Ray and the Rhododendrons

A week from last Saturday one of our neighbors who is moving away and did some major home rennovations before getting his house ready to put on the market, went in with us to rent a dumpster. We had a number of things we needed to throw away and we thought it would be a convenient and pretty cheap way to get rid of them. Little did I know I was about to embark in the adventure of a lifetime. An adventure which would threaten life and limb!

Anyone who's been to our home knows that we have more rhododendron bushes than you can shake a stick at, and well, a couple weeks ago I hired a couple of the 16 year olds from church, who were trying to earn funds for camp, to dig them up. They did a great job making a massive clearing of dirt in my backyard, but we had a huge pile of dead branches and debris from the excavation that they stuck between the hedges at the side of our house.

One good way to get bugs eating your house is to stack dead wood against it, and so I was somewhat eager to get rid of this pile. So when the prospect of filling the dumpster with these branches came up, I determined to get rid of the pile.

However, after taking a few walking trips to the dump with an assortment of junk, and after dragging the pile to the front driveway I started to brainstorm for an easy way to transport this huge mass of branches and rootballs to the dumpster that wouldn't involve so much manual labor. I consider myself something of a genius at taking the easy route when it comes to hard work, and so I soon had a plan. We had an old bedframe, the kind with the web of springs you find in a sleeper sofa that we were also throwing out. The kids were playing with a piano dolly, too. Soon a plot began to boil in my little brain about how I could get all the sticks and stumps down to the dumpster in one easy trip.

I placed the bedspring across the piano dolly. To my delight the springs were tight enough that it formed a large springy platform about the length and width of a small car. Then I proceeded to stack the heavy rootballs clumped with dirt, thick stumps and twigs on top of this platform. We stuck a long stick on the front and the back, and created something of a giant stick monster out of the pile. The girls had a blast creating this tangle of debris, and we laughed as it grew to the volume of a small car.

Now my house is atop a hill. On one side, to get to my house, there's a very steep road, that curves its way up to my house. The road that leads to my house from a very busy road at the bottom of the hill, climbs up the side of a steep cliff, of sorts, and then turns at a right angle straight up the steep, steep hill to come to my house. All along this steep road on either side of the hill are houses build on what might be terraces where they've cut into this steep hill.

The dumpster was in the driveway of a house about 3/4ths of the way up this very steep hill. Of course if you've been to my house, you know about this hill, because as you come off the busy road you have to take what is more or less a blind turn to make that right angle turn and people drive up and down it all day and night like idiots. People have been killed on this hill, and it's something of an annoyance to most of us, because of how narrow the road is. Sometimes as you come up the hill and make that right turn to go straight up the hill to my house, cars will come down, and it is BARELY two lanes.

In the winter this road is regularly closed because it is too steep to safely navigate, and because of the right turn, if you slipped on the ice, you'd plow through the trees and plummet off of the cliff onto the busy roadway below. This would probably result in damage to your car... if not death.

But no worries. My house is atop the hill. It's flat atop the hill. It forms a sort of plateau. It's easy to push a piano dolly laden with sticks the size of a car upon this flat surface without any troubles.

Then I started down the hill. I was playing that the whole thing was getting away from me. "Look Becca! Oh no! It's getting away!" I'd say, and then I'd grab it, or jump in front of it the way Superman might jump in front of a train to save a puppy. The twigs plowed into me, but I could manage the cartload without too much trouble.

And of course, as you're all guessing by now... I managed to safely get the whole mess to the driveway of the dumpster without a problem. It did not go careening down the hill. No. After some effort I managed to push the whole rhodo-vehicle to the gravelly driveway and began to unload the mass of sticks.

After unloading a few twigs, I grabbed one of the larger sticks and suddenly the whole mass of twigs shifted. The place where it was firmly planted had shifted too. I watched in horror as the pile of heavy rootballs and sticks left the driveway without my permission. I tried to grab a branch, but the mass continued to head down the hill, and I was left holding a rather long branch that did nothing to stop the whole mess from picking up more and more and more deadly speed. I ran after it, but by now it was too late.

What had seemed like a really good idea at the time, had become my worst nightmare. I watched as this mass of metal and dirt and stumps hurled down the roadway, barely missing a parked red sports car. I cried out to God in a voice as loud and clear, "Please God, Don't let anyone get hurt. Please let it stop!" I imagined a car coming around the blind right angle curve. There would be NO WAY to avoid this thing that was not going what I would estimate would be about fifty miles an hour. It struck an embankment covered in ivy, spun and then smacked securely against the house as the base of the right angled curve against a wall of railroad ties, with a deafening crash! A cloud of dirt and dead leaves from the plants flew out like fire and smoke in what looked like a hollywood explosion.

The house owner was there weedwhacking. He had his walkman on over his ears. He'd just whacked the ivy that had been where my cart of death landed, and now was busy working on the interior of his home. The sudden appearance of a giant car-sized tangle of branches and stumps and twisted metal gave his heart a start. I trundled down the hill panting and out of breath and the man told me as much. I said, "I am so sorry. I am so sorry. I just thank the God of Heaven and Earth that no one got hurt. We are so lucky."

They just stared as I grabbed the whole mess, which was now not nearly as steady as it had been when I'd crafted my brilliant plan. The dolly was off to one side, and the metal frame dragged on the roadway. I looked up the steep hill. I had a long ways to go and all that weight I was hoping to avoid carrying to the dumpster was now easily as far away from me as my house had been from the dumpster in the first place... only now it was at the bottom of the hill of death.

I started to push the weed contraption up the hill. I'd made this mess, I was going to clean it up. Only it was not nearly as easy to push up the hill. You see the mass of twigs really has no surface against which to push. You just have to kinda tug at it, and guide it as it goes easily down hill. Now that I was at the bottom of the hill, I would attempt to push it up the hill, only to have the whole mass move in an arc sideways across the road, attempting to finish its journey to the bottom of the hill. I struggled with my mess. Meanwhile cars were also attempting to use the road. As I pulled my unwieldy mass of junk to one side of the road so that a car could pass me. I looked up at the the work I had above me, and realized there was no human way I could possibly get this mass up the hill.

Some of you are in good physical shape. Perhaps this would be easy for you. I applaud your efforts to keep yourself in good physical shape. At the time I could not stand without feeling dizzy. I think I had heat exhaustion, to tell you the truth, because it was a very clear and very hot day, and I'd spent most of my strength carrying other objects to the dumpster and running down a very steep hill.

I had made this mess. It was mine. I had tried to do something good, but it had turned into something I could no longer control. I prayed for help.

As I let a car pass me, the driver stopped and said, "Do you need help?" I said, "Oh yes!"

He was a young man in his mid twenties, named Andrew. He was in very good physical shape. He had a tattoo of oriental characters on his arm, but was otherwise clean-cut and looked like he could be a soldier. I didn't have a lot of breath for conversation, but he mentioned to me that he did volunteer work with a group, I think it was World Conservation. I relayed to him what had happened and how his help was greatly appreciated.

I'd never seen him in the neighborhood, and I've not seen him since, but he took one end of the cart, while I took the other and together we towed and pushed that whole mass all the way up that hill. And with my help we threw the metal frame and the heavier rootballs into the dumpster, then I thanked him and he drove away.

By the time I got to the dumpster, I was completely out of energy. I still had a pile of sticks to put in the dumpster, but I just couldn't do it. I put the dolly aside and told the girls to help me get the twigs in the dumpster. They did what all children do when there's a chance to move dirty sticks. They disappeared. I think I told Becca to just get rid of the piano dolly, and she took it up the hill with her sister, but by this time I was so out of breath I could not think straight.

As soon as I was all alone, I found a shady spot on the side of the house and laid down on the cool cement walkway. My heart was exploding. My lungs felt stretched, gasping for air that seemed not to bring any relief. My whole body ached. Some of you have witnessed this part of me, from a certain ill-fated hike I took up Mount St. Helens. It was the very same level of exhaustion. I remember laying in the shade on the cold pavement thinking about how nice it would be if I died, cursing all those pizzas I ate in college, and pleading with God to forgive me for the mess I'd made of myself.

As I was thus pleading, a scripture came to my mind. It was from the book of Mosiah, the story of Alma the Elder, who had led a group of believers into the wilderness to flee the persecution of King Noah, because he believed the words of Abinadi. A few years later, who should come knocking in their land, but a lost army of Lamanites who took Alma and his followers captive and set one of the Priests of Noah (Amulon) in charge of making Alma and his people work. Alma and his people suffered great affliction and had burdens put upon their backs, and they prayed to God, but were put to death if they were caught praying. God blessed Alma's people, though. He lifted their burdens, and made them light, as though they could not feel them.

Mosiah 24: 11-15
11. And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
12. And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.
13. And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

As I thought of this story, I felt some strength return to me. I could do it. I could clean up the remaining branches in the driveway, so that it wasn't a mess and our neighbor could sell his house. I walked out from the shade into the piercing hot sun. I walked to the base of the driveway where the pile of sticks waited.

I looked up the hill, and who should be coming but Becca with the piano dolly, loaded up with some Little Tykes Playground equipment. There was a car behind her, impatiently waiting for her to move out of the way, and she was behind the dolly, pushing it down the hill. As I noticed her, her whole load shifted, and she jumped on the dolly trying to save her load, but it slipped and again the dolly with some rather large pieces of plastic started down the hill.

I arrived just in time to stop the load from going down the hill. I don't know that we would've been so lucky the second time. Perhaps it would've taken a different path, and clobbered the red sportscar, or hit an oncoming car, or missed the railroad ties altogether and launched itself off the cliffside onto the busy road below.

Thankfully I don't have to tell you what would've happened. I credit the Book of Mormon story with saving me from that.

I've also exiled the piano dolly from coming anywhere near the hill.

I've been thinking about this experience for a week now. I've been thinking about how lucky I was. About how what seems like good ideas, can turn really bad. About how little control we have over the basic laws of physics--though we all think we're so smart, or that bad things will happen to others but not to us. I have thought about how God does love us, and how he blesses us even when we don't deserve it. If we turn and trust in Him, He provides a way to help us out of our troubles and affliction. People we least expect might be helpful, can turn up just when we need them. I think about how my daughter thought she could do what I did, and get away with not making the same mistake, yet ironically she made exactly the same errors I did. And I thank God I was able to be there for her, to help her up, and catch her mistake before it spiraled out of control.

Hopefully the above experience doesn't seem boastful, but I feel like I should, as the scripture above indicated was the purpose of Alma's afflictions, "stand as a witness" that God loves us and helps us in real life.

I am grateful to God for providing a Savior for all of us. He loves us very much. He has seen to our needs, will be there for you if you remember to call upon His name. I am trying to be more loving and more forgiving. I don't want doubt or the darkness of my own challenges root out the hope I have in Christ, because His love is real, and a gift extended to all of us, no matter where we are in life. We may have made spiritual messes with the best intentions, or perhaps like me, I was just lazy and trying to find a way to avoid doing real work. We may have to do some heavy lifting to undo them, but if you keep your faith in God, He will provide a way to get through the pain and make the burdens of your duties easy to bear.

--Ray

True Love

Quick Verse: Alma 38 v. 12 "Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness."

We live in a world that thinks passion is love, an idicator of true love, and the source of it. I find it interesting that Alma counsels his son to bridle (control and harness) his passions that he may be filled with love. I think his distinction is profound. He's essentially saying that passion unrestrained (as dizzying and sensational as it may seem in the moment) actually may keep us from experiencing TRUE love.

I don't know to what degree this is true, but it is my opinion that one cannot be filled with true love, if one harbors the heated feelings of lusts, because one cannot see past the object of one's desires and break past the selfish desires of self to where true love allows us to serve, sacrifice and perceive true beauty.

--Ray

Book of Mosiah Summary

I wrote the following summary to help my sister-in-law who asked if anyone else got a little confused by the Book of Mormon sequence "starting" in the Book of Mosiah. Though I note that the Book of Mormon actually starts to get a little confusing near the end of the Book of Omni, she's entirely right...

Anyhow this was a fun exercise, and I've thought about doing this type of summary for the whole book of Alma and Helaman, which likewise are a bit confuddling in places where they branch off to attend different parties.

I did think it was interesting that Mormon threw a lot of records together to create his narrative. He would insert whole sermons from this or that prophet. I also think it is interesting that you don't see as much of that tendency in the books that were not transcribed by Mormon, namely the (small) Plates of Nephi, which contain the books of Nephi I and II, Jacob, Enos, Jarom and Omni. Of course, that's because they were taken verbatem from the collection of Records that Mormon used to compile his record. While Mormon's record was lost thanks to Martin Harris's wife...

S0 without further ado... (or should I say adieu and tick off the antis?)

Here's my summary and reply...

That's because it does jump around. Let's see if I can sum up...

1.(Omni 1:12-19) In the end of the book of OMNI, Amaleki (the son of Abinadom, son of Chemish, and a bunch of other slackers) records the details of the Nephites flight from their traditional lands. Apparently they are overwhelmed by the lamanites, and so King Mosiah (the first) takes the more righteous part of the Nephites and flees. They find people of Mulek in the city of Zarahemla.

2. (Omni 1:19-22) To make matters more confusing, Amaleki tells about how the people of Zarahemla had been visited by a man named Coriantumr, and about how the man wrote on a stone. King Mosiah the first (also a seer) interprets the engravings and it tells of the people described in the book of Ether who destroyed themselves with war... (Ray speculating: I think the reason why Amaleki mentions this confusing sideline is because it is by this gift that King Mosiah and his Nephites is appointed King over the people of Mulek as well... Seeing as how the Mulekites were more numerous than the Nephites.)

3. (Omni 1:27-30) Zeniff (though it doesn't state his name in the end of the words of Omni) leads a group of Nephites back to the "land of their first inheritance". (He actually goes twice, the first time ends in a civil war in which the nephite party mostly kills itself...) This land is commonly called "The land of Nephi", which ironically is owned by the Lamanites. This is the point in history where they disappear from our sights for a while.

4. The Words of Mormon: Mormon pops in and explains that he found the Plates of Nephi (which contains the account of Nephi) while he was compiling a history of his people the Nephites, many hundred years after the coming of Christ. This adds further confusion because he's another character that prior to this point is completely unknown... and one wonders WHERE THE HECK DID THIS GUY COME FROM...

5. His words form an abridgement between the words written in the books of 1 and 2 Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom and Omni, to the Book of Mosiah, and his own summary of the history of the Nephites which he has been compiling. At this point it's okay to be confused, because one should naturally wonder, Where is the part of the Summary of Mormon describing the Nephite History prior to the Words of Mormon?

The answer is that those were the 115 + pages that were lost by Martin Harris. These pages are commonly called "The Book of Lehi" though it's a misnomer, as it could have contained pages describing the detailed history of the posterity of Nephi all the way down to the first King Mosiah. The words of Mormon more or less skip the life of King Mosiah the 1st and most of the life of King Benjamin, his son...

6. (Mosiah ch. 1-5) King Benjamin is the son of the first king Mosiah. We don't learn much about his life, but we do know that in the end of his life he was visited by an angel. He gives his sermon to the people he is ruling in Zarahemla who humble themselves and repent, and announces that his son also named Mosiah will be king.

7. (Mosiah ch. 6) King Benjamin dies. King Mosiah (the Second) son of Benjamin, is king, and his people in the land of Zarahemla start to wonder whatever happened to their brethren who left the land of Zarahemla (led by Zeniff (see #3.)) to settle in the land of their forefathers (also called the Land of Lehi-Nephi). King Mosiah sends a group of Nephites to find out what happens to them. This group is led by a man named "Ammon" (But it's not the Ammon you know, who had a propensity to cut off arms...)

8. (Mosiah ch. 7) Ammon finds the land of Lehi-Nephi. He is taken captive by a man named King Limhi, who is the CURRENT king over the people who were led by Zeniff to the land of their forefather's inheritance. These Nephites are in a world of hurt. They are slaves to the Lamanites. King Limhi supposed that Ammon and his bretheren were enemies (I'll explain later, it's confusing... to do so here. :) King Limhi tries to recount their history... and explains the Nephites living in the land of Lehi-Nephi led by Zeniff had been warned of a prophet and they had slain him (this is Abinadi, but we get to learn more about him too)

9. Mosiah ch. 8 - Ammon teaches the people (Nephites led by Zeniff into the land of Lehi-Nephi) about the words of King Benjamin. They desire to be baptized but this Ammon doesn't think he's worthy. King Limhi brings 24 gold plates, and desires them be interpretted. Ammon explains that King Mosiah II could intepret these plates for he is a seer. King Limhi's (Nephites led originally by Zeniff into the land of Lehi-Nephi) people had been trying to find the land of Zarahemla to see if they couldn't get some help, but found a land covered in bones and found the 24 gold plates (the book of Ether), and they thought perhaps this was the land of Zarahemla, and that the Lamanites had destroyed ALL the nephites... therefore they had long stopped hoping for deliverance from slavery to the Lamanites.

10. (Mosiah 9-10) Now we switch to the ACTUAL account of Zeniff (who led the people of Nephi out of Zarahemla to the land of Lehi-Nephi). Here we learn about a deal that Zeniff made with a King Laman in which they settled and created a city in the land of Lehi-Nephi and Zenif became a king over his people (after their first curfuffle). When King Laman dies, the Lamanites begin to attack the Nephites hoping to enslave them, so that they can have their riches. The Nephites under King Zeniff (living in the land of Lehi-Nephi) triumph against the Lamanites.

11. (Mosiah 11-12) - King Zeniff dies and King Noah takes his place. King Noah is a greedy jerk, who taxes the people and builds a great throne and lives a riotous life with harlots and lots of immorality. He kicks out all the old priests and gets new priests who will party with him. Among these priests is a man named Amulon, and another man named Alma. They like to party with harlots all night long. Then this guy named Abinadi shows up and condemns them and their lifestyle choices. This torks them off... Abinadi goes into hiding.

12. (Mosiah 12-16) Abinadi is caught. He delivers a great sermon to King Noah's evil priests. King Noah's priests try to confound Abinadi, but King Noah's priests are only made to look a fool.

13. (Mosiah 17) Alma believes the words of Abinadi. He flees King Noah and writes all the words of Abinadi, while Abinadi is put to death by fire. King Noah actually almost lets Abinadi go, but Amulon and his priest buddies use peer-pressure to keep the King from doing the right thing. Abinadi prophecies that because he is put to death that the people of Nephi will be scourged and that the descendants of King Noah's priests shall likewise do and be smitten in like manner by death by fire. Amulon and the other priests say, "Nyah-nyah-nyah!"

14. (Mosiah 18) Alma repents. He preaches the words of Abinadi to the people, who for some reason are willing to listen to him. They meet and baptize one another in the waters of Mormon (which is what Mormon, that guy that just popped into the story way back, is named after), But King Noah detecting a movement among his people, discovers Alma and sends troops to kill them, so Alma and his people flee into the wilderness.

15. At this point we now have three groups of Nephites living in the land.

• - Alma and his Nephites are living in a land they call Helam (though you don't know the name of the land til later)
• - King Noah's people living in the land of Lehi-Nephi
• - King Benjamin/Mosiah II's people living in the land of Zarahemla.

...hence your confusion is warranted... ...but let's get back to the book of Mosiah...

16. (Mosiah 19: 1-8) With less people in the land, and with the death of Abinadi, the people rise up against King Noah, led by a man named Gideon, who is something of a warrior. He chases King Noah onto a tower. From the tower they see an army of Lamanites is invading the land, so Gideon spares King Noah to defend the people.

17, (Mosiah 19: 9-12) King Noah commands his people to flee. Of course the women and children are slower, so King Noah (always the civil servant, dedicated to his people) commands his faster runners to run faster and help him go faster and to forget the kids and wives and fair daughters who can't run as well... they run off leaving the children.

18. (Mosiah 19: 13-18) Those left behind send out their fair daughters and they charm the Lamanites. The Lamanites take these Nephites captive. We know that Gideon and Limhi (son of Noah) stayed behind with the women and children, for the first thing Gideon does is send out a party of men to find King Noah, Amulon and the fellow priests, and the men who ran off like cowards.

19. (Mosiah 19:18-21) The men who were cowards realize what they've done, and realize what they did to their wives and children. They wish to go back, but King Noah and his priests want to keep running. There's a power struggle. The cowardly-suddenly-regretful men are apparently more numerous for than King Noah for they take Noah and have a barbeque with him, and were about to do the same with Amulon and the priests of King Noah, but they run away. The men return to find the men of Gideon and Limhi.

20.(Mosiah 19:22-29) The fragment of the people originally founded by Zeniff, now led by King Limhi (son of Noah) now take an oath to the King of the Lamanites that they will pay tribute half of their flocks and abundance yearly. In return, the Lamanites vow not to kill them.

21. (Mosiah 20) - The wicked priests of King Noah (including one Amulon) discover a number of young nubile lamanite women who bathe (probably naked even...) and being men of high class and once teachers of the Law of Moses, they kidnap these young girls... This causes the Lamanites to go ballistic. These lamanites attack the Nephites ruled by King Limhi living in the land of Lehi-Nephi. They capture the king of the Lamanites, and Gideon reminds King Limhi that the Priests of King Noah are horndogs... and are most likely the ones who did this thing.

22. (Mosiah 21) After working out the conflict, these Nephites try to free themselves, but are continually beaten back by the lamanites, until they finally give up and submit themselves to bondage, accepting the curse that Abinadi prophesied would be their fate. King Limhi explains to Ammon just why he thought Ammon was a priest of king noah, and brings out the 24 gold plates asking for a translation, again.

23. At this point it's worth noting that there are actually FOUR groups of Nephites living in the land.

• - The wicked priests of King Noah with their nubile young brides of the Lamanites living in a land called "Amulon" (though you don't discover this til later).
• - Alma and his Nephites are living in a land they call Helam (though you still don't know the name of this land nor where they went...)
• - King Noah's people living in the land of Lehi-Nephi
• - King Benjamin/Mosiah II's people living in the land of Zarahemla.

24. (Mosiah 22) Gideon comes up with a plan for the Nephites to escape, and they do. Ammon leads the Nephites following King Limhi into the wilderness back to the Land of Zarahemla, where they all swear fealty to King Mosiah II. An army of lamanites chases them into the wilderness... but gets lost...

25. (Mosiah 23: 1-30) - We return to the account of Alma (the first Alma, expriest of King Noah, not the one for which the book of Alma is named, btw) living with his followers in the land of Helam. Things are pretty nice, and they have no king, until an army of Lamanites shows upon their borders. They're lost. They promise to let Alma and his people alone if they just show them how to get home. Of course they don't keep this promise, but what choice did Alma have?

26. (Mosiah 23: 31-39) - Turns out that while the army of the lamanites was lost they ran into a land called Amulon and took capture the priests of King Noah. Apparently, the lamanitish women had Stockholm syndrome and fell in love with their "husbands" the priests of King Noah, and so they plead that the priests aren't slain. The King of the Lamanites and Amulon hit it off, and so when they find Alma and the people living in the land of Helam, the King of the Lamanites puts Amulon in charge of them... This is bad.

27. (Mosiah 24) Alma and his people are subjected to Amulon and the Lamanite's cruelty... They plead unto the Lord, are commanded not to... pray in their hearts, and are delivered of the Lord by the Lamanites having a slumber party... The people of Alma escape to the Land of Zarahemla. The Lamanites and Amulonites all get lost in the wilderness trying to pursue the people of Alma... And return to their homes.

28. (Mosiah 25) At this point all the Nephites are back together, save those wicked priests of King Noah, who become known as Amulonites, and mix and mingle with the Lamanites, and mostly are lumped in with them, from hereon out. They do cause troubles later, and are hunted... but that doesn't happen til after the SECOND Ammon comes along in the book of Alma...

And so... I guess my whole point is that you shouldn't feel bad if you're a bit confused by the details. THERE IS a lot going on... and heck we don't find out what was on those 24 gold plates from the Jaredites (though you don't know they're named Jaredites til later) that form the book of Ether, until near the END of the book of Mormon, and this because Moroni appended it into the record...

--Ray

Sacred Steady Support

With the birth of my new baby boy, my mind is drawn out to the duty which I have toward all my children in the Lord. The Family Proclamation (http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,00.html) states that, "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families."

I know this may sound strange, as I work, and my wife stays at home caring for our children, but I have always struggled with my role as a provider. And I've found that whenever I have struggled with any gospel concept, I seek to understand it better. I don't know if this is so that I can "find an out" or some way around my duties, or if I just need a stronger witness or faith in the matter, but whatever the case when I ran across the following scripture from brave Captain Moroni... it struck me as profound, for I'd never noticed the wording...

Alma 44 verse 5...

5 And now, Zerahemnah, I command you, in the name of that all-powerful God, who has strengthened our arms that we have gained power over you, by our faith, by our religion, and by our rites of worship, and by our church, and by the sacred support which we owe to our wives and our children, by that liberty which binds us to our lands and our country; yea, and also by the maintenance of the sacred word of God, to which we owe all our happiness; and by all that is most dear unto us—

I thought it was fascinating that even in Moroni's time, they regarded the protection of their children as their responsibility. I have to wonder what it was like to be under the constant threat of bloodshed and harsh brutality, for our own country is so safe and peaceful by comparison. Our great challenge is different, and yet the same.

I thought the word "sacred" was particularly poignant. It stuck out to me that it was a sacred thing that a man lay down his life in the defense of his wife and children. It is a sacred thing that a man work and toil and even be bored in a life-sucking, unfulfilling, dead-end job, if it will provide for the "support" of his wife and children.

That's what it means to be a true hero in our day, and what a deceptive day it is. In a day when we are fed story after story of adventure, bold knights, magic, lords and enchantments, of men sacrificing their lives in noble acts of pure violence, we live in the most sedate (at least in terms of violence) culture ever to have been fixed upon the earth. We feed upon stories involving martial arts, epic battles, blurring lasers and faster than light speed chases, and yet the common man then gets into his car, sits in traffic for an hour both ways to and from a job in which he sits in his seat and stares at a computer screen every day...

...and we wonder why so many men, who thrive upon action, adrenaline, adventure, and a desire to be a hero, fall short of their families. Is it any wonder that things like pornography, or chemical dependence are so prevalent in our society, when they provide a little hormonal variety for what may otherwise be a rather sedentary existence?

Yet has the duty men owe to their children changed?

In recent ponderings, I've come to realize that what God wants of me, is not to be some amazing hero saving the day, pulling people from burning buildings, or swinging across the city skyline by my mutant web slinging skills... (which I try to keep a secret). He wants me to be steadfast.

Sure Christ is known as a Savior, but he is also known as a "Rock".

Helaman 5:12 beautifully states that it is upon the Rock of Christ we should build our lives, and in the same way our children may build a strong foundation if they are free first to build their little dwellings on our backs, by our support, if I am steady like a rock. What would the world be like if more men were strong and steady like a rock, rather than "on the prowl" for a perceived adventure that leads to misery and misfortune in the end?

So while I continue to dream of great adventures, that someday I may do the work of my Savior, it occurs to me that I must be planted firmly on a foundation that doesn't waver in all aspects of my life. And that steadiness may very well be sufficient for all the rest of the miracles that are to follow.

And did you ever think that such things? Such a thing as being a provider, being there day in and day out--though it's not a thrilling sword fight, was "sacred"?

I see it now more than I used to... just how rare and sacred it is, the man who stays the course, and is unshaken in his devotion to his wife and children, and everyday is a sacred steady support.

Anyhow... those are my thoughts... new babies make you think of these things.

--Ray

Corianton's Gift to us all...

Some of the most beautifully clear discussion of the atonement, our relationship with God, and Christ's atonement are found in Alma chapters 39-41, Alma's advice to his son Corianton. Sure. His son had problems, but I have to admit I'm grateful for his indiscretion. You can tell Alma loved his son enough to record his thoughts in great detail. Probably his best written speeches, because he wanted to make sure his son could have them, and in the end we got them too.

Had Corianton been as good as Shiblon, we might have gotten just half a chapter (judging from the relatively short chapter we got for his son Shiblon). So thank goodness for youthful indiscretion, if only that it can lead to good for all... well... if your Dad's a prophet... :)

--Ray

Faith unto Salvation...

The idea that (I accredit to) Joseph Smith put forth about a man needing sufficient faith "unto salvation" has always intrigued me. A comment he made about "A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation" (Lectures on Faith 6:7)

That our faith, must keep us on the path til the end and beyond, striving, trying and returning to God, is clear from this implication. It is not a weak faith that is required, but one that propels souls to life and salvation--and renders the believer capable of weathering any sacrifice.

While reading in Alma Chapter 34 today, I read a verse that struck me as somewhat peculiar, and yet in remarkable harmony with the above sentiment--as to the codependent nature of faith and salvation.

Normally when I read these passages I get bogged down in the meaning of the Law, it's requirements on us and God's demands of Justice, and how unfair it is that Mercy cannot rob Justice.

SO I usually miss the section that I have highlighted.

13 Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away.
14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, finfinite and eternal.
15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.
16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.
17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;

(Note my emphasis highlights the SECOND reason for the infinite and eternal sacrifice of Christ, Amulek mentions two reasons, though he focuses primarily (through context of the verses around v. 15) on the first reason...)

It occurs to me that while the atonement satisfies God's laws, which are just, and clearly that is the main purpose of the scripture, Amulek notes also that it is not sufficient for us to have the faith unto salvation unless Christ himself should, in a very public, humiliating, and terrible way, give his life for us all.

Christ's sacrifice is one such that it inspires men to have faith "sufficient to save". Without that sacrifice, while we might have great laws and ideas, even inspiration from God, it would not be sufficient for us in the end... it is only in the face of the stark realization that God suffered infinitely for our sins, that we have what it takes to believe in ourselves.

Christ's sacrifice does not only put us right with God. It puts us right with us. It is so essential that we all come to lean upon the infinite atonement of Christ. That we believe in this great and last sacrifice, through which we can be made clean and perfected--perfected in Christ.

Marital Pride Cycle

(Quick Thought)

We often study the Pride Cycle in the Book of Mormon, and think of it in terms of our civilizations, but have you ever applied it to a failed marriage?

It occurs to me that I have a friend getting married soon. He's nonLDS but I am really thinking it would be a good idea to give him a Book of Mormon and explain the pride cycle in detail to him... and how it parallels our relationship, and when we begin to take each other for granted because things are going well, and what happens when we do that... and how we should try to always keep reverence for each other in a relationship.

I wonder how many other lessons are contained in the Book of Mormon that apply equally if we think in terms of the spiritual precepts taught therein.

--Ray

Edit: It occurs to me that whereever there's a covenant relationship (in the case of the Nephites it was a covenant tween God and the Nephites that he would preserve and prosper them if they trusted in Him and always remembered him), that the Book of Mormon and the Pride Cycle applies. (Then again perhaps that's my analytical side applying too restrictive a parallel... )

Here's a link to an article about Pride in Marriage from the LDS church magazine, "The Ensign" that I thought correllated with my thought.

The Last Few

The Last Few...

I just finished another go-round with the Book of Mormon, and as usual, my heart is drawn out in sympathy and sorrow for a people once enlightened by Christ that, after having been so richly blessed, turned so fully from it.

There are so many unanswered questions--so many curiosities and details left untold by the ending of the Book of Mormon. Quite obviously, because of the way that the Nephite people were destroyed, it would be impossible for someone to give a full account of the end of this great people, and Moroni makes that case in his very sad explanation at the end of Mormon ( Mormon 8:5).

One of the curiosities I often wonder about is just how many righteous Nephites remained at the time the whole Nephite nation was destroyed. Now one might wonder, "What Righteous!? They were all wicked and depraved!" and I would agree that a surface examination of the evidence does seem to indicate this. After all, the chapter Moroni Chapter 9 is a strong condemnation of the depravity and abominations of the Nephites. Certainly there were plenty who deserved the fate they got, but I do wonder if there were other Nephites who were faithful to Christ, besides the prophet.

Consider:

- Mormon 9:24 states that many of the Nephites deserted unto the Lamanites. It is possible that many of these folks were not wicked (especially considering what many of the brethren were doing) but could see that their people were doomed.

- Moroni 1:2 states that the Lamanites put to death any who will not deny the Christ, which perhaps was done because of those who deserted, or like Moroni, never surrendered, but fled elsewhere. Clearly the Lamanites weren't content just to destroy the Nephites, but they then turned on themselves and began a wholesale holocaust to eliminate all Nephite sympathizers. Whatever the case, the fact that those who would not deny the Christ were slain, and Moroni knew this, is evidence that there were actual people who were faithful to Christ and willing to lay down their lives for him--by not denying him, else Moroni would just be exaggerating his plight (which is just silly, and completely out of character for Moroni, seeing as how he tends to understate the gravity of his situtation).

Finally, I give as evidence, the whole book of Moroni, and in particular, Moroni Chapter 7, which is perhaps one of the most beautiful chapters of encouragement in Christlike Virtues in all scripture. Clearly Mormon was not speaking to a degenerate and depraved congregation, for if he were, he would not describe them as he did in verse 3, as "that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven," instead he would (as Jacob was constrained to do in 2 Nephi 9:48) be giving a very different type of sermon.

Chapter 7 really is what sparks my curiosity and conjures in me a deep sadness, perhaps more than the very depressing Chapter 9. It is evident that the prophet Mormon didn't spend all his days condemning and lamenting the Nephite wholesale endorsement of all things abominable, though clearly that's how his days ended.

What happened to these people who were encouraged to seek charity?

There are few possibilities that I can imagine:

1. They were destroyed with the wicked Nephites.
2. They fled and abandoned the Nephites, going to lands previously unknown.
3. They all turned wicked with the Nephites and were destroyed.
4. They fled to the Lamanites and eventually denied Christ or were discovered and destroyed.
5. Moroni was only addressing women and children, who were innocent victims of both the Nephites and the Lamanites.

Chances are it was a combination of all these factors. No doubt this is one of those unsolveable curiosities that will remain, but the implications are a bit troubling. We have faith that because we adhere to the principles of the Gospel and try our best in the church, that we will be protected, but if the people in which this church exists turn against the Spirit upon which that people is founded, and reject the covenants upon which they were founded, those few who remain--those last few--are quite often the innocent victim of the majority.

Captain Moroni observed, when his people were underseige.

13 For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God. (Alma 60:13)

And isn't it curious the language is shared between Captain Moroni's words so mirror the last hopeful sermon that Moroni records from his father Mormon in Chapter 7 of the book of Moroni. It is almost as though Mormon could see his people were doomed, and gave the sermon in Moroni chapter 7 to the last few faithful he could find, as encouragement to not be afraid, even though they were about to "enter into the rest of the Lord" through a brutal and horrifying death.

And that's where my heart lingers in sorrow. As a father of faithful daughters, in a generation that is turning from the God that gave them breath and freedom and such fair abundance, will they be among the fallen in this world, whose blood cries for retribution? I sorrow for these last few faithful Nephites who had no name, and were swept away, and I hope and pray that my fears are just fears and not some premonition of grevious things to come.

--Ray

Captivity of Fathers

It is evident to me that Alma thought it was very important that we not forget the "captivity of our fathers". In particular, Alma Chapter 36, which easily qualifies as one of the best chapters in all the Book of Mormon (according to me). I don't have time to go into great depth of thought in this regard, but think about your own history. Are there stories or incidents that help and guide your life and create lasting lessons that you wish to pass on to your own children?

What is your legacy?

Further, before discovering Christ, what type of captivity did you personally experience?

This morning, watching teenagers drag themselves to Seminary, it got me to thinking about how these young men and women have yet to experience true captivity--whether it be a physical loss of freedom, or a spiritual one. Then where will they turn?

It is interesting to see Alma's course of action, when he realized his own captivity, when he was about to be "cast off". Desperate for self-destruction he remembered Christ and experiencing the deepest and most miraculous healing, it changed him forever. He had no other arm to lean upon, so he trusted in God's...

It is a reminder I need, when I am discouraged due to personal weakness.

--Ray

PS> The idea that we can learn from our ancestors, and pass on a legacy is one of the great functions of personal revelation mixed with scripture. Were scripture solely confined to one book, this very process would be thwarted, yet, thanks to the Book of Mormon we know that the legacy of prophets continues even to the present day. It is a great thing!

PPS> If you search (scriptures.lds.org) in the Book of Mormon, you'll find that Alma is the prophet who uses the expression "Captivity of (my/our/their) Fathers" more than any other prophet in scripture. This was very important to him, perhaps because of how he had rejected his own father's story for a while and fought against the church... who knows... here are some references... Alma 5:6, Alma 29:11-12, and Alma 36 (both beginning and end of the chiasmus) .

New Testament Parallels

This morning, while reading John chapter 7, it occurred to me that there are so many interesting parallels between the way men received the Christ and the way they receive his servant Joseph Smith Jr. the prophet who revealed the Book of Mormon, and restored Christ's church.

I find it interesting that many folks refuse to even ask God (Moroni 10:3-5) or inquire from whence cometh these apparently "new" things, often using the Bible to claim that there is no record or prophecy or indication that such a prophet should come. This is precisely what the Jews said, as they plotted to murder him, in justification--that because he came "of Galilee" (see John 7:50-53) and the scriptures said nothing of Galilee that he could not possibly be the Messiah.

Yet, I ask, had there been a verse detailing the color of Jesus's home in Galilee, would it have mattered?

--Ray

Cookie of Doom

(here's a little something I wrote from an experience... Happy New Year, all!)

It may have been chocolate chip, it may have been oatmeal raisin, but when I saw the great cookie, little did I understand the power that it would wield over the peace of my family. This cookie was the cookie of chaos, bringing with it the power of war, envy, coercion, strife and devilry.

The story started when, after a long day of driving in the car to random shopping locales, that let’s just say, was not my choice. Mom was getting the groceries, after the shopping market had been emptied by a wayward fire alarm. As consolation, the supermarket unleashed fist-sized cookies upon the patrons who waited for the fire department to turn off the annoying buzzer. So it was that our family did wait eagerly for mother to return.

The children were at peace. They had gotten to see a large fire truck come blazing with lights and sirens into the parking lot. They had been “evacuated” from a mock disaster, and had done so safely. We were all feeling grateful that nothing menacing had clouded the event, and this had been more excitement than the girl’s had had all day. So it was with relative peace and joy that they sat content to watch the flashing lights.

Then came mother. She gave the Cookie of Doom to one of the girls in the backseat. It was implied that the cookie would be shared, but alas, immediately howls sounded, for there was cookie, but the children strapped in the front two seats had no cookie. And why should this one who was sharing the cookie the one to share the cookie? So too did the sister sitting beside the cookie bearer protest and possibly resort to physical means to obtain the cookie for herself.

The wounded psyche’s cried out. What’s wrong with me that I have no cookie?

Sondra made the observation, “Before the cookie came, you were perfectly happy.”

So you, like me, are probably pondering the deeper lessons in all things…

If you consider the absurdity of this experience, you must be thinking, as I am, that my children are insane. And yet, it appears to me this cookie had the power to exert influence bent upon creating strife and conflict. For is not the very existence of a cookie to make people happy?

I ask. Is it normal that a thing that is supposed to make people happy to have the power to bring such conflict? The children were happy, until the cookie appeared. So if you introduce an item that is designed to increase happiness, the natural thought would be that the overall happiness ratio would increase, at least a little.

How often does this sort of thing happen in our own life? How often do we receive answers to our prayers, and find ourselves less happy with the solution? Or rather than being happy with a net increase, something a bit better, we are angry and embittered because it is not as good as our neighbor or our friend, or as we “might have done” had more miracles just kept pouring in.

I suppose nowhere is this perspective more plainly illustrated in a spiritual context, than in the Book of Mormon, where comparative envy caused the entire destruction of a nation. Who knows, it might’ve even all started with a simple cookie. How is it that we with our treasures and rare items cannot rejoice one with another for the gifts we each are given and try to make the most of the happiness we are blessed to receive? Why must we continually live by comparison, by so and so and her kids, or their husband, or that wife, getting such and such and not me?

I should lead a political campaign to ban all cookies—all sources of joy—so that we’re all equally content, or miserable. Or I suppose we could swallow our pride, so that cookie was sweeter, no matter the size, when we swallowed it. :)

--Ray

Minute Details

I noticed something funny about Alma 39 today while reading it with the family.

Corianton is the third son.

Helaman and Shiblon are his older (and by Alma's comments, "wiser") brothers.

Now you may wonder why that even matters, or why this is even noteworthy. It's definitely not a very astute observation. After all, it's clear from the context and the verses this is the case, and I've always known Corianton was young, and really it has nothing to do with Corianton at all, but with my own sensitivities and the way the Book of Mormon starts.

Laman was a first-born. Sure Lemuel was a close second, but they're really not known as Lemuelites. Laman pretty much receives most of the credit when it comes to much of the misery and misunderstanding in the Book of Mormon--a whole people is named after him. Nephi makes a big deal about this, and he's not off base to feel slighted. Considering the jewish tradition of birthright, Laman had certain responsibilities that he never lived up to.

Being the first-born, I've always kind of had a sort of unconscious/conscious dislike for that aspect of the Book of Mormon. Maybe it's due to some extrapolation or lecturizing a parent might have done, the insinuation that the first born can be a bad egg. Maybe it's just a sensitivity of personal weakness. But having read today, I realized that it's a stupid thing to be sensitive about one's position in family. Whether you're born first or last, and even when your dad's a prophet, there's no real garantee that your kids end up living up to or rejecting the Gospel. It's a matter of personal choice and so it is with Corianton.

Heck, Mosiah had four sons that were all bad, until an angel intervened.

I suppose it's a silly little thing, but somehow I do think it's of interest to note that there's no real significance in holding a grudge (or by contrast holding in favor) for any particular position in the family. We're all free to make and break choices...

--Ray

A Prophecy in Alma

Today we read Alma chapter 36. There's an interesting prophecy that Alma states about the records that he entrusts to Helaman. He states in verse 4 that these plates should be "kept and handed down" (exact wording: "they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon."

I was thinking about how brave and convinced a man like Alma had to be to state this so affirmatively. He had to have had some kind of personal revelation regarding this. I had to wonder what others of his day thought of these records. Were they more trouble than they were worth? Alma had seen firsthand in Alma Chapter 14 the Ammonihahites destroy the records and believers. Perhaps it led him to consider the longterm safety of his own records.

Whatever the case, his discussion with Helaman leads him to state one of my all-time favorite scriptures in all the Book of Mormon... Alma 37: 6-7

6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold
I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his
great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

Good stuff! And I love how Alma defers to his ponderings as possible "foolishness" in him. He did not expect his own spiritual speculations and personal insights to be some hard set rule that Helaman had to defer to unquestioningly. He allowed his son the possibility of seeking to know according to Helaman's own faith. In fact in verse 11 he states that he doesn't know the end of all these things, or the full significance of the records that he is passing on to his son, thus Alma stops speculating at that point. (A very spiritually mature thing to do... how many of us stop speculating at the boundary of what has and has not been revealed to us personally?)

At the same time, he impresses upon Helaman (in following verses 12-20) the strict command that he keep God's commandments, especially pertaining to the records. It is interesting that Alma does not fully understand the NEED for the commandment, though clearly he has received a witness of much of what these records would and could accomplish in the lives and faith of others, but he still insists upon obedience. How often must we know why we obey, before we'll obey? It is to Alma's (and Helaman's) credit that they did not fully understand the importance of these records to us in our day, yet acted in good faith nonetheless.

I am led to wonder, "What acts in good faith have I donethat will have a lasting import to future generations?"

Finally, something funny, I asked Katie, who was pretty sleepy to read the second to last verse. She was yawning when she read the first sentence.

46. O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

There's a lengthy sermon that I'm not willing to go into about slothfulness, and the ease of the way... In many ways the simple day to day, boring, dull, or should I more rightly say, PREDICTABLE, life of faith, obedience and enduring to the end, might lead some of us to occasionally wander a little from the path... for a little bloodcurdling danger, I suppose... or just to check up on old weaknesses, or for whatever reason... yet... Alma points out the goal is eternal life, and all it takes is a little more gratitude and a little less complacency.

I suppose that's easier said than done... cuz it's so easy! Hehehe...

--Ray

More 0n Korihor

This morning we read the first part of Alma Chapter 30 as a part of our family scripture discussion. Sondra made a germaine point that I, for some funky reason, had always interpretted differently. In verse 19-20 Korihor preaches to the Anti-Nephi-Lehites or as the Nephites called them, the People of Ammon, who were converted Lamanites. The narrative observes:

verse 19 states: "But behold they were more wise than many of the Nephites; for they took him, and bound him, and carried him before Ammon, who was a high priest over that people."

I always figured the commentator was observing that the wisdom was evidenced by how they handled the problem of Korihor, because of the conjunction "for", and I had never really made the connection that they as a people might be collectively more "wise". Certainly both ways of looking at the verse are fine. They were wise to cast him out. Sondra delved deeper into "why" the people as a whole were considered wise. She stated that the reason the Lamanites were not fooled or enticed by Korihor was that they had lived the lifestyle he espoused. The preaching of Korihor would most likely have horrified them, and as a result they were wise because of the life they had left behind. They had actual wisdom due to their life experience (which more correctly fits the traditional definition of wisdom).

This is a strong statement as to the benefit of true conversion and change from a life void of light to one filled with the light of the Gospel. There really is a wisdom bestowed upon folks as to how to handle things like the destructive beliefs of those who espouse differing philosophies. They were those "who had been there and done that."

They didn't take for granted their gift or blessed state. They had actually used the atonement of Christ in miraculous terms, and cherished just how rare and precious it was. They actually sacrificed for it. Knew of Christ's power to change their life, and as a result they could not be deceived by the seductive chant of a man who espoused what the world might view as a pragmatist's philosophy of Occam's Razor.

Oh that I might likewise have such wisdom, rather than returning again and again to seductive notions that usurp faith for doubt and supplant testimony for acrimony.

It is also interesting to me, also, how this chapter sets up the dillemma of Korihor, by noting (in verses 7-12) at some great length, that all people were upon equal ground because they afforded their people the freedom of belief. Because they believed in the free exchange of ideas, they were vulnerable to freedom's exploits. Therefore, the consequence to freedom of belief is a Korihor, A man who claims to fervently believe what he believes--that there is no God, that one cannot believe in God, that all God-like testimony is really the result of what Scrooge (in the Christmas Carol, by Dickens) blamed on indigestion.

I often read the sequence of events in the Book of Mormon in principle/consequence or happenstance/consequence pairs. There are a lot of unstated sermons in observing simple statements and the consequence of those statements.

For example, when the King of the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's dies and names his son King is when the Amulonites and Amalekites make their move for power and stir up the other Lamanites to war. Over and over again, though the Book of Mormon really never states it outright, it consistently tells of how when one leader changes to another, there is a cycle of contention.

Another interesting consequence is this one of freedom of belief, leading eventually to King Men, leading eventually to the Title of Liberty, leading to the quashing of the King Men rebellion, leading to Pahoran's children fighting for the throne and Paanchi's execution, leading eventually to the secret combinations of Kishkumen, leading to the entire destruction of the government. Though the cycle takes generations to complete, it appears to run hand in hand, and make strong commentary about the corrupting nature of power and the importance of righteous leadership.

These are unstated sermons that are nevertheless fascinating to me. When I think of how contentious the last election was, I can't help but think that again the Book of Mormon teaches us directly applicable lessons for today.

--Ray

How do you read the Book of Mormon in the morning, before school with your kids, without the urge to kill them rising to kill the Spirit? In our family, we have taken up the challenge to finish the Book of Mormon as a family before the end of the year to commemorate the 200th Birthday of Joseph Smith, and to honor Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley's council.

Ironically, we have been reading every day already, usually in the evening. Sondra suggested we change the reading time to early morning. At first I was resistant to the notion. Though it is true we are more organized in the morning, rather than at the evening, but it is harder to get certain factions to congeal at the beginning of the day. I have to confess that one of the reasons evening scripture reading was easier to accomplish is because my youngest two daughters often fall asleep during the time we read.

Thing is, in the morning, I'm not entirely certain that folks are entirely in the best spirits to receive the good Lord's word. It just seems that certain folks are a little stressed out. They are focused on getting out the door, to the bus stop, hair brushed, chores done, waking up, last minute homework, and so forth. There just isn't time to enjoy the scriptures as a family. Is this how you teach your children to read the scriptures?

Is it something you do because you have to? Is it something you do because you love it?

I wonder if the kids couldn't do their chores when they get home from school, or if there might be some way to relax before scripture time started. The funny thing is, if they miss the bus, and I'm there, heck, I can take them to school. I just don't understand why it has to be so contentious. It's something that has been bothering me for a while now, perhaps because I love scripture time so much. I love talking about them, perhaps too much. Heaven knows, I talk the walk more than walk the walk.

It is funny, the kids want to read more and more. They want their share of verses to read through. Katie (in 3rd grade) and Becca (in 2nd grade) often try to out-do each other. Sondra and I also get drawn into this. Sometimes it is torturous as we stumble over the language. Certain readers seem somewhat hostile to stopping and discussing confusing passages, again, I sometimes think we've become fixated on the objective to get done, rather than the point of opening the book in the first place.

I think of Pres. Hinckley's promise that there will be a greater outpouring of the Spirit, should we take up his challenge and read as a family... this morning, I am afraid that outpouring was of a different kind of spirit.

--Ray

(Alma 12: 1) 1. NOW Alma, seeing that the words of Amulek had silenced Zeezrom, for he beheld that Amulek had caught him in his lying and deceiving to destroy him, and seeing that he began to tremble under a consciousness of his guilt, he opened his mouth and began to speak unto him, and to establish the words of Amulek, and to explain things beyond, or to unfold the scriptures beyond that which Amulek had done.

Okay... The following verse is one of my "beefs" with the language in the Book of Mormon. I offer this discussion not as criticism of the content, but of the difficulty of communicating with the English language, and the use of the pronoun He and Him.

Being something of a writer myself, I find this sort of thing an important one to clarify in my own writing. I try to explain to my children, when reading this, because the pronouns leave a question as to whom the various He and Him pronouns refer.

Does the first He refer to Alma or Zeezrom? The second pronoun him clearly refers to Zeezrom.

So here's my attempt at a rewrite...

NOW Alma, seeing that the words of Amulek had silenced Zeezrom, for he (Alma or Zeezrom?, I think Alma makes more sense.) beheld that Amulek had caught him (Zeezrom) in his (Zeezrom's) lying and deceiving to destroy him (Amulek (and Alma, though Zeezrom specifically engaged Amulek)), and seeing that he (Zeezrom) began to tremble under a consciousness of his (Zeezrom's) guilt, he (Alma) opened his (Alma's) mouth and began to speak unto him (Zeezrom), and to establish the words of Amulek, and to explain things beyond, or to unfold the scriptures beyond that which Amulek had done.

As you can see there are some clear places where the overuse of the pronoun "he" causes a little difficulty in communicating what occurred. Anyhow, in the hope of creating more clarity, I post this as something to think about when you read the Book of Mormon.

Best regards,

--Ray

My friend Aimee sent me this link, http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13379 is reporting a "Book of Mormon" comicbook and asked what I thought about it.

I'm a big fan of comicbooks, but never thought of it as a spiritual medium. I can't imagine that Alma's discourse to his son Corianton would come off well in comicbook form. Of course it's perfect comicbook material to see Isabel seduce Corianton (or vice versa). Even the more exciting King Benjamin's address, which while interesting that it was on a tower, was a pretty lengthy discussion of the plan of happiness.

In a way I wonder if it won't give people the wrong impression about the Book of Mormon. It's not an adventure romp, though it certainly has dramatic situations in it, it's a very spiritual text, filled with the insights and revelations of the nature of life, happiness and spirituality. That kind of stuff really doesn't translate well to a narrative form.

What would be interesting, and something I have very little objection to (as I've thought about writing a story along these lines as well) is a fictionalization of events and the creation of characters that interract with the characters described by the Book of Mormon IF it is abundantly clear that it is a fictionalization and that people are free to interpret the Book of Mormon as and how they'd like.

Though I've not read them, I know that the early history of the church was done in this way, in a series called "The Work and the Glory" by Gerald N. Lund. My wife loves these books. I can't recommend them, only because I haven't read them, but I understand they're very enjoyable books to read that do a fair job of representing major events in LDS church history...

Anyhow I am of the opinion that the more exposure the Book of Mormon gets, the better, not because the exposure is necessary a credit to the book, but because the book is true, and it stands on its own. It is a powerful testament of Christ, and has changed my life for the better. I can imagine that even a piece of the story will help others, and I only encourage people to get the whole thing, cherish it and make it a part of their lives.

It's a great gift, so the more the merrier, I say!

--Ray

This week in church I presented the story of Nephi (Son of Helaman, from the Book of Helaman Chapters 6-9) in a primary class. It's a rather long and complicated story, which I've often enjoyed, but never had to explain in much detail before this class. My oldest daughter, Katie was in the class, which made it all the more fun to do.

While explaining the story, it became clear to me a few principles that I'd never thought of until I was attempting to explain the reactions of these people to the mourning prophet to seven and eight year old kids. As Nephi laments the fate of a people hardened in iniquity, he wishes that he might have been born in a time when people listened to God. Despite the fact that Nephi had had great success among the Lamanites, he is so attached to his people that he almost ignores this great miracle, for his heart is so weighed down by the sins of his own nation.

I sometimes wonder if there is not a parallel here. I remember a time when being religious and respectful of one another, and (Dare I say?) "christian" was not uncommon or at least not a matter of public disdain. Such now seems to be under constant attack.

The people, upon discovering Nephi's revelation about the murder of the Chief Judge, assume that Nephi has made a pact with someone to murder him. They do this, because this is how they think. It is inconceivable to them that Nephi could be a prophet privy to know the fate via spiritual discernment, because their hearts are beholden to the enemy of all righteousness. It wasn't until such discernment was deployed to catch the murderer, and Nephi was released that people began to suspect there was more to Nephi than that he was just another murderer.

I thought the popular reaction was very insightful. People tend to see people as they see themselves. I suppose this would allow us to judge a man by what they assume about others. Not that their interpretation of others is correct, but that it says something about their minds, and where their hearts are. This is troublesome for our struggling nation, for, if I am not mistaken, the public mind seems permanently fixed upon scandal, deceit, hype, vanity, selfishness, and cynicism (this coming from someone who is frequenly accused of being an optimist).

Yet I don't want to be a part of that. I want to believe there is great good, potential for greatness even in a nation filled with such notions. Dunno if that's naieve in a fallen world, but while I lament the drift of current, I can't help but continue to hold out great hope for us all.

--Ray

Hey Nathan.

Since we're talking about comforting passages, I'd like to submit when Christ quotes Isaiah to the Nephites, "And great shall be the peace of their children," and "they shall be far from war and from terror."

Such is the legacy of those that believe in the Almighty. A wonderful promise. Here's a link to the chapter...

10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

14 In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee.

15 Behold, they shall surely gather together against thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the aservants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

Beautiful words, imo... (btw, updated my email)

--Ray

Ever goofed? Ever been chastised by someone, for doing something wrong? Try being the Brother of Jared, who for three hours endured the Lord's lecture, because he forgot to call upon the Lord. (Ether 2:14) And you thought perhaps your parents were bad?

One might wonder, gee, how do you forget to call upon the Lord, after he's helped you out, promised you a great land, and directly answered your prayers.

I have to think that perhaps the Brother of Jared, after being led away with all their stuff, found that they liked where they were. Perhaps he suspected that God would ask greater things of them. God may have attempted to prod him a time or two... Perhaps he knew that a challenge was coming, and was busying himself with the business of everyday life to avoid those promptings.

Why do I suspect this? Mostly because this is what I tend to do... call upon God when a calamity is pending or has just wiped me out, but otherwise I tend to be the type that wants nothing further... it's good enough... you want me to do what?!

Aw well... I keep praying that I'll change that part of myself... who knows, maybe this year I'll get it right.

The brother of Jared eventually saw all things. Beheld God Himself... because he continued in faith. Where will my journey end?