The Law (Genesis - Deuteronomy)
GENESIS
1/3/13
Chapter 1-2 (Moses 2-3): The Creation
“When you can dump a load of bricks on a corner lot, and let me watch them arrange themselves into a house—when you can empty a handful of springs and wheels and screws on my desk, and let me see them gather themselves into a watch—it will [then] be easier for me to believe that all these thousands of worlds could have been created, balanced, and set in motion in their several orbits, all without any designing intelligence at all.
“Moreover, if there is no intelligence in the universe, then the universe created something greater than itself—for it created you and me” (Bruce Barton in E. Ernest Bramwell, comp. Old Testament Lessons [1934 seminary course], 4).
It is absolutely amazing, how God created such a beautiful existence for us to live in. He created each and every one of us unique to another. Have you ever stopped to listen to the birds chirping, or the oceans tide washing upon the beach? Have you ever smelt the beautiful flowers or the fresh sent of pine needles? Have you ever watched the sunset or a shooting star fly through the sky? Have you stopped to feel the sand between your toes or the rain fall upon your nose? Have you ever tasted fresh fruit off a tree or honey straight from the hive? Gods creations are incredible, just think how intelligent he must be to create such a world of wonder and amazement. There is so much undiscovered, creatures and lands unknown. I am grateful for the Earth and the beautiful things all around. I am grateful for my body, which he created unique, in His own image...."And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I reveal unto you concerning this heaven and this earth; write the words which I speak. I am the Beginning and the End, the Almighty God; by mine Only Begotten I created these things; yea, in the beginning I created the heaven, and the earth upon which thou standest.
"And the earth was without form and void..." (Moses2:1)
Day 1: Light (day) and Darkness (night)
Day 2: Organized the Heavens (firmament) and the Earth
Day 3: Earth and Seas (land/water)
Day 4: Sun, Moon, and Stars (greater light/lesser light)
Day 5: Animals (every living creature)
Day 6: Male and Female (Man in His own image)
Day 7: Day of Rest
"And while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind. In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters.
"This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it." (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, You Matter to Him, Oct 2012 Conference)
On the seventh day, God rested from all of his works...
"And I, God, blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it I had rested from all my work which I, God, had created and made." (Genesis 2:3; Moses 3:3)
So, what does it mean to keep the sabbath day holy?
President Spencer W. Kimble gave great counsel. He said,
How much is it to ask, for us to give him one day of the week to worship and praise Him, to show our gratefulness, to repent of our sins and renew our covenants. He has done so much for us and I do everything I can to honor this commandment and show my love to Him by keeping the sabbath day holy. If we do this, we are promised great blessings;
“Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth.” (D&C 59:16)
To have the benefit of all of God’s creations is a very significant promise.
-Sarah M.
1/13/13
Chapter 3 (Moses 4): The Fall
"The Fall occurred when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and were cast out of the Garden of Eden and the presence of God. As Adam and Eve’s children, we inherit the consequences of their decision, which include living in a world outside of God’s presence that is full of sin, trials, difficulties, and death. You will learn, however, that if Adam did not fall, we would never have been born and could never progress to receive the fulness of joy Heavenly Father offers His children." (Old Testament Student Study Guide)
The fall was a necessary part of His eternal plan. Without it, we wouldn't be and we wouldn't have joy.
"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)
"The Fall occurred when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and were cast out of the Garden of Eden and the presence of God. As Adam and Eve’s children, we inherit the consequences of their decision, which include living in a world outside of God’s presence that is full of sin, trials, difficulties, and death. You will learn, however, that if Adam did not fall, we would never have been born and could never progress to receive the fulness of joy Heavenly Father offers His children." (Old Testament Student Study Guide)
The fall was a necessary part of His eternal plan. Without it, we wouldn't be and we wouldn't have joy.
"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)
“It was Eve who first transgressed the limits of Eden in order to initiate the conditions of mortality. Her act, whatever its nature, was formally a transgression but eternally a glorious necessity to open the doorway toward eternal life. Adam showed his wisdom by doing the same. …
“… We celebrate Eve’s act and honor her wisdom and courage in the great episode called the Fall. … Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: ‘I never speak of the part Eve took in this fall as a sin, nor do I accuse Adam of a sin. … This was a transgression of the law, but not a sin.’ …" (Old Testament: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (2001), 12–16)
Throughout this chapter I can see many connections between Adam and Eve's time and todays world.
1. Satan's influence on the children of men and as well as the influence of friends:
The first gift that Adam and Eve received was agency: “Thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee” (Moses 3:17).
“… We celebrate Eve’s act and honor her wisdom and courage in the great episode called the Fall. … Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: ‘I never speak of the part Eve took in this fall as a sin, nor do I accuse Adam of a sin. … This was a transgression of the law, but not a sin.’ …" (Old Testament: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (2001), 12–16)
Throughout this chapter I can see many connections between Adam and Eve's time and todays world.
1. Satan's influence on the children of men and as well as the influence of friends:
The first gift that Adam and Eve received was agency: “Thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee” (Moses 3:17).
"You have that same agency. Use it wisely to deny acting on any impure impulse or unholy temptation that may come into your mind. Just do not go there, and if you are already there, come back out of it. “Deny yourselves of all ungodliness” (Moroni 10:32)."
"Guilt is spiritual pain. Do not suffer from chronic pain. Get rid of it. Be done with it. Repent and, if necessary, repent again and again and again and again until you—not the enemy—are in charge of you." (Boyd K Packer, How to Survive in Enemy Territory)
"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
"For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:3-5)
"Lucifer in clever ways manipulates our choices, deceiving us about sin and consequences. He and his angels tempt us to be unworthy, even wicked. But he cannot—in all eternity he cannot, with all his power he cannot—completely destroy us, not without our own consent." (Boyd K Packer, Who is Jesus Christ?)
"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
"For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:3-5)
"Lucifer in clever ways manipulates our choices, deceiving us about sin and consequences. He and his angels tempt us to be unworthy, even wicked. But he cannot—in all eternity he cannot, with all his power he cannot—completely destroy us, not without our own consent." (Boyd K Packer, Who is Jesus Christ?)
"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."(Genesis 3:6)
If we aren't strong enough to stand our ground and be firm in our standards, we will find ourselves easily being deceived by Satan. We must build a firm foundation and not give in to the evil that is all around us in this world.
2. Modesty...
When they partook of the fruit, they knew good from evil and knew they were naked. They became ashamed and made clothing to cover themselves. In todays world people are doing just the opposite. I am disgusted by some of the apparel our society thinks to be ok. If you are going to buy a dress, buy the whole dress, not just half a dress. Cover up! You can still dress modestly and by stylish!
"Prophets of God have continually counseled His children to dress modestly. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and you can be a good influence on others. Your dress and grooming influence the way you and others act." (Dress and Appearance, For the Strength of Youth)
"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
"Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:7,21)
King Benjamin told us how we might change our natures from a natural man to a spiritual man: “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father” (Mosiah 3:19; emphasis added).
King Benjamin told us how we might change our natures from a natural man to a spiritual man: “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father” (Mosiah 3:19; emphasis added).
1/13/13
Chapter 4 (Moses 5): Redemption, Sacrifice, and Family
Redemption is possible. We can be saved from sin; no matter how deep we may have gone, no matter how wrong we have done, and no matter how unworthy and lonely we may feel...
"And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will." (Moses 5:9)
I have bore my testimony for about 8 months in a row. This past fast and testimony meeting I wasn't going to. I was thinking that people might be getting tired of me...oh, here goes Sarah again...but I couldn't help it. Normally there is not a single still moment in my ward, there are always young singles finding there way up to the front to wait their turn. But this time was different. My whole body was on fire and I knew I needed to get up and share my feelings. I had recently gone through the temple. I had an amazing experience and can't even explain how incredible I felt this day! It was a winter blizzard outside, white as can be. Just as we were inside the temple. My family there to support. While we were gathered together, my mom turns to me with tears in her eyes, "Now we need one more. Will we ever get him here?" I responded, "Yes, Mom, I know, without a doubt, that Nick will come around and he too will join us as a family!" I felt I needed to share this. I know Nick has made mistakes. I know he isn't doing everything he should be. But I also know that I have felt within my heart, that as we pray for him and encourage him to do what is right; as long as we continue to show our love, he will come to know for himself and have the desire to find true happiness. Near the end of testimony meeting, a young man stood up and looked directly at me as he said "I would like to personally thank the young lady in red for getting up to share her thoughts." He told us how he, too, had been lead astray and that no matter what his family said, he just grew further and further away from them. But, the one thing they did do, which he knew helped him along the way, was pray for him. He said he felt their prayers and couldn't deny them. Afterwards I went up to talk to him and thanked him for the hope he had given me. He told me that he found himself in this deep pit and no matter how far he strayed, in the back of his mind, he knew the church was true and he could not deny it. He is working on coming back and becoming active again. I knew there was a reason to get up that day to bare my testimony. I am not sure if it was for him, and for me? Either way, I left with an even greater hope that Nick will one day join the family in the temple.
Photo coming...
Redemption is possible. We can be saved from sin; no matter how deep we may have gone, no matter how wrong we have done, and no matter how unworthy and lonely we may feel...
"And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will." (Moses 5:9)
I have bore my testimony for about 8 months in a row. This past fast and testimony meeting I wasn't going to. I was thinking that people might be getting tired of me...oh, here goes Sarah again...but I couldn't help it. Normally there is not a single still moment in my ward, there are always young singles finding there way up to the front to wait their turn. But this time was different. My whole body was on fire and I knew I needed to get up and share my feelings. I had recently gone through the temple. I had an amazing experience and can't even explain how incredible I felt this day! It was a winter blizzard outside, white as can be. Just as we were inside the temple. My family there to support. While we were gathered together, my mom turns to me with tears in her eyes, "Now we need one more. Will we ever get him here?" I responded, "Yes, Mom, I know, without a doubt, that Nick will come around and he too will join us as a family!" I felt I needed to share this. I know Nick has made mistakes. I know he isn't doing everything he should be. But I also know that I have felt within my heart, that as we pray for him and encourage him to do what is right; as long as we continue to show our love, he will come to know for himself and have the desire to find true happiness. Near the end of testimony meeting, a young man stood up and looked directly at me as he said "I would like to personally thank the young lady in red for getting up to share her thoughts." He told us how he, too, had been lead astray and that no matter what his family said, he just grew further and further away from them. But, the one thing they did do, which he knew helped him along the way, was pray for him. He said he felt their prayers and couldn't deny them. Afterwards I went up to talk to him and thanked him for the hope he had given me. He told me that he found himself in this deep pit and no matter how far he strayed, in the back of his mind, he knew the church was true and he could not deny it. He is working on coming back and becoming active again. I knew there was a reason to get up that day to bare my testimony. I am not sure if it was for him, and for me? Either way, I left with an even greater hope that Nick will one day join the family in the temple.
Photo coming...
"And Adam and Eve, his wife, ceased not to call upon God. And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bare Cain, and said: I have gotten a man from the Lord; wherefore he may not reject his words. But behold, Cain hearkened not, saying: Who is the Lord that I should know him?
"And she again conceived and bare his brother Abel. And Abel hearkened unto the voice of the Lord. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
"And Cain loved Satan more than God. And Satan commanded him, saying: Make an offering unto the Lord.
"And in process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering;
"But unto Cain, and to his offering, he had not respect. Now Satan knew this, and it pleased him. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." (Moses 5:16-21)
"And she again conceived and bare his brother Abel. And Abel hearkened unto the voice of the Lord. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
"And Cain loved Satan more than God. And Satan commanded him, saying: Make an offering unto the Lord.
"And in process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering;
"But unto Cain, and to his offering, he had not respect. Now Satan knew this, and it pleased him. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." (Moses 5:16-21)
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
The History (Joshua - Esther)
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
The Poetry (Job - Ecclesiastes)
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
The Prophets (Isaiah - Malachi)
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
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