Scripture Thought
1 Nephi 8:28-29
Again, we hear the word ASHAMED! What were they ashamed of?
As those in the building point, scoff, mock, and laugh, what triggered the feelings of embarrassment?
Were they remembering the mistakes they had made and not forgiving themselves? Were they listening to the taunting of those across the way and believing them? As they noticed those the building, did the suddenly need to feel cause of justification for why they were living the way they were living, partaking of the fruit they were partaking of? Were they suddenly more concerned about what other thought of them, who they were, and what they stood for? Were they comparing themselves to righteousness or worldliness?
I am afraid that we all get caught up in this game. Sometimes, we even put ourselves down, not because of the world, but because of those that we see around us partaking of the fruit as well. We start comparing our weaknesses to what may be strengths of others. Or we begin to discredit our own abilities because we judge them to be substandard to those of others.
Lehi and Nephi recorded this part of the dream for a reason. If we look at the next verse, we see that there was a great deal more to see and share, but Nephi chose not to. As he was moved by the spirit, he recorded what was pertinent for his people and us in our day.
Elder Uchtdorf spoke of this to the women last night in General Women's Conference, September 24, 2011. As he talked about forget me nots, he reminds us again that we should seek joy in our own existence. Remembering why we are here. This life is not a competition. We are not proving ourselves to others. We are here to prove ourselves, to ourselves only. It matters not what those of the world think. It does not even matter what those of the same flock think. They are not our judge.
What matters is between us, individually and the Lord. He is our judge. He is who we should be living up to.
Stop being ashamed of living righteously. Do not be fearful of what the world thinks. Just continue on the path that leads to the tree. Partake of the fruit. Hold fast to the rod. See the beauty that is along the way and find joy in it.
Believe it or not, I think what you will learn is that those people in the building are pointing at you because they are jealous. They are worried about what you are thinking of them. I would even venture to say that many of those partakers are also looking at you just like you are looking at them. They are not judging you, but themselves as they compare themselves to you.
There is a reason his lesson has been recorded. We all need to learn it. We all have the same weakness. We just need to overcome it and focus on what is important. It is not what others think.
Again, we hear the word ASHAMED! What were they ashamed of?
As those in the building point, scoff, mock, and laugh, what triggered the feelings of embarrassment?
Were they remembering the mistakes they had made and not forgiving themselves? Were they listening to the taunting of those across the way and believing them? As they noticed those the building, did the suddenly need to feel cause of justification for why they were living the way they were living, partaking of the fruit they were partaking of? Were they suddenly more concerned about what other thought of them, who they were, and what they stood for? Were they comparing themselves to righteousness or worldliness?
I am afraid that we all get caught up in this game. Sometimes, we even put ourselves down, not because of the world, but because of those that we see around us partaking of the fruit as well. We start comparing our weaknesses to what may be strengths of others. Or we begin to discredit our own abilities because we judge them to be substandard to those of others.
Lehi and Nephi recorded this part of the dream for a reason. If we look at the next verse, we see that there was a great deal more to see and share, but Nephi chose not to. As he was moved by the spirit, he recorded what was pertinent for his people and us in our day.
Elder Uchtdorf spoke of this to the women last night in General Women's Conference, September 24, 2011. As he talked about forget me nots, he reminds us again that we should seek joy in our own existence. Remembering why we are here. This life is not a competition. We are not proving ourselves to others. We are here to prove ourselves, to ourselves only. It matters not what those of the world think. It does not even matter what those of the same flock think. They are not our judge.
What matters is between us, individually and the Lord. He is our judge. He is who we should be living up to.
Stop being ashamed of living righteously. Do not be fearful of what the world thinks. Just continue on the path that leads to the tree. Partake of the fruit. Hold fast to the rod. See the beauty that is along the way and find joy in it.
Believe it or not, I think what you will learn is that those people in the building are pointing at you because they are jealous. They are worried about what you are thinking of them. I would even venture to say that many of those partakers are also looking at you just like you are looking at them. They are not judging you, but themselves as they compare themselves to you.
There is a reason his lesson has been recorded. We all need to learn it. We all have the same weakness. We just need to overcome it and focus on what is important. It is not what others think.
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