1 Samuel 13: 1 - 14

These verses bring up a very important point that is very well discussed and articulated in the Old Testament Student Manual (section 24-30).

The point it makes is that part of our test in this life is to see if we will stay true to God even in the most difficult circumstances, even when things seem hopeless, even perhaps when it seems to our imperfect, mortal eyes that God or His prophets or His Church have failed us in some way. The Lord will at some point in our lives want to know whether we will be faithful to Him even in the most extreme circumstances. That is a really difficult test of discipleship. When all hell breaks loose, will we stick to God and trust Him or turn away from Him?

May the record of my life indicate that I was true and faithful to God in all things, at all times, in all places, and in all circumstances.

1 Samuel 13: 1 - 14.

Moroni 8

Members of the Church in Moroni's day began baptizing their little children, contrary to the established pattern of baptism at "the age of accountability". Moroni's father, Mormon, hearing of this development, writes him a letter concerning the subject. This chapter is that letter he wrote. Regarding the contents of his letter on the baptism of little children, the author himself says it best:

16 ...Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.

And then again:

21 ...I speak it boldly; God hath commanded me. Listen unto [my words] and give heed, or they stand against you at the judgment-seat of Christ.

That pretty much sums up this chapter. I do find it very bold. Very bold. Very bold in condemning the practice of baptizing little children. I appreciate how the prophet Mormon explains why baptizing little children not only has no effect eternally, but also constitutes a mockery of Christ's sacrifice and atonement for all mankind.

Little children are beautifully innocent of any sin. I have four little living examples of that fact at home.

Moroni 8.

1 Samuel 9-10

If and when greatness, prestige, wealth, and honor come, remember the example and follies of Saul, who started out all right, but who eventually turned fully away from the Lord.

See commentary 24-22.

Moroni 3

Proof that the holy priesthood as administered in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not an invention of Joseph Smith, but that is the eternal power of God that has always existed and will always exist, and that as used anciently and will always be used for the blessing and salvation of mankind.

Moroni 3.

Samuel 9

God works in mysterious ways. This is evident because of the fact that many times He sends one person to another person to answer a prayer, or to warn or expound, or to exhort or prophesy, and that many times the giver or the receiver of the information doesn't even know that He was either on an errand for God or that God sent someone to minister to him.

Case in point. Saul and his messenger are out on an errand for his father, looking for lost livestock. It turns out that God was guiding Saul to Samuel for a visit:

15 ¶Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

How many times have I been ministered to by a man or woman sent to me by God and I didn't even know it! How many times have I been the one to minister? How can I be more aware of the Lord's hand going forward?

1 Samuel 9.

Moroni 1

In the greatest extremity of his life, as the last of his kind, running for his life, Moroni has this bold and unwavering thing to say:

1 Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.
2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.
3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.

Moroni's resolve was firmly set. He would rather die than deny his faith in Christ. No power on earth or in hell could shake him from his conviction. This is unshakable faith, and Moroni's life and death are proof that man can in fact obtain such faith. How it is achieved is another story entirely, but that it can be done is unmistakably certain.

Moroni 1.

Ruth 1-4

Really good historical background, notes and commentary on the book of Ruth here (scroll down to the section entitled "Notes and Commentary on Ruth 1-4").

Thinking about what Ruth gave up to follow her mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem. Some of the things she gave up include:

• Continued association with beloved family, friends, and acquaintances. These were important relationships she had built and nurtured her whole life. There was not the convenience of modern travel and communication methods, so leaving home must have been a much bigger deal than it is now. By traveling to Bethlehem, only (30 - 40 miles away, and yet that constituted a long journey with the means of travel available in those days), Ruth would likely never see her mother and father again. All of her relationships would be severed and become only memories. That must have been a big sacrifice for her. 
• Future opportunities for other relationships with her own people, including the possibility of remarriage to one of her countrymen. 
• Probably most or all of her stuff that she had accumulated at her home in Moab.  I think it is safe to assume that she had some nice things she had to leave behind.
• Probably a better standard of living than what she would have in Bethlehem. The two women were totally destitute when they arrived in Bethlehem. Gleaning, as Ruth did, was an activity of the poor, to scrap up whatever food they could find.

Now let's see what Ruth gained by loyally following her mother-in-law to Bethlehem:

16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

• Ruth gained the God of Israel, the true and living God, with all His blessings and scriptures and Gospel and commandments and promises to His faithful followers. She gained the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She gained the privilege of becoming a covenant follower of God.
• She gained favor with a wealthy gentlemen, ended up marrying him, and has a child with him, a child whose line would continue to produce King David. Out of that same line we know came Jesus Christ.  

I would say Ruth got a pretty good deal on the sacrifices she made. It appears that everything she gave up was well worth it and more!

It is easy to see the moral of the story here: anything we sacrifice to gain God and His gospel will be more than worth it in the end. Easy to see the moral, yes. Easy to make the necessary sacrifices? Not so much. Even so, may we all make whatever sacrifices are necessary in our lives to follow God and His gospel and to be found among His people.

Ruth 1.