The Words of Isaiah

We have now entered what is known as the the Isaiah chapters.  In 2 Nephi 16:5 Isaiah says:

"...for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts."

It is one of the reasons Nephi tells us that he is writing the words of Isaiah.  In 2 Nephi 11:2-3 Nephi says:

"And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have see him.  And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true..."

It has always struck me that Nephi wrote so many of Isaiah's words when he has mentioned a number of times that it is difficult to write on the plates and therefore, he is shortening up that which he might write otherwise.  Along with his use of the words 'my soul delighteth,' this is a great testimony to us of the importance of the words of Isaiah.

That being said, the Isaiah chapters are still a bit of a mystery to me.  I got a book called Isaiah for Airheads written by John Bytheway, but haven't yet made the time to read it.  I feel like I do understand more of what is being said each time I read it and yet I am never as sure as I should be.  I think I need to pray a little harder for understanding when it comes to these important chapters.

"We Are Living Eternal Lives"

In 2 Nephi 10:23, Jacob says:

"Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves--to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life."

As I read this scripture this morning, I felt many things that applied only to my life.  So, as the chapter concluded, I wondered how I might convey the emotions that this scripture stirred in me in a more general manner so that others might identify with what I was trying to say.

I knelt to say my prayers and asked for help to know what would be of use to others.  When I arose my eyes fell on the book I keep with my scriptures, Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  George Albert Smith.  I picked it up and flipped it open to the page where my bookmark rested.  The chapter the Relief Society will be studying this week is called the Immortality of the Soul.  I read these words:

"He, [President George Albert Smith], frequently reminded the Saints that 'we are living eternal lives'--that eternity doesn't begin after this life but that mortality is a crucial part of eternity." (pg. 67)

It was perfect.  The statement so clearly and concisely said what I had been feeling that I actually sighed with relief.  I have been feeling the Spirit teaching me this lesson for a while now.  I think it might even be part of my Eternal Perspective Lesson, as I call it, that began in earnest when Isaac was born.  Life is more continuous than we often realize.  The phases more natural and blending that we here in mortality can see without the help of the Spirit.  And, we have a choice.  We can choose where life goes from here.  We really can.  I don't know why it is so hard for me to believe sometimes, that I can change and overcome the 'sins that so easily beset me.'  It's hard for me to believe that I can decide not to get angry, for example.  I can forgive.  I can love those whom it might seem hard to love.  I don't have to do it alone.  In fact, the scriptures say over and over again that I can't do it alone.  Jesus Christ is the way.  His grace (divine help and strength) and atonement are the way.  I know this to be true and real and useful for me today and every day.

I feel that I must conclude in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

2 Nephi 9:18

I have been thinking about joy lately.  Specifically as it is referred to in 2 Nephi 2:25:

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

When I read 2 Nephi 9:18 today, I wondered if the two scriptures weren't connected.  It reads:

"...behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world...they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever."

It made me think of the "men are that they might have joy" combined with Moses 1:39:

"For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

It is the plan of happiness.  We come to this earth to gain bodies and learn.  The reason we do this is so that we can become like Heavenly Father and live with him again and our "joy shall be full forever."  It makes me think once again that "joy" might have some component of "peace" in it.  Peace being a feeling that our actions are in keeping with what the Lord would have us do.  Maybe that is only my definition of peace and joy.  I tend to live life with a little too much guilt weighing on me on an everyday basis, so when I feel like Heavenly Father is happy with what I am doing, and I am striving to repent as I go, I feel so much happier, with some blissful moments of joy thrown in.

So Very Calming

Last night I had one of those nights when I couldn't sleep because my brain wouldn't shut off.  The worries, small by themselves, were really beginning to bother me as they piled up inside my head.  I finally opened my scriptures to read.  When I came upon 2 Nephi 8:6 I felt myself phyically relaxing, and I suddenly felt better.  I was calmer, and I went to sleep shortly after.

2 Nephi 8:6 reads:

"Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner.  But my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished."

In the light of day, it struck me that a scripture referring to death like that ought not to be so very calming, but it is.  I feel calmed once again as I type it.   Eternal perspective, that's what this scripture brings with it and all the worrisome stuff of life seems to fade into the background where it belongs.

No Longer Droop in Sin

I usually quote the scriptures that I am referencing, but today it I'll just be referencing a few and suggest you open a window to lds.org to look up the verses 16-35 of 2 Nephi 4.

I love this last half of chapter 4.  It is yet another reason that Nephi is one of my favorite Book of Mormon prophets.  Maybe one of the biggest reasons.  In these verses he laments his weaknesses.  Beginning in verse 17:

"Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth:  O wretched man that I am!  Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities." 

 When I read Nephi's words, I feel those things right along with him.  I wonder why I seem to make the same mistakes over and over again.  He even mentions one of my struggles in v. 27:  "Why am I angry because of mine enemy?"  Although mine is usually more like, "Why am I angry because of my family?  Why don't I show them more of the love that I feel for them?  Why, when I have been given so much knowledge from my Heavenly Father, am I not a better person than I am?"

Yes, Nephi's words definitely hit home with me, but just as I'm really getting rolling with my lamenting Nephi switches things up.  In verse 28 he says:

"Awake, my soul!  No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul."

Through the rest of the chapter we get to witness how Nephi relies on the Lord, right now in his hour of sorrow and always.  He trusts in him.  He asks for help.  I am very grateful to Nephi and Heavenly Father for this chapter.  It is such a help to me.

That They Might Have Joy

I love 2 Nephi 2:25:

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

I have thought about this scripture a lot.  I think joy is different than regular happiness.  There is something more to it.  I think joy comes from knowing that you are doing your very best to do what Heavenly Father wants you to do.  That does not mean you are perfect.  It means you are trying, and taking advantage of the atonement when you fall short.

Sometimes I have to remind myself and my family that this scripture says "joy," not "fun."  I think our society confuses these things at times.  We want our families to be happy so we plan activities that we think will be fun.  I'm not saying fun is bad.  Fun is good.  I just don't think it is the answer to a happy family, as I sometimes make it out to be.

2 Nephi 2:6-8

The vacation was restful and very tiring at the same time.  Weird.

My point being, I got back very late Saturday night and have been struggling to get out of bed for the last three days.  But, the other day I read a scripture that to me optimized Easter.  In 2 Nephi 2:6-8 Lehi knows he will pass away soon and is speaking to his son, Jacob, when he says:

"Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.  Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.  Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise."

Have you ever thought about what you might say to your kids if you knew you weren't going to be around much longer?  I think this is definitely something that I would want them to know.  And not just so they will be happy eternally.  I want them to know it so they can be happy now.