Nappaljarri

I've been AWOL with a virus... Yay!! So my reading has slowed up, but will still get done this week. I love Isaiah!! Friday 3rd October 2008 1Nephi: 19 – 22, 2 Nephi: 1 Points of interest are: 1. 19: 6 – 7 - Nephi says, “forgive my erring” to those who would think that what he thought and wrote as sacred, is not sacred to them. In other words, if we think that Nephi’s words are not sacred, then we are trampling God’s wisdom under our feet. Vs 9: And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men. (I love this scripture). 2. 2 Nephi: 1: 13 “Oh that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the selep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe.” Who is told to awake from sleep in the temple? vs 23 “Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.”

I think as members of this church (for those here who are), we have the responsibility to recognise those statistics about immaturity etc and work hard on ourselves so that we are personally mature and ready in life to make those important decisions and be ready for them. I think there is actually a culture in thechurch (maybe no everywhere, but definately in Australia) where it is really "cool" to be single. I think that attitude and culture is degrading to the purpose of each individual in YSA.

Dear oh dear. She will never be happy if she divorces. She should look up statistics on divorcee happniess.... I don't think it is very high. We are taught to be whole without the help of our spouses. She needs to search her own self and find the inner happiness that her husband does not have the power to alter.

Born and bread a member of the LDS faith. There is no changing my stripes.

LOL, I love your thoughts Wingnut about Laman and Lemuel etc. It was me in another post about how the path = the family. Of couse, as you said, you may not believe that solidly, but you can see it. Remember that these visions and the scriptures as they reveal themselves to us, can symbolise different things at different stages of our lives. To me the iron rod = word of God and the path = the family. Makes lots of sense. And the point that you make about how Lehi makes his way to the tree with no vision impairment. Some people may disagree with me here, but I believe that is the symbol of spiritual vision. When one is so converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ that they are no longer distracted or "see" the temptations around them. It is not that the temptations disappear, but that they have "an eye single to the glory of God" and therefore recognise the temptations for what they are, which negates the tempation, because it has no power over them (ie: and the fiery darts of the adversary will have no power over you). So when we live the gospel with our family and see the pattern clearly that God has set forth for us to follow, we see to the tree very clearly and if we keep our eyes fixed on the tree, the path seems easier to follow.

Erik, We believe the articles of faith do supercede the bible (in that the words of the articles of faith are placed in our scriptures and they were brought forth by revelation by the Prophet, therefore have no incorrect interpretation to them). "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly, we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." So in that article of faith, which has been placed in our books of scripture, which was revealed by the Prophet of the Day (Joseph Smith), he declares the bible to be true, so long as it was translated correctly (which we as LDS believe it was not totally correct). Also, if you read numerous talks by our Latter-day prophets, they will refer to Adam's transgression as just that.

All of your questions are answered by the doctrine of agency Wanderer. We have a choice to believe in God or not. I testify to you that I know he exists and I invite you to ask him yourself if he exists. He will answer you whether you listen or not. You can think that all of this talk is just philosophy from good/interesting humans (I'd hope you view us as) and that you can take it as a grain of salt, or you can desire to believe that maybe we know something and you would like to truely know it too. It's all up to you. If you get past that part. The doctrine of agency also answers all the rest of your questions. If this church is Christ's church and you find that part out. Then all that is taught therein is true. If this is the case, and you believe, then all you need to know is that God has set his law. It is infinte, his purposes are eternal and will make us happy if we follow them. And to become like God we need to follow them. It is up to you (and me and everyone indiviually) to choose to act in the sphere of his commandments, so that we can eventually become as he is. This takes faith and our agency (the freedom to choose). I hope these thoughts help.

Yes, I concur with Brenton. Our article of faith says: We believe that man will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression. Simple as that.

You know what our mothers say. I'll give you something to cry about.... "smack". Well there's one for you Hoosier..:) Hope you are feeling loved now!!!

And a bit more: 1. 16:7 – they took the daughters of Ishmael for wives. The whole point of them leaving Jerusalem would have be destroyed, had they not kept the covenant of the Lord and be married and have posterity. 2. Chapter 17: 36-38 - “Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it. And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes.” This judgement is coming upon this earth once more. It is not because of “carbon emissions” that the earth is changing and “being cursed”, it is because his people do not turn to him and keep their covenants that they have promised to him. He is cursing the whole earth for the sake of The House of Israel, so that they will humble themselves and repent. 3. 1 Nephi: Chapter 17: 41: “And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they had hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying serpents among them (I wonder were they dragons?….LOL) and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.” This is just like today. To be saved and exalted, God has set the pattern of eternal families bound together by the priesthood officiated by this Church. Very simple. Keep the commandments and prosper, don’t keep the commandments and be cut off from his presence. But because of the easiness of this pattern, some try to make it complicated and hard to understand, when it is so simple. And because of the simpleness they stumble and miss the mark (or sin). They try and make other things in life “seem” to be more important than the family (ie: church acitivities, work, church callings, girlfriends, social groups), and in so doing, they stumble and loose their family (being the eternal family unit, created by the power of the priesthood in our temples), the only thing God has commanded us to uphold. these are just a few points. I will try to keep it to a minimum, but the reading for today was so good.

Friday 26th September 2008 Read 1 Nephi: 15-18 1. Chapter 15 vs 8-9: “And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord? And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us. Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts? “ I testify that every time that I have inquired of the Lord about understanding his doctrines, that I have received an answer. And that every time I have not inquired of the Lord to understand his doctrines and scriptures, I have walked around in circles until I have realized that all I needed to do was to inquire of the Lord and he will reveal everything to me that I desire. I know that God is sitting there just waiting to pour out blessings upon our heads, or knowledge and wisdom to help us in our travels here on this earth. He is a loving father who wants to bless us at every chance. But we must keep his law and obey his covenants to receive those blessings. 2. Then Nephi explains the scriptures unto his brothers because they had no faith to inquire of the Lord and find out for themselves. This shows how my point about how the angel taught Nephi in yesterday’s readings helps individuals to come to know the Savior better, as that individual seeks the Lord himself. And if it is all explained to us and given on a platter, it does us no good. From today’s and yesterdays readings, I am changing the way I help my children read the Book of Mormon (and other scripture). I was reading with them and then going to get them to write in their scripture journal something that I have already dictated to them about what the moral of the reading was about, but now I realize, that they are going to learn so much more if they just write what they have learned, even if it is not what I see in the message (after they write what they have learned I will probably give them some more insight from my perspective, but only after they have written what they have learned). It may only be that they learn that Lehi loved his family or something like that, but that is of more importance for them to gain their own personal testimony of something, then me just feeding them something. 3. Chapter 16: 1-2 – “And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold they said unto me: Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear. And it came to pass that I said unto them that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.” How do I feel when I hear the word of God be preached from the mouths of the prophets? Do I say that “oh, it’s not for me”? Do I say,” yes, I am doing that, and I can do this, and this and this better”? Or do I say, the prophet is being too judgmental, that is undoable for me, so therefore the prophet must be wrong.”?

Thursday 25th September 2008 Read 1 Nephi 10-14 Points that I found interest in was: 1. The angel in chapter 11 who was speaking with Nephi. I like the way he teaches Nephi. I think it is a great pattern for me to learn how to teach my children (and others when needed). He brings Nephi to a place (top of the mountain) and starts asking questions of Nephi (what desirest thou etc etc). Nephi gives the answer, that he desires to know and see and understand the interpretation of what his father has just taught him about the vision of the tree of life. The angel then does not just lay it before him and say… this means this and that means that. But he shows Nephi to some visions and from Nephi opening his own eyes and thinking and pondering, he understands the interpretation of his father’s vision. I think that is a great tool of teaching, guiding the student to a certain place (ie scriptures, prophets’ talks etc the list goes on) and then asking questions, and letting them search themselves. Awsome stuff. 2. The end of chapter 11 when the angel talks about the crucifiction and then the house of Israel gathering to fight against the apostles of the Lamb of God. And the last verse describing how the world and all those who fight against the Lamb of God will fall like the great and spacious building. This impresses me so much to always be on the side of the Apostles of the Lamb of God, for if I am in contradiction to them for whatever issue, then great shall be my fall. 3. Chapter 12 vs 17-18. Describes the mists of darkness and the filthy waters. And I never took notice before of the gulf between the rod and the great and spacious building which is described by the angel as being “the word of the justice of the Eternal God”. This says to me that those who are in opposition to God’s law are totally separate from the tree, it is black and white the decisions they are making. So once again it is emphasized to me that I must be on the side of the rod, taking hold of it, else I am in opposition to God. 4. Chapter 13 describing the great and abominable church of the Devil. In vs 5 it describes how this church with the Devil at it’s head “slayeth the saints of God, yeah, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron”. Now Look at the footnote for “yoke”, it says, spiritual bondage. How can the church of the devil bring the ‘Saints’ of God under spiritual bondage. Now look at what the yoke is made of?? Iron… ie: the iron rod. If saints fall into spiritual bondage (or let go of the IRON rod), then they have only themselves to blame. I think the only role the church of the Devil plays in this is the temptations placed before the saints of God. We are spiritually bound by the justice of the Word of God (iron rod) when we sin.

I have a scriptural journal and an everyday journal, kinda like Nephi's large and small plates. Scriptural one relates what I am reading at the time and how my life circumstances and choices related to what is being taught to me by the scriptures through the spirit (that is the largest portion of journal). Other one is just days events, point form. I hope my posterity learn from all of it. It is teaching me to evaluate what I am doing to become better.

Yes you sure can. That is all that is taught to us. Everything else is speculatory on the part of members. We will be taught the extent of what we are speculating when we reach the hear after, but it is not important for our salvation nor exaltation. One God whom we worship, that is what we preach.

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Non Fiction all the way Morning star. He will get enough fiction in his lifetime, but if he takes hold of non fiction young, he will go a long way. My husband went to sleep every night reading encyclopoedias and the dictionary and thesaurus. His first grade teacher said he could be anything he wanted to be, and he is. Another suggestion, to get him hooked on non-fiction is have 2-3 questions for him and a reference in books that he has borrowed from the library. Get him started... He'll come back to you with the answers plus more. Also church literature, books written by prophets are the best, like the RS/priesthood manuals. I am home schooling our children, and in the process of setting up teaching them out of the seminary manuals. Their ages are 9,7,5,2 and they are all ready and interested to start. Children love the truth when it is taught to them, they crave it. Of course I am not saying ban fiction, just go the local library and encourage borrowing non-fiction and also be interested in what he is interested in.

I agree with Ram's explanation. Who knows. All I understand is that this earth life (the kind that God's has instituted for us in a family relationship) is a pattern for the eternities. I for one am all for polygamy if or when it comes again, or in the eternities, more women in one house is always better... spread the work around I say :)... But hey, that's just my personal whim....te he he.

Oh yes Skalenfehl. My point wasn't to pin point Laman and Lemuel's behaviour to a parent. Only to make observations. Hence I said she had a "moment". I was really being introspective and looking at my own behaviour and how it influences the behaviour of our children especially towards their father. One behaviour which that scripture brought to my attention is how I "react" when the children come and say that "Daddy needs you". Most of the time I'll have a positive reaction, but on the odd occasion when I am "into" my housework as I get (I love getting it done and don't want to be interrupted) I'll react with words like "not Daddy again, what does he want" and annoyed behaviour. And I have noticed that the kids copy what I say, and are reluctant to come to Daddy if he calls if they are doing something that they want to do. I think my point is just, how much influence do mothers' behaviour have on their children, and I think deep influence.

This morning I have been thinking about today's reading and I thought of two more interesting themes to bring up. 1. We read of Laman and Lemuel accusing their father of being a visionary man (I don't know if that was in my reading today, but I'm sure everyone knows this part of their story). And in my reading today we read that Sariah also has a moment when she is scared for the safety of her sons and also accuses her husband of being a vissionary man and taking them from their land out into a place which is dangerous, and that she thought her sons had been killed because of this. My questioning is, how much influence did Sariah have on Laman and Lemuel? Just a thought, as we all know how much influence a mother has on the teaching and attitudes of their children. 2. "inasmuch as ye keep the commandments ye shall prosper in the land." This notion that comes up many many times in the Book of Mormon. Coupled with the knowledge that Lehi was a wealthy man, and a prophet, we can assume that he was already keeping that principle. So my question is, what are we to do with the wealth? And how does this wealth affect the next generation? My husband and I have been having this discussion, as we are the first generation on both sides of our family to accumulate wealth, and we do not want to be one of those people who have the attitude of.... "we want to give our kids all those things that we missed out on." We can also see the error of our ways if we went down that path. It seems that if you bring children up in wealth (I mean everything given to them that they want), it teaches them to be selfish. So we are taking the road of self reliance. Yes, we may have lots of money, but we won't be showing our children this. We have just sold our first home (which thankfully got us into this strained housing market) and am onto buying a bigger piece of land so that we can till, and raise crops, and chickens and a couple of cows etc. I'm sure you see the picture. I think that the pride cycle has something to do with generational change. That the parents in the pride cycle who repent and come unto the Lord are righteous (and are the ones who are blessed with the wealth), but they make the erronous mistake of allowing that wealth to define their next generation of children. We do not want to make that mistake. One last note, we have found one good reason to spend money, Family history and temple work. We live 700miles away from our Brisbane temple, and so there is nothing better to spend money on then attending the temple regularly (we have been blessed to attend the temple every 2 months). Also we have spent it on gathering certificates which add up and are planning family history trips back to the land of our ancestors. All very suitable reasons to spend money I think (seek ye first the kingdom of God and all else shall be added unto you). Hope you are all having a nice sleep :)

Wednesday 24th September 2008 Read 1 Nephi 4-9. Two main points that have impressed me this time are: 1: Lehi’s dream, he says that there is a rod of iron and a path to follow. If the rod of iron is the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all of its covenants, what does the path represent? I have talked about this with my husband, and we believe that the path represents the family. Our earthly family whom we have responsibility for. The rod and the path go together, and you don’t have the one without the other. It is the same with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the family. If we have the gospel, but ignore our family and concentrate on other people and on “the church” at the neglect of our family, then we have lost our way. And similarly, if we have great family relationships and love our family but do not take hold of the rod, we loose our way, because we do not use the gospel as our guide in this life. 2: The above point is strengthened by the fact that during Lehi’s dream his first priority was to guide and call his family to the tree. Then they continued to call others and and guide them as well. But first is family. It is 5:45am here. We wake up at 4:15am every morning to send Daddy away to work. I am glad this contract is finishing in 2 months. Peace to you all.

Good on you A-train, go for it. I saw differences in behaviour and attitude in the first week that I decided to do it. The world teaches us today, that the education of our children is the government's responsibility. But We are taught in the D&C that we are parents are ultimately responsible for the education of our children. I don't think I would have a leg to stand on at judgement if my excuse for wandering children was that the government taught them wrong principles along with failing secular education.

Tuesday 23rd September 2008: I have read 1 Nephi 1-3 this evening. Two main points that have impressed me about reading it this time. 1: The fact that Nephi’s parents were the ones who taught him the language and learning of his people (Egyptian/jewish respectively). This has great importance to me at this time, as I take on the responsibility of home schooling our children. The most important skill I see to teach our children is our language and how to speak, understand and write it. I also believe that our children are blessed in learning how to do this because my focus in teaching them, is reading the scriptures together. I know that as we read the Book of Mormon together, that they are blessed to know the scriptures and understand them better, and also that they are blessed secularly to understand and comprehend our language quicker. 2: It amazes me how fast Laman and Lemuel forget who chastises them. In the last verses of chapter 3, we read the part about Laman and Lemuel beating Nephi and Sam with a rod, then an angel of the Lord chastises them, and immediately after the angel is gone, they are murmuring again. I must apply this to myself directly… asking…. When the prophet speaks, how do I react. How long does it take for me to make excuses for myself. I love how bad examples in the scriptures can help me to check myself and become better.... Good reading. I'm out for the night, peace.

I'm in. I'll check in each day. I probebly won't get time to check other threads which is also good for my time schedule.

Very interesting Brother1. What a cool dream!! Are you a member? I am assuming not since you didn't know the reference of the dream that I was talking about??? Just wondering?

Thank-you for your thoughts Dove. I didn't mean to sound like I thought you were being oversensitive. I just didn't want you to feel pain or hurt from other's comments. I don't wish people to be feeling pain and hurt from the actions of others, but alas.