Relating to Sariah

In the Book of Mormon, it talks about a woman named Sariah. Sariah was a righteous woman, and married to a prophet. However, at one point, the Lord commands Lehi, her husband, to send their sons Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi back to Jerusalem to get the plates of brass, which contain the scriptures and a historical record of their family.

Time passes and Sariah begins to doubt. She calls her husband a "visionary man" and was sure that her sons had died.

In 2 Nephi 5 it states,

2 For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness; and she also had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man; saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness.

 3 And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father.

 4 And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.

 5 But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.

 6 And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi,comfort my mother, Sariah, concerning us, while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews.

I have always had a hard time relating to Sariah. I had always thought, why did she doubt, didn't she know her husband was a prophet? What was she so worried about?

Her sons returned from their mission successful, and Sariah said the following:

 8 And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak.

After her sons returned, that's when Sariah gained her testimony that her husband was a prophet, and from then on, we don't hear of her doubting again.

Saturday, while Grig and I were at the temple, he received revelation concerning our family. My husband is not a prophet, but the Lord does give him (and me) revelation about our lives and how we should guide our family.

I had a hard time, because I hadn't felt the same thing. However, as I prayed to receive my own confirmation of what my husband felt, I overheard some men next to me talking about Nephi's journey back to Jerusalem and how when the Lord gives us a commandment, He will provide a way for us to accomplish the things that he tells us to do (1 Nephi 3:7).

Grig and I have a very equal relationship. Usually when we pray for guidance, we both receive confirmation of what the Lord wants us to do. However, sometimes, only one of us will feel something. Grig has trusted in my impressions in the past, and I am learning to trust in his, even when I don't feel the same. He's a very good man, and trying hard to do what is right.

Sometimes it's easy to doubt someone we love, just as Sariah did. However, I felt the Spirit testify to me that I need to trust in my husband and honor his role as husband and father. That was a good enough answer for me. That doesn't mean that I still don't have to push down doubts occasionally, but it means that I know that I am doing what the Lord wants me to, and He will provide a way for me to have faith in my husband's words.

If I can have sufficient faith and believe, in due time I will see that my husband was correct, and then, like Sariah, I can say, "Now I know of a surety." Until then, I am learning to trust in the Lord, and in my husband.

Link to this picture's source

Mormon Monday: What Do Mormons Believe About the Bible?

Often, people seem to have a misconception about LDS members and the Bible.  They seem to think that just because we have the Book of Mormon (Mormon Monday blog about that here) that we don't think we need the Bible anymore.  They think we have REPLACED the Bible with the Book of Mormon. 

This is simply not true. 

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe the Bible to be the word of God as long as it is translated correctly.  In the last couple centuries, the Bible has undergone a lot of editing.  Translators often changed things that didn't agree with their personal beliefs and that has caused a lot of confusion amongst the different religious sects.  In one site I found, it lists 121 different English version of the Bible.  It's in interesting site.  If you want to look at it.  It shows when the different versions or translations were created.

In the process of translating, some errors are expected.  Some are accidental, some are purposeful.  Regardless, we are humans and we err.  This is why the wording can be so different from Bible to Bible and why we become so confused.  Which translation is correct? 

We believe you can not possibly replace the Bible.  It is the record of Christ's life among the Jews.  His words are sacred and we are so grateful that his followers were able to preserve his words and deeds. 

The Old Testament is equally important to us.  We don't believe the stories in there are symbolic.  We believe they truly occurred.  God can do all things, and we believe there truly was a flood.  We believe that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived and did the things that the Old Testaments says they did.  We love the Bible stories and doctrine.

Currently, we read the King James version.  However, due to many of the translation errors, the version that our church distributes also has a Joseph Smith translation section were Joseph Smith cleared up some of the confusing mistakes that are prevalent through that version of the Bible.  We believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Lord communicated through him to help us more fully understand the Bible.

Many people use the argument, "You can't have more scripture (talking about the Book of Mormon), because The Book of Revelation says that (Revelation 22:18-19) if anyone adds or takes away from this book, they shall be cursed."  Many Christians assume those words are talking about the entire Bible.  What they don't understand, is that originally, the Bible wasn't put together.  It was originally just different books.  The word Bible actually means "the books."  It is only (relatively) recently that al these books were put together in one volume.  If you look at John's actual words, he says:

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

John says, "book of this prophecy," meaning only The Revelation of St. John.  In other words, if anyone changes the words purposefully, that is when the curse that he prophesies would come upon them.

We believe that the Bible and Book of Mormon together teach us about our Savior and clarify the confusing bits of the Bible.  We love the Bible, but if you knew that the Savior had talked to someone else and they had written down the words that He said, wouldn't you want to read those words as well?

That is why we read the Book of Mormon.  It is more of Christ's words to people on a different continent.  God loves all his children, not just the Jews.  He wants all of them to receive eternal life, and Christ is the Savior of all mankind.  Thus, he has more for us to hear, if we will only listen.

As I read the Bible and Book of Mormon together, they both make more sense.  The gospel becomes clear and I realize that God has not left us alone.  He still is trying to speak to us today if only we have ears to hear. 

We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

Update on Goal

For those of you wondering how my December goal went, I accomplished it!  I was able to read the entire Book of Mormon before the end of Christmas. In fact, I finished reading it at 11:20 p.m. on December 25th!

This is a short blog today because we were traveling all day to visit the family, so I wasn't able to get onto the computer until now.  Our trip was pretty awful.  Kevin screamed the whole way.  We pulled over a couple times to feed him and see if he would go to sleep, but he refused.  He is a very stubborn kid.  I feel like most babies cry themselves to sleep after more than an hour, but he was screaming for almost three.

It was a relief to reach our destination. 

Thank you for your continual support and love.  We wish you the best!

Mormon Monday: Goals

For those of you who don't know, last month I set a goal to write 50,000 words in my novel for National Write a Novel Month (or NaNoWriMo).  I finished up the month by writing over 4,000 words the last day, but it wasn't quite good enough.  I finished my goal at only 42,643 words, leaving 7,357 to go.  Don't worry, I am going to complete my goal, and I am definitely going to try NaNoWriMo again.

I was a little disappointed with myself, but I do feel like I tried my best to get it done.  Yes, there were probably days I could have written more, but I did try and that was a wonderful feeling.  After having something to work on last month, I suddenly felt motivated to set more goals.  I remember how good it feels to set and aim for goals. 

When I was on my mission, we set daily goals, weekly goals, and monthly goals.  We were always working to improve ourselves and it felt wonderful!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages its member to ALWAYS set and keep goals, not just on New Years.  I've done the traditional New Years Goals, where I often don't end up keeping them and then I feel bad about it the next year.  However, we shouldn't just set yearly goals. 

An article called "Pursuit of Excellence" says:

Setting goals and working toward those goals can strengthen your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by helping you develop patterns and qualities of discipleship in your life. Pursuit of Excellence can help you to follow the Savior's example of "a more excellent way"  (1 Corinthians 12:31).

Begin by asking the Lord to help you determine what you will work on. Decide how you will evaluate and record your progress. Discover how the Spirit affirms your progress. You will find that your greatest reward will be an increase of the Spirit in your life. Your faith will grow, and your testimony will be strengthened.

Yesterday in church, a lady was saying that if we align our goals with our Father's will, there is no way that we cannot accomplish them.  He will help us where our own strength is lacking. 

We should be constantly trying to become more like the Savior.  Maybe NaNoWriMo wasn't necessarily a spiritual goal, (although I did feel inspired to try it), but it has reminded me how important it is to make and work on goals. 

This month my goal is to read the entire Book of Mormon by Christmas, starting today.  It is a challenging task, but that is the fun of a goal.  If it doesn't challenge you, how can you be growing?

I also going to try to work on making a Quiet Book for Kevin for church.  I loved mine when I was a kid, and I think he will enjoy it too.  If you have any fun quiet book ideas that you want to tell me about, please let me know!

I have a goal to set a monthly goal every month, as well as yearly and daily goals.  I know as I do this, my testimony will be strengthened, and I will become a better person. 

Thanks to all of you who encouraged me while I was working on writing.  I'm going to keep writing, and hopefully next year I can publish my first novel.

That's one of next year's goals. 

Not sure what this picture has to do with my blog, but I love it!

Mormon Monday: What is the Book of Mormon?

Officially, our church is known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  So why does everyone call us Mormons?

It is because of The Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God loves ALL of his children.  He doesn't just love the Jews or the Israelites, the Catholics or the Protestants, the Christians or the Muslims.  He loves everyone, including those who don't believe in him.

After Christ was resurrected, we believe, and I know this to be true for myself, that Christ also visited his other children in other parts of the world.  He had saved everyone, not just his followers in Jerusalem, so wouldn't He want to show himself to more than just one continent?

The Book of Mormon is an ancient record from the people on the American continent.  It also testifies that Christ is the Savior of the world.  God has said that by "two or three witnesses every word may be established."  Matthew 18:16

The Bible is a marvelous and wonderful book that could never be replaced.  It is the testimony of Jesus Christ's life, and his workings while He was alive on the Earth.  However, it is only one book.  People have translated the same scripture to mean a million different things.  If you have a board and you put a single nail through it, you can spin the board in any number of different directions.  However, if you have a second nail, and you put it through the board, the board cannot go anywhere.  With two sets of scriptures, the scriptures can only have the meaning that God intended for them to have. 

The Book of Mormon is the record of the seed of Joseph of Egypt.  Ezekiel 37: 16-17 They were his descendents that came from Jerusalem to the American continent.  It is their lives, their testimonies, their prophesies, and their accounts of our Savior and his ministry among them.

When their last prophet died, he buried the record in a hill.

Joseph Smith was guided by the Lord to find this record and translated it by the power of God.  He was an unlearned farm boy.  The messages in this book have guided me throughout my life to do good things for others, to improve myself, and to draw closer to God.  As I've read the Book of Mormon and the Bible together, my understanding of the doctrine of Christ has become clearer, and my testimony that Christ was the son of God and did indeed live become stronger. If the Book of Mormon was something evil, I don't think it would bring me closer to God. I think it would drive me further away from him.

There is a promise at the end of the Book of Mormon.  It says: (Moroni 10:4-5)

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

In this promise, we are told that if we read the Book of Mormon and pray with all the sincerity of our hearts to know if it is really a book of scripture and from God, that He will tell you in your heart whether or not it is true.

I have done this experiment.  I have prayed to ask God if The Book of Mormon is from Him.  I testify that I know it is another testament of Jesus Christ.  I have felt the peace of His Spirit as I have read it, and I cannot deny my testimony that this book was translated through the power of God.  I know if you read it, you can find that same testimony.  This book, along with the restored church of God, has brought peace and certainty into my life during these tumultuous days.  I know what my path is, and if I follow it I will be protected no matter what comes.

I wish the same happiness and certainty for you.  That is what the Book of Mormon is and that is what it has brought me. 

Bathed in Light: The Innocence of Children

My sister took this incredible picture of Kevin

There is a doctrine believed by many churches, but it is NOT taught by mine.  This doctrine states that children are born evil and if they were to die unbaptized, they are damned.

Kevin was not born evil.  There is not an evil bone in his body.  My boy was born pure and perfect.  He'd never sinned, nor was he capable of doing so.  He was a beautiful, innocent angel.

All babies are born without sin.  Many churches believe that because of the sins of Adam, children are born with his stain upon them.  However, how does that make any sense?  God only judges me on what I decide to do, not on what my parents did.

I do agree that there were consequences from the fall of Adam.  His and Eve's transgression led us to be capable of sin and to be separated from God.  We became able to sin and die, and both are forms of death.  Sin is a spiritual death, and the actual dying of the body is a physical death. 

Christ however rectified that.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

I love those versus.  They show that if one man's decision was able to cause an entire people's death, it was only just that one man's decision could save everyone as well.  Adam caused death to occur, so Christ is able to save everyone, if they will only let him.

Christ is called the Savior and Redeemer.  He is called the Savior, because everyone without exception will be saved from physical death.  We believe that every single person who has ever lived will be resurrected, regardless of what kind of person they were.  That's because the decision that everyone would die has no merit on who they were or what they did.  If you are a bad or a good person, you still die.  So, if you are a bad or a good person, Christ will raise you from the dead.  

However, He is called the Redeemer because he also redeems his people.  We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.   In order to redeem a coupon, you must make some kind of action.  You have to take it to the store and use it.  Everyone can be given a coupon, but if it just sits in your home, it never does you any good.  

So it is with Christ's atonement.  Christ's atonement is for everyone without exception.  However, it is our choice whether or not we use it.  God has given us commandments and asked us to do certain things.  The greatest gift that he has given us is the power of choice.  God will NEVER make us do something.  He will ask us and command us, but ultimately it is our decision.  Thus, God will not save us unless we want to be saved.  Our own sins are our choices.  We can be forgiven of our sins and become clean enough to return to the presence of God if we are willing to do all that he has asked us to do. That includes baptism.  

John 3:5

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Baptism is essential to our entering of the kingdom of God.  

So what does that mean for young children?  Does that mean that if they are not baptized, they are damned?

NO.

In the Book of Mormon, we learn this wonderful truth.  A prophet named Moroni had a similar question arise in his day, and this is the answer that he gained from the Lord.

Moroni 8:5-15

 5 For, if I have learned the truth, there have been disputations among you concerning the baptism of your little children.

 6 And now, my son, I desire that ye should labor diligently, that this gross error should be removed from among you; for, for this intent I have written this epistle.

 7 For immediately after I had learned these things of you I inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. And the word of the Lord came to me by the power of the Holy Ghost, saying:

 8 Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me.

 9 And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children.

 10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.

 11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.

 12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!

 13 Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell.

 14 Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell.

 15 For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.

Christ's atonement covers those who are incapable of committing sin. As children become accountable, around the age of 8, then they become responsible for their sins.  Then they are asked to be baptized.  

Children are whole and perfect.  They haven't yet learned the difference between good and evil.  When Kevin smiles at me, it is a smile of perfect joy.  There is no deception, no sadness, and no uncertainty.  He is a perfect being.  If he were to die now, he would go straight to heaven, there is no doubt in my mind.  However, as I raise him and teach him what is right and wrong, he will begin to understand.  With that understanding comes a responsibility for his actions. 

There is hope for us all.  We all have the choice to come unto Christ and be redeemed from our sins.  Little children though are bathed in the light of Christ.  They have no need of repentance.  They are already in the arms of God.

So fear not for those children who have died before baptism.  God has made provisions for them, for He loves them so much more than we can possibly understand.  

And, if we live our lives as we should, we'll be able to be reunited with those children when we leave this life.  I know this is true.  I can feel the truth of it with my soul.  I know the Book of Mormon is scripture that works along with the Bible to bring us to truth and salvation.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Why Do Fireflies Die So Soon?

 

Recently, Grig, his brother, and I watched a very sad movie called Grave of the Fireflies.  It is a Japanese animation about two Japanese children during World War 2.  It is very well done movie (though much better subbed than dubbed), but it is depressing as all get out.  Basically, it shows you what happens to the innocent when others are waging war.  It is about a boy, around twelve or so, and his sister who is about four.  Their mother is killed early on in the movie, and though they are taken in by relatives for a time, they end up on their own.  There is one especially poignant scene where the four-year-old is burying some fireflies, and asks the question, "Why do fireflies die so soon?"

This becomes the theme for the entire movie.  Why is it fair that those who shine so brightly are usually the ones who are extinguished the quickest?

When I worked at the zoo, good kind people would often bring us baby birds that they had 'rescued.'  Usually, they found them in their yards, and seeing no sign of parents, they would pick them up bring them to us.  They would ask us to take care of them, and leave satisfied that they had done a wonderful thing.

Here's the deal though:  Ninety percent of those birds died.

Here's the secret.  Usually when you find a small fledgling on the ground, leave it alone.  The parents are around and they will take care of it.  Or, another animal will eat it and it will have a quick death.  Both of those options are much better than slow starvation at the hands of humans.  There are very few people who can successfully raise a baby bird into an adult.  It requires a lot of time and knowledge.  You need to feed a baby bird every two hours, and you need to feed it the right diet.  You can't feed a baby waxwing bugs.  They eat berries.  Unless you know that, your attempts, though well-intentioned, are futile.  Like those people, who thought they were doing a wonderful thing, how often do we do well-intentioned things that bring sorrow on others.

One of the things I really like about Grave of the Fireflies is that it is Japanese.  During World War 2, we (Americans) were the ones bombing their homes.  In fighting that war, we felt that we were doing what was right, and I still believe that we were.  Otherwise, a lot of other innocent people (Holocaust, anyone?) would have continued to die.  However, in the process, a lot of innocent people who believed that what they were doing was also right were killed by us.

Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?  Why do children suffer when those who cause wars often seem to get off scot-free?

In the Book of Mormon, (Alma 14:11) there is a scene where some very wicked men are burning women and children.  The prophet at the time is being held captive by these wicked men and forced to watch.  His companion desires to use the power of God to save the innocent.  The prophet makes the following reply:

"The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth my hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgements which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day."

The Lord loves all his children, even those that do wickedly.  However, he is a just God.  He can't righteously judge unless they commit sin.  The greatest and most terrible gift God has given mankind if the gift of choice.  God allows us to choose, because then he can justly give us the consequences of our actions.  If we choose good, we are blessed.  If we choose evil, we choose punishment.  

How much sense would it make if you had a child, and before you let them decide something, you gave them a treat and said, "I knew you were going to choose a good thing, so don't bother choosing.  Here's your reward,"?  Or, in the same situation, before your child could act you tell them, "Sorry, I know you were going to choose the wrong thing, so you don't get any treats for a week,"?  Wouldn't the child protest, "But I didn't do anything?"  I know I would.  

Has anyone seen the movie Minority Report?  There are some parts of that movie I don't like, but I really appreciate the main premise.  The storyline is that in the future, the society is built off of stopping crime before it happens.  There are three psychics who can see when someone is about to commit a crime.  Before they can commit it, the police show up and arrest them.  The main character is told he is going to murder someone he's never met, and the police are chasing him.  During the movie, he's trying to find out why he would murder someone he's never met, and if he can choose a different fate.  If someone hasn't committed a crime, how can we punish them?  How do we learn if we're not allowed to choose?

However, sometimes bad things happen and it's no one's fault.  Someone gets sick and dies.  There's an accidental car crash.  Natural disasters occur.  Why do those things happen?  Let me send you to another of my favorite scriptures.  It's in the Bible.  1 Peter 4:12-13:

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

Christ suffered everything for us.  Yet, should we expect to partake in his glory without feeling something of what he went through?  Trials are not meant to punish us, but to help us grow.  As we suffer, we can more fully understand what Christ went through.  As we come to know, love, and depend on his grace, we more fully become like him.  Then, when we endure well, we are able to partake of his glory.  

Why do fireflies die so soon?  So they can return in a blaze of glory to our Father in Heaven where He is waiting to welcome them with open arms.  This life is temporary.  If we choose well, we will have peace for the rest of eternity.  Isn't that worth a few trials?