Something I'd say
one of the missionaries was having a really hard time with was trying to get me
to understand the importance of the Book of Mormon. Yeah, we know it's a book
that contains scripture. But that doesn't necessarily immediately make it super
important for us. That probably sounds rather odd considering scripture is
always important, but when you're being told that it's important, it's
different from actually knowing it's important.
One thing I'd like
to discuss first before going back to my statement above is in this chapter one
thing that is mentioned is how important materialistic items are to the church
of the devil. It is those things which people of this church desire. Now we know
material items can't make us happy. It doesn't matter how many things we have
that we want. When it truly gets down to it, not all the things (items) in the
world will make us happy. Psychology, for example, has shown us that humans are
naturally social - we need someone to love us and someone for us to love. If we
are entirely focused around material items, we don't have that. I think our
parents' love for us is much like Heavenly Father's. And I mean that in the way
that we want our parents to love us. I, for one, feel this deep desire and need
to know that my parents love me. Heavenly Father ensures that we feel His love
for us throughout each of our days. I was watching a video about Tender Mercies
from the Lord. Each time He helps us out, it's a tender mercy. And these are so
incredibly important in our lives. Without His help, we probably would not make
it through this life and even if we did, we never would reach our full
potential and be as happy as we possibly could.
I would say that our
scriptures in a way are a tender mercy from the Lord. He's giving us guidance
and help. Often times, when we read our scriptures consistently, we can receive
personal revelation which will help us with whatever it is we need. This is why
it is essential that we have the fulness of the gospel. How is it we can learn
about something if pieces are missing? It's like trying to go into a higher
math class without taking its prerequisite. I would think that right now I am
definitely learning how important the Book of Mormon truly is. Parts of the
Bible, as mentioned in this chapter, were lost and for that reason the Bible
does not contain the fulness of the gospel. In order for us to learn, we need
to fill those missing pieces.
I
think verse 16 also gives a great example of what scriptures do for us
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone
forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of
the Lord was with them." I think it gives a great description in pretty much
explaining that when we humble ourselves before the Lord, we receive help.
Reading our scriptures and praying are two ways we can work on humbling
ourselves. It's recognizing that we don't know everything and we truly need
help from our Heavenly Father to guide us to make good and righteous decisions.
Those that don't humble themselves before God generally do not receive His
help. Now I can't speak for everyone, but I know that if the guidance I can
receive from Him will make things a little easier and more bearable, I
definitely want that help.
Verse
23 talks about what exactly the book Nephi saw contains "Behold it
proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto
me: The book that
thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath
made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of
the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon
the plates of brass,
save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the
Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great
worth unto the Gentiles." In the Book of Mormon, these covenants, or
promises, Heavenly Father has made to us are mentioned. One such promise He's
made us is that He will never abandon us. No matter how many people leave us in
our life, no matter how bad things get, He will always be there to lift us up
when we all. And I find that knowing of that promise is incredibly comforting.
To know someone is always there for you.
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