3 Nephi 15:9

"Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."
3 Nephi 15:9


Endure to the end... how many times does it say that in the scriptures? (Hold on, let me check... okay, if you count "endure to the end" and "endureth to the end" it is 18.  There would probably be more if I just ... oh, okay... so endure | endureth & end comes up with 28.)  A lot of times. :)
Enduring seems difficult sometimes, because, at least to us, our lives seem pretty long.  We can't ever be "finished" with living the gospel, and if we depersonalize it enough, that is what we're going for.  I think that when God tell us to endure to the end, he's letting us know that the gospel is part of us... that we can't depersonalize it and succeed.  It has to be part of us, and we part of it.  In order to succeed in enduring to the end, we have to love the gospel, and have it be part of our thoughts and actions all the time.   This isn't some hurdle to be jumped over... it is just a matter of including the gospel in the group of things that we think of as "ours."  If we leave it outside that circle, then we start saying things like, "well, I was raised Mormon, but..." or "that's what the church teaches, however...."  We might start seeing it as some foreign thing that we have to accommodate in our lives, rather than part of ourselves.  The gospel is true... no question.  So, let's embrace it as part of us, as part of our self-identity, rather than as some foreign requirements that are being forced upon us.

2 Nephi 26:10

"And when these things have passed away a speedy destruction cometh unto my people; for, notwithstanding the pains of my soul, I have seen it; wherefore, I know that it shall come to pass; and they sell themselves for naught; for, for the reward of their pride and their foolishness they shall reap destruction; for because they yield unto the devil and choose works of darkness rather than light, therefore they must go down to hell."
2 Nephi 26:10


I think this is interesting where it talks about selling themselves.  Isn't that what we are doing when we sin?  Instead of being content to belong to God, we will ourselves to the Devil... for whatever reason it is.  Kind of puts the whole thing into perspective.   Sometimes we try and see it another way, but it really is giving our souls away for nothing.  No matter how cool the "rewards" of our wrong choices seem in the moment, they are less than nothing from an eternal perspective... which is one reason we should try to see from that perspective here on earth: so we won't be stunned by our own stupidity when we gain our spiritual memories back. :)

Helaman 2:8

"And when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart of Kishkumen, and how that it was his object to murder, and also that it was the object of all those who belonged to his band to murder, and to rob, and to gain power, (and this was their secret plan, and their combination) the servant of Helaman said unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth unto the judgment-seat."
Helaman 2:8


I know that this happens, and perhaps is even common, but I don't get it.  Is power over other people so attractive that you would stoop to such sliminess? ... although it must be for some people.  We all have our personal temptations and struggles.   This scripture talks further about how they would join each other, because they were promised positions of power within the government.  I don't understand how they could even trust each other if they were that slimy.  What a horrible way to live. ... so, the lesson is: don't kill people to obtain power. :)  Not that there was probably any danger... but just keep it in mind. :)

Jarom 1:6

"And they were scattered upon much of the face of the land, and the Lamanites also. And they were exceedingly more numerous than were they of the Nephites; and they loved murder and would drink the blood of beasts."
Jarom 1:6


It seems scary to me that anyone could get to the point where they "loved murder."  I think that is the result of extreme desensitization... and probably can happen with almost anything.  Something that should be shunned, or avoided, we can start to be attracted by, if we choose incorrectly often enough.  It's like music that you don't particularly like... if you are in a place where you hear it a lot, you start to recognize different songs, and then you know the lyrics... and you might actually (*shudder*) start to smile when you hear it come on the radio, because you are used to it... you recognize it.  I think that bad habits can start that way.  You start to identify with what you choose, and even though it starts out with justification or whatever... it becomes part of you, part of what you are, and what you like.  Then repentance seems like this big scary deal, because you feel like you have to give up part of yourself... you don't remember what it was like back before you learned to like the bad habit, or the formerly unliked music... :)
The thing is though, your old self remains intact under there somewhere... the person without the habit... the person with good taste in music. :)  If you actually take the steps and change what you are doing (or listening to), then you recover that old self, and you've gained something that you needed to learn.  Taking that step is difficult... the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi learned that when they stopped murdering people.  They couldn't even allow themselves to fight a "righteous" war, presumably because of their habit in that regard.  It was better to be safe than to even come close to the former sin.
So, let's work on not acclimating ourselves to sin... and if we already have, let's try to edit those habits out of our lives. :)

Alma 62:45

"Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth, and did declare the word of God with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins and to be baptized unto the Lord their God."
Alma 62:45


This is kind of cool... you have to be convinced of your wickedness before you will repent.  Makes total sense, but I guess I never thought of it that way before.  We go about our lives in some little personal fantasy world, thinking that everything we do is good and that things revolve around us... and we kind of have to wake up to reality before we will repent.  So today... let's try to step out of our fantasy worlds long enough to get a good idea of what God expects of us.

Alma 62:10

"And thus it became expedient that this law should be strictly observed for the safety of their country; yea, and whosoever was found denying their freedom was speedily executed according to the law."
Alma 62:10


Interesting. Captain Moroni was the leader of the Nephite armies at this time, and there was a part of the people that wanted a King.   So, they made an agreement with the Lamanites that they would hold the capital city and the Lamanites could take over the rest of the land.   I can't see why they would do that, myself, but it does mention that many of them were of "high birth," so maybe they thought they would get more power that way... ?
It reminds me of one of my students... she keeps telling me how great anarchy would be... so much better than the government we have now.   I'm not head over heels in love with the government myself, but I can't understand saying that anarchy is better.   It's great, up to the point where someone does something bad to you, and then you start saying "there should be a law against that..."
Anyway, so the people who had plotted against the government had trials, and were executed. Interesting that the willingness to give up your freedom results in the ultimate loss of freedom... and all of this seems to me to relate to the war in heaven... the struggle between freedom and programmed lives.  Is the difference our potential?

Habakkuk 3:10

"The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high."
Habakkuk 3:10


I usually think of the things of nature as immeasurably powerful... I mean, if you go up against a mountain, or the ocean, who is going to win? :)  This scripture reminds me that God transcends even the things that we think of as insurmountable obstacles.  Christ commanded the water to be still, and it was.  Things like that are amazing.  And then, of course, God created it all in the first place... Mountains, oceans, trees... and thinking about all of that, I start to understand more just how much I don't understand, and why I shouldn't be questioning God's judgement. :)  If God could make all of that, then I think I can trust him with my life, which seems pretty insignificant by comparison. :)

Alma 57:26

"And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power."
Alma 57:26


Is it possible to overestimate the power of faith?  I don't think so.  I wonder how much more we would be able to accomplish, and how much better our lives would be, if we didn't doubt.  So, how do you get to that point?  I'm definitely not saying that I have the answers, but perhaps it is like other gospel principles... we learn it little by little, until someday our faith is strong enough to preserve us from harm and perhaps move mountains. :)  We can start with little things, like believing that our day will go better if we read our scriptures, or that the week will go better if we go to church.   We can believe in the power of prayer to focus our minds on what is important and to calm us in times of trouble. ... and, as we have faith in these small things, then our capacity for faith grows, and we feel the power of God more strongly in our lives.  Believe that things will work out positively in our lives... and they will.  We might not see what God sees, but we can believe and trust in his power to lead us to happiness.   Today, let's rely on his guidance and start increasing our faith. :)

2 John 1:9

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son."
2 John 1:9


This is interesting to me because I think a lot of us try to talk ourselves into thinking that God is going to be with us no matter what... and, although God does love us more than we can imagine, he also doesn't hang out with us when we're intentionally doing things that are hurting ourselves and others.  It can be scary to 'have not God.' :)   I think that it might be worse to try to imagine that God justifies us in doing wrong things than it is to try to justify it to ourselves. It's something like... inviting your mother to a strip club. Just *bad*... something you don't want to do. Maybe that was a bad analogy... but you see what I'm saying, I hope. :)  God is goodness and truth personified... not a name to be associated with sin, or the justification thereof.

1 John 5:3

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
1 John 5:3


This is interesting... the gospel can seem restrictive, especially to people outside of it, but God gives us commandments for the same reason that our parents gave us rules... to keep us safe, and help us to learn to be good people. When we keep his commandments, we grow closer to Him, and to understanding what it is to be an adult... maturing under our Father's tutelage. That's why the commandments aren't grievous... because they are there to help us. Laws and government seem restrictive sometimes, but in theory, they serve the same purpose. They are there to help and protect us. Let's rejoice in the protection and help that our Father offers us, rather than being grumpy about restrictions. :)

Doctrine and Covenants 66:10

"Seek not to be cumbered. Forsake all unrighteousness. Commit not adultery—a temptation with which thou hast been troubled."
Doctrine and Covenants 66:10


I like the image of sins being "cumbering." I think they are like that... they pile on, and it is harder for us to function, and we feel heavier and heavier... until we find a way to lighten the burden through repentance. :)  It is funny to think of it this way... why would any of us go out and look for something that will just drag us down? ... and, yet, sometimes we do.  Let's unburden ourselves a little and make sure we repent. Our whole lives will feel lighter. :)

Doctrine and Covenants 97:28

"And I will bless her with blessings, and multiply a multiplicity of blessings upon her, and upon her generations forever and ever, saith the Lord your God. Amen."
Doctrine and Covenants 97:28


Multiply a multiplicity... wow. That is a LOT of blessings. This scripture is about Zion, and the blessings are there for us if we are obedient. ... I think that if God is trying to express an amount to us here, it must be way too big of a number for us to comprehend, so he has to stick with easy words like "multiply a multiplicity." :) Today, as we go about our normal tasks, let's remember all the blessings that are there, waiting for us to be ready for them. :) It's kind of like how you want to give *everything* to the people you love... but after all, your son or nephew is too little for a car, so you have to stick with gifts that he is ready for. :) God did his shopping early, and they are all there, in the big closet in heaven, waiting for when we are ready. :) (BIG closet... very BIG. I'm talking a closet bigger than a football field. SO BIG, that we can't even comprehend it, except to say "multiply a multiplicity.")

Mormon 3:20

"And these things doth the Spirit manifest unto me; therefore I write unto you all. And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil;"
Mormon 3:20


I was talking about Argument papers in one of my classes today, and one of my students said she was going to address the topic of censorship. So, we went over the points that she had going for her, and the opposition arguments, so that she can improve her paper, and in the course of the conversation she said, "Religion is stupid" (which isn't a very logical argument, but nevertheless...).  She knows that I disagree, and we didn't get into a dispute or anything, but this scripture struck me today because of that conversation. I worry about people sometimes who slam God and say horrible things about him, but I can't think of any nice ways to convince them otherwise. As a missionary I remember being frustrated by the whole thing as well. We would have people who would actually read and pray, and feel the spirit, and still not ... get it or something. There was always something in the way. I think it is the same for us sometimes. We know the truth... we believe it, and we've been baptized... but how often do we remember the truth that we know and take it seriously? On judgement day, unfortunately, I think there are going to be a lot of surprised people.  Let's do our best not to be among them. :)

Omni 1:25

"And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no seed, and knowing king Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord, wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto him, exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord; and that which is evil cometh from the devil."

Omni 1:25

"Believe in . . . all things which are good." ... I *love* that.  And I think that it is important.  It is easy to remember things that are bad, or to dwell on them.  To be cynical or negative, and to see the bad things that are around us.  And bad things are all around us, it is true.  ... But the distortion there is that there are also good things all around us.  If we believe in only the bad things, then we're hurting ourselves and limiting our viewpoints.  We choose what we see, just as we choose what to believe in.  Part of the gift that Christ gave us was free agency... freedom to see *beyond* the encroaching shadows, to the ultimate brightness.  On the surface, the choices aren't hard... choose good and not bad. :)  As we all know, sometimes it is a lot harder than it seems, but the core truth is still there.  *We* make the decision.  there is good permeating the universe, and it is even more pervasive than the bad.  Today, let's be sure to see it.