Really got the kids attention explaining one of the "War Chapters" in the Book of Alma (Alma 43 and 44) when I pointed out that the Lamanites wore only a skin to cover their "weenies". This got their attention, and we talked about what we would do if we had to fight an army. My oldest daughter got all the answers right, and really got engaged. She suggested getting shields, and sneak attacks and praying to God. I was quite impressed by how much attention I was able to hold by this somewhat controversial, but down to earth discussion. (My oldest is only about 7 years old).

--Ray

Just finished the Isaiah chapters of 2 Nephi again. I love those chapters. It always leaves me pondering them. They do scare me though. I just don't know who is whom in the interpretation of the symbols. I suppose I sin in trying to use the prophecies like a divining rod; I should just be glad to let the principles govern my life, but I can't help but wonder to what degree of literal interpretation can one view the future through those words. I see a lot of signs in it.

Today in Jacob chapter 2, I was struck by the warning phrase that Jacob gives to his people that they have begun to "labor in sin". He refers to them wresting the scriptures to excuse them in committing whoredoms and getting rich to the exclusion of others. I think it is interesting terminology, though. How often do we labor in sin? We work so hard to justify it, and dedicate our lives to it, and spend our strength in the pursuit of it. It was just a good reminder, and I had to ask myself, to what degree do I labor in sin?How often do I labor to do the things that I know--deep down--are wrong.

--Ray

Anyone who believes that the Book of Mormon is racist needs to read 4 Nephi. This single chapter contains a verse which describes the state of the people of the Book of Mormon when they finally accepted Christ and were living in perfection. And it makes the observation that there were no Nephites or Lamanites or any kind of "ites". Race, family privileges, lineage, birthright, wealth, class; none of it was important nor did it exist when these people were living the teachings of Christ to their fullest... Very cool. How I wish we could all do so.

--Ray

I'm in the middle of the teachings of Christ to the Nephites. It amazes me how far away my mind is from these teachings, when I turn it on in the morning or after work. Here're the pinnacle of Christian teachings, and I'm singing "Play that funky music, white boy" when it comes on. Something of a reminder of just how surreal life is, and a jarring refresh of what's important in life. And one wonders why we are encouraged to partake of the sacrament (bread and wine (water)) often?

--Ray

A little detail I never noticed today, that I did... When Alma meets Ammon when traveling to the land of Manti, because Ammon and the converted Lamanites are fleeing their brethren, Alma goes back with Ammon to the people of Ammon and in meeting with them, he tells them his conversion story. Just a fun little detail, I can imagine Ammon being terrified that he's leading his people to death among the Nephites, because here comes a horde of Lamanites and having known the Nephite stereotypes and terrible hatred of all things Lamanite (as evidenced by what the Nephites told the sons of Ammon when they left to go on their mission to the Lamanites), he probably feared that the Nephites would shun the Lamanites, not trust them, mistake them for an army, and so in this state of uncertainty and fleeing from the brutal Amalekites who openly sought their destruction, Ammon is wandering into the land of the Nephites, and who should he come across but ALMA his good friend and fellow convert. The very friend who was with the sons of Mosiah when they were all converted to the Lord. What a wonderful coincidence... as if it were solely a coincidence...--Ray

Want to make a quick update: still listening to the Book of Mormon everyday, but I don't have much time to update this blog. sadly...

I find it interesting that Ammon makes the distinction that (Alma 18:34) "in the beginning" man was formed in God's image. It makes me wonder if that doesn't imply something about the form of man now, and if it has at all devolved, changed, or implies a corruption of flesh, implying the physical creation, making distinction between a spiritual and physical creation. Yeah... it's space doctrine, but it is the way I think about things.

The same chapter is interesting because I find it amusing that Ammon is seen as 'exemplary' because he does a good job at his work. Says something about the Lamanite-Work-Ethic. I suppose the commentators don't lie whey they're described as idle. I think the same can be applied today. If you are excellent at what you do, people notice and are often mystified by it.

The second part I like from Chapter 18 of Alma is how the king marvels that Ammon can perceive his thoughts. This makes me wonder just how savage the lamanites were at that time. When I read the account, I think it's pretty obvious why the king would be alarmed. I am not entirely sure that Ammon's gift of perception wasn't something more common today, known as common sense or empathy. What would it be like to live in a society so brutal that it had no empathy for the suffering of others? What might it be like to live by the sword, kill or be killed, like so many did back then? You get a sense of the brutal nature of the lamanites from the Nephites who defected over to them. How they became savage and hell-bent on war. It makes me grateful of the society in I currently live, a place where differences are settled by discussion, rather than brutality.

--Ray

I haven't posted anything in quite a while. Mostly due to work and my vacation daze. I've been thinking a lot of deep thoughts about the Book of Mormon, of course, and in particular I find the story of Ammon and Amulek, and their experience in the city of Ammonihah fascinating. It often goes untold, I believe, because it is overshadowed by the mission of the sons of Mosiah, the tale of Ammon, and all that. It's a powerful story, however, and one that bothers me, because I really don't want to be one of those believers that God allows to be thrown into a fiery furnace because they believe in God and all that. While I like to think that I could do it, I have to confess that I certainly don't have my heart set on being a martyr. I've known folk who have been, and on my mission, I was probably one of them. I believe the reason I wanted to be a martyr on my mission was that I was, for the first time in my life, living the commandments to the best of my abilities, and I wanted a fast-track to heaven, and not have to work out my salvation with good works for the remainder of an otherwise dull existence. Of course, we all know that such a notion is pure folley, and thankfully God didn't take one ultra-zealous missionary boy back home when I was out there on my mission, cuz, quite frankly, I've come to realize that this ultra-zealous kid, has a lot of room for improvement, and I'm thankful for the time I have to try to get things right.

This last year has been spectacular for me. I've gone through the full course of the Book of Mormon over fifteen times. (I lost track of counting... but I estimate 15 because I was getting through the full Book of Mormon in little less than a month, and I never slowed that pace. It might actually be more... ) I took an hour a day, every day that I drove to work, and often on trips about town, to listen to the Book of Mormon. Ironically it still hasn't gotten old. I love it. It is a standard that I strive toward, and it's an awfully high standard.

Many times I have tried to think about what the Book of Mormon is trying to say. What is the message to our people? I think, ultimately, it is a message of hope. It is a very positive message, despite the horrible consequences of those who had the ill fortune of sealing the testimony of Christ. It is a message of hope BECAUSE WE HAVE IT! It signifies that God has not given up on us. That despite centuries of men trying to do Christ in their own way, Christ cares enough to clarify and restate his Gospel to us today. He cares enough to give us another chance.

Another confession I must make, despite the terrible things that will happen in the last days, I have to confess that to the people of the church, perhaps on the American continent, I am not entirely sure that things will be absolutely horrible. There will be punishments, we are promised, if we treat God lightly in this land, but in terms of his return, I am left wondering if Zion will pass through it all untouched. It makes me all the more eager to see Zion established. I know that there will be heart ache, and fear, and death and all types of calamities to come, and I take the prophetic counsel to be prepared very seriously, but I see a possibility that due to our best efforts there is a path or a choice to avoid all that too. I am not sure if this path is visible because I know that if we do repent and live the commandments of God that we will be blessed as a nation, and I am simply seeing the mercy and nature of God's dealings with men, or if I am seeing a possible prophecy. That I cannot say. But I do think that in this age of terror and fear, that it is now more important than ever that we apply the teachings of Christ, that we seek God's Spirit in our lives, that we turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, give our coat to those who ask of it, forgive 7x70 times, forgive that we're forgiven, take the beam from our own eye, pray for those that spitefully use us, love our enemies, and bless those that persecute us. It is time that we stopped being afraid of the prophecies and darkness of the future and got to work living the principles that have brought us freedom and civilization, peace and prosperity. The Book of Mormon underlines these principles. It delineates the terrible consequences that come from being racist, selfish, obsessed with revenge, and disobedient to the commands of God. We can avoid those consequences, and live in the rest of God. It is a great new year, and new opportunity. I hope that it lasts, that we can make it last, and that we can put down the destroyer, through the publishing of truth, mercy and love. The parable of Zenock and the Olive Tree makes me think that this process is happening, and that while there may be a hiccup now and again, the vineyard will be purified and we will be brought to see the joy in bringing forth good fruit.

--Ray