1 Nephi 7-10
Some thoughts to consider:
What was Nephi's response when the people in the large and spacious building mocked him and the others who were partaking of the fruit? Why?
"The intensity of our desire to share the gospel is a great indicator of the extent of our personal conversion." - Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Showing posts with label Book of Mormon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book of Mormon. Show all posts
Monday, October 24, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Book of Mormon in 100 Days - Day 3
1 Nephi 3-6.
Some thoughts to consider while reading: Why did Laman & Lemuel murmur? Why did Nephi support his father? What determines whether you are a murmurer or a supporter of the Lord's work and His prophets?
"I have learned not to put question marks but to use exclamation points when calls are issued through inspired channels of priesthood government." - Elder Russell M. Nelson
Some thoughts to consider while reading: Why did Laman & Lemuel murmur? Why did Nephi support his father? What determines whether you are a murmurer or a supporter of the Lord's work and His prophets?
"I have learned not to put question marks but to use exclamation points when calls are issued through inspired channels of priesthood government." - Elder Russell M. Nelson
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Book of Mormon in 100 Days - Day 2
I'll add commentary tomorrow, but wanted to get the reading assignment posted for any early birds -
1 Nephi 1-2
If you'd like, you can mark 1 Nephi 1:20.
How have you experienced the tender mercies of the Lord?
1 Nephi 1-2
If you'd like, you can mark 1 Nephi 1:20.
How have you experienced the tender mercies of the Lord?
Monday, October 10, 2011
Book of Mormon in 100 Days - Day 1
Hi Everyone! My wonderful friend, Shauntae (whose blog is private or I would share her wonderfulness with you....) gave me a great little flip book that lines out a 100 day reading program for the Book of Mormon. We are not going to do it in 100 consecutive days here on Scripture Sisters, but we are going to follow the schedule since it is neat and tidy and easy to follow.
So, for our Day 1 reading, we're going to read the Preface, Introduction, Testimonies, and Brief Explanation of the Book of Mormon. If you're reading online, you can find them HERE, HERE, and HERE. If you'd like to request a free Book of Mormon, click HERE. Otherwise, open your copy and get reading right from the first page!
What thoughts do you have about the testimony of the 3 and 8 witnesses? How about Mormon's title page? Joseph's account of receiving the plates? How does the brief explanation help you as you study the Book of Mormon.
Some thoughts I had while reading Joseph's testimony and account of receiving the plates:
* I remember visiting the Smith home when we lived in Buffalo, NY (about 1 1/2 hours from Palmyra) - one of the missionaries guiding tours pointed out that Joseph shared a room with his several siblings. Knowing that, you would think that they would all have woken up when the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph, but they didn't. Moroni's visit, although his brightness lit up the room as if brighter than noon day, was meant only for Joseph, and he was the only one who received it. That is remarkable to me. I don't understand it, except that God knows the laws of physics much better than I do, so He must know how to make it work.
* Something that increases my faith in Joseph's story is the fact that he was not allowed to even touch the plates for years after he was first shown their hiding place. It must have taken great humility to accept that even though, yes, he had actually had a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, he still wasn't ready to carry forth the work they called him to. He had much to learn before he could even translate the Book of Mormon and restore the church and kingdom of Jesus Christ on the earth. I appreciate Joseph for being patient - learning, returning to the place he had been assigned, preparing himself for the work that laid ahead for him.
*One little tidbit I hadn't noticed before - at the bottom of the page after the testimony of Joseph Smith - there is a short paragraph that states that the Book of Mormon was brought forth and translated into modern speech by the gift and power of God... What does that mean to you? It caused me to stop and consider that this is not necessarily a word for word literal translation (meaning each word matches up with a reformed Egyptian word on the plates, for example), but a translation of the history and record - told in our modern language. For some reason the phrase "modern speech" causes me to wonder. I like it. What do you think? Am I misinterpreting the idea there?
*When we're studying the Book of Mormon over the next several months, we can refer back to the brief explanation when we're confused about the chronology or genealogy of what we're reading at the moment. A great little reference when we're reading. Let's remember to use it.
Okay, your turn. What did you learn while reading these sections? Any questions we can discuss?
One more little thought from me. I don't have any desire for this to feel like a Sunday School class. I am not the teacher - I think of myself more as a secretary -- I'm just doing the typing! Please don't feel like your comments are too small or that you don't know enough to give your thoughts. We need you! The discussion will be so much more enriching if you share even the smallest thoughts or insights or questions from your reading.
Oh, and when you leave a comment, notice that there is a little box you can check before submitting that allows you to receive any follow up comments on that particular post right in your email. It's something that might be really useful in our discussions on here since we all visit at different times.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
So, for our Day 1 reading, we're going to read the Preface, Introduction, Testimonies, and Brief Explanation of the Book of Mormon. If you're reading online, you can find them HERE, HERE, and HERE. If you'd like to request a free Book of Mormon, click HERE. Otherwise, open your copy and get reading right from the first page!
What thoughts do you have about the testimony of the 3 and 8 witnesses? How about Mormon's title page? Joseph's account of receiving the plates? How does the brief explanation help you as you study the Book of Mormon.
Some thoughts I had while reading Joseph's testimony and account of receiving the plates:
* I remember visiting the Smith home when we lived in Buffalo, NY (about 1 1/2 hours from Palmyra) - one of the missionaries guiding tours pointed out that Joseph shared a room with his several siblings. Knowing that, you would think that they would all have woken up when the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph, but they didn't. Moroni's visit, although his brightness lit up the room as if brighter than noon day, was meant only for Joseph, and he was the only one who received it. That is remarkable to me. I don't understand it, except that God knows the laws of physics much better than I do, so He must know how to make it work.
* Something that increases my faith in Joseph's story is the fact that he was not allowed to even touch the plates for years after he was first shown their hiding place. It must have taken great humility to accept that even though, yes, he had actually had a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, he still wasn't ready to carry forth the work they called him to. He had much to learn before he could even translate the Book of Mormon and restore the church and kingdom of Jesus Christ on the earth. I appreciate Joseph for being patient - learning, returning to the place he had been assigned, preparing himself for the work that laid ahead for him.
*One little tidbit I hadn't noticed before - at the bottom of the page after the testimony of Joseph Smith - there is a short paragraph that states that the Book of Mormon was brought forth and translated into modern speech by the gift and power of God... What does that mean to you? It caused me to stop and consider that this is not necessarily a word for word literal translation (meaning each word matches up with a reformed Egyptian word on the plates, for example), but a translation of the history and record - told in our modern language. For some reason the phrase "modern speech" causes me to wonder. I like it. What do you think? Am I misinterpreting the idea there?
*When we're studying the Book of Mormon over the next several months, we can refer back to the brief explanation when we're confused about the chronology or genealogy of what we're reading at the moment. A great little reference when we're reading. Let's remember to use it.
Okay, your turn. What did you learn while reading these sections? Any questions we can discuss?
One more little thought from me. I don't have any desire for this to feel like a Sunday School class. I am not the teacher - I think of myself more as a secretary -- I'm just doing the typing! Please don't feel like your comments are too small or that you don't know enough to give your thoughts. We need you! The discussion will be so much more enriching if you share even the smallest thoughts or insights or questions from your reading.
Oh, and when you leave a comment, notice that there is a little box you can check before submitting that allows you to receive any follow up comments on that particular post right in your email. It's something that might be really useful in our discussions on here since we all visit at different times.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
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