The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Zephaniah

            The people in the days of Zephaniah were wicked. They have turned their backs to the Lord and they do not seek the Lord. In the first chapter of Zephaniah the Lord says multiple times that he will “consume all things from off the land” and “also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit.” Among these wicked people though there are those who are righteous. To these people the Lord will stretch out his hand to them and protect them. This compares to our day very well. We have those who are wicked and who turn away from the Lord, and these people will be punished for their sins. We also have those who are very righteous, who are turning towards the Lord and who try to live their lives how Christ did. To these souls, the Lord will stretch out his hand to them and will protect them.

            These scriptures also talk about the Second Coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. Zephaniah 1:14 says, “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteneth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.” We could read on to verse 15 that says, “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness.”

            It is through these verses that we can recognize the significance and the parallel to the present day. The day that Christ comes again is coming and it is near. If we are faithful we will be protected and we will be hid from his wrath and the destruction. If we are wicked and turn away from the Lord then we will face his wrath.

            Now, this could be a cause of concern, worry, and fear for a lot of people. Even if we are living our life as best as we can and are truly trying to be Christlike and to live our lives accordingly, we often feel like we are inadequate and like we are not good enough. The thought of the second coming can be scary if we are not living our lives how we should be and if we are not prepared. Being prepared is the key. What are some other ways that we can be prepared for the Second Coming of the Lord?

            Zephaniah 2:1-3 gives us some great answers to that question. We need to gather ourselves together. We need to gather around those who are also trying to live their lives as Christ did. This will help us stay with those who will help us push ourselves to become better and become the person we know we can become. We also need to seek the Lord, seek meekness, and seek righteousness. Verse 3 says that if we do these things “ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” We also need to be humble. Staying humble will allow us to see when we need to change something. It will allow us to become more Christlike and it will help us stay prepared for the Second Coming of the Lord.

           

            Lets focus on the Second Coming and what it entails. One question that comes to mind is how will the Lord destroy the wicked? This is not an easy question to answer for me but I will share with you a couple scriptures that help clarify this for me. We learn in D&C 5:19 that there will be a desolating scourge and it shall go forth among the inhabitants of the earth. If the people don’t repent then the inhabitants of the earth will be consumed away and be utterly destroyed by the brightness of his coming. The wicked that are not destroyed before the Second Coming will not be able to withstand the Lord’s power and glory and cannot dwell in righteousness. We also learn in Joseph Smith—History 1:27 that the earth will burn as an oven and those that are wicked will burn as stubble. That doesn’t sound pleasant at all. I will definitely do what I can right now so when the Lord comes again I will not be burned with the wicked.

            Zephaniah 3:9 teaches that Christ will “turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one content.” At first I wondered if it could mean that we will all speak one language, one that we currently have or a new language, or be able to understand every language. This is important for missionary work as well as being able to come together as children of God and serve him. At the end of the verse it says the purpose of having this pure language is so that we serve him, the Lord, with one content. Content in this context means unity. Having a pure language that everyone can understand helps us be able to come together in unity and serve him as one. This is very important.

            A phrase that is said in Zephaniah a few times is  “… be glad and rejoice with all the heart…” Why will we be able to rejoice? We can be glad and rejoice because the Lord will take away our judgments and cast out our enemy and we will not see evil anymore. This is definitely something to be glad and rejoice about! No judgment. No more evil will be seen! That is huge!

            The last question that I would like to bring up is, where will the Lord be? This seems like an obvious answer to me but I thought that it is an important concept to bring up. The Lord will be in the midst of us. He will save us, and rejoice over us with joy, he will rest in his love, and he will joy over thee with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).  During this time, the millennium, the Lord will not only be with us as he is now, he will be in the midst of us. How comforting and exciting is that thought. We will be around us, rejoice with us, love us and he will “turn back [our] captivity before [our] eyes” (Zephaniah 3:20).

            The Second Coming is near and we have no need to fear if we are prepared. There will be much destruction for the wicked, but if we are righteous we will be hid from the Lord’s wrath and destruction. During the millennium we will be united and work together to serve the Lord. And I know that the Lord will always be with us, helping us, guiding us, counseling us, loving us, and rooting for our success. I know that he will soon be in the midst of us. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that he loves me more than I can comprehend. I know that I want to be just like him and be the best that I know, and he knows, that I can be. I love my Savior and am so thankful for his sacrifice for my sake and for the sake of those whom I love dearly. I know that he lives and that he is my Redeemer.

“The Lord Shall Reign”

Micah; Nahum

Micah was a prophet in Judah and he prophesied from around 737 to 696 BC. He is considered one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament and was from southwest Judah. Micah prophesied during the reigns of kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah and his messages were directed chiefly toward Jerusalem.”

Micah prophesied that Jerusalem and Samaria would face destruction. “The mountains shall be molten under him”, “the valleys shall be cleft”, “Samaria as an heap of the field”, “I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof.” He goes on to teach us that the graven images will be “beaten to pieces.”

The people would “covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage (Micah 2:2).” Micah continues to tell us in verse 10, “Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it its polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.”

How could these people deserve so much destruction? Why did these things happen to them?

They prepare war against the Lord

They cut the Lord and his influence out of their lives

The prophets preached false doctrine

“The seers are ashamed, the diviners confounded”

“They built up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity (Micah 3:10).”

The judge’s judge for reward

The priests teach for hire

The prophets are divine for money

After Micah preaches of the destruction that will come and why the destruction is coming he talks about the last days. I find this really fascinating because its applicable to us right now. Micah teaches us that in the last days there will be temples and they will be on the mountaintops for all to see, and most importantly “…and people shall flow unto it (Micah 4:1).” It goes on to talk about missionary work and how the Lord’s gospel will be heard and taught to all. We will know of His ways and “we will walk in his paths (verse 2).” Then he preaches of the Millennial era in verse 3, “… nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

Micah prophesied of many very important events; Christ’s birth, the last days and the millennium. He was truly a man of God and received revelation from God often.

Micah 4:2, about halfway down it says, “…for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” We learn that this is likely referring to the constitutional form of government of the United States of America. Here is a quote from the institute student manual that explains this statement further.

“We pray that kings and rulers and the peoples of all nations under heaven may be persuaded of the blessings enjoyed by the people of this land by reason of their freedom under thy guidance and be constrained to adopt similar governmental systems, thus to fulfill the ancient prophecy of Isaiah and Micah that “. . . out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”’ (Improvement Era, Oct. 1945, p. 504.)”

This explains that people will want to migrate to America or develop a government like ours, because of our freedoms. It is an interesting though to ponder. 

We can find hope and guidance through Micah 4:5-8. (I added the Italics)

 5. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.

 6. In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;

 7. And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.

 8. And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.

We can also find hope through D&C 45:66-71, these verses talk about the blessings and hope that can come to us in we are righteous.

66 And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;

 67 And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.

 68 And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.

 69 And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.

 70 And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand.

 71 And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.

Summarize the teachings in Micah 4:12; Isaiah 55:8–9

These verses teach us that we will not know or understand the thoughts of the Lord, because ‘his thoughts are not our thoughts’ and ‘his ways are higher than our ways’. We need to trust in him and live our lives as he did, or at least try the best that we can. We also need to remember that although things will not always go our way, or how we want them to, things will always go according to the Lord’s plan. This brings me comfort.

Micah 5:1-4 is one of the best-known messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. It is, in fact, the one quoted by Matthew in the New Testament as having been fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

“But Thou, Bethlehem, ... out of Thee Shall He Come ... That Is to Be Ruler in Israel,”

I find it fascinating that Micah prophesied of this and then it, in fact, came true. This increases my testimony to see prophesies coming true. I know that there are prophets in the bible and that they are true prophets. I also know that we have modern-day prophets to help guide us as well.

In the last chapter of Micah and a few verses in the first chapter of Nahum there is some great insight into the second coming and how we will be judged. It also teaches us what should be doing. We should look unto the Lord for our salvation and he will hear us. We should rejoice unto the Lord and we can rise even when we fall. The Lord will argue for us and execute our judgment for us, through the atonement. We need to truly trust in the Lord, in his plans, and in his timing. Some verses that really comfort me are Nahum 1:3, 7.

“The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked.”

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”

I know this was really long and had a lot of information. If you made it this far I want to say thank you! I have to talk about a certain number of topics for this to qualify for an assignment for school and this week’s had a lot of questions and directions. Thank you again for reading my insights, I hope you learned something! 

Saviors “up on Mount Zion"

Here is a little background on the book of Obadiah in the Bible. Obadiah is a Biblical theophorical name, meaning "servant of God" or "worshipper of Yah." This book teaches us how to become the best servants of God who worship him in all that we do. I will focus my post today on the book Obadiah and specifically what it means by “…saviors up on mount Zion.”

These verses are so important. We must do temple work and we must do the work for the dead. This is how we deliver the faithful. The temple represents holiness because it is the Lord’s house and his precious and sacred work is being done in them. We learn in Obadiah 1:17 that upon mount Zion there will be holiness and there shall be deliverance. Obadiah 1:21 tells us that the kingdom shall be the Lords. These verses teach us that it is upon mount Zion that the temples are to be built and they will be holy and they are of the Lord, they are the Lord’s houses.

We get more detailed in the Doctrine and Covenants section 128. Verse 5 teaches us that “…by conforming to the Lord ordained and prepared before the foundation of the world, for the salvation of the dead should die without a knowledge of the gospel.” We know that every child of God will have the opportunity to hear the gospel and either accept it or not but the dead will have the opportunity in the afterlife to be taught the gospel. The next step is up to us. We must go to the temple and do their work for them, so if they chose the gospel they can be saved also.

Verse 15, on D&C 128, teaches us that these principles are important for the dead and the living and it “Cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation.” We cannot be made perfect unless the dead are also made perfect. It is important to do the work for our ancestors but it is also essential for us do to our own work and continue to go to the temple. We were not meant to only go once for ourselves, we are commanded to go as frequently as we are able. It is important for our salvation to go to the temple and continue to do the work for those who can’t do it themselves. I have heard people say that these people are on the other side, anxiously waiting for us to do their work.

The student manual gives more insight on Obadiah 1:21, specifically when it says that there will be saviors on mount Zion. I think that this is meaning disciples; there will be many saviors, or disciples, on mount Zion. How are we to become saviors on Mount Zion? I really liked the answer given in this student manual by the prophet Joseph Smith.

“By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations, and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah.’ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, [Deseret Book, 1968], p. 330.)” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1972, pp. 47–48.)”

Daniel in the Lion’s Den: Daniel 6

Darius was the king of Babylon. Darius chose men to help him and Daniel was the leader of that group of men. Darius preferred Daniel because of the excellent spirit that was in him. The other men did not like Daniel and did not want him to be their leader. These men knew that Daniel was a religious man and prayed to God and went to the King and asked for a new decree or law. This new law stated that people could not pray to God and if people were found praying they would be throw into the lion’s den.

Daniel did not let this shake his faith, he kept praying, three times a day. The wicked men went to the king and told him that they saw Daniel praying. The king knew the law, which said that Daniel had to be thrown in the lion’s den. The king tried to think of a way to save Daniel from this but the law could not be changed. Daniel was then thrown into the lion’s den, but before he was thrown in the king, Darius, told Daniel that God would save him.

The king fasted all night and did not sleep. In the morning when the king went to the lion’s den he called out to Daniel and Daniel answered and said that the lion’s did not hurt him. Daniel said Daniel 6:22, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me…” The king rejoiced because Daniel was not hurt.

There were many indications that King Darius had faith in the Lord. You can tell at the first of the chapter or story that Darius is fond of David and I think part of that was because of his faith in the Lord. We also see that when Daniel is found praying that Darius tries to find a way around the law. Then when Daniel is in the den Darius prays and fasts for his friend. These are the things that show that King Darius had faith in the Lord.

We learn in Daniel 6:3 that Darius preferred Daniel because of the excellent spirit that was in Daniel. We can learn a lot from this. People recognize the people we are. If we have a good spirit, people know that and they see that. People are often drawn to those who have the spirit constantly with them and it is no wonder why. These are the people we want in our lives and we should have in our lives. I hope that I can be one of those people and am constantly striving towards that.

When the decree/ law was made know unto Daniel he went to “his house and with his windows being open… he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).  This must have taken a lot of courage, strength and faith. He stood for what he knew was right. He stood up for the Lord when some would have been scared. In all this, he prayed with his windows open. He didn’t do this in private. We shouldn’t praise the Lord only in private. We should always live the gospel and our faith, no matter what we believe.

We can learn a lot from this story of Daniel and his example, I know that I have. What have you learned from this story? How will you let this story influence you to be better?  I urge you to go to Daniel chapter 6 and read or re-read the story of Daniel and the lion’s den.

Jeremiah's Lamentations

I didn't know much before reading the book of Lamentations today. I had actually never really read it before. So I learned a lot from it. A lamentation is the passionate expression of grief or sorrow; weeping. Jeremiah The book of Lamentations are lamentations of Jeremiah. In the first chapter of verses 1 through 11 Jeremiah is speaking for himself, while in verses 12 through 22 he is speaking as if he were the whole country of Judah.

Four phrases from Jeremiahs words that explain why he lamented or why he wept for Judah are:

- Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction

- The adversaries saw Judah, and did mock at her Sabbaths

- Judah was filthy

-The heathen entered into Judah's sanctuary

When I compared Lamentations 1:12-22 and Mormon 6:17-22 I found that they were very similar. Both of the people were very wicked and departed from the ways of the Lord. They rejected Jesus and in consequence they fell into captivity. When we fall away from the Lord and chose wickedness over righteousness we will fall and we be like the people in both of these examples.

The reason for the suffering and destruction of the kingdom of Judah, as indicated and found in the chapter summaries for chapters 2-5 are, sin and iniquity. Alma 41:10, "...Wickedness never was happiness..." definitely applies to this period of history. The people were doing many wicked things and living in much sin and iniquity but they didn't want the consequences. They wanted to continue to live they blessed and happy life that the Lord provided them with. When you are not living your life in accordance with the commandments of the Lord and not keeping your commandments you will not continue to be blessed and you will not continue to experiences happiness. Therefore, "wickedness never was happiness." You will not be happy when you are wicked. The Lord will not bless us with happiness when we are wicked.

Lamentations 5:15–22; In these scriptures we are given some scriptures that teach us some characteristics of a person that is humble enough to repent. For example, it tells us to have a "heart is faint" we need to have Godly sorrow" when we do something wrong. In verse 19 it teaches us that we need to show that from generation to generation we have changed and that we are striving to become better and that we are striving to do what the Lord has commanded us. Verse 21 teaches us to turn our heart fully to the Lord, this will help us stay humble and help us keep our eye single to the glory of our Lord and our God. Staying humble will help us in every aspect of our lives and help us truly be happy and successful.

The Lord’s Thoughts and Ways

We learn in Jacob 4:8 “great and marvelous are the works of the Lord.” The Lord is limitless. He can do anything and everything. The Lord is perfect. The Lord can heal the sick, he can raise the dead, and he can make the blind see. Most importantly he suffered immense pain, which you and I can never image, so we can be forgiven and live with God again.

This verse goes on to say that there are unsearchable depths of the mysteries of him and we will never fully find out all of his ways, unless it is revealed to us. There is so much that we do not know, about God, about the creation, about everything. There are so many unknowns in the world. Some things we are simply not going to know until they are revealed to us. It can be revealed through personal revelation and also through our modern day prophets.

We learn in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that the natural man (which we are) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. Because we are natural men, we will not fully understand the things of our Lord until we become resurrected beings.

Isaiah 55:8-9 and learn that “his thoughts are not our thoughts” and that “his ways are higher than our ways.” These are some of my favorite scriptures and I would like to share these verses specifically.

8) “For my thoughts are not your thought, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”

9) “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

We are often tempted to forget God and trust in our own wisdom or reject God’s way of doing things because they are not done as we think they should be done. We would usually never say out loud or admit to ourselves that we think our ideas are ‘better’ than God’s, but we ‘say’ this in our actions and choices. But it is important to remember that God’s ways, words and thoughts are not like ours, they are higher than ours.

“Elder John Taylor commented on the passage in Isaiah: “We know in part, and see in part, and comprehend in part; and many of the things of God are hid from our view, both things that are past, things that are present, and things that are to come. Hence the world in general sit in judgment upon the actions of God that are passing among them, they make use

of the weak judgment that God has given them to scan the designs of God, to unravel the mysteries that are past, and things that are still hid, forgetting that no man knows the things of God but by the Spirit of God; forgetting that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; forgetting that no man in and of himself is competent to unravel the designs and know the purposes of Jehovah, whether in relation to the past, present, or future; and hence, forgetting this, they fall into all kinds of blunders; they blunder over things that are contained in the Scriptures, some of which are a representation of the follies and weaknesses of men, and some of them perhaps may be the wisdom and intelligence of God, that are as far above their wisdom and intelligence as the heavens are above the earth.””

These verses are definitely a source of comfort for me. God is our creator, He is our Father and he knows everything. He has a perfect knowledge; he knows things that we cannot even begin to understand. This is why he is the best person to have on our side, on our team. He can see things in our future, things that we will do and accomplish that we do not know or see at this time. He uses this knowledge to guide our lives and counsel us. Who better to trust then someone who see’s the bigger picture clearly? His ways are better and higher than our ways, and his thoughts are better and higher than our thoughts. I cannot think of anyone better or anyone I want more than him to be on my side and to trust my life with. This is what brings me comfort. This can bring us all comfort in different ways, I urge you to think of how this brings you comfort personally.

How can we come to better understand God’s thoughts and ways?  The easy answer to this question would be to submit our will to God’s will. This is easy to answer but not very easy to actually put into action. Like mentioned above it can be hard sometimes because we often trust in our own wisdom and/or reject God’s way of doing things because they are not done as we think they should be done. We need to consciously be aware of this and do everything in our power to turn our lives and our will over to the Lord. When we do this, our lives will be filled with more joy and love and peace. We will be blessed beyond measure and we will become more like our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ everyday. Submitting our will to God’s will is something we have to decide to do everyday. Every time we ask God for something we need to honestly mean and want that to happen if it is only his will, his time and his way.

There are many examples of ways that God’s ways are higher than man’s ways. There is the commandment we have to love our enemies. This goes against the natural man. We don’t want to love our enemies, we don’t want to do good to those who hurt us and persecute us but we are commanded to because God’s ways are higher than our ways. Another example that I can think of is the story of Abraham and Isaac. It wasn’t Abraham’s way to almost sacrifice his son to try his faith it was God’s. What about a couple not being able to get pregnant? What about the death of a child? These are not man’s ways but God’s ways and sometimes that hurts and sometimes we will never understand them. But knowing that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts gives me comfort to know that even when I don’t understand and when it hurts, there is a purpose and a plan, there is something to learn and to grow from. It is never in vain, it is never for nothing, and it is always for a higher purpose and for a higher plan. God see’s the whole picture and we just see through the tiny lens of right now.

Be Still, My Soul (124)

Lyrics

1. Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;


With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.


Leave to thy God to order and provide;


In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.


Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend


Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake


To guide the future as he has the past.


Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;


All now mysterious shall be bright at last.


Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know


His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on


When we shall be forever with the Lord,


When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,


Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.


Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,


All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Isaiah: An Ensign to the Nation

Isaiah is the only book of scripture that the Lord commanded by name that we should read and search diligently.

An ensign is defined as a flag or a standard in which a group stands together in a unity of purpose or identity. It is a sign and an emblem. We learn in Isaiah about an ensign to the nations. Isaiah 5:26 says, “And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly.” This ensign is a sign or a signal for people to prepare. This ensign is a sign for people to gather, to assemble themselves together, and to gather Israel. Isaiah 11:12, “And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

An ensign that we have today would be Moroni on top of our LDS temples. We are told that when the Savior returns again that those trumpets will sound. Isaiah 18:1-7 is a great block of scripture that talks about this; I want to look specifically at verse 3. “All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.”

This is a hymn called “High on the Mountain Top” and it was inspired from Isaiah 2:2-3 and Isaiah 5:26. I love this song and would like for you to read the lyrics and really think of them and ponder these words. It is talking about an ensign to the nation.

1^st Verse

High on the mountain top

A banner is unfurled.

Ye nations, now look up;

It waves to all the world.

In Deseret's sweet, peaceful land,

On Zion's mount behold it stand!

2^nd Verse

For God remembers still

His promise made of old

That he on Zion's hill

Truth's standard would unfold!

Her light should there attract the gaze

Of all the world in latter days.

3^rd Verse

His house shall there be reared,

His glory to display,

And people shall be heard

In distant lands to say:

We'll now go up and serve the Lord,

Obey his truth, and learn his word.

4^th Verse

For there we shall be taught

The law that will go forth,

With truth and wisdom fraught,

To govern all the earth.

Forever there his ways we'll tread,

And save ourselves with all our dead.

I love this song and it means so much more to me now that I understand it and know the words. This song brings me great peace, comfort, joy, and love.

I would like to go back to Isaiah 5:26-30. We are told that we are to gather the Saviors sheep, we are to gather Israel; it is more important now than it ever has been to do temple work and missionary work. We need to bring His sheep back into the fold and we really have no excuse; we have technology and the means to get around faster than ever.

When I first read Isaiah 5:27-30 I was not all that sure what it meant. I went to our institute student manual for clarification. I really like how they explained these verses and am taking this directly from the manual.

“The gathering of Israel in haste and with means not known in Isaiah’s day is portrayed in the conclusion of this chapter. Elder LeGrand Richards provided this modern-day application of the prophet’s words: “Since there were neither trains nor airplanes in that day, Isaiah could hardly have mentioned them by name. However, he seems to have described them in unmistakable words. How better could ‘their horses’ hoofs be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind’ than in the modern train? How better could ‘their roaring . . . be like a lion’ than in the roar of the airplane? Trains and airplanes do not stop for night. Therefore, was not Isaiah justified in saying: ‘none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken’? With this manner of transportation the Lord can really ‘hiss unto them from the end of the earth,’ that ‘they shall come with speed swiftly.’”

We need to be gathering together, we need to be doing our temple work, we need to be active in missionary work because we do not know when the Savior will come again. We need to be prepared when the Savior decides to come. That ensign that I see everyday on the temple will soon blow its trumpet and let us know that our Savior is here and I hope that we are all ready.

I would like to bring up a couple other ensigns that are symbolic ensigns to all nations of the earth.

-The Book of Mormon

-The Church of Jesus Christ

Ecclesiastes: Seeing Life Clearly

Read the Bible Dictionary for “Ecclesiastes,” (pg. 659), and complete the following statements:

1.     The book of Ecclesiastes consists of reflections on some of the deepest problems of life, as they present themselves to the thoughtful observer.

2.     The author describes himself as “son of David, king in Jerusalem.”

3.     Ecclesiastes is written from the point of view of the Preacher.

4.     Ecclesiastes should not be construed as “theological pronouncements on the condition of the soul after death; rather, they are observations by the Preacher about how things appear to men on earth ‘under the sun’”.

Read Ecclesiastes 1–2 and list five ways the author sought happiness but couldn’t find it. After each item on your list, write the reference of the verse where you found it.

1. Seek out wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven (1:13)

2. Built houses (2:4)

3. Planted vineyards, gardens and orchards (2:4-5)

4. Got servants and maidens (2:7)

5. Gathered silver, gold, and peculiar treasure of kings (2:8)

 Read Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 and compare it with the principles that are taught in Mosiah 4:27; Doctrine and Covenants 10:4; 111:11; Luke 10:38–42. Write a paragraph describing why the timing and order of our activities are so important. Note some examples of how major events of life when done at the wrong time or out of order could seriously hurt an individual’s eternal progress. What do you think the Lord wants you to accomplish during this “time and season” of your life?

We learn in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 that there is a time and place for everything. Mosiah 4:27 teach us that everything is done in wisdom and order. We cannot do things we are not ready for, or in other words, “a man should not run faster than he has strength.” This concept is also mentioned in D&C 10:4, “Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means…” D&C 111:11 teaches us that we will be given answers and we will gain knowledge when it is time, when we are ready.  Luke 10:38-42 tells us about the story of Jesus with Martha and Mary. This story teaches us that we need to see what is important, what is best (good, better, best), of all good choices. This is so important because if we understand these principles, if we understand that everything has a time and a place we are more likely to have faith in the Lord and trust the Lord.

            If major events of life are done at the wrong time or out of order it could seriously hurt an individual’s eternal progress. For example, having sex too early or even out of wedlock can have consequences if done at the wrong time in your life. In children who are too young and choose to have sex, their brains are not ready for the bodily changes, chemical and hormonal, as well as the psychological repercussions. It will change their brain when their brain is not developed fully yet.

During this season of my life I am to focus on school, making plans and preparing for my future. I am to make some very important decisions that will affect the rest of my life. I am also supposed to have fun, find who I am, find what is important to me and what I value and believe. I am to prepare myself for marriage and to have a family in the future. Right now, the season I am in, is a season of preparation and change, it is a season of growing up and developing who I am and characteristics that will help me throughout my life (school, work, and family).

 Read Ecclesiastes 12:7, 13–14 and answer the following questions:

What happens to us when we die? Our spirit will return unto God, who gave it 

What is “the whole duty of man”? To fear God, and keep his commandments

•       Why is this a good description of man’s purpose? This is a good description of man’s purpose because it is through keeping his commandments that we can become like him. It is through us keeping his commandments that his “work and glory” will be brought to pass. It is only through keeping his commandments and fearing God more than man that we can stay humble and put ourselves on the right track towards exaltation.

“A Wise and and Understanding Heart”

Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba. We learn a lot about Solomon in 1 Kings and the kind of man that he was. Solomon was king over all of Israel. Solomon loved the Lord and he was a righteous man who follows and keeps the commandments.

The Lord, in a dream, visited Solomon one night. The Lord asked Solomon what he should give him. Solomon asked the Lord for an understanding heart to judge his people and to discern between good and bad, wisdom. The Lord was very pleased with Solomon’s answer and told Solomon that this was a righteous desire and the Lord gave Solomon a wise and understanding heart.  The Lord also said that there would not be any other man like him. The Lord also gave Solomon riches and honor, which Solomon did not ask for but the Lord blessed him with anyways.

The Lord goes on to tell Solomon and counsel with him saying, “And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statues and m commandments, as they father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days,” (1 Kings 3:14). Then Solomon awoke from this dream and went to the temple and offered up burnt offerings and offered peace offerings.

I think that Solomon asked for an understanding heart because he knew what was really important. I think that Solomon could see the bigger picture instead of the here and now blessings. He could have asked for riches or anything else but he asked for an understanding heart. I think that this says a lot about his character, his faith, and his love for the Lord. He was the king and he had a righteous desire to make righteous decisions in regards to his people.

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding

much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the

east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men;

than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of

Mahol; and his fame was in all nations round about.”

1 Kings 4:29-31

Solomon’s choice was definitely pleasing unto the Lord. More worldly people would have asked for riches or for status but because Solomon had this righteous desire and he understood what was important the Lord was very happy and pleased with Solomon. Solomon put aside worldly wishes for spiritual wishes, which is ultimately all that matters.

Solomon demonstrated that he had received this spiritual gift from God at the beginning of his reign by a story about two mothers. To women came to see the king, Solomon. Both women had just given birth to babies and lived together. One night, one baby died and the mother of that child switched the babies so she could have the child that was still living. In the morning the other mother woke up and the baby was dead, she soon realized it was not her baby and the other mother switched them. The two women came to the king with their problem; both claiming the child was theirs. The king asked for his sword and said that he would divide the living child into two and give each woman half of the baby. Then the woman, whose child this really was, spoke up and told the king to just give the baby to other woman so the baby would live. The other woman said, “Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.” Then the king said to give the baby to the woman who was willing to give up her child to save its life, saying she was the mother. All of Israel heard of this judgment and feared the king because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

When we are seeking gifts we should seek spiritual gifts, whatever they may be. These will help us align our will with the Lords and live our lives in a righteous way that will lead us back to God. We should seek earnestly the best gifts. We are taught in D&C 46:28 and 30, “… he that asketh in Spirit shall receive in Spirit… he that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh.” Some of these gifts can include:

the gift of asking

the gift of listening

the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice

the gift of being able to weep

the gift of avoiding contention

the gift of being agreeable

the gift of avoiding vain repetition

the gift of seeking that which is righteous

the gift of no passing judgment

the gift of looking to God for guidance

the gift of being a disciple

the gift of caring for others

the gift of being able to ponder

the gift of offering prayer

the gift of bearing a mighty testimony

the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.

“We must remember that to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God’s gifts and powers are available to all of us.”

(Elder Marvin J. Ashton, “There Are Many Gifts”, Ensign (CR), November 1987, p.20)

Here are some more spiritual gifts listed in Doctrine & Covenants 46:13-26:

The Holy Ghost

To know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God

To believe on their words

Obedience

The word of wisdom

Knowledge

Faith

Faith to heal

Working of miracles

Prophesy

Discerning of spirits

Speaking with tongues

“And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.”(D&C 46:26)

Spiritual gifts are very important and when we are striving for gifts we should seek the best gifts with a sincere heart. When we are seeking the things that we want in this world, we should be like Solomon who could have asked for anything and he asked for wisdom and an understanding heart. We should look into our intentions and sincerely seek God’s will. We learn a lot from Solomon and his example. I hope that if I got asked by the Lord, what to give me, I would answer righteously as Solomon did.