Tag Archives: obedience

Mosiah 5

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Mosiah 5

The Book of Mosiah is the eighth book in the Book of Mormon…

Mosiah is most likely linked to the Hebrew term; “Moshia”, which represents a Champion of Justice against oppression, appointed by God, whose Mission is to liberate a chosen people from oppression, especially by non-violent means.

Chapters 2-5 encompasses the speech given by King Benjamin to his people.

After speaking to the people in Chapters 2-4, King Benjamin desired to know if the people believed what he had been teaching, “…they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us…” (Mosiah 5:2)

The people were joyous for having heard the words of God through King Benjamin. The people decide they are willing to enter into a covenant with the Lord, “…to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he he shall command us, all the remainder of our days…” (Mosiah 5:5)

King Benjamin explains that because the people had entered into a covenant, “…ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters… for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.” (Mosiah 5:7)

Being born again, this is a phrase we hear often. But what does it mean? If you accept Jesus and have a change in your heart, through your faith in Jesus Christ you shall be saved. Is it that simple? Is that all the Jesus asks of us?

King Benjamin expands on what it means to have that change in your heart; “…There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ… that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.” (Mosiah 5:8)

There is NO other name that can give us Salvation! Only through Jesus Christ can we be saved. But, when we accept His name upon our hearts and we are born again, we must continue to have that change in our hearts. King Benjamin encourages those who have taken on the name of Christ, to be; “….steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that the Christ, the Lord Omnipotent… that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life.” (Mosiah 5:15)

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is something that we must live daily, not just at church and not just when we feel like it, but every single hour of every single day.

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Summary of Jarom + Jarom 1

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Summary of Jarom + Jarom 1

                The Book of Jarom… is the fifth book in the Book of Mormon….

Jarom opens up explaining that his father, Enos, commanded him to continue writing that a record of their genealogy might be kept. Jarom explains that there are many among him that have hardened their hearts and have made their necks stiff. However, he explains that those who are not stiffnecked; “…have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith.” (Jarom 1:4) In other words, those who have Faith and do not harden their hearts or make their necks stiff can receive the Holy Ghost.

Jarom explains that 200 years have passed since Nephi, and the people of Nephi have been diligent in keeping the commandments of God. Because of their obedience, God has blessed them to be a mighty nation, with all manner of riches and weapons of war. The Lamanites on the other hand were larger in number, but stood no chance at overtaking the Nephites. The Nephites were blessed to have;
“…gold…silver… fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery… iron… copper… brass… steel… [and] weapons of war…” (Jarom 1:8)

However, there were some among the Nephites that were not following all the commandments, and because of this God urged the Prophets to heed warnings to the people to avoid sin. God promised that if they fell into transgression that the Nephites would be wiped off the face of the land. These teachings were a success, because the people of Nephi were continually repenting of their sins. Jarom hands off the plates to his son Omni.

Looking at this from the point of view of the United States in 2015, we see a similar situation, where sin is rampant and the warnings of God are everywhere. If the people do not repent and change their ways, God will bring destruction to the United States and to many parts of the world.

1 John 1

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1 John 1: We Follow God by Obedience to His Law

                John writes a general letter to all the believers of Christ and explains that we must be obedient to God and His commandments. For; “…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) Therefore our purpose to become like Him means that we need to also be filled with the light and rid ourselves of the darkness. John explains that “If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we life, and do not the truth.” (1 john 1:6) Because of this we must not be hypocrites and instead practice what we preach. If we follow Jesus Christ and say we follow Him, WE MUST FOLLOW HIM! For “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)

Essentially, we need to confess our sins and admit that we have and/or are currently sinning. We are not perfect, and therefore will make mistakes that are contrary to the commandments of God. If we work hard to rid ourselves of our sins by confessing them and promising to no longer participate in those sins, God is merciful and just to forgive us. Just like Salvation is a FREE gift we must still accept the gift. Unfortunately many believe that these gifts come FREE without any stipulations, but the truth is not so… we have to do our part in order to receive these wonderful gifts from God.

1 Corinthians 10

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1 Corinthians 10: Christ is the Rock

                Paul reminds the Corinthians of the Jews that traveled with Moses through the red sea on dry ground. He reminds them that they were all baptized and did all eat and drink from the “…spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4) Paul says that while many followed Moses, an equal number or more were not well favored in the eyes of the Lord. Paul reminds the Corinthians that “…we should not lust after evil things…” (1 Corinthians 10:6)

We also should not… worship idols, fornicate, murmur or tempt Christ as many of the Jews traveling with Moses did do. After having warned about committing sin, Paul reminds them (and us) that God “…will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) So is it wrong to Sin? Yes. Are we all guilty of Sin? Yes. Is there a way to overcome our Sin and become closer to Christ? Yes.

Paul tells us that as a body [group] of people who believe in Christ, when they partake of the Sacrament together, they become one Body… because they are all partaking of the same bread. Paul tells us that we should avoid meat that was offered as a sacrifice to an idol, for it had been offered to a devil. Finally, Paul explains that he is “…not seeking mine [his] own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:33) Therefore, as an Apostle of the Lord he freely preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ without cost. He does it for the good of others and not himself.

Jeremiah 41-42

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Jeremiah 41-42

Chapter 41: Ishmael kills Sedaliah

Ishmael (of royal seed) executes his conspiracy against Gedaliah and his companions. Ishmael also attempts to carry away the Jews who were with him as captives to the Ammonites. Johanan recovers them, and proposes fleeing with them into Egypt.

Chapter 42: Jeremiah promises peace if they obey

Johanan and the remnant of the people desire Jeremiah to ask counsel of God what they should do. Jeremiah says they will be safe in Judah, but face destruction in Egypt. Jeremiah expresses his disapproval of their hypocrisy in asking advice they have no intention of following.

Jeremiah 35-36

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Jeremiah 35-36

Chapter 35: Blessings for Obedience

The Lord commands Jeremiah to go and test the obedience of the Rechabites by essentially tempting them with wine. However after having wine placed before them they tell Jeremiah and those that are with him; “…We will drink no wine: for… our father commanded us… Ye shall drink no wine…” (Jeremiah 35:6) So even after being tempted they resisted and obeyed the commandment of the Lord. This is something we should learn from… even after temptation and perhaps peer pressure or pressure from the world to do something that goes against God’s commandments… WE CAN HAVE THE STRENGTH TO SAY NO!

The Lord commends and blesses the Rechabites, who obey the Lord by staying sober and not partaking of any wine.  Their obedience is contrasted with Judah and Jerusalem.

Chapter 36: Roll or Book

Word comes to Jeremiah in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim. Using Baruch as his scribe, Jeremiah writes down his prophecies. Baruch reads them publicly upon a fast day in the temple, where the princes hear him, and decide to tell the king of what they are preaching while at the same time advising both Jeremiah and Baruch to hide. Jehoiakim has the roll thrown into the fire, and orders Jeremiah and Baruch to be seized. The Lord conceals them and then later commands Jeremiah to rewrite the roll, and denounces the burning of the roll.

 

Jeremiah 5-6

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Jeremiah 5-6

Chapter 5: Sin= Less or No Blessings

Judah’s iniquities are recounted. It will be destroyed by a strange nation whose tongue is unknown. Their “…prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them…” (Jeremiah 5:13) They continue to serve strange gods. The Lord calls out to Judah; “Hear now this, O foolish people and without understanding; which have eyes and see not; which have hears and hear not: Fear ye not me? Saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence…” (Jeremiah 5:21-22) The people of Judah did not listen to the Lord. Because they have strayed from His path and committed sin the Lord calls out; “…your sins have withhoden good things from you.” (Jeremiah 5:25) Because of evil and sin, the Lord can and will hold blessings that could be yours. If we are not willing to the live the Gospel and follow the Lord’s commandments he is not bound to bless us.

In Doctrine and Covenants we read “I, the Lord am bound wjem ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (Doctrine and Covenants 82:10) So if we strive to do what is right and generally do what is right, we are entitled to more blessings from the Lord and He will not have to withhold those blessings from us. However, in the case of Judah they have strayed from the Lord and therefore the Lord will not protect it.

Chapter 6: Jerusalem shall be destroyed

Jerusalem will be made desolate, because they did not hearken unto the word of the Lord.

“To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? …behold the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.” (Jeremiah 6:10)

In the Last days, like Jerusalem the people will become ashamed of the word of the Lord and will no longer listen. Because of this Jerusalem with be destroyed and punished for its transgressions by a nation from the north. This nation is cruel and will have no mercy. Repent.

Deuteronomy 29-30

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Deuteronomy 29-30

Chapter 29: Obedience=Blessings, Disobedience= Cursing

Israel makes a covenant with the Lord that if they are obedient they will be blessed and if they are disobedient they shall be cursed.

In verse 6, it states that they knew God by not eating or drinking wine. Two ways to take this, fasting (by abstaining from food and water, helps you to feel the spirit), or that not drinking alcohol (keeping your body a temple and treating it that way, helps you to see God, sober.)

I personally believe that it is a combination of both, fasting and abstaining from Alcohol. Moses also says that they who disobey the Lord will be cursed, like the cursing of the book (of Deuteronomy). In verse 29 it talks about the secrets of the Lord can be revealed. How can you have revelation if the Canon of the Bible is closed? You can’t. That is why the LDS church believes that there is an open Canon.

Chapter 30: Blessings and Curses

When Israel scatters, the Lord promises to gather them again. The Lord tells the people that he will remember the covenant that he has made with them. Moses tells the people that they can either live or die, but they must obey the commandments if they want blessings. OR they can be cursed with all manner of curses.

VERSE 6-7, Love God with all your heart and mind, and he shall curse your enemies.

VERSE 14-17, Listen to God and do what he wants or you WILL fall away!