Living a Life of Peace, Joy, and Purpose

Elder Scott's April 2011 BYU commencement remarks are summarized in an article in this months Enisgn magazine. One thing that struck me from his remarks is one of the principles upon which he states that faith is based:

Patience and understanding when God lets you struggle to grow and when answers come a piece at a time over an extended period.

To me this means that I must have patience when, for example, we are struggling to find a place to live and God doesn't immediately drop a pin on Google Maps for us to say, "THIS IS WHERE YOU MUST LIVE!", or when the normal trials of life happen and God allows them to happen and not immediately intervene to rescue us and make it all better immediately.

In my experience, even when God lets us struggle to grow through our trials, I can still see His hand in quiet and sometimes subtle ways, making things easier to manage. For example, although our family car broke down yesterday, and is most likely not reparable so that we'll have to find and purchase a new vehicle, we count our blessings that at least it didn't break down last week at 10pm when we were halfway home from Orlando!

Favorite Phrases Genesis 18

There are a couple phrases in this chapter that I love. First, in verse 19, the Lord states,

17 And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

For I know him. I love that phrase. I love how the Lord knew Abraham's heart and knew that he would do righteously. I love that God knows my heart. I hope I can prove by my obedience that He can trust me as He did Abraham.

The other phrase in verse 14, where the Lord tells Abraham that his wife will bear a child, and she laughs, and then the Lord rejoins,

13 And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

 14 Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Is anything too hard for the Lord? That is my other favorite phrase in this chapter. I love the language of the Old Testament. It has some of the finest prose I have ever read. These special phrases resonate with my spirit and fill my heart with wonder. No, nothing is too hard for the Lord!

The People of Zeniff Ensnared themselves

As I read in Mosiah 20 about the great difficulties the people of Limhi were in, with the great battle they had with the Lamanites, and their being outnumbered, and the bondage they were in, I can't help but think back to over-zealous Zeniff, the guy who started all this, the guy who wanted so badly to go back and inherit the original lands of the Nephites that he made rash judgement and foolish decisions. He made a compact with a deceitful and untrustworthy landlord. Here we see some of the long-term consequences of those decisions. The children and grandchildren are suffering greatly and remain in bondage because of those earlier decisions.

How can I learn to be more wise than them? Doesn't it have something do with "looking before you leap", doing your homework, sitting down and counting the cost before making a move?

Cowardice v. Bravery

Staying true to God and His Gospel gives us courage and helps us face our fears. Contrast the bravery and courage of Abinadi, who gave his life preaching the word of God, with the utter cowardice of king Noah, who was eager to quit literally throw women and children into the oncoming swords of his attackers so that he could escape:

 9 And the king commanded the people that they should flee before the Lamanites, and he himself did go before them, and they did flee into the wilderness, with their women and their children.
 10 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue them, and did overtake them, and began to slay them.
 11 Now it came to pass that the king commanded them that all the men should leave their wives and their children, and flee before the Lamanites (MSH 19).

One of these men died a shameful coward. The other died a brave hero. May the Gospel message and the Holy Ghost give me the power to face my fears and exercise courage as I face the trials and challenges and opportunities in my life. May I always have the courage to defend and protect my family.  

Abinadi Exemplified the Baptismal Covenant

In Mosiah 18 Alma explains the commitments associated with baptism in the Church of God. Part of that commitment is this:

 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

 I wonder if he thought of Abinadi's recent demise as he said these words. Abinadi quite literally stood as a witness at all times, even until death. I think Alma's words here are a great tribute to Abinadi. I wonder if Alma knew of all the circumstances surrounding his demise. If he did know all that, I wonder if there was great emotion when he said those words, "even until death", and perhaps a moment of silence as he thought of his missionary, the one who stirred his own heart to repentance.

Abinadi Would Not Recall His Words

Abinadi suffered and died a horrible death. He withstood a vicious beating until he was almost dead, and then suffered what must have been the most intense pain of being burned alive (MSH 17: 13-20). All that because he had delivered a message about Jesus Christ and how He does not excuse or justify any sins or respect any king or priest who sins.

Abinadi was a real man. He had great courage. He showed great toughness. I seem to have quite a bit of time left in my mortal probationary period here. I hope that I can meet each test and challenge with similar unwavering faith and determination as Abinadi did. I hope I can prove to withstand whatever "heat" I may get for my beliefs and positions and faith. 

Abinadi's Death Sentence

Abinadi's death sentence doesn't make any sense to me.

 6 And after three days, having counseled with his priests, he caused that he should again be brought before him.

 7 And he said unto him: Abinadi, we have found an accusation against thee, and thou art worthy of death.

 8 For thou hast said that God himself should come down among the children of men; and now, for this cause thou shalt be put to death unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people (MSH 17).

First of all, it took them three days to come up with that? It just seems to me like they were really searching and stretching to contrive something to condemn him for. As for the reason for the sentence itself, the only thing I can think of is blasphemy. It seems that they extrapolated something out of the scriptures to make it look like make it look like Abinadi was blaspheming against God, as if His coming down among the people would somehow diminish His Godhood. Anyway, it is clear to me that his death sentence was totally unfounded on the grounds of the charge. I would have thought the official charge would have been his scathing remarks against the king, where he prophesied that the king would die a horrible death (see MSH 12:3).

Abraham the Peacemaker, the Hero, the Wise

 I think the following verses give an insight into the character of our great father Abraham:

7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 

 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

Abraham was a peacemaker. When conflict arose, he wisely and humbly deferred to the other man and allowed him to have "first dibs" on a spot to settle. I hope I can always be a peacemaker in my home just like my big daddy Abraham. 

Later Abraham assembles a small army and goes and rescues Lot and all his people. He then wisely refuses to receive a prize from the wicked king of Salem. That was wise. Receiving treasure from that wicked man may have compromised his status and power later on because the wicked king would have been able to claim that it was he who enriched Abram. 

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Wood Badge Missionary Moment

I was recently made Varsity Coach in a local Boy Scout troop, and this weekend I was able to attend Wood Badge, which is the pinnacle of Boy Scout leadership training. Most of the participants were LDS but there were a few non-members. I had the privilege of sharing a tent with Ethan, a fine young man, serving as assistant scoutmaster in a Lutheran-sponsered Boy Scout troop. Ethan instantly connected with everyone there, including me, and we all had a grand old time. On the second night we asked questions about each other's faith and religious beliefs. I was able to explain the difference between a chapel and a Temple, and what goes on in Temples, with a special focus on marriage ceremonies that happen in the Temple.

Resurrection and Eternal Destiny

The Book of Mormon teaches a clear and unmistakable doctrine on the resurrection and our eternal destiny, based on whether our thoughts, words, deeds, and hearts have been oriented toward good or evil. From The Book of Mormon, Mosiah 16, Abinadi, a subject of the king turned prophet, in shackles, teaches and testifies of Christ before a tribunal of priests and a king who seek to find an excuse to kill him because of the things he has preached:

 11 If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation—  

 12 Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent. 

God always extends His hand of mercy towards me. He wants me to enjoy the resurrection of the just, even endless life and happiness. Will I draw near to Him and take His hand and follow Him? That is what remains to be seen, and I hope my life can show that yes, I will!