Vs. 1
It is humbling to me to ponder that everything belongs to our Heavenly Father and we really have and are nothing. The earth is made up of matter. All of this matter belongs to our Heavenly Father. Our homes, our cars, and most importantly our bodies are all made from His matter. When we die, the matter of our bodies simply becomes part of the earth again. It is simply by His goodness that He allows us to borrow anything. Pondering this concept makes me realize that He, and only He, is in charge of all things. This makes 1 Ne 4:1 relevant.
Vs. 3
Nephi tells his brothers “an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt?” This phrase makes me think of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, when he was speaking with Sherem found in Jacob 7:5 which reads:
“And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.”
For Jacob, seeing an angel helped him have faith that couldn’t be shaken! Such miracles only seem to strengthen the faith of the righteous; the wicked are not phased by it.
Vs. 6
How often do we need to step into the darkness relying on nothing but faith?
Vs. 10
Many times in my life I have felt a prompting to do something or perhaps not to do something and I have second guessed myself; particularly when I was younger and less experienced in following the promptings of the spirit. I have often asked myself “is this really the spirit or just my own feelings?” Did Nephi feel this way or was he experienced enough to know it was of the Lord? It appears that he knew it was a prompting of the Lord but that he didn’t want to do it at first. It was against everything he had ever been taught.
Vs. 11-12
In both these verses Nephi says “the Spirit said unto me.” Only experience can teach us to hear the still small voice of the Spirit!
Vs. 13
We learn from the experience of the Mulekites what the result would have been if they hadn’t taken the plates.
Vs. 14
Nephi writes “when I had heard these words”. Again, was it the still small voice or more literal? He goes on to write “I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness.”
Vs. 18
“I obeyed the voice of the Spirit.”
I have learned from my own experience that if I obey the voice of the Spirit, the voice comes more often and more clearly. If I disobey, the next time is slower in coming.
Vs. 30-38
I have many thoughts and questions about Zoram. It seems apparent that Zoram didn’t actually know Laban very well because Nephi was able to hide his identity. Zoram knew the armor or the clothing of Laban more than he knew the Man.
It appears that Zoram was more of a slave than a servant. There was no discussion of Zoram leaving his family behind. Nephi also promised Zoram that he would be a “free man” if he would go into the wilderness with Nephi.
I am also amazed at what binding attributes are associated with an oath in that day. Nephi writes “when Zoram made an oath with us, our fears did cease concerning him.” This seems unheard of in our day.
Another Thought
I have often pondered on how important it was that Nephi was the one successful in getting the plates from Laban. Later in the story, as the Nephites and Lamanites part ways, Nephi’s group takes the plates with them. I am convinced that if Laman had been successful in getting the Plates from Laban, that when they parted ways that there would have been a fight over the plates and Laman would have ended up with them. Think of the consequences!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
1 Nephi 3
1 Nephi 3
I had a wonderful morning in the Salt Lake Temple this morning. A wonderful spirit was present and it was the perfect way to start a new day. I encourage all to attend as much as possible.
Because I was in the temple this morning, I am late in getting today’s thoughts posted. I welcome your comments.
Vs.1
Nephi returns from speaking with the Lord! Was this simply a prayer or was it a vision? Perhaps he simply heard His voice. Is this experience separate from the previous experience?
Vs 2
Lehi has another dream. He is commanded to have his sons return to Jerusalem. Why wasn’t Lehi commanded to go himself? Was his life in danger because of his previous preaching or was this some kind of lesson for his sons?
Vs. 3
I have heard several times in my life that Lehi and Laban were cousins. Is this something revealed by Joseph Smith or are we simply assuming this because Laban has the record of Lehi’s forefathers?
Vs. 5
This verse implies that Lehi has already spoken to Laman and Lemuel prior to speaking to Nephi. Lehi tells Nephi that they have already complained that it is too hard.
Vs. 7
This is one of the most beloved and quoted scriptures in the entire Book of Mormon. What a manifestation of Nephi’s faith! I have a cross reference of this scripture with Moroni 7:33 which reads; “33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. I hope to be able to develop this type of faith!
Vs. 8
I have experienced this type of joy that comes from my children exercising faith!
Vs. 10
I wonder what the population of Jerusalem was at this time? The current “old city” is about 1 square mile, however, the Bible maps found in our scriptures show the city at the time of Christ much smaller. This was even 600 years prior to Christ’s coming. Was it smaller or larger?
On a side note, some of the walls of the city that would have existed during this time have been excavated in Jerusalem. They are really remarkable to see.
Vs. 11
Why did they cast lots? Why didn’t they all go?
Vs. 14-16
They all became exceedingly sorrowful when their first attempt failed. Laman and Lemuel wanted to give up but Nephi was committed to keeping the commandments… and he considered getting the plates one of them.
Interestingly they go to plan B of their own. They didn’t seem to turn to the Lord to ask Him how to get the plates.
Vs. 19-20
Nephi seemed to really understand the importance of getting the plates. He outlines the consequences of not getting them. Did he receive this by revelation or was it told to him by his father as they were planning the trip?
Vs. 21
Nephi uses his testimony to try to persuade his brothers to keep the commandments.
Vs. 29
As Laman and Lemuel are beating their younger brothers, perhaps for having such “stupid” ideas as giving up all their gold and silver, an angel appears. Why did this not simply floor Laman and Lemuel?
Vs. 31
When the angel leaves, Laman and Lemuel go right back to murmuring. This is difficult for me to comprehend.
I wonder how many days this entire experience took? For most of my life I imagined it all happening in one night but I am now beginning to think that it was over a period of several days. It doesn’t say how long they were in the “cavity of a rock”.
I had a wonderful morning in the Salt Lake Temple this morning. A wonderful spirit was present and it was the perfect way to start a new day. I encourage all to attend as much as possible.
Because I was in the temple this morning, I am late in getting today’s thoughts posted. I welcome your comments.
Vs.1
Nephi returns from speaking with the Lord! Was this simply a prayer or was it a vision? Perhaps he simply heard His voice. Is this experience separate from the previous experience?
Vs 2
Lehi has another dream. He is commanded to have his sons return to Jerusalem. Why wasn’t Lehi commanded to go himself? Was his life in danger because of his previous preaching or was this some kind of lesson for his sons?
Vs. 3
I have heard several times in my life that Lehi and Laban were cousins. Is this something revealed by Joseph Smith or are we simply assuming this because Laban has the record of Lehi’s forefathers?
Vs. 5
This verse implies that Lehi has already spoken to Laman and Lemuel prior to speaking to Nephi. Lehi tells Nephi that they have already complained that it is too hard.
Vs. 7
This is one of the most beloved and quoted scriptures in the entire Book of Mormon. What a manifestation of Nephi’s faith! I have a cross reference of this scripture with Moroni 7:33 which reads; “33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. I hope to be able to develop this type of faith!
Vs. 8
I have experienced this type of joy that comes from my children exercising faith!
Vs. 10
I wonder what the population of Jerusalem was at this time? The current “old city” is about 1 square mile, however, the Bible maps found in our scriptures show the city at the time of Christ much smaller. This was even 600 years prior to Christ’s coming. Was it smaller or larger?
On a side note, some of the walls of the city that would have existed during this time have been excavated in Jerusalem. They are really remarkable to see.
Vs. 11
Why did they cast lots? Why didn’t they all go?
Vs. 14-16
They all became exceedingly sorrowful when their first attempt failed. Laman and Lemuel wanted to give up but Nephi was committed to keeping the commandments… and he considered getting the plates one of them.
Interestingly they go to plan B of their own. They didn’t seem to turn to the Lord to ask Him how to get the plates.
Vs. 19-20
Nephi seemed to really understand the importance of getting the plates. He outlines the consequences of not getting them. Did he receive this by revelation or was it told to him by his father as they were planning the trip?
Vs. 21
Nephi uses his testimony to try to persuade his brothers to keep the commandments.
Vs. 29
As Laman and Lemuel are beating their younger brothers, perhaps for having such “stupid” ideas as giving up all their gold and silver, an angel appears. Why did this not simply floor Laman and Lemuel?
Vs. 31
When the angel leaves, Laman and Lemuel go right back to murmuring. This is difficult for me to comprehend.
I wonder how many days this entire experience took? For most of my life I imagined it all happening in one night but I am now beginning to think that it was over a period of several days. It doesn’t say how long they were in the “cavity of a rock”.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
1 Nephi 2
1 Nephi 2
vs 1
Lehi sees Christ in a dream… or at least hears his voice.
Vs 2
Lehi receives a commandment from the Lord intended for his family only. This is an example of the personal revelation we should be receiving for our own families.
Vs 3
Lehi obeys the prompting. I have had personal experiences where I have obeyed promptings… but I have also had experiences where I have ignored promptings. Think of the consequences of Lehi ignoring this prompting because it was hard or inconvenient.
Vs 4
Lehi shows his willingness to give up the world and to not put his trust in the arm of the flesh. He leaves it all behind to follow the Lord. He only took his family and his provisions… perhaps his “year’s supply.”
Vs 7
Lehi continues to be obedient to the commandments and obeys the law of sacrifice. Think of the difficulty of performing the law of sacrifice in the wilderness without the “comforts of home”. It would be a bloody mess. How willing are we to obey when we are out of convenience? Perhaps when we are on vacation or away on business?
Vs 13
Laman and Lemuel didn’t believe that Jerusalem could be destroyed. I would like to interject a quote from Elder McConkie about Jerusalem here.(The Millennial Messiah; pg 462)
“Jerusalem is the Holy City, the city of David, the city of the Great King. It is the city where Melchizedek, the king of Salem and the prince of peace, reigned in righteousness and with his people served the Lord in spirit and in truth. Jerusalem, captured by David from the Jebusites, became the capital city in Israel and later the capital of the kingdom of Judah.
In her environs the Son of God was born; in her streets the Holy Messiah ministered; and in her temple the witness was borne of his divine Sonship. Outside her walls, in a garden called Gethsemane, suffering in agony beyond compare, he took upon himself the sins of all men on conditions of repentance. Outside her walls at a place called Golgotha, he was nailed to a cross and crucified for the sins of the world. Outside her walls in a quiet garden, he burst the bands of death, arose from the Arimathean's tomb, and brought life and immortality to light.
Jerusalem, in the days of her sorrow, was sacked by Nebuchadnezzar, conquered by Rome, put to the torch by Titus. And now for nearly two millenniums she has been trodden down of the Gentiles, and the end of her sorrow is not yet. In the days ahead some of the faithful will gather again within her walls and shall build the promised temple, a temple whose functions and uses will be patterned after the house of the Lord in Salt Lake City. Thereafter two prophets—valiant, mighty witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ—will teach and testify and prophesy in her streets for three and a half years, at which time they will be slain, resurrected, and caught up to heaven. In the midst of the great war of Armageddon then in progress, Jerusalem will fall, the Lord will come, and the remnant of Judah that remains will accept the Nazarene as their King.
Jerusalem has ascended to the heights and descended to the depths. The Lord Omnipotent, who was and is from everlasting to everlasting, made the dust of her streets holy because the soles of his feet found footing there. The blood of prophets cries from that same dust for vengeance against godless wretches to whom innocent blood was of no more worth than sour wine. Jerusalem has been and yet again will be destroyed for her iniquities. When Nebuchadnezzar pillaged and burned and slew and carried the Jews into Babylon, it was because they had rejected Jeremiah and Lehi and the prophets. It was because they walked in an evil course. When Titus tore her asunder, slew most of her citizens, and made slaves of the rest, it was a just retribution because she had crucified her King. And when she falls again, amid the horror and brimstone and blood and fire of Armageddon, it will be because she has again slain the prophets and chosen to worship Baal and Bel and Merodach and all the idols of the heathen rather than the Lord Jehovah.”
Vs 15
This is not the only place that Nephi points out that his father dwelt in a tent. Dwelling in a tent seems to be a symbol of his sacrifice. In what way am I willing to “dwell in a tent?”
Vs 16
Nephi has “a great desire” to know the mysteries of God. There is a belief among the LDS to leave the mysteries alone. However, Nephi goes on to say that it is because of this great desire of the mysteries that he “did cry unto the Lord: and behold he did visit me.” I can only conclude that seeking these mysteries must be done personally and privately… and not in classes and quorums.
Vs 17
Nephi shares these things with his trusted friend and brother Sam. Sam trusts and believes him.
Vs 19
The Lord speaks to Nephi: Is this separate from verse 16 or part of the same revelation? Was it really the voice of the Lord or was it “the still small voice of the Spirit”? The Lord compliments Nephi for his diligence.
Vs 20
“In as much as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper.” What a promise of the Lord! It reminds me of a scripture I read only a couple of days ago in Jeremiah (a contemporary of Lehi and Nephi).
Jeremiah 7:7-8 “7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
Vs 21-24
The promises of the Lord seem sure. If I obey I will be blessed. If I rebel I will be cursed. I choose obedience!
vs 1
Lehi sees Christ in a dream… or at least hears his voice.
Vs 2
Lehi receives a commandment from the Lord intended for his family only. This is an example of the personal revelation we should be receiving for our own families.
Vs 3
Lehi obeys the prompting. I have had personal experiences where I have obeyed promptings… but I have also had experiences where I have ignored promptings. Think of the consequences of Lehi ignoring this prompting because it was hard or inconvenient.
Vs 4
Lehi shows his willingness to give up the world and to not put his trust in the arm of the flesh. He leaves it all behind to follow the Lord. He only took his family and his provisions… perhaps his “year’s supply.”
Vs 7
Lehi continues to be obedient to the commandments and obeys the law of sacrifice. Think of the difficulty of performing the law of sacrifice in the wilderness without the “comforts of home”. It would be a bloody mess. How willing are we to obey when we are out of convenience? Perhaps when we are on vacation or away on business?
Vs 13
Laman and Lemuel didn’t believe that Jerusalem could be destroyed. I would like to interject a quote from Elder McConkie about Jerusalem here.(The Millennial Messiah; pg 462)
“Jerusalem is the Holy City, the city of David, the city of the Great King. It is the city where Melchizedek, the king of Salem and the prince of peace, reigned in righteousness and with his people served the Lord in spirit and in truth. Jerusalem, captured by David from the Jebusites, became the capital city in Israel and later the capital of the kingdom of Judah.
In her environs the Son of God was born; in her streets the Holy Messiah ministered; and in her temple the witness was borne of his divine Sonship. Outside her walls, in a garden called Gethsemane, suffering in agony beyond compare, he took upon himself the sins of all men on conditions of repentance. Outside her walls at a place called Golgotha, he was nailed to a cross and crucified for the sins of the world. Outside her walls in a quiet garden, he burst the bands of death, arose from the Arimathean's tomb, and brought life and immortality to light.
Jerusalem, in the days of her sorrow, was sacked by Nebuchadnezzar, conquered by Rome, put to the torch by Titus. And now for nearly two millenniums she has been trodden down of the Gentiles, and the end of her sorrow is not yet. In the days ahead some of the faithful will gather again within her walls and shall build the promised temple, a temple whose functions and uses will be patterned after the house of the Lord in Salt Lake City. Thereafter two prophets—valiant, mighty witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ—will teach and testify and prophesy in her streets for three and a half years, at which time they will be slain, resurrected, and caught up to heaven. In the midst of the great war of Armageddon then in progress, Jerusalem will fall, the Lord will come, and the remnant of Judah that remains will accept the Nazarene as their King.
Jerusalem has ascended to the heights and descended to the depths. The Lord Omnipotent, who was and is from everlasting to everlasting, made the dust of her streets holy because the soles of his feet found footing there. The blood of prophets cries from that same dust for vengeance against godless wretches to whom innocent blood was of no more worth than sour wine. Jerusalem has been and yet again will be destroyed for her iniquities. When Nebuchadnezzar pillaged and burned and slew and carried the Jews into Babylon, it was because they had rejected Jeremiah and Lehi and the prophets. It was because they walked in an evil course. When Titus tore her asunder, slew most of her citizens, and made slaves of the rest, it was a just retribution because she had crucified her King. And when she falls again, amid the horror and brimstone and blood and fire of Armageddon, it will be because she has again slain the prophets and chosen to worship Baal and Bel and Merodach and all the idols of the heathen rather than the Lord Jehovah.”
Vs 15
This is not the only place that Nephi points out that his father dwelt in a tent. Dwelling in a tent seems to be a symbol of his sacrifice. In what way am I willing to “dwell in a tent?”
Vs 16
Nephi has “a great desire” to know the mysteries of God. There is a belief among the LDS to leave the mysteries alone. However, Nephi goes on to say that it is because of this great desire of the mysteries that he “did cry unto the Lord: and behold he did visit me.” I can only conclude that seeking these mysteries must be done personally and privately… and not in classes and quorums.
Vs 17
Nephi shares these things with his trusted friend and brother Sam. Sam trusts and believes him.
Vs 19
The Lord speaks to Nephi: Is this separate from verse 16 or part of the same revelation? Was it really the voice of the Lord or was it “the still small voice of the Spirit”? The Lord compliments Nephi for his diligence.
Vs 20
“In as much as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper.” What a promise of the Lord! It reminds me of a scripture I read only a couple of days ago in Jeremiah (a contemporary of Lehi and Nephi).
Jeremiah 7:7-8 “7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
Vs 21-24
The promises of the Lord seem sure. If I obey I will be blessed. If I rebel I will be cursed. I choose obedience!
Monday, August 23, 2010
1 Nephi 1
1 Nephi 1:1
Nephi says that he has had “a great knowledge of the goodness and mysteries of God”. I ask myself, What are the mysteries spoken of? Brother John Pontius, the author of two of the most powerful books I have ever read, writes on this topic. (Please follow Brother Pontius at www.followthelight.org )
“There are greater and lesser mysteries. The lesser mysteries are those things which
many mortals understand, which missionaries deliver, and which the scriptures teach withplainness. Most of humanity is exposed to these mysteries throughout their lives, but do not receive what is freely given. The greater mysteries are those truths which are not commonly known, or even spoken of, yet are true. They are held in reverent silence because once obtained, it is generally not allowed for someone so blessed to speak openly of these things.
And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to knowthe mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall notimpart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men,according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. (Alma 12.)
These things remain mysteries only because those who have obtained them through
diligence and righteous obedience, are commanded to give nothing more than the portion which God has ordained. These things are the “Mysteries of God” of which the scriptures speak, and of which the lives and blessings of the faithful bear witness.
They are grand mysteries for now because one must pass a rigorous process of preparation before the greater light of the gospel is even visible to the mortal eye. The fact that they are mysteries in the beginning is the divine order of growth. But, they must not forever remain a mystery. The door must open and the light of revealed glory must be fully received in this life. We have at times heard that we should leave the mysteries alone. Yet, such a statement is not scriptural. The scriptures specifically instruct us to seek the mysteries, and promise that these are the very truths which bring eternal life. In fact, eternal life comes in no other way. This isn’t a way to immortal glory, it is the way.
Consider these scriptures:
7 Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. (D&C 6:7)
11 And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways. (D&C 6:11)
5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.
7 And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
8 Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.
9 And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught.
10 For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man. (D&C 76:5-10)
61 If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal. (D&C 42:61)
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. (Luke 8:10)
(The Triumph of Zion, John M. Pontius, Unpublished manuscript page 104.)
Within the body of Gospel truth there are two distinct levels of understanding, or
portions of the truth. There is the lesser portion and the greater portion. Let us come to understand the terms, the lesser and greater portion, then we will discuss what it has to do with the fullness of the Gospel.”
Nephi 1:2
How were children educated in Lehi’s day? Nephi knew two languages, was this common or were most illiterate? This perhaps makes an important statement about the type of parents that Lehi and Sariah were.
1 Nephi 1:5
What prompted Lehi to pray in behalf of his people? How do I develop this type of love for others that will cause me to pray for others… strangers? Who are my people? Are they my family, my neighbors, all of America, all of the world? Was it this love of others that caused the “pillar of fire” to appear?
1 Nephi 1:7-8
Where was Lehi when he had his vision? He was in his home on his bed. Is my home a place where a visitation like this could occur?
1 Nephi 1:11
“and the first came and stood before my father.” Was Lehi actually standing face to face with the Savior? What was the book?
1 Nephi 1:14
In Moroni’s promise at the end of the Book of Mormon we read (Moroni 10:3)
“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts”.
Moroni asks us to ponder how merciful the Lord has been. 1 Nephi 1:14 begins to give us an indication of this mercy. See also verse 20 0f this same chapter.
1 Nephi 1:15
Lehi praises God. Do I praise God enough? How do I praise?
1 Nephi 1:18
After Lehi saw these things he began to go among his people. Is this the point that Lehi is actually called as a prophet?
Nephi says that he has had “a great knowledge of the goodness and mysteries of God”. I ask myself, What are the mysteries spoken of? Brother John Pontius, the author of two of the most powerful books I have ever read, writes on this topic. (Please follow Brother Pontius at www.followthelight.org )
“There are greater and lesser mysteries. The lesser mysteries are those things which
many mortals understand, which missionaries deliver, and which the scriptures teach withplainness. Most of humanity is exposed to these mysteries throughout their lives, but do not receive what is freely given. The greater mysteries are those truths which are not commonly known, or even spoken of, yet are true. They are held in reverent silence because once obtained, it is generally not allowed for someone so blessed to speak openly of these things.
And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to knowthe mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall notimpart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men,according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. (Alma 12.)
These things remain mysteries only because those who have obtained them through
diligence and righteous obedience, are commanded to give nothing more than the portion which God has ordained. These things are the “Mysteries of God” of which the scriptures speak, and of which the lives and blessings of the faithful bear witness.
They are grand mysteries for now because one must pass a rigorous process of preparation before the greater light of the gospel is even visible to the mortal eye. The fact that they are mysteries in the beginning is the divine order of growth. But, they must not forever remain a mystery. The door must open and the light of revealed glory must be fully received in this life. We have at times heard that we should leave the mysteries alone. Yet, such a statement is not scriptural. The scriptures specifically instruct us to seek the mysteries, and promise that these are the very truths which bring eternal life. In fact, eternal life comes in no other way. This isn’t a way to immortal glory, it is the way.
Consider these scriptures:
7 Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. (D&C 6:7)
11 And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways. (D&C 6:11)
5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.
7 And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
8 Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.
9 And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught.
10 For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man. (D&C 76:5-10)
61 If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal. (D&C 42:61)
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. (Luke 8:10)
(The Triumph of Zion, John M. Pontius, Unpublished manuscript page 104.)
Within the body of Gospel truth there are two distinct levels of understanding, or
portions of the truth. There is the lesser portion and the greater portion. Let us come to understand the terms, the lesser and greater portion, then we will discuss what it has to do with the fullness of the Gospel.”
Nephi 1:2
How were children educated in Lehi’s day? Nephi knew two languages, was this common or were most illiterate? This perhaps makes an important statement about the type of parents that Lehi and Sariah were.
1 Nephi 1:5
What prompted Lehi to pray in behalf of his people? How do I develop this type of love for others that will cause me to pray for others… strangers? Who are my people? Are they my family, my neighbors, all of America, all of the world? Was it this love of others that caused the “pillar of fire” to appear?
1 Nephi 1:7-8
Where was Lehi when he had his vision? He was in his home on his bed. Is my home a place where a visitation like this could occur?
1 Nephi 1:11
“and the first came and stood before my father.” Was Lehi actually standing face to face with the Savior? What was the book?
1 Nephi 1:14
In Moroni’s promise at the end of the Book of Mormon we read (Moroni 10:3)
“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts”.
Moroni asks us to ponder how merciful the Lord has been. 1 Nephi 1:14 begins to give us an indication of this mercy. See also verse 20 0f this same chapter.
1 Nephi 1:15
Lehi praises God. Do I praise God enough? How do I praise?
1 Nephi 1:18
After Lehi saw these things he began to go among his people. Is this the point that Lehi is actually called as a prophet?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
A new type of Blog.
It has become obvious to all of you that I haven’t been writing in my blog for a long time. I am really sorry. I have continued to read over the past couple of months but I have been reading things that are very difficult to blog about. I have been primarily continuing to read from Elder McConkie’s “Messiah” series and have absolutely been overwhelmed by the greatness of these volumes. I encourage everyone to read them prayerfully and great things will be revealed to you.
In the mean time I felt a strong prompting yesterday to blog in a different way. I am going to start reading the Book of Mormon again tomorrow. I started a month or so ago but feel I need to start over again with you. This is what I am proposing.
Every day I will read from the Book of Mormon. I am hoping that some of you will follow along. Every day I will write the promptings and feeling that come to me. I am hoping you will do the same and that we can edify one another. I promise that I will read every day and never miss. However, there may be days that I am unable to write but I promise to make an effort to write every day.
My dear friend and mentor Denver Snuffer has done something similar. I encourage you to follow his blog as well. He is much further along spiritually than I. I certainly don’t want to compare myself to him or take anything away from him but I feel I have something to offer none the less.
If you feel this would be helpful for you, please follow along. Please post your comments. As we do this, perhaps we can grow together and really help one another become faithful followers of Christ.
With love and appreciation,
Scott
In the mean time I felt a strong prompting yesterday to blog in a different way. I am going to start reading the Book of Mormon again tomorrow. I started a month or so ago but feel I need to start over again with you. This is what I am proposing.
Every day I will read from the Book of Mormon. I am hoping that some of you will follow along. Every day I will write the promptings and feeling that come to me. I am hoping you will do the same and that we can edify one another. I promise that I will read every day and never miss. However, there may be days that I am unable to write but I promise to make an effort to write every day.
My dear friend and mentor Denver Snuffer has done something similar. I encourage you to follow his blog as well. He is much further along spiritually than I. I certainly don’t want to compare myself to him or take anything away from him but I feel I have something to offer none the less.
If you feel this would be helpful for you, please follow along. Please post your comments. As we do this, perhaps we can grow together and really help one another become faithful followers of Christ.
With love and appreciation,
Scott
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Faith and Belief
Once again I have been really taken by a wonderful book by author John Pontius titled “The Triumph of Zion.” This book is definitely in the top five of the best and most influential books I have ever read. It has caused me to think of things I have never thought of before and it has helped me understand the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants better. It seems to make the entire Plan of Salvation make more sense and has helped me understand what is meant when we hear that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel.
The topic I would like to write about today is found toward the end of the book and is a small section titled “Faith and Belief.” He explains the difference between faith and belief and then goes on to explain how our beliefs have a tendency to squash of faith. I hope to be able to explain.
“Faith is a result of exposure to the Spirit of the Lord and is a gift of God. Faith does not naturally reside in man. When we obey some principle of truth, a commandment of God, or any whispering of the Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord touches our souls with a tiny increase of faith regarding that principle.
One can only have faith in things that are true (Alma 32:21). We can’t have faith in a falsehood. Only to the extent that a principle contains truth can we exercise faith in it. For this reason, faith is always centered in Christ, because all truth flows from Christ.
Unlike faith, which is always pure, our belief structure includes both elements of truth and impurities of human assumption, tradition, false conclusions, and out-and-out lies. Most of what we believe comes from the experience of our lifetime, all of which occur in the natural world, and most of which are in some way tainted. Such false beliefs are hostile to our progress unless overridden by revealed truth.”
I will give a personal example of how belief squashes faith. For most of my adult life I believed that it was not possible or perhaps unlikely that faithful members of the church were able to have a personal visit by the Savior while in this life. I believed this blessing was only reserved for Apostles and Prophets… and I wasn’t even sure about all of them. This was my belief! However, over the past 18 mos. or so, my belief has totally changed. I was introduced to Denver Snuffer’s “The Second Comforter” and had a very powerful witness born to me that this great blessing is indeed available to all who seek it. Since that time I have read several books on the topic including very clear teachings from Elder Bruce R. McConkie in “The Promised Messiah” and “The Millennial Messiah” that have taught me the truth of this matter. The Book of Mormon teaches this topic abundantly. I now have overwhelming faith in the matter that Christ will appear to each of us if we are faithful and as we “seek His face.”
Brother Pontius goes on to write “Our every act is driven by a belief. Whether that belief is based upon truth, or upon misconception, determines whether the act is righteous or evil. Often, faith can be profound, while our belief about how that faith applies to us can limit, or even eliminate, our enjoyment of the fruits of our faith. Such faith-opposing believing is called “unbelief” in the scriptures. It is not necessarily an absence of faith and can coexist with faith quite companionably. But it is nevertheless an effective and often long-lived damnation of our faith.
An example might be: We may have faith that Heavenly Father loves us and has the power to heal an illness or disease we may have. But we simultaneously believe (or assume because of what others have taught us) that Heavenly Father wants us to learn some lesson through our suffering, or that we must seek a medical solution first, only turning to Him as a last resort. Or, we may conclude that since we haven’t personally seen this magnitude of healing with our own eyes, He may just not be doing healings of this degree nowadays, and thus, we doubt the will of God to heal us—not His power, but His intention to do so. We have great faith He can, we just don’t believe He will, and thus uninspired belief (unbelief) smothers our faith.
Another example may be: We read the scriptures and have complete faith that the brother of Jared (or any other righteous figure) truly experienced the profound blessings, visions, revelations and angelic visitations they record. And, even though the same prophet records that God is no respecter of persons and liberally grants the same blessings to all who righteously seek them, we believe that the scriptures are largely for our education and not a prototype of our personal spiritual potential. We may conclude that such things do not happen in this day, or if they do, that would happen to someone more highly placed or more obedient. We thereby doubt, not God’s power, which is a by-product of our faith, but His will to grant us a place within His promises. Such doubt by definition is unbelief.
We extinguish the fire of faith with the cold rains of unbelief. The Lord told Moroni 4:
7 ‘And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.’
This verse contains one of the most incredible pronouncements of promise this dispensation has ever been given.” In fact, I personally believe (Scott Webb speaking) that this is part of what is meant when we hear that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel. Pontius goes on to write “It is saying when—notice that it doesn’t say if, it implies when—we rend the veil of unbelief and develop faith like the brother of Jared’s, God will unfold unto us all of His revelations, which means that we will know all things, which would enable us to part the veil in many places and lay hold upon all promised blessings. This promise isn’t being made just to the Quorum of the Twelve. This is a promise that is held out to every person who chooses to seek and obtain it. We have access to the same gifts in this day, in this priesthood, in this Church, as the brother of Jared used to rend the heavens in his day, which lit up sixteen stones and his eternity.”
I encourage all who are reading this blog to look at your own life… find the places where belief is overpowering your faith, then go to the Lord in earnest prayer and ask for His help in overcoming your unbelief. I have experienced this in my own life and testify of its efficacy. May we all seek His face.
The topic I would like to write about today is found toward the end of the book and is a small section titled “Faith and Belief.” He explains the difference between faith and belief and then goes on to explain how our beliefs have a tendency to squash of faith. I hope to be able to explain.
“Faith is a result of exposure to the Spirit of the Lord and is a gift of God. Faith does not naturally reside in man. When we obey some principle of truth, a commandment of God, or any whispering of the Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord touches our souls with a tiny increase of faith regarding that principle.
One can only have faith in things that are true (Alma 32:21). We can’t have faith in a falsehood. Only to the extent that a principle contains truth can we exercise faith in it. For this reason, faith is always centered in Christ, because all truth flows from Christ.
Unlike faith, which is always pure, our belief structure includes both elements of truth and impurities of human assumption, tradition, false conclusions, and out-and-out lies. Most of what we believe comes from the experience of our lifetime, all of which occur in the natural world, and most of which are in some way tainted. Such false beliefs are hostile to our progress unless overridden by revealed truth.”
I will give a personal example of how belief squashes faith. For most of my adult life I believed that it was not possible or perhaps unlikely that faithful members of the church were able to have a personal visit by the Savior while in this life. I believed this blessing was only reserved for Apostles and Prophets… and I wasn’t even sure about all of them. This was my belief! However, over the past 18 mos. or so, my belief has totally changed. I was introduced to Denver Snuffer’s “The Second Comforter” and had a very powerful witness born to me that this great blessing is indeed available to all who seek it. Since that time I have read several books on the topic including very clear teachings from Elder Bruce R. McConkie in “The Promised Messiah” and “The Millennial Messiah” that have taught me the truth of this matter. The Book of Mormon teaches this topic abundantly. I now have overwhelming faith in the matter that Christ will appear to each of us if we are faithful and as we “seek His face.”
Brother Pontius goes on to write “Our every act is driven by a belief. Whether that belief is based upon truth, or upon misconception, determines whether the act is righteous or evil. Often, faith can be profound, while our belief about how that faith applies to us can limit, or even eliminate, our enjoyment of the fruits of our faith. Such faith-opposing believing is called “unbelief” in the scriptures. It is not necessarily an absence of faith and can coexist with faith quite companionably. But it is nevertheless an effective and often long-lived damnation of our faith.
An example might be: We may have faith that Heavenly Father loves us and has the power to heal an illness or disease we may have. But we simultaneously believe (or assume because of what others have taught us) that Heavenly Father wants us to learn some lesson through our suffering, or that we must seek a medical solution first, only turning to Him as a last resort. Or, we may conclude that since we haven’t personally seen this magnitude of healing with our own eyes, He may just not be doing healings of this degree nowadays, and thus, we doubt the will of God to heal us—not His power, but His intention to do so. We have great faith He can, we just don’t believe He will, and thus uninspired belief (unbelief) smothers our faith.
Another example may be: We read the scriptures and have complete faith that the brother of Jared (or any other righteous figure) truly experienced the profound blessings, visions, revelations and angelic visitations they record. And, even though the same prophet records that God is no respecter of persons and liberally grants the same blessings to all who righteously seek them, we believe that the scriptures are largely for our education and not a prototype of our personal spiritual potential. We may conclude that such things do not happen in this day, or if they do, that would happen to someone more highly placed or more obedient. We thereby doubt, not God’s power, which is a by-product of our faith, but His will to grant us a place within His promises. Such doubt by definition is unbelief.
We extinguish the fire of faith with the cold rains of unbelief. The Lord told Moroni 4:
7 ‘And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.’
This verse contains one of the most incredible pronouncements of promise this dispensation has ever been given.” In fact, I personally believe (Scott Webb speaking) that this is part of what is meant when we hear that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel. Pontius goes on to write “It is saying when—notice that it doesn’t say if, it implies when—we rend the veil of unbelief and develop faith like the brother of Jared’s, God will unfold unto us all of His revelations, which means that we will know all things, which would enable us to part the veil in many places and lay hold upon all promised blessings. This promise isn’t being made just to the Quorum of the Twelve. This is a promise that is held out to every person who chooses to seek and obtain it. We have access to the same gifts in this day, in this priesthood, in this Church, as the brother of Jared used to rend the heavens in his day, which lit up sixteen stones and his eternity.”
I encourage all who are reading this blog to look at your own life… find the places where belief is overpowering your faith, then go to the Lord in earnest prayer and ask for His help in overcoming your unbelief. I have experienced this in my own life and testify of its efficacy. May we all seek His face.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Voices
I first want to apologize for the length of time since I last posted on this blog. I have had quite a few people really quite upset about it and I am sorry. My excuse is two-fold: I have been very busy at work (for which I am very grateful), and I set a goal to read the Messiah Series by Elder Mcconkie this year and this has been a bit overwhelming. His subject matter is very deep and difficult to blog about.
A couple of weeks ago a couple of books were recommended to me by a reader of this blog. Karen is a great friend and someone I highly admire. Both books are by John Pontius. The first one is “Following the Light of Christ into His Presence” and the other is “The Triumph of Zion”. I have read the first one, “Following the Light of Christ into His Presence” and have really learned from it. It is this book that is the inspiration of this post.
In the second chapter of this book is a section called “Voices”. In the June 2006 Ensign, President James, E. Faust wrote the following: “But we hear other voices. Paul said, ‘There are… so many kinds of voices in the world…’ (1 Corinth. 14:10) that compete with the voice of the Spirit. Such is the situation in the world.”
Brother Pontius writes “There are three main sources of voices in a healthy mind. The first is the voice of your own mind. You hear yourself think. You talk with yourself, discuss things with yourself, argue with yourself, berate, praise and jabber with yourself all day long. This voice is distinguishable because it is unsure, or in other words, it questions things, and is seldom decisive. It almost always asks questions. “What was that? Who said that? Why did you say that? What does it mean? Do you suppose? What would happen if? I wonder? Even when it is emphatic, it leaves open the possibility of change. “I’m definitely going to bed now- Okay?” “I’m going to town- if the car will start.” You will notice this voice usually takes the personal case; “I think I should fast today.” The Holy Ghost would have said “Fast today.”
The second voice comes from Satan’s realm. It is unlikely that we receive much attention from the king of that kingdom personally. Rather, we deal with his minions, his messengers, and his tempters. These beings have been in the business of tempting mankind as long as the earth has existed, perhaps longer. They are undoubtedly very skilled and highly motivated. Each have probably thousands of people like ourselves. They have spent thousands of years of intimate contact with mortals. They have much more experience with tempting mortals than we have in resisting it.
When we hear a voice from this source, it will be cleverly disguised and enticing. It will appeal to the natural, carnal, sensual, and devilish side of us. There is rea; intelligence in the message, the malice aforethought. They plan and plot against us, and their messages are carefully chosen.”
In the same article, President Faust says “The adversary tries to smother the voice of the Holy Spirit with a multitude of loud, persistent, persuasive, and appealing voices: murmuring voices, conjuring up perceived injustices; whining voices, abhorring challenge and work; seductive voices, offering sensual enticements; soothing voices, lulling into carnal security; intellectual voices, professing sophistication and superiority: proud voices, relying on the arm of the flesh; flattering voices, puffing us up with pride; cynical voices, destroying hope; entertaining voices, promoting pleasure seeking; commercial voices, tempting us to ‘spend money for that which hath no worth’ and our ‘labor for that which cannot satisfy…’ (2ne. 9:51), and delirious voices, spawning the desire for a ‘high’… which is death-defying experiences for nothing more than a thrill.”
Pontius continues “ A prompting from this source will nearly always be stated as an absolute. “Don’t let him get away with that. I’m too tired to pray. You deserve better. Pay him back. No one will notice. It should be yours anyway—just take it. She is your wife—not your mother. Football only happens once a year, the church can get along without you for one Sunday. She wants you—it is only natural. He loves you more than your husband, how can you not love him back?”
These promptings will always lead us away from the truth. They prompt us to disobey, not to pray, to abandon church and family responsibilities, to commit sin and walk in forbidden paths. They do not limit themselves to voices alone. They draw from the trash stored in our minds to dredge up old memories which will either lure us away from purity and virtue, or keep our minds harrowed up with memories of our sins—even after we have repented of them.
The evil ones cannot read our minds or hear our silent prayers. It seems they hear what the Holy Spirit says to us, for they respond immediately. When the Holy Spirit prompts “say your prayers,” you immediately hear, “Don’t say your prayers, you are too tired.”
“Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest the thoughts and intents of thy heart.” (D&C 6:16)
The Third source of information in our minds is the voice of the Lord through the Holy Spirit. It begins with the conscience, the light of Christ, and is a free gift. It its most rudimentary stages it is quiet urging to choose the right, to abandon wrong choices, and to seek greater truth. This voice grows in content and quality as one heeds its direction until it becomes a significant guide, and the measure of truth. Following baptism and the bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit assumes greater power and authority, and though remaining a still small voice it becomes a comfort, guide, and source of great strength as we learn to obey it.
This voice always entices us to do good, to believe, serve, pray and repent. It nearly always prompts contrary to where you were headed. If you were lying under the car on Sunday morning, it would tell you to go to church. If you were already on your way to church, it would prompt nothing, but would give a feeling of comfort and satisfaction.
The voice of conscience is easy to recognize, because it is the only one of the three which prompts to do good. These promptings come as absolute statements. The Holy Spirit would say, “Fast today.” Your mind would have said, “I wonder if I should fast today,” or “Perhaps I should fast.” Any time you have a prompting to do good, it has come from God.
Perhaps the term promptings needs clarification. A prompting is information that originates outside of one’s mind. The Holy Spirit prompts us to do good, the devil prompts to do evil. Our minds consider and analyze the promptings, and make decisions concerning them. These promptings all appear, and sound, exactly like our own thoughts, the only way to differentiate between them is the way we have already discussed. Good comes from God. Evil comes from the adversary. Questions and analysis come from within. It really is just that simple.
In Moroni 7 we read “12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.”
This section of this book was very revealing to me and clarified much in my mind. Ann and I have discussed these voices on numerous occasions but it was never very clear. I feel I have a much greater understanding now.
I know personally that I can think back on times in my life that I have heard and listened to each of these voices. I wish I could say that I have always followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit but I haven’t. I feel however that as I really try to obey the still small voice, and often write the prompting down, that I am becoming more adept at following the Holy Spirit.
A couple of weeks ago a couple of books were recommended to me by a reader of this blog. Karen is a great friend and someone I highly admire. Both books are by John Pontius. The first one is “Following the Light of Christ into His Presence” and the other is “The Triumph of Zion”. I have read the first one, “Following the Light of Christ into His Presence” and have really learned from it. It is this book that is the inspiration of this post.
In the second chapter of this book is a section called “Voices”. In the June 2006 Ensign, President James, E. Faust wrote the following: “But we hear other voices. Paul said, ‘There are… so many kinds of voices in the world…’ (1 Corinth. 14:10) that compete with the voice of the Spirit. Such is the situation in the world.”
Brother Pontius writes “There are three main sources of voices in a healthy mind. The first is the voice of your own mind. You hear yourself think. You talk with yourself, discuss things with yourself, argue with yourself, berate, praise and jabber with yourself all day long. This voice is distinguishable because it is unsure, or in other words, it questions things, and is seldom decisive. It almost always asks questions. “What was that? Who said that? Why did you say that? What does it mean? Do you suppose? What would happen if? I wonder? Even when it is emphatic, it leaves open the possibility of change. “I’m definitely going to bed now- Okay?” “I’m going to town- if the car will start.” You will notice this voice usually takes the personal case; “I think I should fast today.” The Holy Ghost would have said “Fast today.”
The second voice comes from Satan’s realm. It is unlikely that we receive much attention from the king of that kingdom personally. Rather, we deal with his minions, his messengers, and his tempters. These beings have been in the business of tempting mankind as long as the earth has existed, perhaps longer. They are undoubtedly very skilled and highly motivated. Each have probably thousands of people like ourselves. They have spent thousands of years of intimate contact with mortals. They have much more experience with tempting mortals than we have in resisting it.
When we hear a voice from this source, it will be cleverly disguised and enticing. It will appeal to the natural, carnal, sensual, and devilish side of us. There is rea; intelligence in the message, the malice aforethought. They plan and plot against us, and their messages are carefully chosen.”
In the same article, President Faust says “The adversary tries to smother the voice of the Holy Spirit with a multitude of loud, persistent, persuasive, and appealing voices: murmuring voices, conjuring up perceived injustices; whining voices, abhorring challenge and work; seductive voices, offering sensual enticements; soothing voices, lulling into carnal security; intellectual voices, professing sophistication and superiority: proud voices, relying on the arm of the flesh; flattering voices, puffing us up with pride; cynical voices, destroying hope; entertaining voices, promoting pleasure seeking; commercial voices, tempting us to ‘spend money for that which hath no worth’ and our ‘labor for that which cannot satisfy…’ (2ne. 9:51), and delirious voices, spawning the desire for a ‘high’… which is death-defying experiences for nothing more than a thrill.”
Pontius continues “ A prompting from this source will nearly always be stated as an absolute. “Don’t let him get away with that. I’m too tired to pray. You deserve better. Pay him back. No one will notice. It should be yours anyway—just take it. She is your wife—not your mother. Football only happens once a year, the church can get along without you for one Sunday. She wants you—it is only natural. He loves you more than your husband, how can you not love him back?”
These promptings will always lead us away from the truth. They prompt us to disobey, not to pray, to abandon church and family responsibilities, to commit sin and walk in forbidden paths. They do not limit themselves to voices alone. They draw from the trash stored in our minds to dredge up old memories which will either lure us away from purity and virtue, or keep our minds harrowed up with memories of our sins—even after we have repented of them.
The evil ones cannot read our minds or hear our silent prayers. It seems they hear what the Holy Spirit says to us, for they respond immediately. When the Holy Spirit prompts “say your prayers,” you immediately hear, “Don’t say your prayers, you are too tired.”
“Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest the thoughts and intents of thy heart.” (D&C 6:16)
The Third source of information in our minds is the voice of the Lord through the Holy Spirit. It begins with the conscience, the light of Christ, and is a free gift. It its most rudimentary stages it is quiet urging to choose the right, to abandon wrong choices, and to seek greater truth. This voice grows in content and quality as one heeds its direction until it becomes a significant guide, and the measure of truth. Following baptism and the bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit assumes greater power and authority, and though remaining a still small voice it becomes a comfort, guide, and source of great strength as we learn to obey it.
This voice always entices us to do good, to believe, serve, pray and repent. It nearly always prompts contrary to where you were headed. If you were lying under the car on Sunday morning, it would tell you to go to church. If you were already on your way to church, it would prompt nothing, but would give a feeling of comfort and satisfaction.
The voice of conscience is easy to recognize, because it is the only one of the three which prompts to do good. These promptings come as absolute statements. The Holy Spirit would say, “Fast today.” Your mind would have said, “I wonder if I should fast today,” or “Perhaps I should fast.” Any time you have a prompting to do good, it has come from God.
Perhaps the term promptings needs clarification. A prompting is information that originates outside of one’s mind. The Holy Spirit prompts us to do good, the devil prompts to do evil. Our minds consider and analyze the promptings, and make decisions concerning them. These promptings all appear, and sound, exactly like our own thoughts, the only way to differentiate between them is the way we have already discussed. Good comes from God. Evil comes from the adversary. Questions and analysis come from within. It really is just that simple.
In Moroni 7 we read “12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.”
This section of this book was very revealing to me and clarified much in my mind. Ann and I have discussed these voices on numerous occasions but it was never very clear. I feel I have a much greater understanding now.
I know personally that I can think back on times in my life that I have heard and listened to each of these voices. I wish I could say that I have always followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit but I haven’t. I feel however that as I really try to obey the still small voice, and often write the prompting down, that I am becoming more adept at following the Holy Spirit.
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