I, Nephi, having been born of...

Artist: Arnold Friberg

That's how 1 Nephi 1:1 begins. It seems like such a common verse, probably for a few reasons. I've heard many people joke about starting the Book of Mormon so many times or that they lost track of where they were reading and choose to start reading from the beginning again. But there's at least one more reason why we talk about this verse and that's what this post is about.

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..."

Nephi's parents were goodly because they were righteous Jews who kept the commandments and followed the Spirit. Lehi was a prophet and had visions from the Lord to know how to protect his family. He lead his family away from the impending danger that befell Jerusalem a few years later. That would have been difficult to leave the comforts of home and live in the wilderness. It would be difficult for me.

The verse continues, "...therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father."

I have always taken this verse to mean that Lehi was a good dad and wanted to teach his kids about life, the universe and everything. With that in mind, I try to teach my kids stuff that I know as well as let them learn things on their own and explore their own talents. I have a feeling that Lehi did all this and much more.

Well, this verse was in our first Sunday School lesson this year. I happened to be in Texas at the time, but I shared something that we don't often think about with this verse. It's this:

Laman and Lemuel were also born of goodly parents.

So, what happened to them? The short answer is that I don't know. The long answer also involves me not knowing. It's just interesting to see that some of Lehi and Sariah's children were obedient and others were not.

That's really all I wanted to say in this post, but it seems like it's not enough. Maybe I'll say that Nephi didn't just follow his dad into the wilderness. Here's a verse that makes Nephi seem more like us, in that he had to gain a testimony for himself.

1 Ne 2:16, 19 show that Nephi wan't born with a testimony. He sought one. Verses 17-18 show that Nephi loved his brothers and shared his testimony with them. I'm proud of Sam for listening to his younger brother. That's not easy for some people to do. He (and I'm sure he wasn't the only one) also tried to help Laman and Lemuel understand the will of the Lord. We also know there are some sisters involved here because they married the sons of Ishmael. Striving to live the gospel was a family affair. Some just did better than others.

I want to be a goodly parent and a goodly son. I am grateful my parents taught me the gospel when I was young. They must have taught me from very young. I don't have any memories like, "Ya, that's when Mom and Dad started talking about church stuff." I hope to be a goodly parent by teaching my kids gospel principles. We already talk about baptism, dating and courtship, the law of tithing, fasting, the Word of Wisdom, temple sealing and eternal life. Angie and I love it when our boys teach us their understanding.

We are all very blessed. The Lord has showered many tender mercies upon us.

Kids teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ

I love it when my kids get assigned talks in primary. Skyler is getting old enough that he can think up what he wants to say almost by himself. It's harder to get him to sit still long enough to come up with the talk than it is to get him to figure out what he wants to say.

I think this is the third time that Skyler has given a talk where we wrote it down and he read it by himself. The two previous times he wanted to write it down in a little notebook that he keeps in his scripture bag. This time he wanted to type it up. I sort of remember typing up one other one so maybe this is the fourth talk that he's done mostly on his own.

Last night we sat down at the computer together and talked about the topic, "How Nephi was blessed for choosing the right." I think it was a little harder for him to think about this topic than others, but that's ok. It just took some extra discussion about the end blessings for the choices he made, rather than talking about what he did to get those blessings.

Here is Skyler's talk. I typed it up for him, but he put all these ideas in. Angie and I both gave suggestions, but he chose what he would actually say. It was fun(ny) to hear him say stuff like, "No, I don't like that sentence so take it out" or "Change the order of those sentences." He wanted to be done a few times before the talk was long enough, but he stuck it through. I'm proud of him. Here's his talk in its entirety.

"My talk is about how Nephi was blessed for choosing the right.

"Nephi was freed from ropes because he prayed for help. His wrists were sore, but he did not complain.

"Nephi got the brass plates from Laban because he followed the Spirit. He knew that the Lord would bless him.

"Nephi was protected from his brothers by an angel because he chose the right.

"The Liahona gave him directions because he followed the prophet Lehi.

"I know the Church is true. We can be blessed by saying our prayers and choosing the right. I know that Jesus lives.

"In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Do not spend money for that which is of no worth

I've been reading 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon and have come across several verses that I wanted to share.  I'm in chapter 9 right now, but maybe I'll go back and pick up a few of the other things I wanted to blog about in previous chapters.

It's hard for me to remember that Nephi didn't speak all the words that we read in 2 Nephi. Every time I come to 2 Ne 6:1, I read, "The words of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, which he spake unto the people of Nephi."

Oh, ya. Jacob!

He was one of Nephi's two younger brothers born in the wilderness during the years between Lehi's exodus (with his family as well as Zoram and Ishmael's family) from Jerusalem and reaching the promised land (somewhere in the Americas).

Jacob was a powerful teacher and had a strong testimony of his Savior. We read in 2 Ne 2:2-4 that "[Jacob knew] the greatness of God" and "beheld in [his] youth His glory". What a strong child and youth he must have been to gain a testimony of the gospel from his dad (Lehi) and other faithful family members when he had to live through the "rudeness" of his other brothers (2 Ne 2:1).

Back to chapter 9.

This is a long chapter about Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for all men. Toward the end of the chapter we read the following verses. Verse 51 is the scripture that our stake has chosen to be our theme for 2012. It makes more sense to me in the context of what leads up to it.

  48 Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.

  49 Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God.

  50 Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

  51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

I have a testimony of the truthfulness of these scriptures and of Christ's power to save. I know that this life is our time to prepare for our eternal reward and that we will receive from God's hand every blessing that we are worthy to receive in this life for our happiness now and at the Judgment Day for the eternities hereafter.

The choice I have before me is what job to pursue. It's been on my mind for years, but especially so for the past several months. Providing for my family and enjoying the work I do are just part of the decision. Where to live and our ability to save are also part of the equation. We need to provide for Wes's special needs in the short (and long) term(s). Verse 51 teaches me that I do not need to spend money for things which are of no worth. Having a PhD in physics and astronomy will bring in a decent income and there are lots of things I'd like to do with that income. Jacob, the wise teacher that he is, teaches me that the real importance in life is to "come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not".

I am thankful for the peace that comes over me from reading the word of Christ that I receive through His holy prophets and through the Spirit. I need to be still and let the Holy Spirit guide. Too often I try to stand in His way and I have to keep reminding myself to pause and listen.

It Didn't Smell Like That In Brazil

Yesterday morning I woke up and smelled something really, really nasty. It was the worst diaper smell that I've ever experienced. Not that the smell itself was the stinkiest, but because I was still in bed and the aroma reached my olfactories before I even got out of bed.

Ew.

Gross.

The realization grew even more grim when I regained a bit more consciousness. No diaper-wearing child was clambering for attention at my bedside to be changed. That meant the source of smell was far, far away. Time enough for wafting odors to make their way into my room. But I doubted the worst so I kept thinking. And then it dawned on me. We were making beans (Brazilian style) overnight for Sunday dinner with some friends. Cooking beans is the most unpleasant kitchen smell that I've ever witnessed. Oh, except for liver. My mom ate liver and onions and that wins the worst smell award, hands down. But I digress.

Why the topic of Brazil? Why the beans and rice? I went to Brazil to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved almost every minute of it. We invited some families over for a tasty reminder of the time we spent in Brazil.

Serving a mission is a tough thing. Maybe that's why we're sent when we're young, energetic and resilient. We get to serve a mission when we turn 19, but can begin our two years any time before turning 26. Young women can go when they are 21 and have no upper limit to their age, except that they be single. And couples can go once their kids are grown and out of the house. Sounds pretty sweet. Angie and I are planning on going some day and we talk about it once in a while. Wes might go with us. We plan on having him around for quite a while. He's going to be a great missionary. :)

One of our friends that we invited over for beans and rice served in Bahia, Brazil in the mission neighboring mine. She told us a week or two ago that she made cheese bread balls and was trying to perfect the recipe. Her husband served in The Philippines. He's awesome. So are their kids. Our other friend went to Manaus on his mission. That's in the Amazon rain forest. His wife and kids are awesome too. We all had a great time hanging out until the kids' bed times told us it was time for the party to end.

I have to say that I love talking to people about serving or living in Brazil. I love speaking Portuguese. And I love telling people who ask me, why I lived in Brazil for so long and worked so hard down there. From 6:30am to 9:30pm, missionaries find others who want to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ and spend their time teaching and answering questions. I am so glad I went, but I'm glad that the next time I serve I'll not be on such a tight and rigorous schedule.

I already know who my companion will be and I won't have to worry about transfers.