Go Into the Mount Oft

I have noticed that when Nephi needed revelation from the Lord he would often go up into the mountains to pray. I came across that again in 1 Nephi 18:3 as Nephi was trying to figure out how to build a ship:

"And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things."

It struck me that there's a comparison that can be made to the temple. In fact, mountains in the scriptures are often symbolic of the temple. If the ship can be compared to our lives, and if we want to get answers to life's questions, or any problems we are having, we can go to the temple for direction.

If we are to follow Nephi's example we will to there oft, and just like Nephi the Lord can reveal unto us great things.

One of my biggest personal challenges is to remain positive and faithful when the world seems so wicked and so many people are being led astray. It was interesting to me as we read 2Nephi:4 in Sunday School that this was the same passage that I had been studying the previous week. Nephi begins a psalm-like discourse in verse 17 when he laments over his own sins and weaknesses. The part that was most meaningful to me was in verses 27-29 where Nephi talks about the evil one destroying his peace and afflicting his soul. He asks why he is angry because of his enemies. He mentions that his strength is slackened because of his enemies and tells his heart to rejoice. I realize that it is a tool of Satan to try to make us discouraged about the wickedness of the world. It must have been especially hard for Nephi because his enemies were his brothers and other family members. There is much good in the world, also, and it is important that we try to rejoice and remain faithful and positive.

Continue to Minister

• 3 Nephi 18:32

  32 Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them.

  So far I have been posting comments chronologically as I've begun reading the Book of Mormon again from the beginning, but in this post I'd like to break away from that and jump ahead, because the above scripture really impressed me today as I watched the world wide leadership broadcast.

  One of the general authorities quoted this scripture during a discussion on rescuing those who are not actively enjoying the full blessings of fellowshipping with the saints at church. The message that struck me is the importance of never giving up. Whether it's family members or friends or people in our ward, we never stop trying. We continue to minister, because who knows? Perhaps something will change in their lives and hearts; perhaps we will be prompted to say or do something that will make a difference. What joy it is when they come back and maybe we have a little part in it, or as the Book of Mormon says, perhaps we "shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them."

  I know it can and does happen.

  Jay

  
  

  
  

  
  

The purpose of 2 spindles on the Liahona

The purpose of two spindles on the Liahona was to allow Nephi and his family to know if the Liahona was working properly.  When pointing in the correct direction, the spindles would align.  When unaligned they would not know which direction to go.  As such this ball would also serve as an indicator of their level of obedience.

See:

http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=3&num=2&id=59

I was reading 1Nephi16 and was interested in the idea that it is hard to hear counsel or correction when we have done something wrong. Like Laman and Lemuel, it can feel like "more than we can bear" and "it cutteth them to the very center". I think that this is the reason that we sometimes avoid church, going to the temple, or listening to conference when we know that things are not right in our lives. It is so much easier to hear about all the good things we are already doing. We feel justified and righteous! However, it is the hearing and accepting the "hard things" that really moves us to repentance and change if we "hearken to the truth and give heed unto it".

Sally

In Behalf of His People

As I try to glean every bit of wisdom I can from the Book of Mormon, I am struck by verse 5 in 1 Nephi chapter 1. "Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea even with all his heart, in behalf of his people." Two things impress me about the verse- first that Lehi prayed with all his heart. It makes me reflect on my prayers and it motivates me to the pray with more intensity like Lehi. But secondly, I notice that Lehi prays, not for himself, but for his people.

It reminds me too how Alma prayed so hard for his rebellious son that an angel appeared to Alma the younger and told he was there in answer to the prayer of his father. So praying for others apparently works.

The lesson I take from this is the importance and effectiveness of prayer for others- from the prophet praying for the church, to a bishop praying for his ward, to a Mia Maid teacher praying for her girls, to a home teacher praying for the families he visits, to a parent praying for their child. Whatever our calling may be, the message from the Book of Mormon for us is to pray for others, with all our hearts. And those prayers will be heard.