tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73586758085852516902024-02-07T20:28:29.490-08:00A Goddess in Progress!heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.comBlogger457125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-86923780525951019502015-07-29T09:11:00.001-07:002015-07-29T09:11:58.568-07:00it meant the mostIt was a square of that meshy-grippy fabric that most people use in kitchen cupboards or drawers to keep things from moving and sliding around. Just a square, a bit bigger than my hand. This was and remains to this day my favorite wedding gift.<br />
<br />
The giver was my grandmother.<br />
<br />
It was delivered without wrapping paper, without bags or bows. She didn't shower me with advice, nor did she bother telling me stories from her life. She simply gave me a smile and a hug and assured me that the life I was taking on would be beautiful, and worth it, and that this little slip of fabric that she pressed into my hand would be useful. "You won't always have a man around to help you open jars and such." She said. "This will help."<br />
<br />
Soon afterwards my sweet and funny and smart grandmother was tossed into the firm grasp of Alzheimer's. This memory, of her handing me this square of fabric is my last memory of HER her. Within a year's time she wouldn't remember my name nor my relation to her.<br />
<br />
Her time slipped away, but mine has pressed forward and she means more to me every year though we said our goodbyes a long time ago. I have used this little square of fabric more times than I could possibly count, because she was right. And as I follow this military man around our country, the very same way she did with her husband -a man I never met thanks to Vietnam- I learn it wasn't just a scrap of fabric she left me. It was her legacy. Something practical. Something of independence. Something that demands strength but allows for a little bit of weakness too.<br />
<br />
I wish she had left me her stories, but ultimately I guess she didn't need to because she was enough.<br />
<br />
So I keep this little scrap of fabric in a drawer in my kitchen, and pull it out when I need it, and sometimes to open the lids of jars.heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-70244958325878835862015-06-07T17:37:00.000-07:002015-06-07T17:37:17.219-07:00nothing much and everythingThe weather is clear and warm without heat. The world is green and singing. I'm pushing Little Man in the stroller, Hubs is walking at my side, and the Pirate is just ahead of us, stepping on our shadow heads and laughing. Hubs puts his hands up and gives his shadow head horns.<br />
"I'm a bull. I'm going to get you!" Pirate laughs and runs. It's instantly a game. We're all creating body-sized shadow puppets on the street ahead of us.<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
Little Man loves eating more than just about anything. His favorite thing to carry around is a spoon. He holds it in his right hand, and dips it in/ presses it into whatever he happens to be holding in his left hand -a bowl, a cup, a plate, a piece of paper, a car... and brings the spoon to his mouth over and over again. <br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
As of lately, Little Man has three words and one sound. He says momma, dada, and yeah. Sometimes he says uh-huh, always appropriately.<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
A conversation with the Pirate today:<br />
Pirate: It's going to be 13-4-7 degrees tomorrow, huh Mom.<br />
Me: No. You're wrong.<br />
Pirate: Me?<br />
Me: You're numbers are off a bit.<br />
Pirate: Why?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-1281819137439891892015-05-30T13:14:00.001-07:002015-05-30T13:14:28.299-07:00detailsEvery night before laying this baby in his crib for the night, I sing "I am a Child of God" to him. Last night he kept interrupting my song with kisses to my lips. As much as I'd like to think he was feeling especially loving, I think he was trying to delay his bedtime. <br />
<br />
<br />
Today at the grocery store a man (possibly in his 80s) ran into a sign post, and pushed it quite far before he came to a stop. I watched it happen. I was standing right there. His car window was open, and his wife was in the front seat. She hopped out and motioned for him to back-up and through all of it, not one raised voice, not one unkind word. I imagine it's *possible* that she was saving them for later, but I like to think that she wasn't. That somewhere through the course of time this wonderfully aged couple has learned the value in keeping shame out of accidents.<br />
<br />
<br />
On the way out of the grocery store I saw a solidly middle-aged couple holding hands and swinging their arms in a youthful, playful way. She was giggling and he was grinning and I thought, "I hope that's me someday." And then I had this instant realization that IS me TODAY. Hubs and I are happy, happy, happy, playful, silly, still completely in-love, and *uh-hem* solidly middle-aged. This realization was instantly followed by: Man, my life is awesome. How did I get so very blessed?<br />
<br />
Then I loaded my groceries and headed for home, where Hubs was (of course) reading, and Pirate was playing and Little Man was taking an afternoon nap.<br />
<br />
<br />
heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-29638013693830977592015-05-28T14:15:00.003-07:002015-05-28T14:15:35.186-07:00this is where we're atSummer started.<br />
<br />
Hubs is on the couch, reading. <br />
Little Man is climbing on the couch, trying to grab Hubs' glasses, being told no, bursting into tears, crawling off the couch. He's done this four times. Currently he's between times, perched on the coffee table chewing on a toy teapot. <br />
Pirate is trying to show me a box. It just arrived and contains my doTerra allergy pills that I'm praying and hoping and wishing and thinking will help with these seasonal allergies that have suddenly sprung into my life with cruel intention and malicious force.<br />
<br />
Now Pirate is pulling on my body, momming me, asking for food because he's bored. <br />
<br />
It's four o'clock.<br />
<br />
I ran out of energy two hours ago.<br />
<br />
My sink is stacked with dishes.<br />
<br />
I have no idea what we'll do for dinner.<br />
<br />
Little Man is grabbing for those glasses again.<br />
<br />
And I'm off.<br />
<br />
To. <br />
<br />
Uh.<br />
<br />
Sit here some more, wishing I could nap, knowing I can't, and counting the minutes and hours until seven when I can plop these boys in bed and...<br />
<br />
Sit some more, avoiding the clean-up required from whatever I end up making for dinner, wishing I'd done the dishes earlier, and waiting until an appropriate time for bed.<br />
<br />
Pirate is momming me again.<br />
<br />
One hour. Forty three minutes. Seven seconds.<br />
heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-40200710943669343722015-05-17T12:09:00.000-07:002015-05-17T12:09:07.027-07:00maybe i should blog todayI'm trying to find a way to blog more often, but to do it requires I give up other things... and I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to give up those other things.<br />
<br />
Namely: The half hour of Netflix, followed by the half hour (ish) of reading immediately before I shut my eyes on the night and call the day done. I am excessively fond of a show and some reading before bed. Truthfully, my brain isn't good for much else. It's tired at the end of the day too.<br />
<br />
But today, right now, Little Man is sleeping and Pirate is singing and talking to himself in his bedroom. Hubs is reading some article or other and the puppy is sleeping. Of course there are a few chores I need to accomplish, but for now I think it'll be okay if I steal away some time to -if nothing else- let the world (or the two people left who read this blog) know that I am still alive.<br />
<br />
Not thriving, but alive.<br />
<br />
And approximately one step ahead of what needs to be done, so I guess I'm doing okay.<br />
<br />
A friend of mine came over last night, saw my kitchen, saw my face, and refused to take no for an answer as she did my dishes and cleaned my stove-top. Wonderful woman!<br />
<br />
In other news...<br />
<br />
Summer begins this week as far as school is concerned. Which makes me nervous. I think I'll be hitting Pinterest up for ideas here very soon and hoping that it doesn't fail me -like it usually does when it comes to crafty things.<br />
<br />
And...<br />
<br />
While I blather on, I realize -I *could* be napping. <br />
<br />
I think I'm going to head to my bed and see what happens. If I can manage a half hour before Little Man wakes up...heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-91587284632102642802015-05-05T19:19:00.002-07:002015-05-05T19:19:20.070-07:00things...Life is rolling forward. Fast. It's MAY. I think it's been more than a month since I've written, and I feel bad about that. So many moments slipped away unrecorded and therefore unremembered. <br />
<br />
My favorite things right now: Baby still had only four teeth and his grins are just too cute. Sometimes he laughs, and that is the best. Well. My absolute favorite is when he's getting a little tired and he comes and finds me, and when I pick him up her sticks his thumb in his mouth and lays his head on my shoulder, curling his opposite arm around my neck. If he can, he plays with my hair. It's so sweet. <br />
<br />
He's climbing on everything and into everything and I pulled him off a shelf in the pantry today. He likes to help himself to the applesauce cups. He punches holes in the top with his teeth and then sucks the applesauce out. He thinks he's so cool. <br />
<br />
A few weeks ago, I heard a noise coming from the pantry, so I opened the door to find him on the floor, the tub of animal crackers between his legs, and about five in each fist and his cheeks bulging. He gave me this startled look followed by his best smile ever.<br />
<br />
Pirate, in the meantime, is doing well. Still feeling a pinch of jealousy I think. I get WAY more "look at me, mom!" and "I need some mom-time." than normal, and it's exhausting. But, he's doing well in school. He's reading three letter, short a words -and super proud of himself for it. <br />
<br />
We started swim lessons as well. Poor kid. He's near a full panic in the water. We'll need help getting though this, as in: pray for him and me please and thank you.<br />
<br />
Hubs had surgery last week. He cannot move his left arm, he's not supposed to lift anything and he cannot drive -so things have been interesting lately. It's a little (maybe a lot) like having an extra kid all the sudden. But at least a potty-trained one that can wipe himself and (mostly) feed himself, etc. <br />
<br />
(As a side note: As SOON as Pirate can put his undies on without needing to sit on my bathroom floor, he's learning to wipe himself because seriously. It's time.)<br />
<br />
And just to add to this FUN HOUSE we just bought a puppy. heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-8384562021489849092015-04-09T10:43:00.002-07:002015-04-09T10:45:14.102-07:00easter & spring no breakOur Easter was wonderful. Peaceful. Relaxing.<br />
<br />
Our good friends and neighbors were without their family this year for the holiday, and knowing we were too, they invited us over for an Easter dinner. It was lovely spending time with such a great family. Their kids and our kids get along exceptionally well and we both share a more "hands-off" philosophy when it comes to the children working out their differences. <br />
<br />
It was a gorgeous day, warm and sunny, and after dinner we migrated outside and watched the children hunt eggs, run and play while we lounged in chairs and visited with each other. We watched our Little Guy taste watermelon for the first time, he's a big fan.<br />
<br />
Wait. I think I might be painting the picture a little too nicely. We did do some lounging in chairs, in intervals -short intervals. Mostly one of us was having to chase Little Guy and pull rocks and sticks out of his mouth. At one point C and I handed the babies off to the husbands so we could clean up the kitchen and dish desert. Within three minutes we were mysteriously both holding babies and having to accomplish said chores one handedly. <br />
<br />
To be fair to the husbands, there had been a messy mishap outside that did require attention...<br />
<br />
It was a gorgeous day though. <br />
<br />
And it kicked off our first Spring No Break. It's been a bit touch and go. We've cleaned rooms, washed all the windows, entertained friends, built train tracks, block castles, assembled puzzles, played games, read books, painted and then painted some more... Today I broke down, ordered pizza and plugged in Finding Nemo. We've moved onto Cars and for the first time all week, I'm having a minute to write.<br />
<br />
Little Guy is over in the corner squatting and grunting, so it looks like I've got another diaper to change.<br />
<br />
Best get to it. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-36400209966393981612015-03-19T05:42:00.002-07:002015-03-19T05:42:45.374-07:00So...Sunday was a bit eventful.<br />
<br />
I was supposed to finally give that talk that's been hanging over my head for a month. Hubs woke up sick, so I took Pirate with me and felt my anxiety rise by slow degrees as I drove to church. By the time we entered the chapel I was a nauseous, shaking wreck. AND... I tried to talk myself through it, and I tried to refocus, regroup, praying -praying... but you know, it seems those attacks start and end on their own... So instead of standing up to give my talk, I stood up and walked out, and drove the Pirate and myself home.<br />
<br />
They knew I wasn't going to do it because I was sitting next to my friend who is the chorister and she let them know it wasn't going to happen a few minutes in advance. I felt bad, I still feel bad, and I'm really shaken this week about why and how anxiety has re-entered my life because I'd rid myself of it for a long, long time.<br />
<br />
Sunday was also the day that my Little Man gave up on crawling. He now toddles everywhere he goes. He's a little wobbly still. He falls often, but stands back up and keeps going. Such a great example of the attitude I need to have about life. Try, try again. <br />
<br />
Like with this talk.<br />
<br />
Urgh.<br />
<br />
Back to Little Man though. I love the his little personality. He's curious and into everything. He likes to be part of the party, but not the center of attention (which works out, since Pirate pretty much demands the spotlight). He likes to tease and my newest favorite thing -when he has something he knows I'm about to take away from him, he tries hiding it behind his back. It's so funny!<br />
<br />
In other news:<br />
<br />
The weather is warming up! Hubs texted me a couple weeks ago: <br />
<br />
Just saw the first robin of spring! Thought you'd like to know. <br />
<br />
My heart swelled. He knows me so well. Spring isn't on her way, she's here! There are green shoots in my flower bed, the snow is gone, and on Monday we enjoyed our first family dinner picnic style. We've resumed our afternoon family walks/ bike /stroller rides, but still hit and miss style since one day will be warm and the next not so much.<br />
<br />
On the to do list today is laundry and dishes and it's time to sort clothes. These boys are both growing like crazy. A couple weeks ago there were two days when Pirate came home from school, ate a tiny snack, and then fell asleep for the rest of the night! I was thinking I needed to test his blood or take him to a doctor when he did it a second time, but I held off feeling like it might just be part of a growth spurt and sure enough, a week later all of his pants are about an inch or two short, and his snow boots are just a bit too tight. <br />
<br />
So, anyway, time to sort clothes. That's the big project of my day. <br />
<br />
I'm beginning to truly see the beauty of monotony. heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-11308207527764519432015-02-23T19:07:00.001-08:002015-02-23T19:07:31.997-08:00it's a quiet nightEveryone else is in bed. As they should be. It's 10:00. But I'm up waiting on sheets to dry because I forgot about them in the strains of the day. I do have two other sets of bed sheets I could use, but they've been used as forts and oceans and parachutes and robes and any number of things to Pirate's imagination in the last couple weeks. They're likely covered in dog hair and snot and who knows what else. <br />
<br />
It's been a rough go in our house as far as keeping kids entertained. We've been passing around a cold that is bad enough that politeness requires us to keep away from others, but not bad enough to slow us down much. So I have a four year old who has missed FAR too many days of school, who is restless and bored. It's a bad situation. <br />
<br />
In the mean time, Little Man is nearly walking! It's adorable to watch. He stands and claps for himself, takes a few steps, falls, claps for himself, and tries again. <br />
<br />
On that note... I think I'll check out what Netflix has to offer while I finish waiting. My brain is tired.heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-4083350359624410092015-02-15T12:03:00.003-08:002015-02-15T12:03:38.405-08:00a quiet sunday afternoonChurch was canceled, again, thanks to extra wintery weather. I would have been more upset by this if I wasn't an assigned speaker today. It would be better if I got out of speaking entirely, but as it sits they said to just plan on speaking next week instead. Oh the joy. <br />
<br />
In other news, Pirate can now completely get himself dressed for playing in the snow. Snow pants, coat, hat, gloves, everything on his own without tears and without help. It's kind of a big day. I think I might celebrate with some chocolate as soon as I manage to pry myself from this chair. <br />
<br />
Pirate is outside with the dog, playing in the massive amounts of snow in our backyard. He's been playing outside a lot lately since the dog will play outside with him. Little Guy is watching through our sliding glass door, pounding on the panes and whining a bit. I know he wants to be out there but it is quite cold and I don't have anything warm enough to dress him in, so he has to console himself by digging though the toy bins (located in front of the window) and empty them by tossing one toy at a time. I have a mess of toys to clean later, but he's happy for the moment so we'll roll with it.<br />
<br />
The washer is humming.<br />
<br />
I've got three projects beckoning. <br />
<br />
There is nothing exceptionally noteworthy in this day or even this week. Yesterday, Valentine's Day, we were more or less snowed in. The winds made visibility low, so we lounged around in pajamas watching Netflix for most of the day. <br />
<br />
*Yawn* <br />
<br />
I need to stand and stretch and while I have a minute of no-demands address the out-of-control laundry situation going on in my bedroom. If cleanliness in next to godliness I am in some serious trouble.heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-57304560933541312642015-02-13T07:36:00.001-08:002015-02-13T07:36:22.617-08:00january recapsnow.<br />
snow.<br />
snow.<br />
PLAY DATE! YAY!<br />
school.<br />
school.<br />
school.<br />
sick kid.<br />
sick kid.<br />
sick kid.<br />
sick other kid.<br />
sick other kid.<br />
sick other kid.<br />
sick me.<br />
sick me.<br />
sick me.<br />
sick husband.<br />
sick husband.<br />
sick husband.<br />
WE GOT A DOG!!<br />
snow.<br />
snow.<br />
snow.<br />
sick kid.<br />
sick kid.<br />
sick kid.<br />
sick other kid.<br />
sick other kid.<br />
sick other kid.<br />
sick me.<br />
sick me.<br />
sick me.<br />
<br />
<br />
heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-22225908411359809492015-01-05T19:32:00.001-08:002015-01-05T19:32:51.288-08:00the ball was droppedI don't mean the one in Time Square. I mean all the things in my life just mysteriously got shoved aside once December hit. The first week and a half or so was spent passing around this annoying cold that left the kiddos all cruddy. Then, around the 15th I'd say I was looking at the calendar and had this "Crap! Christmas is in ten days!" moment, and then suddenly I had all these things I needed to do, traditions to cross off the list, etc. and etc. THEN, the day after Christmas I came out of whatever holiday stupor of madness I'd been living under to suddenly notice all the excess stuff I have cluttering my house. I've been in a strong de-junk mode every since. I've gone through every drawer in the house, my closet, my desk, my inbox, my photos, and still on the list: hall & bedroom closets, and the toys. The toys. They are out of control. Grandmas and Grandpas and Aunts and Uncles completely spoil my children at Christmas. Pirate made out like a pirate. Truly. On Sunday we sang, "Because I have been given much, I too must give." and I am taking that to heart! I have three full bags ready to be donated and I am anticipating at least that many more before weeks end.<br />
<br />
And that's all.heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-37265038472897615682014-12-05T18:30:00.000-08:002014-12-05T18:30:53.330-08:00i was going to post tonightIn fact, I was writing it in my head all afternoon. I got around to one of my Pinterest crafts. It was going smoothly. I was taking pictures and feeling all Martha-ish. And, by the time the craft was done I had a nice little review going, in my head. I wanted to write it all out right now, but two things have happened. One I have a crying baby who hasn't left me alone since early evening. Even now, he's crying at my feet. Two, I can't think of even one of those pre-composed sentences. SO. Maybe another day.heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-63656899198993324472014-11-15T04:48:00.001-08:002014-11-15T04:48:08.709-08:00the book of mormon book club, chapter eight
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<h1 style="margin: 0.25in 0in 6pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Nephi, Chapter 8: The Tree of Life<o:p></o:p></span></u></h1>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Let’s begin with the first 9 verses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Did
anyone else notice that after hours of traveling in darkness, the scene for
Nephi didn’t change until he had begun to pray? Maybe he didn’t think to pray
sooner because he was in the middle of a vision? I don’t know because one, I’m
obviously not Nephi and two, I don’t have visions –but this I do know, prayer
is powerful and it can change everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Now, let’s plow through the rest of
the chapter –all of it- and then wax artistic</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Draw the full scene below.</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Now, I hope you bothered to draw it
all out because now I’d like for you to draw yourself into the picture</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Where did you put yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently I was given the challenge to write
down how I spent my time every day for a week. After the week a few things
really stood out to me. One, I spend way too much time in my car. Two, I don’t
spend near enough time in scripture study, and three: my life is so routine
that unless I make deliberate, quality time for my child and for my husband
it doesn’t happen. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My point is that I am always hopping
around from here to there to the next place. As much as I’d like to claim that
I am perpetually standing under that tree, eating the pure, white fruit the
fact of the matter is that I’m not. I’m more often found clinging to that rod.
Or wandering in mists. Or standing in that great and spacious building. Here is
an opinion of mine. Anytime we’re judging someone else, or thinking we’re
better than someone else, or having mocking feelings or thoughts towards
another child of God, we can be pretty sure we’re standing in the building and
not under the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Now for fun, and so we don’t feel too
bad about our weaknesses, let’s focus on verses 30 and 31.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">There
are two multitudes here. One is pressing forwards towards the rod and the other
is feeling their way towards the great and spacious building. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We make our choices based upon the desires of
our hearts. Let us keep a close watch on our personal desires and motives,
keeping in mind when we choose yes to one thing, we are also choosing no to
another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Verses 33 and 34.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Ready
for a real principle? The closer we are to God, the less the opinions of others
matter to us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Who are you heeding?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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</span>heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-50255522720877406802014-11-09T15:52:00.002-08:002014-11-09T18:46:05.375-08:00after a bit of introspection...I think I might be mid-midlife crisis. It's been an amazing year for me. Maybe one of the best yet. BUT the other day while I was working on making my face presentable, I happened to notice a gray hair. Then another one. And all the sudden, weirdly, there was this fully, middle-aged woman staring back at me. I should have noticed it before, but I didn't. Not really. It's like when you look at pictures of your kids from a year ago and think, <em>Wow? When did they get so big?</em> It was the same thing, only: <strong>Wow? When did I get so old? How did this happen? When did this happen?</strong> It's a little on the depressing side. <br />
<br />
I think between this, and all the other things that have happened this year ( Like having a baby, and finally having the courage to go with a pixie, and starting crossfit, etc.) I'm feeling a little shifted. I'm not the Heather that started this year. I feel like I'm totally different. More confident in myself, and less apologetic for my personality quirks. I feel more self-aware, with a take me or leave me kind of attitude. <br />
<br />
And... at the same time I've had a couple little incidents recently that served as giant magnifying glasses and I've decided I need to live more authentically. For example, Facebook. All these years (what three or four of them now?) I've been showing up for people on Facebook, reading their statuses, commenting, and the like. I feel like I've invested my interest in their lives. I suppose this is a good thing in some ways, but then a couple things have happened and these moments were moments of clarity. I can't shake off the feeling of falseness. I guess I was just hoping for reciprocated friendships, but it's like the curtain has been pulled back and I've learned the Wizard of Oz isn't what he presented himself to be. And I won't continue to nurture false friendships. I have too many other things to do with my (limited) time.<br />
<br />
At the same time... I want connection. I want an online community. I felt like blogging was exactly that, and now it isn't. Also I fully realize that my desire for an online community is also because I have every hope and intention of publishing a book (or two) in the next couple years and I know that publishers want to see a healthy, active presence in social media. It feels so self-serving and I'm at this crossroads trying to figure out how much of this desire for an online community is fueled by one and how much the other. Because isn't the second one false? And exactly what I'm trying to avoid? I want to live authentically. I want to be genuine and I don't want to have self-serving intentions when it comes to friendships. That isn't friendship. That's the man pretending to be the Wizard. Right? <br />
<br />
So, I started this instagram thing, to fill the void of facebook. Which seems silly, but... there IS something inexplicably satisfying to me about scrolling through snapshots of other people's lives. Something about it makes me feel like we (women. mothers.) are all connected because we're all so much the same.<br />
<br />
I don't know if any of this makes any sense, but it's nice to write these thoughts out. <br />
<br />
I hope you have a fantastic week. <br />
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<br />
<br />heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-23379816225030170532014-11-08T10:49:00.003-08:002014-11-08T10:50:12.219-08:00the book of mormon book club, chapter seven<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Nephi, Chapter 7: Mission Accomplished<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Let’s begin with the first five
verses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Notice the word “gained” in verse 4,
and the word “softened” in verse 5. What do these words make you think?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Here’s
what I got. One, Ishmael must have been righteous, or at the very least a more
righteous man for the Lord to hand select him to accompany Lehi’s family. Two,
I don’t get the idea that he was jumping up and down about the thing that was
being asked of him. Three, he did go. I find all of this strangely comforting.
Mostly because when new callings come my way, I am rarely (if ever) jumping up
and down about what I’m being asked to do. But I do it. And it’s good to know
I’m not alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What happens in verses 6 -8?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Now verse 9.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">How is it that ye have not harkened to the
voice of the Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Let’s
take this, just for a second, out of the context of Nephi and his brothers,
right into the context of our own life and our day. It reminds me a bit of a
recently conference talk given by Jeffery R. Holland. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Do you agree? Are we harkening to the
Word of the Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Let’s continue: verses 9-12</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">How many times does the phrase “How
is it ye have forgotten” show up in those verses?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What are they each followed by?</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Here’s
the pattern: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">How
is it ye have forgotten [a miracle/a tender mercy].<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">We have miraculous experiences in our
lives, we experience the tender mercies of the Lord. How do you keep them in
remembrance? <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Summarize verse 12 in your own words.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Now verse 13</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Faith
and obedience precede blessings, just as disobedience and rebellion precede
destruction. We reap what we sow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Verses 14-19.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a personal story to share. I have
to dig deep into the archives of my life for this one, all the way back to when
I was 18. I had a boyfriend. He had been my boyfriend for two full years. We
were going to get married. We were going to do this, that, and the other. We
had plans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day my mom told me, “Heather, you love
him, but you aren’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in</i> love with him.
He is going to leave on his mission, and you are going to fall <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in</i> love with someone else and it’s going
to break his heart.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Immediately
I was filled with rage. How dare she make such a declaration! I didn’t speak to
her for probably three whole days. In the meanwhile, that scripture about the
guilty taking the truth to be hard settled around my heart and I realized,
horrified, that she was right. I hated that she was right. It was part of why I
couldn’t even bring myself to speak to her. I hated the whole truth of all of
it. I knew what that truth was going to require of me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Point is, the truth can hurt, especially
when it requires us to change. We’re human beings. Our natural-man instincts
are wired to avoid pain and discomfort. When our immediate reaction is anger,
let’s do our best to stop and <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">evaluate
ourselves, look for the truth, and be willing to change –even if it hurts a
little. Even if it hurts a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Verses 20-22.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What motivates Laman and Lemuel? <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What motivates Nephi?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-62458414415212645762014-11-04T19:00:00.000-08:002015-01-18T11:53:21.704-08:00it's november. or mo-vemberand I'm seriously hoping Hubs doesn't decide to grow a stache this year as he has in years past... <br />
<br />
That aside -October came and went in a half a blink, which is even shorter than July. How that happened I'm not entirely sure, but it happened. The leaves burst into flaming colors and have burnt out. Mostly they're scattered all over the place and are everywhere but on the trees that gave them existence. <br />
<br />
In other news...<br />
<br />
I gave up facebook recently. In the void, I've been thinking I need to blog more, but it seems like my brain has been programed to think in tiny three to five sentence instant thoughts. Also, my blogging network of yesteryear has (more or less) died... Or, at least google reader died and then I lost track of all the people who hadn't posted on their blogs since 2009. I'm a little jealous of those women. Blogging hit its high when their kids were babies and preschoolers and now that I'm in these years, they've moved on. They're working on science projects and sweating out on soccer field sidelines. I'm wiping bums. <br />
<br />
Speaking of wiping bums. Hubs woke me up this morning with a "Help!" Little Guy had blown out of his diaper (third time this week) and it was an easier with two sets of hands kind of event. Then there was the (also poopy) incident with Pirate a few minutes later. I'll spare the details though it was rather comical (in retrospect). Sometimes I come down too hard on him three minutes too soon. As I was helping him wash his hands it hit me how tiny his hands are -still. I forget that he's still so little because he just seems so big. <br />
<br />
And on that note... goodnight.heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-11901787975860730772014-11-01T07:31:00.002-07:002014-11-01T07:31:53.358-07:00the book of mormon book club, chapter six
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0.25in 0in 6pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Nephi, Chapter 6: The Intent of Nephi<o:p></o:p></span></u></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Okay
friends, I’ve read these six short verses over and over, and this is what I’ve
got.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Read verses 1 and 2</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Just
for fun, go check out the second chapter of 1 Chronicles. No need to read it,
just skim. If you weren’t counting (or you didn’t bother to go find the
reference) there are 55 verses worth of family history and “begats.” I like how
Nephi doesn’t bother writing it all out, instead he says, “It sufficeth me to
say we are descendants of Joseph.” It resonates so very male to me. I don’t
know about you, but if you haven’t noticed by now, I tend to squeeze in all
sorts of details and back-story. Nephi, like my husband, likes to get right to
the point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Now, verse 3</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">He leaves out
___________________________, in order to have room for <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">_____________________________.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Does anything about that hit you?</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">In
my world there’s this thing I call The Law of Displacement. I first became
aware of this when I was studying nutrition. When we eat one thing we are also
choosing to not eat something else, often something better for us, like a
carrots or spinach. Then I kept noticing this principle popping up in places
other than my kitchen. My budget. My time. My energy. My to-do lists. When I
chose one thing (like TV) I’m simultaneously choosing to not do another thing
(study my scriptures, play with my son, exercise.) Verse three is Nephi keeping
his priorities straight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What does the Law of Displacement look
like in your life? Go ahead. Be thorough. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Whew!
That’s kind of a hard one, isn’t it? Sometimes the choice between good, better,
and best are far more difficult than the choice between right and wrong, don’t
you think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">I
hope you aren’t feeling guilty. Please don’t feel guilty. We’re all working on
our own stuff. We are not expected to be perfect –that is why we have the
Savior and His amazing grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Now, let’s look at verse 4</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What is Nephi’s intent?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What is your intent? For this book
club? For your life? <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Some
days, I’m not gonna lie, my intent is nothing more than to get the floors
clean. I’ll think, if I can just manage this one chore today I will call the
day a good one. Life is hard and days get hairy, but on a more serious note my
intent is to do good and to be good. I want to keep the roots of my faith sunk
down deep. I want to help other women really feel the Lord in their lives, to
know His promises are sure, and His grace is sufficient. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Onto verse 5.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What
is pleasing to the world is not pleasing to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What
is pleasing to God is not pleasing to the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Here
it is again, the Law of Displacement, do you see it? You can choose one or the
other, but you can’t choose both. It doesn’t work that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Verse 6</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Now let’s reword that one a little
bit. Go ahead. Fill in the blanks.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">“Wherefore I
give a commandment unto _________________________, that I <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">shall not
occupy __________________________ with _________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">___________,
which is of no worth unto____________________________.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-67822630744224141412014-10-25T19:18:00.000-07:002014-10-25T19:18:24.147-07:00the book of mormon book club, chapter five
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0.25in 0in 6pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Nephi, Chapter 5: Of Great Worth<o:p></o:p></span></u></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Let’s start with the first 9 verses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I love these verses. I love these
verses because it makes this family seem so very real to me. I love the insight
into Sariah, and I love the insight into her marriage with Lehi. If we comb
over these verses we can learn a thing or two. Go ahead, comb. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What did you learn about Sariah?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is what I gathered: Considering
my tendency to complain against my husband for something as trivial as leaving
wet towels on our bed, you can bet your backside that I would have plenty to
say to him about it just as Sariah did. It seems that it wasn’t until her boys
were back safe and sound from the house <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">of Laban that
she received her confirmation that the whole moving into the wilderness thing
was in fact the will of the Lord and not the will of Lehi. She declares, in
verse 8, “Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to
flee…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Look again at verse 8, do you see a
repeating phrase? What is it?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It seems Sariah had to follow in blind
obedience for a while before she received her own confirmation that this was
the will and the commandment of the Lord for her family. Perhaps she was too
upset, too annoyed or angry to be feeling the Spirit. I know that would be the
case if I was in her shoes. However, I think there is significance in the
timing with which her confirmation was received. It wasn’t until she was so
over-joyed, so full of gratitude that she was praising God, that she knew the
will of the Lord. Maybe you’ve had a similar experience? I know I have. My
bitter and complaining heart was simply not able to hear the answer that I had
spent years praying for. Contention is of the Devil. We can’t hear God when
we’re mad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What type of marriage do you think
these two had?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here’s my answer: a normal one! The
evidence is that these are people not so very different from me. I’ve
complained against my husband a time or two. There have been moments when I
have been stressed beyond stressed and my husband instead of telling me to
“Cowboy up” or “Stop with the drama already” has calmly done his best to ease
and quiet my fears in the most loving and kind ways. I’m sure there was a flip
side too. We don’t get a chance to see Lehi behind his tent doors following the
shenanigans of his two older sons. I bet he had his own times of great
frustration, and I bet Sariah was right there in the middle, doing her best to
keep the peace. What do you think? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Let’s move onto verses 10-15.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">What was the first thing Lehi did
with the record?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">How similar was this book to our Old
Testament? <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></u></b>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">In verse 14 it mentions the record
contained the genealogy of Lehi. How important is your personal genealogy to
you? Why?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In verse 15 one tiny word jumped out
at me, it’s the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">also</i>. Nephi
says, “And they were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">also</i> led out of
captivity.” Nephi was, again, likening the scriptures to himself. The
interesting thing to me is that Nephi’s life and record became scripture to us.
With the thoughts of my ancestors still fresh in my brain, and knowing all the
courage and strength I’ve gathered from them in my days, I have to wonder if my
life is going to also read like scripture to my descendants? Will my children,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren read the record of my life and be inspired
to turn to the Lord? I sure hope so!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Keep reading verses 16-17.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Write the message of verse 17.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;">Let’s finish off the chapter, verses
18-22.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The scriptures are “of great worth” to
us, if we read them. If we carry them with us as we journey into the
wildernesses before us –towards our promised ending. It is the Lord’s wisdom
that has kept this record of Nephi, his wisdom that he had this record kept,
and saved expressly for us in our day and in these times. Let us read, study,
liken, and be filled. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the last few chapters have you noticed any
parallels between Nephi’s experience and Joseph Smith’s? Write them out here:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u></b> </div>
heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-10577858504365851772014-10-16T19:05:00.000-07:002014-10-16T19:05:00.425-07:00the book of mormon book club, chapter four
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<h1 style="margin: 0.25in 0in 6pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Nephi, Chapter 4: Nephi’s Courage<o:p></o:p></span></u></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">This chapter, to me, is about
Nephi’s courage, which is propped up by his faith and unflinching obedience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s begin with the first three
verses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Who and what does Nephi reference
in verse 2?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Like Nephi do you look to the
scriptures for faith, courage, and strength?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Clearly Nephi’s faith is deeply rooted
and bearing fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s read verses 4 and 5.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>See? Right off the bat we’re watching
the courage of Nephi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Now verse 6. I love verse 6.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And I was led by the Spirit not knowing beforehand
the things which I should do.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">I know we just got started, but we
need to pause here for a second because this is a verse that has powerful
personal application.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">When have you been led by the
Spirit? Write freely, my friends. I’m sure it’s been more than once or twice.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Okay, onto verses 7-19. Ready, go!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is an intense scene, is it not?
Imagine Nephi, strong, courageous, faithful Nephi standing over Laban and
receiving the commandment to take Laban’s life. I imagine his facial expression
reading shock and confusion. In verse 10 he says, “I shrunk and would that I
might not slay him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In chapters two (and three) we see
that when Nephi was required to do something that maybe didn’t make sense to
him, he sought the Lord for wisdom and understanding. Here the Lord is asking
him to do something that doesn’t make sense to him, so in verses 14-17, he’s
reviewing it in his own mind. I like that Nephi seems to be continually working
to keep himself on the same page with the Lord. He’s making sure his will
aligns with God’s. It’s a good practice, wouldn’t you agree?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">The Lord could have taken the life
of Laban and spared Nephi from the task. Why do you think he didn’t</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What “hard things” has the Lord
required of you?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Verses 20-38 finish off this
chapter, read them then we’ll chat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span></u></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">How many miracles do you count in
these verses?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What type of man do you imagine
Zoram to be?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In verse 22 we learn that Laban, so
drunk he had passed out, had been out that night partying it up with “the
elders of the Jews.” Knowing the wickedness of Laban and now his friendly
association with the elders gives us yet another insight into just how
corrupted this people had become. No wonder they were about to be destroyed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">In
verse 37 it says, “When Zoram made an oath unto us our fears did cease
concerning him.” Did that stand out to anyone else? In our culture a verbal
promise is pretty cheap. This is why we have contracts and signatures and
notaries and lawyers. Our verbal words more or less don’t mean a thing. And
here Zoram makes an oath and that’s that. They can trust him explicitly. Wow.
Can we bring that kind of integrity back to this world? Please?</span></div>
heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-58752127923772511222014-10-11T06:49:00.002-07:002014-10-11T06:50:06.454-07:00book of mormon book club, chapter three<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0.25in 0in 6pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Nephi, Chapter 3: Back to Jerusalem<o:p></o:p></span></u></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s begin with verses 1-6.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">If this were you, not Nephi, how
would you react?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">I
think if it were me, I’d say something along the lines of, “You want me to do <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what?</i> Doesn’t my life mean anything to
you?” You see, I’m pretty positive that if Nephi and Laman and Lemuel didn’t
know Laban personally, they had to have known him by reputation. As we’ll soon
see this guy had money and power and he was ruthless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">I’m
sorry to admit, my friends, that all too often my attitude is more like Laman’s
and Lemuel’s than Nephi’s. As much as I’d like to believe I could answer the
way Nephi does in verse 7, I just don’t know if that would be the case –at
least in this particular situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What does Nephi say in verse 7? Go
ahead and write this whole verse out. Writing helps with memory and this is a
good verse to memorize</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s read
it again, one more time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my
Father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know
that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Lord giveth no commandment unto
the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may
accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.</b></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Write
this promise on your heart my friends. It’s a real one. I. Know. It. I have
lived it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">When have you been asked to do or
face something that was beyond your power?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u></b> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Now, onto verses 8-14.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s
take a second to recap. They “cast lots” to see who has to go up to the house
of Laban. (More proof they knew just the kind of guy they were dealing with.)
Laman loses, asks Laban for the record, receives a death threat, runs for his
life, escapes, and tells his brothers what happened. Laman and Lemuel and Sam
are like “Well, can’t say we didn’t try. Let’s go home.” And then we get
another glimpse of the level of Nephi’s faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Verses 15-20.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Anything stand out to you in those
verses?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is what struck me. First, I’d
really like to put the first part of 16 (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wherefore
let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">In vinyl
on my living room wall. Second, and a little more relevant to our discussion,
Nephi really grasped the importance of obtaining the record. He understood it
was necessary for the preservation of their language as well as the importance
of his people having access to the “words of the prophets.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To me, this is a great deal of insight
for one who just a few pages before described himself as “exceedingly young.”
To my mind, just as he had with the whole moving into the wilderness thing,
young Nephi must have gone to the Lord concerning this journey as well. The
Lord must have provided this wisdom to Nephi concerning the significance of the
record. To me the deeper lesson here is this: While God requires obedience he
doesn’t necessarily require blind obedience. If we go to Him with “diligence”
and “lowliness of heart” asking and knocking –He will answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Have you had the experience of
asking and receiving? Record it here:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Now, onto verses 21-27.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Describe Laban.</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">If you used words like evil,
murderous, selfish, thief –you’ve hit the nail on the head. He was one
villainous man, no question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s continue, verses 28-31.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I don’t know if there is anyone in all
of scripture more spiritually stupid than Laman and Lemuel. Honestly. An angel
of the Lord stands in front of them, tells them to return to Jerusalem, tells
them that Laban will be delivered into their hands, and instead of marveling at
the experience <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>what do they do<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span></u></b>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What do they say?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Focused
so heavily on the power of a man, they completely forget the Power of God.
Unbelievable! But wait! Do we, in a way, do this same thing?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do we ever fear man more than God? Have we ever
found ourselves being more concerned with the opinion of man than the opinion
of God?</span></i></b>heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-10172248383461185362014-10-03T19:33:00.000-07:002014-10-09T18:34:19.703-07:00book of mormon book club: first nephi series, chapter two<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 Nephi, Chapter 2: Into the Wilderness<o:p></o:p></span></span></u><br />
<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Read Chapter 2 verses 1-5<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">The
fact that people are trying to kill you is pretty good motivation to pack your
bags, but even so, can you imagine!? As a woman I like to think of this through
the point-of-view of Sariah. What would I do if my husband woke up one morning
and said, “Pack up the food and toilet paper (I count toilet paper as a
necessary provision). I’m going to get the tent and sleeping bags. We’re
leaving our house, heading for the woods!” I think I’d be saying, “For how
long?” –I’m super reasonable, and go-with-the-flow you see. So, my number one
question would be: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for how long?</i> The
answer to that question (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">forever, my
Sweets</i>) would be the one that would instantly spark a series of strong
protests (aka kicking and screaming). I might even go as far as to tell him
something along the lines of, “Have fun without me!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like my city life. I do. When I’d finish my
ranting –my husband always, with great patience, waits for me to finish my
ranting- he’d calmly tell me that this wasn’t some hair-brained idea of his,
that it was in fact a commandment of the Lord. Then, then I’d take all of
thirty seconds to find a quiet place to hit my knees –and if I’m being honest
with you, I’d likely take my complaining straight to the Lord. He’d also
patiently wait for my ranting heart to calm, and then he’d confirm the truth to
me, in his own time, in his own way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">How would you feel? What would your
reaction be?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Who all was in this original group
leaving Jerusalem? List them off:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Read verses 6-8.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"> The
Lord said, “Depart into the wilderness.” Apparently three days out of Jerusalem
was the wilderness. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Do you think Lehi thought his traveling
was done? Why or why not?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have to tell you, this made me
laugh. Perhaps you noted yesterday that Nephi and his family were city-people,
born and raised? Maybe you didn’t. I’ve overlooked this every other time I’ve
read this book –and I have read it a lot. But I can so picture just how out of
their comfort zones they must have been to be moving further and further away
from everything that was normal and convenient for them. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I feel I can relate to them just a
teensy bit because I am a city-girl born and bred. I’m used to heavy traffic,
over-sized shopping centers, and being able to find virtually anything I need
within half of an hour. My husband, however, is a country-boy born and bred.
When he took me “home” for the first time, to meet his parents, I seriously
thought I had entered another country. So I can just imagine poor Sariah at
this point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her husband has parked their family in
the middle of nowhere. She was probably thinking, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now what? How do we catch fish again? Where am I going to get our
clothing? Our shoes? Who am I going to talk to out here in this wilderness?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Go back to verse 4 for a second.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What did they leave behind?</span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">I
get the idea this was a family used to living a certain lifestyle that had
definitely come to an abrupt end. Gold, silver, and precious things left behind.
I wonder if suddenly a marketplace in walking distance, and a well to draw
water from, and a comfortable place to sleep had suddenly become “precious
things.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Top it all off with the well-established
fact that women need other women and here is Sariah –with her husband, and her
four sons, and not another woman to talk to in the whole world. Put yourself
there for a second. Anyone else suddenly feel intensely lonely?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God gives us strength my Sisters,
strength to do His will, strength beyond our own. He truly does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s read verses 9-14<u>.<o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Is
anyone else guilty of murmuring? I complain, almost daily, about having to
scrape Cheerios off my floor. Note: Food I have in overabundance, a floor in a
house that I get to live in, that I have the ability to clean. See all the
blessings I overlook and disregard when I complain? If complaining isn’t of the
Devil, it is certainly a card he loves to watch us play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">I’m
going to stop complaining about having to sweep and mop my floors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What are you going to stop
complaining about? –That is,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> if</i> you
are a complainer. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u></b> </div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Read verse 15.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Why do you think this was included
as a verse</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Read verses 16-19.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What else do we learn about Nephi
here?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What do we learn about prayer?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Have I sought Him
diligently with lowliness of heart?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Verses 19-24 Nephi is in prayer
with the Lord, what is he told?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">19.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">20.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">(What does it say about the Promised
Land?)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">21.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">22.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">23.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Circle the word ‘except’ and turn
to D&C 82:10. Write that verse out below:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">24.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">How does verse 22 apply to you?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">How do scourges (trials,
temptations) stir us up to remembrance of the Lord and His promise?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What is scourging your life at the
moment? Are you remembering?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">I
imagine Sariah laying on her blanket that first night in the wilderness, soaking
her pillow with tears, her heart literally aching in her chest. I bet her faith
was wavering –at least a little, maybe a lot. In the end though, she did not
fail her faith, and it did not fail her. At some point or another, maybe even
still a little mad about what was being required of her, she turned her heart
to the Lord, and He carried her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">If she could stand among us now, right now, I’m
willing to bet she’d tell us Sister to Sister that life is not easy. There are
a lot of difficult challenges to face and mountains to climb. We will be asked
to do more than we think we can possibly handle, but the Lord’s hand is upon
us. It is always there, lifting and sustaining. If we are looking for it, we
will see it. We will have heartbreaks and sorrows, but it doesn’t mean we can’t
also have JOY, deep and abiding joy. Our Savior knows us personally, He loves us,
and His promises are sure. Be willing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Lucida Bright;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-73044026996456779582014-10-01T10:37:00.001-07:002014-10-01T10:37:23.611-07:00i'm half zombieSeriously. It was night 3 of Bear's* new wake-up to play at 2:30am game. I'm over it. I cannot, cannot go down this road again... No, no, no, no, no, no. Please, please, no!<br />
<br />
A person really does need more than 3 hours a night. It's a true story. I'll admit that I've been a bit lazy with this baby. No set bedtime routines, yet. He's still in the pack-and-play next to my bed. And, as of this morning -as I've moved through this day in a fuzzy cloud of sleep depravation- I've decided I need to just bite the bullet. Take the shot. Feel the pain. And <strike>see what happens</strike> and pray like I've never prayed before that this sweet child will be a good sleeper.<br />
<br />
In other news, he's *this close* to crawling on hands and knees. Babies are so cute and sweet and fun, except for that they're so dang HARD. They really have this weird ability to bring out the best of yourself, and also the worst. As in, I'm going on about 3 to 4 hours a night x a week at this point. I feel more dead than alive, and I yelled at Pirate this morning for coming in and waking me up when I had, for three half seconds actually had the luxury of falling asleep. <br />
<br />
Luckily, Hubs stepped in this morning and helped me cross off a few of the must-dos on todays list, so really all I have to do now is pick up Pirate from school, and survive until bedtime. It's doable. I'm pretty sure.<br />
<br />
Tonight: Hot bath, book, and bed by 9:00. <br />
<br />
(Breaks down in tears of laughter at how ambitious that plan is. My odds of completion are about as likely as winning the lottery. Hahahahahahahahahahaaa. *sob*)heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-28213016217908385262014-09-29T04:58:00.001-07:002014-09-29T04:58:31.223-07:00sometimes i think i'm hilarious<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyBLTovMq3ZBixfnRnyy9_DmIlijO8SYH6x6oGPhmN_XhU2emzTBKtbx4x9ZUPAW8rbwyZc0IPOaj6LF5yxkR9n9rEmp6IJCmFK7lhS0kIxCGEHJHkoU9O04snGnOls_WbHxfBOfx_xM/s640/blogger-image--736493736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyBLTovMq3ZBixfnRnyy9_DmIlijO8SYH6x6oGPhmN_XhU2emzTBKtbx4x9ZUPAW8rbwyZc0IPOaj6LF5yxkR9n9rEmp6IJCmFK7lhS0kIxCGEHJHkoU9O04snGnOls_WbHxfBOfx_xM/s640/blogger-image--736493736.jpg"></a></div>heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358675808585251690.post-74401703694979577452014-09-26T17:51:00.000-07:002014-09-26T17:51:09.109-07:00First Chapter of The Book of Mormon Book Club: First Nephi Series
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0.25in 0in 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><u>1
Nephi, Chapter 1: Nephi Introduces Himself<o:p></o:p></u></span></h1>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Here
they are; the famous first words of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Book of Mormon</i>. Raise your hand if you’ve read these words more times that
you can count. I know I have. In fact, I’ve found that these words are so
deeply etched in folds of my brain that reading them switches my brain over to
auto-read while my mind wanders to things like the mountainous pile of laundry
that needs folding, and the meat that needs taken out of the freezer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">I
mention this because if I do this, there are probably at least a few of you who
do this too. It’s okay. It happens. We’re human. Some of us are more Martha
than Mary. This time through, I’m determined to stay focused. I hope you are
too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s read: 1 Nephi 1:1-3<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What do we know about Nephi from
these first three verses?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Do you have anything in common with
Nephi? If so, what?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s continue onto verses 4-15.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What do we know about Lehi from
these verses?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s go back to verse 5 for one
second:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi,
as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf
of his people.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-decoration: none;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><u> </u></strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Have you ever prayed with all your
heart for someone? For yourself? Take a few minutes to reflect and record your
experience. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Now let’s look more closely at
verses 13-15.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">In
vision Lehi sees Jerusalem, his birthplace, the “great city” in which he had
“dwelt all his days” destroyed and the inhabitants carried away captive into
Babylon. I don’t know about you, but if I saw my hometown destroyed and its
people carried away to be slaves, I’d be devastated. Yet, Lehi comes away
rejoicing with a full heart. In 14 he exclaims, “Great and Marvelous are thy
works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens and thy power and
goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth, and because thou
art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall
perish!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Somehow I have a bit of a hard time
wrapping my mind around his reaction. The only thing that makes sense to me is
the statement he makes at the end of verse 14: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!</i>
The scripture says he saw “many great and marvelous” things –perhaps he saw
much more than just the destruction of his city. Perhaps he came away knowing what
we with lesser faith must only believe: That the promises of the Lord are sure,
that those who come unto him shall not perish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Am I “coming” towards
Him? Is my heart turned towards him? Is my face on His? Am I moving towards Him
in thought and action?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s continue, read verses 16-20</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Lehi
goes about prophesying and declaring the things he saw and heard and he is met
with mockery. In verse 20 they become angry, they cast him out, stone him, and
seek to take his life. In our day I imagine this would look a little</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">like the
prophet and apostles having rocks lobbed at them during General Conference.
When I think of this scene in this way, I really get just how hardened this
community had become. They were members of the church after all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Then
I have to wonder, in our own small ways, do we do this too? Not with literal
rocks of course, but with criticisms? What about with deliberate disobedience? Just
something to think about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Let’s move onto my very favorite
part of the chapter, the end of verse 20.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that
the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because
of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">Tender mercies are brought on by
faith and deliver us. Deliver us from what?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif";">What have been some “tender mercies”
in your life?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></u></b>heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546104584847875114noreply@blogger.com0