Nephi is commanded to keep 2 sets of records. One set contains primarily an historical record of his people, and the other is a spiritual record (1 Nephi 6, 9). As we read the Book of Mormon, we are reading from the spiritual record. One of the reasons why Nephi was commanded to do this, perhaps, was to clearly separate the profane from the spiritual, so he could focus his mind on the Lord’s dealings and help him recognize the Lord’s hand in his life. If we write a journal that simply records our daily activities, we may not recognize the Lord’s hand in our life. This exercise that the Lord commanded Nephi to do helped him channel his thoughts on spiritual things. It is important to also have an historical record, but it should be separate from the spiritual.
But Nephi’s writings were not simply for his benefit. We know that The Book of Mormon was written primarily for our day. But it appears that Nephi’s writings were also used among his own people. In 1 Nephi 19:18, he says:
And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer. Wherefore, I speak unto all the house of Israel, if it so be that they should obtain these things.
Note that he is writing to “my people” (that is, his people). I suppose this could have 3 meanings: One is to the people of his own day. Another is to the Lamanites of his time. And the other is to all the house of Israel. This must refer to modern times, which also includes the remnants of the Lamanites in our day,
I believe it is also important for us to separate our day to day, mundane activities from the spiritual events which show the Lord’s hand in our lives. We should, in effect, keep 2 sets of records, keeping in mind that the purposes are:
1. To help us focus on spiritual things;
2. To teach those in our present circle of influence - family, friends and perhaps even those who do not agree with us (our own “Lamanites”);
3. To teach generations to come.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Bringing out the Good
In Mosiah 19, we read of Gideon, the great defender of righteousness who lived at the time of wicked King Noah.
From the time we first read about King Noah, one would think that the entire group of people under Noah's reign supported him and his wickedness and that his dissenters were few and far between. Perhaps the people feared Noah so much that they didn’t dare raise a voice, let alone a sword, against him. Then Alma. who perhaps at first was himself a “closet Christian”, came along,and he was awakened to the truth by Abinidi.
Then we read of Gideon, and we also learn that there was indeed a great division among the army of King Noah - some who supported Noah and his wickedness and some who did not. Perhaps Abinidi and Alma awakened the sleeping giants among the people of King Noah. Through their words, actions, and examples, the people gained courage to come forth and stand for what they believed in their hearts was true all along. After all, just a short time earlier, under Zeniff, the people had supported righteousness and acknowledged the Lord's hand in their victories and successes (Mosiah 9:16-18). All that was needed to bring out this righteous movement was an Abinidi or Alma who would boldly stand for truth.
It is true today. Though there is much wickedness around, there is also much that is good. People are basically good and have seeds of righteousness in them. But some people's faith is weak. They need the support and encouragement of those stronger in the faith to rally them and lead them. Not all can be or should be leaders. But those who can lead should set the example and bring out the closet believers, the sleeping giants.
From the time we first read about King Noah, one would think that the entire group of people under Noah's reign supported him and his wickedness and that his dissenters were few and far between. Perhaps the people feared Noah so much that they didn’t dare raise a voice, let alone a sword, against him. Then Alma. who perhaps at first was himself a “closet Christian”, came along,and he was awakened to the truth by Abinidi.
Then we read of Gideon, and we also learn that there was indeed a great division among the army of King Noah - some who supported Noah and his wickedness and some who did not. Perhaps Abinidi and Alma awakened the sleeping giants among the people of King Noah. Through their words, actions, and examples, the people gained courage to come forth and stand for what they believed in their hearts was true all along. After all, just a short time earlier, under Zeniff, the people had supported righteousness and acknowledged the Lord's hand in their victories and successes (Mosiah 9:16-18). All that was needed to bring out this righteous movement was an Abinidi or Alma who would boldly stand for truth.
It is true today. Though there is much wickedness around, there is also much that is good. People are basically good and have seeds of righteousness in them. But some people's faith is weak. They need the support and encouragement of those stronger in the faith to rally them and lead them. Not all can be or should be leaders. But those who can lead should set the example and bring out the closet believers, the sleeping giants.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Stepping into the Full Light of the Gospel
Abinidi has spoken for several chapters in The Book of Mormon. Now he must close, knowing that his last words will be the ones most remembered before they put him to death. He has nothing to fear. He knows he will be executed and nothing he says (except denying the gospel, which he is unwilling to do) will stop that. What is the final thing he leaves Noah and his priests with?
Therefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that it is a shadow of those things which are to come― Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen. (Mosiah 16:14, 15)
Noah had supposedly been teaching his people the law of Moses, though he had twisted it to meet his own greedy and selfish needs. Abinidi's message was that as true as the Law of Moses was, it could not bring redemption. Abinidi's final words seem to say that if you are going to teach the law of Moses, teach the main point, which is that it is a shadow of those things which are to come and is fulfilled in the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is, true redemption comes through obedience to Jesus Christ. The Law merely points the way and acts as a schoolmaster to bring man to its fulness - the gospel and atonement of Christ. Noah and his priests had missed the whole point of the Law of Moses, and he needed to impress upon them what that point was.
It could also be noted that if there is a shadow, it means there must be sunshine to cause the shadow. That sunshine is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Abinidi does not tell Noah to abandon the Law of Moses. Rather, he encourages him to follow it and teach it, and to do so correctly. In addition, he is to realize that it is not what will bring salvation. The people must be taught that its purpose is to lead the people out of darkness and into the light of the gospel.
The same pattern is true today. As we teach people today, we ask them not to abandon the good things they have that are true from their long-held religious traditions. Rather, we teach them to keep what is true and right, and then to step a little further into the full light of the gospel. This is the final message we want to leave with people.
Therefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that it is a shadow of those things which are to come― Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen. (Mosiah 16:14, 15)
Noah had supposedly been teaching his people the law of Moses, though he had twisted it to meet his own greedy and selfish needs. Abinidi's message was that as true as the Law of Moses was, it could not bring redemption. Abinidi's final words seem to say that if you are going to teach the law of Moses, teach the main point, which is that it is a shadow of those things which are to come and is fulfilled in the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is, true redemption comes through obedience to Jesus Christ. The Law merely points the way and acts as a schoolmaster to bring man to its fulness - the gospel and atonement of Christ. Noah and his priests had missed the whole point of the Law of Moses, and he needed to impress upon them what that point was.
It could also be noted that if there is a shadow, it means there must be sunshine to cause the shadow. That sunshine is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Abinidi does not tell Noah to abandon the Law of Moses. Rather, he encourages him to follow it and teach it, and to do so correctly. In addition, he is to realize that it is not what will bring salvation. The people must be taught that its purpose is to lead the people out of darkness and into the light of the gospel.
The same pattern is true today. As we teach people today, we ask them not to abandon the good things they have that are true from their long-held religious traditions. Rather, we teach them to keep what is true and right, and then to step a little further into the full light of the gospel. This is the final message we want to leave with people.
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