Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 119:34 "Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."
This made me pondered on teaching children the gospel. They need understanding before they can make covenants to keep His law. They need to know to love the Lord with all their heart.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
"But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it." (2 Nephi 4:5)
"And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents. And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants 68:25, 28)
Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 68:4 "And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation."
This is a very fitting chapter to read after watching three sessions of general conference today. I cannot wait to read the talks and study them, for they are scripture for truly the spirit testified of this. I also find it interesting that as this chapter discusses we were taught the same things in general conference. They spoke of missionaries preaching the gospel, testimonies, baptism, and even the signs of the coming of the Son of Man. We heard words of keeping our covenants, and repentance. Parents were instructed to teach their children the gospel and to walk uprightly before the Lord. It was a wonderful day of instruction and being taught of the spirit. I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings.
"And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever."
At first I thought of the fifth commandment.
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
(Exodus 20:12)
Blessings come from keeping the commandments and honoring our parents.
"..the Lord told the Prophet Jeremiah to go into the house of certain men called Rechabites and to invite them into the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink. When wine was placed before them, however, they refused to drink because their father had counseled them never to drink wine "Thus have we obeyed the voice of . . . our father in all that he hath charged us" they said. After these young men had reaffirmed their steadfastness in following the counsel of their father, the Lord through his prophet pronounced upon them a special blessing. He decreed that members of this family and their seed would always be numbered among the righteous."
(Bishop John V. Vandenberg, "Follow Counsel", Oct 1964 General Conference)
"Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness."
That just made me really sad. Does a child ever make their way back when they not only curse God but their parents too? Laman and Lemuel never did, neither did Cain. There is the story of the prodigal son and he came back. I read the story again in Luke 15. The one thing I noticed is that the son never cursed or wished death upon his father. It seems the 5th commandment "Honour thy father and thy mother" was broken symbolically by leaving but not expressed in words. The words could be the curse, which drives them into obscure darkness.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 29:10-11 "Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us. My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense."
The Lord raised up men in a generation that would serve Him. It made me ponder on the youth reserved for our day. Some of the most righteous to help make ready for the Lord's second coming. At the same time on the earth we have some of the most wicked to try them. Heavenly Father knows his children and what combination of some of his children will do when together. We always have our free agency to choose what we will be, there isn't a set mold of you will be righteous and you will be wicked. Though any parent can tell you that if your have a certain combination of children together with their child they will either get into trouble or stay out of it.
Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 2:39-40
"And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."
Jesus' parents took him home and raised him. I pondered on how Jesus was not left at the temple to be raised but instead remained in a humble home. This is where the best lessons of life can be taught, with both a loving mother and devoted father to raise a child. How incredible inadequate they must have felt to raise the son of God. How inadequate I have felt to raise my children. Yet, Heavenly Father sees the humble home as the place to raise our children. He gives guidance from the scriptures, and the Holy Ghost to inspire, if we but search, ponder and pray.
Today's Favorite Verse: Matthew 2:16
"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men."
I am always sadden when I hear of the innocent children being slain. Satan was out to destroy the Christ child and Herod was just a willing tool. I pondered how Satan continues his quest to destroy the innocent and young. Heavenly Father trusted the care of his only begotten son to Mary and Joseph. He gave dreams of warning to Jesus' earthly parents to keep him safe. It is the same for us as parents. We will receive inspiration and knowledge to protect our children if we just listen. It is our stewardship and right.
Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 19:5
"They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:"
This is so horrific, to think of people burning their children in a fire as an offering to Baal. Yes, there are a lot of sick people out there but as a people we don't accept people burning their children. So how could I liken this to something people do find acceptable today? Immediately I thought of parents with bowed heads worshiping over their cell phones and tablets, totally ignoring their children. Yes, we have idols in our day and we sacrifice our children to them. That I am sure does not please God, for we are teaching our children to worship them too.
Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 4:22
"For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge."
New word that I had to look up. I had no idea what sottish meant. This is what I found.
Sottish = drunk, foolish, stupid, senseless, without knowledge, dumb, thick, unwise.
Urban Dictionary
1. Lowered to a stupid, silly, foolish, and childish level by some kind of drink. Can also signify contempt.
2. Stupified or intoxicated by something false and dangerous to the point where they put themselves in grave danger.
3. Someone who drinks like a fish
The preacher and his congregation were made sottish with all of the false doctrines in the Christian church today.
That sottish man is really tempting fate with trying to wake up that fire-breathing dragon.
It seems that some outside means or influence is causing them to be sottish. I found it really interesting the sentence example of false doctrine. As I pondered on I first thought how they had no knowledge of doing good. I made me think of how important it is to have home-centered gospel learning. This is a role of a parent to raise a child in the path he should go. Then after all we can do it is up to the individual to develop a person relationship with the Lord. For the root of the issue if the person does not really know the Lord.
Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 58:1-2
"Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth."
This made me ponder on the violence on the earth today. How wickedness is the root cause of it. Have we judged uprightly those that commit crimes? I thought of recent articles I have read. Teachers being frustrated and unable to teach, because of the unruliness of the children. How the parents turn around and support their children in bad behaviors. We are actually encouraging violence and wickedness when we judge unrighteously, and let those off that should face judgment.
This made me think of Proverbs 12:24
"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."
The rod does not need to be a weapon of discipline, though I know the switch to my bottom taught me to listen and obey my parents. I am the better raised with it. The rod in this verse makes me think of the iron rod, the word of God. When parents do not teach the word of God to their children then how can they feel accountable for anything.
I just had to find the hymn "The Iron Rod". This one has all the verses and was so powerful. It made me think of how desperately homes today need the influence or good and honorable men in them. That will teach their children right from wrong, and the word of God.
The Iron Rod
To Nephi, seer of olden time,
A vision came from God,
Wherein the holy word sublime
Was shown an iron rod.
Hold to the rod, the iron rod;
'Tis strong, and bright, and true.
The iron rod is the word of God;
'Twill safely guide us through.
While on our journey here below,
Beneath temptation's pow'r,
Through mists of darkness we must go,
In peril ev'ry hour.
And when temptation's pow'r is nigh,
Our pathway clouded o'er,
Upon the rod we can rely,
And heaven's aid implore.
Hold to the rod, the iron rod;
'Tis strong, and bright, and true.
The iron rod is the word of God;
'Twill safely guide us through.
And, hand o'er hand, the rod along,
Through each succeeding day,
With earnest prayer and hopeful song,
We'll still pursue our way.
Afar we see the golden rest
To which the rod will guide,
Where, with the angels bright and blest,
Forever we'll abide.
Hold to the rod, the iron rod;
'Tis strong, and bright, and true.
The iron rod is the word of God;
'Twill safely guide us through.
Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 17:11-14
"And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.
I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:
But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore."
As I read this I knew that David's son Solomon would build the temple. Yet, in reading this I could see that it wasn't just Solomon that God was referring too. He would send his son Jesus Christ from the loins of David to establish his kingdom and throne forever. What an amazing promise David was given.
It made me ponder on my patriarchal blessing and how it does mention my children. I wondered if my parent's patriarchal blessings mentioned me? All I have is my mother's patriarchal blessing so I sat and read it. I found its mention of me.
"Continue to teach unto thy posterity of the principles of the Gospel and the plan of life and salvation and they shall bless thee for the inheritance which shall come unto them as a result of thy faithfulness and thy teaching, and they as well as others shall heed thy teachings and thy counsel. Thou shalt especially be an influence and power from good therein among those of thy household and thy kindred as well as thine associates."
If it was not for my parents I would never know the goodness of the gospel. I have a priceless inheritance due to my mother's faithfulness and teachings. As I read her patriarchal blessing I could feel her arms around me. I offered a prayer of gratitude to the Lord for the blessing of having a wonderful mother and all she taught me. She has been a great influenced in my life for good. I would not be all that I am if I did not experience life with such a mother. I wanted to be sure that part of her patriarchal blessing was literally fulfilled and it is.
Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 11:2-3
"But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
And he was with her hid in the house of the Lord six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land."
Joash must have been a one year old baby when Athaliah rose up and destroyed all the royal princes of the house of Judah. I just had to think of that small child hid in the house of the Lord for safety. Of all the places to hide that is where I would want to be. He was surrounded by priests and protected by them. By the time he is anointed king he is seven years old. I think out of all the wickedness that have filled the house of Judah and Israel it was necessary to raise a child up without corruption. His parents could not teach him evil. Athaliah herself was an example of being raised by evil parents. He father was Ahab and her mother Jezebel. She learned to worship Baal from her mother. Now Joash (or Jehoash) would be raised by those that loved God and worshiped him. I can see the Lord giving him every chance to know how to do right. The rest will be up to what he chooses.
Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 21:18, 20-21
"If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice, he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear."
This chapter had some serious punishment. I think this one topped it all for me. To see parents turn their child over to be stoned to death for being rebellious. I thought how could they do that? I also reflected that it is a good thing we don't practice this today, because there is so little respect for parents or people in authority in our society, there wouldn't be many children left. Then I realized this had something to do with the fifth command to honor our father and mother. This commandment has not been done a way with. There is implication today for me in this. Then the story of the prodigal son came to my mind. I sat and read it and then watched "The Prodigal Son" video in the "The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos" by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The part of the son coming to himself and returning home touched my heart.
"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." (Luke 15:20)
I understood now why that father had compassion and ran to his son, while he was a great ways off. If he hadn't done that the elders of the city could have stoned him to death. For he was a glutton and a drunkard with his riotous living, and had not honored his mother and father. Under the mosaic law he was worthy of death.
So I reflected on this act of stoning, and turning the child over to the elders of the church. I felt impressed to look at the elders of the church as representing Christ. I have experienced turning a rebellious child over to the Lord, and this fits. Though my child may have spiritual died, I needed to turn them over to the Lord for his keeping. I have left them in his hands to do as he see's fit. He knows what they must past through in order to "come to themselves". For I know they will have no desire to see me until they have been made clean. Then I can run to them and throw our arms around them and kiss them, and rejoice. Until that day the Lord has sustained and carried me, and replaced my sorrow with peace in this matter.
Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 5:9
"Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,"
I pondered on how the sins of the fathers can effect the third and fourth generation. It first made me appreciate being "born of goodly parents", and being taught to love the gospel. How many generations have my good parents blessed. Then even with the good teachings I had, a child can chose for themselves to hate God and turn away. It made me think of this verse.
"If thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted. And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door, and Satan desireth to have thee; and except thou shalt hearken unto my commandments, I will deliver thee up, and it shall be unto thee according to his desire. And thou shalt rule over him;" (Moses 5:23)
Once a parent turns against God the following generations are not taught to walk in the light of Christ, instead they are taught to hate him. They follow darkened paths, which continue on in their children. Yes, the sins of the fathers can be passed onto the following generations. How grateful I am that the cycle can also be broken. The greater condemnation will be upon the heads of the parents that took those generations astray. The final judgment on the matter will be the Lord's.
"And it came to pass that Methuselah, the son of Enoch, was not taken, that the covenants of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to Enoch; for he truly covenanted with Enoch that Noah should be of the fruit of his loins."
The City of Enoch, with Enoch and the saints were taken up to heaven, leaving behind his son Methuselah. If my math is right Methuselah and his son Lamech both witnessed the testimony and death of Adam, along with the City of Enoch being taken up. Lamech's son is Noah, and his grandson's are Shem, Ham and Japhath. Noah was born just a few years after Enoch and his city were taken up to heaven. Noah and his sons were also born after Adam's death so they could not witness his testimony face to face. The witness they received was from their grandfathers.
Jewish tradition says Methuselah died 7 days before the great flood. Lamech died 6 years prior. I just sat and pondered on these great men Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japhath all being together. Grandfathers, sons, and great-grandsons. They survived the most wickedness of times together. They were together to prepare for the great flood that would cover the earth. I thought on the importance of family and our witness of the truthfulness of the gospel to our children. What an important role grandparents and great-grandparents play. Noah needed the witness of Methuselah to fulfill his mission on this earth. The church may flee, but the basic family unit will remain for the eternities. The basic family unit is where the essence of the gospel should be taught.
