The Nephites' Greatest Desire

And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them. - 3 Nephi 19:9

My mission president based a talk on this scripture during a zone conference once. It was something that has always stuck with me.

It goes back to Christ's first visit to the Nephites. That covers 3 Nephi 11-18. As soon as he was gone, the people began to spread the word that the Savior had appeared, ministered, and would return the next day (see 3 Nephi 19:2). So of course an even bigger multitude appeared the next day. While they were waiting, the twelve Nephite apostles began to preach, "nothing varying from the words which Jesus had spoken" (vs. 8). And then they began to pray.

Here's where it gets interesting. The day before, the most incredible thing imaginable happened -- the Savior visited the people. And here they are, expecting and wanting Him to return and minister again. And yet, as they pray, what is it that they desire the most? It isn't that Jesus returns, though they undoubtedly desired that quite a bit. Instead, they desired the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Perhaps they knew that while they couldn't always have the Lord with them, they could always have the Holy Ghost to guide them. The gift of the Holy Ghost is truly one of the most precious gifts God could give us. And while we might not have the opportunity to congregate in the land Bountiful and see the Savior with our own eyes, every one of us has the opportunity to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That is truly a privilege. Of course, that makes living worthily of it even more important.

Longing for the Prophet Joseph

Life has been busy to say the least, but I want to keep different things on the blog every once in a while. So for today, here is another poem, and there may continue to be a few poems here and there.


Longing for the Prophet Joseph

To listen to the Prophet Joseph’s voice—
If so an option, my very soul would cry out;
My knees would tremble at the very thought of the choice,
And all the time, my heart would shout.

For how many men in all the earth’s time
Have had such an impact on the whole human race
As he, the prophet of this dispensation sublime,
Who saw God and Christ, face to face?

His was the calling, as Moses of old,
To bring Israel the word of Jehovah the Great;
A man much like Peter with revelation untold—
Man of the Savior—bound by fate.

His works were grand and his teachings not few;
Through him God brought forth the very Gospel restored.
His name has traveled to every nation, imbued
With truth which has been oft implored.

Joseph no longer walks across the land;
His voice is no longer upon the earth to be heard,
But the work of God that he wrought will forever stand:
The Kingdom of God here on the earth.

Salem Days

I just wanted to announce that (for better or worse), I'll have a booth at Salem Days in two weeks. That's Salem, UT. That's where I grew up, so I thought it might be fun. If any of you are in town, stop by!

Poetry -- Cares

So I decided to post a poem or two here every once in a while. It isn't particularly related to the scriptures, but it is religiously based. This is one that I wrote partly in high school and partly on my mission.

Cares

When all the world no longer cares
And far from home I be,
When I am out and caught unawares,
Who will look after me?

The Lord my God is always there,
A true and constant Friend.
So come what may, I’ll never fret;
He’ll see me through the end.

Recommending to God

Behold, thou knowest the wickedness of this people; thou knowest that they are without principle, and past feeling. . . Behold, my son, I cannot recommend them unto God lest he should smite me. But behold, my son, I recommend thee unto God, and I trust in Christ that thou wilt be saved; and I pray unto God that he will spare thy life, to witness the return of his people unto him, or their utter destruction; for I know that they must perish except they repent and return unto him. - Moroni 9:20-22

I happened to read this verse as part of my daily scripture study the other night, and it reminded me of a thought I had a while ago. This is an epistle from Mormon to his son Moroni, and he uses the word recommend rather curiously. This is a bit of speculation on my behalf, but I find it pretty interesting that Mormon seems to be judging the worthiness of people -- both the Nephites in general and his son Moroni in particular.

Of course, being a prophet Mormon was the presiding priesthood leader of his day. I draw a parallel with our presiding local priesthood leaders -- bishops, who also judge the worthiness of the people of their jurisdiction and issue them recommends to enter the temple. Notice the parallel I'm noticing?

With this in mind, Mormon's words should bring us new understanding of what it really means to hold a temple recommend. It isn't a "ticket" to enter the temple. It's our priesthood leader literally recommending us to God as worthy candidates of the blessings of the Lord. I suppose that's one reason why it's important to be worthy of temple recommends even if we can't actually attend the temple for a particular reason, such as if physical distress prevents us from leaving the house or if we live too far away from the temple to actually attend (which thankfully doesn't apply to nearly as many people in the world anymore). I hope we all remember the sacredness not just of the temple but of our temple recommends.

During My Commute

I have about a 30 minute commute to work, which makes about an hour that I spend in the car every day I go into the office -- if traffic is good, anyways. As many of you probably know, there is a bit of construction going on with I-15 in Utah County, so the speed limit is 10 mph lower than it normally is. Of course, that doesn't seem to stop very many people from going their previous speed. But with speeding tickets so high, it seems most slow down. Although, in some cases, if a vehicle drives past and is already going that speed... well, it would seem that the cop would get them first, so they go that fast too.

I was imagining what would happen if a highway patrolman pulled over the second car -- the one following the original speeding trespasser. They would probably be outraged that the cop didn't pull over the first driver, right? Well, I know that I would. Maybe I've gotten the wrong mentality, being on the wrong for so long. But ultimately, the speed limit is the same for everyone, and just because someone else goes fast doesn't give others permission.

But then I thought... perhaps the cop would be doing the second driver a favor. I know I got a stern look from a cop once and I've been a bit slower and safer ever since. Maybe a speeding ticket would be a pain in the wallet, but if it makes the driver slow down, then it's all the better. And perhaps the first driver is beyond saving. Maybe they'll keep driving way too fast until they end up killing someone. And then no amount of slow driving will compensate.

I think the Lord sometimes works in the same way. We may ask, as did Job, "Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?" It seems that the Lord sometimes chastises us when others are running amok completely unchecked. It might not seem unfair... after all, wasn't the other driver speeding first? But a little chastisement can help us stay on the path we should. Indeed, we should be grateful that the Lord chastises us, for perhaps He is saving us from recklessly driving too fast until we crash or hit someone.

"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." - Hebrews 12:6

Free Book Giveaway

I just thought I'd alert you all to the fact that Walnut Springs Press is giving away free copies of my book, Messages from the Scriptures. It's super easy; all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post: http://walnutspringspress.blogspot.com/2011/07/free-book-friday-giveaway-messages-from.html.