with his friend (Deut. 34:10). According to the scriptures, most of the prophets received the word of God by inspiration, but Moses talked with God, and God declared that in this day he would raise up a prophet like unto Moses. And then he said, "Unto him will I give power to bring forth my word," and there isn't time to recount, but you just think of what the Lord has brought forth through this modern Prophet. Then he said, "And not to the bringing forth my word only—but to the convincing them of my word which shall already have gone forth among them" (2 Ne. 3:11), and that is what the missionaries of this Church are doing all over the world. They are opening the Bible, the stick of Judah, and teaching the people things they have never heard of. I have told people in the mission field plenty of times that I would show them out of that book things they had never read in their lives, I didn't care how many times they had read it. And then the Lord declared that "the thing which the Lord shall bring forth" by this Prophet like unto Moses, "shall bring my people unto salvation" (2 Ne. 3:15).
If you've never read or watched LeGrand, I highly recommend it. He wrote the book 'A Marvelous Work and a Wonder.' In the beginning of this article, he mentions his cousin by name. That's how I found out we were related. It brought me great joy, for I have always had an affinity for him- and never knew quite why.
Anyway- I love what Cousin Richards had to say. There scriptures are full of truths and teachings and miracles that we haven't yet recognized. It makes my study that much more exciting!
------
In verse 13 is says, "and out of weakness he shall be made strong." I think that's a principle that applies each of us. We cannot be made strong, unless we are weak to begin with.
Sometimes I can get down on myself, wishing I were better, smarter, more. Then I read this and I am reminded that it's ok that I'm not everything I want to be yet. I'm not supposed to be perfect yet. It is out of my weakness that He will make me strong. All I need to do is take one step at a time in the right direction, and He will bless me with the improvements and strength I need.
----------
Verse 24: And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in work and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God..."
In the margin next to verse 24 I have written: Joseph Smith/ Me?
I know that this verse is about Joseph, but could it well have been written about me? Am a mighty in my desires and obedience? Do I do much good in word and deed? Am I being an instrument in the hands of God? Do I have exceeding faith?
This is what I strive to be like.
I went to a funeral of a dear friend, Ellen, nine days ago. I will sorely miss her.
But, it was an occasion, as most funerals are, to reflect on my state, do a personal inventory. At my funeral, what things would/ could be said of me? What if I died tomorrow? Would I have made a difference in anyone's life? Would I have loved sufficiently, served extensively?
It is a good exercise mentally and emotionally for anyone to go through. Not that we care what others think, but, it is a great indicator of the ripples that we have created as we have been dropped into this life.
Was our presence here for the better? Small or large ripples, did I do good in the world?
It's actually an exercise that Stephen Covey does in his book 7 Habits for Highly Effective People. Here's a link to a 2 minute youtube video of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KIZK_3hbqM
When you're finished listening to him (it's SC reading reading part of his book), write down what your thoughts are. It's a wonderful exercise!
Anway- enough of the self-help today! Lol!
I was talking with friend the other day about Joseph Smith. It is kind of funny to me that the Christian world believes in the power of prayer and that God answers their prayers. Being as God hears and answers their prayers, still-today, why is it so hard to believe Joseph's prayers were answered? If God exists, why couldn't He visit Joseph?
ReplyDeleteIf God could give the plates to Moses or have Noah build an ark - what makes modern day revelation a "that can't happen." God is the same today as he was with Moses or Noah. For this, I am grateful. It is comforting to read the scriptures and know of the prophecy of Joseph Smith and know it was fulfilled and I get to have the benefits of it in my life.
And a side note... it is cool to watch ------> and see all the places people check in from. Do you have one of those tickers to see how many times your blog is visted?
I love the imagery of the phrase used in verses 19-20, how the words of the fruit of his loins should "cry from the dust." All the ancient prophets are collective crying from the grave that we would hold onto this book (The Book of Mormon) and see it for the treasure it is.
ReplyDeleteIn vs 19-20 "cry from the dust" is also our ancestors for their work to be done. I was working with a young woman searching and preparing names yesterday and she said, "they want us to find them". I was so struck by someone so sweet and sensitive that we can partake in providing freedom for them.
ReplyDeleteI also had some personal evaluation with vs 8, " I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him." Wow, am I following personal revelation in all of my "work" and doings? I'm just striving, but fall sorely short. Boots straps up, repenting and trying again :)