Let's begin! Readings Jan 1-3rd

"This Is My Work and My Glory"

Only one chapter for the week, but a lot of information!

Moses 1

Read and comment to this post or my next comment post.

The Old Testament of what?

I have two goals this year concerning this blog and reading the Old Testament. Ok, three goals:

1. Read the Old Testament

2. Try not to diminish in the number of blog posts throughout the year, like I did last year.

3. Figure out why each reading is a testament of Jesus Christ. I'm hoping that with this perspective and focus I will understand the needful things of the Bible. That's not to say the whole book is not needful, but I just need a focus and I figure Jehovah is a pretty good focus and will hopefully will help prove The Old Testament less intimidating.

I just want to make it clear again that what I write is only my thoughts and opinions. I am not trying to be a teacher. I just want to provide some sort of forum to post thoughts about the readings because I learn from reproducing what I read and I learn from the input of others. Just as I mentioned in my subtitle line, this whole blog is more to provide me with incentive and organization. That's right, I need something to push me to read the scriptures. Maybe you do too? Join me and invite anyone else you think would be interested!

Reading Dec 7-11 and about next year!!

The Family is Ordained of God

The Family: A Proclamation to the world

There are only two lessons left in the Sunday School study guide. Reading the proclamation is one of them, the next one is about Zion, the pure in heart. We will have free weeks at the end of the year. Enjoy!

Next year I will do the same sort of format, but with the OLD TESTAMENT!!! I don't know about you, but I am always curious about the Old Testament because I am not as familiar with it as I am with other books of scripture. I am ready to not be intimidated by the Old Testament. I hope you will join me in my attempt at non-intimidation!

Being a good citizens - a show of confidence

I read all of the scriptures for this lesson, but I thought most about the first two passages in section 58:

21 Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.

22Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.

This makes sense. "He that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land."

I asked myself why? Why would we even need to worry about the laws of men when we have the laws of God? Because of the principle of agency:

27-28 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

This strikes me as a show of confidence from the Lord. That the power is in us to do good in all things, but in the context of this passage, specifically to do good in regards to the laws of the land. He leaves it to us to determine what 'good cause' is, as we are told in previous verses that it is not good to be compelled in all things. This, to me, is the truth that the formation of the United States is based on. We may have all sorts of opinions about where our country is headed and who is at the head and what sort of corruptions or good the elected leaders are involved in, which is exactly the point. Without differing opinions, at least among humans, progress is stopped. New and grand ideas do not come about without opposition unless there is something Heavenly Father wants to reveal as truth. And even then it sometimes takes opposition of that truth to help us understand it.

So, my next question is what is: the definition of "bring to pass much righteousness" in this context? In my puny little opinion, it means that we continue with the sometimes frustrating activity of trying vote for the right person, whoever you think that may be. Then trusting that everyone else who exercises that right is doing the same thing. Then understanding that whatever the outcome of an election, righteousness was brought to pass because opposition propels us forward and makes us grow and change. Hopefully we change for the good, but if we don't there is value in that too. Also, I think whatever the political climate, there are still many good causes we can be anxiously engaged in regarding the laws of the land and the laws of God.

The Lord says that "my house is a house of order." The laws of the land would be considered by some to not have any order at all, to be quite chaotic actually. While there are many nuances to laws that are being discovered and unfortunately laws that are twisted for a purpose, in general the laws of the land do provide order. I am grateful for that and the opportunity to uphold them.