I have somewhat to say unto you by the way of condemnation.
Our people have been suffering greatly, and you have neglected your responsibilities to us.
We desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state.
Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while our enemies are spreading the work of death around you?
You have ignored those who have looked up to you for protection-those who have placed you in a situation that you might have succored them-and have withheld provisions from them as they fought for the welfare of this people.
Ye ought to be beloved; ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and freedom of this people; but behold, ye have neglected them.
Could ye suppose that ye could sit on your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this, ye have supposed in vain.
Do ye suppose that so many of your brethren have perished because of their wickedness? I say unto you, if ye have supposed this, ye suppose in vain; for I say unto you it is to your condemnation.
"For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgement may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God."
I fear exceedingly that the judgements of God will come upon this people, because of their exceeding slothfulness, yea, even the slothfulness of our government, and their exceedingly great neglect towards their brethren.
For were it not for the wickedness which first commenced at our head, we could have withstood our enemies that they could have gained no power over us.
Yea, had it not been for the war which broke out among ourselves; yea, at the time we were contending among ourselves, if we had united our strength as we have hitherto done; yea, had it not been for the desire of power and authority; had you been true to the cause of our freedom, and united; yea, if we had gone forth against them in the strength of the Lord, we should have dispersed our enemies, for it would have been done, according the fulfilling of His word.
But why should I say much concerning this matter? For we know not but what ye yourselves are seeking for authority. We know not but what ye are traitors to your country.
Or is it that ye have neglected us because ye are in the heart of our country and ye are surrounded by security that ye do not strengthen us?
Have ye forgotten the commandments of the Lord your God? Have ye forgotten the captivity of our fathers? Have ye forgotten the many times we have been delivered out of the hands of our enemies?
Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?
Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay.
God has said that the inner vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also.
The time is now at hand, that ye do bestir yourselves in the defense of your country and your little ones, or the sword of justice doth hang over us all.
Ye know that ye do transgress the laws of God, and ye do know that ye do trample them under your feet.
Behold, the Lord will not suffer very long that ye shall live and wax strong in your iniquities to destroy his righteous people.
I would that ye should adhere to the word of God.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
pride versus humility
So, for many years the Nephite armies fought against the Lamanite armies for lands. The war commenced because of greed and hunger for power. Each battle ended with faith in God. Who started and who ended the battles?
The Nephite leaders speak of Lamanites being proud of their much strength. The Nephites were not as strong! So how did they win so many times? How were they able to get back their lands and preserve their families and their liberties?
The answer:
The Lamanites trusted in themselves; their strength, their cunning, their ruthlessness. This got them in trouble, because their pride blinded them and caused them to make mistakes.
The Nephites knew they were nothing without God, and they knew that if they wanted victory, that they had to remain righteous, so that God would be on their side. In seeking God's help, they received faith and courage and reassurance and wisdom. This way, they were able to outsmart the Lamanites many times. Note: they rarely beat them by force.
The Nephites relied on God to help them fight their battles, and they came out victorious!!!
The Nephite leaders speak of Lamanites being proud of their much strength. The Nephites were not as strong! So how did they win so many times? How were they able to get back their lands and preserve their families and their liberties?
The answer:
The Lamanites trusted in themselves; their strength, their cunning, their ruthlessness. This got them in trouble, because their pride blinded them and caused them to make mistakes.
The Nephites knew they were nothing without God, and they knew that if they wanted victory, that they had to remain righteous, so that God would be on their side. In seeking God's help, they received faith and courage and reassurance and wisdom. This way, they were able to outsmart the Lamanites many times. Note: they rarely beat them by force.
The Nephites relied on God to help them fight their battles, and they came out victorious!!!
More on those perfect guys...
Helaman considered them "worthy to be called my sons."
They fought with the strength of God.
They did "obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness."
After two big battles, many Nephites had fallen, but NONE of the sons had died!! Many had serious wounds, but they all lived.
Helaman attributes this to "the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith.."
"Their minds are FIRM, and they do put their TRUST in God continually."
"and the Lord has supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that even one soul has not been slain. But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes and his judgements, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come."
obey with exactness...firm minds...trust God continually...strict to remember God...strong faith
.....
These are the things that I can learn from those stripling warriors, and try to be like them!
They fought with the strength of God.
They did "obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness."
After two big battles, many Nephites had fallen, but NONE of the sons had died!! Many had serious wounds, but they all lived.
Helaman attributes this to "the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith.."
"Their minds are FIRM, and they do put their TRUST in God continually."
"and the Lord has supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that even one soul has not been slain. But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes and his judgements, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come."
obey with exactness...firm minds...trust God continually...strict to remember God...strong faith
.....
These are the things that I can learn from those stripling warriors, and try to be like them!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
excuses
King Ammoron, of the Lamanites, inquires of Moroni if they can trade prisoners.
Moroni sends back an epistle, telling Ammoron that he will only trade if he can have one man along with his wife and children for one Lamanite man. He also condemns Ammoron for his wicked and murderous pursual of the enslavement of the Nephites.
Ammoron responds by accepting the trade, but denying his condemnation. He claims that he is merely attempting to right an injustice done tohis brethren generations ago by the Nephite ancestors. He claims that they stole the governing role from his ancestors and subjected them to bondage.
Moroni is angry! He knows that Ammoron knows that the only reason they are at war is because his brother, Amalickiah, the former king, was power hungry. They both know that the true reason for the war is that Amalickiah had wanted to overthrow the free government of the Nephites so he could become king, and the voice of the people out-voted him. He waged war because he wanted to enslave the Nephites who wouldn't let him rule them before. The "previous wrongs" excuse was only used to try to incite the Lamanites so they would go against the Nephites.
Moroni refuses to trade prisoners, because he doesn't want to allow the Lamanites to gain more strength to their army. He decides to just take his prisoners back without a trade.
How many wars have been fought throughout history because someone has harbored a grudge for way too long? Or because someone wanted power over someone else? Or because someone wanted another's land or property? Anger and envy are very dangerous emotions!!! If only people could reason logically and choose to love rather than hate! But then again, I guess that would be a utopian society, and we would no longer need this mortal experience as a test.
On the other hand, I wonder how many wars have been prevented because someone chose to love and forgive, turning the other cheek for peace.
I am grateful for scriptures, that I can learn from the mistakes and successes of the past. Hopefully I can live my life like those righteous Nephite leaders of old, and "look to God and live." Because really, one only truly lives if one has love!
Moroni sends back an epistle, telling Ammoron that he will only trade if he can have one man along with his wife and children for one Lamanite man. He also condemns Ammoron for his wicked and murderous pursual of the enslavement of the Nephites.
Ammoron responds by accepting the trade, but denying his condemnation. He claims that he is merely attempting to right an injustice done tohis brethren generations ago by the Nephite ancestors. He claims that they stole the governing role from his ancestors and subjected them to bondage.
Moroni is angry! He knows that Ammoron knows that the only reason they are at war is because his brother, Amalickiah, the former king, was power hungry. They both know that the true reason for the war is that Amalickiah had wanted to overthrow the free government of the Nephites so he could become king, and the voice of the people out-voted him. He waged war because he wanted to enslave the Nephites who wouldn't let him rule them before. The "previous wrongs" excuse was only used to try to incite the Lamanites so they would go against the Nephites.
Moroni refuses to trade prisoners, because he doesn't want to allow the Lamanites to gain more strength to their army. He decides to just take his prisoners back without a trade.
How many wars have been fought throughout history because someone has harbored a grudge for way too long? Or because someone wanted power over someone else? Or because someone wanted another's land or property? Anger and envy are very dangerous emotions!!! If only people could reason logically and choose to love rather than hate! But then again, I guess that would be a utopian society, and we would no longer need this mortal experience as a test.
On the other hand, I wonder how many wars have been prevented because someone chose to love and forgive, turning the other cheek for peace.
I am grateful for scriptures, that I can learn from the mistakes and successes of the past. Hopefully I can live my life like those righteous Nephite leaders of old, and "look to God and live." Because really, one only truly lives if one has love!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Every girl's dream guy
Yes, I'm referring to the 2000 stripling warriors. These guys were perfect, right?
They volunteered to fight in the place of their fathers.
Courage!
They were "exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for STRENGTH and activity."
They were buff!
They were "true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted...men of truth and soberness...taught to keep the commandments of God and walk uprightly before him."
They were honest and sincere and dependable and righteous!
Helaman said of them: "never had I seen so great courage...they did not fear death (because) they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers then they did upon their lives...they had been taught by their mothers that if they did not doubt, God would
deliver them."
They were selfless and extremely faithful!
They said of their mothers: "We do not doubt our mothers knew it (that God would
deliver them)."
They honored their mothers and respected women!
A side note of a pearl: The boys were taught that "if they did not doubt, God would deliver them." They weren't just told to believe; they had to "not doubt." That is much harder, and requires more faith!!! Do I have enough faith in my Heavenly Father to not only believe, but not doubt that He is in control? Can I simply accept His will for me? Maybe that'll be a lifelong trust lesson...
They volunteered to fight in the place of their fathers.
Courage!
They were "exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for STRENGTH and activity."
They were buff!
They were "true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted...men of truth and soberness...taught to keep the commandments of God and walk uprightly before him."
They were honest and sincere and dependable and righteous!
Helaman said of them: "never had I seen so great courage...they did not fear death (because) they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers then they did upon their lives...they had been taught by their mothers that if they did not doubt, God would
deliver them."
They were selfless and extremely faithful!
They said of their mothers: "We do not doubt our mothers knew it (that God would
deliver them)."
They honored their mothers and respected women!
A side note of a pearl: The boys were taught that "if they did not doubt, God would deliver them." They weren't just told to believe; they had to "not doubt." That is much harder, and requires more faith!!! Do I have enough faith in my Heavenly Father to not only believe, but not doubt that He is in control? Can I simply accept His will for me? Maybe that'll be a lifelong trust lesson...
The people of Ammon: faithful, humble, zealous (in the good way) for God, conflicted
These people, who were once very wicked Lamanites, were converted to the Lord, and buried their weapons of war, covenanting never to use them again, in order to prove to God that they had completely changed from their bloodthirsty ways.
Other Lamanites came against them and slaughtered many, because they met no resistance.
The Nephites promised to take in the people of Ammon and protect them so they could keep their covenant without all being massacred.
Years later, the Nephites are still at war with the Lamanites, and the people of Ammon are feeling terrible about the situation. They know that they are a burden on the Nephites, and want to help the situation, so they consider again taking up their weapons to aid in the fight. They are reminded by loving leaders that they must not break their covenants with God. Alas, they are "compelled to behold their brethren wade through their afflictions."
What a frustrating situation! Many would think to say, "get off your rear and do something!" But their brethren love them so much, that they refuse to let them break their covenants in order to help. I think a lot of us feel, at times, that we are in "helpless" situations. We are "compelled" to let others serve us and we must wait for the opportunity to pay it forward. This takes a lot of humility and faith! And gratitude!!
There are so many things that we simply cannot do for ourselves. Are we humble enough to accept help and say thank you? Are we willing to wait out the trials, graciously accepting sacrifices made for us? Our Savior made it possible for us to do all of this. He made the ultimate sacrifice for us! Do we appreciate his gift? Do we take advantage of the opportunity to receive that essential and life-saving help? Do we say thank you? Do we pay it forward, helping others when we can?
We can learn so much from the people in our history!! Lets become better because of them!
The situation got better, by the way! These Ammonites had many sons, who realized that they were not under the covenant their fathers had made. So, these 2,000 young men faithfully and courageously enlisted to aid in the defense of their people. These "stripling warriors" had faith that God would honor their service and sacrifice. It is recorded of them: "they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this is not all -- they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him."
These young men were prepared for their role!
These people, who were once very wicked Lamanites, were converted to the Lord, and buried their weapons of war, covenanting never to use them again, in order to prove to God that they had completely changed from their bloodthirsty ways.
Other Lamanites came against them and slaughtered many, because they met no resistance.
The Nephites promised to take in the people of Ammon and protect them so they could keep their covenant without all being massacred.
Years later, the Nephites are still at war with the Lamanites, and the people of Ammon are feeling terrible about the situation. They know that they are a burden on the Nephites, and want to help the situation, so they consider again taking up their weapons to aid in the fight. They are reminded by loving leaders that they must not break their covenants with God. Alas, they are "compelled to behold their brethren wade through their afflictions."
What a frustrating situation! Many would think to say, "get off your rear and do something!" But their brethren love them so much, that they refuse to let them break their covenants in order to help. I think a lot of us feel, at times, that we are in "helpless" situations. We are "compelled" to let others serve us and we must wait for the opportunity to pay it forward. This takes a lot of humility and faith! And gratitude!!
There are so many things that we simply cannot do for ourselves. Are we humble enough to accept help and say thank you? Are we willing to wait out the trials, graciously accepting sacrifices made for us? Our Savior made it possible for us to do all of this. He made the ultimate sacrifice for us! Do we appreciate his gift? Do we take advantage of the opportunity to receive that essential and life-saving help? Do we say thank you? Do we pay it forward, helping others when we can?
We can learn so much from the people in our history!! Lets become better because of them!
The situation got better, by the way! These Ammonites had many sons, who realized that they were not under the covenant their fathers had made. So, these 2,000 young men faithfully and courageously enlisted to aid in the defense of their people. These "stripling warriors" had faith that God would honor their service and sacrifice. It is recorded of them: "they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this is not all -- they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him."
These young men were prepared for their role!
Friday, November 8, 2013
Captain Moroni: Epic Leader!
Ok, so I usually can't stand it when people use the word "epic," because it has been so abused and exploited in the fads of society lately. However, Moroni embodies the true definition of the word: "extending beyond the usual or ordinary." Am I right?!!!
So, here is a list of his (coveted) characteristics:
-strong and mighty
-perfect understanding (WISE)
-did not delight in bloodshed
-soul joyed in the liberty of his people and country
-heart swelled in thanksgiving to God
-labored exceedingly for the welfare of his people
-firm in the faith of Christ
-taught the people never to give an offense
--When trials were imminent, Moroni was found "preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God."
I want to be more like him! I'm working on it!
"If all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni,
behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever;
yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."
-strong and mighty
-perfect understanding (WISE)
-did not delight in bloodshed
-soul joyed in the liberty of his people and country
-heart swelled in thanksgiving to God
-labored exceedingly for the welfare of his people
-firm in the faith of Christ
-taught the people never to give an offense
--When trials were imminent, Moroni was found "preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God."
I want to be more like him! I'm working on it!
Sheesh it's been a long time!
I went away from blog posting, and toward facebooking (blog posting). Go figure. I realized that I like to post things that I've learned about, but not necessarily what anyone else will care about. Facebook is great for me for finding great pictures and quotes and recipes. I do also post lots of thoughts on facebook, but I need somewhere to record more personal things and revelations that aren't just passing epiphanies. I've been using scrap pieces of paper to write scripture study notes, (which is not super helpful, because they are easily lost) and I decided that maybe I should start using the blog that I created for this specific purpose...
So, after 2 years of being neglectful, I'm back! :)
I'm excited about this new venture, because I've gotten more into deeper study, and I'd like to keep my inspiration in a spot that I can't easily lose. The internet is a great place for that!!!
So, today I read in Alma, parts of chapters 49 and 50.
The story plot is Moroni directing the Nephites in fortifying their cities and lands in preparation for defense against the attacking Lamanites. They have built of major strongholds out of cities that had before been razed by their enemies. As the Lamanites attack this time around, they are surprised and dismayed to find that they can no longer gain access and power over these cities, because they have been fortified so well.
The Lamanites go away with fewer numbers and anger, "astonished exceedingly, because of the wisdom of the Nephites in preparing their places of security,' and the king, Amalickiah, curses God and swears to "drink Moroni's blood," because he is so frustrated over being outsmarted in his efforts to enslave the Nephites.
On the other side, Moroni and the Nephites "thank the Lord their God, because of his matchless power in delivering them from the hands of their enemies."
It's so interesting to observe the total opposite mind sets: the wicked curse God, and the righteous praise him.
19 "And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of men...
20 (Lord speaking to Lehi) "Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land...
21 "And we see that these promises have been verified..."
22 "And those who were faithful in keeping the commandmenst of the Lord were delivered at all times.."
23 "But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni..."
Now, remember that these Nephites "did humble themselves," and lived in peace among themselves. They were righteous, and treated each other properly and with respect, and they were "highly favored of the Lord" for it.
Then the Lamanite king, Amalickiah, wanted to gain power over them, so he commenced war.
The Nephites didn't want war! They wanted to live peacefully; letting the Lamanites live how they wanted and being able to live as they wished in return. However, the Nephites were "compelled reluctantly" to go to war. They were "sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites... Nevertheless, they could not suffer to lay down their lives, that their wives and their children should be massacred..by those who were once their brethren... Yea, they could not bear that their brethren should rejoice over the blood of the Nephites..." (Alma 48: 20 -23)
So, the blessing of deliverance by their faithful God was such a tender mercy! They had done their part- strove to live righteously and prepared for the future -and reaped the reward for their works!
I went away from blog posting, and toward facebooking (blog posting). Go figure. I realized that I like to post things that I've learned about, but not necessarily what anyone else will care about. Facebook is great for me for finding great pictures and quotes and recipes. I do also post lots of thoughts on facebook, but I need somewhere to record more personal things and revelations that aren't just passing epiphanies. I've been using scrap pieces of paper to write scripture study notes, (which is not super helpful, because they are easily lost) and I decided that maybe I should start using the blog that I created for this specific purpose...
So, after 2 years of being neglectful, I'm back! :)
I'm excited about this new venture, because I've gotten more into deeper study, and I'd like to keep my inspiration in a spot that I can't easily lose. The internet is a great place for that!!!
So, today I read in Alma, parts of chapters 49 and 50.
The story plot is Moroni directing the Nephites in fortifying their cities and lands in preparation for defense against the attacking Lamanites. They have built of major strongholds out of cities that had before been razed by their enemies. As the Lamanites attack this time around, they are surprised and dismayed to find that they can no longer gain access and power over these cities, because they have been fortified so well.
The Lamanites go away with fewer numbers and anger, "astonished exceedingly, because of the wisdom of the Nephites in preparing their places of security,' and the king, Amalickiah, curses God and swears to "drink Moroni's blood," because he is so frustrated over being outsmarted in his efforts to enslave the Nephites.
On the other side, Moroni and the Nephites "thank the Lord their God, because of his matchless power in delivering them from the hands of their enemies."
It's so interesting to observe the total opposite mind sets: the wicked curse God, and the righteous praise him.
19 "And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of men...
20 (Lord speaking to Lehi) "Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land...
21 "And we see that these promises have been verified..."
22 "And those who were faithful in keeping the commandmenst of the Lord were delivered at all times.."
23 "But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni..."
Now, remember that these Nephites "did humble themselves," and lived in peace among themselves. They were righteous, and treated each other properly and with respect, and they were "highly favored of the Lord" for it.
Then the Lamanite king, Amalickiah, wanted to gain power over them, so he commenced war.
The Nephites didn't want war! They wanted to live peacefully; letting the Lamanites live how they wanted and being able to live as they wished in return. However, the Nephites were "compelled reluctantly" to go to war. They were "sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites... Nevertheless, they could not suffer to lay down their lives, that their wives and their children should be massacred..by those who were once their brethren... Yea, they could not bear that their brethren should rejoice over the blood of the Nephites..." (Alma 48: 20 -23)
So, the blessing of deliverance by their faithful God was such a tender mercy! They had done their part- strove to live righteously and prepared for the future -and reaped the reward for their works!
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