Well, so much for posting every day. I should have known that would be too high an expectation. I've been reading in 3d Nephi lately. The part where the Gadiantons are trying to take over the government and take everyone's freedoms away from them. (Sound familiar?) What struck me particularly, though, is that Giddianhi seems to be sincere in the letter he writes to Lachoneus. He really believes that the Nephites are misguided in their way of life. That he is fighting to recover the rights of his followers. Rights that the Nephites, in their wickedness, have stolen from them.



I've thought about that a lot lately. I suppose it struck me originally, because I had already been thinking along those lines where the democrats are concerned. They seem to sincerely believe that socialism is what's right for this country. That if they tax the life out of the people and give the money to those they consider "deserving" everything will be better. What boggles my mind is that, again, they seem to believe this. Its not just a way to gain power and influence. Or maybe it is for some some, I don't know.



I didn't want this to turn into a political rant. However, the similarities are striking. You can't help but see them. I think the answer may also be found in the scriptures. We need to truly return to the Lord, forsake our sins, (even, or maybe especially, the petty ones) and trust Him to bring things right. I know its hard to watch this great country head down the path it is on right now, but like a two-year-old who's been told not to touch the stove because its hot, we may need to follow this path in order to learn. Some people have to actually touch the stove to know that its hot. Hopefully, we'll learn quickly, and they won't be able to do too much damage.

Helaman, Chapter 16

"These things cannot happen."
"It is not realistic to believe in Christ."
" If he were real, he would......"
"These are foolish and wicked traditions designed to keep you blind and ignorant to the truth."

Do these sound familiar? They are just some of the things the Nephites told themselves to reason away the teachings of Samuel and Nephi. Yet, I've heard conversations like this nearly my whole life, particularly here in Utah among non- or ex-members explaining how misguided and foolish those crazy Mormons are.

Helaman records that Satan stirred the people up to iniquity and spread rumours and contentions in order to harden the people against that which is good. Thus, in spite of miracles and wonders, Satan's hold on the people only got stronger. Only the "most believing" part of the people did not harden their hearts.

This seems to beg the question: Which am I? How am I like the "most believing" or am I one of the others? I listen to conference every six months, but do I put the counsel I hear into practice? I attend church and sit through three hours of meetings every week, but what do I take home with me? A feeling of satisfaction that I am "active?" But what do I do the rest of the week? We don't hold Family Home Evening or family prayer. I go out visiting teaching, but only when my partner has made all the arrangements. Its been ages since I've been to the temple.

The chapter states that angels appeared to "wise men." We need to become wise also. We need to prepare our families for the times ahead. We need to prepare ourselves. Once again, Christ's coming is at hand. Will we be ready?

as always,

Hopeful

Conference

Wow. Conference, as always, was very inspiring. Although I also feel inadequate, like I'll never measure up. I especially enjoyed Elder Bednar's talk on prayer and Elder Eyring's talk on Unity. Two areas I also need to work on a great deal.

I started reading in the Book of Mormon tonight. Instead of starting at the beginning, I decided to start in the middle of Helaman, since that's where we are in Sunday School. I've read first Nephi so many times, I practically have it memorized! I started with Samuel The Lamanite's sermon to the Nephites. Which is probably contributing to my feelings of inadequacy. I'm afraid I can identify quite well with the Nephites. As soon as things start going right, I start becoming complacent and lazy in my religion.

Nothing for it but to try to do better. We'll keep track here every day and see where we are in April at the next Conference.

It's late and I need to get to bed. See you all tomorrow.

As always,

Hopeful.

Well, here we go!

Did you ever have a goal that you just couldn't seem to get off the ground? You know its a good thing to accomplish, but for some reason you just can't seem to do it.

This is me and scripture study. I've started and restarted so many times I can't even keep track anymore. And this is the reason for starting this blog. Maybe by having a place to post my thoughts and people to share the journey with, I can stay with the goal long enough to make it a habit.

What do you say? Want to take the journey with me? We can pick each other up when we stumble, share in each other's insights and reach our goal together.

As always,