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Subscribe!Mon - Jan 14, 2008 : 11:32 pm
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Strengthening Trials
Yesterday at church, I had a couple of thoughts which I neglected to write down. I think I'll write them down now.
Something I might have written down in my previous scripture studies is my question as to why Lehi's family didn't think about getting the plates of brass / Ishmael's family before they left for the wilderness? I would think that might have been a bit easier, but who knows. Pure speculation. However, with the question comes a few interesting insights:
When Nephi and Sam went back, along with Laman and Lemuel, they had some tough trials. Nephi and Sam got beaten and mocked, and Nephi had to kill someone.
This brings an interesting slew of other scriptures / historical points of interest throughout both ancient and Latter-day history.
I thought of the pioneers who were commanded to come to what would become Utah, travelling over hundreds of miles on foot, some of them in the winter, carrying their belongings in a wagon.
I thought of the personal life of Joseph Smith from the time he told people of his vision until his death.
I thought of Alma in the cities of Antionum (Zoramites) and Ammonihah where he was met with excruciating trials, most of which would certainly have made me weep openly.
I thought of the "Zion's Camp" journey which the saints made.
Of course there are many, many more such as Abinadi, Job, all of the apostles of Christ during his ministry, etc....
These are stories of often horrendous circumstances put upon the prophets of God - and it helps me understand how these true "men of God" are made.
They are made by being put through "the refiners fire".
I personally am thankful for the many accounts of all these great men who had to go through trials in order to be made pure. Mostly because it seems as though not much of it happens anymore today, and if it does, it isn't talked about much.
General Conference is fantastically spiritual, but when I think of the trials of today and the topics of discussion of today, I wonder how we are supposed to gain our testimonies of steel. I wonder how I personally can be "tried even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son."
Yet, speaking like that causes me to shrink because I know, by personal testimony, that what is asked of God is given by God, whether it be unto Eternal Life or unto damnation; and I know it will be hard. If I ask God to give me the opportunity to prove myself to Him, I know He will and quite honestly, it scares me to death.
So, I dare not ask. But, at the same time, I know of the trials and temptations which pester at me like the buck-shot of a shotgun being fired at me from a distance, and I wish I had more strength to withstand them all.
Anyway... I've pontificated long enough upon this subject, but I really love finding new scriptural examples of truth - even in verses I've been reading the better part of my life.
It's good to know that the trials I personally go through, even though they may seem trite, are purposeful.... because certainly....
...what doesn't kill me will inevitably make me stronger.
Something I might have written down in my previous scripture studies is my question as to why Lehi's family didn't think about getting the plates of brass / Ishmael's family before they left for the wilderness? I would think that might have been a bit easier, but who knows. Pure speculation. However, with the question comes a few interesting insights:
When Nephi and Sam went back, along with Laman and Lemuel, they had some tough trials. Nephi and Sam got beaten and mocked, and Nephi had to kill someone.
This brings an interesting slew of other scriptures / historical points of interest throughout both ancient and Latter-day history.
I thought of the pioneers who were commanded to come to what would become Utah, travelling over hundreds of miles on foot, some of them in the winter, carrying their belongings in a wagon.
I thought of the personal life of Joseph Smith from the time he told people of his vision until his death.
I thought of Alma in the cities of Antionum (Zoramites) and Ammonihah where he was met with excruciating trials, most of which would certainly have made me weep openly.
I thought of the "Zion's Camp" journey which the saints made.
Of course there are many, many more such as Abinadi, Job, all of the apostles of Christ during his ministry, etc....
These are stories of often horrendous circumstances put upon the prophets of God - and it helps me understand how these true "men of God" are made.
They are made by being put through "the refiners fire".
I personally am thankful for the many accounts of all these great men who had to go through trials in order to be made pure. Mostly because it seems as though not much of it happens anymore today, and if it does, it isn't talked about much.
General Conference is fantastically spiritual, but when I think of the trials of today and the topics of discussion of today, I wonder how we are supposed to gain our testimonies of steel. I wonder how I personally can be "tried even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son."
Yet, speaking like that causes me to shrink because I know, by personal testimony, that what is asked of God is given by God, whether it be unto Eternal Life or unto damnation; and I know it will be hard. If I ask God to give me the opportunity to prove myself to Him, I know He will and quite honestly, it scares me to death.
So, I dare not ask. But, at the same time, I know of the trials and temptations which pester at me like the buck-shot of a shotgun being fired at me from a distance, and I wish I had more strength to withstand them all.
Anyway... I've pontificated long enough upon this subject, but I really love finding new scriptural examples of truth - even in verses I've been reading the better part of my life.
It's good to know that the trials I personally go through, even though they may seem trite, are purposeful.... because certainly....
...what doesn't kill me will inevitably make me stronger.
Comment by Steve on Jan. 15, 2008 @ 08:19 am
My take on the whole thing is that they didn't know where they were going, why, or for how long. Lehi knew that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed and that the Lord would protect them. For all he knew, they might have just gone to hang out in Egypt for a few years. It wasn't until later that they realized / knew that they were going to be pretty far away.
That's my assumption.
That's my assumption.
Comment by Orson Jones on Jan. 15, 2008 @ 02:37 pm
I was just listening to this talk by Dan Gilbert about happiness.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/97
Research is saying that we can be more happy when we are put in situations that we have little control over. Or in other words, trials (help) make us happy.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/97
Research is saying that we can be more happy when we are put in situations that we have little control over. Or in other words, trials (help) make us happy.
Comment by PoeticIntensity on Jan. 15, 2008 @ 09:34 pm
Thanks for your comments, guys. Orson, I'll have to take a look at the TED video. I love those videos. Steve, I'm with ya there, pal, however - if you look at it from the viewpoint that God knew very well where they were headed long before He asked them to go, my post will make a bit more sense.
Just as the Lord told Lehi he needed to go into the wilderness, He also could have told him to gather what was needed before the journey.
That was the perspective I was taking it from.
Just as the Lord told Lehi he needed to go into the wilderness, He also could have told him to gather what was needed before the journey.
That was the perspective I was taking it from.