Nephi Gets the Plates

image source:
http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/07/shalt-thou-kill/ 

Nephi and his brothers were commanded to go back to Jerusalem and get the plates from Laban.  They make three attempts.  The first they leave the results up to fate by casting lots.  The second they try worldly things by hoping to trade all their riches for the plates.  Finally Nephi puts his faith in God and goes into the city trusting that God will guide him.  He finds Laban on the ground and the spirit tells Nephi to slay Laban.  Nephi hesitates, but eventually kills Laban and retrieves the plates and returns to his brothers outside the walls of the city. 

What did Nephi know after this experience? 

*Nephi learned that he could identify the spirit.  It was the spirit that told him to kill Laban, not his own emotions.  In 1 Ne. chapter 4 verse 11, Nephi writes all the bad things that Laban had done--all the things that make you think he deserved to be killed.  Then the spirit tells Nephi again to slay Laban and that the Lord delivered him into his hands.

*Nephi also understood the importance of the written word of God--that it was more important than Laban's life.  The spirit said that "it is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief."  Along with that he also understood that the only way his people would be able to keep the commandments and prosper in the land would be if they had the commandments.  And the commandments (the Law of Moses) were written on the plates of brass.

*Nephi learned that he was obedient.  When the spirit first told Nephi to kill Laban, he "shrunk and would that [he] might not slay him."  This commandment was hard for Nephi to obey because he had never killed a man before and probably because of the commandment not to kill.  But after much pondering he understood the importance of the task. 

Nephi probably already new most of those things, but I think they were made stronger and he understood more Heavenly Father's plan for him. 

Tabitha/Dorcus

At Women's Conference this last April, I attended a class on women in the scriptures and it inspired me to study those women.  I began by reading the stories of the women I knew--Nephi's wife and mother, Mary the mother of Jesus, the mother's of the 2000 warriors and a few other well known women.  Then I got stuck.  I realized that I didn't know any other women or how to find them.  I got online and found a great blog.  She keeps a journal of all the women mentioned in the scriptures--named, unnamed and any other reference to women--and shares some of what she has learned.  She suggests reading all 5 books and doing the same, but for now I'm just taking her lists of women and studying them.  She also gives a list of questions that she recommends you ask yourself as you study.  The questions are great for me.  They force me to look deeper into the story.  My answers may be way off base, but that isn't the point of the asking.  All the questions aren't always applicable to each story/woman.

Questions:
1. What is unique about this woman her story?
2. How does she fit into the time period in which she lived?
3. What Christlike qualities does she exemplify?
4. What would I ask her if I could meet her?
5. How can I relate to her?
6. What can I (or someone else I know) learn from her experiences?
7. How are her trials similar to the spiritual battles I face today?

Yesterday I read about Tabitha/Dorcus in Acts 9:36-42. 
The story: The book says that Tabitha is a disciple (a student or learner/follower of Christ).  She is a good woman and is full of service.  She made clothes and coats.  Dorcus is the Greek translation of her name.  She gets sick and dies.  Peter comes and raises her from the dead. 
1. unique? She was a disciple. 
3. Christlike qualities? charity, faith, brotherly kindness, diligence
4. ask her?  I would probably ask her about death and what happened next?
6. learn from her?  how to be a disciple.

If nothing else I am learning more stories from the scriptures. 

I'm an Angry Person

Did you know that?  I sometimes get angry and  yell at my kids and use force out of anger.  I didn't used to be that way.  I used to be calm and patient.  But this new, angry mom is making my kids angry and it's making me feel bad.  I need to change. 

I read a book recommended by a friend: The Soft-Spoken Parent by H. Wallace Goddard.  It contains 50+ strategies to control anger.  There were several that I think I can apply.  I think the titles did little justice to the information in each strategy, but hopefully you get the idea.

#10 Put off 'til tomorrow what shouldn't be said today.  Sometimes we reply to behavior with sarcasm or we blame rather than take responsibility.  In times of frustration we should not speak.  Goddard shares "I only have the right to correct those I love.  Any time I am feeling impatient or judgemental, I am not prepared to correct."  He also says that when we truly love, the urge to correct evaporates.  So if you notice me talking less you'll understand why.

#11 Reprove betimes with sharpness.  Don't forget the parts that say "when moved upon  by the Holy Ghost" and then showing "forth afterwards an increase of love toward him who thou hast reproved."

#12 Take a mental vacation.  Just don't stew while taking the break.  Do something that takes your mind off the situation.

#14 Just listen.  I can't sort out someone else's life--I need to work on my own weaknesses.    This one really hit home the other day.  I'd been reading this book and trying hard to control my anger.  I done well all morning, but finally I exploded.  Then I got angry at myself and this book.  I said "It doesn't work.  I'm doing the strategies, but there is no change in the kids' behavior."  Then it hit me.  I can't control my kids' behavior.  I can just control mine.  I need to work at making myself a better person and hopefully being a better example will help my kids with their behavior. 

#15 Be on the same team.  This one made me think of Leadership and Self-Deception and how when were are "in the box" we see others as objects instead of people.  I need to see my kids more as children of God rather than as "aliens sent to torment" me. 

#26 Choose to see the good and #36 Keep the ratio right.  These were about looking for the good in the situation and in the child and being sure to have more good than bad.  I learned at a parenting class many years ago that the behavior you notice the most will be the behavior you see the most.  It's so hard for me not to point out the bad.  This goes back to the being quiet.  If I can't say something nice I won't say anything at all. 

There were a lot more good strategies about reading good books and talking to good parents and taking breaks and talking it out.  I liked what Goddard said:  I don't have to be angry; I don't have to rebuke my kids; I don't have to "get my anger out"; and getting angry doesn't help. 

The Lion

We are almost finished reading The Horse and His Boy from The Chronicles of Narnia.  It's the 5th book that CS Lewis wrote in that series, so we've been exposed to Aslan, the lion, and have had a lot of dialogue about him being a Christ figure.  Today was another testament to me about how Christ plays a roll in our lives.  Aslan is talking to Shasta about all the times he was present. 

I like this picture because it is from my favorite scene in the book.

"I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis.  I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead.  I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept.  I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time.  And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you." 


It made me think of all the times that Christ probably was there and I didn't realize or know.  When has he guided me to the right path?  When has he sat with me and comforted me?  When has he protected me?  When has he given me strength to go on? 

I know that Christ has often used other people to help me.  My friends and family have been my comfort and strength and protection while Jonathan has been in Uganda.  There have also been times when the conversations with friends about the scriptures and the gospel have guided me on my path.  I am grateful to those people and the experiences to remind of Christ's love for me.