President Ezra Taft Benson, the 13th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints siad, "There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path." I hope to see that promise fulfilled in my life as I study the Book of Mormon and record my thoughts here.
The very first verse of the Book of Mormon seems to be filled with guidance. Nephi had "goodly parents" so, as a result of that, he "was taught...in all the learning of his father." Good parents should be teaching their children in all their learning, both secular and spiritual. Nephi goes on to say that he had been through many afflictions and yet he still felt incredibly blessed by the Lord and had a great knowledge of the goodness of the Lord.
Jeremiah, Isaiah, and many other prophets were around near the same time as Lehi as referenced in verse 4. Jerusalem had experienced many upheavals and wars going from good leaders who followed the Lord to occupiers who did "evil" in the sight of the Lord, Zedekiah was one of these evil leaders. So it was definitely a perilous time for those who followed the Lord. Many of the tribes of Israel had already been taken away captive.
Lehi prayed to the Lord "with all his heart, in behalf of his people." It seems that he prayed out in the wilderness, as a pillar of fire settled upon a rock. Many prophets have went into secluded places to pray. Joseph Smith also went to the woods, apart from others, to pray and similarly the Lord appeared to him in a pillar of light. The things which Lehi saw in this first vision were not described but, while perhaps sleeping after being so full of the Spirit, he had another vision.
No comments:
Post a Comment