Reading this chapters reminded me of what I need to do over and over again. I have always tried to read here and there but never made the commitment to read and that is why my scriptures reading is more like a broken chariot that remains useless most of the time instead of being useful. The Savior, after his resurrection, taught the people in the Americas, the same things he taught the people in the old world. It's like I'm hearing these things for the first time instead of the hundred times.
*Love thy Neighbor
*Turn the Other Cheek
*Go the extra mile
*Don't be Judgemental
*Listen to the Prophets and Apostles
*Seek God first above anything or anyone else
*Forgive others
*Say you prayers. Not in public but in secret and the Lord will reward you openly
Daily, I strive to do these things. Daily, I fail to accomplish everything I need and want to do. My imperfections nag at me daily and sometimes I just want to give it all up. The more I try, it seems, the more obstacles seem to stand in my way. I have to be reminded that this life is all about PROGRESS. That I am of Divine heritage and God did not bring me here to this earth to fail. That I need to do more to help others and serve others and to set an example to my children, who seems to be losing faith in us parents. At least that's how I feel. I need to be reminded that God did not put no loser on this earth. That I have the potential to magnify whatever little talent I'm given to build up His kingdom and to build up my family. Where I am now, is a very dangerous spot. I'm lacking the faith because I'm giving up. Reading this scripture today motivates me that if I remain strong in my faith, that's all God needs to give the boost I need to see the light of things and that He will provide for me like He hath always done in the past.
*"Ye of little Faith"
*"How many times do I need to go through this with you?"
* "Have I ever forsaken thee?"
"Consider the lilies of the field how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin...even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are NOT OF LITTLE FAITH."
He touched on how we can not serve two masters for we will love one and hate the other.
Last but not least, he talked about how we should adhere to the words of His prophets and apostles. By listening and doing what they say, we are building our houses upon the rock instead of the sands where it will be blown over, wrecked and shattered, when the wind blows and when the tempests arrive.
I love the Book of Mormon. I love the scriptures. I need to read it more and be consistent. I need it because without it, I can not stand. God knows us and He knows what we need. He's given us rules and commandments to follow. When we don't follow, we are vulnerable to the vices of Satan. He only wants us to be miserable like him. God wants us to be happy and He even gave up His only Begotten son Jesus Christ, so we can live again with Him.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Monday, September 12, 2016
Gadianton Robbers within the Nephites (Chap. 3-6)
During the 62nd year of the reign of the judges and we witness a change within the Nephites and the Lamanites. The Lamanites now are more righteous than the Nephites. They have managed to fight the evil powers of the Gadianton robbers and eradicate them from their midst. At this time the Gadianton robbers have infested the lands of both Nephites and Lamanites. The difference between the two is that many of the Nephites embraced these hideous robbers but the Lamanites defended themselves from them and wipes them out.
The tables have turned now as the Lamanites are trying to preach the gospel to the Nephites. Pride and all manners of wickedness has gotten a hold in the hearts of the Nephites. The church was having so much success with the conversion of the Lamanites because their hearts were softened and they were susceptible to the gospel and the truth. The Nephites were:
" become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them." (6:2)
This cycle that the Nephites are in repeats itself over and over again. We see it then and we see it now. Gadianton robbers are successful within the Nephites. Chief Cezoram is murdered and also his son that succeeded him. All by the secret Gadianton robbers who have recruited many of the Nephites. They are sworn in secrecy in oath and wickedness. They committed all manners of wickedness and against the laws of God and the laws of the land. They are ripe for destruction and thus ends the 68th year of the reign of the judges.
The tables have turned now as the Lamanites are trying to preach the gospel to the Nephites. Pride and all manners of wickedness has gotten a hold in the hearts of the Nephites. The church was having so much success with the conversion of the Lamanites because their hearts were softened and they were susceptible to the gospel and the truth. The Nephites were:
" become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them." (6:2)
This cycle that the Nephites are in repeats itself over and over again. We see it then and we see it now. Gadianton robbers are successful within the Nephites. Chief Cezoram is murdered and also his son that succeeded him. All by the secret Gadianton robbers who have recruited many of the Nephites. They are sworn in secrecy in oath and wickedness. They committed all manners of wickedness and against the laws of God and the laws of the land. They are ripe for destruction and thus ends the 68th year of the reign of the judges.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Helaman 1 and 2: Beginning of the Gadianton Robbers
The lesson was so compelling today as my husband was the teacher. I'm always humbled by how knowledgeable he is when it come to scriptures and history. How much information his brain can retain in comparison to how shallow mine is. There are just some people who are gifted in that way. They can speak what's on their mind perfectly and in an astonishing manner that they remember pits and pieces gathered here an there in their readings and it's amazing how they relay it in words. Myself, I actually have to sit down and write word by word my talks or teachings and then rehearsed it so I can always say what I meant to say. It doesn't come naturally as it does to my husband. It's rehearsed.
The reading today was on the book of Helaman 1-6. This time period within the Nephites were chaos and contentious. Pahoran, their chief judge, has just been murdered and Pacumeni, his brother became king. Paanchi, the other brother, is behind all the rebellious movement as he wants to be king himself, instead of his other two brothers. The kingdom was divided into three between them but Pacumeni, once the people put in their votes for Pahoran to be king, he went along with it. He understands it was out of his hand and then he supported his brother. But Paanchi, instead of doing what he's suppose to do, because he was filled with anger and resentment started the rebellion against chief-judge Pahoran. When they had him tried, for what I think is, being a traitor, he was actually sentenced to death. So his followers decided to send in someone to kill Pahoran.
Kishkumen was the one that was send forth to assassinate chief-judge Pahoran. This is a man that must have been well acquainted with murder in secrecy and deceit. He has a band of robbers and the one man that was appointed to be their ruler was none other than the "...exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery." (2:4) Gadianton.
He became the leader of Kishkumen's band. He promised the band power if he were to be appointed chief-judge or governor. When he returned from assassinating Pahoran, he entered into a covenant with the rest of the band that they will never ever reveal him as the murderer of the chief-judge Pahoran. That everything they do will be sworn into secrecy and can not be revealed.
The government was in between a rock and a hard place during this time. Within itself was the Gadianton robbers and with out comes the army of the Lamanites, led by the ferocious Coriantumr, who thirst to destroy the Nephites. He was a descendant of Zarahemla. First he slayed Pacumeni and instead of settling for the capture of the city Zarahemla, he boldly marched towards the land Bountiful to siege it. When Captain Moronihah found out about this, he swiftly send off Captain Lehi and his army to come around to head them off. Soon, the Lamanites found out that they were sandwiched between Lehi and Moronihah's armies. It was a "bloody battle" before they killed off Coriantumr and restored the land of Zarahemla back to the Nephites. Moronihah allowed the Lamanites prisoners to return in peace to their own land.
In chapter 2, Helaman son of Helaman was appointed to become the chief-judge. Kishkumen was just awaiting the opportunity to kill him. As he proceeded to assassinate the chief-judge, one of Helaman's servant, whom I thought was a "spy", he was already aware of the band's plan and their procedures. Kishkumen was excited thinking his chance will finally come to pass to kill Helaman. Instead, Helaman's servant got to him first and annihilate him. Seeing that Kishkumen was not returning to their camp, Gadianton let his band out of the city and fled in secrecy, out of the city. It was predicted that this was not going to be the end of the Gadianton Robbers. That they will be responsible for the future downfall and destruction of almost the entire Nephites nation.
The reading today was on the book of Helaman 1-6. This time period within the Nephites were chaos and contentious. Pahoran, their chief judge, has just been murdered and Pacumeni, his brother became king. Paanchi, the other brother, is behind all the rebellious movement as he wants to be king himself, instead of his other two brothers. The kingdom was divided into three between them but Pacumeni, once the people put in their votes for Pahoran to be king, he went along with it. He understands it was out of his hand and then he supported his brother. But Paanchi, instead of doing what he's suppose to do, because he was filled with anger and resentment started the rebellion against chief-judge Pahoran. When they had him tried, for what I think is, being a traitor, he was actually sentenced to death. So his followers decided to send in someone to kill Pahoran.
Kishkumen was the one that was send forth to assassinate chief-judge Pahoran. This is a man that must have been well acquainted with murder in secrecy and deceit. He has a band of robbers and the one man that was appointed to be their ruler was none other than the "...exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery." (2:4) Gadianton.
He became the leader of Kishkumen's band. He promised the band power if he were to be appointed chief-judge or governor. When he returned from assassinating Pahoran, he entered into a covenant with the rest of the band that they will never ever reveal him as the murderer of the chief-judge Pahoran. That everything they do will be sworn into secrecy and can not be revealed.
The government was in between a rock and a hard place during this time. Within itself was the Gadianton robbers and with out comes the army of the Lamanites, led by the ferocious Coriantumr, who thirst to destroy the Nephites. He was a descendant of Zarahemla. First he slayed Pacumeni and instead of settling for the capture of the city Zarahemla, he boldly marched towards the land Bountiful to siege it. When Captain Moronihah found out about this, he swiftly send off Captain Lehi and his army to come around to head them off. Soon, the Lamanites found out that they were sandwiched between Lehi and Moronihah's armies. It was a "bloody battle" before they killed off Coriantumr and restored the land of Zarahemla back to the Nephites. Moronihah allowed the Lamanites prisoners to return in peace to their own land.
In chapter 2, Helaman son of Helaman was appointed to become the chief-judge. Kishkumen was just awaiting the opportunity to kill him. As he proceeded to assassinate the chief-judge, one of Helaman's servant, whom I thought was a "spy", he was already aware of the band's plan and their procedures. Kishkumen was excited thinking his chance will finally come to pass to kill Helaman. Instead, Helaman's servant got to him first and annihilate him. Seeing that Kishkumen was not returning to their camp, Gadianton let his band out of the city and fled in secrecy, out of the city. It was predicted that this was not going to be the end of the Gadianton Robbers. That they will be responsible for the future downfall and destruction of almost the entire Nephites nation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)