1 Nephi 18 (Pray Often)

In chapter 18 we hear about Nephi finishing the ship and his family departing to the promised land. During their voyage the family of Nephi begin to be very rude and belligerent. Not until the ship was about to be swallowed up by the sea did they once again humble themselves and look to Nephi to guide the ship.

In my life I sometimes fall in to this pattern of lazy worship. This past Sunday we had a lesson in elder's quorum about prayer. The lesson was from a great talk that Elder Bednar gave in the April conference this year. The message I took out of this lesson was that I need to have more committed prayers.

Instead of merely praying for the missionaries to find those who are prepared to hear the message of the restored gospel, I should be praying that I can find people who are prepared to hear the gospel. Once I find these people then pray for the missionaries to be able to teach them. I also should not pray for something unless I am committed to doing what the Lord tells me to do in my prayer.

I think that we could all have more meaningful prayers. We need to pray in the name of Jesus Christ and try to remember him in all that we do. We should be willing to do what ever answers we receive in our prayers and understand that Heavenly Father always has our best interest at heart. He loves us and has given us a way to speak to him anytime. Use this gift more regularly and be more invested in your prayers.

1 Nephi 17 (The Lord Will Provide)

So far in the Book of Mormon we have seen examples of the Lord providing for Lehi and his family as long as they keep the commandments.
In our lives we need to have faith that as we do the things that we are commanded to do by the Lord and his Prophets we will be provided for. We may not all be rich or with out trials, but we will always have the spirit of God with us. That is a promise made to us by God.

If we will keep the Lord's commandments we will be taken care of. I have a testimony of this in my life. The more I am obedient the more I feel the spirit around me, and the more I am able to lead my family in righteousness as a priesthood holder.

1 Nephi 16 (Wicked Easily Offended)

The wicked take the truth hard sometimes. It is hard to have someone tell us that we are wrong or that what we are doing is wrong. I am like this often when Alli points out something that I should have done differently, my first reaction is always to try to defend my actions.

In this chapter, and other chapters, Laman and Lemuel are always offended and quick to defend their position when they are called out by Nephi or Lehi.

I need to take a lesson from this chapter and realize that when I am called out on something it is to help me become a better person and more close to my Heavenly Father.

1 Nephi 15 (Judgment of God)

In verse 30 Nephi states that the justice of God divides the wicked from the righteous. We need to do more than just have faith in the Lord to be saved. Some religions talk about being saved or born again. I think that it is great to love Jesus, and know him personally. I think that there is more to it than that.

President Hinkley said that we must strive to do our very best. Then and only then does the atonement of the Lord make up the difference for us and help us to become like Him. We must continue to keep the commandments and sacred covenants that we have made with God. It is a life long struggle, but with His help we can make it back to. Heavenly Father.

1 Nephi 14 (Armed with the Power of God)

In verse 14 we read about how the power of the Lamb of God descended on the saints of the church. This power is the priesthood of God. As priesthood holder is His church we are entrusted with great responsibility. We should be using this power to bless the people around us. We need to live worthy to exercise this power at a moments notice. As priesthood holders we need to live our lives focused on the savior. We need to use His life and ministry as a pattern for our lives. If we are saying our daily prayers, reading our scriptures daily and looking for ways to give service to others every single day, we will be in the right frame of mind to assist with a blessing or render other priesthood service. I am grateful to have been blessed with the priesthood of God. I know that it is a blessing to me and my family. I pray that I will always live my life worthy to be counted as someone who is armed with the power of God.

1 Nephi 13 (Publish Peace)

Verse 37 asks us to publish peace. I think that there are many ways that we can publish peace in our lives. I think that we publish peace when we are good examples for others. I think that we publish peace when we bear a testimony. Follow me on this one, I think that we can publish peace by raising and teaching our children correct moral and virtuous principles. When we teach our children they can continue the teachings and pass along their own testimonies.

Publishing peace brings us closer to the spirit and helps us to grow our testimonies. Brigham Young once said, "the best way to gain a testimony is to bear one". Find a way to publish peace in your life. You will be blessed for it.

1 Nephi 12 (Temptations)

In this short chapter temptation is described as something that blindeth the eyes, hardeneth the hearts, and lead toward broad paths.

I think that as we are tempted and as we sin we will blindeth our eyes. Things that we know are bad somehow become not so bad. We also tend to become very defensive about others who may try to help us (harden our hearts). We also loose our way sometimes when we sin. Our focus is changed and we become less motivated in reaching our celestial goals.

Conversely, when we keep the commandments we are more sensitive to the spirit which helps us to see upcoming troubles and temptations. When we are living the right way we also have more compassion toward others. When we keep the commandments it is easier to resist temptation and stay on the straight and narrow path.

1 Nephi 11 (Pride of the World)

At the end of this chapter Nephi is shown the fall of the great and spacious building. The angel tells Nephi that this is the fate of all who seek to destroy the 12 apostles of the Lord. This should not make us happy to see the destruction of those who oppose our views. We should be saddened that we couldn't teach them the message of happiness.

As we heard in general conference this past weekend. We should not contend with those who oppose our church and our message. We should be humble and meek and prayerful for those who don't agree with us. The best defense to use is a simple testimony of the Savior.

1 Nephi 10 (Jesus' Example, and the Holy Ghost)

In this chapter we read about how the Savior was baptised. I think it is great that even though the Savior never sinned he was still baptised. This is a great example for us. We need to look at the Savior's life and try to live the way that he did. We need to be baptised so that we can receive the Holy Ghost.

We also read in this chapter that the Holy Ghost is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him. We are promised in this chapter that as we seek Him the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto us by the power of the Holy Ghost.

1 Nephi 9 (A Wise Purpose)

In seminary in high school I was told that the wise purpose of why Nephi created two sets of plates is that the pages that Oliver Cowdry lost where the plates of Lehi. So, because Nephi kept the record and related the things that his father had told him we still have the record that Lehi would have us know.

I don't know if this is the right story behind Oliver Cowdry loosing the pages, but I think that is what I was told. I guess don't quote me.

1 Nephi 8 (Tree of Life)

In this chapter Lehi tells his family about a vision he has had. This is the tree of life vision. I think one of the things that struck me this time in reading this chapter was that the people who were searching for the tree of life, once they reached the tree and partook of the fruit, were ashamed of themselves. The people in the great and spacious building were mocking them because they were being righteous.

I think this happens in our lives. As members of the church we have a glorious gift. We are members of the only true church on the Earth. We have the fullness of the gospel. Others may look at our large families, our dress, our values, or our dedication to our church and scoff at us. We must not be ashamed of our Gift. We have so many blessings as members in Lord's true church. Pray for those who may look at us and laugh.

I was up at the Veterans Hospital on Friday when I read this chapter. In the break room that I was reading my scriptures in a discussion broke out between some of the nurses and hospital staff. Of the group there were only two members, myself and one Anesthesiologist. The staff was making fun of the fact that as members we wait till we are married before we have sexual relations. They thought that this was just the most awful thing that could be required of someone. The Anesthesiologist tried to help them see the beauty of this commandment, but there was no change in the views of the group. They also could not believe that we subject ourselves to having so many children. It is sad that they see children as a burden. They have no understanding of how great it can be create a family that can be tied together forever.

I guess in my eyes I will have to view the VA hospital as the great and spacious building. :) .

1 Nephi 7 (Forgiveness)

Nephi and his brothers once again travel to Jerusalem. They find Ishmael's family and convince them to leave the city and save themselves from destruction. On their travel back in to the wilderness to find Lehi many of the party including Laman and Lemuel become wroth and murmur against Nephi. They become so mad, after being chastised by Nephi, that the bind Nephi and try to take his life. Nephi prays unto the Lord to loosen the bands that bound him. He is freed and Lamen and Lemuel try to bind him again. Ishmael's wife and daughter plead with Laman and Lemuel and they soften their heart and ask Nephi for forgiveness. Nephi forgives them and asks them to pray to Heavenly Father for forgiveness.

In our lives we must forgive everyone that trespasses against us. It is not our place in this life to be the judge over other people. We need to try to love them and forgive them and hope that they repent for their actions to Heavenly Father.

1 Nephi 6

In this short chapter Nephi states that he is going to use his space in this book to write the things of the Lord, not the thing that would be pleasing unto the world.

1 Nephi 5 (Our Own Land of Promise)

In verse 5 Lehi states that he has obtained a land of promise. I think it is interesting that Lehi already considers the wilderness to be his "Land of Promise". After they left Jerusalem it must have been such a great feeling to be away from the wickedness and unbelief that was in that city. I think we should consider our homes and our wards "Lands of Promise". Anywhere that we are free to worship the way we choose and any place that we can be sheltered from sin and the world is indeed a land of promise.

Lehi wasn't waiting for his ideal place, or his mansion and worldly possessions. He wanted to be in a place where he could freely worship his Lord and teach his family. That was the most important thing to him.

1 Nephi 4 (The Lord Provides a Way)

In this chapter Nephi kills Laban and gets the gold plates. He convinces Zoram to join his family in the wilderness.

Nephi had the faith to attempt to obey the Lord's command. The Lord provided a way for Nephi to accomplish the thing that he had commanded Nephi to do. It truly is better that one man perish than a nation dwindle in unbelief. Now Nephi and his family will have the genealogy and accounts of the prophets to sustain them on their journey to the promised land.

1 Nephi 3 (Keeping the Commandments)

In verse 7 Nephi accepts his father's orders knowing that the Lord gives no commandment to the children of men, save he prepares a way for them to accomplish the thing He has commanded.

When we are fighting addictions in our life we need to remember this passage. The Lord commands us to be free of sin and to be morally clean. He would not command this of us unless we had the necessary tools and means to obey. Sometimes when we are fighting addiction it can seem like you have no choice or no ability to make the correct choice. This thinking is false God has given us all that we need to overcome sin and temptation. Have faith in His promise to provide us with whatever we need to accomplish his commandments.

1 Nephi 2

In this chapter we read about Lehi taking his family and departing in to the wilderness. Laman and Lemuel murmur against their father. Nephi chooses to pray to Heavenly Father to get a testimony of what his father was doing. The Lord softens Nephi's heart, he testifies to Sam and Sam gains trust in what Nephi has felt. It was probably not an easy decision for the family to leave their home and possessions and follow the words of the patriarch of their family.

I think that in our day we need to be willing to leave everything if it is asked of us to do so. Sometimes we hold on to things like jobs, hobbies, friends, habits. If these things are not in accordance with the teachings of the church we need to be willing to make the change.

1 Nephi 1 (Scripture Study)

In this chapter verse 11 gives us an example of the blessings of reading the scriptures. It is promised to us that if we will read our scriptures we will be filled with the spirit of the Lord.

Joseph Smith History (Trying to do the Right Thing)

In the first part of the Joseph Smith History The Prophet tells us about his experience in the sacred grove. He tells us that as he started praying vocally a darkness ensnares him and consumes him to the point that he is certain that he is going to perish. But just as he is about to be destroyed the light comes. The light drives away the darkness in an instant. He doesn't say that it took long or was a process to have the darkness go away. In an instant the darkness was gone. At this point he experiences his vision. What a pure dichotomy of emotions that must have been. To be on the verge of death and destruction, then to be surrounded by the most glorious feelings and images imaginable.

Sometimes when we try to make a big change in our lives or try to do the right thing it may seem like all the world is conspiring against us. It is important in those times to remember the experience of a young farm boy in a grove of trees, faithfully praying to his Heavenly Father for guidance. That same opportunity exists for us if we will call upon him for help in the name of our Savior.

Joseph Smith-Matthew (Enduring to the End)

This chapter details the circumstances leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ. In the last days, much like today, there will be wickedness all around. In verse 11 it says that "he that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved." Now is the time to gain a stronger testimony of the gospel to protect us from all that is going on around us in the world.

This chapter also says that Jesus spoke these words to us for the elects sake. So I think by us having these words available to us we must be counted as the elect of God. He has blessed us with his words to help strengthen us and our families. I hope that I can always enjoy the scriptures as much as I am enjoying them right now. With my new commitment I am feeling the spirit more and understanding the the scriptures more than I ever have in my life.

Abraham 5 (One Flesh)

Verse 18 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh."

I noticed that they say cleave, not just hold on to, not just stand by, but cleave. I think it is a great reminder of how fiercely we need to hold on to our spouses. There is so much in this world to cause heartache and dispare. So much to cause the break-up of families. Satan's main goal in this life is to tear apart families. It is very easy to get casual in our relationships with our spouses with all of the day-to-day responsibilities. Try to always take the time to show your spouse how much they are loved on a daily basis. If you increase your effort in loving her is is inevitable that she will increase her effort in loving you back.

Abraham 4 (The Creation)

I really don't have much to write about this one. From what I can tell it pretty much just lays out the order of creation.

Going to the Temple

Has anyone ever experienced all heck breaking loose when you try to go to the temple? Well Alli and I have. We were trying to get the kids ready and get over to Grandma Mower's house to drop off the kids and go to the temple, but it was the most frustrating experience ever. I guess it probably only seems like that at the time, but I really was on the verge of loosing my mind. I had Blake right under my feet yelling the whole time we were getting ready and Tyler screaming the whole time. Alli and I were fighting about stupid stuff. It just seems like someone or something really does not want us to go to the temple.

Well we sucked it up and went anyway. It was a great experience. We had two family names to do thanks to Grandpa and Grandpa Jones preparing them for us. My Uncle Tony Mower, and my Grandma Elaine Mower. Last night we were able to do the initiatory work on their behalf. It was pretty special for me to be able to help my uncle in that way. It is the first time I have done temple work for someone that I knew.

With all of the hassle and frustrations that we experienced trying to go to the Temple is was still way worth the effort. Alli and I are going to make it a goal to go to the temple on a monthly basis. I really think that going to the temple will help us in our marriage...If we don't kill each other on the way there :).

Abraham 3 (This Life)

"My Motivation"

Verse 25 "And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.

Keep in mind that this life is a test. We all must pass this test to obtain the highest glory that our Father has. If we can pass this test it says in verse 26 that we will have glory added upon our heads for ever and ever.

Lately I have been thinking about eternal families. I have been thinking about how awful it would be to not be with my sweet wife and darling kids forever. I know that we should not live the gospel out of fear, but I guess the thought of losing my family is really good motivation to do the right things as best as I can.

Abraham 2 (Covenant People)

In verse 10 I learned that as we accept the gospel we are called after Abraham's name, and we become his seed. The Lord then covenants with Abraham in verse 11 that the priesthood will continue in his seed and continue to bless the families of the Earth.

So, when we accept and receive the Lord's gospel we become a covenant people. We become entitled to the blessings of eternal life and priesthood blessings. We still must do all that we can to be obedient.

Abraham 1 (Priesthood Ordination)

Fig. 1. The Angel of the Lord.
Fig. 2. Abraham fastened upon an altar.
Fig. 3. The idolatrous priest of Elkenah attempting to offer up Abraham as a sacrifice.
Fig. 4. The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing before the gods of Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmackrah, Korash, and Pharaoh.
Fig. 5. The idolatrous god of Elkenah.
Fig. 6. The idolatrous god of Libnah.
Fig. 7. The idolatrous god of Mahmackrah.
Fig. 8. The idolatrous god of Korash.
Fig. 9. The idolatrous god of Pharaoh.
Fig. 10. Abraham in Egypt.
Fig. 11. Designed to represent the pillars of heaven, as understood by the Egyptians.
Fig. 12. Raukeeyang, signifying expanse, or the firmament over our heads; but in this case, in relation to this subject, the Egyptians meant it to signify Shaumau, to be high, or the heavens, answering to the Hebrew word, Shaumahyeem.

One thing I learned from Abraham chapter 1 was that the Priesthood has always been passed down from generation to an other. From the days of Adam to today. I was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood by my Grandpa Jones. It is possible to trace my priesthood back to the restoration period in the church.

Also in this chapter we read about Abraham's experience on the altar. The Priest of Elkenah sought to take away his life because he would not denounce his beliefs. When he was tied to the altar he called upon the Lord and his bands were loosed. When we are bound down by things literally and figuratively we can call upon the Lord and he will make our burdens lighter and help us return to the safety of His love. I have experienced this many many times in my life. He is always there for me. No matter how long it has been since I have called on Him for help.

There are three things that help us resist temptation daily. Prayer, scripture study, and kind works of service. I am going to make a better effort to complete these tasks every day. The only was to test a principle is to have the faith to try it.

Moses 8 (Repentance)

This chapter details the conversation between Noah and the Lord leading up to the great flood. I wonder sometimes if our prophet has conversations in this same manner with Heavenly Father. I guess he probably does. I bet we are just as stubborn today and the people were back in Noah's day.

We had stake conference this past Sunday. It was awesome. For some strange reason I was in a great mood to go to church. I wasn't dreading the constant battle with the kids like I usually do. Maybe it was the week away from nursery that had me in a good mood? Anyway, I really felt the spirit at our meeting. Our stake leaders are awesome. I'm glad that I was prepared to feel the spirit. I think that most meetings give me that great opportunity to feel the Spirit, I just don't always prepare myself before the meeting to listen and feel the Spirit.

Moses 7:1-45 (Fatherhood)

Fatherhood is Hard. Alli and I were talking last night about how I am so upset about Blake's development. I feel like he should just automatically be able to do things after I try 50 times to teach him. When I read chapter 7 this morning I was able to reflect on how Heavenly Father must feel when he has tried to teach me things and I still disobey or fail to understand the principle. Heavenly Father is so patient with us. In verses 28-32 Enoch hears the Lord explain how He weeps for the residue of the Earth. We are the "workmanship of His hands", and he has given us our agency so that we may choose for ourselves.

I need to remember that Heavenly Father has given Blake his agency. All I can do is continue to teach him and love him and hope that he chooses to learn. It is sure hard sometimes though to remember to do this.

Moses 6

In verse 31 God chooses Enoch to give his words to the people. Enoch is not confident in his ability and uncomfortable with the call. This shows that Heavenly Father will use whom ever he feels is best to accomplish his work. I think that we see this in our church today. The bishop of a ward is not always the most successful person in the ward, or even the person with the most schooling. When we follow the commandments Heavenly Father he will go before us and he will fill our mouths with the words he wants the people to hear.

Also in this chapter the plan of salvation is explained beautifully.

Moses 5 (Conversion)

In verse 10 Adam says "blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I have joy." I kind of feel like I have had a similar experience in my life. I have had my share of troubles and challenges in my life. I have done some things that my Heavenly Father is probably not proud of. Because of these troubles and transgressions though I have come to know my Heavenly Father better. I remember in college when I was going through my formal conversion experience how powerful the spirit was. I really felt the redemptive power of the atonement in my life.

To those who are struggling with things, I can honestly say that as you call upon the Lord for forgiveness you will feel a burning inside you. You will feel that you are doing the right things. You will be able to let go of the guilt that you harbor inside of you. It is a very peaceful feeling.

In my life right now, because I have felt that power and spirit in the past, I am craving that same conversion feeling. I know that as I read my scriptures and make correct choices and call upon the Lord for forgiveness. I will feel that very same peace that I felt when I was first truly converted.

Trust in the Lord...It is sometimes hard to do. But I know that as I do I will once again feel the love of my Savior and my Heavenly Father. They will always be there for all of us, don't hesitate to let them in.