Friday, 27 June 2014

2 Nephi 17-24

As I pondered these Isaiah sections quoted by Nephi, I asked
how come he had included these specific sections in his record - what made them so specifically relevant and significant? As I thought about the Babylon/Zion contrasts in these sections I wondered about what Nephi was not trying to do. What he was not doing was trying to emulate Enoch or Melchizedek and build a city which would be translated. He had seen what would happen to his descendants. He knew his descendants would receive the Saviour - so would his record and these sections not reflect useful counsel for them to be prepared to meet Him? By extension, as Nephi also saw our day could his writings not be of particular use to us in preparing to meet the Saviour?

If I contemplate the years which lie between us and the return of the Saviour, I wonder what counsel we can include in our journals and personal records which will be useful to our descendants, our extended families and friends as they, with us, prepare to be ready at His coming? Take a moment to ponder and visualise the second coming as being a few generations away: In that case, what records, testimony, admonitions, experiences, prayers etc could you leave in your journal which would be useful to them, to strengthen them, to encourage them to "hold to the rod" and be ready to meet the Saviour at His coming? Record that in your study journal and work towards accomplishing that goal in your personal records.

As we contemplate chapters 23 and 24 in particular, they describe circumstances which will create individual and social challenges - circumstances which will be trying and testing. It seems clear that we will not escape these circumstances and that we have been given sufficient light and knowledge and strength to remain strong of heart. Ponder 3 Nephi 9:13 and imagine how you would feel if after the circumstances of 2 Nephi 23 and 24 you have survived and then hear the words of 3 Nephi 9:13 .... record your thoughts in your study journal.

One of the ways in which we can receive strength in times of challenge and difficulty is from the words of scripture. Elder Richard G. Scott counselled
"great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change."
In the same talk he described scripture:
"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ." 
 As a class we have taken up Elder Scotts' challenge to memorise scripture and during our lesson each of us spent some time selecting and memorising a scripture. Take some time now to find a scripture from the Isaiah sections of 2 Nephi which speaks about the Saviour and which resonates with your heart and memorise it ...

REFERENCE
Richard G. Scott : The Power of Scripture






Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)