If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. Anne Bradstreet

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Ether 12:27

Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season therof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion. D&C 59:18-20

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Day 7 in the Book of Mormon

In Chapter 16, after Nephi has explained the meaning of Lehi's visions to Laman and Lemuel, they tell Nephi, Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear.  It is so sad when people feel that way.  The Gospel is a joy to live.  The hard part is trying to have one foot in the Gospel and one foot in the world.  It just doesn't work.  We have to be "all in" to experience the joy of the Gospel.

In Chapter 16 we see the great patriarch Lehi murmur when Nephi's bow was broken.  It's just a warning to everyone that no one is so spiritual that they are beyond temptation.  Lehi was quickly brought to repentance, but I'm glad that Nephi included that incident. 

The Liahona was a wonderful gift, and I've often craved my own Liahona.  The scriptures tell is that we can as easily be led by the Spirit as they were by the Liahona, but I still long for a "writing" from the Lord from time to time.  Even if it was a chastisement. 

The complaints and murmurings from Laman, Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael are very tedious to read.  Over and over again they complain, then they repent, then something hard happens again, and they complain more.  And every time they complain, they become more resistant to the Spirit, and they became murderers in their hearts.  I pray that the Spirit would expose my murmurings and complaints so that I can see mine as easily as I see theirs, and be as repulsed by mine as I am by theirs.  Can I go even 1 day without complaining? 
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)