The Challenge to Become - Elder Dallin H. Oaks (oct. 2000)

This talk comes from the the November issue of the Ensign. I found this talk while doing some research for a talk I was asked to give in church. I really enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed it a whole bunch. So, read and discuss. If you'd like to.

Mormon 4 and 5

I really enjoyed these chapters. They are still sad, but look! Mormon sent a message to people like me who found these chapters sad.

Mormon 5:8-11

And now behold, I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of men in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before mine eyes; but I, knowing that these things must surely be made known, and that all things which are hid must be revealed upon the house-tops—

9 And knowing that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles, who the Lord hath said should scatter this people, and this people should be counted as naught among them—therefore I write a small abridgment, daring not to give a full account of the things which I have seen, because of the commandment which I have received, and also that ye might not have too great sorrow because of the wickedness of this people.

10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come.

11 For I know that such will sorrow for the calamity of the house of Israel; yea, they will sorrow for the destruction of this people; they will sorrow that this people had not repented that they might have been clasped in the arms of Jesus.


Why do you think these people chose not to repent?

Why do you think Mormon decided to be the commander of the armies again?

Do you think that it was good that Mormon held back in his description of the wickedness of the people or do you think it would be helpful to compare and contrast to our day?

Even as wicked as we are today, I think that in times of desperation we as a nation, people still turn to God for help. That gives me hope.

Who do you think the "remnant of Jacob" is who could come and be as a young lion and tear to pieces the unrepentant gentiles. I think this is in the last verse of Chapter 5. I have my guesses, just wondering if you concur.

I'll post again today with Mormon 6 and Moroni 9.

Janelle

Mormon 3

"And I would that I could persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent and prepare to stand before the judgment-seat of Christ." Mormon 3:22

Mormon, you have persuaded me.

Thank you.

Janelle

The Day of Grace Was Passed With Them

Mormon 2 is SAD!

Like super uber duper sad.

Here are my favorite verses:

13 But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.
14 And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die. Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives.
15 And it came to pass that my sorrow did return unto me again, and I saw that the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually;

Wickedness never was happiness. Same is true today. I have friends who have chosen wayward paths who profess to be "happier than ever" than they had been in the church. And yet, their full attention is given to the tearing down and humiliation of the church. It doesn't look happy to me. It looks angry, spiteful and lonely.

In these scriptures you can see why Mormon aged so quickly: grief. Sorrow for the sins of the world. It was interesting that in 3 Nephi, Mormon pointed out that the 3 Nephites had been transfigured so that no harm or sickness could come upon them, aside from the sorrow for the sins of the world.

President Monson is such a happy guy, so was President Hinckley. Nevertheless, I do think they are acquainted with this type of sorrow. Sometimes we experience these same feelings in our families and in our callings. It makes you grow up spiritually.

Right now, I'm hoping Mormon is light years happier than he was than when he wrote this chapter.

Happy Monday!

Janelle

How Could Ye Have Departed From the Ways of The Lord.

Hi! This is Janelle. I blog at janelles.wordpress.com. Julie and I are blogging buddies. She invited me to post alongside TaLaisa's wonderful Conference studies. I will post once a day in preparation for next week's Sunday School Lesson: Mormon 1-6 Moroni 9

We skipped last week which was 3 Nephi 27 - 30 and 4 Nephi. In these beautiful scriptures we get a look into the peaceful state of a Zion community after the visitation of the Lord. There was perpetual peace and Mormon says there was never a happier people on all the earth. I know I wish I was alive in that time. Don't you?

We also learned all about the three Nephites and their calling and work on earth. I'm sad we didn't discuss these chapters because I loved them so much. I hope you don't skip them.

We must press forward so today we're talking about Mormon 1.

When Mormon was 10 he was approached by the record keeper Ammaron to receive the plates when he was 24.

At age 15, Mormon was visited by the Lord.

In 3 Nephi Mormon testified that he was ministered to by the 3 Nephites.

Mormon was commanded NOT to preach the things He learned from these ministrations because of the willful rebellion of the people.

How does knowing the character and life of Mormon affect your thoughts on the Book of Mormon as a whole?

How does knowing Mormon to be so young when he first was singled out by the Lord make you reflect on yourself and your children?

How did you feel when you learned that the Apostles had been taken from the earth? From what is written how do you think Mormon felt about this?

Tomorrow, I'll post about Mormon 2.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Janelle

Living Scripture- Go Ye Therefore by Silvia H. Allred

This week we'll read this one. Go Ye Therefore by Silvia H. Allred
As in the past, please share your thoughts and insights from your reading.

He Did Expound All Things Unto Them

I've obviously been seriously slacking over here lately. Thanks, TaLaisa, for keeping us going with Living Scripture. I'd like to continue that this week, if you'll get us a new talk to study.

As for Book of Mormon study, our ward is in 3 Nephi 22-26. As we have from the start, I think we'll just keep with my ward's schedule, so as to keep the confusion low.

There are 5 chapters to study this week and so I should be posting one per day, but I am going to ease myself back into the habit of moderating by having us study all the chapters as one post and comment as we go. If you find something in a particular chapter you like, comment about it! You can always add more later.

Here are the study suggestions from the Class Member Study Guide:

• • After quoting prophecies of Isaiah, Jesus commanded the people to “search these things diligently” (3 Nephi 23:1). What does it mean to search the scriptures instead of merely read them?

• • In his record, Mormon included only “the lesser part” of what Jesus taught the people (3 Nephi 26:8). How can we receive “the greater things”? (See 3 Nephi 26:9.)

• • Read 3 Nephi 26:19–21. How can we follow this example in our marriages, families, wards, and stakes?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts as we study! And stay tuned for a Living Scripture post, as well.