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.