Scripture Thought
1 Nephi 8:34-35
In verse 34, we learn that those that heeded, gave in to, the scoffing, mocking, ridicule, and harassment from those in the building fell away. They had partaken of the fruit, received a witness of the Holy Ghost, yet they heeded not.
Why? After partaking of the fruit, what had they done that caused them to lose sight of the tree? What harden their hearts against the promptings of the Holy Ghost? What caused them to forget their royal heritage as sons and daughters of God?
These are the questions that go through my head. I ponder the times in my life when it has been easiest to give in to such scoffing, ridicule, belittlement and what not. Sometimes it has been a test, a paper, a performance, a song, a race, or a game. Others it has been a repair of a car, a sink, light, or any household project that needs fixing. There have been times that I have found myself lacking when creating or building something that I have seen other create or build. It is these times, when I realize that I lack that it is easiest to give in. Instead of humbling myself and asking for help, I give in to the chants of mockery going through my head.
As I pondered recent events in my life and the lives of others, I also realize again, that those scoffs are not coming from the building, but from the adversary. He is playing off our pride. He capitalizes on our weakness and whispers in our ears that we are no good. He encourages us to give up, shut down, hide from the world. Suddenly, we find ourselves standing in a mirror and pointing the finger of ridicule at ourselves. Satan knows if he can get us to give in, give up, or believe that we cannot succeed, he has won.
We must resist the whisperings of the natural man. We must remember who we are, sons and daughters of God. Though not yet complete or perfect, we are here to learn. Learn from our own weaknesses. Learn from each other. Learn as we share what we have with others who do not. We must heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit, not those of Satan and his minions pointing fingers of scorn. We must be humble, meek, and teachable. That in and of itself can be the most challenging part.
As we continue on to verse 35, Laman and Lemuel never really seem to find the tree. We never know if they partook of the fruit. It does not appear that they did, at least not at their father's beckoning. Yet we know that there are several times in their lives that they receive witnesses of the truth. The more I think of them, their experiences, and the paths they appear to have followed, I see that they gave in. They never really learned or remembered who they were. They were always comparing themselves to others, seeing their weakness, re-acting to those weakness with pride and anger.
Take a moment to learn from them. What do you need to change or repent of in your life that you do not become like Laman and Lemuel or those who gave heed to the voices from the building?
In verse 34, we learn that those that heeded, gave in to, the scoffing, mocking, ridicule, and harassment from those in the building fell away. They had partaken of the fruit, received a witness of the Holy Ghost, yet they heeded not.
Why? After partaking of the fruit, what had they done that caused them to lose sight of the tree? What harden their hearts against the promptings of the Holy Ghost? What caused them to forget their royal heritage as sons and daughters of God?
These are the questions that go through my head. I ponder the times in my life when it has been easiest to give in to such scoffing, ridicule, belittlement and what not. Sometimes it has been a test, a paper, a performance, a song, a race, or a game. Others it has been a repair of a car, a sink, light, or any household project that needs fixing. There have been times that I have found myself lacking when creating or building something that I have seen other create or build. It is these times, when I realize that I lack that it is easiest to give in. Instead of humbling myself and asking for help, I give in to the chants of mockery going through my head.
As I pondered recent events in my life and the lives of others, I also realize again, that those scoffs are not coming from the building, but from the adversary. He is playing off our pride. He capitalizes on our weakness and whispers in our ears that we are no good. He encourages us to give up, shut down, hide from the world. Suddenly, we find ourselves standing in a mirror and pointing the finger of ridicule at ourselves. Satan knows if he can get us to give in, give up, or believe that we cannot succeed, he has won.
We must resist the whisperings of the natural man. We must remember who we are, sons and daughters of God. Though not yet complete or perfect, we are here to learn. Learn from our own weaknesses. Learn from each other. Learn as we share what we have with others who do not. We must heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit, not those of Satan and his minions pointing fingers of scorn. We must be humble, meek, and teachable. That in and of itself can be the most challenging part.
As we continue on to verse 35, Laman and Lemuel never really seem to find the tree. We never know if they partook of the fruit. It does not appear that they did, at least not at their father's beckoning. Yet we know that there are several times in their lives that they receive witnesses of the truth. The more I think of them, their experiences, and the paths they appear to have followed, I see that they gave in. They never really learned or remembered who they were. They were always comparing themselves to others, seeing their weakness, re-acting to those weakness with pride and anger.
Take a moment to learn from them. What do you need to change or repent of in your life that you do not become like Laman and Lemuel or those who gave heed to the voices from the building?
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