tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64782732731866236632024-03-13T05:05:23.969-07:00Scriptorium BlogoriumSharing scripture insights, discussion, expansion, and so on.Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.comBlogger1449125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-27645351283039696682022-07-03T14:17:00.005-07:002022-07-03T14:17:39.345-07:00Lessons from Elijah’s time of discouragement, 1 Kings 19<p>
</p><p class="verse" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">1 </span>And Ahab told Jezebel all that
Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403625" id="p2" style="--height: 98.93333435058594px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">2 </span>Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying,
So let the <span data-scroll-id="note2a"><span class="study-note-ref">gods</span></span>
do <span class="clarity-word">to me,</span> and more also, if I make not thy life
as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403626" id="p3" style="--height: 98.93333435058594px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">3 </span>And when he saw <span class="clarity-word">that,</span>
he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which <span class="clarity-word">belongeth</span> to Judah, and left his servant there.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403627" id="p4" style="--height: 156.5333251953125px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">4 </span><span class="para-mark">¶ </span>But he himself went
a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a <span data-scroll-id="note4a"><span class="study-note-ref">juniper tree</span></span>:
and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>, take away my life; for I <span class="clarity-word">am</span> not better than my fathers.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403628" id="p5" style="--height: 70.13334655761719px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">5 </span>And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree,
behold, then an <span data-scroll-id="note5a"><span class="study-note-ref">angel</span></span>
touched him, and said unto him, Arise <span class="clarity-word">and</span> eat.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403629" id="p6" style="--height: 98.93333435058594px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">6 </span>And he looked, and, behold, <span class="clarity-word">there was</span> a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of
water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403630" id="p7" style="--height: 98.93331909179688px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">7 </span>And the angel of the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>
came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise <span class="clarity-word">and</span> eat; because the journey <span class="clarity-word">is</span> too great for thee.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403631" id="p8" style="--height: 98.93333435058594px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">8 </span>And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in
the strength of that <span data-scroll-id="note8a"><span class="study-note-ref">meat</span></span>
<span data-scroll-id="note8b"><span class="study-note-ref">forty</span></span> days
and forty nights unto <span data-scroll-id="note8c"><span class="study-note-ref">Horeb</span></span>
the <span data-scroll-id="note8d"><span class="study-note-ref">mount of God</span></span>.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403632" id="p9" style="--height: 98.93333435058594px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">9 </span><span class="para-mark">¶ </span>And he came thither
unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> <span class="clarity-word">came</span> to him, and
he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403633" id="p10" style="--height: 156.53334045410156px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">10 </span>And he said, I have been very jealous
for the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> God of hosts: for the children of
Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy
prophets with the sword; and I, <span class="clarity-word">even</span> I only, am
left; and they <span data-scroll-id="note10a"><span class="study-note-ref">seek</span></span>
my life, to take it away.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403634" id="p11" style="--height: 185.3333282470703px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">11 </span>And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount
before the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>. And, behold, the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the
mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>;
<span class="clarity-word">but</span> the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> <span class="clarity-word">was</span> not in the wind: and after the wind an
earthquake; <span class="clarity-word">but</span> the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>
<span class="clarity-word">was</span> not in the earthquake:</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128403635" id="p12" style="--height: 70.13333129882812px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">12 </span>And after the earthquake a fire; <span class="clarity-word">but</span> the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> <span class="clarity-word">was</span> not in the fire: and after the fire a <span data-scroll-id="note12a"><span class="study-note-ref">still</span></span> small <span data-scroll-id="note12b"><span class="study-note-ref">voice</span></span>.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128406066" id="p13" style="--height: 127.73333740234375px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">13 </span>And it was <span class="clarity-word">so,</span>
when Elijah heard <span class="clarity-word">it,</span> that he wrapped his face
in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And,
behold, <span class="clarity-word">there came</span> a voice unto him, and said,
What doest thou here, Elijah?</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128406067" id="p14" style="--height: 156.53334045410156px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">14 </span>And he said, I have been very <span data-scroll-id="note14a"><span class="study-note-ref">jealous</span></span> for the
<span class="small-caps">Lord</span> God of hosts: because the children of Israel
have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets
with the sword; and I, <span class="clarity-word">even</span> I only, am <span data-scroll-id="note14b"><span class="study-note-ref">left</span></span>; and they
seek my life, to take it away.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128406068" id="p15" style="--height: 98.93333435058594px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">15 </span>And the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> said
unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou
comest, anoint Hazael <span class="clarity-word">to be</span> <span data-scroll-id="note15a"><span class="study-note-ref">king</span></span> over Syria:</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128406069" id="p16" style="--height: 98.93331909179688px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">16 </span>And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou <span data-scroll-id="note16a"><span class="study-note-ref">anoint</span></span> <span class="clarity-word">to be</span> king over Israel: and <span data-scroll-id="note16b"><span class="study-note-ref">Elisha</span></span> the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah
shalt thou <span data-scroll-id="note16c"><span class="study-note-ref">anoint</span></span>
<span class="clarity-word">to be</span> prophet in thy room.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128406070" id="p17" style="--height: 98.93333435058594px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">17 </span>And it shall come to pass, <span class="clarity-word">that</span> him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu
slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128406071" id="p18" style="--height: 98.93333435058594px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">18 </span>Yet I have left <span class="clarity-word">me</span>
seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and
every mouth which hath not kissed him.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128406072" id="p19" style="--height: 127.73333740234375px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">19 </span><span class="para-mark">¶ </span>So he
departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who <span class="clarity-word">was</span> plowing <span class="clarity-word">with</span>
twelve yoke <span class="clarity-word">of oxen</span> before him, and he with the
twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his <span data-scroll-id="note19a"><span class="study-note-ref">mantle</span></span> upon him.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128406073" id="p20" style="--height: 127.73333740234375px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">20 </span>And he left the oxen, and ran after
Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and <span class="clarity-word">then</span> I will <span data-scroll-id="note20a"><span class="study-note-ref">follow</span></span> thee. And he said unto him, Go back
again: for what have I done to thee?</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128406074" id="p21" style="--height: 127.73333740234375px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">21 </span>And he returned back from him, and
took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments
of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and
went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. (1 Kings 19)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This chapter happens after all the dramatic events of the Diety
Duel between Jehovah and Baal, wherein Jehovah sends fire to burn up the sacrifice
of the altar that Elijah builds and there is no response from Baal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Elijah evidently hoped that this miraculous demonstration of
fire from heaven would change things and bring the people of Israel back to the
worship of Jehovah. Sadly, it turned out that it didn’t solve the systemic
problem of a queen that was hostile to the worship of Jehovah and who now wanted
to kill the prophet of Elijah. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Understandably, this was very discouraging to Elijah. And
not only that, he’d been under a lot of physical stress. He’d been traveling
hither and yon keeping out of King Ahab’s and Queen Jezebel’s clutches. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is interesting to see this series of interchanges between
Elijah and the Lord in this chapter. You don’t see much of this in other
chapters; most of the time the Lord tells Elijah to do something, and Elijah
just goes to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here, it’s
almost like he “goes off the reservation” because at least twice the Lord asks
him what he’s doing there. (I’m sure the Lord knew, but He wanted Elijah to
tell Him.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The place Elijah is at has great meaning and significance. His
destination turns out to be mount Horeb, one of the mountains at which Moses
receives commandments from the Lord. This would be like if President Nelson got
in blue funk and decided to go back to the Sacred Grove or Palmyra, New York to
the Joseph Smith farm and sit around there for a while.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love that the Lord sends an angel to Elijah while he’s
stopped in his journey, to bring him food and drink. And not just once, but
twice. I love that the angel says to him, “Arisen and eat, because the journey
is too great for thee.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That validation
of Eijah’s difficulties shows the Lord’s awareness of what Elijah is going
through. He knows it is hard, and sometimes talking about the hard really
helps. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I also love that Elijah really tells how he feels. “I have been
very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have
forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with
the sword: and I , even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away.”
(v10)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What can we see that Elijah wants, based on what he says to
the Lord in this chapter? </p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>He wants to die (v4)</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>He wants to rest.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>And yet he doesn’t like that other people (especially
Jezebel) want to kill him</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>He’d rather have the Lord take his life.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>When he says “for I am not better than my
fathers” (v4) it seems like he hoped he could be a better prophet than those
that came before him and he hoped to be more successful in bringing the people
back to the Lord, but found that he wasn’t any better and was disappointed by
that. (This is another instance of what Jesus taught that “if they reject me,
they will reject you too.”)</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>When Elijah says he is alone, we get the sense
that he wanted some help, someone to stand with him.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>When he tells of how the Israelites forsook the
covenant, gotten rid of the altars, and slain the prophets, we get the sense
that he really wants to change things and bring them back to God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How does the Lord respond to Elijah and the things he wants?</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>He nourishes Elijah with food and drink twice
through the angel</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>He gives emotional comfort and validation
through the angel</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>He reaches out and asks Elijah questions about
why Elijah was there. (Encouraging conversation so as to get to the root
matter.)</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>He demonstrates power with a spiritual lesson to
teach and edify Elijah. (it seems like the stuff about the big wind,
earthquake, and fire were meant to show that the big dramatic displays are not
as powerful and penetrating as Elijah would have thought. Up to that point, Elijah’s
miracles were the big stuff of drought, fire, reviving life, and continual food
supply. But the still, small voice reaches Elijah’s heart, showing that the
Lord can do His own work of convincing, while still allowing man agency.)</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The Lord gives a mission for Elijah to go anoint
Hazel to be king over Syria and Jehu to be king over Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>He gives intelligence that Elisha will be prophet
in Elijah’s place. V19-21 show that Elijah got right on that and found Elisha
and called him to be part of the Lord’s work.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>He tells Elijah that there are still 7000 faithful
in Israel that have not worshipped Baal. </p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Ultimately, in 2 Kings 2:1-11, we read that later
the Lord took Elijah into heaven and made him a translated being. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let’s compare those two lists side by side now and see how
they match up.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What Elijah wants</b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Lord’s matching response</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">To die</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">(Later gift of translating Elijah)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">To rest</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">Food, drink, letting him travel to mount Horeb for a while
to ponder the spiritual significance of that place and the miracles that
occurred there. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Might translation
also be considered a rest of some sort?)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">For other people to not kill him</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">(The translation of Elijah will prevent anyone from ever
killing him)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">For the Lord to take his life</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">(The Lord will take him up into heaven, translate him, </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">To be a better prophet than those who came before</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">Demonstration that the still, small voice has penetrating
power. </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">To have someone to stand with him</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">Information that Elisha will take his place (which sends
Elijah to him to start training and then he isn’t alone) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Information that there are still 7000 faithful in Israel. </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">To change things, to bring Israel back to God</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.75pt;" valign="top" width="312">
<p class="MsoNormal">Mission to set in place regime change by anointing a new
king of Syria and a new king of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This will shake things up a bit and the new conditions may encourage
Israel to return to God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Ultimately, the translation of Elijah will enable him to
be part of other important events relating to moving the Lord’s work forward
and recover Israel, such as being present on the Mount of Transfiguration, and
coming to the Kirtland temple to give sealing keys to Joseph Smith.)</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can see that in one way or another, the Lord addressed
all of Elijah’s requests, whether explicitly stated or implicit. Some of them
He fulfilled in very unique ways. Some of the requests were not granted
immediately, but over the longer term (even over thousands of years). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This chapter teaches that we can go to God when we are
discouraged and lay it all out with Him and that He will strengthen us in all
the ways we need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s remember to take
our problems to God.</p>
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{margin-bottom:0in;}</style></p>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-44816615137813766372022-04-10T15:57:00.000-07:002022-04-10T15:57:39.176-07:00The Lesson for Us from the Israelites’ Battle with the Amalekites<div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">8 </span><span class="para-mark">¶ </span>Then
came <span data-scroll-id="note8a"><span class="study-note-ref">Amalek</span></span>,
and fought with Israel in Rephidim
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128416402" id="p9" style="--height: 75.60000610351562px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">9 </span>And Moses said unto <span data-scroll-id="note9a"><span class="study-note-ref">Joshua</span></span>, Choose us out men, and go out, fight
with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the <span data-scroll-id="note9b"><span class="study-note-ref">rod</span></span> of God in
mine hand.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128416403" id="p10" style="--height: 75.60000610351562px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">10 </span>So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought
with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128416404" id="p11" style="--height: 75.59999084472656px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">11 </span>And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand,
that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128416405" id="p12" style="--height: 126px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">12 </span>But Moses’ hands <span data-scroll-id="note12a"><span class="clarity-word">were</span><span class="study-note-ref"> heavy</span></span>;
and they took a stone, and put <span class="clarity-word">it</span> under him,
and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur <span data-scroll-id="note12b"><span class="study-note-ref">stayed up</span></span> his hands, the one on the one
side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the
going down of the sun.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128416406" id="p13" style="--height: 50.40000915527344px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">13 </span>And Joshua <span data-scroll-id="note13a"><span class="study-note-ref">discomfited</span></span> Amalek and his people with the
edge of the sword.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="verse" data-aid="128416407" id="p14" style="--height: 100.79998779296875px; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span class="verse-number">14 </span>And the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>
said unto Moses, Write this <span class="clarity-word">for</span> a memorial in a
<span data-scroll-id="note14a"><span class="study-note-ref">book</span></span>, and
rehearse <span class="clarity-word">it</span> in the ears of Joshua: (Exodus 17:8-14)<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We usually make this story about the importance of
sustaining our leaders. It’s a good lesson, since our good leaders have many demands
on them and need help accomplishing the work they are inspired to do. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, I noticed another lesson in this story today, a
larger one for all of us, whether we’re leaders or not. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Remember, the children of Israel have already had one battle
with the Amalekites and it isn’t over when the day is over. They’re going to
have this battle the next day too. This is strenuous work, and they are not
trained warriors. They do the best they can by choosing out men to go fight,
but their chosen men were still not trained. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So on the second day, Moses holds up his hand—he was
probably inspired to do this—and when he does it, he can see from his elevated
position on top of the hill that Israel succeeds when he does that. So you do more
of what works, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If holding up your
hand brings success, then you keep doing that as long as it takes, until the
job is done.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Think about how much endurance it takes to hold up your
hand. Compare that to the amount of endurance it would take to swing a sword
all day while fighting with an enemy. Those are very different kinds of activities,
but they both take strength and endurance. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Side note story: I once was visiting with my little nieces and
nephews and got two of them into a contest to see who could keep their arm up the
longest while holding a 5 lb weight. It was fascinating how competitive they
were and all the machinations they went through to relieve their weariness
while still keeping their arms up. I think they got to 30 minutes before it was
time for lunch and their mom forced a stop to the contest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How long do you suppose that battle took? How long did Moses
have to hold his arm up? We see in the text that he got tired after a while and
that’s when his brother Aaron and this other fellow Hurr had him sit on a rock
while they held his hands up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did
this <i>the whole day,</i> “until the going down of the sun.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a super long time. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now, here’s the two-million-dollar question: While we know
who held up Moses’ hands, <i>who held up the hands of the Israelites in the
battle</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was the Lord. The Lord gave them the strength, the
endurance, the energy, the determination, the perseverance, all of it, to keep
swinging that sword and keep swinging that sword and dodging and darting and
jabbing and running and pushing and on and on…</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That was the miracle that we’re supposed to learn and
remember from this story. While the prophet got tired and had two persons who
held him up, the Lord upheld the people in battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So when we need strength and endurance and perseverance and
energy because we are just not cut out for the job in front of us, we know who
we can turn to and ask for help. </p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-18863035921416634632022-02-25T18:53:00.000-08:002022-02-25T18:53:10.053-08:00 A picture can affect our understanding of the scriptures<p> One of my church callings that I've had for the last two years has been ward bulletin specialist. A small part of the calling that I particularly enjoy is the opportunity to choose the pictures and a scripture to go on the front of it. I usually like to choose a scripture that fits with the theme of the meeting, but sometimes I don't know what the theme is, so I get to freestyle a little.</p><p>Sometimes I've found a picture and then searched for a scripture to match it. Sometimes I have a scripture in mind and I have to choose a picture to match it. (Google images is not recommended, unless I can find an appropriate image free of copyright restrictions.)<br /></p><p>Something I've noticed is how the choice of picture can affect how I interpret the verse I choose. This particularly hit me this week. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUxjB3ukgWnn3bZWh0GnG4A5yt7v1-NGU3szPPrwJEB5PGeQ8RDU1dR0m0brxCqVdgeGPMVLpiI9Jjxig3OHOh6_oDxa3p5WvA-2o3E-WGlc2m030xislVpz8QpF3sjQ6jBvfBUmibQLI2w2bGfuKLxpDH7MPz-rZKCn_86tqRzNgye2EZH6SYCSZ1=s510" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="254" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUxjB3ukgWnn3bZWh0GnG4A5yt7v1-NGU3szPPrwJEB5PGeQ8RDU1dR0m0brxCqVdgeGPMVLpiI9Jjxig3OHOh6_oDxa3p5WvA-2o3E-WGlc2m030xislVpz8QpF3sjQ6jBvfBUmibQLI2w2bGfuKLxpDH7MPz-rZKCn_86tqRzNgye2EZH6SYCSZ1=w293-h590" width="293" /></a></div>After putting that scripture with this image, I found myself staring at it. I felt my heart begin to yearn to embrace my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I also felt their love for me in a powerful way. It seemed to me that commandment would be the easiest thing in the world to keep. <p></p><p> That verse of scripture lost all its abstraction and has became deep and tender. All because of a picture I paired with it.<br /><br /></p>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-85139405347519004892021-12-04T17:18:00.000-08:002021-12-04T17:18:07.738-08:00Toward Greater Inclusion: Re-examining the Gospel Net Parable of Matthew 13:47-50<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">I was reading my scriptures today, particularly in Matt 13, reminding
myself of some of Christ’s parables, when I ran across v47, which made me
ponder. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was
cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down,
and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall
come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be
wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 13:47-50)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is no explanation for this parable, unlike that of the
wheat and the tares. And it is really short, so it’s almost like it is expected
that the reader will understand it without too much trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>And yet, beyond the pretty obvious
message of judgment and the fact that the plight of the wicked is highlighted
when they are removed, it is hard to know why Christ thought it was necessary
to tell this in addition to the parable of the wheat and the tares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like there had to be something more in
this that I had overlooked. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These parables
are supposed to share the mysteries of the kingdom, after all.<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> </p>I started thinking about the process
of catching fish with a net. Is the kingdom of heaven like a net used in fishing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, I don’t really know because I’m so
far removed from anything like that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
seems like fish don’t just jump willy-nilly into the gospel net through
missionary work unless they are super-spiritually-prepared. I’ve grown up in
the gospel net and I’ve chosen to stay in it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard of some life-long members who might
feel like they are “caught” or “trapped” in the Church’s net though.<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> </p>Something that caught my attention in
the parable was the phrase “gathered of every kind.” I have seen short clips of
movies of workers on fishing boats sorting through a catch of fish, picking out
the types of fish they want. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That made
me wonder with relation to the parable--what happens to the types of fish they
don’t want?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if the fishermen catch
a jellyfish, for instance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that a marketable
product, or do they throw that out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
if the fishermen in this parable don’t want jellyfish? <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> </p>That’s when I noticed that in this
parable Christ doesn’t necessarily talk about the fish-sorting people being
particular about the <i>kind</i> of fish they want. He only tells of them distinguishing
between “good” and “bad.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He speaks of
the net having “gathered of every kind.”<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> </p>This led to an encouraging
realization—<i>Christ wants every kind of “fish” in His kingdom</i>. He wants
jellyfish, shark, and sea anemone, right along with tuna and salmon. He wants
every type. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>I love that</i> because
there are times when I can get my tuna on, but there are other times when I’m a
crazy sea cucumber, letting my freak flag fly, and that’s the best I can
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if Christ will accept my sea
cucumber, I’ll be the best darn sea cucumber I can be.<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> </p>Something else I noticed is what
happens to the fish. We might make the assumption that the good fish of the
parable are sold in the market for other people to eat, but they’re actually
not. They are actually “gathered…into vessels.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But what for? What happens to them? <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> </p>This might make you laugh, but the
only thing I could imagine those vessels might be was—<i>an aquarium collection</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they were to be eaten, the fish could just
be in baskets, but “vessels” implies some kind of pot that can hold water and
thus keep a fish alive. Even though we don’t visualize Bible people having
aquariums back then, an aquarium actually makes perfect sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because if the fish are gathered in vessels
for an aquarium, then the fish stay alive, and they are fed and stay safe, and they
don’t have to worry about other fish eating them out in the big scary sea where
big fish are always eating little fish. The aquariums are a safe, nourishing
place.<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> </p>So <i>of course</i> the aquarium-owner
wants every kind of fish! He loves them all! He wants to see the best specimens
of every kind of fish out there. (This is kind of like <i>Finding Nemo</i>, but
in reverse…)<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> </p>So maybe this parable is teaching
us that we don’t have to worry about fitting to some stifling cultural norm
that doesn’t take into account our various personalities and quirks. The only
thing we have to worry about is being the best we can be according to God’s
commandments. And maybe this parable was meant to teach church leaders to
appreciate the good manta rays along with the good trout and bass so they don’t
throw them out just because they don’t fit trout-and-bass expectations. It’s
also a good lesson for all of us that maybe we need to be humble enough to
observe each other and study each other to learn what type of “fish” we’re
meeting. We may have met a very good hammerhead shark or moray eel and we just
don’t know it.
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-69124928614063693402020-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:002020-02-14T09:21:50.460-08:00Review: The ScriptureNotes Web Application is a Powerful, Flexible, Study Tool<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Gospel Library app has some good marking and notation
tools, but for a long time I’ve felt its search tools left a lot to be desired.
My ipad had a scripture study app that had a pretty good search tool, but its
note-taking features frustrated me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today I’m happy to tell you about a better scripture study
tool. It’s called Scripturenotes. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NrraZYkpvc/XjzwEXoNIBI/AAAAAAAAA00/_O0ukISXVYsVtDprGxnGXriPon4vyAgkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-06%2Bat%2B10.02.55%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="180" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NrraZYkpvc/XjzwEXoNIBI/AAAAAAAAA00/_O0ukISXVYsVtDprGxnGXriPon4vyAgkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-06%2Bat%2B10.02.55%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you want to see this tool in action, you can go <a href="https://scripturenotes.com/" target="_blank">here</a> [https://scripturenotes.com]
to see a video example of it being used. When I watched it, I instantly could
see its potential and how it could jumpstart my scripture study, which has been
in a bit of a dull place lately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's very powerful. </span></div>
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</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can do a search for a word or phrase in the scriptures,
then can sort through the search results and eliminate results that aren’t
applicable. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, I can create a collection of a curated set of search
results, and then make notes on each verse and add different markings to those
verses. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The application provides places to make summarizing
statements about the whole collection and what was learned from it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It allows me to bold, underline, highlight text, even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">create my own footnotes</i>. [Can I just say
how excited I am to be allowed to create my own footnotes?]</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another thing about this application that is amazing to me
is that it seems like you can just start new search windows endlessly. You can go
down a scripture research rabbit hole and follow it as far as you want and not
have to worry about losing where you are with everything else. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And charts! You can add tables to a Master note and then populate
it with verses to compare and contrast with each other!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can put all kinds of other things in those Master notes:
pictures, links, inspiring youtube videos! This makes it incredibly flexible.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The way that it can give room for each verse to have its own
notes is another exciting thing. Just looking at that, I could see that if I’d
had that in 2018 when I was doing the very first drafting of my Revelation
Commentary (a project I’m working on revisions for, by the way,) I would
probably have made a lot more progress right away.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azw335K-mb8/XjzwWKs07iI/AAAAAAAAA08/HN4ahnbZhXEDwVFMeM9YlgI_Bn8srHCbgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-06%2Bat%2B9.58.57%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1163" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azw335K-mb8/XjzwWKs07iI/AAAAAAAAA08/HN4ahnbZhXEDwVFMeM9YlgI_Bn8srHCbgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-06%2Bat%2B9.58.57%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have another writing project on a scriptural topic that
will probably have new life breathed into it because of this application!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How is it on the internet? It depends on your connection. IF
you have a fast connection, this should be pretty quick. If your connection is
slower, it may go slower.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can you save your notes that you make on this app? Yes.
Creating a collection enables your notes to be saved in the application, and if
you want to have a hard copy, you can print a collection of scriptures, along
with the notes and markings you’ve made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, with all of this, you may be wondering if there are any
problems with this application. Would I change anything about it if I
could?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have three little quibbles:</span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>It is hard to remember what some of the icons
mean that are to the side of the verses. I kind of wish they had directions
that appear when the mouse rolls over them. (However, this becomes less of an
issue the more one uses the application.) [Edit: This issue has been fixed.]</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>It would be nice if collection notes saved
themselves automatically without having to push the Update button. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Collection notes have a hard time handling large
numbers of search results. It was choking over 300+ results, so I had to eliminate
some of the search results before I could make a collection. It would be nice
if they could just take whatever is thrown at them. [Edit: I've been told this cap is temporary and the current work-around is to make several collection notes and then sort search results into those various collection notes by using the 'drag-and-drop' button]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That being said, it seems like this application is really
well-designed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, how much does this application cost?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a subscription application, and use of the app costs
$49.95/year. This works out to $4.16 per month, or about 14 cents a day. This
powerful search tool is probably worth that because of how easy it will make it
to drill down into search results and record thoughts and impressions about what
you find. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of it this way: would you
pay 14 cents a day for a tool if you knew that just 15 minutes using it would enable
you to learn something new about the gospel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Flecks of gold, people, flecks of gold…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All in all, this is a very powerful and flexible scripture
study web application, and I highly recommend it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Disclosure
of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored
it compensated me via something of value to write it. Regardless, I only
recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers. I am
disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part
255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in
Advertising.”</i></span></span></div>
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{margin-bottom:0in;}</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-12705862264965959322020-01-14T14:13:00.000-08:002020-01-14T14:13:06.986-08:00Another perspective on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few weeks ago, the Come Follow Me study material talked about
the process of the Book of Mormon coming forth and how miraculous it was. It is
often observed how Joseph Smith produced the Book of Mormon through “the gift
and power of God” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What about the other perspective of Mormon and Moroni and
their process of writing? If it was impossible for Joseph Smith to compose all
those pages in 90 days (based on his lack of education), then what does that
say about the length and learning and complexity of the task that Mormon and
Moroni accomplished in writing it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly
it must have taken years and years of work and study for Mormon to write. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love that there is the statement of the three witnesses in
the very front of the Book of Mormon and that they saw the plates and that their
experience with the plates was mediated by an angel from God, which brought
divine sanction not only to their experience, but also to their communication of
that experience and what the book means for everybody.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, witnessed statement is admissible evidence in court. It
has to be taken very seriously. I love that Heavenly Father provided that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-26446829200003427192019-11-13T08:44:00.000-08:002019-11-13T08:44:06.356-08:00Preliminaries for Confirming or Ordaining
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And [Jesus] called them by name, saying: Ye shall call on the
Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have power
that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost;
and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles. (Moroni 2:2)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">2 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of
Christ, they <span class="study-note-ref">laid</span> their hands upon them, and
said:</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128358140" id="p3" style="--height: 107.84999084472656px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">3 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">In the name of Jesus
Christ I ordain you to be a priest (or if he be a <span class="study-note-ref">teacher</span>,
I ordain you to be a teacher) to preach repentance and <span class="study-note-ref">remission</span> of sins through Jesus Christ, by the
endurance of faith on his name to the end. Amen. (Moroni 3:2-3)</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">I notice these both
say that priesthood holders were to prepare for exercising the priesthood of
God by praying first. We see that Jesus instructed His disciples to do this,
advising “mighty prayer,” promising that then they would have power.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">What is the principle
behind Jesus’s commandments to pray mightily first? I think it is this: A man
must prepare spiritually and put himself in harmony with the Lord in order to
speak for the Lord to one of God’s children. Obedience and submission through
prayer is the first step, and praying as commanded does that. Secondly, putting
oneself in communication with the Father is necessary before one can have
confidence to speak for Him, and prayer is the way that we align our will with
His.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Do priesthood holders do
this today? I haven’t seen it, but then it may go on in the heart, which I can’t
see. But I am sure that if those scriptural practices are followed, greater blessings
will result while the priesthood is being used.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-42815036816254815762019-11-07T08:30:00.000-08:002019-11-07T08:30:29.616-08:00The Fountain of All Righteousness
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Behold, I will show unto the
Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity
bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness. (Ether 12:28)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This verse struck me as profound for some reason today, but
I’m not sure I can quite articulate why. (But I’ll try.) The idea that faith,
hope, and charity brings or leads us eventually to Christ is wonderful. It
means you just have to follow the threads of faith, hope, and charity that you
find in your life and among the people you meet, and you’ll eventually find
Christ and His true church.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, I love the Christ calls Himself “the fountain of all
righteousness.” It’s a beautiful image—a fountain perpetually springing up with
good works, a fountain that never runs dry, a fountain that is the source of
ALL righteousness in the world. If a person find a stream of righteousness
anywhere, they can follow it back, and it would eventually lead them to Christ.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If suppose if we want to be like Him, then we must similarly
become fountains of righteousness as well. Today, let’s try to be a fountain of
faith, hope, and charity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-24293309262230319622019-10-22T10:57:00.000-07:002019-10-22T10:57:12.983-07:00Stirred up emotions
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Book of Mormon has many instances of using the phrase “stirred
up” to describe the process of raising up emotions in order to push individuals
or crowds to action. It’s useful to look at these instances to see what we can
learn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Probably most notable of instances of stirring and stirring
up is when people are stirred up to anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Some larger principles about stirring to anger</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus declares that stirring people up to anger is no part
of His doctrine, but declares such things should be done away. (3 Nephi 11:30)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nephi says those who are part of the devil’s kingdom must be
stirred up to repentance, or the devil will stir them up to anger and they’ll
perish. (2 Ne. 28:19)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mormon declares the wicked stir people up to bloodshed.
(Mormon 4:5)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nephi prophesies of how Satan will stir people up to anger
against that which is good. (2 Ne. 28:20) We can find many instance of this in
the Book of Mormon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Stirred against good</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Laman stirred up Lemuel with suspicions that Nephi lied to
them about spiritual experiences in order to usurp power over them. (1 Ne.
16:38)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The priests of Noah stir up the king to anger against
Abinadi with charges that Abinadi reviled the king, and King Noah orders Abinadi
be slain. (Mosiah 17:12)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
King Noah accuses Alma of stirring the people to rebellion
as a pretext of sending his army against him and his people. (Mosiah 18:33)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The charity of the Anti-Nephi-Lehites for the poor Zoramites
who were cast out stirs up the anger of the elite Zoramites. They mix with the
Lamanites and stir them up to anger against the Anti-Nephi-Lehites as well.
(Alma 35:10)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Nephite chief judges stir up the people to anger against
the prophet Nephi when he calls them to repentance. (Helaman 8:7)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Satan stirs up the Nephites to do iniquity continually,
spreading rumors and contentions everywhere to harden people’s hearts against
goodness and prophecy. (Helaman 16:22)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Instances of Kings/authority figures stirring up the
people to anger</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">King Laman</b> stirs
his people up to contend with Zeniff’s people (Mosiah 9:13)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">King Laman’s son</b> (now
king) begins to stir up his people against Zeniff’s people (Mosiah 10:6)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">King Noah</b> accuses
Alma of stirring the people to rebellion as a pretext of sending his army
against him and his people. (Mosiah 18:33)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amlici</b> stirs up
his followers to anger against those who opposed his bid for kingship. (Alma
2:8)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amalickiah </b>stirs
up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites. (Alma 47:1, Alma 48:3, Alma 51:9)
[Captain Moroni knew this would happen far ahead of time. (Alma 46:30)]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tubaloth (king of the
Lamanites)</b> stirs up his people to anger against the Nephites, and they go
to battle the Nephites. (Helaman 1:17)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nephite chief
judges</b> stir up the people to anger against the prophet Nephi when he calls
them to repentance. (Helaman 8:7)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Zarahemnah </b>intends
to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites to usurp power over them
and use them to bring the Nephites to bondage. (Alma 43:8)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Zarahemna</b>
loses his scalp, he stirs up the rest of his soldiers to fight more powerfully.
(Alma 44:16)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>People stirring up people to anger</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Lamanites are stirred up to anger against the Limhi’s Nephites,
and they start coming into the land to harass them. (Mosiah 21:2) (Cause is unstated,
but it can’t be an authority figure, otherwise battle would have resulted.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amalekites and
Amulonites</b> stir up the Lamanites against the Anti-Nephi-Lehites. (previous
to their attack on Ammonihah) (Alma 24:1)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amalekites</b> stir
up the Lamanites against the Anti-Nephi-Lehites because they can’t get revenge on
the Nephites. (Alma 27:2)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">peoples of
Coriantumr and Shiz</b> are stirred up to anger against each other and go to
battle. (Ether 15:6)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dissenters from the
Nephites</b> stir the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites (Alma 63:14,
Helaman 11:24)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nephite dissenters</b>
try to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites and don’t succeed.
(Helaman 4:3) The next year, they do succeed. (Helaman 4:4)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>People stirring up leaders</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">priests of Noah
stir up the king</b> to anger against Abinadi with charges that Abinadi reviled
the king, and King Noah orders Abinadi be slain. (Mosiah 17:12)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Seeing others sorrow & pain stirs to anger</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">cries of the
widows and orphans</b> stir up the people of Limhi against their Lamanite
taskmasters and they go to battle and lose. (Mosiah 21:11)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amulonites martyring
new Lamanite believers</b> stirs up other Lamanites to anger against the
Amulonites. (Alma 25:8)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Motives of gain stirring to iniquity</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lawyers of Ammonihah stir up the people to riotings,
disturbances, and wickedness in order to have more work and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to get gain</b>. (Alma 11:20)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Satan stirs up the Nephites <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to unite with the bands of robbers and enter secret combinations</b>.
(Helaman 6:21)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Satan stirs up the people <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to do iniquity</b>, puffs them with pride, and tempts them <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to seek for power, authority, riches, and worldly
things</b>. (3 Nephi 6:15)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Can there be good emotional
stirrings? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some instances in
the Book of Mormon of this too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>War meant to stir people to remember God</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Lord tells Nephi that the Lamanites will scourge the
Nephites, as a means to stir the Nephites up to remember God. (1 Nephi 2:24)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elsewhere, the Lord tells Nephi that if the Nephites don’t get
stirred up to repentance by the Lamanite scourge, they will be destroyed. (2 Ne.
5:25)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Battle losses stir up the Lamanites to remember the words of
Aaron and his brethren and they begin to disbelieve their Lamanite traditions.
(Alma 25:6</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The depredations of the Gadianton robbers stir up the
Nephites to remember the Lord. (Helaman 11:34)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Afflictions and famine can stir to remembrance of God</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
King Benjamin tells Mosiah of how their fathers were smitten
with afflictions to stir them up to remember their duty. (Mosiah 1:17)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The prophet Nephi prays that a famine will be used to stir
up the Nephites to repentance. (Helaman 11:4)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Preaching meant to stir us to remember God</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enos tells that the prophets had to stir up the Nephites
continually with preaching of war, contention, destruction, reminding them of
death, judgment, and the duration of eternity, to fear the Lord. (Enos 1:23)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jarom tells of the prophets stirring the people up to
repentance by pricking their hearts with the word. (Jarom 1:12)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
King Benjamin appointed priests to teach the people and stir
them up to remember the oath they had made to serve God (Mosiah 6:3)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alma goes to preach among the people to stir them up to
remember their duty. (Alma 4:19)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Captain Moroni says Pahoran should have stirred himself more
diligently for the welfare and freedom of the people. (Alma 60:10) He threatens
Pahoran that if he doesn’t get reinforcement, he will stir up any remaining
spark of freedom into insurrection and fight against those who usurp power and
authority. (Alma 60:27)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of this is particular important to know these days
because of the prevalence of incivility and anger out in the world today and
attempts to manipulate with stirring strong negative emotions. Not only do we
need to work to keep from being affected by it, but we will face the temptation
to use it ourselves. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-16163848346672966062019-10-16T12:46:00.000-07:002019-10-16T12:46:01.944-07:00Some thoughts on Lazarus’ rising from the dead and awkwardness in the sacred
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">43 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,
<span class="study-note-ref">Lazarus</span>, come forth.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpLast" data-aid="128394085" id="p44" style="--height: 83.91667175292969px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">44 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">And he that was <span class="study-note-ref">dead</span> came forth, bound hand and foot with
graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a <span class="study-note-ref">napkin</span>.
Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. (John 11:43-44)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We often envision
this scene with Lazarus walking out of the grave doorway, but the reality was
probably a lot weirder. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The text says Lazarus
was bound hand and foot, which probably means his feet were wrapped tight together
and his hands were wrapped tight to his body. Also his face was covered up. It’s
really hard to move under those conditions. (How would you have done it if you
were wrapped up tight like a mummy?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How did he get out? Lazarus
probably had to roll and inch around to exit the cave where he’d been
put. It probably looked really strange, like an enormous cloth-covered inch
worm thrashing around. (It may have even looked a little frightening
too.) Jesus had to tell people to loose Lazarus so he could move better.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we read this
story, it reads like a dramatic and spiritual event, but it may have looked
strange or silly, or weird, or scary for a small period to those who saw it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think this is
probably true more often than we realize. We may experience miracles that seem
strange, silly, weird, or even scary when we’re going through them, but which
sound a lot better in the telling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We’re used to slick,
carefully-edited media, with nothing incongruous or out of place. We’re used to
church videos that deliberately infuse the sacred into the smallest gestures to
achieve a polished, shiny view of holiness. And yet, we love amateur videos
that show the touch of “awkward” because they are so human and genuine. There’s
love and truth there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maybe we need to
remember that in real life, there is awkward in the sacred, and the sacred in
the awkward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s learn to find
gratitude for that in our lives. It can heal tendencies toward perfectionism.</span></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-91063284322973913252019-10-11T16:20:00.000-07:002019-10-11T16:21:25.505-07:00Some things I've learned from the Book of RevelationI'm still working on my book about the Book of Revelation. I finished a draft about two weeks ago (yay!), and yesterday I got feedback about my Introduction in which I try to explain <i>why</i> that book is so important to understand. This test reader found my explanation needed some work. (Doh!)<br />
<br />
So of course I went to work trying to improve it. Eventually I realized I had a tangle of half-articulated reasons. Which means I had to un-tangle and fully articulate.<br />
<br />
But it just wouldn't come. There was just <i>so many ways</i> that I realized the Book of Revelation can help us. And as I worked away at it, adding here, moving there, over and over... I discovered a lot of the reasons interlocked with each other and led to more reasons. That made it really hard to tell how to organize my paragraphs.<br />
<br />
So I gave up on the<i> writing </i>part for a while and decided to mind-map it out. I hoped that I could at least begin to see the relationships better than I did before.<br />
<br />
Here's what I have so far. Hopefully you can click on this thing and read my tiny print. :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCzo7gKAL7I/XaEKCQSf_5I/AAAAAAAAA0A/elPQ7Hie_o4TfhAG1RRE7SIp97agXo2CACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20191011_0001_NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="1600" height="568" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCzo7gKAL7I/XaEKCQSf_5I/AAAAAAAAA0A/elPQ7Hie_o4TfhAG1RRE7SIp97agXo2CACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20191011_0001_NEW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Naturally, not every single bubble will find its way into the particular section I'm working on. But at least I'll be able to see relationships better.<br />
<br />Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-65756239473533690842019-10-10T11:56:00.000-07:002019-10-10T11:56:20.173-07:00A Story about Taking Something Away
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was reading in Alma 55 recently about the story of the
Lamanite guards of the city of Gid who are lulled to sleep with wine provided
by Nephite-aligned Lamanites. There was a verse in the story near the beginning
that suddenly stuck out to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laman has
told the guards about the wine he’s stolen from the Nephites in his daring
escape, and the guards get excited to try some.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But Laman said unto them: Let us
keep of our wine till we go against the Nephites to battle. But this saying
only made them more desirous to drink of the wine; (Alma 55:10)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since we know what happened in this story, it is pretty
obvious to us that the wisest thing for the Lamanite guards to do would be
wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for some reason, the guards don’t
want to be prudent; they want to indulge themselves. They want it now, not later.
This made me think that learning to self-impose deferred gratification is an
important skill.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But then I thought about what Laman had done in the story.
He showed them the wine, and then he essentially attempts to pull it away. If
we have troubles imagining the effect this has, we can substitute cookies or
ice cream instead….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laman showed them
the tasty-looking cookies, and then he pulled them away and said, “Let’s keep
it until just before battle.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lamanite
guards have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seen</i> the cookies, they’ve
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">smelled</i> the cookies, they now have
cookies on the brain. What Laman has done here is essentially to target-lock
the guards’ brains on the cookies. They want the cookies NOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the cookies are taken away, they’re going
to get resentful and mad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not only has Laman put wine on the guards’ brain, he has
gotten them laser-focused on the very thing that will be their undoing. (We
know the wine is extra powerful stuff.) As a result of getting drunk, they lose
all the prisoners they were supposed to guard, and they lose their own freedom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So we can see two different spiritual life lessons about
strategy here when we look at things from the Lamanite guards’ perspective.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lesson #1: Train your ability to defer gratification. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lesson #2: Look out for when something is offered and then
pulled away. Realize that this will cause you to fixate on the thing being
pulled away. (Try not to do this to others too.) It will take extra work to
think about whether it is a good thing to want in the first place.</span></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-81667072563393111432019-09-18T19:45:00.000-07:002019-09-18T19:45:03.666-07:00Paul’s words about judging church leaders<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: "times";">1 </span></span><span style="font-family: "times";">Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of
Christ, and stewards of the <span class="study-note-ref">mysteries</span> of God.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385826" id="p2" style="--height: 59.98332214355469px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: "times";">2 </span></span><span style="font-family: "times";">Moreover it is required
in <span class="study-note-ref">stewards</span>, that a man be found <span class="study-note-ref">faithful</span>.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385827" id="p3" style="--height: 59.98333740234375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: "times";">3 </span></span><span style="font-family: "times";">But with me it is a very
small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge
not mine own self.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385828" id="p4" style="--height: 59.98333740234375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: "times";">4 </span></span><span style="font-family: "times";">For I know nothing <span class="study-note-ref">by myself</span>; yet am I not hereby justified: but he
that <span class="study-note-ref">judgeth</span> me is the Lord.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385829" id="p5" style="--height: 107.84999084472656px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: "times";">5 </span></span><span style="font-family: "times";">Therefore judge nothing
before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the <span class="study-note-ref">hidden things</span> of darkness, and will make <span class="study-note-ref">manifest</span> the counsels of the hearts: and then shall
every man have praise of God.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385830" id="p6" style="--height: 110.35000610351562px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: "times";">6 </span></span><span style="font-family: "times";">And these things,
brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and <span class="clarity-word">to</span> Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us
not to think <span class="clarity-word">of men</span> above that which is
written, that no one of you be <span class="study-note-ref">puffed up for</span>
one against another.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpLast" data-aid="128385831" id="p7" style="--height: 87.25px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: "times";">7 </span></span><span style="font-family: "times";">For who maketh thee <span class="study-note-ref">to differ </span><span class="clarity-word">from another?</span>
and what hast thou that thou didst not <span class="study-note-ref">receive</span>?
now if thou didst receive <span class="clarity-word">it,</span> why dost thou
glory, as if thou hadst not received <span class="clarity-word">it? (1 Cor.
4:1-7)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I get the sense that
Paul was asking the Corinthian saints to consider him (and other church
leaders) servants of God. There’s a certain amount of respect that goes with
that kind of office. But faithfulness is certainly required, otherwise stewards
can be removed from their place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But he also points
out that it isn’t wise to “think of men above that which is written,” by which
I think he means idolizing or idealizing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul would be disturbed if infallibility were
attributed to church leaders. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This
reminds me of an old joke that Catholics say the pope is infallible, but none of
them believe it, while Latter-day Saints say the prophet is fallible, but none
of them believe that either.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And some leaders look
pious, but aren’t really, which is why Paul warns that God would bring to light
the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the hearts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is interesting
that Paul says “I judge not mine own self.” It hints that although he had
examined his own conscience and felt like he had repented of everything he
should, he recognized he might have blind spots about his own spiritual status
that would prevent him from making an accurate judgment, and he left that to
God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Paul can say that, then I
suppose those of us who do the best we can are allowed to say it too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times";">Finally, I really
like verse 7, particularly the question “What hast thou that thou didst not
receive?” None of us, no matter how wise or spiritual, can honestly say that we
know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anything</i> about the gospel
without having been taught it through the Spirit. Everything we know, we’ve
received from God, so we have nothing to boast of. </span></div>
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-->Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-7055562993220045322019-09-14T05:53:00.000-07:002019-09-14T05:53:05.551-07:00Binding and Loosing, Differences in Translation
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext">I was looking at Matt 18:18 about
the sealing power Christ promised to His disciples. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like there are two different ways
this scripture has been translated. They have great implications for doctrine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reading
#1</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/kjv/matthew/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />
"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/nlt/matthew/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />
"I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in
heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[My thought: Forbidden?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Permitted? What? Authority to make new
commandments?]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/gwt/matthew/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />
I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you imprison, God will imprison. And
whatever you set free, God will set free.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/nasb77/matthew/18.htm">New American Standard 1977 </a></span><br />
“Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reading #2 </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/blb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />
Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall have been bound in
heaven, and whatever you shall loose on the earth shall have been loosed in
heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/matthew/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />
I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/net/matthew/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />
"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in
heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/18.htm">Aramaic Bible
in Plain English</a></span><br />
And truly I say to you, everything whatsoever you will bind in the earth will
have been bound in Heaven, and anything that you will release in the earth will
have been released in Heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/kj2000/matthew/18.htm">King James 2000 Bible</a></span><br />
Verily I say unto you, whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be what has
been bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be what has
been loosed in heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/web/matthew/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />
Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been
bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been
released in heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isv/matthew/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />
"I tell all of you with certainty, whatever you prohibit on earth will
have been prohibited in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will have been
permitted in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[Prohibit? Permitted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already?]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note that half of these translations say that people on
earth are binding what has <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">already been</i>
bound in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this were the case,
then all a priesthood holder would need would be simply revelation to know what
was bound or loosed and then communicate it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the interpretation that we believe in is the one in
which the priesthood holder declares the binding or loosing, and the heavens
ratify the action and honor it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
power is much greater, and also requires great holiness, doing what the heavens
and God would do anyway if they were here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We read this as referring not only to church discipline, but
also to the joining of a man and woman in matrimony for eternity and for the
sealing of their children to them. When the sealing power was given to Joseph
Smith, the meaning and significance of binding and loosing expanded. It no
longer can be seen as only having to do with a person’s individual relationship
with God, but also as a medium of creating and cementing eternal family bonds
and ultimately a more ordered and stable society, not just here, but beyond the
grave.</div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-11829011053699331392019-09-11T07:00:00.000-07:002019-09-11T07:00:06.237-07:00Paul’s Emotions in 2 Corinthians 2
<br />
<div class="verseCxSpFirst">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">1 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">But I determined this with myself, that I would not
come again to you in heaviness.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128387716" id="p2" style="--height: 60.399993896484375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">2 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">For if I make you sorry,
who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128387717" id="p3" style="--height: 84.33332824707031px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">3 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">And I wrote this same
unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to
rejoice; having <span class="study-note-ref">confidence</span> in you all, that
my joy is <span class="clarity-word">the joy</span> of you all.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128387718" id="p4" style="--height: 84.33334350585938px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">4 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">For out of much
affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye
should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly
unto you.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpLast" data-aid="128387719" id="p5" style="--height: 60.399993896484375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">5 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">But if any have caused
grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
(2 Cor. 2:1-5)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Times;">These verses gave
me problems understanding what was going on, so I want to discuss it a bit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">The impression I
got as I was looking at it as a whole was there was lots of emotion going on,
but that it was very complex. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And of
course translation doesn’t make it any easier.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Breaking it down
verse-by-verse:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">V1 – Paul doesn’t
want to visit the Corinthians while he’s depressed and sad. He doesn’t want to
inflict that emotion on them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">V2 – He points out
that the same person who he made sorry can also make him glad (by repenting)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s pointing out there can be mutual
emotional effects between people, and they can go in good directions as well as
bad. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">V3 – Paul wrote to
the Corinthians instead of coming personally so that he wouldn’t be negatively
affected or made sad by the spiritual difficulties among the Corinthians. He
wanted to rejoice with them all because of them all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">V4 – Paul felt
very strong emotions of affliction and anguish as he was writing (probably a
previous letter), but he didn’t want them to know that in order to make them
sad, but to let them know how much he loved them. (He’s being open about his
emotions, but he’s also trying to make sure that he’s not being emotionally
manipulative. Some people express their emotions to guilt people into doing
what they want, and Paul knew he didn’t want to do that.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">V5 – Paul expresses
that the grief he’d felt had only partially been caused by the particular
Corinthian church member who had done wrong. (Paul takes responsibility for his
emotions here.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Really, when you
think about it, this is quite extraordinary stuff. Here you have an apostle talking
about his emotions and about five different emotional interplays going on. It’s
VERY complex. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">We can see that he
is aware of his emotions. We see that he has VERY STRONG emotions—affliction,
anguish, tears. He’s also very open about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But at the same time, he’s also aware of the effect his emotions can
have on others, and so he works hard to make sure that his expression of his
emotions doesn’t create spiritual problems for the people he’s ministering
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t want to emotionally
manipulate them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">I’m going to sound
a little female-centric sexist here, but how often do we see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a man</i> do something like this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men usually avoid being emotional. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why this is pretty neat to see what
Paul does here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: Times;">I think we can draw
a number of principles about emotional health here. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Recognize when
you’re having emotions</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Name your
emotions</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Take
responsibility for your emotions—people may do things that provoke emotion in
you, but you get to choose what to do with your emotions. You choose whether to
say something or not, whether to do something or not. You get to choose your
words and the way you say them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get
to choose your actions and the way you do them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Express your emotions,
but in a way that doesn’t harm others or yourself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Emotions are powerful, and I
think Paul demonstrates that. He also demonstrates that they have to be carefully
managed to maintain good relationships.</span></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-23205662561853854872019-09-08T05:00:00.000-07:002019-09-08T05:00:07.285-07:00Interesting Context and additional lessons clustered around “That hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man”
<br />
<div class="verseCxSpFirst">
<span class="verse-number"></span><br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<span class="verse-number">1 Cor. 10:13 is that famous
scripture, “</span>There hath no temptation <span class="study-note-ref">taken</span>
you but such as is common to man: but God <span class="clarity-word">is</span>
faithful, who will not suffer you to be <span class="study-note-ref">tempted</span>
above that ye are able; but will with the <span class="study-note-ref">temptation</span>
also make a way to <span class="study-note-ref">escape</span>, that ye may be
able to <span class="study-note-ref">bear</span> <span class="clarity-word">it.”</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<span class="verse-number">This time when reading
through, I thought it would be interesting to look at the context around the
scripture and see how Paul gets to that fabulous pronouncement. </span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">1 </span>Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be
ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the <span class="study-note-ref">cloud</span>,
and all passed through the <span class="study-note-ref">sea</span>;</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385460" id="p2" style="--height: 36.05000305175781px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">2 </span>And were all <span class="study-note-ref">baptized</span> unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385461" id="p3" style="--height: 36.04998779296875px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">3 </span>And did all eat the
same spiritual <span class="study-note-ref">meat</span>;</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385462" id="p4" style="--height: 83.91667175292969px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">4 </span>And did all drink
the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed
them: and that <span class="study-note-ref">Rock</span> was Christ.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385463" id="p5" style="--height: 59.98333740234375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">5 </span>But with many of
them <span class="study-note-ref">God</span> was not well <span class="study-note-ref">pleased</span>: for they were <span class="study-note-ref">overthrown</span>
in the <span class="study-note-ref">wilderness</span>.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385464" id="p6" style="--height: 59.98333740234375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">6 </span>Now these things
were our <span class="study-note-ref">examples</span>, to the intent we should
not <span class="study-note-ref">lust after</span> evil things, as they also
lusted.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385465" id="p7" style="--height: 60.81666564941406px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">7 </span>Neither be ye
idolaters, as <span class="clarity-word">were</span> some of them; as it is
written, The <span class="study-note-ref">people</span> sat down to eat and
drink, and rose up to play.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385466" id="p8" style="--height: 59.98332214355469px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">8 </span>Neither let us
commit <span class="study-note-ref">fornication</span>, as some of them
committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385467" id="p9" style="--height: 59.98333740234375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">9 </span>Neither let us <span class="study-note-ref">tempt</span> Christ, as some of them also tempted, and
were destroyed of serpents.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385468" id="p10" style="--height: 59.98333740234375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">10 </span>Neither <span class="study-note-ref">murmur</span> ye, as some of them also murmured, and were <span class="study-note-ref">destroyed</span> of the destroyer.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385469" id="p11" style="--height: 83.91665649414062px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">11 </span>Now all these
things happened unto them for <span class="study-note-ref">ensamples</span>: <span class="study-note-ref">and</span> they are <span class="study-note-ref">written</span>
for our <span class="study-note-ref">admonition</span>, upon whom the ends of the
world are come.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385470" id="p12" style="--height: 59.98333740234375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">12 </span>Wherefore let him
that thinketh he <span class="study-note-ref">standeth</span> take heed lest he <span class="study-note-ref">fall</span>.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385471" id="p13" style="--height: 110.35000610351562px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">13 </span>There hath no
temptation <span class="study-note-ref">taken</span> you but such as is common to
man: but God <span class="clarity-word">is</span> faithful, who will not suffer
you to be <span class="study-note-ref">tempted</span> above that ye are able; but
will with the <span class="study-note-ref">temptation</span> also make a way to <span class="study-note-ref">escape</span>, that ye may be able to <span class="study-note-ref">bear</span> <span class="clarity-word">it. (1 Cor. 10:1-13)</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
I noticed that Paul uses the story of the children of
Israel in the wilderness with Moses and points out a number of lessons based on
the story of the Israelites’ blessings and temptations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were all blessed the same way, but a
number of them were overthrown in the wilderness because various temptations
were too much for them.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
I thought to highlight the kinds of challenges that Paul
lists. </div>
<ul>
<li>Listing after evil things</li>
<li>Idolatry/idleness</li>
<li>Committing fornication</li>
<li>Tempting Christ</li>
<li>Murmuring</li>
</ul>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
I thought about those challenges and temptations and I
realized that in the past I had made an incorrect assumption about the
Israelites. I had assumed that ALL OF THEM were affected by ALL of those temptations.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d always thought they were ALL lacking
in any kind of spiritual strength whatsoever and that as soon as they had been
taught a lesson in one area they immediately backslid in another and had to
have the lesson all over again.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
I realized instead that it was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">different segments</i> of the Israelites that had these different
troubles. Some had troubles with lusting after evil things, others had troubles
with idolatry, others had troubles with fornication and yet another segment had
troubles with tempting Christ and others had troubles with murmuring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
Once I realized that, it made perfect sense that Paul would
write, “Let him that thinketh he <span class="study-note-ref">standeth</span>
take heed lest he <span class="study-note-ref">fall</span>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because if one type of temptation isn’t
getting to you, you might be in danger of falling to the next one. </div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
This particular principle is very powerful and we can
still see it playing out today in the church. Anytime the prophet makes a statement
on something and some segment of the church balks, you can’t
get cocky and scornful of them because the very next announcement might give <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as an example, some people have troubles
with President Nelson’s instructions to use the full name of the church and not
call ourselves “Mormons.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear some
people retorting, “Just get with the program and follow the prophet!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More recently, the clarifications on the Word
of Wisdom have created some problems for people, and then another more recent
change in the Handbook about handguns being prohibited in church have caused
another segment of members to rebel.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
You see? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still
happens today.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
But the fact that it was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">segment</i> of the Israelite population that had troubles with those
various temptations shows that the temptation are indeed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">common to man</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, when we
discover we’ve gotten hit, we don’t have to feel like we’re alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God can help us resist and escape the
temptation if we will pray for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(It
takes a lot of maturity to realize you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i>
pray for help to resist.)</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
Paul also points out that the experiences the
Israelites went through were written so that everyone could know the specific kinds
of behaviors that displease the Lord so that we don’t fall into them ourselves—or
if we discover we’re falling into them, we can realize it and repent quickly.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpLast">
As you can see, Paul actually extracts about three
lessons from those stories, which is pretty awesome. We just gravitate the most
strongly to verse 13 about how every temptation is a common one and God can
help us escape them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-75583902065712120142019-09-05T05:00:00.000-07:002019-09-05T05:00:06.178-07:00Building on the foundation of Christ
<br />
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">10 </span>According to the <span class="study-note-ref">grace</span>
of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the
foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he
buildeth thereupon.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385768" id="p11" style="--height: 59.98333740234375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">11 </span>For other <span class="study-note-ref">foundation</span> can no man lay than that is laid, which
is Jesus Christ.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385769" id="p12" style="--height: 59.98333740234375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">12 </span>Now if any man
build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385770" id="p13" style="--height: 83.91667175292969px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">13 </span>Every man’s work
shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be
revealed by fire; and the <span class="study-note-ref">fire</span> shall <span class="study-note-ref">try</span> every man’s work of what sort it is.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385771" id="p14" style="--height: 59.98332214355469px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">14 </span>If any man’s work
abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpLast" data-aid="128385772" id="p15" style="--height: 59.98333740234375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number">15 </span>If any man’s work
shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself <span class="study-note-ref">shall</span> be saved; yet so as by fire. ( 1 Cor. 3:10-15)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
This section stuck out to me recently when I was
reading. This comes in a context in which Paul was telling the Corinthians that
they shouldn’t file off into parties (“I’m of Apollos!” “I’m of Cephas!” “I’m
of Paul!”) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>based on the people who initially
taught them the gospel because the message of Christ should have been the
commonality. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Here, he focuses on what should happen after that
foundation of Christ has been laid. Once the foundation is laid, you don’t just
stop there; you add more to that. You have to anchor to that foundation, but
you keep building and keep learning additional stuff and teachers teach additional
doctrine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
I think Paul was making the point that whatever
else is taught that builds on the foundation of Christ needs to be good and valuable
and lasting so that when the trials come (as they always do) we can endure through
it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Paul suggests different building materials people
might use in their building—gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble—and
compares that to various types of doctrines that could be taught, then says the
fire will try every man’s work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
We can eyeball each of those materials Paul lists
and have an idea of how they would stand up to fire. Gold and silver will still
remain, although, depending on how hot the fire gets, they may melt. Precious
stones will melt at a very high temperature and pressure, but I don’t know if
Paul knew that. Perhaps he considered them most enduring. They certainly wouldn’t
be completely burned; they’d just change to a different sort of form that would
handle it better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, wood, hay, and
stubble would most obviously go up in flames immediately, so they wouldn’t be
the best building material to build with if one expects to go through fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect Paul meant for gold, silver, and
precious stones to represent doctrines that are valuable and lasting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
This is a pretty good analogy for the importance of
teaching good, solid doctrine because that will get through the fire and result
in a reward instead of loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A modern-day way of teaching the same
principle is that we want to teach nourishing doctrines of milk and meat, rather
than </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
what is sometimes called “doctrinal twinkies” or “fried
froth,” because when a famine of the Word hits the world, the twinkies and
fried froth are going to leave us feeling malnourished and empty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Sooner or later, the principles we’ve learned or
taught will be tested by temptation or tribulation or persecution, so if we
have to have that foundation of Christ and then solid, edifying doctrines to
stand up to it. Otherwise things collapse, and it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> hard to rebuild in the middle of a storm or fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard stories of people who <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have</i> had to rebuild their faith in the
middle of a tribulation, and my heart goes out to them. It’s possible, but it
is very hard. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-80323106215490918602019-09-01T16:52:00.003-07:002019-09-01T16:52:53.205-07:00God will destroy the wisdom of the wise
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<span class="verse-number">18 </span>For the <span class="study-note-ref">preaching</span> of the cross is to them that perish
foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the <span class="study-note-ref">power</span>
of God.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385397" id="p19" style="--height: 60.399993896484375px;">
<span class="verse-number">19 </span>For it is written,
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the <span class="study-note-ref">understanding</span> of the <span class="study-note-ref">prudent</span>.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385398" id="p20" style="--height: 84.33332824707031px;">
<span class="verse-number">20 </span>Where <span class="clarity-word">is</span> the wise? where <span class="clarity-word">is</span>
the <span class="study-note-ref">scribe</span>? where <span class="clarity-word">is</span>
the <span class="study-note-ref">disputer</span> of this <span class="study-note-ref">world</span>? hath not God made foolish the <span class="study-note-ref">wisdom</span> of this <span class="study-note-ref">world</span>?</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385399" id="p21" style="--height: 84.33334350585938px;">
<span class="verse-number">21 </span>For after that in
the wisdom of God the world <span class="study-note-ref">by</span> wisdom knew
not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of <span class="study-note-ref">preaching</span>
to save them that believe.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385400" id="p22" style="--height: 60.399993896484375px;">
<span class="verse-number">22 </span>For the Jews
require a <span class="study-note-ref">sign</span>, and the Greeks seek after
wisdom:</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385401" id="p23" style="--height: 60.40000915527344px;">
<span class="verse-number">23 </span>But we <span class="study-note-ref">preach</span> Christ <span class="study-note-ref">crucified</span>,
unto the Jews a <span class="study-note-ref">stumblingblock</span>, and unto the
Greeks foolishness;</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385402" id="p24" style="--height: 60.399993896484375px;">
<span class="verse-number">24 </span>But unto them <span class="study-note-ref">which are called</span>, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the <span class="study-note-ref">power</span> of God, and the <span class="study-note-ref">wisdom</span>
of God.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385403" id="p25" style="--height: 60.399993896484375px;">
<span class="verse-number">25 </span>Because the <span class="study-note-ref">foolishness</span> of God is wiser than men; and the
weakness of God is stronger than men.</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385404" id="p26" style="--height: 60.40000915527344px;">
<span class="verse-number">26 </span>For ye see your
calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the <span class="study-note-ref">flesh</span>, not many mighty, not many noble, <span class="clarity-word">are </span><span class="study-note-ref">called</span><span class="clarity-word">:</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385405" id="p27" style="--height: 84.33332824707031px;">
<span class="verse-number">27 </span>But God hath
chosen the <span class="study-note-ref">foolish</span> things of the world to <span class="study-note-ref">confound</span> the wise; and God hath chosen the <span class="study-note-ref">weak</span> things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty;</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128385406" id="p28" style="--height: 84.33332824707031px;">
<span class="verse-number">28 </span>And base things of
the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, <span class="clarity-word">yea,</span> and things which are not, to bring to nought
things that are:</div>
<div class="verseCxSpLast" data-aid="128385407" id="p29" style="--height: 36.4666748046875px;">
<span class="verse-number">29 </span>That no flesh should glory in his
presence. (1 Cor. 1:18-29)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paul recognized that preaching salvation
through Christ and the testimony thereof did not fit with the convincing
methods of rhetoric and logic of the Greeks in his day. The Greeks required
something logical, and the Jews required a convincing miracle (a sign). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Paul could do was testify and allow the
Spirit to work on his hearers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Naturally, those looking for logic or miracles would not accept that,
but those who could recognize the witness of the Spirit and accept it, would be
saved.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love that Paul calls this “the
foolishness of God” and “the weakness of God” that is “stronger than men.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the Spirit, even the most unlearned
could preach the gospel. Which makes it possible for the Lord to use far more
people than just the learned. World history has far more ignoramuses than
learned people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Further, Paul points out that not
very many wise, learned, mighty, or noble had accepted the gospel. They depended
too much on the wisdom of the world, and on their own capabilities to be able
to accept the whisperings of the still, small voice. The wise, learned, mighty
noble too often have their appearance and reputation to keep up, and they’d
have to leave that all behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul knows
what he’s talking about here, since he had been of the most zealous sect of
Pharisees before his converting vision. He had to leave that all behind too,
and no doubt he noticed how hard it was when he likely tried to get his friends
to accept it too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love that Paul says, “God hath
chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.” Doesn’t that give
you hope? It does me. It tells me God could work through me or you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poster child for foolish things confounding
the wise is the story of Joseph Smith, a poor, ignorant, young farm boy who was
given a vision of God and Jesus Christ and was given a mission to translate the
golden plates. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had none of the advantages
of learning or wealth or connections that one would expect someone called by
God would need to have to complete such a mission, and yet he did it with God’s
help. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why does God do this sort of
thing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That no flesh should glory in
his presence.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shows us God can do
His own work and use even the most ignorant and disadvantaged of us to do the most
startling things.</span></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-5329475319124218062019-08-26T21:23:00.003-07:002019-08-26T21:23:53.919-07:00Paul’s Prayers for the Romans
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="verseCxSpFirst">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span><span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span><span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">9 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">For God is my witness,
whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;</b></span>
</div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128402242" id="p10" style="--height: 60.40000915527344px;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">10 </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Making request, if by any means now at length I might
have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;">.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128402243" id="p11" style="--height: 60.399993896484375px;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">11 </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times;">For I long to see you</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;">, that I may impart unto you some spiritual <span class="study-note-ref">gift</span>, to the end ye may be established;</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128402244" id="p12" style="--height: 60.40000915527344px;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">12 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">That is, that I may be <span class="study-note-ref">comforted</span> together with you by the mutual faith
both of you and me.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpLast" data-aid="128402245" id="p13" style="--height: 108.26666259765625px;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">13 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Now I would not have
you ignorant, brethren, that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">oftentimes
I purposed to come unto you</b>, (but was <span class="study-note-ref">let
hitherto</span>,) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">that I might have some
<span class="study-note-ref">fruit</span> among you also, even as among other
Gentiles</b>. (Romans 1:9-13)</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="verseCxSpLast" data-aid="128402245" id="p13" style="--height: 108.26666259765625px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Times;">These verses hit me
as I was starting to read through Romans a few weeks ago. It seems Paul had
prayed long and hard that he’d be able to visit the Roman Saints to use his
spiritual gifts for them. It is interesting to realize that this prayer was
indeed answered, though it took years and Paul had to endure years of
imprisonment and dangerous journeys to do it. The last two verses of Acts
record that after having reached Rome, Paul lived there for two years,
preaching and teaching the gospel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">The Lord answers
prayers, sometimes taking years, but He answers them. It’s a serious thing to
realize that determined, diligent prayers will be answered. One has to think
carefully about what would be most important to prayer for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will we pray for without ceasing?</span></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-61157237826469910012019-08-11T20:08:00.000-07:002019-08-11T20:08:01.385-07:00King Lamoni’s prayer for mercy
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have mercy; according to thy
abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and
my people. (Alma 18:41)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From this verse of prayer it is
possible to tell some of the things Lamoni was taught by Ammon, even though the
essential elements are only touched on by Moron who abridged the account.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“O Lord, have mercy” – Lamoni had to have
been taught about 1) the plan of redemption and 2) about the Lord’s abundant
mercy, such that he would feel inspired to ask for mercy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“According to thy abundant mercy which
thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people” – Lamoni had
to have been taught about all the ways the Lord had had mercy upon the Nephites
insomuch that he desired that for his own people. And it is most likely that he
was taught about the intermediary role that the high priest (or high priestly
king) played in pleading for the people, because he immediately assumes that
role by interceding for his own people as well as pleading for himself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of the important principles all
people have to learn in order to have the courage to ask for forgiveness for
their sins is concerning the abundant mercy of God. Without this, we wouldn’t
have the confidence to ask for Him to have mercy on us. This confidence is best
built by hearing how the Lord has had mercy on others, particularly those who
were in a worse case. (This is partly Ammon and his brethren were such great
missionaries. They had been in an awful state, and the Lord had mercy on them,
so they shared that, so that all those in similar states could trust that they could obtain mercy too.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let’s work on noticing the mercies that
the Lord has bestowed on us and tell others about them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-87306058660017932552019-08-04T06:30:00.000-07:002019-08-04T06:30:03.203-07:00Stephen’s wonders and miracles
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the
people. (Acts 6:8)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think this is an interesting verse,
especially because of its brevity. I wonder why it didn’t go into detail about
what these wonders and miracles were that Stephen did. If it was healing, it
probably would have said so. If it were teaching, it probably would have said something
like what it says about the apostles, that he spoke the word with boldness and
many believed because of the Spirit. So it had to be something that he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i> that was wondrous and miraculous. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since Stephen and six others had been
appointed to oversee the daily ministration of charity to the widows and others
in need (see Acts 6:1-6), it is very likely that he was guided by the Spirit to
those who particularly needed help…and who probably were reluctant to ask for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(We all know people like that, don’t we? We
might be those kind of people too…)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when the Spirit directed Stephen to give
something to someone who turned out to need it, his ministry would have been a
wonder and a miracle to them. It would have showed them that the Lord knew
their situation and desired to succor them. His ministry would have demonstrated
the Lord’s tender mercies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It would take faith to carry out that
kind of ministry, to follow the spiritual promptings to help someone who might
look like they are doing okay, and only later find out that the service and
help given was exactly what was needed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It still takes faith to do that kind of
ministry.</span></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-69324634578045781422019-08-02T14:27:00.000-07:002019-08-02T14:27:07.319-07:00Nifty New Resource: The Scriptures, Mapped
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re having troubles getting an idea of where the
stories happen in the Old and New Testaments, have a look at this new online
resource called <a href="https://scriptures.byu.edu/mapscrip/#" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Scriptures, Mapped</i></a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suppose you’re reading in Acts 20 and aren’t sure where Troas or
Philippi are in verses 5-6. You can go to this resource, find Acts 20, and
click on the highlighted names and it will show you on the map where they
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, when you open Acts 20, you
can see on the map <i>all </i>the locations that are named in that chapter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So. Cool. </div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-11893003054286519832019-07-28T19:43:00.002-07:002019-07-28T19:43:58.747-07:00How Tabitha made a difference
<br />
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">36 </span></span><span class="para-mark"><span style="font-family: Times;">¶ </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named
Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this <span class="study-note-ref">woman</span> was full of good works and almsdeeds which
she did.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128391193" id="p37" style="--height: 84.33332824707031px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">37 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">And it came to pass in
those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid <span class="clarity-word">her</span> in an upper chamber.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128391194" id="p38" style="--height: 84.33332824707031px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">38 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">And forasmuch as Lydda
was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent
unto him two men, desiring <span class="clarity-word">him</span> that he would
not delay to come to them.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128391195" id="p39" style="--height: 108.26667785644531px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">39 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Then Peter arose and
went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and
all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which
Dorcas made, while she was with them.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128391196" id="p40" style="--height: 84.33332824707031px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">40 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">But Peter put them all
forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning <span class="clarity-word">him</span>
to the body said, Tabitha, <span class="study-note-ref">arise</span>. And she
opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpLast" data-aid="128391197" id="p41" style="--height: 60.399993896484375px; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">41 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">And he gave her <span class="clarity-word">his</span> hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called
the <span class="study-note-ref">saints</span> and widows, presented her <span class="study-note-ref">alive</span>. (Acts 9:36-41)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Times;">I always used to
wonder why the widows were so emotional about the clothes Tabitha had made for
them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Recently I
realized that in their widowhood, they had to scramble hard to provide for
themselves and any children. If their husbands had been alive, these women
would have been at home, weaving fabric for clothing and caring for their families.
But since they had been thrust into the breadwinner role, there was no one to
do the weaving, and they couldn’t take time from working to weave, and any
ready-made clothing at this time would have been far out of the widows’ price
range. So Tabitha’s service in providing clothing was truly significant. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">The great service
Tabitha did for the widows was pretty much indispensable to them, and that’s
why the Lord permitted Peter to raise Tabitha from the dead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">The scripture
makes me think about the little charitable acts we might do that can help the
less fortunate keep their heads afloat. Maybe watching the kids for a single mother.
Maybe taking food to a sick person who is all alone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-2400446420810322302019-04-11T09:29:00.000-07:002019-04-11T09:29:05.288-07:00Some Thoughts on the Parable of the Wheat and Tares<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">24 </span></span><span class="para-mark"><span style="font-family: Times;">¶ </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The
kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128399044" id="p25" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">25 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">But while men slept,
his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128399046" id="p26" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">26 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">But when the blade was
sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128399048" id="p27" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">27 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">So the servants of the
householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy
field? from whence then hath it tares?</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128399050" id="p28" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">28 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">He said unto them, An
enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and
gather them up?</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128399052" id="p29" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">29 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">But he said, Nay; lest
while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle" data-aid="128399054" id="p30" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="verse-number"><span style="font-family: Times;">30 </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Let both grow together
until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather
ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather
the wheat into my barn. (Matt. 13:24-30)</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">To me, this parable is
about the church and how the church ends up with a mix of people in it, both good
and bad. We wish it were all good, but of course people have their choice and
at the same time that God does His work, Satan is also on the march, seeking to
destroy faith and tempting to sin. It stands to reason that at the same time
that God has His successes, Satan is going to have his as well, even in the
church.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">At the beginning, all
the seed looks the same, but over time when the fruits of our works start to
appear, then it becomes clear that some fruits are good, and other fruits are…not
so great. Naturally, the bad fruits concern us, and we want to correct the
people who were responsible or root them out.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">To the desire to
gather out the tares, Jesus says “Nay, lest while ye gather up the tares, ye
root up also the wheat with them.” Rooting out the bad requires a surgical
precision and accuracy. Our knowledge is so often incomplete that we can’t always
see the line between the good and the evil or the causes behind each, so if we
were to try to root out the bad, we might accidently condemn something good
that had been intertwined with it. Good people might see the condemnation and
say to themselves, “I have those qualities in myself too; I must be evil as
well,” and become discouraged and self-condemning. Or we might not root out all
the bad and thereby give those left some reason for self-justification and complacency.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Instead, Jesus says, “Let
both grow together until the harvest.” The key word there is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grow</i>. Both good and evil does not remain
the same over time. They both grow. Evil that was present only in thought or
intent eventually become action, and if it isn’t arrested by repentance, it multiplies
into a pattern of behavior, then grows into a habit, and hardens into a way of
life. And naturally, patterns of life may be hidden for a while, but eventually
they manifest in stronger and bolder public actions. When evil gets that big,
then it can be dealt with by church discipline.</span></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="verseCxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: Times;">In the same way, good
that was only sporadic likewise turns into a pattern, then a habit, then a
confirmed way of living that brings a rich harvest of blessings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So how does this
parable help us? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If we’re wise, we will
look at everything we do and think about what it might turn into if it is grows
bigger and stronger in our life.</b> If we don’t like what it will become, we
need to squash it. If we want more, we need to nurture it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our errors and
mistakes and sins <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i> magnify over
time if we don’t repent and overcome them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laziness will turn into inactivity and spiritual
apathy. Unbelief and fault-finding will grow into apostasy. Looking to lust will
turn into adultery. Occasional meanness and flashes of temper will grow into
cruelty and abuse. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">On the other hand,
our service will become sacrifice. Diligence in the scriptures will become the
skills of a scriptorian. Kindness will become deep charity. Following the
promptings of the Spirit will make us a mighty instrument in the hands of God. Paying
regular tithing will become complete and total consecration. Encouraging others
will become inspirational leadership. Exerting a particle of faith over and
over turns into the ability to move mountains and work wonders.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Times;">No doubt the Lord
wants us find the tares in our own character and weed them out before they grow
into something so malignant and poisonous that requires others to remove us out
of the kingdom. He also wants us to continue to nurture the goodness within us
that we can eventually enjoy the unspeakable satisfaction of heaven’s favor.</span></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-85858523196212300702019-04-07T11:31:00.000-07:002019-04-07T11:31:12.450-07:00Some Challenging Directions from the Lord to the Brother of Jared
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the
wilderness, yea, into that quarter where there never had man been. And it came
to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in
a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel. (Ether 2:5)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">It is interesting that the
Lord directed the brother of Jared to take the people into an area where man
had never gone before. Now, people are pretty adventurous, so when there’s a
place no one has gone before, it is usually because the route looks really
forbidding and desolate. So it might have looked like there was a really good
reason no one had gone that way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">But if the Lord wanted them
to take that route, it was because He knew more about it than man did, that He
saw it had the resources to supply their needs even if it didn’t appear to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And if it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">didn’t</i>, He could provide by miracle and build their faith.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would take faith to follow the Lord’s
directions, trust that it would be alright when appearances were against it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Not everyone has the faith
to do this kind of thing. In Numbers 20:1-8, the children of Israel were led to
the desert of Zin where there was no water, and they gathered against Moses to
complain, wishing they had died before then and wondering why they had been led
there. A miracle brought them water, but even if they hadn’t complained, they
would have needed the miracle anyway. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it would have been better for them if they
could have refrained from complaining at all and simply recognized their need
for a miracle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">So, lesson #1 – The Lord may
lead us in ways that don’t look very possible, and it takes faith to follow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Lesson #2 – The Lord wants
us to learn to depend on Him, so He will bring us by ways that require us to do
that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Lesson #3 – The Lord brings
us to places where miracles are required so that we can experience what He is
capable of doing. But these places also require a lot of faith from us too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Lesson #4 – It is best not
to murmur when we are stuck and simply realize we need miracles and ask for
them.</span></div>
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</style>Michaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com0