A couple of thoughts

This post today will add to the content and discussion from a couple of previous posts.

The first topic that I was going to bring back up was from the post on September 10, 2008. In that post, the Great and Spacious Building was discussed. I made a point that there are people who are members of the church, but are also in the Great and Spacious Building. I hope that there are none in your ward that constantly look down on, demean, belittle, and slight you. I have heard stories of people that always get that when they go. (Okay, that sounds strong, but hopefully it doesn't happen that strongly anywhere). Anyway, I knew that there was a scripture in the Book of Mormon that talked about this. I came upon it in my personal study one to two times ago. I tried to think of some of the key words to look it up, but to no avail. Then last Sunday in Sunday School, we discussed the chapters that the verse was found, and I saw it again. Thus, this post today. (I guess it did take me a couple of days to remember to talk about it.) The scripture is Helaman 3:33-35. The church at the time was prospering in the 49th and 50th year of the reign of the judges. There was also continual rejoicing. But in the 51st year, there began to be some pride enter into the hearts of some that professed to belong to the church of God. Verse 34 says that they were lifted up in pride unto the persecution of many of their brethren. It continues on to say that this is a great evil, which caused the more humble part of the church to suffer great persecutions, and wade through much sorrow. This is exactly what happened to those that I know who went through this. In Verse 35, there is an example to follow for those who have this happen from those who have gone through it before. It says that they should pray and fast oft, wax stronger and stronger in their humility, firmer and firmer in their faith in Christ which will fill their souls with joy and consolation. I know that this peace can come because of the atonement of Christ to those that are hurt because of others' actions. Then their hearts are sanctified and made pure, which sanctification comes because they had yielded their hearts to God. One scripture in the New Testament comes to mind. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus tells us about His way to deal with those people who persecute. After all, He was persecuted the most, even unto His death. He said to love them, bless them, do good to them, and pray for them.

The second thought is a little more upbeat. (Sorry if I have depressed you today.) I wanted to include this scripture in yesterday's post, but after I had finished, I realized that I didn't mention it. The original post was about the Lord preparing scriptures for wise purposes. The main purpose for telling Nephi to prepare the Small Plates was to maintain those experiences they had for the eventual publication of the Book of Mormon. One account was lost because of a man that did not heed the commandment of God to not show them to his family. It was probably a hard thing to deal with. Well, in the Words of Mormon part of the Book of Mormon, Mormon said that he had abridged the Large Plates of Nephi until the reign of King Benjamin. The he found in the library of all their records (in which a hundredth part of them could not be contained in the Book of Mormon) the Small Plates. He says their content is very pleasing and that they are choice to him and will be to his brethren. Mormon was probably referring in part to us and to the decedents of the Lamanites. Then in Verse 7 (of Words of Mormon), he says that he is doing this because of a wise purpose of the Lord, that the Spirit prompted him to do it, and that the Lord knows all things.

One more thought, and I hope that it's not too strong again. Mormon, and all these men worked hard to bring about this work. Many sacrifices were made so that we could have it. Not only in the time of the Nephites, but Joseph Smith's as well (see yesterday's post for a small glimpse). Additionally, the prophets of the Book of Mormon prayed with faith that their words might go to the Lamanites someday. (For one specific, and very powerful prayer, see Enos 1:13-18.) This was explained to Joseph Smith in Doctrine and Covenants 10:46-52. They also prayed that we would have their words and benefit from them. They also prayed and blessed this land that whatsoever nation should possess it, they would be free. Now that we have the records, the words, and the land, what have we done with them? Have we read the Book of Mormon and studied it, so that their sacrifice was worth it? Or have we squandered it so that their sacrifice was all in vain (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:57 and Footnote 1)? Do we find its words as pleasing as Mormon describes for himself? Well, I'd like to think that there is still hope, and that we can do something about it now. For those of you who read from its pages (no matter how much) this is great. Time spent in the book is between you and Heavenly Father. Then to those who don't open it at all during the day, try and read just a few verses a day for starters. Then you may increase that amount as the days go on. Our stake has a goal to read from it 10 minutes a day.

Footnote 1. Here are a couple of talks from General Authorities on that subject: (1) "Cleansing the Inner Vessel" by Ezra Taft Benson and (2) "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" by Dallin H. Oaks.