To Gather With the Saints

Today I read 2 Nephi 12 where Nephi quotes Isaiah.  I have often wondered why some people are so intent on going to certain places they consider holy.  I understand going to the temple, where the devil can’t go and where you can feel peace.  However, I have not understood the need of some to go to Jerusalem or to fight wars over it for sure.  If I ever had to flee America due to a war or whatnot, I am pretty sure I would just make my new home where I was and move on with my life.  Perhaps it is a cultural thing.    But then again, even in our day and age there are people that are drawn to Utah.  And in the 19^th century thousands upon thousands flocked to be with the Saints in Utah.  But did that have more to do with the fellowship of the Saints compared to the location?  I personally think so, but I am not sure since I was not there nor was I one of them.  Perhaps I will never understand it though, I am a pretty easy going guy and make a good life for myself no matter where I am as long as my family is with me.  That is what is most important to me.  Until tomorrow.

Follow the Savior

Today I read 2 Nephi 11 and I am not sure if I have ever noticed this before now, but Nephi states that he put in the words of Isaiah as another witness of Christ for his people.  Nephi understands that out of the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses every word will be established.  It is a shame that the devil uses this same tactic to confuse people and testify of his lies.  But if he did not do that, he would not be the devil I suppose.  The devil always seems to follow the Lord’s plan and then just tweak it a little.  I wonder if he is just incapable of coming up with his own ideas, or if he just imitates in order to more effectively trick us?  I honestly don’t really care because either way his ultimate goal is my unhappiness.  I prefer to follow the Savior, who wants what is best for me and wants my ultimate happiness.  That is the better path by far.  Until tomorrow.

What is it About Mankind that Breeds Violence?

Today I read 2 Nephi 10 where Jacob continues to talk with the Israelites.  It is so interesting that despite their strong testimonies of Him, that Nephi and Jacob did not know the Savior’s name while He would be on the earth until this chapter.  I guess they just always referred to Him as Jehovah.  Other thoughts I had while reading this chapter though were more on what verse 13 where it says that he who fights against Zion shall perish.  What it is it about religion that gets people so stirred up?  And I really don’t mind if you don’t agree with me, but why do some people get so upset that they fight and in fact go to war over it?  That is what I cannot understand.  Who would want to believe in a God that demands obedience enforced by the sword?  It is sad really that people feel the need to be so violent.  I guess it is part of being a natural man.  We are just prone to violence when something doesn’t go our way.  It is not in the nature of man to solve things peacefully.  Those that do, make a conscious choice to do so.  If only more of us did.  Until tomorrow.

When Does the Change of Heart Come?

Today I read 2 Nephi 9 which is one of my all time favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon.  But at the same time it makes me a little sad for myself.  Jacob says that his soul abhorreth sin.  Lately I have been thinking about my standing before God.  To my chagrin I find that my soul does not abhor sin, but rather it is a struggle to keep myself clean.  I say that, but it is not really the truth.  I do not struggle against sinning, but rather my soul desires to sin.  My weaknesses beset me and as such my natural man desires to return to my sins, to find carnal pleasure.  My soul does not shake at the appearance of sin but rather I have to make a conscious choice to not find pleasure in it.  Why is that?  I am making my choice by my actions, so why is it that my nature is not changing?  Why have I not experienced the mighty change of heart?  When does the Lord help me have the change of heart so my desires become righteous?  The truth is I don’t know.  I will just have to keep choosing the righteous path and hope that the Lord will one day reward me with a change of heart.  Until tomorrow.

Put on Strength

Today I read 2 Nephi 8 where Jacob reads more of Isaiah to the Nephites.  I really liked one phrase in particular, "Awake awake and put on strength".  The phrase to put on strength is very well said in my opinion.  It means that we can do things to strengthen ourselves.  It reminds me of the scripture in Philippians 2:12 which tells us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.  It is up to us what we get out of this life.  If we want to become like God is, we have to work for that.  It we want to live in the mud and the filth of this world, then we don't need to do anything, it will drag us down on its own.  But if we want to awake and arise and put on strength, then we have to actually do something.  It's kind of like the escalator analogy I gave years ago.  This life is like walking up a "down" escalator.  If we do nothing, we will go down.  But if we put effort into it, we can rise above it and reach the top, but it will only happen if we put forth the effort.  That is why I like the phrase put on strength.  Until tomorrow.

Keep the Commandments

Today I read 2 Nephi 7 where Jacob quotes Isaiah 50 to the Nephites.  I really like the imagery of God always being there to welcome us.  That it is not Him that turns away from us, but rather we who turn away from Him.  We do it little by little each time we sin.  As we choose incorrectly we turn away from Him.  It is not a conscious choice at first, but rather something that happens as we choose incorrectly.  It is a natural consequence.  We slowly but surely lose our sensitivity to the things of the Gospel.  Then one day we find we have wandered far off and that the things of the Spirit make us feel bad because we feel guilty.  The thing to do is not start on the wrong path at all.  Keep the commandments and repent as soon as you realize you have made a mistake.  In this way we will keep ourselves from going astray and making it harder on ourselves.  Until tomorrow.

Jacob is an Interesting Man

Today I read 2 Nephi 6 which is the first chapter in the Book of Mormon where Jacob is the speaker.  He is teaching the people of Nephi about the words of Isaiah and helping them to understand that they are applicable to the people of Nephi because they are of the house of Israel.  Jacob goes on to let the people know that Jerusalem has already been destroyed and that they were saved by the faithfulness of Lehi in bringing them out of Jerusalem when he did.  Jacob always struck me as a very strong, stalwart individual.  I would really have liked to have known him and been his friend.  He was so strong in the Gospel but he doesn’t seem to be as overly righteous like Nephi always did.  Maybe I am doing Nephi a disservice, but he always seemed so unapproachable to me.  Jacob on the other hand, always seemed like he would be anyone’s friend and a really nice man to be around.  I look forward to meeting him one day.  Until tomorrow.