My son has been having headaches everyday and it finally occurred to me that he was probably having troubles with his eyesight. He told me that he could see fine but that sometimes words blurred together. I made an appointment and we found out that his eyes were getting stuck while trying to focus. The remedy was to put him in reading glasses to try and retrain his eyes. Hopefully this takes care of the headaches. He was surprised that I had been correct in thinking his eyes were the cause of his problems.
He thought his vision was fine. Turns out he needed some correction.
I want to explore vision and course correction. It is the thoughts I eluded to in my previous post. Here is what I want to do. I want to do a mash up -of sorts. I want to marry together Heleman 7 with an address given during the priesthood session of general conference -"Lord, is it I" by Uchtdorf. That talk was so amazing and I wished it were given to everyone. was that a "boy I wish so and so could hear this talk?" Haha. Actually I loved it so much and needed to hear it but I felt guilty for busting in on priesthood session -by busting in I mean sitting next to my husband and FIL on the couch while we watched it live. He talked about one of my favorite topics - pride. He also talks about seeing things as they really are.
“Lord, is it I?” lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to personal conversion and lasting change."
I have no idea if this will work or how this is going to take shape, but I'm gonna go for it. I'm hoping this doesn't get too confusing figuring out who is speaking. I think I will put everything from Dieter F Uchtdorf's talk in red and the scriptures all have verse numbers and I'll italicize them- so I think we're all set. Hopefully it doesn't end up as just a link to both sources....although.....that would be a really good exploring activity. Feel free to stop reading here and take your own journey :)
“Lord, is it I?” lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to personal conversion and lasting change."
I have no idea if this will work or how this is going to take shape, but I'm gonna go for it. I'm hoping this doesn't get too confusing figuring out who is speaking. I think I will put everything from Dieter F Uchtdorf's talk in red and the scriptures all have verse numbers and I'll italicize them- so I think we're all set. Hopefully it doesn't end up as just a link to both sources....although.....that would be a really good exploring activity. Feel free to stop reading here and take your own journey :)
I would like to start things off by asking you to get a picture in your mind. I'm hoping that you are familiar with a clean little comedy show called Studio C. This is not a major endorsement for the show because most of the time I have to ask myself if there is something wrong with me because I cannot find any humor in the skits, but there are some gems. One such gem is a new character. He's been on 2x now. His name is Jedediah. Get this character into your mind. Let him just hang out there until I'm ready to tell you what to do with him.
Now to figure out how to present the rest. I think I'll start by posting all of chapter 7 of Helaman and see what we end up with...Maybe I can treat this as if you were in a room with me and you could see what it is like to read scriptures with me. See the kind of commentary I make while in the scriptures.
1 Behold, now it came to pass in the sixty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of the Nephites, that Nephi, the son of Helaman, returned to the land of Zarahemla from the land northward.
Jared helped me figure this out - this particular Nephi is like the great, great, great nephew of THE Nephi (I'm not sure how many greats)
We are setting the stage here. We are going to find out why the people were rejecting the words -hint- it's all about pride.
Right here is were I began to think of my own country- people. I can definitely relate to "doing no justice" because we can't seem to figure out or agree upon any form of justice. I can look around and see Gadianton robbers everywhere -most specifically in our government. What were these wicked people doing?
5 Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills—
I feel like we are seeing this today. How many scandals do we have going on in government right now and no one is punished or condemned because of their affiliations and power. How many train wreck famous people are out there that only seem to get more famous by living out of control lives. This very thing that led the people to reject the words of Nephi. To reject the words of God. The actions that would lead to their destruction- their eyesight started going bad and they didn't get it fixed before it did severe damage to their vision.
"when we start believing that our contributions at home, at work, and at church are greater than they actually are, we blind ourselves to blessings and opportunities to improve ourselves in significant and profound ways."
6 Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of not many years; and when Nephi saw it, his heart was swollen with sorrow within his breast; and he did exclaim in the agony of his soul:
The speed at which we are accelerating is frighteningly fast. Just take 1 issue as evidence. Same gender marriage. Look at how fast that went from not ok to it is absolutely ok and if you don't agree you are hateful and deserve to be destroyed. We are absolutely seeing the righteous being condemned for their righteousness.
7 Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with him in the promised land; then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were quick to hearken unto the words of the Lord—
I love what he says next about wanting better days. Days of yore -if you will. What is funny is that if you asked the Nephi he is referring to if he thought he had it that great he would say no. He had his own brothers trying to kill him and then separate themselves from him -not that quick to hearken to the words of the Lord. But, he's letting us know he's human and I like human. I have the same thoughts all the time.
I like that he gets sorrowful over the wickedness of his brethren. I get sorrowful too. I know I'm supposed to be filled with hope and knowledge and faith, but that doesn't mean I don't feel sorrow for those whom I love that are choosing wickedness and the affect that will have upon me and my family and the whole of God's children.
10 And behold, now it came to pass that it was upon a tower, which was in the garden of Nephi, which was by the highway which led to the chief market, which was in the city of Zarahemla; therefore, Nephi had bowed himself upon the tower which was in his garden, which tower was also near unto the garden gate by which led the highway.
11 And it came to pass that there were certain men passing by and saw Nephi as he was pouring out his soul unto God upon the tower; and they ran and told the people what they had seen, and the people came together in multitudes that they might know the cause of so great mourning for the wickedness of the people.
"Once-worthy priesthood holders start to tell themselves that the Church is a good thing for women and children but not for them. Or some are convinced that their busy schedules or unique circumstances make them exempt from the daily acts of devotion and service that would keep them close to the Spirit. In this age of self-justification and narcissism, it is easy to become quite creative at coming up with excuses for not regularly approaching God in prayer, procrastinating the study of the scriptures, avoiding Church meetings and family home evenings, or not paying an honest tithe and offerings."
Now here is where I want you to pull out Jedediah. I like to bring the scriptures to life and as I read these next verses I couldn't help but laugh at the boldness. Why laugh? Because it is something completely foreign to me. It is startling and I imagine completely uncomfortable for those in attendance. Nephi is standing on a tower. He probably needs some volume in his voice to reach the people gathered. Nowadays, the only people that talk like this are considered nut jobs - or people like Jedediah. I think it would have been awesome to witness. I wonder if any among them were saying “Lord, is it I?” or were they looking at each other and pointing fingers, or just shrugging and wondering what all the hollering was about. He was not holding back or worried about hurting anyones feelings or people calling him hateful or telling him he was being judgmental and not very Christlike. If you watch some of the church produced bible videos you will see that they deliver lines such as the ones coming up very straight forward and not at all passionate like Jedediah, but I like to have a little fun - it helps take the sting out of being chastised :0)
19 And behold, instead of gathering you, except ye will repent, behold, he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild beasts.
We've been talking about how the Lord gathers in seminary. If you watch how a chicken gathers her chicks -she remains where she is and calls to them and they make their way to her and under the safety of her wings. It is your own actions that cause the scattering because you know not where to find the Lord. How can you hear where to go if you're not listening and hearkening (big distinction there)?
"Brethren, if it is your great desire to cultivate Christlike attributes of “faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and service],”10 Heavenly Father will make you an instrument in His hands unto the salvation of many souls.11"
21 But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity.
22 And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent. For if ye will not repent, behold, this great city, and also all those great cities which are round about, which are in the land of our possession, shall be taken away that ye shall have no place in them; for behold, the Lord will not grant unto you strength, as he has hitherto done, to withstand against your enemies.
.."being able to see ourselves clearly is essential to our spiritual growth and well-being. If our weaknesses and shortcomings remain obscured in the shadows, then the redeeming power of the Savior cannot heal them and make them strengths.12 Ironically, our blindness toward our human weaknesses will also make us blind to the divine potential that our Father yearns to nurture within each of us."
23 For behold, thus saith the Lord: I will not show unto the wicked of my strength, to one more than the other, save it be unto those who repent of their sins, and hearken unto my words. Now therefore, I would that ye should behold, my brethren, that it shall be better for the Lamanites than for you except ye shall repent.
24 For behold, they are more righteous than you, for they have not sinned against that great knowledge which ye have received; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them; yea, he will lengthen out their days and increase their seed, even when thou shalt be utterly destroyed except thou shalt repent.
This is where I start thinking about family history. The great and masterful plan our Heavenly Father created to enable each and every one of His children to return to Him. If you were born in a time before the fulness of the gospel and were righteous - your posterity will provide you with the opportunity to repent and make the necessary covenants to return into the presence of God -they will make a linking chain from themselves back to you. That's what I think of when I hear lengthening out days and increasing seed.
25 Yea, wo be unto you because of that great abomination which has come among you; and ye have united yourselves unto it, yea, to that secret band which was established by Gadianton!
Unity has become another of my favorite gospel topics. It is something emphasized over and over again in the Doctrine and Covenants. We can't achieve Zion without it. We can't live in the Celestial kingdom without it. Here's the scary thing about unity. You can also be united in evil. You can tap into the same power you receive in righteous unity and use it for evil. It is something that I have seen for myself.
I'm not sure if you have ever personally known someone who has left the church. I have noticed something interesting. When they unite themselves with likeminded people they find themselves working toward the same goal -destroying the church. You can see them growing in their new knowledge and they all start sounding the same -the very thing they accuse their former religion of. It is like learning a new language. You become proficient in it the more you study it and unify with others. I have found something else interesting. The great manipulator and deceiver likes contention but not when he's trying to build something. I've noticed that the people who unify themselves in opposition never seem to get jealous of each other - regarding their new religion. I don't see them trying to knock each other down over their knowledge in their new religion. There is no "oh you think you're so righteous (not the word they would use, but you know) and have it all figured out do ya?" They eat up the contributions they each have to offer so they can further damage the church -they are united in their cause. We need that same commitment to unity. There is power beyond our ability to understand when it comes to unity. We need to be united in a righteous cause.
26 Yea, wo shall come unto you because of that pride which ye have suffered to enter your hearts, which has lifted you up beyond that which is good because of your exceedingly great riches!
"Those who do not wish to learn and change probably will not and most likely will begin to wonder whether the Church has anything to offer them."
29 Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself, because it is not of myself that I know these things; but behold, I know that these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me, therefore I testify that they shall be.
"May we from this time forward seek with all our might to walk steadfastly in the Savior’s blessed way—for seeing ourselves clearly is the beginning of wisdom."
So, why did I feel the need for such pontification? I'm worried about us as a people and a nation. I am worried about our vision -individually and as a people. Our ability to see things as they really are. I am trying to figure out what it is we need to do -what I need to do. I'm trying to recognize the signs of the second coming so that I am prepared. I want to learn from the mistakes of those who came before me. I'm trying to figure out what my job in the vineyard of the Lord is. It's no small thing to understand. The hopeful thing is that all we need is a good pair of corrective lenses - the power of the atonement - and we can figure out everything we need to know.
"those who want to improve and progress, those who learn of the Savior and desire to be like Him, those who humble themselves as a little child and seek to bring their thoughts and actions into harmony with our Father in Heaven—they will experience the miracle of the Savior’s Atonement. They will surely feel God’s resplendent Spirit. They will taste the indescribable joy that is the fruit of a meek and humble heart. They will be blessed with the desire and discipline to become true disciples of Jesus Christ."
1 Behold, now it came to pass in the sixty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of the Nephites, that Nephi, the son of Helaman, returned to the land of Zarahemla from the land northward.
5 Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills—
"when we start believing that our contributions at home, at work, and at church are greater than they actually are, we blind ourselves to blessings and opportunities to improve ourselves in significant and profound ways."
6 Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of not many years; and when Nephi saw it, his heart was swollen with sorrow within his breast; and he did exclaim in the agony of his soul:
7 Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with him in the promised land; then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were quick to hearken unto the words of the Lord—
I love what he says next about wanting better days. Days of yore -if you will. What is funny is that if you asked the Nephi he is referring to if he thought he had it that great he would say no. He had his own brothers trying to kill him and then separate themselves from him -not that quick to hearken to the words of the Lord. But, he's letting us know he's human and I like human. I have the same thoughts all the time.
11 And it came to pass that there were certain men passing by and saw Nephi as he was pouring out his soul unto God upon the tower; and they ran and told the people what they had seen, and the people came together in multitudes that they might know the cause of so great mourning for the wickedness of the people.
"Once-worthy priesthood holders start to tell themselves that the Church is a good thing for women and children but not for them. Or some are convinced that their busy schedules or unique circumstances make them exempt from the daily acts of devotion and service that would keep them close to the Spirit. In this age of self-justification and narcissism, it is easy to become quite creative at coming up with excuses for not regularly approaching God in prayer, procrastinating the study of the scriptures, avoiding Church meetings and family home evenings, or not paying an honest tithe and offerings."
Now here is where I want you to pull out Jedediah. I like to bring the scriptures to life and as I read these next verses I couldn't help but laugh at the boldness. Why laugh? Because it is something completely foreign to me. It is startling and I imagine completely uncomfortable for those in attendance. Nephi is standing on a tower. He probably needs some volume in his voice to reach the people gathered. Nowadays, the only people that talk like this are considered nut jobs - or people like Jedediah. I think it would have been awesome to witness. I wonder if any among them were saying “Lord, is it I?” or were they looking at each other and pointing fingers, or just shrugging and wondering what all the hollering was about. He was not holding back or worried about hurting anyones feelings or people calling him hateful or telling him he was being judgmental and not very Christlike. If you watch some of the church produced bible videos you will see that they deliver lines such as the ones coming up very straight forward and not at all passionate like Jedediah, but I like to have a little fun - it helps take the sting out of being chastised :0)
19 And behold, instead of gathering you, except ye will repent, behold, he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild beasts.
We've been talking about how the Lord gathers in seminary. If you watch how a chicken gathers her chicks -she remains where she is and calls to them and they make their way to her and under the safety of her wings. It is your own actions that cause the scattering because you know not where to find the Lord. How can you hear where to go if you're not listening and hearkening (big distinction there)?
"Brethren, if it is your great desire to cultivate Christlike attributes of “faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and service],”10 Heavenly Father will make you an instrument in His hands unto the salvation of many souls.11"
21 But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity.
22 And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent. For if ye will not repent, behold, this great city, and also all those great cities which are round about, which are in the land of our possession, shall be taken away that ye shall have no place in them; for behold, the Lord will not grant unto you strength, as he has hitherto done, to withstand against your enemies.
.."being able to see ourselves clearly is essential to our spiritual growth and well-being. If our weaknesses and shortcomings remain obscured in the shadows, then the redeeming power of the Savior cannot heal them and make them strengths.12 Ironically, our blindness toward our human weaknesses will also make us blind to the divine potential that our Father yearns to nurture within each of us."
23 For behold, thus saith the Lord: I will not show unto the wicked of my strength, to one more than the other, save it be unto those who repent of their sins, and hearken unto my words. Now therefore, I would that ye should behold, my brethren, that it shall be better for the Lamanites than for you except ye shall repent.
24 For behold, they are more righteous than you, for they have not sinned against that great knowledge which ye have received; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them; yea, he will lengthen out their days and increase their seed, even when thou shalt be utterly destroyed except thou shalt repent.
This is where I start thinking about family history. The great and masterful plan our Heavenly Father created to enable each and every one of His children to return to Him. If you were born in a time before the fulness of the gospel and were righteous - your posterity will provide you with the opportunity to repent and make the necessary covenants to return into the presence of God -they will make a linking chain from themselves back to you. That's what I think of when I hear lengthening out days and increasing seed.
25 Yea, wo be unto you because of that great abomination which has come among you; and ye have united yourselves unto it, yea, to that secret band which was established by Gadianton!
Unity has become another of my favorite gospel topics. It is something emphasized over and over again in the Doctrine and Covenants. We can't achieve Zion without it. We can't live in the Celestial kingdom without it. Here's the scary thing about unity. You can also be united in evil. You can tap into the same power you receive in righteous unity and use it for evil. It is something that I have seen for myself.
I'm not sure if you have ever personally known someone who has left the church. I have noticed something interesting. When they unite themselves with likeminded people they find themselves working toward the same goal -destroying the church. You can see them growing in their new knowledge and they all start sounding the same -the very thing they accuse their former religion of. It is like learning a new language. You become proficient in it the more you study it and unify with others. I have found something else interesting. The great manipulator and deceiver likes contention but not when he's trying to build something. I've noticed that the people who unify themselves in opposition never seem to get jealous of each other - regarding their new religion. I don't see them trying to knock each other down over their knowledge in their new religion. There is no "oh you think you're so righteous (not the word they would use, but you know) and have it all figured out do ya?" They eat up the contributions they each have to offer so they can further damage the church -they are united in their cause. We need that same commitment to unity. There is power beyond our ability to understand when it comes to unity. We need to be united in a righteous cause.
26 Yea, wo shall come unto you because of that pride which ye have suffered to enter your hearts, which has lifted you up beyond that which is good because of your exceedingly great riches!
"Those who do not wish to learn and change probably will not and most likely will begin to wonder whether the Church has anything to offer them."
29 Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself, because it is not of myself that I know these things; but behold, I know that these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me, therefore I testify that they shall be.
"May we from this time forward seek with all our might to walk steadfastly in the Savior’s blessed way—for seeing ourselves clearly is the beginning of wisdom."
So, why did I feel the need for such pontification? I'm worried about us as a people and a nation. I am worried about our vision -individually and as a people. Our ability to see things as they really are. I am trying to figure out what it is we need to do -what I need to do. I'm trying to recognize the signs of the second coming so that I am prepared. I want to learn from the mistakes of those who came before me. I'm trying to figure out what my job in the vineyard of the Lord is. It's no small thing to understand. The hopeful thing is that all we need is a good pair of corrective lenses - the power of the atonement - and we can figure out everything we need to know.
"those who want to improve and progress, those who learn of the Savior and desire to be like Him, those who humble themselves as a little child and seek to bring their thoughts and actions into harmony with our Father in Heaven—they will experience the miracle of the Savior’s Atonement. They will surely feel God’s resplendent Spirit. They will taste the indescribable joy that is the fruit of a meek and humble heart. They will be blessed with the desire and discipline to become true disciples of Jesus Christ."
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