Mormon - Chapter 3

I think it is marvelous our Mormon loved the Nephites.  It was an unconditional love that sprang from his love of God.  He did not approve of their behavior.  He grieved over their lack of faith and humility.  He warned them of the danger of the path the trod; even of the consequences that lie ahead in the course they were choosing.  But that did not prevent him from loving them.  How can that be?  I think it is because it was all about them, rather than all about him.  Mormon's efforts were not to preserve himself or his lifestyle.  Mormon served them because he wanted to preserve and provide means for their happiness.

He didn't attempt to change them, or get even with them when they refused.  He simply warned them and let them choose for themselves.  We need to follow this example.  Too often the rebellion we experience from those we "love" is because we sought to control them, to manipulate them, to change them.  It is because we sought to take away their agency.  If we love them like Mormon did, we will warn and prepare them, but we will leave the choices to them.  Of course that means we are leaving the consequences to them as well and we will soon see that the consequences the Nephites chose were grievous indeed.  Still, that is what we must do, if we are to love the Father and truly love His children.

Fortunately, we live in a time when the promise is sure that the gospel will never again be taken from the earth.  We can hope that many will not be destroyed.  In my work with troubled youth we didn't find many children from active Latter-day Saint families who got into trouble.  The rare ones who did, always reported having had one or two controlling manipulative parents.  Interesting.  Let us love unconditionally, like Mormon did.

Mormon - Chapter 2

Slippery possessions.

"...behold no man could keep that which was his own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers, and the magic art, and the witchcraft which was in the land."

Sounds a lot like today.  People losing their homes, their investments, their jobs, their security.  And don't think for a minute that there are not secret, Gadianton style, combinations behind much of it.  While multitudes lose their grip on the things of the world; self-serving, wicked men are growing in wealth, power and influence by devious means.  The decline of our civilization is as literal and real as that of the Nephites.

Now, I don't see this as doom and gloom at all.  Just time for a paradigm shift.  According to Elder Neal A. Maxwell we don't own anything anyway, that is except our will.  I think all of this Latter-day calamity is preparing the righteous to embrace Zion.  The time will surely come when we will finally give up the notion of ownership and exchange it for the blessed principle of stewardship.  The idea that we own all of this stuff we tend to accumulate is an illusion.  It all belongs to God and even if thieves don't steal it, if we cling to possessively to it, God will remove it from us.  The great paradox of abundance is that only in giving up ownership are we able to one day possess all that the Father hath.

We who trust the Lord need to alter our vocabulary.  We need to exchange the word earned for blessed, the words owned for entrusted, talent for gift, mine for ours and deserve for grace.  This may not be easy, because the world had taught us otherwise.  Still, the promise is sure, we will be happier and more abundantly blessed if we do.

Now is the time to consecrate our lives.  We need not wait for some organization, commandment or structure to be established upon which to hang our Zion hats.  We individually, can be part of Zion right now and in so doing, reject what is so clearly bringing destruction upon the Nephites.

Mormon - Chapter 1

Talk about a famine in the land:

14 And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief.

I'd rather perish for want of food than to live without the gifts Mormon speaks of here.  Perishing physically is one thing, but perishing spiritually is quite another.  Without daily gifts from the Lord, I would still be an addict.  I would still be in despair.  I would be running amok and it is likely that I'd have no regard for my life because I would be so miserable.  I that light it is easy to see why the Nephites and Lamanites got on to the slippery slope that ended in such death and destruction.  Without the sustaining influence of the Holy Ghost, they simply lacked the resources necessary to sustain happiness and sanity.  Being left unto themselves they, struggling, ruined everything for themselves.

Reading this chapter drove me to my knees in the deepest gratitude for the abundant gifts that are available, not for any merit of my own, but simply because I believe.

Mormon - Chapter 1

Talk about a famine in the land:

14 And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief.

I'd rather perish for want of food than to live without the gifts Mormon speaks of here.  Perishing physically is one thing, but perishing spiritually is quite another.  Without daily gifts from the Lord, I would still be an addict.  I would still be in despair.  I would be running amok and it is likely that I'd have no regard for my life because I would be so miserable.  I that light it is easy to see why the Nephites and Lamanites got on to the slippery slope that ended in such death and destruction.  Without the sustaining influence of the Holy Ghost, they simply lacked the resources necessary to sustain happiness and sanity.  Being left unto themselves they, struggling, ruined everything for themselves.

Reading this chapter drove me to my knees in the deepest gratitude for the abundant gifts that are available, not for any merit of my own, but simply because I believe.

4 Nephi - Chapter 1

This chapter may represent the best instance of Utopia in history.  Surely Enoch and Salem were contenders.  I can't help wondering what it was that destroyed the peace and harmony they enjoyed for 200 years.  Was it the first generation who outwardly defected from the church or might it have been the previous generation who, if they were like many of us; began to seek to cover their sins and to live hypocritical lives, and began to just go through the motions of righteous living, without the meaning and substance of the gospel as a foundation for their behavior.

If my suspicion is true, then it seems likely that those who drifted from the substance of righteousness to the image of it, also began to manipulate their children in an effort to maintain the image.  As the natural consequence of manipulation is first dishonesty and then rebellion, it seems likely that those who defected were not the ones who turned the tide of righteousness and commenced the march to destruction.

How stubborn they became.  Even in the sight of miracles performed by the Three Nephites, they still remained in rebellion.  Such is the destructive power of manipulation; a problem that remains prevalent in the church today.

3 Nephi - Chapter 30

In my youth we never dreamed there'd be a Temple in Kiev in our lifetime!

It is easy to suppose that the world is going to hell in a hand basket.  Don't you suppose there were those who thought the same thing just before the arrival of the Lord in America?  Of course they did, probably not in those terms.  I'll never forget when Mike Wallace asked that question to President Hinckley in an interview and then got the Prophet's positive response.  Later, President Hinckley quoted Mr. Wallace's question and then jokingly said, "His words, not mine."

The previous two chapters made reference to the "doings of the Lord."  It is critical that we not discount the doings of the Lord in our day.  He is going to see to it that political boundaries are torn down.  He is going to see to it that unsurmountable obstacles are surmounted.  Our job is to do the same thing Mormon is here commanded to do.  To preach the gospel in all the world!  God will take care of the rest.  Further, I don't think we need to get all worked up about he places we can't yet go.  We're not doing an adequate job of sharing the gospel in the places we can go.  Let us be about doing what we can and let the Lord take care of the rest.

This is not just an international issue either.  There are individuals in our lives who are out in the cold.  Some of them are behind walls of protection from the judgmental and manipulative actions of others.  Walls that are every bit as formidable as those defending countries.  God is tearing down those walls as well.  Let us cease being judges of those not like ourselves and instead determine to be found inviting them to come unto Christ.

3 Nephi - Chapter 29

2 And ye may know that the words of the Lord, which have been spoken by the holy prophets, shall all be fulfilled; and ye need not say that the Lord delays his coming unto the children of Israel.

Of course this verse means that just because we might like to procrastinate the day of our repentance, there is no reason to suppose that God will procrastinate the day of His coming.  He is not going to delay His plans to accommodate the slowness with which we respond to His invitation to come unto Him.

I think though that we might look at this verse another way.  There is no need for the righteous to sense any sort of delay in His coming.  If we choose, He will come into our lives and bless us with His grace today.  In a very real sense, we may enjoy His coming now, not in some uncertain future day.  I've been known to say at someone's passing that the Second Coming, just came, for him.  I don't say that much any longer.  I'd rather say of the person who has diligently sought a change of heart, who has been born again, who has exercised faith unto repentance; that the Lord has not delayed His coming in that man's case.  He has already arrived.

3 Nephi - Chapter 28

How wonderful, the choice that the 3 Nephites and John the Beloved made.  How selfless and blessed their choice.  I should like to have a similar assignment.  While I think it would really be neat to stick around and watch the history of the world unfold even until the end and the Second Coming, I have a different inclination.

I have served in a ministerial capacity in either the County Jail or the local Juvenile Detention Center for a total of over ten years.  These people have taken the broad road into captivity spoken of in the previous chapter.  They are precious children of their Father in Heaven, who loves them.  He allows His spirit to attend them in abundance while behind bars.  Most of them are they because they have not found God.  Most have never even be informed that He exists; at least not in any meaningful way.  They are there for lack of knowledge resulting in lack of faith.  Many, once taught, begin to grow the seed of faith and its swelling, sprouting, growing a fruit bearing are a wonder to behold in their lives.  I love working with them.

I suppose that laboring in Spirit Prison will not be all that different than working in mortal prison.  I hope, when I leave this Second Estate to again have the privilege of laboring in prison among those who are held captive beyond the veil.  So blessed and privileged am I to labor among these precious souls that my heart yearns to be among them and to share the blessed love of Christ with them.  There, in that spirit realm, if I am asked a similar question to the one the Lord posed to his disciples in this chapter; I will seek to be permitted to tarry.  I'd like to continue sharing the message of salvation until it has sounded in every ear, even in the spirit world.  There, I'd like to be the last one out of hell.  I don't want to leave before the blessing of salvation has been shared with prison's last resident.

3 Nephi - Chapter 27

It seems significant that in this chapter word write or its counter part written appears seven times and eight times in the previous chapter.  Then the Lord indicates that the Father writes.  I take it to be a pretty strong hint that we ought to be writing.

I hope you think it not too bold of me to mention that the majority of the revelation I receive, comes while writing.  I do not declare myself to be the prophet, but it is not too bold, I think to suggest that I frequently receive revelation.  I think the Saints are called upon to seek and receive revelation and can bear testimony to the fact that it comes in abundance.  Having made the discovery that it comes most abundantly when I write, I am inclined to write often - in Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School, Priesthood Meeting, while reading the scriptures or even while reading a novel.  I write when I have questions and often the answers are given to me.

When I was first coming out of addiction I wrote then too.  I wrote what I was thinking in my sick condition.  Much of what I wrote was garbage.  Seeing my thoughts on paper made that fact apparent in a starting way.  Conversely, truth, seen on paper is viewed with greater clarity as well.

My advice?  Join me and write.  Join me and read what is written.  We will be better people for having done so.

Verse 33 says:

"broad the way which leads to death, and many there be that travel therein, until the night cometh, wherein no man can work."

I might add, wherein to man can write.  I think I've mentioned before that I subscribe to John Lund's description of Hell as God's Alternative High School.  It might be tougher to go to school if we had no books or pencils and paper.  We have the advantage over those in Hell, largely because we can work, write, read, serve, study things, it appears those in captivity cannot enjoy.  There they must utterly rely upon the Atonement of Christ for their salvation for they cannot work.

3 Nephi - Chapter 26

In verse eleven the Lord tells Mormon, "I will try the faith of my people."  At this point one would expect a dsiappointed "Aw" from the audience.  That is, unless they understand the Plan of Salvation.  It is a blessing to be required to exercise our faith.  It is after all the reason we came to the earth in the first place.


So often in today's world we tend toward leaning upon the arm of the flesh.  We buy insurance, put away savings, build strong houses equipped with smoke detectors, dead bolts and security systems.  All in a world that was designed to be insecure so that we would develop faith in Jesus Christ.  It is foolish to expect that our faith will not be tried.  It is also foolish to think that God would be indifferent to our efforts to provide security for ourselves.  He would be cheating us of the full value of our mortal experience if He did.  He would also be cheating us of a sense of His goodness and the precious experience of the same.  That is, if He let us go on in the delusion that we can take care of ourselves with out His grace and intervention.


How grateful I am for the trials of my faith.  How blessed I feel that through those trial I've discovered Him and His great love for me, who He watches over in intimate detail.  The same can be said of all of us, but if we have not yet discovered Him, through faith, we might well expect some trials.

3 Nephi - Chapter 25

6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

We've always interpreted this verse to refer to genealogy or family history and vicarious Temple work for our kindred dead.  There is no doubt that this is true.

As I read the verse today, something else that was on my mind gave it new and (I hope) also true meaning.

Last night I went to 12 Steps at the Detention Center.  Both groups had great attendance and participation.  Several of the kids expressed a longing to be home with their parents.  One girl made particular mention of the need to be totally honest with her mother.  How commendable.  Still, it became apparent that she doesn't have a father in her home.  In fact, most don't.  Sunday in Stake Conference Elder Munday made mention of the Proclamation on the Family and indicated that the Brethren are very concerned about the continuing erosion of the traditional family.  Indeed it is alarming and I see the consequences of that erosion every time I visit and love these troubled kids.  Anyway, it made me hope that their fathers would turn their hearts to these precious kids.  I know that their hearts are already turning to their fathers.  Most of their problems can be readily traced to the absence of a father's love, guidance, presence and attention.  Broken homes are indeed a curse and is blighting the earth in epidemic fashion.  It made me want to redouble my efforts to encourage marriage and fidelity and family and devotion in this ever more challenging world.

3 Nephi - Chapter 24

14 Ye have said: It is vain to serve God, and what doth it profit that we have kept his ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts?

15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

I once heard some one say, "Quit the church and you'll get a 10% raise and an extra day in the week."  Sometimes that's how it looks.  We look around and our less active and friends of other persuasions seem to have it made, while we seem to be just getting by.  It looks like they're, as verse 15 says, "set up."  It looks like they have no troubles and we are tempted to wonder if it's all worth it.  The key word is tempted.  Satan would love to have us making comparisons with those who are not keeping the commandments.  I remember thinking the say kind of stuff about a millionaire friend who has since approached me and asked, "Why am I not happy?"
He thought that making a million would do the trick, when that failed he shot for ten million, that failed him too.  I began to realize in a way I had not considered that my friend was far from "set up".  He life was approaching on disaster.  Meanwhile I remembered the poor multitudes of Filipinos I loved and served.  They had nothing and were happy.  Why?  They were living righteous lives of generosity, caring and giving.  We tend to assume that the windows of heaven will pour out money.  There are more precious gifts than money, I promise.

3 Nephi - Chapter 23

I suppose you might say that this is easy for me to say, being a writer, but I'm going to say it anyway, "Write!"

Well did the Lord admonish the Lehites to record the teachings of Samuel the Lamanite and others and to record the circumstances and means of their salvation.  Well might we do the same.  In Stake Conference today I was taught many wonderful things, some by the word and others by the Spirit, who was most certainly in attendance. I would be remiss if I didn't record those wonderful words and impressions.  They lifted my then and may continue to do so if I have them written where I can be reminded of them.  The Lord said in the Doctrine and Covenants, "whether by my voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."  I heard scripture, new, current and fresh instruction, recording it, I have new scripture to lift, teach and inspire me.  Mine may not be scripture for you and yours may not be scripture for me, but any personal revelation we receive from God, if recorded, can add to our own personal cannon and be for our benefit, not to mention that of our posterity, who most certainly lie in our stewardship and can definitely benefit from the scripture of their parents.

By the way, you'll be amazed at your much you learn WHILE you write.

3 Nephi - Chapter 22

Elder and Sister Munday

What a glorious chapter!  So full of promise!  Zion shall prevail.  The admonition to lengthen the cords and strengthen the Stakes is exciting.  Make room, make room, more and more will be joining with Zion!

We just had Stake Conference this weekend.  Elder Christopher Munday was our visiting Authority.  It was a gathering of Celebration!  Our Stake is brand new and we gathered and rejoiced together.  It the time of the last Stake Conference was when the Stakes were divided.  It felt like we were lengthening the cords and strengthening our Stake at least.  Such a joy to feel the strength of Zion and we worshiped and rejoiced together.

3 Nephi - Chapter 21

I can barely imagine the details by which the Savior's prophecies will be fulfilled.  The return of the Lost Tribes and the Gathering of Israel are amazing already and we've only just begun.  I'm sure we'll see miracles the like of which the world has never seen.  The strongest impression of the whole chapter was not to inquire after the details though.  My biggest concern is to be found on the Lord's side.  He makes it plain that there is safety and freedom in obedience and that there is destruction on the other hand.  It doesn't look good for those who reject the gospel.  I hope those are few in number.

3 Nephi - Chapter 20

 1 And it came to pass that he commanded the multitude that they should cease to pray, and also his disciples. And he commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts.

I think prayer may be the most underutilized blessing we've been given.  I've been thinking about it all week.  Someone mentioned in Church on Sunday that prayer is "divine conversation."  I believe that, I have even felt like it was happening for me.  Still, most of the time, I must confess that for me, it is not.

I remember mentioning this when Alma admonished his son to let his thoughts be directed to the Lord.  At that time I observed that I am always having a conversation with myself.  Why not have that conversation with the Lord instead.  I try to do that but I lapse from that determination more often than not.  Still, gradually, I think my ongoing conversation with God is improving.  In doing so I have a new understanding about what Christ intended in verse one of this chapter.

As I sit in Sacrament Meeting, for example, my mind is constantly evaluating what I am hearing from the pulpit.  If I have that conversation with God, rather than with myself, I am taught from on high.  If I don't I usually find myself, critically evaluating, rationalizing, justifying myself in relation with what is being expressed by the speaker.  But, if I am conversing with God about what is being said, He, through His Spirit is able to guide my mind, encourage correct choices, deepen my understanding and brighten my outlook.

I think Jesus was teaching this principle to the Nephites.  They needed to understand that the Spirit will clarify, validate and internalize the Master's words for them; if they will consider His teachings in concert with God.  What a contrast that is to what I normally do as I consider the word and life's experience in concert with the flesh.  Continual prayer then, is clearly a most worthy pursuit.

3 Nephi - Chapter 19

3 Yea, and even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesus; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude.

I usually try to put myself in the story and try to walk in the shoes of the folks in the scriptures.  Doing so was a bit painful today.  I could so easily see myself laboring through the night to invite others to be in attendance at the meeting with Christ on the morrow.  I could see myself running from house to house declaring the good news.  In my minds eye I am jubilant about my message.  "He is here!  Jesus Christ has come as the prophets foretold!  Come and see for yourselves!  He is magnificent!  His message is one of joy!  Hurry, don't be late!"

I have often said, with Elder McConkie that I won't know any more then than I know now; but do I?  If I know now, what I'll know then, why am I not declaring Him and His message of salvation with the same energetic jubilation?  Why do I not feel the same immediacy as I would expect to feel then?

Perhaps it is because in this chapter's scenario there is proof.  If they come they will see.  In our current scenario it is spiritually true, but not physically so.  Perhaps I am intimidated by the lack of evidence I have to present.  Perhaps I need to rethink that.  I believe there is plenty of evidence.  I just need to look upon it with faith.  I remember as a young missionary, I was tempted to embellish faith promoting stories to lend credence to my message.  I soon learned that it was the Spirit that did the converting, not the eyes and ears.  I need, today, to revisit that notion.  The gospel message is as beautiful, majestic, beneficial and real today, just as it is, as it was that day 2000 years ago, we He walked among them!

3 Nephi - Chapter 18

I never related building my house upon a rock to the Sacrament before.  Here the Savior clearly makes that connection for us.  We are given the opportunity to enter into a covenant with Him by which we are perfected in Christ.  As we are still mortal and still subject to the weakness of the flesh, kindly He offers an opportunity of to renew that covenant on a weekly basis so that we may remain built upon that solid foundation that will enable us to withstand the winds and rains of affliction, temptation and torment.

Each week we get to take a breather from the storm, consider our position, make course corrections and reestablish our house upon the rock.  What a tremendous gift!  He is the rock of our foundation.  He is the way and means by which we weather the tempest in our lives.  Each week now, as I partake of the emblems of His body and His blood; I think I'll ask myself, "Is my house built upon the rock?"  "Have I remained true to my covenants?"  "Are there things I must correct?"

Each morning as I study another chapter in The Book of Mormon, I sense the same thing.  In a very real way I am shoring up my foundation upon the rock of my Salvation.  "How firm a foundation ye, Saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent word...."

3 Nephi - Chapter 17

I remember during the darkest days of my life, during a time when depression and sin had me in a strangle hold, at a time when I had fled to the desert in hopes of running away from my problems; I was given a vision.  In my vision I saw three friends on their knees praying for me.  I was, at that time, serving as Branch Clerk in the Detention Center Branch of the Church.  So often, during presidency meetings, I had heard my brethren pray with faith for the wonderful youth at the Detention Center.  I knew that God heard and answered those prayers. For that reason, I also knew, that in my own hour of need, my good brethren were praying, in faith, for me.

That thought, that vision, changed everything for me.

As I read today's chapter and read about Jesus praying for the Nephites, I came to realize that Jesus also prays for us.  He is our advocate before the throne of God.  He prays for us.  I am certain that His prayers are heard and are answered.  I am certain that His prayers are for our good and blessing.  Like my vision of days gone by, I feel a renewed sense of hope and promise today, because I know Jesus prays for me.

3 Nephi - Chapter 16

The Savior admonishes the people to write the experiences they are having in His presence.  Elder Richard G. Scott tells us:

This experience also created an environment where strong impressions flowed. I wrote them down. One paragraph began, "Testify to instruct, edify, and lead others to full obedience, not to demonstrate anything of self. All who are puffed up shall be cut off." Another signaled, "You are nothing in and of yourself, Richard." That was followed with some specific counsel on how to be a better servant. The impressions became so personal that I felt it inappropriate to record them in the midst of a Sunday School class. I sought a more private location. There I continued to write the feelings that flooded into my mind and heart as accurately and as faithfully as possible. After each powerful impression was recorded, I meditated upon it and pondered the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately interpreted them. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own personal life.

Richard G. Scott was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional
address was given at Brigham Young University on 17 August 1993.

That is good counsel for us and our spiritual experiences.  Certainly it served that purpose for those ancient Americans as well.

Additionally, the Lord prophecies that the words they record will one day be of great service in carrying the restored gospel to all the world, most especially to scattered Israel.  Mormon tells us that the piles of records in his possession were enormous.  Had you lived then might your writing, your journal, have been included in that pile?  Might the words and feelings you recorded about the inspiration you received have been part of the story and doctrine Mormon gleaned for the great abridgment of those records that became The Book of Mormon?

My own grandmother kept a journal.  Reading it has helped to gather me out of the world and draw me to Zion.  How I appreciate those who expressed gratitude for the revelation they received by writing it down where I might, reading, be edified and drawn to the Lord.

3 Nephi - Chapter 15

 Paul called the Law of Moses a school master.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (Galatians 3:24)

It think part of the schooling provided by the Law was the utter impossibility of keeping it fully, correctly, entirely.  Challenging ourselves against it we quickly discover that it can't be kept perfectly.  It is then that we discover that we need a Savior, one who could fulfill the entire Law without error who could then open the way for us, who couldn't.

The Children of Israel were kidding themselves if they thought they could keep the Law that fully.  Apparently, the Pharisees had codified the law into a list of dos and don'ts that not only told them what they must do, but also informed them as to what they could get away with.  They seem to have discovered that the Law as Moses gave it, from God, could not be adequately kept, and so, needed some adaptation so it could.

Jesus, in fulfilling the law, took care of that quandary.  Still, today, there are those among us who feel they can keep the rules and tend toward defining them in legalese so they can.  Rules like watching TV on Sunday, except for during Conference and perhaps a political debate, but never football, unless you have a son on the team and shame on Steve Young for playing on Sunday unless he's had a special dispensation from the prophet which might mean the prophet watches on Sunday and in that case, if football is okay, maybe Maverick is too since it's far less violent, and of course Mormon produced movies should be okay except violent ones like The Book of Mormon Movie...  Well, you get my drift.

I think Jesus wanted all that nonsense done away.  Now, if we are willing, we can consult the Lord directly as to what He would have us do and not do.  Now, if we are willing, we can enter into a covenant with Him by which we are saved by His merits rather than our own.  Why?  Because of our weakness and His majestic perfection, He has become and is the Way, the only way by which Salvation may be obtained.  Willingness, emerges from love which we are given because He loved us first.

This doesn't excuse us from living righteously in any way.  It just makes living righteously a real possibility, by allowing us to enter into a covenant arrangement by which our best efforts, though imperfect, are good enough.

3 Nephi - Chapter 14

7 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

What a precious and open invitation.  In actuality it is hardly qualified by any small print.  As I walked today, after reading this chapter, a thought occurred to me -  It isn't hard for most of us to recognize mortality as a schooling situation and opportunity.  It isn't hard to recognize God as the Schoolmaster.  Why, then, is it that we will go to the Schoolmaster and, without a second thought ask Him to do our homework for us?  Why, are we so willing to request that He excuse us from taking tests and fulfilling other requirements in our educational process?  We wouldn't think of going to a teacher, professor, principal or dean and make such a request.  At school it is quite obvious that the education process requires much of us.  Why then are we so quick to think that the school of life would be different or that the Schoolmaster would be so foolish as to let us skate by without doing the work?

So, it follows that much of what I have been asking for over the years was inappropriate and therefore not likely to be given.  How much better that we ask the Lord what He'd have us do and for His assistance in doing it, rather than to spend our prayers asking to be excused from that which will build, strengthen, develop and prepare us.

3 Nephi - Chapter 13

 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  11 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The other day at the Detention Center, a boy who normally gives heart-felt, from-the-heart prayers, chose to repeat the Lord's prayer instead.  I was a bit startled at first, but the depth of his sincerity, as he recited those words, struck me deeply.  It was a twelve step addiction recovery meeting.  We had been talking about turning our lives over to God as a means of accomplishing what we cannot do for ourselves.

With that in mind, the Lord's prayer was especially meaningful for me.  We had been talking about surrendering our will to that of the Lord.  Here the Savior makes that His first statement after acknowledging the Father's divinity.  As with His life, His prayer was a declaration of determination to surrender to the will of the Father.

Here, Jesus is telling us how to pray.  In His own personal prayers, He did not need forgiveness.  He was not in the business of getting out of debts incurred, He came to pay them, for us.

The plea, "...deliver us from evil" is especially poignant for me.  Having spent my life attempting to deliver myself only to discover that none by God can deliver me; I wonder why it took me so long to come to that awareness.  Back before prayer was banned at school, we always had an opening prayer in my elementary school classes.  Most of those prayers were typical of Latter-day Saint children.  Occasionally though, a child from some other faith would repeat The Lord's Prayer.  In my sanctimonious disregard for all things different from myself, I fear I also disregarded the words of this most perfect prayer.  Had I only listened and the also, personally, prayed, then, for deliverance, I might not have endured so many years of bondage to sin.

Now, having been delivered and having it done for me and not by me, I too must acknowledge that none of the glory for that blessed success belongs to anyone but God.

There is another important word in the prayer - us.  We are all in the same boat.  We all need deliverance.  The Atonement applies to each of us.  The prayer admonishes us and seeks the blessing to be able to forgive one another, even if we are the recipient of another's offense.  We all come short of the glory of God.  We all have the same requirements at His hand, forgiveness and deliverance.

3 Nephi - Chapter 12

I can remember a time when my wife and I were having a quarrel.  I sought the counsel of a wise friend.  He admonished me to read this chapter.  In fact he suggested I read it several times.  My wife had gone on ahead for an outing we'd planned.  I was considering staying home and not joining her.  My friend gave me the advice I've mentioned and the gave me The Book of Mormon on tape and suggested I listen to the chapter over and over in the car on the way to our rendezvous.  I followed his advice and before leaving to join my wife I stopped into the office for a second.  My friend asked how my reading was coming and if it was having it's effect on me.

I told him that it indeed was softening my heart and that while I still esteemed my wife to be my enemy I was trying to love her, and pray for her, and make peace with her and treat he like I'd like to be treated and so on.  Then I threw a tantrum.  Pounding the desk in a fit of rage I cried out, "But who's going to tell her to do this?"

My wise friend smiled and said, "Nobody."
"So how's that going to solve my problem?" I asked in frustration.
"The only person you can fix is you," he told me, "But you'll be surprised at how she responds when you treat her with love, respect and kindness; like the Lord asks you to."

Was I ever surprised.  When my thoughts and actions were about her and her happiness, instead of about me and mine; everything changed.  Our relationship blossomed and we were happy together for a long time.  Later, problems arose again.  Again, I attributed the problem to her instead of myself.  My wise friend had moved away so I turned to another resource.  I found Lund's book How to Hug a Porcupine.  I thought, "If anyone needs to know how to hug a porcupine it was me."  The Lunds taught the same principles that Christ teaches in this most wonderful chapter.  They taught me that I was the porcupine, not she.  Again, all I had to do was fix myself, return to correct principles which universally apply and our relationship returned to bliss.

I testify that Christ's teachings in this chapter are that powerful.  But they only work when we each apply them to ourselves and our own behavior.

3 Nephi - Chapter 11

I think it is very interesting that the people couldn't understand the Father when He spoke to them, twice.  Then it appears that when the did understand His words it was a condition of them attuning themselves to God, not the other way around.  It becomes apparent that everything must transpire on His terms, not ours.  He is perfect and need not make an accommodation for our imperfection.  That is except the greatest accommodation of them all; the sacrifice of His only begotten Son.  A Son where thereby might mediate between the Father and ourselves until such time as we are able to abide His presence entirely on His terms.

No unclean thing may enter into His kingdom.  He makes no accommodation for anything but perfection.  Perhaps this was the case with the Nephites gathered at the Bountiful Temple.  He spoke in perfection and the people had to rely upon the divine assistance of the Savior in order to understand those perfect words.

Whether, I've interpreted this or not, it seems plain that we are the ones who much adjust our thinking and behavior, not God.

I cannot imagine anything more intimate and personal than to approach the Savior of the world and be invited to insert my hand into His side.  I don't know if this was considered an ordinance, but clearly it would have been a sacred experience.  It, like every ordinance we do, takes place one at a time, and in a very poignant way, one on one, with the one through whom we might have Eternal Life.  His invitation is to "come unto me," not to come near me or unto one of my representatives.  When Nephi calls Him, "my Jesus" he is indicating the deeply personal, intimate, one on one relationship we are invited to enjoy with our own personal Redeemer.  I also believe that His participation with us in the Atonement was also that intimate, personal and individual.

3 Nephi - Chapter 10

The Lord is not about keeping us in the dark.  Light and truth are His hallmarks.  So, while the survivors of the terrible destruction in America, following the crucifixion of the Savior, were given light; the light they were given was in the form of instruction and assurance.  Physically, they yet remained in the darkness, but spiritually they were being taught and their minds enlightened.  After the voice of Christ gave them a pretty full account of what was going on, the people were given time to ponder what they'd been told.

I suppose this quiet time was cathartic and beneficial.  These people individually and collectively had some monumental circumstances to contemplate and absorb.  It looks to me like the Lord was careful not to overwhelm them, but rather wanted to give them time to consider and process all that had suddenly changed in their lives.

I think I can learn something from this.  Too often, I am charging from one activity to the next.  It is vital to stop now and then to process what is happening.  This life was intended to be instructive through the processes of the experiences I have.  If I don't stop long enough to consider what is being taught me I might just miss the whole point.  That is why writing is so helpful to me.  It forces me to take the time to make some sense of the experience I am having.  If I had not written this entry this morning, for example, I would not have seen what I've just described for having merely read the words.

We are given time to consider, to ponder, let's give it the priority in requires so we can discover the meaning in our lives.

3 Nephi - Chapter 9

I have always taken comfort in this verse:

13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

I am certainly not as wicked as those of Jacobugath, for instance, so it may be that if the Second Coming should arrive before I've fully repented, maybe I'll yet be spared.  Today as I read, I didn't get such comfort.  I didn't find this verse nearly so full of loop holes.  Rather I found it condemning in light of the whole chapter.

Chapter 9 makes it plain that many of the truly righteous were not spared.  These are they who'd be persecuted for their faith, who'd been stoned and slain for their courage to call the people to repentance.  Many of these are they, who for their faith, forfeited the blessed opportunity to feel His hands and bathe His feet with their tears.  Of course my first reaction was a supposition that these were somehow cheated.  In my heart though, I know that they were not.  They had already come unto Christ and they had already been healed.  They, I believe, were like Elder Bruce R. McConkie, in that they already knew and had walked with Him.  Elder McConkie put it this way:

I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.

Any loss he, or the stoned prophets may have experienced by dying before the coming of the Lord was already, most certainly, "swallowed up in the joy of Christ" (Alma 31:38)

Once again, the natural man in me had jumped to incorrect conclusions.  Yet as I consult with my heart I know that life is not a merit badge system.  Privileges and blessings out there are not prizes to be earned.  Rewards are not handed out at illustrious ceremonies to those who excel above the others.  Righteous living is it's own reward as we walk, healed, in the presence of He whose merits are the only ones that count.

Repenting now, rather than waiting for His arrival, is the approach I am wont to take.  Why not enjoy His coming now in my life rather than waiting to be shocked into humility by disaster?

3 Nephi - Chapter 9

I have always taken comfort in this verse:

13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

I am certainly not as wicked as those of Jacobugath, for instance, so it may be that if the Second Coming should arrive before I've fully repented, maybe I'll yet be spared.  Today as I read, I didn't get such comfort.  I didn't find this verse nearly so full of loop holes.  Rather I found it condemning in light of the whole chapter.

Chapter 9 makes it plain that many of the truly righteous were not spared.  These are they who'd be persecuted for their faith, who'd been stoned and slain for their courage to call the people to repentance.  Many of these are they, who for their faith, forfeited the blessed opportunity to feel His hands and bathe His feet with their tears.  Of course my first reaction was a supposition that these were somehow cheated.  In my heart though, I know that they were not.  They had already come unto Christ and they had already been healed.  They, I believe, were like Elder Bruce R. McConkie, in that they already knew and had walked with Him.  Elder McConkie put it this way:

I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.

Any loss he, or the stoned prophets may have experienced by dying before the coming of the Lord was already, most certainly, "swallowed up in the joy of Christ" (Alma 31:38)

Once again, the natural man in me had jumped to incorrect conclusions.  Yet as I consult with my heart I know that life is not a merit badge system.  Privileges and blessings out there are not prizes to be earned.  Rewards are not handed out at illustrious ceremonies to those who excel above the others.  Righteous living is it's own reward as we walk, healed, in the presence of He whose merits are the only ones that count.

t.

3 Nephi - Chapter 9

I have always taken comfort in this verse:

13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

I am certainly not as wicked as those of Jacobugath, for instance, so it may be that if the Second Coming should arrive before I've fully repented, maybe I'll yet be spared.  Today as I read, I didn't get such comfort.  I didn't find this verse nearly so full of loop holes.  Rather I found it condemning in light of the whole chapter.

Chapter 9 makes it plain that many of the truly righteous were not spared.  These are they who'd be persecuted for their faith, who'd been stoned and slain for their courage to call the people to repentance.  These are they, who for their faith, forfeited the blessed opportunity to feel His hands and bathe His feet with their tears.  Of course my first reaction was a supposition that these were somehow cheated.  In my heart I know that they were not.  They had already come unto Christ and they had already been healed.  They, I believe, were like Elder Bruce R. McConkie, in that they already knew and had walked with Him.  Any loss they may have experienced was most certainly "swallowed up in the joy of Christ" (Alma 31:38)

Once again, the natural man in me had jumped to incorrect conclusions.  Yet as I consult with my heart I know that life is not a merit badge system.  Privileges and blessings out there are not prizes to be earned.  Rewards are not handed out at illustrious ceremonies to those who excel above the others.  Righteous living is it's own reward as we walk, healed, in the presence of He whose merits are the only ones that count.

3 Nephi - Chapter 8

"1....there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity—"

I have on occasion experienced this.  While giving a priesthood blessing, having sought forgiveness before hand, I felt the cleansing spoken of.  I have come to believe this verse to be accurate and true.  To me, it doesn't indicate that those performing miracles in the Lord's name are always clean.  It means, as I have learned from personal experience, that I must obtain forgiveness for my sins before standing in the Savior's place to minister to His children.  Of course serious transgressions must be cleared up with priesthood authorities before exercising the priesthood.  But I suppose that everyone must take a moment to consider his life and behavior and to seek forgiveness pretty much every time he makes use of his priesthood privileges.

I don't think this is grievous at all.  The Lord knew we'd be weak and mortal and imperfect.  That is why He instituted the Sacrament to be available on a weekly basis.  He knew we'd need it at least that often.  My point is that when we are called upon to represent the Lord in any capacity; be it giving a blessing, teaching the gospel, visiting teaching, standing proxy in the temple or extracting records ought we not to pause a moment and seek the cleansing that will open the way for the miracles we seek?

3 Nephi - Chapter 7

God institutes governments for the benefit of man.  He most certainly instituted the government established by King Mosiah.  Now, after about 100 years, that government meets its demise.  How sad.  For selfishness we destroy what we might enjoy.  Isn't that the definition of insanity?  Repeatedly we see such insanity in the history of the Nephites.  As the Savior so carefully tried to teach us; if we seek our lives we'll lose them, yet if we lose them in the service of others we gain them.  Looking at their stories through Mormon's lens we can see that so very plainly.  Why is it that we can't see it in ourselves?

May I suggest that we each put on Mormon's lens and take a look at ourselves.  What are our collective motives?  Do they have to do with what's best for ourselves or what is best for others?  Are our rallying cries motivated by selfish concerns or are they motivated by the benefit of the whole?  Is greed a stronger incentive than kindness?  Is power and distinction a greater concern than unity and general prosperity?  Have we given up on God and concluded that to have what we want we must go out and obtain it for ourselves?  These are questions we can ask collectively.  More importantly though, they are questions we must ask ourselves individually.  If all we want is to take care of me and mine our system is doomed to the same demise the Nephites suffered.

3 Nephi - Chapter 6

The pursuit of wealth sure seems to have its casualties.  It is important to remember that it need not be so.  Still, it must not be ignored that is most commonly is so.  I have a dear friend who, while acknowledging the that the love of money is the root of all evil, is quick to point out that he doesn't love money, "we just have a meaningful relationship."

Wealth seems to offer comfort and security.  Somehow, it then makes us feel better about ourselves - safe, special.  That can easily set us up for looking down on those not so fortunate.  We get proud of our blessings viewing them as accomplishments rather than gifts from God.  Pretty soon we're offending everyone and the cycle begins again.

Could we be wealthy and grateful and humble at the same time?  Of course, that is if we appreciate wealth instead of worshiping it.  I believe that if we pursue God's will and pleasure, rather than our own, He would see to it that we had all the resources necessary to accomplish His will.  I also believe that even if we have some great ideas about philanthropically sharing our hoped for wealth; that those ideas may still be our own will and not God's.  Should that be the case we still may not obtain what we seek, or if we do, we obtain it at our own peril.  It is likely that the folks in this chapter may not have had bad motives for their acquisitions, but bad or not, the wealth the acquired brought about their pride and destruction all the same.

3 Nephi - Chapter 5

 24 And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth.

  25 And as he hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them.

Notice that I emphasized the word all in the two verses cited above.  It seems to me that all is a mighty certain word.  It appears that we are in for an amazing period as the work and word go out to all of Israel who are scattered in all the earth.  What I've seen in my own lifetime is astonishing, but it only scratches the surface of what is to come.  Oh, that I might be alive to see it!  It will be miraculous beyond description.  It also appears that it will transpire on both sides of the veil.  What a glorious promise!  What a glorious time to be alive!

According to this scripture, the house of Jacob in scatter in all the earth.  This means that the blood of Jacob may be found in every country on the planet.  While is seem inconceivable that missionaries will ever teach in some countries, the Lord is able to fulfill all His promises and we will, in His own due time, see the gospel literally sounded in every ear.

3 Nephi - Chapter 5

 24 And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth.

  25 And as he hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them.

Notice that I emphasized the word all in the two verses cited above.  It seems to me that all is a mighty certain word.  It appears that we are in for an amazing period as the work and word go out to all of Israel who are scattered in all the earth.  What I've seen in my own lifetime is astonishing, but it only scratches the surface of what is to come.  Oh, that I might be alive to see it!  It will be miraculous beyond description.  It also appears that it will transpire on both sides of the veil.  What a glorious promise!  What a glorious time to be alive!

According to this scripture, the house of Jacob in scatter in all the earth.  This means that the blood of Jacob may be found in every country on the planet.  While is seem inconceivable that missionaries will ever teach in some countries, the Lord is able to fulfill all His promises and we will, in His own due time, see the gospel literally sounded in every ear.