Remember, Remember

Mosiah 2:41 ". . I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

O remember, remember that these things are true.

The Lord Keeps His Promises

Mosiah 1:7 ". . and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers."

We often associate prosperity with financial wealth. I think prosperity has more to do with spiritual health, service, integrity, and peace of mind.

Why Is Letting Go Hard?

Words of Mormon 1:7 ". . I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will."

The Lord knows all things. I don't. Life is better when I let go and trust Him. Why is that hard?

Come Unto Christ

Omni 1:26 ". . come unto Christ . ."

Three little words.

Wars and Contentions and Dissensions

Jarom 1:13 "And it came to pass that two hundred and thirty and eight years had passed away--after the manner of wars, and contentions, and dissensions, for the space of much of the time."

Ben Franklin was wrong when he said, "In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." He forgot about war.

I Cried Unto My Maker

Enos 1:4 "And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul;"

Hunger comes before humility comes before faith comes before mighty prayer comes before answers.

Time Passed Away With Us

Jacob 7:26 ". . the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream,"

As lyrics of the familiar hymn state:

"Time flies on wings of lightning;

We cannot call it back.

It comes, then passes forward

Along its onward track.

And if we are not mindful,

The chance will fade away,

For life is quick in passing.

'Tis as a single day."

The Consequences of Rejecting Christ

Jacob 6:8 ". . Will ye reject the words of the prophets: and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you?"

Rejecting Christ is rejecting our own chance at eternal happiness.

Counsel Me Not

Jacob 5:22 "And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not;"

It must be frustrating to the Lord when we rush to offer suggestions before considering his.

Things As They Really Are

Jacob 4:13 ". . for the Spirit (of the Holy Ghost) speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be;"

If we want to know what's really going on and what's coming up, there's one way to find out.

Feast Upon His Love

Jacob 3:2 "O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever."

Feasting upon God's love blends a ready mind, a heart soft, eyes open, ears tuned, mouth hushed, and time to savor.

God Loves All His Children

Jacob 2:21 ". . the one being is as precious in his sight as the other . ."

Who do we think we are if not equal in God's sight?

Rebellion Against God Versus Happiness

Jacob 1:8 "Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God,"

Trying to mix rebellion against God and happiness is like trying to mix vinegar and oil.
In a few minutes, the oil will always separate from the vinegar and rise to the top.

He Will Hear My Cry

2 Nephi 33:3  ". . For I pray continually for (my people) by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry."

Sometimes our tears water the plant of faith.

Pray Always and Not Faint

2 Nephi 32:9 ". . pray always, and not faint;"

"Not faint" could mean never give up on a righteous desire. NEVER give up. NEVER GIVE UP.

Speak with the Tongue of Angels

2 Nephi 31:13 ". . then can ye speak with the tongue of angels . ."

The price to obtain this coveted blessing is outlined in 2 Nephi 31:13:

If.

• Ye shall follow the Son. 
• With full purpose of heart. 
• Acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God. 
• With read intent. 
• Repenting of your sins. 
• Witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ by baptism. 
• By following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word,

Then.

• Shall ye receive the Holy Ghost.
• Cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost;
• And then can ye speak with the tongue of angels.
• And shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

Heavenly Father, please help me.

Covenants Bring Blessings

2 Nephi 30:2 ". . for the Lord covenanteth with none save it be with them that repent and believe in his Son, who is the Holy One of Israel."

The Lord keeps his covenants when we keep ours of repentance and belief in His Son.

Conservatives and Leftists Read Up

2 Nephi 29:4 ". . And what thank they the Jews for the Bible, which they receive from them? . . Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?"

Conservatives and leftists alike would do well to read and internalize chapter 2 Nephi:29 (p 109-111).

The Word of God Today

2 Nephi 28:29 "Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!"

What a blessing to receive the word of God today from modern-day prophets and apostles!

*lds.org, click on General Conference (conferences convene in April and October)

Miracles Happen According to Faith

2 Nephi 27:23 "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; . . and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."

Fear paralyzes. Faith activates. Faith is a verb, and it comes before miracles.

*Miracle: When a big or small eternally significant happening occurs "out of the blue."

Salvation is Offered to All

2 Nephi 26:27 "Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance."

Jesus offers everyone the free choice to partake of his salvation through faith and repentance.

That Our Children May Know

2 Nephi 25:26 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

1. How will they know, the ones for whom we care,
   That God is love and with us ev'rywhere,
   That life is good, with blessings all can share?
   How will they know unless we teach them so?
2. How will they learn that, though they go astray,
   God will forgive and help them find the way?
   How will they feel the Spirit day by day?
   How will they know unless we teach them so?
3. How will they grow in wisdom and delight?
   How will they choose to follow what is right?
   How can they trust the future will be bright?
   How will they know unless we show them?
4. How will they live when they at last are grown?
   What will they give to children of their own?
   Will they reflect the values we have shown?
   How will they know, as on through life they go?
   How will they know unless we strive to teach them so?
5. Natalie W. Sleeth, 1930-1992

Downfall of Wickedness and Rulers

2 Nephi 24:5 (Compare Isaiah 14) "The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, the scepters of the rulers."

Hang on. In God's way and time, truth and righteousness will win.

The Arrogance of Pride

2 Nephi 23:11 (Compare Isaiah 13) ". . I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease . ."

I like it better when I eliminate pride from my life by myself before the Lord does it for me.

Declare His Doings

2 Nephi 22:4 (Compare Isaiah 12) ". . Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted."

Notice the tender mercies that come from God daily, then "declare his doings" to everyone!

The Adversaries of Judah

2 Nephi 21:12-13 (Compare Isaiah 11) "And he . . shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth . . and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; . ."

The prophecies of Isaiah trump the platform, words and actions of the Obama crowd.

Anger and Compassion Together?

2 Nephi 20:4 (Compare Isaiah 10) ". . For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

When a scripture is repeated four times in two pages (89-90) it's Time. To. Pay. Attention.

The Government of Jesus Christ

2 Nephi 19:6 (Compare Isaiah 9) ". . and the government shall be upon his shoulder; . ."

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will end all wars and herald a reign of perfect justice and mercy.

I Will Look for Him

2 Nephi 18:17 (Compare Isaiah 8) ". . I will wait upon the Lord; . . and I will look for him."

As President Uchtdorf states, "Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something . . . even when the desires of our hearts are delayed . . . Ultimately, patience means being 'firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord' every hour of every day, even when it is hard to do so."