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!