Filling my lamp with oil

Intro--line upon line, precept upon precept. At first it puzzled me why Joseph would be visited 3 times and have the same thing said repeatedly. But each successing time the angel added to what he previously said. What are the Lord's servants repeating to us? And what lines and precepts are they adding to their pleas to help us progress and grow?

Nephi 1 -- When you learn or grow a testimony of something of the Lord, don't you also want to share it with others, spread it out so others can feel the peace, love and happiness it brings into your life?

Nephi 2 -- Even in Lehi's trial of faith he remembered to stop and take time to thank the Lord for His hand in their lives. He was obedient, he remembered, and gave thanks. Will I be like unto Lehi, Nephi and Sam who believed and were faithful OR will I be like Laman and Lemuel who doubted, continually murmured (whined) and were rebellious? Decide today which kind of person you will be. Do you want to be blessed and become prosperous OR rebel and be cut off from His presence, His Spirit? Believe me, if you choose the latter, you will be a much more grouchier version of you.

Nephi 3 -- Anything worth doing is worth its efforts. The Lord asks and commands, He gives us the tools to accomplish the things asked of us, will we have the faith that we can do it with the Lord's help? Or whine about how hard it is?

Nephi 4 -- Sometimes we need to take that leap of faith that the Lord knows what He is doing and that we can accomplish what is put before us. Are we living a life where our wordis worth its mettle?

My God Hath Been My Support

• In 2 Nephi 4, Nephi talks about his self doubt, temptations, discouragement and anger in regards to his sins.  And then he turns around and says I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support. (4:19-20)  He sees his imperfections, almost drowns in all of it but rises above it bc he knows who is he, what he is worth and who stands behind him.  We are all children of God, He loves every one of us despite our imperfections and His arm is and ever will be outstretched to help us if we but turn towards Him. 
• In vs.26-29 he talks about why or why not to linger on past sins.  We shouldn't dwell upon our past bc it is not healthy nor does it matter if the Lord has forgiven persons of that matter, what matters is if we know if we have been forgiven.  It is up to the Lord to forgive who He will and up to us to forgive all.  Forgive and move forward.
• 2 Nephi 5:32 talks about what we should be writing in our journals -- things pleasing unto God.  I find it interesting that he says if people like the things of God, then they will be pleased with mine engravings.  So my grandkids should be pleased with my journals if they are things pleasing unto God.  I think it is vitally important that we have evidence that not just ancient people had faith through trials and endured to the end, but that people not too distant from us did also.  If I can read about my close relatives holding tight to the iron rod and striving to live righteous lives, I think it would be another testimony that it can be done. Perhaps my words will be what someone needs later on. 
• Tonight we had FHE on what the "Ultimate Treasure" is that Heavenly Father has for us.  I used a great site to help me with the short lesson (for younger kids) HERE.   We talked about how the Lord gave us a map to find our way to this ultimate gift -- scriptures, prophets, parents, etc.  All these things can help point us in the right direction in how to live our lives in such a way that we can obtain this great treasure -- being eternal life and living again with our Heavenly Father.  My daughter really enjoyed it and participated in the discussion (7 yrs old), my son (2 yrs old) roamed the room.  I think he was oblivious to what we were doing but he did pray with us so at least he knows what that is.  He loves to pray.  He does great with folding his arms and he can string 2-3 words at a time if we help him say the prayer.  I think right now I am really enjoying see my children grow in the gospel and make it a natural part of their lives. 

Remember Remember

• Nephi gives his thesis statement if you will in the last chapter of 1 Nephi, 1 Nephi 30-31. The purpose of his writings in the plastes of brass --
• ...they testify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God.
• ...Wherefore, if ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day...
• I remember how in Seminary class, my teacher would drill into us that it was so important for us to REMEMBER the Lord and his commandments bc it is when we forget and forsake the Lord that we lose his blessings and promises from keeping the commandments.  So every time in the scriptures when it has the phrase "if you keep my commandments, you shall prosper" I think REMEMBER in my head. 
• Throughout this first book, each story shows the consequences of either following the commandments or disboeying them.  When I think of my kids, I can't seem to understand why they would do something they know will get them into trouble.  Most of the time, their answer is "I don't know, bc it was fun?"  I'm sure Heavenly Father feels the same way about us.  Just follow these rules and I will bless you!!! We're basically throwing away blessings when we choose to not follow his commandments. I know it is easier said than done but logically it seems right. 
• In Lehi's dying words, he instructs his children on 3 things in 2 Nephi 1-2:
• Exhorts his sons to repent, obey and put on the armor of righteousness
• Testifies of the Atonement
• Teaches the importance of opposition and freedom to choose
• I see a repeated promise in his words in 2 Nephi 1:7, 9
• ...And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them;
• ...inasmuch as those who the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land...and if it so be they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land...
• Ok, keep his commandments, we'll prosper and be blessed.  Got it!
• In 2 Nephi 1:21, it seems like Lehi is basically telling his children to grow up, act like adults and get along and the way to do that is to be united together. 
• ...arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things...
• Trials are here to help us grow and progress. The Lord shall consecrate thine afflictions for they gain. (2 Nephi 2:2)
• Lehi says in 2 Nephi 2:14 I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning.  He is trying to leave some words of wisdom before he dies.  He then starts to talk about how God gave us our free agency (...the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself... 2 Nephi 2:16) He had previously spoken about there is opposition in all things.
• Funny that this should be read now.  This last week I had to watch my daughter go through a tough experience at school.  There was a boy teasing her, who egg'd on others to tease her as well.  It made her cry and she was so hurt that this boy would spread lies about her.  She was too scared to tell her teacher.  As my husband and I talked with her, we told her that telling her teacher is the right choice bc she doesn't have to put up with this, that as a daughter of God, she deserves more respect.  We told her we should include her in our prayers to be given the courage and strength to get through this situation.  We tried telling her that it doesn't matter what those kids think, it matters what she thinks but it didn't make her hurt feelings feel any better.  I told her I would talk to her teacher the next day after school if they kept it up.  Although when I went to get her, the teacher told me that KJ had spoken to her already and they fixed the problem (the boy's parents were notified and he wrote an apology note).  She found the courage to speak up for herself and I was so happy that she did.  That was yesterday and today I read about how we have to have opposition in all things so that we may know good from evil, joy from sorrow, happiness from pain.  My daughter can't learn unless she experiences herself first hand, not me fixing her problems for her.