I confess, I have a hard time with the Isaiah chapters. The language is difficult to wade through, everything is couched in imagery and metaphors. I always feel like saying: "Just come out and SAY it why don't you!"
For example, verse 22, which says: "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?" Not exactly straightforward.
Still, I plow through and get the gist of things, even if I don't understand all the imagery and metaphors. And thank goodness for the chapter summaries at the top of the page to help clarify things! Thanks to that help, I know that verse 22 is part of the verses talking about how "The proud and wicked shall be brought low at the Second Coming."
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
2 Nephi, chapter 11
This is a short chapter, but uplifting to me just because of the imagery of the beautiful language...
"my soul delighteth in his words"
"my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ"
"my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord"
"my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy"
"my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish"
"whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men"
"my soul delighteth in his words"
"my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ"
"my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord"
"my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy"
"my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish"
"whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men"
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
2 Nephi, chapter 10
verse 23: Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.
We have been given the gift of free agency. We can choose for ourselves whether to follow the commandments from God and our prophets, or whether to go our own way. It's important to remember, though, that when we make a choice, we are also choosing the consquences. Making correct choices leads to eternal life, while poor choices carry a consqequence of everlasting death.
We have been given the gift of free agency. We can choose for ourselves whether to follow the commandments from God and our prophets, or whether to go our own way. It's important to remember, though, that when we make a choice, we are also choosing the consquences. Making correct choices leads to eternal life, while poor choices carry a consqequence of everlasting death.
Monday, October 5, 2009
2 Nephi, chapter 9
It's been a crazy week and I slacked off on my scripture reading. Picture me crawling back onto the wagon this morning...
A couple of things caught my attention today. First, the chapter talks a lot about resurrection, which made me think about the sweet and simple faith of my children. They know about resurrection - as much as they can understand at their ages - and will bring it up frequently. If they see something on TV or hear about someone who has died, Haley will often make comments about "That's sad, but at least he will be resurrected!" Or something similar. And a couple of weeks ago on the way to church Haley and Preston were asking us and discussing what age they would be when they were resurrected. Wonderful to hear their take on things!
Also, verse 51 says "Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth..." Always a good reminder to economize, and think before I buy!!
A couple of things caught my attention today. First, the chapter talks a lot about resurrection, which made me think about the sweet and simple faith of my children. They know about resurrection - as much as they can understand at their ages - and will bring it up frequently. If they see something on TV or hear about someone who has died, Haley will often make comments about "That's sad, but at least he will be resurrected!" Or something similar. And a couple of weeks ago on the way to church Haley and Preston were asking us and discussing what age they would be when they were resurrected. Wonderful to hear their take on things!
Also, verse 51 says "Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth..." Always a good reminder to economize, and think before I buy!!
Friday, September 25, 2009
2 Nephi, chapter 6-8
verse 7: Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
When you listen to the Lord and are doing what you know you should do, you should not be concerned with what the world may think of you or what others may say.
When you listen to the Lord and are doing what you know you should do, you should not be concerned with what the world may think of you or what others may say.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
2 Nephi, chapter 5
At the beginning of the chapter, Nephi writes about a few of the things that his brothers are saying as they murmur against him. Then in verse 4, he says:
"Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me..."
When someone murmurs against us or does us wrong, don't we usually want to tell every single word and every little thing they did? We want to prove to everyone we tell just how badly we have been treated. We treasure up the wrongs against us. We hold them close and nurse our grievances.
Instead, we need to take Nephi's example. He summed it all up succinctly (again in verse 4):
"But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life."
And that's enough for him. He then takes the Lord's advice to take his family and go. And then he moves on with his life. He doesn't spend his time dwelling on all the things his brothers did. e doesn't spent his time feeling hurt and abused and telling his story to everyone to get them on his side. He doesn't plot revenge against them for their bad treatment. He just moves on.
"Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me..."
When someone murmurs against us or does us wrong, don't we usually want to tell every single word and every little thing they did? We want to prove to everyone we tell just how badly we have been treated. We treasure up the wrongs against us. We hold them close and nurse our grievances.
Instead, we need to take Nephi's example. He summed it all up succinctly (again in verse 4):
"But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life."
And that's enough for him. He then takes the Lord's advice to take his family and go. And then he moves on with his life. He doesn't spend his time dwelling on all the things his brothers did. e doesn't spent his time feeling hurt and abused and telling his story to everyone to get them on his side. He doesn't plot revenge against them for their bad treatment. He just moves on.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
2 Nephi, chapter 3-4
In chapter 4, Nephi talks about how he feels unworthy and weak at times. If even a great prophet like Nephi can have these troubles and doubts, no wonder I have troubles! I just need to follow Nephi's example and trust in the Lord.
verse 34: O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever.
I had a seminary teacher in high school who wrote a song based on this chapter. He called it Nephi's Psalm. It's beautiful. And always brings me warm memories of listening to Brother Kunz sing to us in seminary.
If you want to hear the song: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2346697/nephis_psalm/
verse 34: O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever.
I had a seminary teacher in high school who wrote a song based on this chapter. He called it Nephi's Psalm. It's beautiful. And always brings me warm memories of listening to Brother Kunz sing to us in seminary.
If you want to hear the song: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2346697/nephis_psalm/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)