The Kind of Leader We Should All Have

Today I read 2 Chronicles 30 where King Hezekiah holds the Feast of the Passover.  The more I read about him, the more I like Hezekiah.  I think I will be quite interested to meet him when I pass over to the other side.  He was a man who truly had the best interest of his people in mind.  When he decided to hold the feast of the passover it was so that his people could grow closer to Heavenly Father and return to the proper practice of following the Law of Moses and keeping the commandments that God wanted them to.  He even prayed that Heavenly Father would forgive those who were not properly cleansed for the feast of the passover and Heavenly Father heard his prayer and pardoned those that did not come properly prepared.  It is really awesome to see a king so devoted to his people, just like King Benjamin.  This is the way that leaders should be, they should be concerned for the welfare of their people, not for their own comfort.  That is the mistake that most people in power today make.  They are more concerned with making money and staying in power as opposed to taking care of those that they have stewardship over.  If every country was a leader like this, there would be no hunger, no poverty and no crime.  It would truly be a paradise.  Until tomorrow.

The Children are More Righteous than their Fathers

Today I read 2 Chronicles 29 which starts the story of King Hezekiah a good and righteous man.  I have wondered this before, but what makes a man desire to be righteous when their father is as wicked as king Ahaz was?  We see the same thing with King Limhi, the son of King Noah, in the Book of Mormon.  Abraham, the son of Terah, forsook almost all of his people and desired the blessings of the priesthood.  These men, and I am sure women that we don't know about, are unique.  They have a testimony and understanding of the truth that their parents did not.  They desire that which is right in the sight of the Lord when those around them want nothing but to sin.  As far as I am aware that is not the most common of traits.  Most people just follow what their parents do.  Although I have noticed that it is becoming more common these days with the spirit of Elijah being here on the earth.  The children are enjoying church and even if their parents don't want to participate, they want to attend church and do that which is right in the sight of the Lord.  It really lends a lot of weight to the idea that God has saved His most valiant and righteous Spirits for these Latter-days.  Until tomorrow.

Ahaz Ruins Himself

Today I read 2 Chronicles 28 which tells the tale of king Ahaz who was, in my opinion, ridiculously stupid.  This man basically offered sacrifice to all the gods of his enemies, every god he could think of, except the true God, Heavenly Father.  His reasoning was that his enemies were triumphant on their military campaigns so maybe if he sacrificed to their gods they would help him.  I guess this man never once bothered to open up the scriptures and read the doings of his own people. 

As I was reading this chapter on this sorry excuse for a king, I couldn't help but wonder something.  It stated in the scriptures that king Ahaz brought back the idolatry that was present when the Israelites first arrived with Joshua and Moses.  So it got me thinking, I wonder just how fast the Israelites would have left their God and the true path of righteousness if they hadn't totally destroyed those civilizations?  Some people, myself included, get bent out of shape when we read those chapters and hear the Lord order Joshua to destroy every man, woman, child and animal of those cities.  And yet, if they hadn't, the Israelites were weak and would have fallen away that much quicker.  The Lord does not delight in bloodshed, there is a reason when He orders and entire civilization destroyed.  And when the Lord orders something done, we should probably align ourselves with His wishes.  Until tomorrow.

The Lessons We Learn From the Scriptures

Today I read 2 Chronicles 27 which tells the very short story of king Jotham.  All we can gather from this chapter is that Jotham was righteous and he made war, quite successfully, with his enemies.  It is interesting that the wicked kings seem to get talked about much more than the righteous ones in the Old Testament.  I wonder if this is because we have numerous examples of doing that which is righteous because of Jesus Himself and the Book of Mormon.  Or because we have more to learn from an unrighteous king by way of what NOT to do?  What ever the reason, it is very effective, it doesn't pay to be wicked, something bad always seems to happen to you in the end.  Until tomorrow.

No Exceptions to the Commandments

Today I read 2 Chronicles 26 which tells the story of King Uzziah who was blessed by the Lord and then pretty much spit in God's face.  King Uzziah was blessed by the Lord when he went to war and by conquering his enemies.  However, afterwards, the king did that which was forbidden for him to do.  He went into the temple and offered incense to the Lord, an act that is only permitted for a Priest of the house of Aaron, or someone with the Aaronic Priesthood.  As a result, he was struck with leprosy. 

As I was reading this, I couldn't help but wonder why he thought just because the Lord helped him win some battles, that he could perform ordinances that he knew for sure he wasn't supposed to do?  Why do people make the mistake of thinking they are the exception to the commandments, or the rules?  Why do Latter-day Saints, or other Christian denominations even, hear a commandment and completely disregard it?  Whether we say to ourselves that it doesn't apply to us or not?  If we have no intention of following it, then we are doing just that, whether we say the words in our mind or not. 

I hope all of you who might read this understand that there are no exceptions to following the commandments, not a single one.  Remind yourselves why Jesus was baptized.  There are a couple of reasons, but not the least of which, was because it was a commandment of our Heavenly Father.  Jesus Himself taught that a man must be born of water and the Spirit or we cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, and that went for Himself also.  There are no exceptions to the commandments, all are subject to them, and if we one day hope to be as God is, then we have to obey them just as He does.  It is a lesson we should all learn early and learn well.  Until tomorrow.

Commandment Buffets

Today I read 2 Chronicles 25 which tells the story of yet another king.  It is interesting that while I was reading this chapter, the new king killed men who slew his father, but did not kill their children so that he would be following the Law of Moses.  It is strange, because that is the only commandment that we are told he followed.  It is very similar to some Christians today.  They will pick and choose what commandments they want to follow.  Almost no one follows the Law of Chastity except Latter-day Saints.  No one but LDS follow the rule against drinking alcohol, attending your meetings and a host of other commandments.  But there are some commandments that they just will not break.  It is very interesting and I wonder if their justifications that they tell themselves will ring hollow in their ears when they stand before Heavenly Father and give their excuses.  I just hope that I will not be one of them and have to find out first hand!  Until tomorrow.

Joash the Righteous

Today I read 2 Chronicles 24 which continues the story of the kings of Judah.  The king, Joash, was righteous and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord.  Sometimes when I read the scriptures I feel like when I write my blog I'm almost writing a chapter heading because there really is not much to talk about.  Kings rise and kings fall, some are righteous and some are not.  On a lot of these chapters, there just isn't really all that much to say.  Until tomorrow.

Find your Path

Today I read 2 Chronicles 23 which tells the story of Judah cleansing itself of the priests of Baal and of turning back to the Lord.  It is interesting to me that it doesn't take long for people to fall from the Lord and to stop doing that which is right.  I used to be really confused how the Nephites and Israelites would let it happen after only a few years, however, now that I have seen it firsthand in my own life with the aftermath of September 11, 2001 here in America, I no longer am confused, but it still blows my mind how people have such short memories and don't seem to stay the course when it comes to doing that which is right.  I know that sin can be enjoyable and Satan has had a very long time to perfect his art of deception and trying to get us to do what is wrong, however, the ultimate reward is incalculably better than anything the world has to offer.  When I am tempted by the world, I try and remember that and it helps.  Each of us must find our own way of dealing with the temptations of the world and figuring out how to do that is right.  When you do, things will be much better for you, I promise.  Until tomorrow.

The Rise and Fall of a Wicked King

Today I read 2 Chronicles 22 which tells the story of yet another unrighteous king.  What is sad to me about this chapter however, is the fact that Ahaziah killed all of his siblings so that he could be king over the land.  How can someone's lust for power be so great that they are willing to murder those who should be closest to them for it?  I love my siblings like no one else on this planet.  They are special to me and I have a bond with them that is unique among all other relationships.  The idea of harming them in anyway or form is anathema to me.  I sometimes make the mistake of thinking everyone is like me, but when I read something so sad like this, I wish everyone was like me.  The world would be such a nicer place, probably pretty dull however.  Variety is the spice of life so the saying goes.  But I think I would rather have boring as opposed to murderous.  What a much nicer world it would be, to not have to think about murder or others doing you harm.  Maybe I'll live to see the millennium and get to experience it first hand.  Until tomorrow.

The Lord Removes Jehoram from Power

Today I read 2 Chronicles 21 which tells the very short story of Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram.  Jehoram was not righteous like his father and caused his people, or rather some of them, to do that which was wrong in the sight of God.  After coming on the heels of 2 righteous kings it would appear even the people were not pleased with his behavior.  When he died, he was not given a burial like they had given all the other kings.  He was buried, but not in the sepulcher of the kings.  It's pretty sad when even the people don't like you and didn't want you around. 

It is interesting that God will suffer some kings to be around if they are unrighteous however there are others, like this one, that Heavenly Father steps in and forcibly removes by way of disease or other means.  I suspect it has to do with the damage such a king might do if left unchecked, I really don't know.  What I do know however is that it is a comfort that not all the people, I daresay not even the majority of the people, were not fooled by such a man.  They knew the difference between him and his father and they preferred the father.  IT is chapters like these that give one hope for humanity.  Until tomorrow.

The Lord Helps the Righteous

Today I read 2 Chronicles 20 which details the events of a battle that Judah takes part in and how they are told not to worry, that the Lord will be with them and will fight the battle for them.  As I sit here wondering what it must be like to take part in a battle like this where the Lord does miraculous things, 2 things occur to me.  First of all, I have never taken part in a battle of any kind so such wondering is kind of silly.  Secondly, I have seen many miraculous things in my own life, not the least of which resulted in my life being saved in a manner that cannot be explained in any way other than what my friend characterized as "righteous living" or God stepping in directly and helping out.  Which reminds me of D&C 82:10 that when we follow the commandments, God has promised to bless us or to step in and do what is necessary to help us out.  But when we don't, we don't have a promise and it is at God's discretion whether to help us or not.  He loves us however, so more often than not, as long as we don't need to learn a lesson or it is not our time, He will help us out.  Just like a righteous earthly father will.  Until tomorrow.

Accepting Correction from the Lord

Today I read 2 Chronicles 19 where Jehoshaphat was reprimanded for aligning himself with Ahab, the king of Israel.  The nice thing about Jehoshaphat is that he takes the reprimand well and straightened out his life and got back in right with the Lord.  A man after my own heart.  Everyone makes mistakes and can make a wrong turn at times, the real test is when we get such correction, how do we receive it?  Do we happily go along with the correction and make the changes, or do we kick against the pricks and bewail our fate and talk about how horrible our life is?  If we are smart, we will remember that when God corrects us, it is because He loves us and wants us to improve.  He is giving us another opportunity to become better than we are.  As any good parent should, and remember, God is the best parent there is.  Until tomorrow.

Stand for What is Right

Today I read 2 Chronicles 18 where Judah and Israel go to battle against Syria.  Most of this chapter actually focuses on the kings of Judah and Israel asking the prophets of the false gods, and the Lord if they will be successful.  The king of Israel, Ahab, does not care for the true prophet because he says the prophet only speaks ill words to him, nothing good.  The prophet replies that he only speaks the words that God tells him to speak.

I have found myself in the same situation from time to time.  We live in a very immoral world and as such, we can find ourselves at odds with those around us.  If we choose to follow the Lord our God and do what is right then we will put ourselves in direct opposition of most of the world and what they think is right.  But, like Elder Dallin H. Oaks reminded us in a recent General Conference, just because the world thinks something is right and might even vote on it, does not change the fact that God has decreed something to be wrong a morally reprehensible in some cases.  We have to stand for what is right even if no one else will, that is an oath each of us took at the time of our baptism into this great church.  And we promised the Lord we would do it for Him, and that is not a promise we should take lightly.  Until tomorrow.

Jehoshaphat Reigns in Righteousness

Today I read 2 Chronicles 17 which tells of the next king of Judah, Jehoshaphat.  I have always loved that name.  It is so funny to me.  Anyway, this entire chapter is about Jehoshaphat's preparations for war and how he intended to guard himself against the kingdom of Israel.  It does however also tell us that he was righteous in the sight of God and did not go after Baalim and other false gods.  It can be quite monotonous at times to read so much and get so little spiritual fulfillment out of the Old Testament.  But we have it all for a reason, not the least of which is a good lesson for what we can learn and how we can avoid pitfalls others have made in the past.  Until tomorrow.

Put Your Trust in the Lord

Today I read 2 Chronicles 16 where Asa is attacked by the Kingdom of Israel.  Instead of relying on God like he should have, he turns to the King of Syria for assistance first.  This angers the Lord and he is struck with a disease that ultimately ends his life.  Now, one has to wonder, was King Asa's sin really so grevious?  By today's standards not really.  Today we have plenty of people who when they are faced with a challenge turn to other people instead of the Lord.  But why are the consequences of doing so in our day and age so much less than it was in the days of King Asa?  I truly don't have an answer.

I think the real problem with what Asa did is that it didn't even occur to reach out to the Lord for help.  I think he relied completely on outside help instead of reaching out to the Lord.  Currently I am having an issue at work with my schedule and I have to admit that my first instinct was to talk to my wife, not pray about it.  I did pray and it was on my mind even, but my first person I wanted to talk to about the situation was my wife.  So I have to wonder after reading this today, how different from Asa am I?  Is there more to the story than is recorded in the scriptures?  I don't have the answer to either of those questions.  What I do know though is that we need to put our trust in God.  Despite the fact that I turned to my wife first, I still knelt in prayer and poured out my heart to my Father in Heaven that night and every night since.  I think it is more what is in our hearts and where our focus is.  I don't think Asa had it in his heart to trust in God.  Perhaps he didn't think God could or would help him, I don't know.  I do know however that my trust is in God and I will rely upon Him no matter what.  Until tomorrow.

A Ray of Sunshine

Today I read 2 Chronicles 15 where the scriptures talk more about Asa and what he did for the people of Judah in helping them to be righteous.  As I said yesterday he reminds me of King Benjamin and it is really nice to see not everyone was a self-serving ruler back in the Old Testament days.  It is nice that the Lord includes these nice examples to show us that there were in fact good people during these many years of what seems to be only just evil individuals and people who did not follow the commandments.  Until tomorrow.

King Asa Reigns in Righteousness

Today I read 2 Chronicles 14 which talks about the king of Judah named Asa.  He reminds me of King Benjamin from the Book of Mormon.  He set his kingdom affairs in order and encouraged the people of his kingdom to turn back to the Lord.  He urged them to build cities and fences to protect themselves from their enemies.  The way he talked to his people and his actions let us know that he is a king not for the power, but rather so that he can serve his people.  That is the best kind of leader, the kind that views himself as a servant.  Jesus Himself declared that anyone who would be the greatest among others must be the servant of all.  Asa appears to be a king who has these qualities.  Just like King Benjamin in the Americas.  I'm sure there are others too that we could name, men and women who spent their lives in the service of others.  What a way to live!  Until tomorrow.

The Lord Uses the Wicked to Punish the Wicked

Today I read 2 Chronicles 13 where the Lord lists out the various ill deeds of Jeroboam.  It amuses me when the Lord uses the wicked to punish the wicked.  It reminds me of in the Book of Mormon when the Lamanites destroyed the city of Ammonihah.  The Lord will always fulfill His word and will use the resources available to Him.  The key to remember for us is, we don't have to worry about anything as long as we are righteous.  Bad things may still happen to us if we are righteous, but we can always remember that it will be the will of God and we can learn something from it.  It is only when we are wicked that we have to fear His wrath.  Hopefully none of us will fall into that category.  Until tomorrow.

What Kind of Life will you Live?

Today I read 2 Chronicles 12 where Rehoboam's reign is described.  When reading about such a man I have to wonder what he will think when he gets to the other side and sees his life reviewed.  Will he be pleased with what he sees?  Which of course makes ME wonder what I will think when I see my life reviewed.  Will I groan and cover my eyes as I see hours of wasted time that could have been used in building up the Kingdom of God?  Or will I be pleased as I see myself give service in the temple, doing my home teaching, giving an honest day's labor to my employer and raising my family in righteousness?  The key is, I don't have to wait until judgement day to know.  I can decide right now where my focus will be and what I want my life to be about.  No one can decide for me, I can choose to follow God or not, the choice is mine and all the subsequent choices that go along with that decision.  And that goes for all of us.  Choose wisely.  Until tomorrow.

Rehoboam Does Wrong in the Sight of the Lord

Today I read 2 Chronicles 11 where Rehoboam prepared for war to reclaim the tribes of Israel that left his kingdom due to his own stupidity.  However, God spoke to His prophet and told Rehoboam not to do it.  What is amazing to me is the fact that Rehoboam listened to the prophet.  I mean here is a man that in this same chapter, although it does not give any time frames for reference, setup the high places, or fertility groves for false gods, and took 18 women to wife.  It's almost as if he knows God is real and the true God but doesn't care as long as God leaves him alone and doesn't talk to him directly. 

Anytime I read about people having that many wives it just disgusts me.  Here is a man who cannot control his own lusts.  And you cannot tell me it is anything more than sexual gratification to have that many wives.  I love my wife and cannot imagine being with any other woman.  It is true that from time to time I find another woman attractive and it will stir the primal side of my brain, particularly if they are dressed in a provocative manner showing too much cleavage.  However, I have control over myself and do not dwell on such women or such thoughts and remain faithful to my wife.  However, with Rehoboam as with Solomon and David before him, he cannot control these thoughts and apparently makes no attempt to because how else could you end up with so many wives and a ridiculous amount of concubines?  It is sad when a person cannot contain their own appetites, whatever they may be, but for some reason sexual appetites in particular are sad when they cannot be controlled because it brings in so many children who cannot be properly cared for and loved.  Until tomorrow.

Rehoboam Loses His Kingdom Through Arrogance

Today I read 2 Chronicles 10 which outlines the way Rehoboam lost the kingdom of Israel.  I have to day, everytime I read this chapter or hear about it, I have to give Rehoboam the idiot of all time award.  I mean the man is a moron.  He clearly does not understand that power comes at the desire and willingness of those underneath you to serve and be placid.  When the people ask for relief, he spits in their face, metaphorically speaking, and tells them that what they have had before is easy compared to what is to come.  I can't think of a better way to incite rebellion among his people than what he did.  What a class act moron!  Now, it says that it is in fulfillment of prophecy.  That to me could mean several things.  It could mean that God influenced Rehoboam or some of his advisers or that God was just telling a prophet in days past what was going to happen. 

Just because God had a prophet prophesy it, does not mean God had a direct hand in it.  God could have prophesied using his prophet that America would suffer a Recession in 2008, but that doesn't mean God caused it to happen.  Knowing an event is going to happen doesn't mean that person caused it.  We all know that here on earth, if you hold an object up in the air and let it go, it will fall to the ground.  But we do not cause that to happen, nevertheless we can prophesy that it will take place because we know the laws of gravity are in effect.  So it is with God, He knows us so well that He can tell what we will do in a given situation, not to mention that all time is before Him, past, present and the future.  We too could speak with confidence about future events if we saw them happen.  So it is no surprise that God can say that Rehoboam will cause the kingdom of Israel to leave the house of David and be correct.  I don't think that God had anything to do with it happening, just that He saw it happen because Rehoboam and his young advisers were idiots.  Until tomorrow.

Solomon's Reign

Today I read 2 Chronicles 9 which catalogs the reign of King Solomon.  It is amusing to me that at the end of Solomon's reign in the book of Kings it states that the rest of his acts are listed in the book of the Chronicles.  However, in this book it states that the rest of his acts are in the book of Nathan, or the book of the Kings.  It's a circle where nothing is actually contained it would seem, although the book of Kings does contain more information on Solomon than does this chapter.  This one is more like the cliff notes, it does not even contain the most famous story of cutting the child in two in order to determine the true parent, which I still think is a pretty twisted story.  But we did not learn anything new in this chapter that we didn't already know about Solomon so it truly was a review.  Solomon was favored of the Lord, until he made the same mistake his father did and let his lust rule his judgment.  It is sad how many people fall prey to the sins of the flesh.  But that is what we are here for, to be tested on just such things.  Until tomorrow.

Solomon, with God's Help, Sets Things in Order

Today I read 2 Chronicles 8 where the rest of Israel's affairs are set in order.  It never fails to amaze me how orderly the Kingdom of Heaven is.  I mean, God has it all down to a science, which shouldn't surprise me, I mean He put the star in the heavens that heralded the Savior's birth so far in advance that it appeared at the exact moment of the Savior's birth here on Earth.  So why should it surprise me that God is so orderly about lesser things, including the way we do things here for His Kingdom?  That is just my human nature that is surprised I guess, the Spiritual side of me is not really all that surprised, just pleased that my God can be relied on and counted on no matter what.  Until tomorrow.

God Accepts Solomon's Temple

Today I read 2 Chronicles 7 where the Lord accepts the temple that Solomon built.  It never fails to amaze me how God will straight out tell us what we need to do in order to stay in His good graces, and yet we can't, or won't do it.  And Heavenly Father, rightly so, states that if all these calamities befall us, it will be because we did not stay true to Him, He who never fails us.  I believe it was Jeffrey R. Holland that once said life is the only game where we know the outcome, we know who will win, and yet we are still trying to decide which team to join.  When put into those terms it seems very silly that we don't do a better job of keeping the commandments.  Especially when we see first hand how sin can ruin lives completely.

Why do we struggle and falter?  The answer of course is because of the natural man.  We have to overcome the natural man and to do that, we have to desire to become better than we are.  That's what it all boils down to, our desire.  Where do you want to end up?  Sure you may have a desire to do that which is wrong and wicked, but do you like the fact that you have those desires?  Or do we wish that we could better control ourselves and what we are doing with our lives?  I know I do.  I have desires that are unwholesome as far as God is concerned and that bothers me.  I want to change, I want to be different and don't want to have those desires anymore.  And that in my opinion makes all the difference.  I choose to fight against the current, to overcome the temptations that beset me.  And with God's help, I can do just that.  Until tomorrow.

Solomon Dedicates the Temple

Today I read 2 Chronicles 6 which is essentially the dedicatory prayer that Solomon offered for the temple.  As I was reading I could not help but wonder about something that was completely unrelated to this chapter.  It has always been interesting to me that Jesus Christ chose to be born through the line of David that went through Solomon.  In other words, Jesus was born through David and Bath-Sheeba, the woman that David sinned with and later married.  Now, Solomon was not the child that was born of their adultery, that child died.  Solomon was a legitimate child through their marriage, but it is still interesting to me that Jesus was born through that line.  I'm not sure why this thought popped into my head today since it really had nothing to do with the chapter.  Until tomorrow.

Solomon Builds the Temple

Today I read 2 Chronicles 3 - 5 which details the building of the temple.  Again it is great from a historian's point of view and I am glad we have it.  It does give a good picture of what the temple must have looked like.  I wonder what Solomon must have been feeling when he was building the temple?  I wonder if he realized how sacred the temple would become and how it would be a status symbol for all of Judaism?  Probably not.  I don't think people and events that we now consider famous considered themselves famous when they were happening.  I think the people were trying to do the best they could of what they had and we view them as famous now because of the extraordinary circumstances.  It makes me wonder what history will think of me, if I will even be a blip on the page?  Time will tell I suppose.  Until tomorrow.

Solomon Prepares to Build the Temple

Today I read 2 Chronicles 2 where Solomon trades with other kingdoms for materials and laborers so he can build the temple for the Lord.  It never fails to amaze me how a kingdom ruled by a single monarch can be so influenced by the whims of a single man or woman.  I can't help but wonder if the people fall in line with their monarch and what percentage they do, or if they resent the fact that they have to go along with whatever the king says.  I know that in America, during the Cold War, most Americans bought into the idea that the Russians were the bad guys hook line and sinker.  It makes me wonder if other cultures fall in line as easily with their monarch's wishes and desires?  More food for thought.  Until tomorrow.

Solomon Seeks Wisdom

Today I read 2 Chronicles 1 which recounts the story of Solomon's conversation with the Lord and how he asked for wisdom and how impressed the Lord was.  It is always very interesting to me how things are written.  The Lord knew what Solomon was going to ask for but still let Solomon feel that he had done a great thing in what he asked for, and truly he had.  If there is one thing that we can take with us from this life, it is our intelligence and wisdom that we have gained.  We can always ask Heavenly Father for help in obtaining more wisdom and becoming better men and women and we can be sure that He will help us.  Heavenly Father has always taught us to seek out wisdom and learning.  When we follow that directive, we make Him pleased and that is always a good thing.  Until tomorrow.