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.

Moses 4 (Service)

In chapter 4 we see the difference between the two plans put forth by Satan and Christ. If you notice the word I is all throughout Satan's plan, and in Christs plan you see the words thy and thine. In our lives we need to look at our church service like Christ looked at his part of the plan. What can we do in our callings to help further God's plan? Are we doing it to get the recognition (Satan's plan), or are we doing it for the right reasons (Christ's plan)? What can we do in our families to help others? We should do these things with an altruistic heart. Not to get a pat on the back. I have been guilty of this the past week or so. I am going to focus on trying to do good for Good's sake.

Moses 3 (Respect for Women)

In chapter 3 we learn about how God created Man and Woman. Everything that God created on Earth was previously created in the heavens. The main thing I want to point out from this chapter is that men need to realize that women were created out of our very own flesh. We need to respect them as we respect ourselves. I think there is a phenomenon that sometimes, (a lot of times), occurs in LDS households. Men disrespecting or demeaning their spouse. I have been guilty of this, I think we all have.

We as men and priesthood holders need to be reminded from time to time that the women in our lives were given to us to be a companion not a servant. I know that I have been blessed with a wonderful wife. I hope that she knows that I love her deeply and that I want nothing more than for her to be happy. Men please take the time to help your wives out. Express appreciation for all the things that they do for us. Alli's grandpa Art told me this when we got married, "when she burns the dinner, be thankful for the burnt offering." This is a great principle. I hope to be more thankful for the everyday things that Alli does for me and our boys. You are the best Alli. I am so lucky to have you as my wife. I love you.

Moses 2 (Environmentalists)

This is not really a spiritual post, but I think there is a point to it. I hope not to offend any tree huggers. In verse 26 God says to His Only Begotten "Let them have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth on the earth."

I think now-a-days people get to caught up with animal rights and going green. Don't get me wrong I can grant animals rights, just as long as the animals rights don't infringe upon my rights. Right now there is a big debate going on up on capital hill. Should we be drilling in ANWAR, or should we be drilling off the coasts of our country? I say heck yes! I am paying $4.00 for a gallon of gas. I think that the sacred mating grounds of the moose, or polar bears, or seals can be used to find oil if it means that we as Americans can have a greater quality of life. They are a lower life form, the scriptures even say that.

Anyway this is not what this blog is supposed to be about, but it got me all fired up.

Preach on Moses (I am with ya).

Moses 1 (Fighting Temptation)

(6-22-8) In chapter 1 Satan commands Moses to worship him instead of the Lord. Moses called upon God and in the name of the Only Begotten, and Satan departed from him. When we are tempted to do things we should not do it is important to resist the temptation. If we resist and prove our dedication the spirit will come and we will be able to enjoy peace again.



If you are fighting addiction in your life, (drugs, alcohol, immorality, etc) when the temptation or cravings come be strong, and continue to call upon the Lord for help. If you will do this you will receive His help, and the temptation will pass.



This week I was at a doctor's office waiting to go back and I read an interesting article about Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/albert_chen/05/27/hamilton0602/



Near the end of the article Josh gives this scriptural reference James 4:7 (Humble yourself before God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.)



If you have the time please read the article about Josh Hamilton's road to the big leagues it is a very good story of overcoming temptation through faith in the Lord.

The Pearl of Great Price

I hope that this Blog will help me to become more converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to become more sensitive to the holy spirit.

With that being said I am going to start my journal with a thin book of scripture. The Pearl of Great Price is an extract from the translation of the Bible given to the Prophet Joseph Smith between June 1830 and February 1831.