Conference tecrus::mormonism

I've always been impressed with Nephi's opening remarks:

    I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught 
    somewhat in all the learning of my father; 

As I've struggled with my role as husband and father, Nephi's words have come
to me time and time again to help me understand my responsibilities to my
family.

I'm slowly becoming aware of the great blessing of being "born of goodly
parents."  I was reading in the PARENTING conference one day, and there
were a lot of young mothers who were very frustrated because they were a
parent.  One woman screamed (uppercase), "I DON'T WANT TO BE ANYBODY'S MAMA".
She was fighting her role as a parent, and I'm sure her frustration had
negative effects on her child.

Those of us who have been born of "goodly parents" can thank God for that,
and those of us who are parents have the challenge from God to become "goodly
parents", for after all, our children are really God's children.

Allen

	Teaching seminary was a good experience for me.  The things I learned
	were most enlightening.  One of them is about 1 Nephi 1.  Here is a
	chapter that has more in it than imagined.  It was brought out in
	the third video of the "Hold to the Rod" series.

	Look at the prophet Joseph Smith and to the manner in which he was
	called by God to be a prophet, and circumstances around that call.
	This is from memory right now, so I hope I can remember all the
	important parts.  The important thing to me is that this is the
	standard procedure for the calling of a prophet, especially one for
	a particular dispensation. (Compare Moses, Enoch, Abraham, etc.)

	1. Call issued with a personal interview from God.
	2. Visions and information given to call.
	3. Opposition from world.

	These concepts are found in the following verses :

	(1.) verses 5 & 6
	(2.) verses 7 through 17
	(3.) verses 18 through 20

Hi Charles,

You've brought up an interesting point about Lehi, one which I've never
understood very well.

You've presented the viewpoint that the vision given to Lehi was his call
as a Prophet.  Indeed, the teachers manual for the Gospel Doctrine class
presents the same idea.  However, I feel that Lehi was already called as a
Prophet and that his vision was a revelation to a Prophet rather than a call
to be one.

In verse 4, it states that many Prophets came prophesying unto the people.
Then immediately in verse 5, it states that Lehi "went forth", implying I
think that he was one of those Prophets.  Further, verse 5 states Lehi prayed
unto the Lord "yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people."  So,
his reason for his prayer was to benefit "his" people, indicating he already
had a Stewardship over them.

Then, in verse 6, the vision came.  That is, the vision came in answer to his
prayer in behalf of his people.  As I read those verses, I see nothing that
indicates he was called as a Prophet, but I see him going forth with the
Prophets to the people, and I see him praying in behalf of the people.  In
other words, it seems to me that he was already a Prophet.

It is true that in verse 18, after Lehi had received his vision, he went forth
among the people and prophesied.  But, that was appropriate, whether he was
already a Prophet when he received the vision or whether he was a newly-called
Prophet after receiving the vision.

If you or others can help me understand this situation better, I'll appreciate
it.

Allen

	Hi Allen,

		I think that if Lehi was indeed a prophet at the time of
	verse four, then Nephi would have said so.  However, all he said
	was that "there came many prophets,...".  Nephi did not include
	his father in their assembly.  As far as what the "went forth" means,
	to me that is, I would use it as if I were going about my business
	of daily activity.  I would deem it the same as if I were praying
	for the leadership of this country.  The brethren have counseled 
	us for many years to pray to the Lord to open up Eastern Europe.
	Many people have "gone forth" and prayed about these type of things.
	Any person like Lehi would pray for his people if the Lord was 
	calling them to repentance and threatening destruction.  
	See what I mean?

	Charles

Ok, I see what you are saying and appreciate the clarification.

I'm not sure that we in the 20th century can say what Nephi would have said.
I still don't agree, Charles, because I feel the context of those verses is
that Lehi went forth with the other prophets.  However, both your and my
viewpoints are a matter of interpretation, so neither of us can say
definitively when Lehi was called, and that's ok, because there are more
important truths to be gleaned from the Book of Mormon.

Allen

This chapter (3) contains some of my favourite scriptures - 1NE 3:5-8.  
My favourite of the four scriptures is verse 7.

Here is what these scriptures mean to me:


>5.  And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I 
>    have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it 
>    is a commandment of the Lord.

Their father was a prophet of God and he gave them a commandment.  This was
not something that their father (in the role of a father) told them to do, 
but a commandment given to them by a prophet of God.

For me, when the prophet speaks, there is an implied "thus saith the Lord" at 
the close of his talk.  Even though the tone of voice sounds like the prophet 
is giving advice or recommending something, he is giving us advice direct from
God.  I interpret the "advice" as a commandment given to me by God through his
prophet and treat it as such.

I often think about this scripture when I hear the prophet speak and I realize
that we are receiving latter-day revelation through a prophet of God.  It is
really wonderful when you think about it.


>6.  Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou
>    hast not murmured.

Likewise, if the Bishop (or anyone in authority over you in the Church) asks
you to do something, don't complain or grumble.  The calling you receive may
involve a lot of work, or it may not be exactly the calling you were hoping
for, but your calling was given through revelation to the Bishop.  Grumbling
or backbiting has no place in Christ's Church.


>7.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do 
>    the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth
>    no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for
>    them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Sometimes when times get tough and it seems like it's difficult to follow the
commandments, I think about this scripture.  The Lord has given us commandments
to follow.  We may not understand the whys and wherefores, but the commandments 
are for our own good.  The Lord will never give us a commandment that we can't
carry out.  If you feel that you are having difficulty keeping a commandment,
ask God for help and you will receive it.


An good example of following the commandments was when Moses was leading the
Jews out of Egypt.  He led them to the Red Sea with the Egyptians right behind 
them.  It looked bad - the Egyptians behind them and the Red Sea in front of 
them, but Moses (through God) was able to part the Red Sea and lead the Jews 
out of captivity.  He followed the commandments because he knew that the Lord
would never give him a commandment unless a way was prepared for him to 
accomplish it.


>8.  And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was 
>    exceeding glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord.

It isn't always easy to obey the commandments.  Sometimes you might even get 
"dumped on" by others for doing what you feel/know is right, but just take it 
in stride.  I know that when I follow the commandments, I will be blessed and 
that the Lord is on my side.  With the Lord on your side, there is nothing
that you can't accomplish.


Best Regards,

Frank

				CHAPTER 3

7.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do 
    the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth
    no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for
    them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.


	Of all the scriptures, I believe this is my mainstay.  When I get
	real discouraged in any of my callings - husband, father, patriarch,
	Elders Quorum President - then I recall Nephi and how much I admire
	him.  This scripture links me with 1 Cor 10:13.  The Lord will help
	me bear not only the temptations of life, but also the responsibilities
	of life and calling.  Then I also remember D&C 130:20-21.  I think
	that obedience to any law or commandment will give me blessings from
	God.  How can I loose?  The Lord will help me to do what I am
	supposed to do and then when I do it He blesses me.

	It used to be that in PEC the Bishop would assign a person or ask a 
	status, and I would always ask if they were in the High Priest area 
	of responsibility.  It was sort of nice to be able to say, "Oh, that 
	person belongs to the High Priest's."  Then they released the High 
	Priest Group Leader and gave me all the priesthood.  I was not 
	pleased to say the least.  This is a hard calling.  (To look on the 
	bright side, at least I am not the Bishop!)  But it is easier to set 
	up the home teaching.  Oh, I still have the same problems with trying 
	to encourage the brethren to honor their priesthood, but at least I 
	have the proper keys and I know that I am not alone.  These scriptures
	help me a lot to remember that I am doing the Lord's work and not my
	own.  It does not help much to ease the burden of responsibility,
	but at least I am not alone in the pain.