"And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him."
Helaman 12:3
It seems like we could save ourselves a lot of trouble by working on remembering without the harsh reminders. As humankind, perhaps we can't change the fact, but as individuals and smaller groups, we can do as Moroni exhorts and remember how merciful the Lord has been to us throughout the scriptures and in our personal lives, and let that knowledge and memory help us to develop a relationship with our Savior and learn more about him, and follow his ways. Let's not only remember when we realize we can't do it ourselves, or when things are falling apart.
Friday, January 3, 2025
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Helaman 6:7-8 -- On Overcoming Grudges and Living in Peace
"And behold, there was peace in all the land, insomuch that the Nephites did go into whatsoever part of the land they would, whether among the Nephites or the Lamanites.
And it came to pass that the Lamanites did also go whithersoever they would, whether it were among the Lamanites or among the Nephites; and thus they did have free intercourse one with another, to buy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire."
Helaman 6:7-8
I love this interlude in the middle of what seems like an eternal grudge between the Nephites and the Lamanites... but clearly, at this point in time, it wasn't. Both groups get along, and they are essentially one people at this stage. Of course, someone later comes along and ruins it, but it's cool that they overcame that, and shows that it wasn't a continuous line of learned hatred, but rather a choice.
Today, let's remember that our own divisions and hatreds are also a choice, and do our best to let them go, following Christ's admonition to love our enemies and to do good even to those that hate us. Let's not pass on any grudges, but rather be the people that can get past them and learn to live and work together with everyone.
And it came to pass that the Lamanites did also go whithersoever they would, whether it were among the Lamanites or among the Nephites; and thus they did have free intercourse one with another, to buy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire."
Helaman 6:7-8
I love this interlude in the middle of what seems like an eternal grudge between the Nephites and the Lamanites... but clearly, at this point in time, it wasn't. Both groups get along, and they are essentially one people at this stage. Of course, someone later comes along and ruins it, but it's cool that they overcame that, and shows that it wasn't a continuous line of learned hatred, but rather a choice.
Today, let's remember that our own divisions and hatreds are also a choice, and do our best to let them go, following Christ's admonition to love our enemies and to do good even to those that hate us. Let's not pass on any grudges, but rather be the people that can get past them and learn to live and work together with everyone.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Helaman 4:15 -- On Repentance and Prosperity
"And it came to pass that they did repent, and inasmuch as they did repent they did begin to prosper."
Helaman 4:15
This seems like a good thing to keep in mind going into the new year. :) If we want to prosper, we should continue to repent each day. In this case they were recovering their lands from the Lamanites, but we can liken the scripture to ourselves ... whatever it is that we want to accomplish, we will get much further with repentance in the mix. :)
I also think that regular repentance just helps us to get out of our own way as we seek to accomplish anything... it helps us to remain humble, remember that we are fallible, and helps us correct our direction as we go. It invites the Spirit of God into our lives as we acknowledg our mistakes and ask for guidance. Let's go to the Lord today and clear things up, commit to do better, and then keep it up.
Helaman 4:15
This seems like a good thing to keep in mind going into the new year. :) If we want to prosper, we should continue to repent each day. In this case they were recovering their lands from the Lamanites, but we can liken the scripture to ourselves ... whatever it is that we want to accomplish, we will get much further with repentance in the mix. :)
I also think that regular repentance just helps us to get out of our own way as we seek to accomplish anything... it helps us to remain humble, remember that we are fallible, and helps us correct our direction as we go. It invites the Spirit of God into our lives as we acknowledg our mistakes and ask for guidance. Let's go to the Lord today and clear things up, commit to do better, and then keep it up.
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