JAcob picks up the dialogue in chapter 6 as Nephi passes the torch to his younger brother to be the spiritual leader of the Nephites. He decides to share with the people words of Isaiah that his people “may learn and glorify the name of your God”. I love the attitude he has with the scriptures which can be difficult for our children to understand, grasp, and apply to their lives. I love the new “Come, Follow Me” program from the Church because it gives a platform that everyone can relate to from children to groups of adults. It has made out scripture study more significant as a family, and I have enjoyed the discussions during Sunday School at Church.
I also really enjoy listening and reading words of the prophets from General Conference. Their ability to interpret the scriptures and provide experiences and application and interpretation of the scriptures. Using their words has definitely made me a better father, husband, and person.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Sunday, August 25, 2019
2 Nephi 5: Lessons for Peace
Nephi endured a lot. I don’t know if and when he thought he would be able to find peace, but even after settling the new land, his brother still sought to kill him, and he was only able to find peace once he left them. Unfortunately there was nothing left for him to do with his brothers and his only option was separation. But, it seems that the separation he made finally allowed him the peace that he needed. 2 Nephi 5 then has a few lessons for peace that I thought were also important to being a Father and husband
1) Walk away from conflict. I have found that when my children become irrational, upset, and beyond able to control their emotions any attempt to offer them advice, correction, or help is ineffective. At these points it is better for them to just be separate, much like Nephi found that he had to finally separate himself from his brothers.
2) Obedience to the commandments. Nephi continued to “observe to keep the judgments, and the statues, and the commandments of the Lord in all things”. A pattern of turning away from these things often occurs in moments of peace. Do not relax your relationship with the things of God when things are peaceful, maintain and continue to do the things which have brought you where you are.
3) Make a defense for your enemies. Perhaps not literally, but there are many spiritual enemies that will take advantage of times of peace. Always be mindful of your weaknesses and the danger that lurks not far behind any circumstance of peace. If we become relaxed and let our guard down, we can be spiritually weak.
4) Work. Idle hands are a devils workshop. In our world today we have continual increase of leisure time. What we do with it is important. Work can mean a number of things: practicing an instrument, sport, or talent, getting a job, doing house projects and chores, doing service. As children and parents let us often find ourselves working together.
5) The temple. Nephi built a temple. I don’t think I will ever be asked to build a temple. My duty will only be to attend. As we have times of peace, we should have more opportunity to attend the temple and be reminded of our covenants while seeking revelation. I know that I have received many promptings in the temple that have improved my family life.
1) Walk away from conflict. I have found that when my children become irrational, upset, and beyond able to control their emotions any attempt to offer them advice, correction, or help is ineffective. At these points it is better for them to just be separate, much like Nephi found that he had to finally separate himself from his brothers.
2) Obedience to the commandments. Nephi continued to “observe to keep the judgments, and the statues, and the commandments of the Lord in all things”. A pattern of turning away from these things often occurs in moments of peace. Do not relax your relationship with the things of God when things are peaceful, maintain and continue to do the things which have brought you where you are.
3) Make a defense for your enemies. Perhaps not literally, but there are many spiritual enemies that will take advantage of times of peace. Always be mindful of your weaknesses and the danger that lurks not far behind any circumstance of peace. If we become relaxed and let our guard down, we can be spiritually weak.
4) Work. Idle hands are a devils workshop. In our world today we have continual increase of leisure time. What we do with it is important. Work can mean a number of things: practicing an instrument, sport, or talent, getting a job, doing house projects and chores, doing service. As children and parents let us often find ourselves working together.
5) The temple. Nephi built a temple. I don’t think I will ever be asked to build a temple. My duty will only be to attend. As we have times of peace, we should have more opportunity to attend the temple and be reminded of our covenants while seeking revelation. I know that I have received many promptings in the temple that have improved my family life.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
2 Nephi 4
Nephi laments his sins, yet has confidence in his abilities through the atonement. Nothing has made me feel more helpless and humbled than having children. I have always wanted kids, And I have enjoyed being a father, but my idea of how fatherhood was going to be vs. how fatherhood actually is, has been starkly different. What has been the most humbling for me has been trying to affect the behavior of my children. In large part I have felt helpless in my attempts to have a major influence on what my children do. I would like to be able to get an immediate response from my every command, and have total respect from my children for my attempts to help them navigate through life, but I realize now, that does not allow for agency. In my frustrations I have quick to anger, I have overreacted, and lost my patience. None of these things has ever helped any situation with my children, and I feel like saying “Oh wretched man that I am”. I need to rely more on my savior to help with the challenges of raising my children.
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