Why was Lehi called to be a prophet?
Because he heard and believed the words of other prophets who said Jerusalem would be destroyed if they did not repent. And then he "prayed unto the Lord...with all his heart, in behalf of his people." (1 Nephi 1:5)
One of the characteristics of all prophets is their great love for their people. Their capacity to love seems to have grown beyond what most of us feel, which is a deep love for family and close friends, then an increasingly diminished, 'generic' love for those we know less well or not at all. Prophets are able to feel that great love for all men, whether they know them or not.
Which brings me to wonder--were they born with this greater capacity to love? Did it come with them as an attribute they developed during pre-mortality? Or did they develop that ability to love here on earth?
If it came with them, is this great love only inherent in and available to those who are born with it? Or can it be learned if one's desire is great enough?
If it is something that can be learned, who taught them? What experiences did they have that encouraged and developed it? How did they learn it? How can I learn it?
Not that I want to be a prophet. But I want to be more like Christ, the greatest 'prophet' of all.
Oh! [light bulb moment] I guess if I became like Christ, it would automatically make me a prophet--in temperament and attribute, if not in calling. I wonder if that's what Moses meant when he said, "Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets"? (Numbers 11:29)
Perhaps this great ability to deeply love all mankind, collectively and individually, is neither an inborn quality nor a learned attribute. Perhaps it is something else entirely--a gift from God that we receive as we become more like Him.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Purposes of the Book of Mormon
In the title page we are told of three purposes of the Book of Mormon:
1. To show us the great things the Lord has done for His people
2. To teach us the covenants we should make with the Lord
3. To convince us that Jesus is the Christ
I'd say the Book of Mormon accomplishes all three very well.
I know there have to be people who have read the Book of Mormon and are not convinced of its truthfulness. But it is hard for me to understand how anyone who reads it with an open and unbiased heart and who prays about it is not also touched by the power and the spirit of God which is so prevalent in the pages of this book. I suppose it is always difficult to imagine experiences, reactions and conclusions that are different from our own.
Books which testify of Christ seem to have a power and spirit that is not found in other books. You can almost feel it from the moment you pick the book up, even before you open its pages. I have never yet read a book which focuses on Christ--whether LDS or other Christian creed--that does not carry that feeling of the spirit of God to some degree.
I agree with someone whose comments I read recently, but whose identity I now, unfortunately, cannot remember, who said that anyone who studies Christ, His life and His teachings, cannot help but become a better person.
I believe that. I've experienced that.
It's a natural law--like, anyone who stands in the rain cannot help but get wet.
1. To show us the great things the Lord has done for His people
2. To teach us the covenants we should make with the Lord
3. To convince us that Jesus is the Christ
I'd say the Book of Mormon accomplishes all three very well.
I know there have to be people who have read the Book of Mormon and are not convinced of its truthfulness. But it is hard for me to understand how anyone who reads it with an open and unbiased heart and who prays about it is not also touched by the power and the spirit of God which is so prevalent in the pages of this book. I suppose it is always difficult to imagine experiences, reactions and conclusions that are different from our own.
Books which testify of Christ seem to have a power and spirit that is not found in other books. You can almost feel it from the moment you pick the book up, even before you open its pages. I have never yet read a book which focuses on Christ--whether LDS or other Christian creed--that does not carry that feeling of the spirit of God to some degree.
I agree with someone whose comments I read recently, but whose identity I now, unfortunately, cannot remember, who said that anyone who studies Christ, His life and His teachings, cannot help but become a better person.
I believe that. I've experienced that.
It's a natural law--like, anyone who stands in the rain cannot help but get wet.
Testimony of the Witnesses
The Book of Mormon includes the testimonies of three witnesses who were shown the gold plates by an angel. It also includes testimonies of eight witnesses who merely saw and handled the plates, but were not visited by an angel.
The miraculous appearance of an angel to the three witnesses shines through in their testimony. You can feel the strength and power of it, the fervency inspired by it. The testimony of the eight, while valid and necessary, lacks some of the power of the testimony of the three.
I do not presume to wonder how one of the three witnesses, after having a face to face experience with an angel, came to a point in their lives where they found themselves at odds with the LDS Church. To do so would imply that I feel I would not have done so under the same circumstances. I have no right to judge them, but instead feel a sadness for them.
What a struggle it must have been to have that experience and yet have weaknesses in character great enough to prevent you from living up to that experience. I feel that same struggle in my own heart. In the pages of my journals, I have received and recorded the words of the spirit, or personal revelation. And yet, as I live through my day, I frequently find myself unequal to the task of walking by the light I have been given.
I am weak and selfish, full of pride. I cannot even say, "There but for the grace of God, go I," because I do go there. And I feel ashamed. I can only imagine that having experienced the greater light of angelic visitation, the inner struggle and heartache and dissappointment in self would be all the more difficult to bear.
But I know that as I return to the light at the start of each new day--sincerely repentant and committed and willing to do better, be better--I find acceptance, forgiveness and more instruction. And I know the same is available to any who seek it.
The miraculous appearance of an angel to the three witnesses shines through in their testimony. You can feel the strength and power of it, the fervency inspired by it. The testimony of the eight, while valid and necessary, lacks some of the power of the testimony of the three.
I do not presume to wonder how one of the three witnesses, after having a face to face experience with an angel, came to a point in their lives where they found themselves at odds with the LDS Church. To do so would imply that I feel I would not have done so under the same circumstances. I have no right to judge them, but instead feel a sadness for them.
What a struggle it must have been to have that experience and yet have weaknesses in character great enough to prevent you from living up to that experience. I feel that same struggle in my own heart. In the pages of my journals, I have received and recorded the words of the spirit, or personal revelation. And yet, as I live through my day, I frequently find myself unequal to the task of walking by the light I have been given.
I am weak and selfish, full of pride. I cannot even say, "There but for the grace of God, go I," because I do go there. And I feel ashamed. I can only imagine that having experienced the greater light of angelic visitation, the inner struggle and heartache and dissappointment in self would be all the more difficult to bear.
But I know that as I return to the light at the start of each new day--sincerely repentant and committed and willing to do better, be better--I find acceptance, forgiveness and more instruction. And I know the same is available to any who seek it.
Intent and Description
I've just begun to reread the Book of Mormon. I've had a habit over the past few years to journal my thoughts and comments about what I read. This time around, I have decided to post my commentary to this blog.
Why?
1. I didn't know about blogs before, but I do now--and I think they're cool.
2. I want to put positive things out into this ephemeral world we call the Internet, to counterbalance the negative that seems to be pervading our global society.
3. I firmly and adamantly believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and His mission, His power to heal and to save through the Atonement. This is a way for me to share that belief and testimony with others.
4. I also believe in the Twelve Steps of recovery. This is a way to take Step 12.
5. I believe in the general idea of karma, that what goes around, comes around. Some of my children do not share my beliefs. Neither do some of my extended family members and friends who I love and care for. And while they may never choose to read this blog, maybe someone else's loved one will read it and be influenced for good. Then perhaps someone else, somewhere, someday, may touch the hearts of my children, family and friends, converting them to Jesus Christ and his gospel.
Note: While I generally study and journal every day, I may not always get those blogs entered daily. Also, some I may choose not to share due to their personal nature. But those I do post, I will post in increments which represent individual days, even though they may all have the same posting date.
I invite sincere and honest comments, but I will delete any that I deem to be disrespectful or blatant flaming.
KB
Why?
1. I didn't know about blogs before, but I do now--and I think they're cool.
2. I want to put positive things out into this ephemeral world we call the Internet, to counterbalance the negative that seems to be pervading our global society.
3. I firmly and adamantly believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and His mission, His power to heal and to save through the Atonement. This is a way for me to share that belief and testimony with others.
4. I also believe in the Twelve Steps of recovery. This is a way to take Step 12.
5. I believe in the general idea of karma, that what goes around, comes around. Some of my children do not share my beliefs. Neither do some of my extended family members and friends who I love and care for. And while they may never choose to read this blog, maybe someone else's loved one will read it and be influenced for good. Then perhaps someone else, somewhere, someday, may touch the hearts of my children, family and friends, converting them to Jesus Christ and his gospel.
Note: While I generally study and journal every day, I may not always get those blogs entered daily. Also, some I may choose not to share due to their personal nature. But those I do post, I will post in increments which represent individual days, even though they may all have the same posting date.
I invite sincere and honest comments, but I will delete any that I deem to be disrespectful or blatant flaming.
KB
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