Anchors

Chapters 9-11 in Ether are mostly about wickedness and war.  The Jaradites did have some kings that were righteous, but there are a lot of plots and overthrowing of kings in this period of Jaradite history.  Ether 12 is a nice change with its lessons of hope and faith.  Ether 12:4 is very interesting and perhaps answers the question I posed in my last blog post--How can Moroni sound so hopeful?

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

I have often heard this scripture quoted, but what hit me most this time was the representation of hope and faith as an anchor for our souls.  An anchor's purpose is to keep a boat from drifting with the current as our faith and hope can keep us from drifting along with the popular ideas that ride society's tides.  These ideas ebb and flow, change quickly, and often crash against the standards God has set for us.

I know some in the world today relegate religion and Jesus Christ to a place alongside fantasy and fairy tales.  Yet, they still look for a way to anchor themselves because we all need to feel tethered as the world swirls around us.  They look to the world.  I see them finding things that can be considered good, but when taken as their anchors are just insufficient to provide real stability.  When the buffeting storms of adversity come those people feel terrified and lost.  It can be quite sad to see.

I have been thinking about this anchor analogy and realized that hope and faith truly do keep us anchored.  If we put in the work to keep them in good condition, these anchors will make us "sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works."

So that is how we "do good continually" and loose Satan's hold on us as Moroni purposed in Ether 8:26.  We beef up our anchors.  We slowly but surely strive each day for obedience to God's commandments and use the Atonement as we go, showing that we do hope for a better world and strengthening our faith bit by bit.  We add good solid metal to our anchors, glorifying God as we see His hand in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Persuuaded To Do Good Continually

Ether 8:26 reads: "Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved."

This scripture has a very hopeful feel to it.  I think that's amazing considering the circumstance in which Moroni wrote it.  He had just watched his people destroyed by wickedness.  He was being hunted by the Lamanites.  And, yet, he writes with hope of a time when all people will use their free will to choose that which is good...always.

It also makes me wonder.  If I get to the point when I "do good continually" then has Satan lost his power as far as my life's choices are concerned?

Like Corihor and Shule

I am grateful for all the life contained within the pages of the Book of Mormon.  These are real people making real mistakes.  They repent.  They try again.  Things are good, but not for very long...

Ether 7 is an overview of the kingdoms and wars of the Jaradite people.  In Ether 6, Jared and his brother are growing old and ask of their people if there is anything more they can do for them before they die.  The people ask for a king.  The brother of Jared warns this will lead them to captivity, but they do end up with a king, Orihah, the son of Jared.  He is righteous and so leads the people well, but soon enough trouble is brewing.

Kib is the son of Orihah and becomes king after his father.  Kib's son, Corihor rebels against Kib and draws away many people with him.  He eventually raises and army and takes his father captive.  Kib has a son named Shule while in captivity, and Shule grows up to be a big, strong man who is angry at his brother for holding their father captive.  So Shule raises an army and attacks his brother.  He frees his father and restores him to the throne.  Kib is old and so bestows the kingdom on Shule.  Chapter 7 documents other conflicts after this one, but it is verse 13 that caught my attention.  It reads:

"And Corihor repented of the many evils which he had done; wherefore Shule gave him power in his kingdom."

 Corihor repented.  He must of sought forgiveness of his brother, although I imagine when he saw the error of his ways, he must have felt great shame and sorrow for his actions.  So many times people can't get over that realization that they have done wrong.  They continue to excuse themselves and rationalize, and so they can never repent and move on.  Way to go, Corihor!  Thank you for your example.  Shule is no less amazing.  The son born in captivity forgives his brother--forgives him so completely that he gives him power in his kingdom even though the evil he committed concerned usurping power in the kingdom.  Wow.  I hope I can repent of wrong doings as completely as Corihor, and I hope I can be forgiving like Shule.

Trip to the Promised Land

The trip to the promised land made by Jared, his brother, and their family and friends sounds like a difficult one.  In Ether 6:5-6 is says:

"...the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.  And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind."

What really struck me in this chapter was the humility and gratitude of the people traveling in these difficult conditions.  In Ether 6:11 it tells us that "they were driven forth three hundred and forty and four days upon the water."  Wow.  That is a long time.  For nearly a year they were in that ship, but they made the trip with gratitude in their hearts.  In Ether 6:9 it says:

"And they did sing praises unto the Lord...all day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord." 

 Verse 12 reads:

"And they did land upon the shore of the promised land.  And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them."

It sounds like there was no grumbling about the rough trip, or the length of time they had to endure it.  I can learn a lot from their example.

The Good

Ether 4:12 says:

"And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me."

I have often pondered on what this scripture means.  Is it that any good thought we have is not really our own, but from the Lord?  That seemed not quite right.  I think I get it now.  As I said in a recent post, looking about me at the world news baffles me.  How can people sell baby parts for research? And how can no one care enough to prosecute the illegal activity?  How can people point at those keeping the Lord's standards by shunning that which is wicked and call them bigots?

This scripture hopefully helps those who may be confused as to what constitutes "good." If something is contrary to the Lord's commandments, it is not good.  It does not matter what you think.  There is eternal truth.  Right and wrong do exist. And men are not the ones who decide where that line is drawn.  We need to remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have a much wider, more eternal perspective of things.  They know what brings happiness and progression to people.  They know what degrades and stops our progress.

Surprise!

I love the story in Ether chapter 3 about the brother of Jared seeing the finger of the Lord.  I love it because the brother of Jared is not given all the answers as to what he should do but he is asked to use his own ingenuity.  To me, this illustrates flexibility as we fulfill our own callings.  We pray, we listen to the Spirit and we add our own flare to the assignments given us.  And if I choose to do it in a slightly different way than the last person did it, that's OK.

I love it because the Lord is surprised in this story.  After the brother of Jared sees the finger of the Lord, Ether 3:9 says this:

"And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so you could not have seen my finger.  Sawest thou more than this?"

 It seems to me, the Lord didn't mean for the brother of Jared to see his finger.  It seems to me that although the Lord knew that the brother of Jared had great faith, He was surprised at just how great his faith was.  It is a good example of how the Lord knows all things.  It is not because we are predestined to do certain things, as in we have no choice in the matter, but He knows pretty much what we will do because He knows us so well.  I equate it to how I know what each of my four children would do if placed in a room with a present and told to not peek while the psychology students leaves the room to "go get something."  I know which ones would peek and which ones would wait.  He knows us so much better than that, and yet, He was still surprised.  I wish I could surprise the Lord with my goodness one day.  Just one time.  Yep, that would be sweet.

Ether 2--One Nation Under God?

Ether 2:10-12 is just one of many places in the Book of Mormon that talks about why the Americas are referred to as "the promised land."  It is a land obtained with a promise.  It is a choice land given with the understanding that "he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off." (v.10)  In verse 12 it says "whatsoever nation shall possess it (the land) shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ."  As I look around me, I just don't see enough evidence that we as a nation are doing this.  I try to look at the positive and see the good, but recent events have greatly saddened me, and I must say I am not sure what to do to improve the state of the nation.

So, I pray.  I pray for our leaders.  I pray to know what I can do.  I ponder on the words from The Family: A Proclamation to the World:

"...we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets."

I pray for the upcoming generation as I watch Satan attempt to muddle the truth about what is good and what is evil.

No grand plan presents itself to me.  Only the simple words from Proverbs come to my mind:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct they paths."  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I know that if each day I am a) aware, b) prayerful, and c) humble enough to do that which the spirit guides me to do it will make a difference.  I know that each act of righteousness has an impact.  And most of all, I know who will ultimately win this struggle between good and evil.  Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.  I have faith that all will happen as the scriptures say.  Someday righteousness will prevail and Christ will reign.  My challenge is to live so there is no doubt as to whose side I am on.