2 Nephi 31:20

I gave a talk recently with the subject being 2 Nephi 31:20. Here is the ten minute version. I followed it up by bearing my testimony. I had prepared twenty minutes, but had only ten minutes to give it. The version here stands on it's own, I believe.

Joseph B. Wirthlin relates, “While traveling along a mountainous road one evening through a driving rainstorm punctuated with frequent claps of thunder and flashes of lightning, Sister Wirthlin and I could barely see the road, either in front of us or to the right and the left. I watched the white lines on that road more intently than ever before. Staying within the lines kept us from going onto the shoulder and into the deep canyon on one side and helped us avoid a head-on collision on the other. To wander over either line could have been very dangerous. Then I thought, ‘Would a right-thinking person deviate to the left or the right of a traffic lane if he knew the result would be fatal? If he valued his mortal life, certainly he would stay between these lines.’ That experience traveling on this mountain road is so like life. If we stay within the lines that God has marked, he will protect us, and we can arrive safely at our destination.” [Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Straight and Narrow Way,” Ensign, Nov 1990]

We’ve all heard of baptism referred to as the “gate.” Using that symbolism, upon entering the gate we find ourselves on the “straight and narrow path” - the same path that Jesus said of, “and few there be that find it” [ Matthew 7:14]. Well it’s good news that those who have been baptized HAVE found the path.

Quoting from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in last month’s General Conference [“Safety for the Soul,” Ensign, Nov 2009], “In Lehi’s dream an already difficult journey gets more difficult when a mist of darkness arises, obscuring any view of the safe but narrow path his family and others are to follow. It is imperative to note that this mist of darkness descends on all the travelers—the faithful and the determined ones (the elect, we might even say) as well as the weaker and ungrounded ones.”

And you’ll recall that the path, according to Lehi’s vision, leads to the Tree of Life, or the “love of God” - as we learned in Primary - and that the “love of God” is the most desirable above all things [ 1 Ne 11:22] and the most joyous to the soul [v. 23]. And the fruit of the tree is Eternal Life - the greatest gift anyone could ever receive - and the greatest that God can give.

You remember from the vision, Lehi (and soon after, Nephi) saw “numberless concourses of people” (1 Nephi 8:21). These people can be divided into four categories based on their actions in seeking the tree and the fruit. Keep in mind that the “great and spacious building” represented the world, the wisdom of the world, and the pride of the world [ 1 Nephi 11:35-36].

Listen and see where you may fit in.

The first category of people includes those who never start on the path but instead go directly toward the great and spacious building.

The second are those who start on the path but then become lost in the mist of darkness - which represents temptations - because they do not hold on to the Iron Rod - or do not continually feast upon the Word of God.

The third group are those who hold to the rod until they reach the tree and partake of the fruit, but then become ashamed and fall away because of the scoffing and mocking of the world that they pay heed to - and as a consequence, they stop feasting upon the word - or let go of the iron rod - and leave the fold of God, joining those who left their spiritual life behind for a worldly life in that Great and Spacious Building.

Elder Dale G. Renlund relates this personal story: “Because of my schedule, I had become casual with my prayers and scripture study. I would get up one morning, say my prayers, and go to work. Often day blended into night and into day again before I would return home late the following evening. I would then be so tired that I would fall asleep before saying a prayer or reading the scriptures. The next morning the process began again. The problem was that I was not doing the basic things I needed to do to keep my mightily changed heart from turning to stone. I got off the couch, got on my knees, and pleaded with God for forgiveness. I promised my Heavenly Father that I would change. The next day I brought a Book of Mormon to the hospital. On my to-do list that day, and every day since, were two items: praying at least morning and evening and reading in the scriptures. Sometimes midnight would come, and I would have to quickly find a private place to pray. Some days my scripture study was brief. I also promised Heavenly Father that I would always try to get to church, even if I missed part of the meeting. Over the course of a few weeks, the zeal returned and the fire of testimony burned fiercely again. I promised to never again fall into the spiritual death trap of being casual about these seemingly small actions and thereby jeopardizing things of an eternal nature, regardless of circumstances. To endure to the end, we need to be eager to please God and worship Him with fervor and passion.” [“Preserving the Heart’s Mighty Change,” Ensign, Nov 2009]

The last group in the “numberless concourses of people” are those who hold to the rod until they reach the tree and partake of the fruit, and who then remain faithful - enduring to the end.

Elder Holland again, “the successful travelers resist all distractions, including the lure of forbidden paths and jeering taunts from the vain and proud who have taken those paths. The record says that the protected ‘did press their way forward, continually [and, I might add, tenaciously] holding fast’ to a rod of iron that runs unfailingly along the course of the true path. However dark the night or the day, the rod marks the way of that solitary, redeeming trail.”
[Jeffrey R. Holland, “Safety for the Soul,” Ensign, Nov 2009]

So, brothers and sisters, when we are baptized, and allow the love of God to infuse our very soul, feasting upon His word, and endure to the end we receive Eternal Life. Eternal Life can be defined as ‘God’s Life,’ which he hopes to share with all his children - Eternal Life is the same quality of life that God currently enjoys, with all the rights, powers, and authority that He has.

Or in other words, we will have “all that [our] Father hath [see D&C 84:38].” You see, the more we press forward on the path, the closer we get to the tree of life, the more we become like God - which is the whole purpose of the commandments He has given us. As we become like God, He will grant unto us Eternal Life.

When we have true faith (which could be simply defined as confidence or trust in God), when we exercise sincere repentance, and make a baptismal covenant, we actually receive the Holy Ghost as our companion. This reception of the Holy Ghost changes our heart and completes our spiritual rebirth - we become born again and receive a remission of our sins. We were warned, however, in our last General Conference that “Enduring to the end can be challenging because the tendency of the natural man is to reject the spiritually changed heart and allow it to harden. No wonder the Lord cautioned to “even let those who are sanctified take heed.”5
We all know of individuals who had this mighty change of heart but subsequently yielded to the natural man. They became casual in their worship and devotion to God, their hearts became hardened, and they thereby jeopardized their eternal salvation.”

“We cannot stand idly by, being merely an interested spectator...” - Delbert L. Stapley, “The Path to Eternal Life,” Ensign, Jan 1974

We must press forward steadfastly.

The dictionary defines Steadfast as “Firmly fixed in place.” “Determination.”
The thesaurus offers some synonyms that are helpful: “ardent, constant, dependable, enduring, faithful, intent, relentless, reliable, resolute, unbending, wholehearted.”

In the book of Second Nephi [2 Nephi 31:19], the great prophet Nephi poses a question:

“And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path [through the gate of baptism], I would ask if all is done?”

He then answers his own question [in verses 19 and 20]: “Nay.” [Paraphrasing, ] You’ve made it to baptism by the word of God - and unshaken faith in Jesus - relying completely upon Him.

“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”
2 Nephi 31:20

Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ

“The words press forward seem to indicate moving with . . . dedication along the path of perfection despite adversity or distraction.” See 2 Nephi 31:20

- Book of Mormon Student Manual, 1981, p. 121

The Power of Covenants

" . . . As we walk in obedience to the principles and commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we enjoy a continual flow of blessings promised by God in His covenant with us. Those blessings provide the resources we need to act rather than simply be acted upon as we go through life.1 For example, the Lord’s commandments in the Word of Wisdom regarding the care of our physical bodies bless us first and foremost with 'wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures' (D&C 89:19). Furthermore, they lead to a generally more healthy life and freedom from destructive addictions. Obedience gives us greater control over our lives, greater capacity to come and go, to work and create. Of course, age, accident, and illnesses inevitably take their toll, but even so, our obedience to this gospel law enhances our capacity to deal with these challenges.

"In the covenant path we find a steady supply of gifts and help. 'Charity never faileth' (1 Corinthians 13:8; Moroni 7:46), love begets love, compassion begets compassion, virtue begets virtue, commitment begets loyalty, and service begets joy. We are part of a covenant people, a community of Saints who encourage, sustain, and minister to one another. As Nephi explained, 'And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them' (1 Nephi 17:3).2

"All this is not to say that life in the covenant is free of challenge or that the obedient soul should be surprised if disappointments or even disasters interrupt his peace. If you feel that personal righteousness should preclude all loss and suffering, you might want to have a chat with Job."

- D. Todd Christofferson, “The Power of Covenants,” Ensign, May 2009

Moral Discipline

". . . We all possess the God-given gift of moral agency—the right to make choices and the obligation to account for those choices (see D&C 101:78) [, and] for positive outcomes, moral agency must be accompanied by moral discipline.
"By 'moral discipline,' I mean self-discipline based on moral standards. Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard. It rejects the self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness through Christlike service (see Mark 10:42–45). The root of the word discipline is shared by the word disciple, suggesting to the mind the fact that conformity to the example and teachings of Jesus Christ is the ideal discipline that, coupled with His grace, forms a virtuous and morally excellent person.
"Jesus’s own moral discipline was rooted in His discipleship to the Father. To His disciples He explained, 'My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work' (John 4:34). By this same pattern, our moral discipline is rooted in loyalty and devotion to the Father and the Son."

- D. Todd Christofferson, “Moral Discipline,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 105–8

That He May Write upon Our Hearts

Parents should teach their children to pray. The child learns both from what the parents do and what they say. The child who sees a mother or a father pass through the trials of life with fervent prayer to God and then hears a sincere testimony that God answered in kindness will remember what he or she saw and heard. When trials come, that individual will be prepared.

In time, when the children are away from home and family, prayer can provide the shield of protection the parent will want so much for them to have. Parting can be hard, particularly when the parent and the child know that they may not see each other for a long time. I had that experience with my father. We parted on a street corner in New York City. He had come there for his work. I was there on my way to another place. We both knew that I probably would never return to live with my parents under the same roof again.

It was a sunny day, around noontime, the streets crowded with cars and pedestrians. On that particular corner there was a traffic light which stopped the cars in all directions for a few minutes. The light changed to red; the cars stopped. The crowd of pedestrians hurried off the curbs, moving every way, including diagonally, across the intersection.

The time had come for parting, and I started across the street. I stopped almost in the center, with people rushing by me. I turned to look back. Instead of moving off in the crowd, my father was still standing on the corner looking at me. To me he seemed lonely and perhaps a little sad. I wanted to go back to him, but I realized the light would change and so I turned and hurried on.

Years later I talked to him about that moment. He told me that I had misread his face. He said he was not sad; he was concerned. He had seen me look back, as if I were a little boy, uncertain and looking for assurance. He told me in those later years that the thought in his mind had been: “Will he be all right? Have I taught him enough? Is he prepared for whatever may lie ahead?”

There were more than thoughts in his mind. I knew from having watched him that he had feelings in his heart. He yearned for me to be protected, to be safe. I had heard and felt that yearning in his prayers—and even more in the prayers of my mother—for all the years I had lived with them. I had learned from that, and I remembered.

- Henry B. Eyring, “That He May Write upon Our Hearts,” Ensign, Aug 2009, 4–9

A few personal insights . . .

In researching the meanings of "burden" and "yoke" as used in the scriptures, I came across a couple of interesting things worthy of sharing. The first is a footnote to Isaiah 5:18: "They are tied to their sins like beasts to their burdens."

This visualization struck me with great force about more fully applying the atonement to my daily life.



My second search results for the meanings of "burden" and "yoke" as used in the scriptures, has more to do with us as individuals relieving the burdens of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones. It comes from The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle to Timothy, chapter 5 verse 16: "If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed."

I need to be a better person.

Foundation of Eternal Marriage

“There is more to a foundation of eternal marriage than a pretty face or an attractive figure. There is more to consider than popularity or charisma. As you seek an eternal companion, look for someone who is developing the essential attributes that bring happiness: a deep love of the Lord and of His commandments, a determination to live them, one that is kindly understanding, forgiving of others, and willing to give of self, with the desire to have a family crowned with beautiful children and a commitment to teach them the principles of truth in the home."

- Richard G. Scott, “Receive the Temple Blessings,” Ensign, May 1999, 25

Discovering New Levels of Faith

"With each new challenge I make a choice. I choose to grow my cynicism or grow my faith. Time and again I am forced to choose. I am trying to consistently choose faith. As I do, my faith becomes stronger and richer. I see His goodness in places that used to seem tragic. In fact, my greatest leaps of faith have come on the darkest days."

- H. Wallace Goddard, "Discovering New Levels of Faith," meridianmagazine.com

“Continually Holding Fast” to the Rod of Iron

Father Lehi saw several groups of people pressing forward along the strait and narrow path, seeking to obtain the tree and its fruit. The members of each group had entered onto the path through the gate of repentance and baptism by water and had received the gift of the Holy Ghost (see 2 Nephi 31:17–20). The tree of life is the central feature in the dream and is identified in 1 Nephi 11 as a representation of Jesus Christ. The fruit on the tree is a symbol for the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement. Interestingly, the major theme of the Book of Mormon, inviting all to come unto Christ, is central in Lehi’s vision. Of particular interest is the rod of iron that led to the tree (see 1 Nephi 8:19). The rod of iron is the word of God.

In 1 Nephi 8, verses 21 through 23, we learn about a group of people who pressed forward and commenced in the path that led to the tree of life. However, as the people encountered the mist of darkness, which represents the temptations of the devil (see 1 Nephi 12:17), they lost their way, they wandered off, and they were lost.

It is important to note that no mention is made about the rod of iron in these verses. Those who ignore or treat lightly the word of God do not have access to that divine compass which points the way to the Savior. Consider that this group obtained the path and pressed forward, exhibiting a measure of faith in Christ and spiritual conviction, but they were diverted by the temptations of the devil and were lost.

In verses 24 through 28 of chapter 8 we read about a second group of people who obtained the strait and narrow path that led to the tree of life. This group pressed forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. However, as this second group of people was mocked by the occupants of the great and spacious building, they were ashamed and fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. Please notice that this group is described as clinging to the rod of iron.

It is significant that the second group pressed forward with faith and commitment. They also had the added blessing of the rod of iron, and they were clinging to it! However, as they were confronted with persecution and adversity, they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. Even with faith, commitment, and the word of God, this group was lost—perhaps because they only periodically read or studied or searched the scriptures. Clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional “bursts” of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God.

In verse 30 we read about a third group of people who pressed forward continually holding fast to the rod of iron until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree. The key phrase in this verse is “continually holding fast” to the rod of iron.

The third group also pressed forward with faith and conviction; however, there is no indication that they wandered off, fell into forbidden paths, or were lost. Perhaps this third group of people consistently read and studied and searched the words of Christ. Perhaps it was the constant flow of living water that saved the third group from perishing. This is the group you and I should strive to join.

“What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?

“And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction” (1 Nephi 15:23–24; italics added).

- David A. Bednar, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "A Reservoir of Living Water,"

CES Fireside for Young Adults • February 4, 2007 • Brigham Young University

Metaphor for Life?

“I just wanted to be home, but I had no idea how to get there. Without thinking about it, I started to sing the words from one of my favorite Primary songs: ‘Heavenly Father, are you really there?’ My shaking and tears subsided, even though the storm did not. I prayed to find a familiar road and to be protected as I drove. I started to sing again, and as I sang, I knew the Lord would lead me home. When I locked my door behind me, safe at last, I sank to my knees. The shaking was back, and I sobbed a prayer of gratitude.”

- Janessa Cloward, “Through the Storm,” New Era, August 2009, 44

Luke 17:32

"Remember Lot’s wife."

God doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go.

“Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve. Is that faith? Yes! Is that hope? Yes! Is it charity? Yes! Above all, it is charity, the pure love of Christ. If something is buried in the past, leave it buried. Don’t keep going back with your little sand pail and beach shovel to dig it up, wave it around, and then throw it at someone, saying, “Hey! Do you remember this?” Splat! . . . Such dwelling on past lives, including past mistakes, is just not right! It is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. . . . Forgive, and do that which is harder than to forgive: Forget. And when it comes to mind again, forget it again. You can remember just enough to avoid repeating the mistake, but then put the rest of it all on the dung heap Paul spoke of to those Philippians. Dismiss the destructive and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future and the bright future of your family and your friends and your neighbors. God doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go. . . . Such is the wonder of faith and repentance and the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” - Jeffrey R. Holland, “Remember Lot’s Wife,” BYU Devotional address given on 13 January 2009

Galatians 6:2

"Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Adversity and Affliction

“I have seen the remorse and despair in the lives of men who, in the
hour of trial, have cursed God and died spiritually. And I have seen
people rise to great heights from what seemed to be unbearable
burdens. Finally, I have sought the Lord in my own extremities and
learned for myself that my soul has made its greatest growth as I have
been driven to my knees by adversity and affliction."

- Marion G. Romney, Improvement Era, Dec. 1969, 69

Godly Whisperings

“In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. … It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen betterto the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd.”

- James E. Faust, Ensign, May 1979, 53

Look Forward with an Eye of Faith

For some time I have known that chapters 5 and 32 in Alma deal with the same subject—faith. Until my reading last year, however, I had failed to notice how carefully the two sermons were tailored to their respective audiences. Alma’s listeners in chapter 5 were Church members in Zarahemla (see Alma 5:2). This city was the headquarters of the Church, and one may assume that the members knew the doctrine. In contrast, the listeners in chapter 32 were the poverty-stricken Zoramites who had been forced out of the synagogues by the rich. The people in this part of the land had drifted far from the truth (see Alma 31:12–17). Although the poor were humble and wanted to learn, they were investigators needing to be taught gospel fundamentals.

Alma’s sermon in chapter 5 to the members in Zarahemla was deep and complex. The series of questions he posed assumed familiarity with the doctrine and experience with the Holy Ghost. Otherwise, the questions would have had little meaning and been difficult to answer. The purpose of the questions was to prompt those members in Zarahemla to review and renew their faith in the Lord and His redemptive powers. Listen to the questions (see Alma 5:14–15):

• Have you spiritually been born of God?

• Have you received His image in your countenances?

• Have you experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

• Do you exercise faith in the redemption of Him who created you?

• Do you look forward with an eye of faith and view this mortal body raised in immortality to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds that have been done in the mortal body?

To appreciate and answer these questions, one must know about and believe in the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, have experienced a cleansing by water and by fire, have tasted the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and believe in the literal resurrection of the physical body. This was not a sermon for initiates but for well-grounded members of the Church.

In contrast, Alma taught the Zoramite investigators the rudiments of faith—how faith in Christ begins and then grows. The sermon in chapter 32 is so clear concerning the faith-building process that missionaries use it today to teach investigators how they may develop a testimony. The process begins with a “desire to believe.” An individual must then plant the seed—which is the word of God—in his or her heart by searching the scriptures, listening to the words of the prophets, praying and asking for a confirmation of gospel truths, going to church, and obeying the commandments. The result, Alma said, will be a swelling in one’s bosom, an enlightenment of the mind, and warm feelings in the heart (see Alma 32:28). These are the beginning of a testimony—and the seed is good. Anyone with a sincere desire to know can obtain a testimony by following Alma’s teachings in chapter 32.

After explaining the initial faith-building process, Alma continued with a question in chapter 32: “After ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?” (Alma 32:35). No—the process has just begun (see Alma 32:36). The seed has grown but is still only a seedling. Alma explained that if one continued faithful, the seedling would grow into a tree. What tree? The tree of life! (see Alma 32:41). This tree is a symbol of God’s love for His children expressed through the condescension and atoning sacrifice of His Son (see 1 Nephi 11:9–33; John 3:16).

Alma taught the Zoramites that when the tree was deep within their souls, they would feast upon its fruit and not hunger or thirst (see Alma 32:42–43). In other words, they would have experienced spiritual rebirth—the mighty change of heart—and the tree deep within their soul would produce God’s image in their countenances.

- Merrill J. Bateman, Look Forward with an Eye of Faith, BYU fireside address given on 5 March 2006

Husbands, first and foremost...

“ ‘Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church’ (Eph. 5:25). In latter-day revelation the Lord speaks again of this obligation. He said, ‘Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else’ (D&C 42:22). To my knowledge there is only one other thing in all scripture that we are commanded to love with all our hearts, and that is God Himself. Think what that means! This kind of love can be shown for your wives in so many ways. First and foremost, nothing except God Himself takes priority over your wife in your life—not work, not recreation, not hobbies. Your wife is your precious, eternal helpmate—your companion.”

- Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Fathers in Israel,” Ensign, Nov 1987, 48

Patience

"Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God’s will and accept His timing. When you are patient, you hold up under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and hopefully. Patience is related to hope and faith—you must wait for the Lord’s promised blessings to be fulfilled."

- from Preach My Gospel

Becoming One

Perfection comes through the Atonement of Christ. We become one with him, with a perfect being. And as we become one, there is a merger. Some of my students are studying business, and they understand it better if I talk in business terms. You take a small bankrupt firm that's about ready to go under and merge it with a corporate giant. What happens? Their assets and liabilities flow together, and the new entity that is created is solvent. . . . Spiritually, this is what happens when we enter into the covenant relationship with our Savior. We have liabilities, he has assets. He proposes to us a covenant relationship. I use the word "propose" on purpose because it is a marriage of a spiritual sort that is being proposed. That is why he is called the Bridegroom. . . . I become one with Christ, and as partners we work together for my salvation and my exaltation. My liabilities and his assets flow into each other. I do all that I can do, and he does what I cannot yet do. The two of us together are perfect. This is why the Savior says in Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

- Stephen E. Robinson, Believing Christ: A Practical Approach to the
Atonement, BYU Devotional Address given on May 29, 1990

Testimony

“To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to take the Lord’s side on every issue. It is to vote as he would vote. It is to think what he thinks, to believe what he believes, to say what he would say and do what he would do in the same situation. It is to have the mind of Christ and be one with him as he is one with his Father”

- Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign, Nov. 1974, 35

Rebelled and Strayed

I remember one man whose son not only rebelled and strayed from the church, he was into drugs, went to prison, and finally [took his own life]. He said, “What hope is there for my boy? For my eternal Family? My wife and I have been righteous - sealed in the temple - tried to live our covenants...” A verse of scripture came to mind, as I talked with him, in the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. As we talked, I said, “Now you never know the Lord’s mercy in His plan - let’s not judge. Let the Lord do all the judging.” He said, “My son - at best - lived a telestial law. What can I hope for any better than that? I’ll never see him again.” I said, “Never under estimate the power of the temple and those ordinances.” Notice what section 76 suggests to us - we read this together - this is verses 86 through 89 (He’s speaking of the telestial - the kingdom this man thought his son surely would go to): “These are they who receive not of his fulness in the eternal world, but of the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the terrestrial; and the terrestrial through the ministration of the celestial. And also the telestial receive it of the administering of angels who are appointed to minister for them, or who are appointed to be ministering spirits for them; for they shall be heirs of salvation. And thus we saw, in the heavenly vision, the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding.” Now it seems that that verse is saying that those of the higher kingdoms minister to those of the lower kingdoms. Joseph Smith rewrote section 76 in poetic form, and that particular verse talks about ministering angels of the higher kingdoms to the lower kingdoms. He [Joseph] kind of created his own verb - he said they ‘happify’ them. That’s a beautiful thought. Those of the upper kingdoms minister to and happify even those of the telestial kingdom. And I said to that brother, “If your son - and we don’t know this - granted your assessment - ends up in the telestial kingdom, and the Lord said, “I need someone to happify and minister to that boy,” whose hand would be the first to go up - as a volunteer? And who - by right of temple sealings - and covenants you have been faithful to - would be the most logical person to happify and minister to that child? To see that they were happy. Would it not be you, the parents? The grandparents? The aunts? The uncles? The siblings?” The very last part of section 76 [verses 110-112] speaks again in the very worst case scenario - that a child stays ‘strayed’ and the very best you can hope for is a telestial world. The Lord says of those people, “These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever; for they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared; and they shall be servants of the Most High...” Not a bad way to spend eternity: faith and understanding of the Savior, and a servant of the Most High, ministered to and happified by those of higher kingdoms.

- Michael Wilcox, Oct 3, 2005,Using the Scriptures to Solve Serious Problems, Families Under Fire Conference

The Great Commandment

"When Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment to 'love one another; as I have loved you,' (John 13:34), He gave to them the grand key to happiness in this life and glory in the next. Love is the greatest of all the commandments - all others hang upon it. It is our focus as followers of the living Christ. It is the one trait that, if developed, will most improve our lives."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 30-31

God

"The supreme Governor of the universe and the Father of mankind. We learn from the revelations that have been given that there are three separate persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. From latter-day revelation we learn that the Father and the Son have tangible bodies of flesh and bone, and that the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit without flesh and bone. When one speaks of God, it is generally the Father who is referred to; that is, Elohim. All mankind are his children. The personage known as Jehovah in Old Testament times, and who is usually identified in the Old Testament as LORD (in capital letters), is the Son, known as Jesus Christ, and who is also a God. Jesus works under the direction of the Father and is in complete harmony with him. All mankind are his brethren and sisters, he being the eldest of the spirit children of Elohim. Many of the things that the scripture says were done "by God" were actually done by the LORD (Jesus). Thus the scripture says that “God created the heaven and the earth,” but we know that it was actually the LORD (Jesus) who was the creator, or as Paul said, God created all things by Christ Jesus. The Holy Ghost is also a God and is variously called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit, the Spirit of God, etc. Although God created all things and is the ruler of the universe, being omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent (through his Spirit), mankind has a special relationship to him that differentiates man from all other created things: man is literally God’s offspring, made in his image, whereas all other things are but the work of his hands. The God of the scriptures is a holy being[, and] man is commanded to be holy because God is holy."

- see more in the Bible Dictionary listed under “God.”

The Plan of Salvation

In the premortal existence, Heavenly Father prepared a plan to enable us to become like Him and receive a fulness of joy. The scriptures refer to this plan as "the plan of salvation" (Alma 24:14; Moses 6:62), "the great plan of happiness" (Alma 42:8), "the plan of redemption" (Jacob 6:8; Alma 12:30), and "the plan of mercy" (Alma 42:15). The plan of salvation is the fulness of the gospel. It
includes the Creation, the Fall, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and all the laws, ordinances, and doctrines of the gospel. Moral agency, the ability to choose and act for ourselves, is also essential in
Heavenly Father's plan. Because of this plan, we can be perfected through the Atonement, receive a fulness of joy, and live forever in the presence of God. Our family relationships can last throughout the eternities.

- from lds.org, Gospel Library, Gospel Topics

God Wants Us to Become Like Him

"God himself, finding he was in the midst of spirits and glory, because he was more intelligent, saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have a privilege to advance like himself. The relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge. He has power to institute laws to instruct the weaker intelligences, that they may be exalted with Himself, so that they might have one glory upon another, and all that knowledge, power, glory, and intelligence, which is requisite in order to save them in the world of spirits." - Joseph Smith, King Follett Discourse

Charity (the pure love of Christ) is not an act but a condition or state of being.

"Our needed conversions are often achieved more readily by suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranquility, as Elder Hales taught us so beautifully this morning. Father Lehi promised his son Jacob that God would 'consecrate [his] afflictions for [his] gain' (2 Ne. 2:2). The Prophet Joseph was promised that 'thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high' (D&C 121:7–8).

"Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures call 'the furnace of affliction' (Isa. 48:10; 1 Ne. 20:10). Some are submerged in service to a disadvantaged family member. Others suffer the death of a loved one or the loss or postponement of a righteous goal like marriage or childbearing. Still others struggle with personal impairments or with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, or depression. Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become.

"We are challenged to move through a process of conversion toward that status and condition called eternal life. This is achieved not just by doing what is right, but by doing it for the right reason—for the pure love of Christ. The Apostle Paul illustrated this in his famous teaching about the importance of charity (see 1 Cor. 13). The reason charity never fails and the reason charity is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness he cited is that charity, 'the pure love of Christ' (Moro. 7:47), is not an act but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes. Thus, as Moroni declared, 'except men shall have charity they cannot inherit' the place prepared for them in the mansions of the Father (Ether 12:34; emphasis added)."

- Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 32–34

Choice

“When we come to understand not only who we are but who we have always been — and therefore who we may become — the choice between following Christ or embracing the world is really no choice at all.”

- Sheri L. Dew, Saying It Like It Is

Perishable Pleasures and Preoccupations

"The adversary is delighted when we act like sightseers, meaning those who are hearers rather than doers of the word (see James 1:22 ), or shoppers, meaning those preoccupied with the vain things of this world that suffocate our spirits. Satan baits us with perishable pleasures and preoccupations-our bank accounts, our wardrobes, even our waistlines-for he knows that where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also (see Matt. 6:21 ). Unfortunately, it is easy to let the blinding glare of the adversary's enticements distract us from the light of Christ."

- Sheri L. Dew, “We Are Women of God,” Ensign, Nov 1999, 97

Our Author

"I recall the story of a very voracious reader, a woman who had a study filled with books. Each night she would come home and read from books in her library. She always finished every book she read.

"One night she decided to read a book that she had been especially avoiding. She picked the book up and began to read. It was very dull and uninteresting, but she had made a promise she would never read a book without finishing it. She continued, night after night, until finally she read the last page, replaced the book on the shelf and made this mental note to herself: 'That was the dullest book I have ever read!'

"Sometime later she was out with a gentleman friend, and he asked if she had ever read such and such a book. It was that book; she remembered it; and she said, 'Yes, why?'

"He said, 'I wrote it.' Then they talked about the book.

"Later that evening, when he dropped her off, she went into her study, pulled the book off the shelf, and read through the long hours of the night. When the first streaks of sunlight shafted across the sky, she closed the book, replaced it on the bookshelf, and made another mental note to herself: 'That was the most beautiful book I have ever read.' The difference was that she now knew the author. . . .

"We must come to know our Author."

- Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, "Where Following Him Can Lead Us, " Ensign, February 1981

Priesthood Power

"While the power of the priesthood is unlimited, our individual power in the priesthood is limited by our degree of righteousness or purity. Just as clean wires, properly connected, are required to carry electrical power, so clean hands and pure hearts are required to carry priesthood power. Filth and grime slow or prevent the flow of electrical power. Unclean thoughts and actions interfere with individual priesthood power. When we are humble, clean, and pure of hand, heart, and mind, nothing righteous is impossible."

- John H. Groberg, “Priesthood Power,” Ensign, May 2001, 43

Nephi's Psalm

"Nephi's psalm (2 Nephi 4:16—35) constitutes one of the great lyric outbursts in the Book of Mormon. Like the psalms of David, it is replete with vivid figurative language, dramatically rising and falling emotions, and parallelism (the principal formal feature of Hebrew poetry). It also contains themes that figure prominently in the Psalter—praise, thanksgiving, love of scripture, anger with enemies, and the conviction of sin. Like biblical psalms, Nephi's psalm articulates universal feelings of self-reproach and rejoicing, of pleading and praising. At the same time, it is enriched by the particular narrative context in which it is embedded, seeming to emerge naturally from the predicament Nephi confronted as he assumed the lonely mantle of leadership following the death of his father (2 Nephi 4:12) to face the fratricidal wrath of his brothers and the imminent dissolution of his extended family." - John S. Tanner, http://farms.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=10&num=2&id=253

In the midst of my personal reading, I had completely forgotten that 2 Nephi 4:16—35 has been referred to as Nephi's Psalm. With that in mind, as I was reading that chapter this last week, those verses struck me as being very deep and beautiful. I found myself reading it again and again for about a week. Then I remembered the bit about it being Nephi's Psalm. Of course! I thought. I still haven't moved on to chapter 5. Read them and see if you are not moved spiritually by them. I suggest there is much here that can be applied to each of our lives.

"Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heartis broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen" - 2 Nephi 4:16—35

Meekness and Pride

"It is in the cultivation of a broken heart and a contrite spirit that the individual finds the channel of spiritual communication with the Father and honors and accepts the atoning sacrifice of the Son. Pride erects a barrier to the blessings of the Spirit. Meekness dissolves the barrier and invites an influx of glory and joy that can come solely through covenant valor and submission to the will of God."

- Teachings and Commentaries on the Doctrine and Covenants, Authors: Pinegar, Allen, Anderson, p.121

A Time to be Believing

"In the course of life all of us spend time in 'dark and dreary' places, wildernesses, circumstances of sorrow or fear or discouragement. Our present day is filled with global distress over financial crises, energy problems, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities. These translate into individual and family concerns not only about homes in which to live and food available to eat but also about the ultimate safety and well-being of our children and the latter-day prophecies about our planet. More serious than these—andsometimes related to them—are matters of ethical, moral, and spiritual decay seen in populations large and small, at home and abroad. But I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness 'angels came and ministered unto him [Matt 4:11].' Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so suchministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. ... I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He 'would fight [our] battles, [our] children’s battles, and [the battles of our] children’s
children. [D&C 98:37]' And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to 'search diligently, pray always, and be believing[. Then] all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted. [D&C 90:24]' The
latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Ministry of Angels,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 29–31

Faith, Testimony, and God’s Image in Our Countenance

"[As taught by Alma in Alma 32,] the process [of faith-building] begins with a 'desire to believe.' An individual must then plant the seed, which is the word of God, in his or her heart by searching the scriptures, listening to the words of the prophets, praying and asking for a confirmation of gospel truths, going to church, and obeying the commandments. The result, Alma says, will be a swelling in one’s bosom, an enlightenment of the mind, and warm feelings in the heart (see Alma 32:28). These are the beginnings of a testimony—and the seed is good. Anyone with a sincere desire to know can obtain a testimony by following Alma’s teachings in chapter 32.

After explaining the initial faith-building process, Alma continues with a question in chapter 32: 'After ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?' (Alma 32:35). No—the process has just begun (see Alma 32:36). The seed has grown but is still only a seedling. Alma explains that if one continues faithful, the seedling will grow into a tree. What tree? The tree of life! (see Alma 32:41). This tree is a symbol of God’s love for His children expressed through the condescension and atoning sacrifice of His Son (see 1 Nephi 11:9–33; John 3:16).

Alma teaches the Zoramites that when the tree is deep within their souls, they will feast upon its fruit and not hunger or thirst (see Alma 32:42–43). In other words, they will have experienced spiritual rebirth—the mighty change of heart—and the tree deep within their soul will produce God’s image in their countenances.

- Elder Merrill J. Bateman, CES Fireside for Young Adults, March 5, 2006

Grounded and Rooted

" 'Will ye also go away?' (John 6:67), the Master asked His disciples after many of his fair-weather followers went back, and 'walked no more with him.' (John 6:66.) The very process of daily living makes and breaks followers. Life's stern seasons and storms overturn those not grounded and rooted (See Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:23; 1 Pet. 5:10). However, those who 'believe and are sure' (John 6:69) about Jesus' divinity do not panic, for instance, at the arrival of a new volley of fiery darts; they merely hold aloft the quenching shield of faith."

- Neal A. Maxwell, "'Answer Me'," Ensign, Nov 1988, 31

"Mine Afflictions Were Great Above All"

We started - again - reading the Book of Mormon at bedtime. My children know that we have done this off and on (mostly on) as a family for the past 35 years. Well, while reading chapters 11-15 of the first book of Nephi, I noticed something I hadn't before. Here's a little background: Nephi, having listened to his father's retelling the dream he had about The Tree of Life and so forth, "desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart," the Spirit showed the same vision to him that Lehi had seen. He also was shown the future destruction of his posterity at the hands of the posterity of his brothers, and then the seed of his brothers dwindling "in unbelief" and their becoming "a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations." He was also shown the future abominations and wickedness of the people of the earth.

After returning to the tent of his father, he found his brothers "disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them." Nephi "was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, and also, because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men."

Here is where I noticed what I had not before:

Nephi states he was "overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all." Overcome by his afflictions, and considered them great above all. I wondered if I had ever felt as overcome by my afflictions. And if so, did I handle it as well as he did (assuredly not), for "after I had received strength [undoubtdly, from the Lord] I spake unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations." He then helped them with their "disputations;" interpreted their father's dream for them; exhorted "them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things;" and was the instrument in causing them "that they did humble themselves before the Lord."

I pray for such strength. As Gordon B. Hinckley's father wrote to him while on a mission, "I have only one suggestion: forget yourself and go to work."* Nephi forgot himself (and his afflictions) and went to work.

*“Sweet Is the Work: Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th President of the Church,” New Era, May 1995, 8

Families Need Unstructured Time

"We live in a world that is filled with options. If we are not careful, we will find every minute jammed with social events, classes, exercise time, book clubs, scrapbooking, Church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows. One mother told me of a time that her children had 29 scheduled commitments every week: music lessons, scouts, dance, Little League, day camps, soccer, art, and so forth. She felt like a taxi driver. Finally, she called a family meeting and announced, 'Something has to go; we have no time to ourselves and no time for each other.' Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 109-110

Personal Inspiration

"No one of us can survive in the world of today, much less in what it soon will become, without personal inspiration."

- Elder Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1991

The Holy Ghost

"Nothing in this life is of greater worth than the supernal gift of the Holy Ghost. It is the source of joy, peace, knowledge, strength, love, and every other good thing. [Coupled] with the Atonement, it is the power by which we may be changed and made strong where we are weak. [Coupled] with the priesthood, it is the power by which marriages and families are sealed together eternally. [The Holy Ghost] is the power by which the Lord makes Himself manifest unto those who believe in Him. Every good thing depends on getting and keeping the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Everything depends on that."

- Lawrence E. Corbridge, "The Way," Ensign, Nov 2008, 34–36

Elder Oaks Bares Testimony

"I know that we have a Heavenly Father, whose plan brings us to earth and provides the conditions and destiny of our eternal journey. I know that we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, whose teachings define the plan and whose Atonement gives the assurance of immortality and the opportunity for eternal life. I know that the Father and the Son appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith to restore the fulness of the gospel in these latter days. And I know that we are led today by a prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, who holds the keys to authorize priesthood holders to perform the ordinances prescribed for our progress toward eternal life."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Testimony," Ensign, May 2008, 26–29