09/28/2004 - Lunch
New Goals, etc.
Well I decided last night, early this morning, that
in order to achieve my goal of studying my scriptures more I would read at least
one chapter a day and then make comments about the chapter in my weblog. This
helps me also to keep a journal that later I can print out and keep in a
book.
Today I went out to LDS.org and
just randomly picked Heleman 14 to study. Chapter 14 deals with Samuel the
Lamanite and his prophesying and preaching to the Wicked
Nephites.
Samuel prophesies in verse 6
referring to the new star announcing Christ's birth " And behold this is not
all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven." I honestly had never
noticed that before. It must have been a spectacular show looking up into the
sky that night. Not having the same knowledge that we have today about space, I
can fully understand the next verse where he says "And it shall come to pass
that ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the
earth. The ancient Nephites and Lamanites could very well have believed much
like the Little Red Hen that "The sky is
falling."
I realized in verse 12 that
Samuel also testified that Jesus Christ was the physical creator of our world,
the "Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning."
Wait a second, Samuel also said "Heaven" Not only did he organize the Earth
under the direction of our Heavenly Father, but did he also organize what we
know as our solar system? Something to think
about.
In verses 17 and 18 Samuel
reminds us that Resurrection is a gift given to all mankind, but Eternal Life or
being saved from the "second death" is conditional and is based on our own
repentance.
In verse 25 Samuel
prophesies of the First Resurrection "And many graves shall be opened, and shall
yield up many of their dead; and many saints shall appear unto many."
I think one of my favorite passages is
at the end of verse 30; "ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves;
for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free." In
that short paragraph I am reminded that I have been raised with much knowledge
and understanding as it pertains to the Gospel. I have also been given Agency
and with both knowledge and agency I have been made free.
Posted: Tue - September 28, 2004 at 02:32 PM