Tag Archives: obedience

Honest Words from a Friend

Yesterday we looked at adverse effects of gossip on a friendship. To have one’s confidences shared with others amounts to nothing less than betrayal. It hurts when a friend betrays us. Whether in word or actions King David knew betrayal by a friend. Psalm 41:9 echoes his despair at that betrayal. Jesus also knew the pain of being betrayed by a friend, John 13:8, Matthew 26:48-50. Jesus told his disciples and he tells usthat we are friends if we do what He commands John 15:14. It made me think that Jesus must feel betrayed again each time we choose to … Continue reading →

You May Have to Tolerate a Bad Attitude

How many times have you wished you could control or manipulate your child’s mood or attitude? I know that as my children reached the pre-teen years, I really wasn’t ready for the snarkiness and bad attitudes that came along. It wasn’t enough for me that they actually did what I asked them to, I wanted them to do it with a smile and glee. The reality was, if I waited for them do both mind and obey, AND be happy about it–I would probably be waiting forever! I learned that it is perfectly normal to expect and tolerate some grumbling … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: Obedience Born of Faith in God

As we continue to catch up on the Spencer W. Kimball lessons from the 2007 course of study, let’s take a look at #13, entitled, “Obedience Born of Faith in God.” When we have true faith, it acts as a motivating force for us as we seek to do the will of God. As we exercise that faith, it keeps us moving forward, even though we may not have concrete proof. We can tap into the world of miracles without knowing just how they came about much as we can enjoy light without understanding the principles of electricity. Just as … Continue reading →

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 4:1-11

Laman and Lemuel have just been visited by an angel, who has commanded them to stop beating Nephi and Sam, and to listen to the things Nephi is telling them, for someday Nephi will be a ruler over them. As we head into chapter four, Nephi is telling his brothers why he feels it is so important for them to honor their father’s wishes in obtaining the brass plates from Laban. 1. And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments … Continue reading →

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 3:8-16

Lehi has been commanded by the Lord to send his four sons back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates from Laban. Laman and Lemuel are murmuring about the assignment, but Nephi tells his father that he will go, and explains his belief that the Lord will never give us a commandment without preparing the way for us. 8. And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord. What a relief it must have been for Lehi to look upon his … Continue reading →

Chances to Be Good

Last week, Mary Ann Romans left this comment in the trail of one of my blogs on obedience: What a great post! I’d love to see more on this topic, such as how to overcome the personality traits that might influence a lack of obedience or how to recognize the opportunities to be obedient. I don’t think she was expecting to become the focus of two whole blogs devoted to answering her question, but I loved having the chance to really think about it and to try to put into words everything that comes to mind when I contemplate this. … Continue reading →

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 3:1-7

When we left off, Nephi was anxious for the welfare of his brothers’ souls and the Lord told him that if Laman and Lemuel did not choose righteousness, they would be cut off. We head now into chapter three, and begin with verse one: And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father. Right off the bat, I find this intriguing. He didn’t say he was praying to the Lord, which would sound like a one-way conversation – he says he was speaking with the Lord, which means there … Continue reading →

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 2:19-24

Nephi is concerned about his older brothers Laman and Lemuel. He sought to know the truthfulness of his father’s words and received a testimony through a heavenly visitation, and his brother Sam believes him but Laman and Lemuel will not listen. Nephi loves his brothers and wants them to taste the light of the gospel, and so he has spent much time praying for them. Verse nineteen: And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart. Right there, the … Continue reading →

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 2:16-18

I skipped verse fifteen which perhaps I shouldn’t – it’s one that the youth love to say they’ve memorized. Okay, here it is: And my father dwelleth in a tent. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way . . . When we left off last time, we were discussing Laman and Lemuel, and how they had a hard time accepting the words of their father. They’d had every opportunity to learn the gospel the same as Nephi had, but because their hearts were not in the right place, they could not hearken to the Spirit. This caused much … Continue reading →

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 2:8-14

Our scripture segment today is going to be a little longer than usual because I want to discuss a whole portion of story. The antagonists, if you will, are Nephi’s older brothers Laman and Lemuel, but they have only been mentioned once so far. This next portion of reading will go to illustrate a bit about them and to show us some of their character, and help us to understand some of the opposition Lehi and Nephi were up against in trying to preach the word of God and lead their family to the Promised Land. As we concluded our … Continue reading →