2 Nephi - Chapter 23

I hesitated to use the photo above.  I don't want to pretend I have any clue how the prophecies of Isaiah in this chapter will be fulfilled in the particular.  Whether Isaiah saw such a scene as depicted here or not I have no way to tell.  Babylon could be entirely destroyed and still leave the cities and buildings in tact.  I would like Babylon to be destroyed by abandonment.  Wouldn't it be great if everyone simple fled to Zion and left Babylon empty and unsustained.  I suspect that eventually, if we will follow the Prophet, that is what will happen; at least to those who prefer Zion over Babylon.

12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

To Babylon, the individual child of God is just fodder for factories, or fuel for the fires of political ambition.  Only in the gospel of Jesus Christ is he or she seen with glorious potential and infinite worth.  To Babylon we are dispensable commodities; to Christ we are precious children.  Steven R. Covey once observed that according to the Doctrine and Covenants, the chief characteristic of those who obtain the Celestial Kingdom is that they are "Valiant in the testimony of Jesus."  He goes on to say that perhaps we are not viewing this statement in it's fullness.  Perhaps this is a call for us to be valiant in His testimony about us.  His whole life has been a statement of our worth and potential.  His Eternal life demonstrates that on every level.  If we are valiant in viewing ourselves in the light of His view of us, will we not emerge from Babylon and it's lies and deceit?  Babylon distorts our view of ourselves like a fun house mirror.  Christ and His gospel give us the clarity, purpose and meaning that will take us out of Babylon.  The best, most productive destruction of Babylon is to leave her abandoned and rejected.  With Stakes of Zion in so many places these days, fleeing to Zion geographically, may be no more dramatic than crossing the street.  Still, the difference will be like night and day. 

To some degree or other we are all in bondage to Babylon.  If we follow the Prophet, God will lead us out of that bondage and away from both it's physical and spiritual destruction.  Babylon is falling, let her go. 

2 Nephi - Chapter 22

The summary for this chapter says it describes the Millennial Reign of Christ.  There is no doubt this is true.  Still, as I read it I felt as if that "coming day" has already come for me.  So much of what it describes is what I currently enjoy.  I feel like His anger has been turned away from me, that I have been comforted, saved, that I am free to drink from the wells of Salvation.  The joy of my life is to praise and declare Him.

Twice, two different Stake Presidents have told me that if Christ were here he would likely be found serving at the Detention Center.  With humility and gratitude, I informed them that, "He is and He does."

2 Nephi - Chapter 21

 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

It is easy to assume that in this verse slay means to literally kill the wicked.  And while this is obviously true in many cases, I wonder if me might consider another possibility.  Later in The Book of Mormon we will discover that the Lamanites destroyed the Gadianton robbers from among them.  Read how this was done:

 Helaman 6:37 And it came to pass that the Laminates did hunt the band of robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Laminates. 

Is it not entirely possible that, hearing His voice and His teachings will have the same effect upon the peoples of the earth that the preaching of the Lamanites had upon the Robbers of Gadianton?  Perhaps the slaying and destruction refers to the old man of sin and not necessarily the destruction of the body, at least in many cases.  Could it not also be that the cleansing of the earth by fire, at His coming, could be as by fire and the Holy Ghost?  Certainly it can be if we so choose.

At any rate, the Millennial reign of the Master will we a wonderful time.  A time only imagined in all the history of the earth.  Telestial living hasn't been all that bad in the aggregate.  Terrestrial living will be a wonderful new opportunity and step toward eventual Celestial living.  Oh, that it might come soon for the sake of the children.

2 Nephi - Chapter 20

The concept in this chapter is a difficult one for the self reliant.  It is so hard not to feel the need to personally fix what's wrong with ourselves and the world around us.  The first several verses especially tell us what can be best described by a quote from Anne Perry in her profound book Come Amageddon:

"Of course....I suppose it's comfortable to think of evil as stupid, but it is only stupid in the spiritual sense. It can never win because it destroys the very thing it fights for. There is nothing left for the victor."

Whether it be Calno and Carchemish or Fanny Mae and Acorn, the result of power grabs is the same - destruction, chaos and misery.  It might appear that the ones at the top are insulated from the pain and misery their corruption causes but;

25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.

Don't think for a minute that the wicked and their corruption will not be dealt with by a loving and kind Father in Heaven.

On a more personal note I'll never forget a conversation I had with a sweet missionary called to serve with the LDS Addiction Recovery Program.  He was new to the program and was just beginning to learn about how people recover from addiction.  He couldn't restrain himself from giving me and others credit for the remarkable progress we had made.  We kept resisting his praise and it frustrated him.  He just couldn't understand that the objective wasn't to get control of ourselves but rather, to give control to God.  Something, he had yet to do - and eventually did magnificently.  Anyway back to our conversation.  He had just praised me once again.  I had just rejected his praise with a quote from Heber J. Grant, "Devil talk, makes me proud."  My friend asked me to explain.  "I get no credit for my recovery, 'Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it?'"  He couldn't understand.  So I explained further.  I am the axe, I am the saw.  I didn't create myself, I didn't sharpen myself and I most certainly didn't have the power to move myself.  I can no more take credit for what I have accomplished, than could the saw or the axe Isaiah describes in this chapter.

33 Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled. 

I is easy to think this scripture is about the big and powerful, but I got lopped with terror, my high stature was hewn down, I was haughty and was humbled.  Were it not so I could not possibly be enjoying recovery today.  I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who carefully, kindly, purposefully, brought me to a place of humility.  The only place I could be rescued from.  My dear missionary friend now understands this, his humbling trials, though different than mine, were no less effective in helping him realize what humility actually is; our honest acknowledgment of our utter dependence upon God for everything we have, are and do.

2 Nephi - Chapter 19

One of the most poignant moments in my recovery journey out of addiction, came while reading He Did Deliver Me From Bondage by Colleen Harrison.  There she invited me to liken the scriptures to myself by inserting my own name or a personal pro-noun.  She used this verse for her example:

For unto me a child is born, unto me a son is given; and the government (of my life) shall be upon his shoulder; and (I shall call His name), Wonderful, Counselor, My Mighty God, My Everlasting Father, My Prince of Peace.

On this favorite day, I feel to thank Him most especially, for delivering me from bondage.  Allowing Him to govern my life has led me to sing this verse, along with Handel, over and over and over again.  He was born into mortality for me.  He lived for me.  He died for me.  And so it is for each one of us.

 17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for every one of them is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

  18 For wickedness burneth as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forests, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

I think you probably know by now, how much I love the youth at the Detention Center.  I spent two hours last night playing volleyball with them.  How the fire of wickedness is consuming their precious lives.  Of the 22 kids who are presently locked up, there is not one whose home is not broken.  Most have never lived in a two parent home.  Most have parents who themselves are consumed by addiction.  Half have parents who are not even allowed in the building for a visit.  Many get no visitors at all during their entire stay.  Many are being raised by grandparents.  Many have had their very lives threatened.  Some have tried to take the life of another.  Most are promiscuous, and all are saddened by the results. Two are pregnant. Often they commit crimes so they can enjoy the relief from fear, hunger, neglect and rejection the Detention Center provides for them.  Prison and it's regular schedule, meaningful rules, thoughtful structure, caring staff, regular exercise, warm safe beds, regular meals and opportunity to lower their guard, is a haven, if not a heaven, from the hell that is their lives.  For all this, his anger is not turned away (obviously), by his hand is stretched out still.  He loves them and in so many ways is hissing or calling for them.  And they are feeling for Him.  They are scared to trust Him, but gradually some of them do and eventually, all of them will.

2 Nephi - Chapter 18

"...this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly..."

It's the same scenario played out so many times among the children of Abraham; choosing what seems expedient over that which requires faith.  It doesn't make sense to the natural man to accept God's plan so we manufacture one of our own.  From the perspective of God and the prophets, the choice is easy, but from that of weak mortals, it's just too scary.

I love a book by Rachel Naomi Remen, called My Grandfather's Blessings.  In one chapter her Grandfather teaches her about Moses delivering Israel from Egypt.  He explains that after Pharaoh finally lets them go, Moses approaches the Children of Israel and explains that they are free to leave.  They tell Moses that they don't want to go.  Rachel then asks her Grandfather why they don't want to go.  "Wouldn't the rather choose freedom over bondage?"  Her grandfather then taught a very important lesson we all must learn.  He said, "The choice is never between bondage and freedom, it is between bondage and the unknown."  Our reluctance to partake of the living water and to do things the Lord's way requires faith.  It requires that we step out of our comfort zones, give control to God and surrender our will to His.  Had Isaiah been able to persuade Israel to do this, they would have been protected and prospered.  I have learned that such waters do indeed go softly, but first we must believe and trust.

2 Nephi - Chapter 17

It doesn't get any plainer than this"

14 Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign—Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

I don't suppose any Jew could misunderstand that Isaiah was telling them that Jehovah would come to dwell in Israel and that He would be born of a virgin.  It is interesting that the Lord gives this distant event as a sign to the Jews that Isaiah's more current and pressing prophecies were inspired and would come to pass.  I would think it should be the other way around.  Perhaps the Lord and Isaiah had given up on that contemporary generation and knew that as these rebellious, chosen children perished in wars and famines they would arrive on the other side needing an awareness of the blessed relief of suffering the Savior could offer them. Perhaps, then, they would believe.

2 Nephi - Chapter 16

I won't pretend to understand what all of the symbols Isaiah saw represent.  I even have a book about symbols and find it difficult to feel good about any interpretation I might venture.  Hopefully, some of you have a more poetic or symbolic consciousness and can help in that regard.

One phrase stands out to me in this chapter:

"....lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed."

What beautiful language.  I especially love the association between conversion and healing.  This isn't the last time this association will be made in The Book of Mormon.  The idea of conversion is commonly associated with a change of beliefs, less often with a change of heart; but seldom, at church, do I hear mention made of the healing nature of conversion.  All are wounded, both physically and spiritually, by the foibles of mortality.  A huge portion of the role of the Atonement is to heal us of those things causing us pain in this life.  I personally believe that any pain can be seen as a pain of Hell.  We mortals are especially good at finding means to mask the pain we experience.  Again, it matters little if it is physical, emotional or spiritual pain.  We self medicate with all kinds of analgesic means that do nothing to alleviate the cause of the pain.  Ultimately, Jesus is the only balm in Gilead.  He is the only true way to find real healing, real relief from pain.  So, we experience the pains of Hell, even in life.  Hell in the next life, however, will most certainly be worse because we will be stripped of our mortal means of self medicating and will eventually, be forced to discover that the only relief available is to give our grief and pain to the Master.  True conversion, then, is principally the same as addiction recovery, coming to an understanding of this great principle and inviting the Savior to heal us.  This works so much better than drugs, or alcohol, or pornography, or Twinkies, because it is real soothing healing, not just a mask for our pain.

I suspect that the coal that was placed upon the lips of Isaiah represented the fire of the Covenant or in other words the cleansing, healing, restoring power of Christ and his holistic ability to make us whole.

2 Nephi - Chapter 15

I found a pretty neat article about Palestinian Vineyards that depicts the very thing Isaiah speaks of here.  It is interesting to me how many millennia passed by on earth without much change in methods and means of doing things.  Indeed the past two centuries have been amazing in so many ways.

It seems to me like the Lord is saying in this chapter, "We can do this the easy way or we can do it the hard way."  Collectively, as well as individually, Israel seems to always want to choose the hard way.  I see this in my own life.  It would be so blessed and easy if I would just be obedient and humble as the Lord leads me through life.  But from Jerusalem to Jackson County, from Zarahemla to Vernal, Utah, we persist in wandering into our own paths and ways of doing things.  Inevitably, but not spitefully, a woe is pronounced upon us; we suffer the consequences of our choices.  Choosing selfishness over obedience, pride over humility, gratification over sacrifice always leads to broken walls, abandoned watch towers and woeful consequences.  "Men are that they might have joy."  But the might have woe, too, if they so choose.

The amazing thing is that God freely grants us the freedom to do this.  To me the beauty in this chapter is that even in our rebellion God's will is accomplished.  Israel is scattered across the entire globe and in the end that blood and influence with bless the entire earth.  How thankful I am that despite my many scattering choices, "His had is stretched out still."  The offer remains, even after death, "Come follow me."

Today, in the Stakes of Zion, the walls are being repaired, the watchtowers rebuilt and the vineyard reestablished.  How fortunate we are to be among those gathered under the protective shelter of the Master's wings.  Occasionally, we or our children, follow Israel's path and pridefully rebel.  Such was the case with me.  But, His hand is stretched out STILL.  While some still choose the hard way, I believe, because of God's faithfulness, it is a way and though it may be a thorny path, His intention is to bring us back safely in the end.

2 Nephi - Chapter 14

This little chapter sure leaves a lot for conjecture.  I don't think I want to guess why a situation should arise that seven women would want to cling to one man.  I can't imagine what it is that would be their reproach; nor can I imagine why there would be such a ratio.  Or, I should say I can imagine but would rather not.  Any guess would be mere speculation and of no value.  I is plain though, that upon it's fulfillment this prophecy will stand out so as not to be overlooked.

When I was growing up the ratio spoken of seemed more credible than it does today.  I couldn't help noticing, as a child, how many women attended church without their husbands.  The ratio of active women to men was significant.  About the time Women's Lib came on the scene, the ratio has leveled out.  I don't have hard data for this, just personal observation.  The same is true of the Temple.  When I was first endowed I seldom attended a session in which the brethren came close to matching the attendance of the Sisters.  These days it typically is the other way around.  Currently, the ratio is more evenly balanced than it has ever been in my life.  The foreseen imbalance will likely be from something physically catastrophic like war or spiritually so, like pornography.  I'll be watching with interest.  And not a little trepidation.

Wouldn't it be lovely to have, rising above your home, a cloud by day and a pillar by night?  Apparently, Zion must be cleansed first.  Such a cleansing might remove me though, so I'll be patient and try to get ready.  I suspect that though this may be interpreted literally, that figuratively such symbols of faith and loyalty already exist and are visible.  Just as was spoken of yesterday, there are countenance type indicators that are easily perceived through spiritual eyes and I'm not talking about Family Home Evening bumper stickers.  Over on my other blog, Live and Learn, I wrote the other day, about my amazement that a couple of old duffers might make a difference to a collection of juvenile delinquents.  While those kids see no smoke or fire, they do sense the presence and love of the Lord.  The influence of Zion cannot enter Babylon unnoticed.  Not by anybody.

2 Nephi - Chapter 13

This chapter must have affirmed to the children of Lehi that they had been correct in choosing to follow him into the wilderness.  How comforting it is to have a second witness.  Everyone knew Isaiah was another voice presaging the same things Lehi taught.

An Institute teacher once taught me that much of Isaiah's prophecy referred to more than one period of time.  This seems to be an example.  He was probably speaking of the decline of Jerusalem and Israel at the time of Lehi and also at the time of Alma, and also, Christ and clearly he is speaking of us.  His observations of today's vain and immodest clothing practices make our day appear to be the focal point of his views.

It is easy to speak of immodesty as it applies to the world.  Sometimes, though we need to look a little closer to home.  When I was Deacon's Quorum Adviser a few years ago, the boys approached me with a concern.  They complained that when they were standing, passing the Sacrament, many of the seated sisters had embarrassing necklines which were made even more revealing because of the difference in altitude.  The boys found it very difficult to keep their minds focused on appropriate things during this very sacred ordinance.  When a shy Relief Society President refused to broach the subject with the Sisters, I told her that would.  She capitulated and the problem markedly improved.  I for one am grateful for the modesty of women.

At the Detention Center boys and girls are dressed in modest jump suits and sweat shirts.  The girls are not allowed make-up.  They are all beautiful, clean and groomed.  Occasionally, I encounter a youth who has been released and often I don't recognize them, especially the girls.  Gobs of make-up, immodest clothes or pants sliding way down, paint an entirely different image.  Children who used to appear so sweet and innocent in prison, look a lot more like criminals on the street.  I still love them and I try to look past the costumes they've chosen, but I can see why Isaiah was so dismayed at what Israel would become.

There is a great principle in the central words of this chapter:

9 The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and doth declare their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide it. Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves!

10 Say unto the righteous that it is well with them; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

 I need to spend some time this week considering my doings and what their fruit will inevitably be.  I don't think it is really all that difficult to predict the fruit of this behavior, or that.  Considering beforehand, I think I'd better be making a few changes, quick!

2 Nephi - Chapter 12

I love all of our temples.  My own local one, in Vernal, Utah is very special to me.  But, there is something about the Salt Lake Temple and it's fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy that makes it extra special.  It has a majesty, history and uniqueness that is unrivaled as yet.  A am so thankful that the Lord has provided a way to buffer it from encroaching Babylon, by allowing the Church to acquire and beautifully develop attractive, useful and quiet properties surrounding this sacred place.  Of course one of this Temple's great functions is to host the meetings of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve.  Marvelous revelation continues to come forth from within those hallowed walls.

If you have not seen the movie The Mountain of the Lord, about the creation of this beautiful edifice, you simply must.  I've embedded part one of eight right here so you can.



One has only to travel on America's highways to see the fulfillment of Isaiah's observation of there being no end to their chariots; or to drive our neighborhoods to observe no end to their treasures.

It has to be obvious then, that what he observed about the day of the Lord, must also come to pass and that for the wicked it shall indeed be dreadful. Hopefully, for me that day will not be dreadful, but great! I think the difference lies not in whether or not we have cars and possessions but in how we see them. Do we claim our stuff as our own? Or do we see those things as stewardships from God with which we might accomplish His mighty work in building Zion. Same stuff, big difference.

2 Nephi - Chapter 11

I love how Nephi emphasizes that all things given of God typify of Christ.  The Book of Mormon cites a few examples, the brazen serpent Moses placed upon a pole for instance.  The most poignant, for me, however, was the one James L. Ferrell pointed out in his wonderful book The Peacegiver.  If you've read it, you'll know whereof I speak.  If not I'd love to invite you read the 25th Chapter of 1 Samuel and see if you can see it for yourself.  I don't think I would have seen it.  Clearly the one time I had previously read that chapter, I totally missed how the story was a brilliant type of Christ.  Ferrell's examination of one chapter has inspired me to watch carefully for other instances of such precious gifts from God that I may, in fact probably, have missed.

Then, again, Nephi encourages us to liken the scriptures unto ourselves.  This too is a marvelous method for personal discovery and revelation as we read the scriptures.  Some of the war chapters have been so personally inspiring for me.  I'll share some of that when we get there.  But suffice it for me to say that there are often multiple meanings and precious gifts prepared by our Father for those of us willing to ask the two great study questions Nephi suggests:  How does this typify or testify of Christ?  How can I liken this story or doctrine to myself?

I served my Mission in a largely Catholic country.  The people had been taught that only the Priest should interpret the scriptures.  How wonderful it is that God trusts us enough to invite us to seek his messages; personal messages that pertain, perhaps only to us individually, which can and are discovered when seeking earnestly and by pondering in companionship with the Spirit.

2 Nephi - Chapter 10

I wonder why the name of Christ was not revealed until Jacob.  Apparently it was not found in the Brass Plates of Laban or revealed to Nephi or Lehi.  Perhaps Heavenly Father wants us to notice Jacob as a truly great prophet in the hope that we will pay special attention to his words.  It is also interesting that Jacob becomes the one who here, shares and then interprets the words of Isaiah.  Nephi has indicated that he is able to understand Isaiah's words because he is familiar with the culture of the Jews.  Jacob was born in the wilderness and knew little about Jerusalem, at least first hand.  Clearly he was a good student of his brother, his father and the Spirit, to be qualified to make such interpretations for us.  Perhaps we can learn from Jacob that Isaiah can indeed be understood by we who also are far removed from Jerusalem.

I can't see this specifically mentioned in The Book of Mormon, but is seems to me that when comforting words are given to the Nephites about the eventual restoration of their seed to the knowledge of the truth, it would be a hollow comfort if it only included their far distant posterity.  What about all the ones lost in hell in between their present and the far distant conversion of their children at the hands of the Gentiles?  Surely, they understood that upon the conversion of their descendants in the latter days that those recovered family members would commence the work of redemption for their dead and restore the links of eternity to their entire family.

I have a dear friend who is a Baptist minister.  We were once employed together in a job that required we work together closely.  Both of us were quite anxious about the situation at first.  The reasons are obvious.  What a surprise it was to each of us when we became fast friends.  We discussed religion often.  In an early conversation he asked if I had been born again.  I replied that I had.  You could have knocked him over with a feather.  Upon his recovery from the shock he told me, "You are the first Mormon I ever met who ever mentioned that, let alone claimed it!"

Perhaps many of his Mormon friends didn't claim to be born again because they had not.  Many more, I suspect are just uncomfortable mentioning it.  It seems such a Protestant phrase that we dismiss it along with grace.  The fact is, however, that we must be born again and we must receive grace sufficient to qualify us for our rebirth.  Looking back from that startling conversation, I thought of my rebirth and the sacred gift of grace.  I thought of reading Steven Robinson's book Believing Christ and the paradigm shift that ensued.  I thought of my impossible recovery from addiction.  I thought of the unspeakable blessing it is to have Christ rescue me from the bonds of iniquity.  So, I really appreciate Jacob's admonition when he says:

 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved."

2 Nephi - Chapter 9

I will never forget how startled I was, when, listening to Conference, I heard Elder Dallin H. Oaks define Hell as Spirit Prison - period.  I had, prior notions that the Outer Darkness to which Lucifer must spend eternity was Hell.  That is a very important distinction and Chapter 9 is wonderful at explaining why.  The Atonement was wrought by the Savior for the purpose of delivering us from Hell.  Hell, therefore, is not a permanent state determined to last forever.  All but a very few will one day emerge from that place, or as I prefer to see it, state.

Recently I had an interview with a young lady in the Detention Center.  She asked me a serious question from her heart, "Am I going to Hell?"  In deepest love and sympathy I asked her, "Sweet child, aren't you there already?"  She wept and nodded, full of grief at a state of being that had long brought suffering to her life.  I personally don't think Hell is geographically separate from Paradise.  My experience here on earth leads me to believe that Hell is primarily a state of mind and heart, not defined by boundaries, but by feelings and attitudes.  Hell can be pretty bad here, but must be worse after we leave mortality, because there we will be stripped of the myriad ways in which we self medicate.  The state of being which creates the pains of Hell exists on both sides of the veil, but the body only exists here.  We can drug, feed, satiate, sleep away, distract and otherwise anesthetise our bodies; but lacking bodies, we will be left to endure the agony of our circumstances unrelieved of full pain and anguish.

There is only one real, bonafide remedy for such pain and that is to give it to Christ.  A principle which applies there just as well as here.  I loved it when I heard John Lund describe Hell as God's Alternative High School.  "...death and hell must deliver up their dead (both physical and spiritual)", Jacob plainly declares.  It is the Savior's intention to empty the place, or in other words, to heal us all from the wounds of mortality.  A few years ago the Temple President quoted an early Church leader (wish someone could help me find the reference) saying some thing close to, "the vast majority of the people, for whose names we are laboring, are accepting the work we do here in the Temple."  What a glorious thing to know.

People are crossing from Prison to Paradise all the time.  I suspect there will come a time when I'll be occupied with assisting persons in Hell to make that transition, by teaching them the Gospel.  In a very real way, I am presently occupied at the Detention Center doing the same thing.  I have a notion that if someone is required to linger in Spirit Prison to teach the word, I would like it to be me.  If given the chance, I would choose to tarry until the last person has made the glorious discovery of redemption.

2 Nephi - Chapter 8

There may be no more comforting chapter in all of scripture, in terms of promises to the Saints of the Latter-days.  Here God, himself promises to care for his people.  He asks us to remember who we are and where we come from.  He reminds us that we are His and that He will protect us.  Then He begs us to get up from the filth of our lives and be loosed from the bands of captivity.

Now, you may think me a bit provincial in this, but I think an enormous part of what God is calling for is for us to shed the bonds of addiction.  If you listen carefully to General Conference, you will note that addiction is a frequent focus of emphasis by the Prophet and the 12.  There is a reason for this.  Addiction is rampant in the church.  For every brother or sister I see attending the LDS Addiction Recovery Program, I am aware of several, who are addicted, but who do not attend.  Pride, fear, and ignorance keep many more away that the few who humble themselves sufficiently to seek help. 

Addiction in its many forms is one of Satan's greatest weapons and with it he is currently sweeping the earth.  As we "hearken" and "follow after righteousness;" as we remember "Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens;" as we rely on He who drank the "dregs of the cup of trembling wrung out;" we will surely rise above the chains of Satan's captivity.

This chapter seems to speak to me and so many others who are "afflicted, and drunken, and not (merely) with wine."  It is a call for us to shake off the chains with which we are bound and put on the strength of the Master.

2 Nephi - Chapter 7

Isaiah describes the Savior's suffering in sufficient detail to persuade me that he actually witnessed that sacrifice which would happen so much later.  Explaining that the distance we feel or discover between ourselves and the Master is one of our creation not His.  We move away from Christ.  He never moves away from us.  Like Esau, we so willingly sell ourselves for things of naught.  What a blessing it is that after living a perfect life, after suffering and completing a perfect sacrifice, after the most majestic triumph of all time; though we so readily depart from Him, His hand is stretched out still - to recover us.

2 Nephi - Chapter 6

Any one who has witnessed the gathering of Israel in these latter-days must be in awe at the majesty of the miracle.

"... the Messiah will set himself again the second time to recover them; wherefore, he will manifest himself unto them in power and great glory, unto the destruction of their enemies, when that day cometh when they shall believe in him; and none will he destroy that believe in him."

On the grand scale, it is an awesome thing to witness the expansive growth of the Kingdom in these latter-days.  I myself served a mission in the Philippines.  Upon my arrival there in 1969 there were approximately 2000 members of the church in that land.  When I left in 1971 that number had grown to 8000!  In the intervening years one mission has grown to 15 and the population of the church in that one country exceeds half a million.  That is truly a miracle!  There is strength and visibility in numbers.  Numbers means access for more and more people to come in contact with the church.  This chapter surely speaks of that collective gathering of Israel.

More precious, to me though, is that while Israel is spoken of here as a group, it is also quite literally a collection of individuals.  The miracle of recovery happens one person at a time, one life at a time.  The majesty of the gathering lies, not nearly so much in the numbers, as it does in the transformation of individual people as the mighty Atonement transforms their lives. 

2 Nephi - Chapter 5

Another recurring theme in history is the uprooting of the Lord's people and the requirement to move away from the wicked who would harm them.  It doesn't seem fair that the righteous must suffer the consequences of the behavior of the wicked.  But the refiner's fire of having to abandon homes, property and loved ones to avoid conflict and contamination seems to be a regular requirement of the Lord.  It takes a great deal of humility to accept such a requirement.  It would be so easy to say, "Hey!  Make them move!  We didn't do anything wrong!"

As I wandered around Southern Utah this week I saw so many of the little settlements the Saints scratched out of the desert.  Each had a sweet, quiet charm that warmed my heart.  Amid the difficulties, places like Orderville, Kanab, Boulder, Henrieville and Torrey created a hearty, faithful, stalwart stock of faithful refugees who have carried the Kingdom into a new century in which their isolation has turned into a blessing for all the world.

In a more modern setting I see kids at the Detention Center, who courageously do the same thing.  They uproot themselves from friends and lifestyles that are harmful and through tribulation move away into peaceful places and associations that, in the end, spare them from their enemies.  The humility it required so long ago, is the same humility that blesses modern lives of those willing to do the Lord's bidding, even when its hard and doesn't seem fair.

2 Nephi - Chapter 4

Sincerest apologies for not posting yesterday.  I was on a road trip in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona and the motel in Cameron, while it claimed to have internet, couldn't make it work.  I had the grandest time.

I love the Psalm of Nephi found in this chapter.  I so much appreciate Nephi's candor.  None of us think of him as a wretched man, but clearly that is how he felt.  How often I have felt like a wretched man.  Clearly Nephi wasn't perfect, none of us are.  In his willingness to make his imperfection manifest he affords us a rare glimpse at the Atonement and it's purpose and power.  Not often to we witness such open admission of guilt and shame coupled with the healing, comforting application of the Atonement.  We see it with Paul and Alma, but in more dramatic situations catalyzed by a heavenly manifestation.  Here it seems to come as a result of soul searching; a circumstance more common to most of us.  I too have done some soul searching that resulted in grief as Nephi describes and like him, I have come to trust in the Lord to help me through my bad times and forgive me for my failings.  There is only one way to do that, by trusting in the Lord.  Trusting he will do what He says He will - redeem us.

Most of my life I have considered myself to be an inferior form of humanity.  Through many years of personal torment I have looked upon other "succeeding" Saints thinking they some how had, within themselves, a capacity for good that I simply lacked.  Much of that misinterpretation of others and their ability came because of my own personal paradigm:  I must save myself.  And much of it came because everyone around me, while trying to be a "good example" hid from me the very real fact that they were either concealing their weakness and misbehavior or failing to open up enough to show me how to rely on the merits and mercy of Christ in order to live appropriately.

I look forward to a day in the Kingdom, when Nephi-like candor will liberate us all to better understand the Atonement and allow us to individually learn to trust in the true and living God as Nephi did.  I'm not calling for members to air their dirty laundry.  Nephi didn't have to expose all of the gory details of his weakness to let us know, very plainly, that trusting in God, far exceeded trusting in the arm of the flesh.  We could be more willing to do the same and thus help fools like me, to more quickly understand how this all works.  I now can see that my Bishops and Stake Presidents and other fellow Saints are not perfect, or nearly so, on their own steam; they have just learned to trust in the Lord and His redeeming sacrifice and plan.  I just wish they had been more willing to show me how that worked for them, like Nephi has.

2 Nephi - Chapter 3

I love that Lehi says that Joseph obtained his promise from the Lord.  To me this implies that Joseph exerted effort or an earnest request for such a blessing.  Too often, I'm content to just sit and wait to see what gifts and promises God has for me.  I may be wrong, but I suspect Joseph was shown those blessings he might obtain, but like our own, especially those found in the temple, we must exert effort and express earnest desire in order to fully obtain them.

Of Joseph Smith the Lord said, "I will make him great in mine eyes."  President Monson puts it this way, "Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies."  What a glorious promise!  A promise made to each of us.  We, if we are willing, will be made big enough for the tasks the Lord places before us.  Each of us will be given challenges of Goliath proportions but like every example the scriptures have to offer, trusting in the Lord, yields grace sufficient to make us adequate for any task we may be given.  Not only does God provide adequate resources for us to accomplish His commandments, His design is to school and prepare us to become like He is - good and great.

2 Nephi - Chapter 2

As I was reading Lehi's wonderful message of redemption I couldn't help but think of Peter walking on the water.  I've never understood why people refer to Jesus walking on the water.  To me that is no big deal, He is God after all.  The big deal is that Peter walked on the water.

The notion of our being able to abide by the law is as ridiculous as the notion of our being able to walk on water.  It is simple, we can't.  Yet, in being given the law as a standard of perfection, the task becomes just that impossible.  There is one way to do cross the gulf between us and our heavenly home, only one way.  That way is to rely on the merits and mercy of Christ.  If we try to do it alone we are bound to sink and fail, there is no other way to cross the gulf other than with our Savior.  None.

What a wonderful promise, to know that we are, "...judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him."  In exchange for believing in Him we are judged on His performance, not our own!  "Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth."  "And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free."

Lehi didn't praise Jacob for keeping the law, he praised him for trusting in the Atonement.  The work we have to do is to look to Christ and live.  The commandment we must keep is to heed His beckoning call, "Come follow me."  Clearly keeping the commandments the best we can leads to our personal happiness, but keeping the perfectly is something we cannot do and must not expect of ourselves.  Who would need a Savior if we could actually save ourselves.

The notion that I could some day perfect myself is the notion that kept me bound in the chains of addiction.  The certain discovery that redemption lies in Christ is the gift that liberated me.  I cannot adequately express my gratitude for that great gift, learned in my days of tribulation. 

2 Nephi - Chapter 1

I think one of the most interesting things that occurred to me as I read this chapter came with this verse:  "...there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord."  This makes it perfectly clear that the African slaves were brought here by the hand of the Lord.  It in no way justifies the means by which they were brought here.  Nor does it justify the manner in which they were treated upon their arrival.  The ancestors of most "Gentiles" who came here did so with great sacrifice.  None greater than the sacrifice of slavery.  While great progress has been made, I think too many still resist giving their posterity a place at the table in this land of hope and prosperity.

 Some of us see the promise of prosperity being taken away.  This chapter makes it plain that there is but one way to prosper in this land.  We must keep the commandments and remain faithful to the God of the land.  The promise is unto all who God brings, by whatever means, to this land.  But the curse also applies to any who are unwilling to follow him.  The good news in that is that it is God who gets to make the distinction, not us.

1 Nephi - Chapter 22

Here in Utah I hear way too much talk of arming ourselves and preparing for battle.  While I suppose there may be some call for that; I have yet to hear the prophet ask us to do anything besides store food, water a fuel and even more important - keep the commandments or in other words prepare spiritually.  Never to my knowledge has he ever asked us to cache weapons and ammunition.  This chapter makes it plain that the Great and Abominable church will destroy itself.  It is already doing so.  It is a dog eat dog world, but the righteous are not dogs and need not fear.

A dear friend of mine came to my home in a state of terror.  She had been to someone's apartment where a drug transaction went violent.  Guns were brandished, fists were thrown, threats were spewed and fear was experienced.  All this transpired just a few blocks from my home.  I realized then, that this sweet person was experiencing a life I had no exposure to.  While it could spill over into the lives of innocents nearby, it seldom does.  Hanging around in Babylon, one has barbaric experiences.  Hanging around in Zion one feels safe and blessed.  This is not mere happenstance, not according to Nephi.

1 Nephi - Chapter 21

This chapter is so full of promise and comfort for me.

5 "And now, saith the Lord—that formed me from the womb that I should be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him—though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength."

When I read this verse I thought about all those days spent trying to help the kids at the Detention Center.  Many many of which I wondered if our efforts were accomplishing any thing.  This verse seems to say that even if your efforts don't accomplish what you set out to do, just the fact that you made the effort is pleasing to God.  Of course, God is the strength of the effort and that does amount to something.  Jacob is being brought again to the truth - even at the Detention Center.

10 "They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them."

25 "But thus saith the Lord, even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children."

Just a few of the great promises held in this wonderful chapter.  I grew up in an era when the threat of disaster was used as a whipping stick.  Every few months our youth leaders would trot out someone to scare us into submission with scary predictions of the second coming.  How, much more motivating, would a careful reading of this chapter of Isaiah have been.  How, blessed we'd have been to have been taught that God is on our side, that He will go to any lengths to rescue, defend, care for and redeem us.

 How comforting it would have been taught that He would never give up on us nor forget or abandon us.

15 "For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel."
 
16 "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

It comforts me greatly now and the burden of my service these days, is to pass that message on to others, who likewise need to know that, as lost as we may be, there is always one who won't give up on us, who is determined to rescue us.

1 Nephi - Chapter 20

How troubling it must be for God to reach into our lives with blessings just to have us explain them away with words like luck, karma, fate, destiny, or to do even worse, and attribute His blessings to some other source like mother nature, government, money, intellect, scholarship, or genius.  Or worse yet, to attribute His blessings to our own strength and power.

All He wants to do is bless our lives and still we reject Him by failing to recognize His great gifts and their divine source.  How ungrateful Israel is today as well as in the past.  We are by nature, condemned to the dither of seeking some other explanation for life's circumstances.  I think the Lord is inviting us here, to put off that nature.

18 - "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments—then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea."

Why are we so willing to settle for less?  When I am living life on God's terms instead of my own, life is always better, always.  Yet too often, like the rest of Israel, I tend to drift back to taking control, instead of giving control to He who is the only one who truly has it.

1 Nephi - Chapter 19

I love it when Nephi speaks of the Lord's "loving kindness and long suffering."  A sister lamented a while back in Gospel Doctrine Class, "When I was in Primary, Jesus loved me, but by the time I got to Seminary, I was scared to death of Him."

I myself grew up with the notion that God held me, by the scruff of the neck out over Hell, just waiting for an excuse to drop me.  I think we are moving away from scare tactics in the Church nowadays and thankfully so.  What a horrible task master is fear.  What a sweet motivation comes of love.

How blessed it is that as I read the scriptures these days the kind, sweet, hand stretched out still, image of the Master is the one that is highlighted for me.

He is not like us.  When He suffered, His thoughts were not ones of resentment towards us for the pain we caused Him.  His thoughts were ones of love and compassion and gratitude that He could actually do for us what we could not.  What joy Nephi must have felt to have envisioned the Redeemer's life and to witness for himself Christ's kindness and love.  No wonder he felt such desire to record and preserve these things for his posterity and for us.

1 Nephi - Chapter 18

Wouldn't it be a fun archaeological discovery to find that ship!  I suppose that since the Nephites and Lamanites stopped being mariners for several generations after their arrival, that the revealed technologies used in its construction are lost to us.  Clearly, ship building technology was not considered by Nephi to "be of worth" to the children of men, but it would be interesting.  Over the years, I've noticed that even in temporal things, God's methods far exceed man's.  One example was my first visit to a Bishop's Storehouse.  Another, can be found in a neat book called "The Mormon Way of Doing Business."

I was, initially, curious why Nephi attributed Lehi and Sariah's illness to Laman and Lemuel's pride and wickedness.  In my mind I thought, "Anybody who'd ridden a terrible storm in a relatively small ship would be horribly sea sick."  I hate to admit that the natural man in me was not at all unlike Laman and Lemuel.  I'm sure they didn't take credit for the storm or their parent's illness.

I have been like this so many times in my life.  During the long years of my addiction, I blamed the addiction.  I would never blame the real cause; my pride, my determination to have life on my terms rather than the Lord's.  In other words, I was loathe to take the blame and quick to find other explanations for my choices and their consequences.  Of course that became easier and easier as Satan's flaxen chords became chains and I surrendered more and more of my freedom to choose.  It would have been easy for Laman and Lemuel to convince themselves that the storm was just one of those things and that it had nothing to do with their own choices and behavior.

Even as a nation we do this all the time.  We blame and deride Congress for giving us exactly what the majority of us are asking for.  We despise ear tags unless they are meant to develop something locally beneficial.  We cuss Wall Street, when we ourselves are often buried under a mountain of debt.  The societal storms that beat upon us are brought on by our own choices, but like Laman and Lemuel we are loathe to see our own fault in bringing about the storm.

How about in our own personal relationships.  If I am honest, every storm in my marriage that I was so quick to blame on her, had a larger component of error on my part.  Every one!  But, again like Laman and Lemuel, I was just too proud to admit it.  That is until, and this too is selfish, I thought I might actually come up the loser in the deal.

Lehi and Sariah were truly sick and upon their death beds and Laman and Lemuel, not the storm, were truly the cause.

Today, Sweetie and I are on a little road trip, enjoying one another's company and so thankful the storms in our marriage are so far in the past.  I'm thankful too, that even on the road, I can keep up with blogging.  You may never know how much your participation in studying The Book of Mormon here, means to me.  Hopefully, more of you will be willing to share your insights.  Every comment lifts, teaches and inspires me.

1 Nephi - Chapter 17

You know, if we view the lives of Laman and Lemuel thus far, they have been more obedient than they have not.  Sure, they have murmured and complained and occasionally rebelled, but mostly, they have done what they were asked.  They have done hard things.  I can't imagine the hardships they faced and endured.  Much of the time, they must have conceded to what was expected of them.  What they never managed to accomplish was to cross over from being driven to being lead.  There is a world of difference.  Sheep that are led, go forth willingly, trustingly, wherever the Shepherd leads them.  They love and trust the Shepherd.  Sheep that are driven, will go all the same places but must be herded by a herder.  They resent and resist and wander off and get into trouble.  Laman and Lemuel never allowed God to lead them but rather required Him to drive them along.  I'll be spending the day examining whether I am being lead or driven in the things I do.  The difference is too critical to overlook.  I think two words will serve as my personal litmus test, frustration and resentment.  If I feel any frustration or resentment, it is clear that I am seeking my own will and not that of the Father.  I may have righteous desires, but they are centered in me or there would be no frustration or resentment.  If my desires are centered in God and His will, my feeling will be more of cheerful submission and peace.  I know this because of experience.  I wonder if Laman and Lemuel ever enjoyed the wonderful feeling of surrender; that sensation of loving and trusting God enough to follow, willingly, joyfully, wherever He leads?  How sad it is that they were forever doing life the hard way.  Like Nephi pointed out, they were like the Israelites who'd been bitten by the poisonous serpents.  They were too busy, sucking out the poison, so to speak, to look to the real source of their salvation.  Being driven is always more stressful than being lead.  Always.

Here's another observation that may be a bit of a stretch for discussion of this particular chapter.  All through the Old Testament times, when Israel was under the school master of the Law of Moses, God seemed willing to Herd the flock.  Under the new covenant, when Jesus fulfilled the Law, it appears that He will only lead.  His message is "Come, follow me." 

Years ago I witnessed the difference.  In our town we had four Stakes at the time of this story.  The four Stakes combined for Boy Scout Round Table.  At one point two of the Stake Young Men Presidents got into a contest to see who could have the best attendance from their respective Scout Leaders.  The competition became rather fierce.  One President chose to be a herder.  He and a Councilor from the Stake Presidency would go to Round Table and immediately take a head count.  Then they would hit the phones, drive to peoples houses, whatever it took to drag the missing brethren to the meeting.  At first, they were leading the competition.  The other Stake Young Men President, quietly attended the meeting, took copious notes and gathered handouts and other materials.  Then he went home and prepared a packet for each missing leader.  Packets in hand, he visited the home of each leader who'd failed to attend.  Upon his arrival he would say something like, "I understand how busy you are, having been in your shoes.  Since you were unable to make it to Round Table I have taken the liberty to bring Round Table to you.  Would you have a few minutes for me to go over the high points?"  He then would quickly review what had been presented and follow up with a sincere expression of appreciation for the wonderful work the brother was doing with the boys in his charge.  There was never a guilt trip, scolding, or any kind of recrimination, just love and gratitude.

That President, did however, suffer a lot of ridicule from the other.  "You've got to quit spoon feeding your men.  Why would they ever show up if you are willing to hand carry it to them?"  The other President would not believe the sheep would follow and was certain they had to be driven.  In the end however, most of his sheep rebelled.  On the other hand the sheep of the President who lead with love, began to see that there was great value in the materials being brought to them by a serving leader and one by one began to show up to see for themselves what Round Table had to offer.  Eventually, that Stake averaged over 90% attendance while the other dropped below 40% on a consistent basis.

Having made that observation I have viewed these early Book of Mormon chapters a little differently.  Quite often in the Church I have observed, brethren especially, driving their flocks.  Perhaps they feel justified, seeing their sheep to be like Laman and Lemuel.  I hope we remember that the Law has been fulfilled and we must no longer be in the the Sheep Herding Business, but rather in the Shepherding Business.  There is a huge difference.

1 Nephi - Chapter 16

I think it is quite obvious that Nephi and Lehi, didn't need a Liahona, as the curious ball later comes to be known by.  The two of the them seem far more capable than I to be directed by the Spirit as you and I seem to be expected to be.  So, I must conclude that it was given to them, to comfort and school those who were less inclined to seek and heed the promptings of the Spirit.  I suspect that much of the time this was quite comforting and persuasive in coaxing the reluctant travelers along their difficult journey.

If you've ever tried Geocaching, you might have a feeling for what Laman and Lemuel might have thought about the Liahona.  Someone told me that if I took a GPSr instrument and entered some pre-determined coordinates that the unit would lead me to a Cache full of treasure.  When it's arrow literally took me to the very spot, I was astonished.  How could this little gadget retrieve and calculate information from several satellites in space and take me so accurately to a location that to my mind only amounted to meaningless numbers?  Add to that occasional 'text messages' from God and the fact that the daily coordinates were also installed by God and you have the Liahona.  Even in an age where modern gadgetry is all around us, I was amazed at the capabilities of the GPSr.  Imagine how impressive the Liahona must have been to the family of Lehi!

It clearly was no different than heeding the promptings of the Spirit, except that it was plain and visible.  I have often thought it would be nice to give one to each child on the day the receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, so they could have something tangible to practice with.  In away, parents are their children's Liahona.  How important it is, to help our children understand that the spiritual feelings they get are gifts of the Spirit.  I saw a young girl stand one day and bear her testimony.  She had done so since she was a Sunbeam in primary.  Only this time was different.  This time the Spirit confirmed the truth of what she'd been saying, in such a poignant way, that she wept.  The tears came as such an embarrassing surprise that she fled to the arms of her mother, mortified.  When the Bishop stood to close the meeting, he taught her and the rest of us a very important lesson.  He spoke directly to the girl calling her by name.  He explained to her something Elder Boyd K. Packer has taught, that the connection between our body and our spirit is manifest in our emotions.  He then kindly explained to her that the reason she had cried was because she had felt the Spirit, confirm to her soul (body and spirit) that what she was saying was true and pleasing to God.  He commended her for being so sensitive to the Spirit and praised her for her courage in sharing her testimony.  In essence, he taught her what her experience meant.  He was training her to understand, seek and maintain that connection.  We don't necessarily, automatically, understand what it is we are experiencing when we feel the Spirit.  Blessed are parents and teachers who sense when this is happening to others and help them recognize and appreciate it.

Another example:  I was conducting a baptismal service for some new converts in our Stake.  One of the converts was a young lady.  Her parents, members of another church and not all that happy about her choice, never-the-less had elected to attend her baptism.  During one of the talks, the missionary seated next to her father whispered to him, "Can you feel that?"  The man replied, "Yes, what is it?"

"The is the Holy Ghost, confirming to you that what is being said is true."

Two weeks later, that man and his wife also entered the waters of baptism.  The man later remarked about that experience, "If Brother Reynolds had not pointed out what I was feeling that day, I might never have understood, that God was speaking to my heart.  Thank you, dear dear Brother Reynolds!"

I am so much like the murmuring Lehites.  I am given the Promised Land and I want it now!  It is very interesting that every Promised Land story in the scriptures includes a long arduous, testing, winnowing journey.  Lehi, Moses, Jared, Brigham Young, and their followers all experienced it, why would I suppose I might be exempt.  Clearly, I am not.