Talk: Lengthening our Stride

April 1979 President Spencer W. Kimball

“The major strides which must be made by the Church will follow upon the major strides to be made by us as individuals. We have paused on some plateaus long enough. Let us resume our journey forward and upward.”

What does this quote mean?

Over the last 31 years the membership of the Church has increased by 325%. This is an indicator that the Church as a whole has had some strides.

Just because the Church as a whole has made some strides does that mean that all of us have also made great strides?

How has our stakes, wards or personal selves progressed?

How does an athlete work to increase their stride?

1. Determine their strike rate

2. Workouts/Exercises

3. Work on developing their breathing patterns and pacing techniques.

What would be the results for someone who tried to shortcut take a different approach to this pattern?

1. Quite often taking the wrong approach leads to a loss of stride and speed instead of an increase.

2. Not taking the time to evaluate where you are and what you want to accomplish will prevent from being successful, no goal = no success.

3. The wrong exercises could result no benefit or even cause negative results.

4. Not learning to control your breathing or pacing can cause you to become exhausted or prevent you from finishing what you started.

How do we lengthen our spiritual stride?

1. First we must make sure that we have the proper approach

Spiritual Progression Chart

2. Personal introspection about where we are at spiritually. Know where you are and where you want to be.

In order to know where we are, we must first know where we want to be.

Moses 1:39

For behold this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

What is it that the Lord wants for us?

The atonement was designed to help us with this; Physical death, Spiritual death.

How can we help?

Three fold mission of the Church: Missionary work, Perfect the Saints, and Redeem the Dead

3. What activities do we participate in that build or destroy our faith?

a. Foundation activities

b. Covenants

What covenants do we make?

Baptismal Covenants:

• Come into his kingdom and keep his commandments

• Stand as a witness of God at all times and in all places

• Always remember him

Reward: His Spirit to be with us

Priesthood Oath and Covenant:

• Be faithful

• Magnify calling

• Give diligent heed to the words of eternal life

• Live by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God

Reward: Sanctified by the Spirit and receive all that the Father hath

Temple Covenants:

• Renewal of Baptism and Priesthood covenants

• Marriage Covenants

• Additional sacred covenants to more fully serve the Lord

Result: Salvation from sin

4. We must stretch ourselves but not go faster than we are able.

We must not push ourselves so hard that we burn ourselves out.

Endure to the end.

Life is not easy everyone has their own unique challenges. It is how we decide to handle these challenges that determine our stride.

“He will not ask us to bear more than we can bear nor thrust upon us that for which we are not yet ready. But likewise, we must not tarry too long when we are ready to move on

“It seems to me that basically there are two major causes for the holding back which we see in the Church: First, sin which results in disinterest or immobilization and guilt; and second, the reluctance of good members of the Church to stretch just a little bit more in the service, instead of being too slow to see the power of their example or too shy about letting their light shine. It is time for us all to take those seemingly small steps forward which will, when compounded, mean major progress for the Church!” (Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Let Us Move Forward and Upward, May 1979, 82)

Seminary: 14 2 Nephi 3-5

Background: Nephi has been giving counsel to the group.  He taught about the Fall, Redemption and agency.

Many prophets, including Nephi, saw Joseph Smith and his destiny to bring the world our of spiritual darkness.

Brigham Young in one occasion spoke about this:

"It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before the foundations of the earth were laid, that he, Joseph Smith, should be the man, in the last dispensation of this world, to bring forth the word of God to the people, and receive the fulness of the keys and power of the priesthood of the Son of God.  The Lord had his eyes upon him and upon his father, and upon his father's father, and upon their progenitors clear back to Abraham, and from Abraham to the flood, from the flood to Enoch and from Enoch to Adam.  he has watched that family and that blood as it circulated from its foundation to the birth of that man.  he was foreordained in eternity to preseide over this last dispensation." (discourses of Brigham Young).

2 Nephi 3:11

What are some of the Prophet Joseph Smith's major accomplishments?

He translated the Book of Mormon, received the revelations for and wrote them into the Doctrine and Covenants, restored the gospel, received the keys of authority regarding the different dispensations and priesthoods, ran for President, met the president at the white house, was a govenor, was an editor, was a general, saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, met many angels, managed the building of a temple...

President Gordon B. Hinkley said:

"Without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the Spirit of teh Lord.  There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obediance to His commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. (Ensign, June 1988, 6)

2 Nephi 3:12

What does it mean that the "two will grow together"?

The fruit of the loins of Judah is teh Bible and the fruit of Nephi's loins is the Book of Mormon.  He says that they will grow together meaning that they will be used together to combat false doctrine and to roll out the Gospel of the Lamb.  Nephi already saw in a vision that the Bible will become corrupted and that the Book of Mormon will be preserverd by the Lord to come forth at his due time uncorrupted and translated through his power.  It will be used to clarify the teachings in the Bible, to uphold those teachings that are still pure and to bring back those teachings that were lost due to the corruption.  Neither book should be used alone.  They should be used together.  The Lord has said that "...in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established" (2 Corinthians 13:1).  The Bible and the Book of Mormon are both witnesses or testaments of Jesus Christ.

Elder Boyd K. Packar taught:

"The Stick or record of Judah-the Old Testement and the New Testament-and stick or record of Ephraim-the Book of Mormon, which is another testamenet of Jesus Christ-are now woven together in such a way that as you pore over one you are drawn to the other.  They are indeed one in our hands.  Ezekiel's prophecy now stands fulfilled (Ensign, November 1982, 53)

Has the Book of Mormon had an impact on any of your lives?  How?

How would you respond to the following situations:

• You are a parent and your 8 year old child did not want to be baptized
• Your 10 year old child did not want to go to church because he/she thought it was boring
• Your friend said that they were not going to go no a mission saying "I would not make a good missionary becuase I am not religous"
• Your non member friend says that they could not be like you because both his/her parents were alcoholics
• Pretend you are a Bishop and a member of your ward said "it's my parent's fault I left the church-they never taught me about the scriptures ot anysuch thing"
• A member of your ward said "I do not see a problem with what I have done, my dad does it all the time"

When should parents share in the responsibility for their children's actions?

My personal belief is that a parent has the responsibility to teach their childen the Gospel and how to live in the world.  This includes teaching by action as well as by command.  If they do not do this then they will be held accountable for the actions of their children.  If they do everything thing that they could to teach them the right then they have done their part.  Now everyone has the ability to make their own choices so if their children still choose the wrong chioces after the parent has taught them the right way to live then they have no responsibility for their child's actions.

The First Presidency of the Church said this in the "Family, a Proclamation to the World":
"Parents ahve a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical needs and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.  Husbands and wives-mothers and fathers-will be held accountable before God for teh discharge of these sacred obligations."

[Show a picture of a temple]

Whose house is this?

It is God's

Doctrine and Covenants 97:15-16

What promise has the Lord made to those that enter the temple worthily?

He promises that they shall see God.  Now I know that some have seen God in the temples though I do not think that this scripture means that anyone that goes to the temple worthily will see God in the physical sense.  Though I do believe that we shall "see" God or come to a better understanding of who he is and what he has and will do for us.  We shall come to know him and his work, his plan, and our destiny in that plan.

What is spiritual death?

Spiritual death is being cut off from the Lord.  No longer feeling his influence and relying soley upon yourself to choose your own path.  When Adam fell this was the curse that he had to live with.  In the garden of Eden he and Eve walked and talked with God.  He then was seperated from them as a result of transgression.  Through repentance he later was able to have the Lord in his life though it was not the same as before.  The Lamanites also suffered from a spiritual death as a result of their hard-heartedness.

The Book of Mormon Institute manual had this to say regarding this topic:

1. What was the curse? The curse is clearly defined in verse 20 as being "cut off from the presence of the Lord."
2. What caused the curse?: According to verse 21, the cause of the curse came "because of their iniquity" and "hardened...hearts."  Since the days of Adam's fall, wickedness has resulted in being cut off from the presence of the Lord (see 1 Nephi 2:21;2 Nephi 4:4; 9:6; Alma 9:13; Ether 10:11)
3. What was the mark or sign set upon the Lamanites?  It also explained in  verse 21 that so "they might not be enticing unto my people [the Nephites] the Lord did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them [the Lamanites]."  It would appear that this was done to limit the spreading of more wickedness.  Later Alma suggested this same motive when he explained that "the skins of the Lamanites were dark...that thereby the Lord God might preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions" (Alma 3:6, 8).  Throughout scripture we find warnings of the Lord not to marry unbelievers (see Deuternonomy 7:2-3; 2 Corintians 6:14); thje result of doing so was often that the righteous were turned away from the Lord (see Deuteronomy 7:4; 1 Kings 11:4; D&C 74:5).

Seminary: 13 2 Nephi 1-2

Background: Lehi's family is in the promised land.  Lehi and Nephi have been teaching the group.

Show the Book of Mormon Video #4 "Act for themselves"

Our agency gives us the agency to make our own choices.  These choices could lead to destruction or prosperity.

What does "prosperity" mean?

dictionary.com defines "prosperity" as: A successful, flourishing, or thriving condition.

2 Nephi 5:10-13

According to Nephi, what are some ways people can prosper?

Nephi relates their ability to "sow and reap again in abundance" and that they were able to raise herds and flocks of animals.  I am not sure what the land was like in the land of Lehi or what the animal situation.  We also do not completely know about what talents and abilities the persons in this group had.  We know that the Israelites were not unfamiliar with farming and herding though it could be that no one in this group had those skill sets.  So his wonder may be related to their group being able to perform these activities without prior knowledge on how to do it or surprise that they were able to do it in adverse circumstances.  Which ever the case Nephi tells us that they were able to do these things when the odds were against them.

Nephi did not mention money, gold or fine things at all in talking about prosperity.  Why then do some people believe that prosperity only has do with gaining money?

Most people tend to attribute a person's prosperity based upon items that they are interested in.  If a person things about or highly values money then they would attribute prosperity based upon another person's wealth. If a society valued cattle or agriculture or family then they would attribute wealth to others based upon those things.

In what other ways can people prosper?

Physically, spiritually...

1 Nephi 4:14

Elder Dean L. Larsen

"When the lives of the people are in harmony with the Lord's will, all of the essential factors that produce the blessings God deigns to give to his children seem to come into line.  Love and harmony prevail.  Even the weather, the climate, and the elements seem to respond.  Peace and tranquility endure.  Industry and progress mark the lines of the people.  It is as the Lord has promised (Ensign, November 1992, 41)

Why does it seem that the wicked prosper as much as or even more than the righteous?

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"These who brood over the prosperity or seeming happiness of the wicked put too much emphasis on material things....

"The possessions of wealth or the acquisition of significant income is not a mark of heavenly favor, and their absence is not evidence of heavenly disfavor." (Pure in Heart [1988], 75).

Elder Spencer W. Kimball Wrote:

"People who are concerned about the prosperity of the wicked are sometimes blinded to their own weakness yet magnify greatly the errors of others....The wicked may prosper for a time, the rebellions may seem to profit by their transgressions, but the time is coming when, at the bar of justice, all men will be judged, 'every man according to their works.' (Revelation 20:13).  No one will 'get by' with anything.  On that day no one will escape the penalty of his deeds, no one will fail to receive the blessings he has earned."  (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 304-5)

2 Nephi 2:5

According to this verse who will qualify for exaltation?

No one.  No one can qualify for exaltation by them self.  Someone MUST step in to help and that someone is Jesus Christ.

Why is it that by the law no flesh is justified or approved before God?

Except for Christ no one has lived the law perfectly.

What kind of help do we need to fulfill the law?

We need the Atonement of Jesus Christ along with his intercession with God in order to fulfill the law.

2 Nephi 2:6-7

What did the Lord do to help us fulfill these laws?

Through his atonement and resurrection he was able to concur the curse of the fall, which was physical and spiritual death.  Through this process he suffered our punishment of breaking the laws of God.

Who receives the blessings of happiness and escapes the punishment inflicted by the spiritual law?

The scriptures tell us that only those who are humble and have a contrite spirit will be able to escape this punishment.  President Ezra Taft Benson taught that pride is the source of all pride, so if we are to route sin out of our lives we must also route pride out of our lives.

What does it mean to have a "broken heart and a contrite spirit"?

This means that you are humble and are willing to submit unto the Lord.

Based upon these statements we can see that it is not that difficult to return back to our Father in Heaven.  It will not be completely easy either because the natural man in us desires to go its own way.  To do those things that are pleasurable to the flesh and not what is right according to the spirit.

Why are you here on this earth?

Elder Russel M. Nelson:

"One of the most important reasons is to receive a mortal body body.  Another is to be tested-to experience mortality-to determine what you will do with life's challenging opportunities.  These opportunities requires you to make choices, and choices depend on agency.  A major reason for your mortal existence, therefore, is to test how you will exercise your agency.  (Ensign, November 1990, 74)

Why must we have more than one choice to exercise agency?

Agency is the ability to act for oneself.  If there are no choices then a person could not act for them self but follow the only options available.  The ability to choose between right and wrong is what gives us agency

Given the consequence of sin why do you think people choose to heed Satan's enticements?

First of all they are called "enticements" for a reason.  He offers us choices that appeal to our our natural selves.  A temptation could not be a temptation if it was not tempting or somewhat desirable.  I also believe that some people cannot see beyond what is happening at that moment and thus are not concerned about how their actions might affect their future state.  There are others that know better but do not care either thinking that they can repent later or that the specific actions will not harm their future outcome.

Elder Marvin J Ashton:

"Avoid Satan's territory of deceit.  It will never lead to happiness.  Evidence to the contrary, there are no successful sinners.  All of us must one day stand before God and be judged according to our personal deeds done in the flesh.  The burdens of the sinner will never be lighter than that of the saint" (Ensign, November 1990, 21).

Additional Material

President Henry B. Eyering:

"One of the effects of disobeying God seems to be the creation of just enough spiritual anesthetic to block any sensation as the ties to God are being cut.  Not only [does] the testimony of the truth slowly erode, but even the memories of what iw was like to be in the light [begin] to seem...like a delusion" ("A life founded in Light," Brigham Yound University 2000-2001 Speeches [2001], 81).

President Joseph Fielding Smith explained:

"Destruction does not mean annihilation.  We know because we are taught in the revelations of the Lord, tha a soul cannot be destroyed.

"Every soul born into this world shall receive the resurrection and immortality and shall endure forever.  Destruction does not mean, then, annihilation.  When the Lord says they shall be destroyed, he means that they shall be banished from his presence. of light and truth, and shall not have the privilege of gaining this exaltation; and that is destruction.  (Doctrines of Salvation, comp Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols, [1954-1956], 2:227-28).  Wickedness destroys the opportunity for a resurrection into a higher degree of glory.

Elder Richard G. Scott:

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously.  When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more.  He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit.  To Get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain."  (Ensign, November 1995, 16-17).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

"It is not possible to believe in Christ and his atoning sacrifice, in the true and full sense required to gain salvation, without at the same time believing and accepting the true doctrine of the fall.  If there had been no fall, there would have been no need for a Redeemer or Savior.  And it is not possible to believe in the fall, out of which immortality and eternal life come, without at the same time believing and accepting the true doctrine of the creation: If there had been no creation of all things in a deathless or immortal state, there could have been no fall, and hence no atonement and no salvation.  The Father's eternal plan called for the creation, for the fall, and for the atonement, all woven together into one united whole" (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 82).

Seminary: 12 1 Nephi 20-22

Background: Lehi's family is in the promised land, Nephi is teaching the group the teachings of Isaiah.

What is a contract?

A contract is a binding agreement between two individuals.

What is a covenant?

A covenant is like a contract though it is a binding agreement between a person and God.

What is the different between the two?

The difference is that for a covenant one of the parties is God.

1 Nephi 21:1

Why has Israel been scattered?

They were scattered because they did not fulfill their end of the covenant that they made with the Lord and thus were no longer able to received the promised blessings, which included protection from their neighboring nations.

1 Nephi 21:9

Who are the "prisoners" that Nephi speaks of?

These are those who are in darkness or in other words they do not live in the light of the Gospel.  They are those who have passed on from this life and live in Spirit Prison.

Doctrine and Covenants 45:28
1 Peter 3:18-19
Doctrine and Covenants 138:57

How are these prisoners freed?

The prisoners are freed via the Gospel being preached to them while they are in prison and through vicarious work for the dead performed here on earth.

Nephi talks about Israel's complaints to the Lord regarding their trails and his promise to protect them.

1 Nephi 21:14, 21, 24

What brought about the problems that Israel refers to in these objections?

They are brought about because of their dereliction of keeping their covenants with the Lord.  His protection was lifted and they began to experience all sorts of ills including being conquered and eventually scattered by other nations.

What would it take to have these problems removed from Israel?

The Lord has said many times that his "hand is outstretched still".  All they had to do was repent and come back to the Lord.

1 Nephi 21:16

What does Isaiah mean by "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands?"

Isaiah often spoke poetically and in symbols.  He knew the Lord would be crucified for his people and this reference this event reminding them of their redeemer and that they can come back to him if they would repent.

1 Nephi 21:25-26

What will happen to those who harm or oppress Israel?

The Lord said that he will contend with those that contend with Israel.  Isaiah also said: "And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob"

Is Isaiah easy to understand?

From the Book of Mormon Institute Manual

"As Nephi selected passages from Isaiah for his record, he knew that many readers would struggle to understand them.  Even many of the people in Nephi's day could not grasp their meaning.  He mentioned three specific reasons for this difficulty:

1. They did not know "the manner of prophesying among the Jews" (2 Nephi 25:1)
   
2. They were not "filled with the spirit of prophecy" (v. 4)
   
3. They were not "taught after the manner of the things of the Jews" (v. 5)
   

In addition to the reasons Nephi gave, other difficulties exist for modern readers:

1. Most of Isaiah's writings are in poetic form.  The beauty and depth of poetry in one language does not easily translate into other languages.
   
2. Many of Isaiah's prophecies are dualistic in nature.  Consequently, the prophecies can be fulfilled in many circumstances at different times in history.
   
3. Isaiah used extensive symbolism.  Many of the objects and events he referred to were contemporary to his day and are difficult for us to understand today.
   

Three basic guidelines  assist anyone who wishes to understand what Isaiah wrote:

1. Study other scripture.  The scriptures themselves offer many insights into the meaning of Isaiah's writings.  The Bible Dictionary states, "The reader today has no greater written commentary and guide to understanding Isaiah than the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants".  Not only do these books of scripture interpret passages of Isaiah, they contain doctrines and prophecies that shed light on Isaiah's words.  These modern scriptures fill in details that are no as evident in the Bible.
   
2. Seek the spirit of prophecy.  As Nephi mentioned, those who were not "filled with the spirit of prophecy" in his day could not understand the meaning of Isaiah's writings.  The same is true today.  Each serious student of Isaiah must seek revelation through the Holy Ghost to enlighten their mind and to help them read the words by the same Spirit in which they were written-in the testimony of Jesus Christ.
   
3. Study diligently.  Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915-85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encouraged Latter-day Saints to devote themselves to serious study of Isaiah:  "Read, ponder, and pray-verse by verse, thought by thought, passage by passage, chapter by chapter!  As Isaiah himself asks: 'Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?' His answer: 'them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.' (Isaiah 28:9-10)" ("Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah," Ensign, October 1973, 83).

Why did Nephi include the words of Isaiah?

From the Book of Mormon Institute Manual:

Nephi began the first of his Isaiah citations with these words: "Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all those house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from whom ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written"

"And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words.  For I will liken his words unto my people, and i will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my redeemer, even as I have seen him.

"And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true.  Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word.  Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words"

If we keep our part of the covenant will life be easy?

From the Book of Mormon Institute Manual:

Intense heat refines metal and removes impurities.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles observed that affliction can likewise refine and purify each of us: "Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures cal 'the furnace of affliction' (Isaiah 48:10; 1 Nephi 20:10).  Some are submerged in service to a disadvantaged family member.  Others suffer the death of a loved one of the loss or postponement of a righteous goal like marriage or childbearing.  Still others struggle with personal impairments or with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, or depression.  Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become" (Ensign, November 2000, 33-34).

Additional Materials

Book of Mormon Institute Manual

What happened during Isaiah's lifetime, and why are his prophecies still being fulfilled today?

Isaiah prophesied from approximately 740-701 B.C. During his lifetime the kingdoms of Israel and Judah rose in prosperity and struggled with idolatry.  The unrighteousness of the people led to spiritual weakness and political peril.  In a short period of time, Israel and Judah became weak vassal states cowering under the mighty Assyrian empire.  In fact, the scattering of Israel began during Isaiah's lifetime, as many Israel from the northern kingdom of Israel were carried away captive by the Assyrians.

Book of Mormon Institute Manual

In 1 Nephi 20:1-2, the prophet Isaiah chastised the house of Israel for claiming to follow the Lord without keeping His commandments.  They felt that because they were His covenant people and lived in the holy city of Jerusalem, God would always protect them.  Isaiah taught that it is not where you live but how you live that is important.

Book of Mormon Institute Manual

As with other great ancient empires, Babylon's ascendancy to wealth and glory was accompanied by moral decay, wickedness, and iniquity.  Babylon's corruption was so extensive that the very name became a symbol for worldliness, spiritual wickedness, and Satan's kingdom.

God decreed that the Medes should completely destroy Babylon in its wickedness.  Under the rule of Cyrus the Great, an alliance of Medes and Persians dammed the mighty Euphrates River and marched through the riverbed and under the walls of Babylon to capture the city and overthrow the empire as well as spiritual Babylon.  Isaiah foresaw the graphic destruction of the Babylon of his day as a result of the great wickedness of its people.  Consequently, he used the term Babylon in his prophecies to typify the spiritual condition of the latter days and the judgement that would come upon the world at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Seminary: 11 1 Nephi 19

Background: The reach the seashore, the "land of Bountiful" after eight years of travel.  Nephi was commanded to build a boat.  Laman and Lemuel want to kill Nephi though Nephi was filled with the power of God and stopped them.  They finished the ship and departed together into the sea.  The Liahona stopped working due to their the disobedience of Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael (and their families). Their lives are threatened by storms and they repent release Nephi and the Liahona starts working again.  The finally reach the promised land.

What do you consider most sacred in your life?

How do you feel when people mock or belittle them?

1 Nephi 19:7

What does it mean to "set something as naught?"

It means to treat is as something that is not worth anything.

How is is possible to "trample" the Savior under one's feet?

To trample something means to put it beneath you.  By fighting against the Lord's people and his commandments they are setting his gospel as "naught" or saying that it has no worth and that it is beneath you.

What does "hearken" mean?

To hearken to something is more than just listening to something.  It is listening and then obeying.  Hearken implies action.

1 Nephi 19:18-19

Again, why did Nephi write these words?

That he "might persuade them that they might remember the Lord their redeemer."

How do people today ignore the counsels of the Lord?

There three types of people that ignore the counsel of the Lord; those that hear the counsel but think that it does not apply to them but to someone else, there are those that do not believe in the words and do not follow them, and there are those that believe but do not care to obey the counsel.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught:

"We speak with wonder and horror, and properly we should, of the fact that the Jews, with the scriptures, the miracles, and the mighty works before them, yet rejected their God, and did it so violently and with such a fixed determination that they brought about his death by Roman hands.  To enable us to keep our perspective, however, we need to view with fairness and dispassion how and in what manner he was rejected and ask whether he would be so treated today.  As Jacob said, only the Jews, among all the then existing nations, seeing the miracles he did and being aware of the wonders he performed, would have crucified him. (1 Nephi 19-7-9)   But would others among men have rejected him, and how and in what manner do men reject so great a thing as the ministry of a God among them?" (The Promised Messiah, 494-95)

Common warnings we hear:

• Don't run in the street!
• Don't play with fire!
• Don't take candy from a stranger!

Where have you heard these before?

Why would someone give these warnings?

What is the danger of ignoring these warnings?

If you warned a friend and they ignored the warning and got hurt how would you feel?

1 Nephi 19:13-14

What would happen to the Jews who were at Jerusalem during the crucifixtion?  Why?

Bruce R. McConkie gave the answer to this question:

"Why was Israel scattered?  The answer is clear; it is plain; of it there is no doubt.  Our Israelite forebears were scattered because they rejected the gospel, defiled the priesthood, forsook the church, and departed from the kingdom.  They were scattered because they turned from the Lord, worshiped false gods, and walked in all the ways of the heathen nations.  They were scattered because they forsook the Abrahamic covenant, trampled under their feet the holy ordinances, and rejected the Lord Jehovah, who is the Lord Jesus, of whom all their prophets testified.  Israel was scattered for apostasy.  The Lord in his wrath, because of their wickedness and rebellion, scattered them among the heathen in all the nations of the earth" (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 515).

At what point will Israel be gathered by the Lord?

That process has already been started.  Our sending of the missionaries throughout the world is the fulfillment of this prophecy.  The scattered Israel are being gathered in by the Gentiles.

1 Nephi 19:23

What does it mean to liken the scriptures to oneself?

To liken the scriptures means to try to apply them to oneself.

Seminary: 10 1 Nephi 17-18

Background:  Lehi's sons and Zoram marry Ishmael's daughters, they found the Liahona, they left the borders of the Red Sea and went back into the wilderness following the guidance of the Liahona.  Nephi's bow broke and his brother's bows have lost their spring.  Nephi makes a new bow.  He is able to find food though it is sparse and there is not a lot to eat.  Ishmael dies and many in the party are murmuring due to these hardships.

Scenario

Let's say that you are forced to go on a long, hot trip.  Say from San Antonio to Phoenix (about 1000 mile each way).  You have nine people packed into a small car.  The car's air-conditioning unit is broke and all but one window will not roll down.  There is an infant in the car.  You have no food or money.

How do you think everyone would get along?

What are likely areas of contention?

What could you do personally to improve the situation?

1 Nephi 17:1-6

How long have they been traveling in the wilderness?

They had been traveling about eight years.

What were some of the afflictions that they mentioned?

They were in a hot and desolate area, there was not much food, the family did not get a long, their women were traveling pregnant and gave birth while in the wilderness.

How were they blessed during their travel?

The were blessed that the raw meat that they at was "made sweet".  They were blessed that their women were able to provide milk for their children while traveling in the wilderness.  Their children were made strong.  He said that there were many other blessings that were too numerous to write.

After they got to the land of Bountiful by the sea shore the Lord came to Nephi and commanded him to come up into the mountain.

1 Nephi 17:7-8

Why did the Lord command Nephi to go to the mountain?

In the days of Nephi the Lord would many times communicate with his subject in the tops of the mountains when a temple was not available.  Mountain tops were considered to be sacred places.  The Lord also gave Nephi a commandment to build a boat.

1 Nephi 17:9-11

How did Nephi respond to the Lord's commandment?

Even though Nephi had no knowledge how to build a boat, his response was to ask the Lord where he could go to make tools to do as the Lord asked.

What does this tell us about Nephi?

Nephi had complete faith in the Lord and that he could accomplish anything the Lord asked.  Because of that he knew that he could do it so his response was to ask where to find the ore to make the tools.

Additional Material

Book of Mormon Institute Manual, 39

"Why were Laman and Lemuel unable to understand the Lord's will, even after seeing an angel?  Why couldn't they receive a spiritual confirmation of their journey as their younger brother Nephi did? (1 Nephi 17:45).  President James E. Faust (1920-2007) of the First Presidency compared a person's worthiness of receiving the Spirit to receiving a signal on a cell phone:

"Cellular phones are used for much of the communication in our time.  Occasionally, however, we find dead spots where the signal coming to a cell phone fails.  This can happen when the cell phone user is in a tunnel or a canyon or when there is other interference.

"So it is with divine communication.  The still, small voice, though still and small, is very powerful.  It 'whispereth through and pierceth all things' [D&C 85:6]....Perhaps something in our lives prevents us from hearing the message because in our lives prevents us from hearing the message because we are 'past feeling' [1 Nephi 17:45].  We often put ourselves in spiritual dead spots-places and situations that block out divine messages.  some of these dead spots include anger, pornography, transgression, selfishness, and other situations that offend the Spirit (Ensign, May 2004, 67).

President Boyd K. Packer:

"The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear.  It is described as a 'still small voice' [D&C 85:6].  And while we speak of 'listening' to the whispering of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, 'I had a feeling....'

"Revelation comes as words we feel more than hear.  Nephi told his wayward brothers, who were visited by an angel, 'Ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words' (Ensign, November 1994, 60).

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin:

"I fear that some members of the Lord's Church 'live far beneath our privileges' with regard to the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Some are distracted by the things of the world that block out the influences of the Holy Ghost, preventing them from recognizing spiritual promptings.  This is a noisy and busy world that we live in.  Remember that being busy is not necessarily being spiritual.  If we are not careful, the things of this world can crowd out the things of the Spirit.

"Some are spiritually deadened and past feeling because of their choices to commit sin.  Others simply hover in spiritual complacency with no desire to rise above themselves and commune with the infinite.  If they would open their hearts to the refining influence of this unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, a glorious new spiritual dimension would come to light.  Their eyes would gaze upon a vista scarcely imaginable.  They could know for themselves things of the Spirit that are choice, precious, and capable of enlarging the soul, expanding the mind, and filling the heart with inexplicable joy" (Ensign, May 2003).

For the Strength of Youth: Fulfilling Our Duty to God [2001], 20-21

"Choose carefully the music you listen to.  Pay attention to how you feel when you are listening.  Don't listen to music that drives away the Spirit, encourages immorality, glorifies violence, [or] uses foul or offensive language.....

"Dancing can be fun and can provide an opportunity to meet new people.  However, it too can be misused.  When dancing, avoid full body contact with your partner.  Do not use positions or moves that are suggestive or sexual behavior.  Plan and attend dances where dress, grooming, lighting, lyrics, and music contribute to a wholesome atmosphere where the Spirit of the Lord may be present."

Seminary: 09 1 Nephi 16

Background:

Lehi's family is camped by the shore of the red sea, Ishmael's family is with them, Lehi had his dream and Nephi has received a vision that explained to him his father's dream.

1 Nephi 16:1-2

Why do people react differently to the teachings of the prophets?

Nephi said that he spoke hard things to the wicked, according to the truth, though the righteous he has justified.  Only those that are no in line with the teachings of the prophets will find them hard and unbearable.  For the righteous these teachings only confirm to them that what they are doing is right and that they will be blessed for it.

1 Nephi 16:3-5

What counsel did Nephi give his brothers to help them be more receptive to the Spirit?

Nephi counseled them to Keep the commandments, humble themselves before the Lord and hearken unto the truth.  He did this so that they could "...walk uprightly before God."  Or in other words that they my be righteous and not find the truth to be hard but confirming.

How can this counsel help you?

This counsel can help anyone that is desirous to be clean in the sight of the Lord.  Anyone who does not want to find the truth to be hard.  Anyone that desires to stand on the right hand of the Lord as one of his blessed and chosen children.  Someone who desired to inherit all that the Lord has, to receive everlasting happiness and joy in his kingdom.

Elder Robert D. Hales counselled us:

"I have come to understand how useless it is to dwell on the whys, what ifs, and if onlys for which there likely will be given no answers in mortality.  To receive the Lord's comfort, we must exercise faith.  The questions Why me? Why out family? Why now? are usually unanswerable questions.  These questions detract from our spirituality and can destroy our faith.  We need to spend our time and energy building our faith by turning to the Lord and asking for strength to overcome the pains and trials of this world and to endure to the end for greater understanding" (Ensign, November 1998, 14-15).

What is a compass and how is it used?

A compass is a devised to help guide someone based upon where they are in relation to true north and where they want to go.  It cannot really give direction.  A person must use it and determine direction based upon the results of what the compass produces.

1 Nephi 16:9-10

What is the Liahona?

The Liahona was a device that "the Lord prepared" for the use of guiding his servants.  The only ones that we are aware of that have used this or similar devices is Lehi's family though it is possible that others may have benefited from the same or similar devices.  Lehi describes the Liahona as a "round ball of curious workmanship."  It was made of brass and had two spindles.  One was used to provide direction (we are never really told what the other was for).  Later we find out that the Liahona works based upon faith.  When the user has faith then it will point in the right way.  If the user does not have faith then it will no longer function properly.  We are also told that words can be displayed on it to provide instruction and counsel to the user.

How did the Liahona differ from a compass.  A compass will always point in the same direction.  The path that the user much go depends upon the user's interpretation of the results and where they want to go.  They should already have a destination in mind in order to correctly use the compass.  The Liahona on the other hand will only point in the direction that the Lord wants the user to go in assuming that the user has the faith to use it.  If they do not then it will not work.  The Lord is the one with the destination in mind and is the one directing the user where to go.

What do we have today that is like the Liahona?

We have the Gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.  We have the scriptures, living prophets, patriarchal blessings and so forth.  Although all these things help to give us direction from the Lord the closed thing to the Liahona that we have today is the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  Our ability to be directed by it is dependent upon our faith, and our ability to listen to its promptings.  He can give us instruction as well as direction.  Also like the Liahona we can only get it from the Lord.  It must be bestowed upon a person by someone who has the authority (priesthood) and permission to do so.

In times when we are in tough situations we must rely on the Lord's direction to help us know how we should act.

Ponder these scenarios:

1. You have just been called to serve in the presidency of the priest's quorum.  Your family is excited about your new responsibilities, but a disagreement emerges when they learn that you now have meetings on Sunday morning.  Your parents also have Sunday morning meetings, and your family has depended on you to get your two little brothers ready and then drive all of your brothers and sisters to church.
2. For years your whole family has enjoyed cheering for you at your soccer games.  Changes in the league schedule have placed some games on Sunday.  When you talk to your family, they are surprised that you are worried about playing on Sunday.  All are in favor of continuing the family outings to the games.  You decide to keep the Sabbath but now don't know how to tell your family.
3. Times have been difficult for your family.  Not only is your dad working two jobs, but your mother, your older brothers and sisters, and you have all been forced to take jobs too.  On the way to your late-night job, a drunk driver speeds through a red light and hits your car.  You survive without injuries, but your car is totaled.  even though the accident was not your fault, your entire family is upset at you because they depended on the car.  Even your dad loses his temper.

Nephi also ran in to tough situations.

1 Nephi 16:17-21

What was Nephi's challenge in this passage?

Nephi was one of the primary gatherers of food for their little group.  He owned a steel bow that he used for hunting.  The area in which they were contained sparse amounts of food.  One day his bow broke so that he was no longer able to hunt food.  His brother's bows had lost their spring and the group was no unable to hunt for food.  The group blamed the situation on Nephi even though it was beyond his control.

1 Nephi 16:23

What was Nephi's response?

Nephi's response was to make a new bow and arrow, along with a backup weapon which was a sling.  No one else in the group was showing any initiative to fix the situation.  They just wanted to complain about why their situation was so bad.

How was his response different from his family's?

Nephi was faithful and looking for answers to their issues while everyone else did nothing but murmured.

Nephi then went to his father and asked him to ask the Lord on where he should go to find food for the family.  By doing this he allowed his father to retain his leadership of the group as well as gave him an opportunity to humble himself before the Lord and repent of his murmuring.

When Lehi petitioned the Lord this is when they found out that the Liahona worked by faith they then learned a valuable lesson that if they hoped to reach the promised land that they must remain faithful.

Elder David A. Bednar compared the Liahona to the Spirit:

"The Liahona was prepared by the Lord and given to Lehi and his family after they left Jerusalem and were traveling in the wilderness.  This compass or director pointed the way that Lehi and his caravan should go, even 'a straight course to the promised land'.  The pointers in the Liahona operated 'according to the faith and diligence and heed' of the travelers and failed to work when family members were contentious, rude, slothful, or forgetful.

"The compass also provided a means whereby Lehi and his family could obtain greater 'understanding and his family could obtain greater 'understanding concerning the ways of the Lord'.  Thus, the primary purposes of the Liahona were to provide both direction and instruction during a long and demanding journey.  The director was a physical instrument that served as an outward indicator of their inner spiritual standing before God.  It worked according to the principles of faith and diligence.

"Just as Lehi was blessed in ancient times, each of us in this day has been given a spiritual compass that can direct and instruct us during our mortal journey.  The Holy Ghost was conferred upon you and me as we came out of the world and into the Savior's Church through baptism and confirmation.By the authority of the holy priesthood we were confirmed as members of the Church and admonished to seek for the constant companionship of 'the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeet him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you' (John 14:17).

"As we each press forward along the pathway of life, we receive direction from the Holy Ghost just as Lehi was directed through the Liahona.  'For behold, again I say the Holy ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do' (2 Nephi 32:5).

"The Holy Ghost operates in our lives precisely as the Liahona did for Lehi and his family, according to our faith and diligence and heed" (Ensign, May 2006, 30-31)

Additional Materials

President Ezra Taft Benson:

"Some time ago, a young man came to my office requesting a blessing.  He was about eighteen years of age and had some problems.  There were no serious moral problems, but he was mixed up in his thinking and worried.  He requested a blessing.

"I said to him, 'Have you ever asked your father to give you a blessing?  Your father is a member of the Church I assume?'

"He said, 'Yes, he is an elder, a rather inactive elder.'

"When I asked, 'Do you love your father?' he replied, 'Yes, Brother Benson, he is a good man.  I live him.'  He the said, 'He doesn't attend to his priesthood duties as he should.  He doesn't go to church regularity, I don't know that he is a tithe payer, but he is a good man, a good provider, a kind man.'

"I said, 'How would you like to talk to him at an opportune time and ask him if he would be willing to give you a father's blessing?'

"'Oh,' he said, 'I think that would frighten him.'

"A few days later he came back.  He said, 'Brother Benson, that's the sweetest thing that has happened in our family.'  He could hardly control his feelings as he told me what had happened.  He said, 'When the opportunity was right, I mentioned it to Father, and he replied, "Son, do you really want me to give you a blessing?"  I told him, "Yes, Dad, I would like you to."'  Then he said, 'Brother Benson, he gave me one of the most beautiful blessings you could ever ask for.  Mother sat there crying all during the blessing.  When he got through there was a bond of appreciation and gratitude and love between us that we have never had in our home'" (Ensign, November 1977, 31-32

Ensign February 2001, 79

"A group of Latter-day Saint researchers recently found evidence linking a site in Yemen, on the southwest corner of the Arabian peninsula, to a name associated with Lehi's journey as recorded in the Book of Mormon.

"Warren Aston, Lynn Hilton, and Gregory Witt located a stone altar that professional archaeologists dated to at least 700 B.C. This altar contains an inscription confirming 'Nahom' as an actual place that existed in the peninsula before the time of Lehi"