Before journal my thoughts on these chapter's I just wanted to point out an amusing side note; those of you who know me well, know that whenever I travel and "hangout" for a while in another place, I kind of "adopt" the way the locals in that area speak. I returned from the east, after working as a nanny sounding like I had grown up a native of NY! Anyway, when saying my morning prayer just moments ago, I sounded just like Nephi! LOL! I Seriously said this ...
"After reading for the space of four days and being filled with the spirit, not just in my readings, but in all manner of things." (no this is not nephi ...this is Jana...LOL)
About halfway through my prayer, I realized what I was doing and literally laughed out loud! I have no doubt that the Lord was amused as well! And so, if I revert to the language of these brethren whom I have read about, please understand that I am not being facetious, I just do it without thinking!
In these chapters the Lord gives the travelers the gift of the Liahona to guide them through the wilderness. The most fascinating part of that to me is that it not only worked according to their faith, the Lord would leave messages on it to them! Kind of like a heavenly text! Cool!
My imagination is quite healthy ... so, as I read, I was thinking how awesome it would be to have my own little liahona, and as my imagination took hold, I suddenly realized that I was holding my liahona, My scriptures! The Lord writes the words through his servants and I partake and learn and grow, and in this I find direction for my life! Maybe the obviousness of this is apparent to many, but it was one of those moments for me that just "clicked" ... and thus was born a deeper understanding!
"And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things." --1Nephi 16:29
Ya know, I have read the scriptures and studied my whole life, and I am constantly amazed and how the Lord teaches. That something we have learned throughout our lives can take on new meaning and understanding according to those things we need in our personal situation! I am filled with the spirit as I study now, and can see how much I have grown in just four days! Like I have said in a previous blog, we are all on our own journey. We have a common goal; we are family and striving to return to the land of promise to live with our Father again in heaven. Similar to Lehi and his family. We have our elder brother, even Jesus Christ to walk with us every step of the way! Sometimes we are asked to do hard things and sometimes we are chastened in ways of truth that are "hard" to hear ... especially when the truth is: we can improve. No one likes to hear, "you're doing it wrong!"
Our gut reaction is to say "Hey! You don't have the right to tell me how to do this!" Rather than to hear what is being said and the spirit in which it is being delivered. But when we humble ourselves before our Father In heaven, he can give us all the strength necessary to do those hard things.
"... wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center."
--1Nephi 16:2
And so we travel in our lives ... much like these brother's and sisters ... and as we travel we have good times and bad. It is so easy to be obedient when life is good! It is when we are faced with adversity of any kind that our character and willingness to be obedient is challenged. When things are good ... Lehi's family is good, and when they are challenged in any manner, members of the family rise up in rebellion! I find myself frustrated with Lamen and Lemual not just because they are constantly rebelling, but because they seek to destroy their brother, Nephi continually!, even after visitation by angels and humbling themselves over and over and over again! There are times I just want to pop in the pages of the book and slap them silly! Then I think of how similar my attitude can be and has been. I have heard myself say, "I don't want to do this anymore! " or "This journey is too hard, Father! why must I travel it?" of course, I have never wanted to nor have I ever been tempted to "slay my brethren", there have been a few times I have wanted to punch someone in the face! Knowing how easy I can get and attitude myself, my heart softens ... (like Lamen and Lemuel being chastened again and again and again!)
2 comments:
I love this post! I know what you mean about this journey...And I love how Scriptures show you new things you've never read before (even though you read these pages hundreds of times). Like yesterday I stumbled upon Mosih 4:27. Wow, my eyes were opened! I've been filling lately that there is just too much to do in one day and never enough time. Well, He reminded me that there should be order in everything :)
You absolutely know how to make a point. I love to read your thoughts. It gives me things to think about and a little joy along the way. Love you!
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