1 Ne 18: 'the compass....did cease to work’

During their journey across the sea, Nephi's brothers began to make themselves merry and to speak with much rudeness.  They forgot The Lord.  Nephi attempted to correct them, which led to much contention and to Nephi being bound with cords.  After Nephi was bound, he notes that "the compass, which had been prepared of the Lord, did cease to work".  They had lost their ability to receive spiritual direction from the Lord.  I have noticed this holds true in my life.  When I have a spirit of contention in my heart, I lose the spirit.  When we have contention in our family, we drive away the Spirit.  When we invite contention, we diminish the opportunities for spiritual guidance in our lives.

In this example, Nephi again illustrates how to handle contention and difficult family relations.  Four principles impressed me in this account.  First, never give up on our loved ones.  When his brothers were forgetting the Lord, he tried to help them remember.  Their hearts were hard, so they responded in a prideful manner.  It appears to me that Laman and Lemuel are gradually getting harder in their hearts as the years go by.  But Nephi loved them enough to try.  He didn't give up on them.

Second, trust in the Lord's power and His love for His children.  Although Nephi did not give up on trying to help his brothers, in this case, he could not soften their hearts.  Only the Lord could help them.  Only the fear of destruction was enough to get them to 'see things as they really are'.  Sometimes family members, or loved ones, must endure the storm until they see that only the Lord can deliver them from destruction.  The Lord is sufficiently powerful to deliver us from destruction when we turn to Him.

Third, avoid contention and murmuring, even (or especially) if others are struggling with these things.  Nephi did not murmur because of his afflictions, but did praise the Lord.  What would have happened had he succumbed to the temptation to murmur?  He also would have lost the Spirit and would not likely have been able to take over and lead them safely to the promised land, once the opportunity arrived.  It is critical to be able to remain calm and not succumb to the temptations of the devil, when another family member is having a hard time.

Fourth, my wickedness impacts my loved ones.  Laman and Lemuel's wickedness brought their parents to their sickbed.  Even near to death.  Perhaps my wickedness does not have this dramatic of a physical effect, but my behavior always impacts my family.

I hope that I can apply these principles to better avoid contention and to deal with difficult family situations or interactions.  I believe proper application of these principles helps lead to the spiritual guidance and deliverance my family and I need to live happily and to reach our promised land.

Separating ourselves from the world

Something that Nephi said in 1 Nephi 6: 4-5 made an impression on me:

 4 For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.

 5 Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world.

We can not fully come unto Christ if our hearts are on the things of the world.  If we are making a sincere effort to live our lives after the manner of our Savior, then the words of the Book of Mormon will fill our soul with joy and touch our hearts and draw us closer to him.  The message of the Book of Mormon will not be pleasing to those who follow the ways of men.  There are many political and social trends that are taking society away from the straight and narrow path, and many people are angered by the message of salvation and God's laws and commandments because they have their hearts set on the things of the world.  We need to make sure that we are doing the things that are pleasing unto God so that we can keep ourselves separated from the world.  I have found in my life that by studying the word of God on a daily basis keeps me on the straight and narrow path and helps me to overcome the "Natural Man" and the ways of the world.  The opportunity to study the Book of Mormon is a great blessing in my life.  I need the spiritual help that I receive from its pages.

1 Nephi 5: After this manner of language

Looking for specific principles as I read the Book of Mormon is a powerful way for me to 'search' the scriptures.  As I read the Book of Mormon this time, one of things I am focusing on is finding principles that will help me be a better husband and father.

1 Ne 5:1-9 highlights powerful principles related to handling stressful family situations and conflict in relationships.  In this example, Sariah was struggling.  She was missing her sons.  They were on a very dangerous mission, and she was worried about them.  She appears to have temporarily struggled, and complained against Lehi, due to her fears.  She focused on the negative, and even seemed to chastise Lehi a little bit for having visions, and following the instructions of the Lord.

Lehi's response is very instructive.  He did not appear to get defensive.  He did not appear to attack back.  He listened to Sariah's concerns.  He comforted her by testifying to her of the things he had seen and received.  He reminded her of the overall perspective needed.  That because of the visions, he knew of the goodness of a God.  That they would not perish at Jerusalem.  That the Lord would give them a land of promise.  That the Lord would deliver their children.  He was listening, patient, soothing, and prophetic.  He had the Spirit and he testified of these things.  It was 'after this manner of language' that Lehi comforted Sariah.  Thus, when the sons did return, she was able to see the hand of God in it, and her faith and testimony were strengthened.  Sariah then rejoiced in the Lord and 'after this manner of language' did she also speak.

In marriages and families, we sometimes face stressful situations.  Sometimes I struggle to be sufficiently strong.  Sometimes it is a family member that is struggling.  When I struggle, I appreciate a response like Lehi's.  When someone else struggles, I want to be able to respond like Lehi.  When someone complains or attacks, I can be patient.  I can understand that there is a valid source of fear and frustration.  I can listen, provide comfort and testimony, and help them see the vision and feel the Spirit. I can speak 'after this manner of language' that Lehi used, rather than the language of the natural man.   And as the trial is resolved, the Lord will confirm our testimonies and we will grow and be strengthened.

1 Nephi 8

I have noticed that the pattern that we see in 1 Nephi 8:5-11 often happens to us today.  Lehi sees a man dressed in white who asks Lehi to follow him.  Lehi does follow him for many hours in a dark and dreary waste.  He wasn't really in any danger, but he was in darkness.  Finally Lehi prays to the Lord that He would have mercy on him.  As soon as he prays to the Lord he beholds a large and spacious field and the tree of life.  I think that we can sometimes find ourselves on the right path, following blindly without really seeing the loving kindness that our Heavenly Father is willing to bless us with if we will just turn our lives over to him completely and look to Him for guidance.  I know that in my life I am blessed according to my diligence in searching for Him in my life.  Every time I sincerely look to Him, He blesses me and shows me the work that he has been doing in my life and helps me to focus on what is truly important in order to live happily here on earth and shows me how to find eternal happiness as well. 

Week 1: Introduction, Testimonies and Joseph Smith History

Boldness and Vision of Joseph Smith and Witnesses

The boldness and the vision of the early leaders of the church is incredible.  The three witnesses began their testimony with the statement, "Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come:...." I was impressed that these men had such vision that this work would indeed spread to all the world.  These brethren must have been thoroughly convinced that this work and their experiences were true.  If not, what a presumptuous and preposterous statement this would be!

Likewise, the statement by Joseph Smith regarding Moroni telling him that his "name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues..." is incredible. What are the odds that this could possibly be true?  How many people born in 1805 have their name even known throughout the entire world?  Much less, known for good and evil.  Joseph Smith and the witnesses of the Book of Mormon had vision of this work.  And they were bold in proclaiming that vision.  Unless they had something really special, I find it almost impossible that they could make these predictions come to pass in the way that they have unfolded.

My life has been so blessed by the teachings and spirit I have received from the Book of Mormon.  Studying this book has also given me increased vision of the purpose of life and the great plan that our Heavenly Father has for us to progress and be happy.  Studying this book has increased my desire and capacity to become converted to Jesus Christ.  I am excited to be studying together as a ward.

Insights from Joseph Smith's Testimony on Receiving Spiritual Guidance

I find so many great principles and insights into how I can better receive spiritual guidance in my life by reading the Testimony of The Prophet Joseph Smith.  I find it interesting what led to the visions and guidance that Joseph received.  Three principles stuck out to me - faith, diligence and obedience.  The first time Joseph was visited by Moroni, it was the result of "prayer and supplication".  The vision occurred during the act of "calling upon God".  Joseph was exercising faith by calling upon God.  The second time Joseph was visited by Moroni, he "lay musing on the singularity of the scene, and marveling greatly at what had been told to me...".  Joseph was exercising faith by pondering upon the message received, and he received more.  Similarly, this happened again that evening.

In addition to faith, I think diligence and obedience also played important roles in Joseph receiving spiritual guidance.  I am impressed that after being up all night in interviews with Moroni, Joseph still got up as usual to fulfill his family responsibilities and to help his father in the labors of the day.  When his father sent him into the house, he obeyed.  When Moroni told him to tell his father what happened, he obeyed.  He obeyed in going to the hill to find the plates.  He was diligent in going back to the hill each year to receive instruction and intelligence.

I have found that when I apply these principles in my life, I also receive greater spiritual guidance.  As I exercise faith I receive more guidance from the Spirit.  As I am diligent and obedient to the impressions received, I receive greater guidance.  I hope to be more consistent at applying these principles in my life and to better receive the guidance that God would like to give me.