Jacob 1-4

I Will Send Their Words Forth
by Elspeth Young

Have you ever had to teach a lesson or share a message that you were uncomfortable with? How did you go about preparing to perform that task? What preparations did you make on the day? Did you ponder and meditate? What did you think about as you actually shared the message?  This is the predicament that is outlined in the opening chapters of the book of Jacob and which we discussed in our lesson.

Jacob 1:15-16 outline the arising of a problem, as observed by Jacob.  His next step, as shown in verse 17, was to obtain his "errand from the Lord" as to how he could appropriately discharge his calling (or "consecration" in his words).  Reflect on some of the following questions in your journal: When I see something that is problematic within the scope of my calling, what do I do?  Do I dismiss the problem or seek the Lords' errand?  How can I appropriately seek the Lords help in dealing with issues that arise within my calling? Am I confident to seek such help?

Jacob 1:19 includes the phrase "magnify our office unto the Lord".  What does this phrase mean?  The institute manual provides a wonderful definition from President Thomas S. Monson:

“What does it mean to magnify a calling? It means to build it up in dignity and importance, to make it honorable and commendable in the eyes of all men, to enlarge and strengthen it, to let the light of heaven shine through it to the view of other men."

Gordon B. Hinckley said: "That word magnify is interesting.  As I interpret it, it means to enlarge, to make more clear, to bring closer, and to strengthen."

Elder Henry B. Eyring said: "You are called to represent the Savior.  Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands.  His work is to bless His Father's spirit children with the opportunity to choose eternal life.  So, your calling is to bless lives.  That will be true even in the most ordinary tasks you are assigned and in moments when you might be doing something not apparently connected to your call."

Take some time to ponder and reflect on the following questions in your journal: What does the word magnify mean to me?  What do I feel about my call?  How can I best magnify my call? What promises were made to me about my call?  What can I do to bring these promises about?

Resources :
Gordon B. Hinckley : Magnify Your Calling 
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/magnify-your-calling?lang=eng
Henry B Eyring : Rise to Your Call
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/10/rise-to-your-call?lang=eng
Thomas S Monson : The Call of Duty
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1986/04/the-call-of-duty?lang=eng

Psalm of Nephi

Mazmuur Naafi: The Arabic Psalm of Nephi
Ahmed Jamal Qureshi
Digital print on paper, 2002
6th LDS International  Art Competition

The Psalm of Nephi (2 Nephi 4:16–35) like other scriptural psalms, has a way of touching hearts and souls, encouraging us to reach out to the Lord.  As a class we will be singing this at the Dianella Stake Single Adult Fireside in August.  The words, by John Tanner, are posted here for reference.  Also linked is an interesting article where brother Tanner talks about the development of two different hymn texts based on this block of scripture.

“I Love the Lord”

I love the Lord. In him my soul delights.
Upon his word, I ponder day and night.
He’s heard my cry, brought visions to my sleep,
And kept me safe o’er deserts and the deep.
He’s filled my heart with his consuming love,
And borne me high on wings of his great dove.

Yet oft I groan, “O wretched man am I!”
My flesh is weak and I’m encompassed by
A world of sin, which holds me in its thrall,
If I give in and to temptations fall.
Then strength grows slack, I waste in sorrow’s vale.
My peace destroyed, my enemies prevail.

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin.
Rejoice, my heart! And let me praise again
The Lord my God, who is my rock and stay
To keep me strict upon his straight, plain way.
O let me shake at the first sight of sin
And thus escape my foes without and in

References:
John S. Tanner : Two Hymns Based on Nephi's Psalm
http://publications.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/10/2/S00006-50e5e9352684f6Tanner.pdf
6th LDS International Art Comptition : The Book of Mormon Its History and Message 
https://history.lds.org/exhibit/1999-international-art-competition?lang=eng1999InternationalArtCompetition-OnlineExhibit

2 Nephi 31-33

It is great to have Zena back teaching this week! As we move into Nephi's final writings, we find his profound testimony of the Saviour, described as the "doctrine of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:2, 21; 32:6).

In our lesson, we outlined 10 aspects of the doctrine of Christ as taught by Nephi, which, if followed, will allow us to enjoy the companionship and guidance of the Holy Ghost:

1. Placing Jesus as our Examplar (2 Ne 31:17). President Thomas S. Monson said, “Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is our Exemplar and our strength." See https://www.lds.org/scriptures/tg/jesus-christ-exemplar for further scriptural links to this concept.

2. Participating in the ordinance of Baptism by water (2 Ne 31:5-12)

3. Acting with full purpose of heart, having no hypocrisy. (2 Ne 31:13) “Full purpose of heart” suggests a total commitment to Jesus Christ, having pure and sincere motives.

4. Receiving the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost (2 Ne 31:14).

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles clarified that being confirmed does not mean that person has received the baptism of the Spirit: “Following our baptism, each of us had hands placed upon our head by those with priesthood authority and was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Holy Ghost was conferred upon us (see D&C 49:14). The statement ‘receive the Holy Ghost’ in our confirmation was a directive to strive for the baptism of the Spirit."

5. Enduring to the end (2 Ne 31: 15-16)

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin explained that to endure to the end also means to continue in faithfulness to Christ until the end of our lives: “Enduring to the end is the doctrine of continuing on the path leading to eternal life after one has entered into the path through faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost. Enduring to the end requires our whole heart—or, as the Book of Mormon prophet Amaleki taught, we must ‘come unto him, and offer [our] whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth [we] will be saved.’ [Omni 1:26]. 6. In our daily journey, we press forward with steadfastness (2 Ne 31:19-20)

6.  Pressing forward in our daily walk (2 Ne 31:19-20) 

Coming unto Christ is not a single event with a fixed point of beginning or ending; rather, it is a process that develops and deepens during a lifetime. As an initial step in the process, we certainly must obtain knowledge and learn about Jesus and His life, teachings, and ministry. But truly coming unto Him also requires consistent obedience and striving to become like Jesus in our thoughts, motives, communications, and actions. As we “press forward” (2 Ne 31:20) on the pathway of discipleship, we can draw near unto the Savior with the expectation that He will draw near unto us; we can seek Him diligently with the hope that we shall find Him; we can ask with confidence that we shall receive; and we can knock anticipating that the door shall be opened unto us (see D&C 88:63). (David E Bednar)  https://www.lds.org/new-era/2006/04/because-we-have-them-before-our-eyes?lang=eng 

7. Feasting upon the words of Christ (2 Ne 31:20). Ponder and journal: How can I feast upon the words of Christ?  What elements make a spiritual feast?  What is the word of Christ?  How do I access the words of Christ?

8. Striving to speak with the tongue of angels (2 Ne 32:3).  Ponder and journal - when do I recall speaking with power?

President Boyd K Packer said: "you can speak with the tongue of angels, which simply means that you can speak with the power of the Holy Ghost. It will be quiet. It will be invisible. There will not be a dove. There will not be cloven tongues of fire. But the power will be there." https://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/08/the-gift-of-the-holy-ghost-what-every-member-should-know?lang=eng

9. Praying always (2 Ne 32:9).  Ponder and journal: Why do I think we have this commandment?  How would I describe or define prayer?  When have I felt closest to God through prayer?

For a thoughtful rendition of a favourite hymn, "Prayer is the souls Sincere Desire", see http://www.defordmusic.com/sheet-music/alphabetical-list/prayer-is-the-souls-sincere-desire/

10. Looking to the words of Christ or the Holy Ghost to show us what to do (2 Ne 32:3).  Why is this an important principle?  What other words do I use to show us what to do? What is the significance of the words of Christ?

As we ponder the heritage Nephi left for his posterity, the challenge to us is to leave a lasting and valuable legacy to our children, family, friends and associates.

Calendar - July to September

Here is our lesson schedule until the end of September.  Can be subject to change if we come across an important digression!

2 Nephi 28-30

In these chapters we will focus a little more clearly on the latter days and the "times of the gentiles".

Our first port of call is 2 Nephi 28:7-8, where Nephi defines a few "false and vain and foolish doctrines".  We see several approaches to life and God in these verses;  the "eat, drink and be merry" approach, the "eat, drink and be merry nevertheless fear God" approach and then the 'it isn't that bad "a little sin" is "justified" addition - so, "lie a little", "take advantage of another" "dig a pit for thy neighbour" - because, in the end "God will beat us with a few stripes".  Where do we see these approaches to life being broadcast / advertised? Are those who advocate these lifestyles successful in promoting them? Are we tempted to believe these doctrines?

Our next discussion was on verses 2 Nephi 29:19-22.  These are regarded as strategies used by the adversary and are perhaps more intense than the lifestyles discussed above.  The first is found in verses 19 and 20 - where do we see people whose hearts are stirred up to anger against that which is good? How do we deal with those who choose to be angry and rail against things that are good?  The next section describes the strategy of creating a false sense of security, leading people to conclude that "all is well". How can a sense of "all is well" be harmful? What is neglected when we think that "all is well"?  The final strategy is to advocate that there is no hell and there is no devil.  Where the first strategy is one acknowledging good and evil and twisting good to seem evil and worthy of scorn, the latter one is outright denial of evil - and by implication the denial of the existence of good?  For if there is no bad/evil then good cannot exist.  Where do we see this philosophy and what is the impact?

There is an interesting "bookend" as it were to these verses which is found in 2 Nephi 28:26 - it warns us not to follow these precepts and to not deny the power of God and gift of the Holy Ghost.  It seem then that one clear way to avoid being caught up in those philosophies is to acknowledge the power of God and use the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Using a BYU devotional by Gerald Lund as an outline, we discussed principles around listening to and hearing the Holy Ghost.  Our discussion included the impact of emotions and feelings and how those could be active in both counterfeit and real revelations. We distilled the following as we discussed how we invite the spirit, how we differentiate between the spirit and strong or intense emotions, the role that the Word of Wisdom plays in our ability to receive the spirit and how we cultivate the ability to work with the Holy Ghost to receive revelation ...

The challenge for us this week is to work at "educating" ourselves about how our bodies impact on or are impacted by revelation.  What blocks our access to the spirit and revelation? What "inner" voices like sin, anger & contention, irreverence, tiredness, stress, worry and wants are impacting our ability to hear the spirit?  How can we use "outer" influences, such as reverence, scripture study, music and reflection time to enhance our sensitivity to the spirit?  How can we block "outer" influences which either restrict our ability to access the spirit or provide counterfeit revelation?

SEE: Gerald N. Lund : The Voice of the Lord
http://speeches.byu.edu/index.php?act=viewitem&id=630

Additional Resources
Boyd K Packer: Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1994/10/personal-revelation-the-gift-the-test-and-the-promise?lang=eng
Boyd K Packer: The Candle of the Lord
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1983/01/the-candle-of-the-lord?lang=eng

2 Nephi 25-27

I find that timelines are a useful scripture study tool, especially when there are a number of complex themes running through the passage being studied.  One of the effects that timelines sometimes has on my study is that I feel almost time is like a slinky spring being jangled ... some bits stretch out and others compress!

Along with timelines, other tools such as storylines, charts and chronologies can help enrich scripture study.

The readings in 2 Nephi 25-27 are a rich place for timelines ... I suggest that there are 3 distinct timelines which can be identified.

First - the timeline of Nephi's people;

Second - the timeline of the Jews (at Jerusalem); and

Third - the timeline of the Gentiles.

As a journal exercise, read through the chapters carefully and plot three timelines.  Where do you see the slinky spring effect and time being compressed?  Where is it being stretched out? For what reason are those sections stretched out - what is the detail that they give to us?

Scripture Study Resources
https://www.lds.org/manual/scripture-study-the-power-of-the-word-teacher-manual/lesson-5?lang=eng  
https://www.lds.org/new-era/2012/10/six-tips-for-scripture-study?lang=eng