Week 1 reading assignment: 1 Nephi 1 through 1 Nephi 17.Daily assignments:
5/30: 1 Nephi 1, 2, 3
5/31: 1 Nephi 4, 5, 6, 7
6/1: 1 Nephi 8, 9, 10
6/2: 1 Nephi 11, 12, 13
6/3: 1 Nephi 14
6/4: 1 Nephi 15, 16
6/5: 1 Nephi 17
Suggested study technique: Keep a journal of any thoughts and/or insights you have as you read. Even making brief notes in the margin can help make studying more focused and meaningful.
I was thinking about whether I am like nephi or the other brothers when Laman fails the first time. All the others are like, "well, we tried" and were ready to head back but Nephi said, "no, the Lord told us to do this so let's try again.". How many times do I quit or become overly discouraged just because it didn't work out my perfect way the first time?
ReplyDeleteI also was thinking about how sometimes our "failures" are part of the plan. The Lord had to get Nephi so dependent on him that he would listen when the Lord said,"kill him". Also they just couldn't get the plates until Laban was drunk, so patience, as was mentioned in Conference, was part of the plan. I sure need to think about that sometimes!
It caught my attention that even after the Lord had revealed to Lehi that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed, he didn't automatically pack his things and his family and leave. He tried to help his neighbors understand their doom repeatedly until the Lord had to command him to leave. He brings an extra dimension to "love your neighbor."
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I'm Annie (Dredge) Kuntz, Arlington Ward Alumna. Thanks for letting me join in, this is great!
ReplyDeleteI was struck this time at how much I could identify with Laman and Lemuel. Growing up in the church, they were always the bad guys. I mean, yes, it was not so good that they wanted to kill their father and brother, but I can really get some of their murmuring and disobedience. I am like that a lot of the time. And to be honest, sometimes Nephi seems just a little too good, right? I know, I shouldn't say that.
Also, at the risk of sounding dumb, what is the great and abominable church? Is it actually a certainy church or more like an attitude or way of living? I've always wondered that and never asked. If it's a real church, then which one? And what are the implications of that if a someone who is interested in the church is reading the BOM for the first time and happens to be of that religion? I can see the potential for offense here.
Hi Annie,
ReplyDeleteSee the new institute manual (link to the right) for some ideas and explanations about the G&A Church. The general gist from McConkie and others is that there is no one church that fits the description and that it includes every worldly or unholy practice. I think historically many church members have assumed that this was the Catholic church--probably because it is the only other Christian church to claim priesthood authority and it is the original church of Christ, set up by Peter, which has lost many "plain and precious things" of the gospel (thus the need for first reformation and then the full restoration of the gospel). I get the sense that church members used to be overtly anti-Catholic 50-60 years ago (when many Americans were) and we've cut that out, thank goodness.
Marg
Can I order a paper copy of the institute manual somewhere?
ReplyDeleteThere is an actual copy of the institute manual available for order here at LDS.org. They have free shipping, so it should be less than $5 total.
ReplyDelete