7/11/2012 I read 1Nephi chapter's 21-22 and 2 Nephi chapter's 1-4:
In these chapter's, Nephi prophesies of the coming of the Messiah and the gathering of Israel. His family, now dwelling in the promised land, also listens to the last speakings and council from Lehi before his death. I picture a dear old grandpa gathering is posterity around him and hoping to touch their hearts with his wisdom. I know my own grandfather, though he had an "attitude" when it came to religious things, he cared very much about how we would carry on after he passed away. I think any parent or grandparent would. Lehi asks Lamen and Lemual to "put on the armor of righteousness".
"Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust." --2 Nephi 1: 23
In essence, Lehi was calling his posterity together and asking them to behave themselves and be nice to their brother, Nephi! He admonished them to walk uprightly before the Lord that they might be blessed and not cursed. How many of them listened and hearkened to his council? How many of them smiled and nodded out of respect but when they left his presence walked away and said to one another that grandpa was nuts? How many of us hear wise council from a parent or leader and walk away and tell themselves that what was said was not applicable to them or the person giving the council really had no clue?
I recall an experience I had when working at the church office building back in the 90's. I took great sport in teasing one of the women I worked with. I never meant my teasing in a malicious way, the woman was just so easy to convince of crazy things! and I did make sport of it. Then one day, I was sharing a prank with President Hinkley's secretary while delivering his mail. We were giggling about the whole ordeal and then I turned to leave.
"Jana,"
It was the voice of President Hinkley,
I turned around in shock, not only did he know my name, he was talking to me!
"Yes, " I said.
"Behave yourself, a joke is only funny if you are both laughing."
OH My! A Prophet of the Lord chastens me, personally! ...as I stand in his presence! I was overwhelmed at the possibility that I may have hurt this woman's feelings! I was truly humbled!
I think for the rest of that day, I felt overwhelmed! I distinctly remember the next morning going into work ... the woman was sitting at her desk and we were the only one's in the room. I asked her for forgiveness. I never thought of myself as poorly as I did that day. I am a nice person, not a bully. I never in a million years thought my teasing was being taken that way until that very moment. I was blessed by her forgiveness and have since then been very careful about how I display my sense of humor.
Did Lamen and Lemuel hearken unto the words of their father? ...ummm no, and thus continues the Saga of what those stinkers will come up with next!
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A few years ago, while studying 2 Nephi chapter 4, I was going through a very tough time in my life...(much like now, it never seems to end) and I wrote a poem to Nephi, about what I imagined he was going through after his father died. When reading the scriptures in that chapter, we are reminded that though Nephi was a prophet and a great man, he was a human being who at times felt overwhelmed and unworthy ... because of these very scriptures I developed a much closer relationship with him, spiritually. ... I want to share that poem now:
Comforted
written by
Janalea Jeppson 10/2003
Nephi,
I understand…
Your anguish taught me something
In Nephi, chapter four:
I know our Father loves me,
He is with me,
And He comforts me.
Just like He loved and
comforted you, when your
heart was heavy and
burdened with pain.
I felt your testimony as
I read your words
upon the pages …
golden threads of declaration
weave a tapestry of truth
within my heart.
That ignites my testimony
and warms my soul!
Our Father loves you,
And He loves me…
We trust Him …
Though our trials are very different
The core of all is trust.
The kind of trust that lifts your soul
Above the doubt…
And all the questions of “Why?”
I am sure you never thought
That I would gain so much
From what you wrote,
“O wretched man that I am!”*
How could you know
That I would feel your sorrow
Through mine?
How could you fully comprehend?
That two thousand years and more would pass
And I would sit alone with heavy heart
Finding strength to carry on
Through your words….
And together you and I declare;
“O Lord,
I have trusted thee
and I will trust in thee forever!”*
Dear Nephi,
I understand.
And today you become
More than words upon a page.
Today you are my brother in my heart
And in my soul
As our spirits cross
The barriers of time.
Today I felt your pain,
I mourned your loss,
by your side.
And I felt the Lord
“Encircle me around the robe
of righteousness.”*
As He did for you
So long ago,
Which eased the pain
In my own heart.
1* Taken from 2 Nephi 4:17
2* Taken from 2 Nephi 4: 34
3* Taken from 2 Nephi 4: 33
written by Janalea Jeppson
10/2003
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