Willingly Obedient and Quick to Learn; Applying the Scriptures to yourself and learning from ancestors

1 Nephi 5 is somewhat of a culminating chapter to the experience of going to get the plates. We're told of Sariah's complaints against Lehi but then of her testimony that God had indeed inspired her husband and protected and given power to her sons. We never hear of her complaining again despite the numerous trials they went through over the next several years. She appears to be quick to learn and doesn't forget the lessons she is taught. This is such a critical trait for us to have. We should not have to be taught by the Lord numerous times, and it's important that we retain the lessons he gives us. I admire Sariah very much. Here's her testimony in 1 Nephi 5:

8 And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath ^acommanded my husband to ^bflee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power whereby they could ^caccomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak.

We also learn what they initially prized from the plates of brass. They make particular mention of a few items, including that they were descendants of Joseph. In particular they mention that he too had his family preserved by the Lord and also that his descendants were led by God out of Egypt. This is very similar to what Nephi/Lehi were asked to do, and they probably found hope and faith and learned lessons through the scriptures and the story of Joseph and the Israelites. This is the second example we have of Nephi "applying the scriptures unto himself" (the first was in reminding his brothers that God delivered Moses, why wouldn't he deliver them from Laban). It's something he exhorts us to do later in 1 Nephi - (1 Nephi 19:23)). It becomes clear that it's something he did himself.

Also, note that they focused on the fact that Joseph was an ancestor. They learned from his example. Perhaps it's a message to us to pay attention to the lives of those who have come before us as there's things to learn from them as well. Interestingly, after reading about Joseph, his ancestor, Lehi then prophesies about his own posterity. Likely family was a powerful idea on his mind at the time. He also prophesied that the plates of brass would be important - they ended up keeping his posterity faithful (as we learn in Omni 1 by seeing that Muleki's descendants were no longer faithful) and would keep others faithful throughout time. The scriptures and family are 2 clearly important themes in this story.

Here's what they read and emphasized from the brass plates:

14 And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the^aplates of brass a ^bgenealogy of his ^cfathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of ^dJoseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of ^eJacob, who was ^fsold into Egypt, and who was^gpreserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine.

15 And they were also ^aled out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same God who had preserved them.

Here's his prophesy on family and the scriptures:

17 And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed—

18 That these ^aplates of brass should go forth unto all ^bnations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed.

19 Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should ^aneverperish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed.

Let's take advantage of the scriptures and become as close to family as possible.

Have a great day.

Great lessons from the church handbook - #2

On parenting and creating a strong family - section 1.3.2

Wise parents teach their children to apply the healing, reconciling, and strengthening power of the Atonement within their family. Just as sin, mortal weaknesses, emotional hurt, and anger are conditions that separate God’s children from Him, these same conditions can separate family members from each other. Each family member has a responsibility to strive for family unity. Children who learn to strive for unity at home will find it easier to do so outside the home.

On blessings of Family being extended to all the faithful - section 1.3.3

Faithful members whose circumstances do not allow them to receive the blessings of eternal marriage and parenthood in this life will receive all promised blessings in the eternities, provided they keep the covenants they have made with God.

On church existing to support families - section 1.4

Church organizations and programs exist to bless individuals and families and are not ends in themselves. Priesthood and auxiliary leaders and teachers seek to assist parents, not to supersede or replace them.

Definition of Holy Places - section 1.4.1

Followers of Christ are invited to “gather,” “stand in holy places,” and “be not moved” (D&C 45:32; 87:8; 101:22; see also 2 Chronicles 35:5; Matthew 24:15). These holy places include temples, homes, and chapels. The presence of the Spirit and the behavior of those within these physical structures are what make them “holy places.”

Family Home Evening; place to learn the gospel - Section 1.4.2

Family Home Evening

Latter-day prophets have counseled parents to hold a weekly family home evening to teach their children the gospel, bear testimony of its truthfulness, and strengthen family unity. Stake and ward leaders are to keep Monday evenings free from all Church meetings and activities so family home evenings may be held.

Family home evening may include family prayer, gospel instruction, testimony sharing, hymns and Primary songs, and wholesome recreational activities. (For information on using music in the home, see 14.8.) As part of family home evening, or separately, parents may also call a periodic family council to set goals, resolve problems, coordinate schedules, and give support and strength to family members.

Family home evening is sacred, private family time under the direction of the parents. Priesthood leaders should not give directions as to what families should do during this time.

Caring for those who aren't in active member families - they're every other member's responsibility - Section 1.4.3

Strengthening Individuals

Church leaders should give special attention to individuals who do not presently enjoy the support of a family of strong Church members. These members may include children and youth whose parents are not members of the Church, other individuals in part-member families, and single adults of all ages. They are covenant members of God’s eternal family, deeply loved by Him. These individuals should be given opportunities for service in the Church. The Church can provide wholesome sociality and fellowship that these members can find nowhere else.

Every member of the Church is as precious as every other. God’s eternal plan provides for all of His faithful children to receive every blessing of eternal life, exalted in families forever.

Trust in God then Go and Do

So, I taught in EQ today and it didn't go that great. I didn't prepare well enough (i.e., I didn't discuss it with Jamie - she would have helped me focus thoughts better), I didn't teach anything particularly insightful, and I didn't use enough or really any scriptures. Lots of stories, not enough scriptures. Bad move. (I actually finished the lesson by saying, "sorry I didn't do well enough" - it's true. Those Elders deserved a better lesson to help them in some way in their lives.)

The lesson was on Pres. Eyring's talk which was excellent. The title of the talk was "Trust in God, then Go and Do.'' The purpose was to increase our trust in God and in his servants, the prophets.

I believe those guys 100%. Everything I have seen from them in my limited interactions with them or those who are close to them makes me believe their words. Additionally, I know God answers prayers. That's been made very clear to me.

Here's a verse I like regarding trusting in God.

Alma 58:37

But, behold, it mattereth not—we trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies.

Those strippling warriors sure trust in God. I think it's because of the experiences they had had earlier made it clear to them that they should trust in Him. They mention in particular that they knew their mothers knew God would deliver them. This is an interesting point. I believe true faith is having enough faith that others' actions are influenced by you. The strippling warriors were clearly influenced by their mothers. Jamie and I were talking with some new friends of ours tonight, and I asked them how they gained testimonies of the church. Both of them spoke about how good their families were. She had a family that was very committed to the church. They read scriptures every day and prayed every day as a family, and she often heard her dad bear testimony. This all helped a testimony develop along with her time really diligently studying the scriptures while her future husband was on his mission. He said that there was a lot of trust and love in his family, and he thought, "if they're so great and I trust them so much, I'm pretty sure there's something to this church thing." I really love both of their comments. I hope to have a family in which our kids trust us and can be certain that the church is true because it is so obvious that it affects our lives for good. (I also want my kids to ask questions and figure it out on their own, but these two desires can both exist.)

Anyway, I hope I trust in God. He has always come through for me in every way. I also believe it's only if I stop trusting in him that the miracles will cease (as described in the following verse.)

Mormon 9:20

And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.

Have a good week.