We are on Mosiah chapter 27 and boy oh boy, we're dragging dragging dragging with our reading. This past week it felt like the Plague has intruded in our house. Yes, almost every one was sick like a dog and Mahonrai starts it every single time. Except of course Mele Vasiti, Fusi, Leveni and Leli.. The rest of us were miserably sick.
At this point of our reading, Alma the younger and the sons of King Mosiah became hinderances to the church. They went about secretly persecuting the believers and the church. They led away many from the church. Alma the older spend unending hours on his knees and in his heart praying for his son. That God will bring him back to him. After much fasting and prayers from loving parents, the Lord finally send an angel to smite them down and to turn them around.
One of the words that the angel told Alma the younger to do, is to REMEMBER. The word brings back memories, thoughts of the past, a reminder and of being reminded. REMEMBER! When we remember who we are and our origins, then it will be easy for us to make the right choices. But when we forget, then we become thoughtless, self-centered and selfish simply because we indulge in our own fascinations and have forgotten things that we stand for. Our foundations and what makes us who we are.
The angel told Alma the younger to remember his father and everything that he went through in the city of Helam. How they were in bondage and the Lord delivered them from the Lamanites and also the hands of wicked Amulon, whose men, kidnapped the daughters of the Lamanites.
We need to remember who we are all the time.
REMEMBER is an important word.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Fair daughters of the Lamanites
So tired to-night. It's always so funny when I'm the one doing the reading. I'd read and all of a sudden I'd doze off while reading. I already know what to expect when I glance up. All their eyes are on me. One of them offers: "Do you want me to read mom?" That makes me more determined to finish at least the chapter I was reading. Sometimes, when this happens, they'd just sit and watch me and they'd giggle between them or laugh.
We finished chapter 20 of the book of Mosiah this morning. The unknown and false accusation of the Lamanites brought on full force wars after wars between them and King Limhi's people.
24 of the Lamanite's daughters gathered in their usual place to sing and to dance. The wicked priest of king Noah came and abducted them. The Lamanites thought that King Limhi's peol took their daughters. Without waiting to get to the truth, they came barging in and war began. Many were slaughtered and slain. King Limhi's people were driven back, beaten by the Lamanites but they had wounded the king of the Lamanites. King Limhi found out the reason behind their attack on them.
Gideon, his right hand man (King Limhis) suspected that the priest of the wicked King Noah were responsible for the kidnapping of the Lamanite's daughters.
It's a darn shame that these wicked priests did what they did. They created a war that took hundreds of lives.
We finished chapter 20 of the book of Mosiah this morning. The unknown and false accusation of the Lamanites brought on full force wars after wars between them and King Limhi's people.
24 of the Lamanite's daughters gathered in their usual place to sing and to dance. The wicked priest of king Noah came and abducted them. The Lamanites thought that King Limhi's peol took their daughters. Without waiting to get to the truth, they came barging in and war began. Many were slaughtered and slain. King Limhi's people were driven back, beaten by the Lamanites but they had wounded the king of the Lamanites. King Limhi found out the reason behind their attack on them.
Gideon, his right hand man (King Limhis) suspected that the priest of the wicked King Noah were responsible for the kidnapping of the Lamanite's daughters.
It's a darn shame that these wicked priests did what they did. They created a war that took hundreds of lives.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Fate of King Noah
Our reading last night took us to the fate of the wicked king Noah. As a man called Gideon was pursuing to slay him, he attempted escape by climbing a tower that was erected near the Temple. Having been able to view a great part of the land from the tower, he saw that the armies of the Lamanites were at the borders of their own land. King Noah begged for mercy so they can warn the people that the enemy was approaching.
Gideon spared his life and Noah commanded that his people should flee from the Lamanites. He was not so much concerned for his people. He was only concerned for his own life. As they fled, the wives and the children of the Nephites were slowing them down, so King Noah urged the men to leave their wives behind and children. Some of the men did as he asked but most of his men rather die with their own family.
As the Lamanites came upon them, the Nephites put their fair daughters to plead with the Lamanites to spare their lives. Having compassion upon the women, the Lamanites did spare the lives of the Nephites and took them back to the land of Nephi and made a bargain with the. That they would: "deliver up king Noah into the hands of the Lamanites, and deliver up their property, even one half of all they possessed, one half of their gold, and their silver, and all their precious things, and thus they should pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites from year to year."
Gideon sent men to search for King Noah and his priests. Upon their search they came upon some of King Noah's priest. They had already put King Noah to death by fire. Just like how Abinadi had predicted. That he would suffer the same death he himself suffered. King Noah's son Limhi, that was amongst those who were taken captive, became king of the land. He was a righteous man. The Lamanites however set their guards outside the city to keep King Limhi's people captive.
Gideon spared his life and Noah commanded that his people should flee from the Lamanites. He was not so much concerned for his people. He was only concerned for his own life. As they fled, the wives and the children of the Nephites were slowing them down, so King Noah urged the men to leave their wives behind and children. Some of the men did as he asked but most of his men rather die with their own family.
As the Lamanites came upon them, the Nephites put their fair daughters to plead with the Lamanites to spare their lives. Having compassion upon the women, the Lamanites did spare the lives of the Nephites and took them back to the land of Nephi and made a bargain with the. That they would: "deliver up king Noah into the hands of the Lamanites, and deliver up their property, even one half of all they possessed, one half of their gold, and their silver, and all their precious things, and thus they should pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites from year to year."
Gideon sent men to search for King Noah and his priests. Upon their search they came upon some of King Noah's priest. They had already put King Noah to death by fire. Just like how Abinadi had predicted. That he would suffer the same death he himself suffered. King Noah's son Limhi, that was amongst those who were taken captive, became king of the land. He was a righteous man. The Lamanites however set their guards outside the city to keep King Limhi's people captive.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Covenant and the Mighty Ammon
We are currently on Mosiah 11 but I haven't blogged so I'll summarize chapters 6-11. Slowly but surely we're getting back into the habit of reading our scriptures daily after much distraction from our moving. It is such a good feeling to finally get back on track as we've all been deprived of the spirit from failing to read every day or as many times a week as we usually did in the past.
After King Benjamin spoke to his people, he urged them to enter into a covenant that they will keep the commandments of God and take upon them the name of Christ. Every adult entered the covenant except their children who were too young to make covenants.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we continue to make covenants with Heavenly Father. At the waters of Baptism, we make the same covenants that these Nephites made. We covenant to take upon us the name of Christ. At 8 years of age, every child who enters the water of baptism should understand this. As a mother I have strove to teach my children the importance of keeping their baptismal covenants. That means they have to live a Christlike life. Christ was perfect in every way. He was humble, lowly in heart and love unconditionally. His whole life was that of SERVICE. Though it's impossible to be perfect like Christ, it is possible to try to be as perfect as we can.
We also make sacred Temple Covenants. These covenants are there to help us live a Christlife life. We are covenant keeping people and this separates us from the rest of the world. Once we depart from these covenants, then we have no promise.
At this time, King Benjamin anointed his son Mosiah, at 30 years of age to be the ruler and king. 475 years after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem. Mosiah ruled in righteousness and the people once again began to prosper in the land. Three years after Mosiah was made king, his father King Benjamin died. Enjoyed peace within those three years and then he was desirous to know about those that had left to find the land of Lehi-Nephi. They send 16 of their strongest men. One of them is a man called Ammon.
They found the people they were looking for. King Limhi, son on the wicked king Noah who is the son of Zeniff that left Zarahemla. He had sent out 43 people to go and look for the land of Zarahemla but they got lost. He was delighted to know that Ammon came from Zarahemla and it has been years since Zeniff left.
After King Benjamin spoke to his people, he urged them to enter into a covenant that they will keep the commandments of God and take upon them the name of Christ. Every adult entered the covenant except their children who were too young to make covenants.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we continue to make covenants with Heavenly Father. At the waters of Baptism, we make the same covenants that these Nephites made. We covenant to take upon us the name of Christ. At 8 years of age, every child who enters the water of baptism should understand this. As a mother I have strove to teach my children the importance of keeping their baptismal covenants. That means they have to live a Christlike life. Christ was perfect in every way. He was humble, lowly in heart and love unconditionally. His whole life was that of SERVICE. Though it's impossible to be perfect like Christ, it is possible to try to be as perfect as we can.
We also make sacred Temple Covenants. These covenants are there to help us live a Christlife life. We are covenant keeping people and this separates us from the rest of the world. Once we depart from these covenants, then we have no promise.
At this time, King Benjamin anointed his son Mosiah, at 30 years of age to be the ruler and king. 475 years after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem. Mosiah ruled in righteousness and the people once again began to prosper in the land. Three years after Mosiah was made king, his father King Benjamin died. Enjoyed peace within those three years and then he was desirous to know about those that had left to find the land of Lehi-Nephi. They send 16 of their strongest men. One of them is a man called Ammon.
They found the people they were looking for. King Limhi, son on the wicked king Noah who is the son of Zeniff that left Zarahemla. He had sent out 43 people to go and look for the land of Zarahemla but they got lost. He was delighted to know that Ammon came from Zarahemla and it has been years since Zeniff left.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
King Benjamin and Service
Didn't realize how long since I last blogged about our reading. It's not from the lack of reading, it's because we've been in the process of moving to our son's place and haven't even got the chance to put up my computer. We have struggled to maintain our reading though. Too many distractions and way too many things to do. So somewhere in-between the business of our days and the craziness of our ways, we managed to find time to read. We've just finished Mosiah Chapter 6.
I think the core of King Benjamin's sermon to the Nephites is SERVICE. Serving God by serving your fellowmen. He did not only speak to his people, but King Benjamin has been laboring all his life to serve his people and to teach them the commandments of God and the atoning sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Mosiah 2:17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God."
King Benjamin went on to elaborate on various stages of service. He talks about a beggar in the street begging either for money or for food. Who are we to judge those beggars? Some stay their hands from giving because they think they are strong enough to go and work and make a living. So true then and still true now. Who are we to judge? Aren't we all beggars before the Lord? Everyday we beg Heavenly Father for the things that we need. It is not ours to judge others and their situations. It is our place however, to share and give to those who are in need.
I have always been one to give whenever I see people with signs on the road. It doesn't matter to me what they use the money for. All I know is that I HAVE, so therefore I GIVE. When I don't have, then I don't give.
King Benjamin taught his people that there is NO other way they can be saved except that is through Christ.
8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is anone other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.
There were a few other concerns that King Benjamin was prompt to elaborate on:
* Mosiah 4:13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due.
It's important that we all learn to get along and to be fair one with another.
* Mosiah 4:14 And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
I think the core of King Benjamin's sermon to the Nephites is SERVICE. Serving God by serving your fellowmen. He did not only speak to his people, but King Benjamin has been laboring all his life to serve his people and to teach them the commandments of God and the atoning sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Mosiah 2:17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God."
King Benjamin went on to elaborate on various stages of service. He talks about a beggar in the street begging either for money or for food. Who are we to judge those beggars? Some stay their hands from giving because they think they are strong enough to go and work and make a living. So true then and still true now. Who are we to judge? Aren't we all beggars before the Lord? Everyday we beg Heavenly Father for the things that we need. It is not ours to judge others and their situations. It is our place however, to share and give to those who are in need.
I have always been one to give whenever I see people with signs on the road. It doesn't matter to me what they use the money for. All I know is that I HAVE, so therefore I GIVE. When I don't have, then I don't give.
King Benjamin taught his people that there is NO other way they can be saved except that is through Christ.
8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is anone other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.
There were a few other concerns that King Benjamin was prompt to elaborate on:
* Mosiah 4:13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due.
It's important that we all learn to get along and to be fair one with another.
* Mosiah 4:14 And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.
* Mosiah 4:15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.
Parents are obligated to teach their children and provide for them. See that they get along. One of the many flaws in my home is quarreling children. I have the darnest time trying to break up arguments and fights. It drives me berserk when they don't get along and are so rowdy and loud. There is no peace in the home when children don't get along. We have to make sure that our children love one another and serve one another.
16 And also, ye yourselves will succor
those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your
substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that
the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
He ended Chapter 4 with a reminder:
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
King Benjamin's teachings were useful then and still useful to us now as parents, hundreds and hundreds of years later. It's wonder Heavenly Father preserved these records for our days so that we many learn from those who walked this earth before us. They were people, parents, individuals just like us.
I am grateful for the Book of Mormon.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Words Of Mormon
This is only 1 chapter and it's the prophet Mormon, after many years since the coming of Christ, is witnessing everything that has been foretold and foreseen by the prophets before Christ, happening. The almost annihilation of the Nephites. He's about to deliver the records that has been handed down from generation to generation to the hands of his son Moroni.
As Mormon goes through the records he found the plates that was written from the time of Jacob down to the time of King Benjamin. He took those records and combine them with his own records:
7 And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.
What a blessing it is to have the records of these people, right at the tips of our fingers. We read about their struggles, their afflictions and it is not so much different from ours. Perhaps they endure more physical trials and afflictions but even to these days, the Lord still works the same pattern. The Pioneers, how they journeyed to find the place. They found Utah where the Lord wanted them to establish the church and look how far it has come. How beautiful and prosperous.
But the Lord preserved these records so that his people can benefit from them and learn to come unto Christ from them. Not only the Book of Mormon, but he had preserved the Bible and many other books for our benefits that it may teach us His ways and that we may have guidelines in our lives. It is for our own benefits.
I love the scriptures but especially this great Book of Mormon. I've read it over and over so many time, not from cover to cover but here and there, but this is one of the most spiritual reading I've ever done. Our journey with my family to finish this great book this year. It's so amazing. This is "the wise purpose" that Mormon was talking about. That these records touches lives of those hundreds and hundreds of years after they've been written. We have it here in our house. Thank you thank you.
As Mormon goes through the records he found the plates that was written from the time of Jacob down to the time of King Benjamin. He took those records and combine them with his own records:
7 And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.
What a blessing it is to have the records of these people, right at the tips of our fingers. We read about their struggles, their afflictions and it is not so much different from ours. Perhaps they endure more physical trials and afflictions but even to these days, the Lord still works the same pattern. The Pioneers, how they journeyed to find the place. They found Utah where the Lord wanted them to establish the church and look how far it has come. How beautiful and prosperous.
But the Lord preserved these records so that his people can benefit from them and learn to come unto Christ from them. Not only the Book of Mormon, but he had preserved the Bible and many other books for our benefits that it may teach us His ways and that we may have guidelines in our lives. It is for our own benefits.
I love the scriptures but especially this great Book of Mormon. I've read it over and over so many time, not from cover to cover but here and there, but this is one of the most spiritual reading I've ever done. Our journey with my family to finish this great book this year. It's so amazing. This is "the wise purpose" that Mormon was talking about. That these records touches lives of those hundreds and hundreds of years after they've been written. We have it here in our house. Thank you thank you.
A familiar pattern
As Jacob passed the records down to his son Omni, it is now 238 years from the day Lehi departed out of Jerusalem. Omni was a warrior. His hands have shed much blood due to the defending of his people, the Nehphites from the Lamanites. He was not an outright righteous man and he admitted to it.
276 years from the departure of Lehi, Omni delivered up the plates to his son Amaron
320 years passed, and the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed because of wickedness. The Lord spared the righteous people.
Amaron gave part of the plates to his brother Chemish. They both contributed to keeping the records of the Nephites. At the end, they both gave the plates to Abinadom (son of Chemish)
Abinadom pass down the plates to his son Amaleki
Amaleki didn't have any children so he gave up the plates to King Benjamin, son of Mosiah
Before Mosiah became a king, he was warned by the Lord to depart and flee from the land of the Nephites. He took as many people that were willing to go with him and left. The Lord led Mosiah and his people to the land of Zarahemla.
The land of Zarahemla was led by their king whose name was Zarahemla. His people were led by the Lord's hands out of Jerusalem when king Zedekiah was taken captive into Babylon. They journeyed in the wilderness just like Lehi and his family and the Lord brought them across the sea to where Mosiah and his people found them.
The people of Zarahemla, like the Nephites were involved in many wars and contentions also. Many of their people perished from the result of war in-between themselves. When Mosiah and his people met them, they had to teach Zarahemla's people their language because their own language have been corrupted and they didn't understand each others. Mosiah's people and Zarahemla's people were united. They made Mosiah their king.
A large stone was brought before king Mosiah. There were writings on the stone. With the power of the Lord, Mosiah was able to interpret the writings and it was a story of a man called Coriuntumr. He was discovered by the people of Zarahemla and he lived with them for 9 moons. Coriuntumr's father came from the time of the tower of Babel. (Omni 1:22)
It is apparent that the Lord, in his desire to preserve the righteous people, he leads them away from the wicked people and their land. It's a familiar pattern now that's happening in the Book of Mormon reading.
276 years from the departure of Lehi, Omni delivered up the plates to his son Amaron
320 years passed, and the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed because of wickedness. The Lord spared the righteous people.
Amaron gave part of the plates to his brother Chemish. They both contributed to keeping the records of the Nephites. At the end, they both gave the plates to Abinadom (son of Chemish)
Abinadom pass down the plates to his son Amaleki
Amaleki didn't have any children so he gave up the plates to King Benjamin, son of Mosiah
Before Mosiah became a king, he was warned by the Lord to depart and flee from the land of the Nephites. He took as many people that were willing to go with him and left. The Lord led Mosiah and his people to the land of Zarahemla.
The land of Zarahemla was led by their king whose name was Zarahemla. His people were led by the Lord's hands out of Jerusalem when king Zedekiah was taken captive into Babylon. They journeyed in the wilderness just like Lehi and his family and the Lord brought them across the sea to where Mosiah and his people found them.
The people of Zarahemla, like the Nephites were involved in many wars and contentions also. Many of their people perished from the result of war in-between themselves. When Mosiah and his people met them, they had to teach Zarahemla's people their language because their own language have been corrupted and they didn't understand each others. Mosiah's people and Zarahemla's people were united. They made Mosiah their king.
A large stone was brought before king Mosiah. There were writings on the stone. With the power of the Lord, Mosiah was able to interpret the writings and it was a story of a man called Coriuntumr. He was discovered by the people of Zarahemla and he lived with them for 9 moons. Coriuntumr's father came from the time of the tower of Babel. (Omni 1:22)
It is apparent that the Lord, in his desire to preserve the righteous people, he leads them away from the wicked people and their land. It's a familiar pattern now that's happening in the Book of Mormon reading.
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