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The Way. www.kevinhinckley.com. Pictures of the year. St. Hugh Nibley. “The Book of Mormon was written by a bunch of worried men.” Why would he say that?. Nephi’s last discourse.
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The Way www.kevinhinckley.com
St. Hugh Nibley “The Book of Mormon was written by a bunch of worried men.” Why would he say that?
Nephi’s last discourse Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God
The “Way”, Greek “Hodos” 1) properly a) a way b) a travellers way, journey, travelling 2) metaphor. a) a course of conduct b) a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding
Nephi’s last discourse Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God
Elder Maxwell People who search for a light at the end of a tunnel other than the light of Jesus Christ will not find it. Knowing, however, that His light is eternal, steadfast, unwavering, and constant can see us through the narrowest passages when steadfastness is most apt to slaken. So much of steadfastness depends upon our hopefulness, especially for a better self… The Book of Mormon doesn’t become untrue because we’ve had a bad day! Wherefore, Ye Must Press Forward, p. 65
As opposed to… High on Mount Sinai, Moses was on psychedelic drugs when he heard God deliver the Ten Commandments, an Israeli researcher claimed in a study published this week. Such mind-altering substances formed an integral part of the religious rites of Israelites in biblical times, Benny Shanon, a professor of cognitive psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem wrote in the Time and Mind journal of philosophy. "As far Moses on Mount Sinai is concerned, it was either a supernatural cosmic event, which I don't believe, or a legend, which I don't believe either, or finally, and this is very probable, an event that joined Moses and the people of Israel under the effect of narcotics," Shanon told Israeli public radio on Tuesday. Moses was probably also on drugs when he saw the "burning bush," suggested Shanon, who said he himself has dabbled with such substances. He mentioned his own experience when he used ayahuasca, a powerful psychotropic plant, during a religious ceremony in Brazil's Amazon forest in 1991. "I experienced visions that had spiritual-religious connotations," Shanon said. Question: If you’re a Jew, how would this effect your faith?
Tough Question… How “steadfast” are you? Could something happen that would cause you to question your steadfastness? How does someone lose their “way”, their steadfastness?
Which Way? Doubt (In members) Faith (Expectation) The Great Deceiver Holy Ghost Perfect Brightness Of Hope Sense of Betrayal “Been Lied to” Sin Internet Lack of Knowledge Lack of Conversion Anger, Pain Joy Mocking or Feelings of Superiority Toward Saints: Love, Gratitude
Anita Canfield Ashley [my daughter] struggled all her life for her grades. She was diligent and concerned and tried her best to succeed, but it was hard for her to retain concepts and do the work. Because of her poor grades and despite her diligent efforts, she was always discouraged. We have a yearly family tradition. On the night of the first day of school, we all receive a father's blessing. He begins with the youngest child and asks each of us if there is anything special we need. The first school night of Ashley's sophomore year, when her turn came, she was asked the familiar and standard question, "Anything special, Ashley?" … Quietly weeping she asked, "Dad, do you think Heavenly Father cares about my grades? I think he does… Do you think there's a special blessing for me? I've tried—but, Dad, I'm dumb." Steve put his arms around her and gently replied that he knew Heavenly Father cared about all parts of our lives. …He placed his hands on her head and blessed her … In essence, this is what came next: "Ashley, a modern-day prophet has admonished us to read the Book of Mormon. He has even promised that those who make it part of their lives will have greater powers because of it. Ashley, Heavenly Father wants to enter into a covenant with you. If you will follow a prophet's voice and begin tonight to read the Book of Mormon every day—and not just read it, but study and ponder it; and not just this year, but begin tonight on a lifelong pursuit of reading and studying the scriptures every day—then he will bless you. He will bless you in your mind and in your ability and in your efforts. You will succeed, so much so that you will even be utterly amazed." A tremendous spirit was present, and it bore witness to us of who the Author of that priesthood blessing was.
Sis Canfield Continued… That night when I went to say good night, Ashley had the Book of Mormon open to 1 Nephi 1. She looked up and said, "Mom, will you answer a question?" This is great, I thought. Already she wants more information! "Mom, how can reading and studying the Book of Mormon help my grades?" For a moment I was puzzled too, and then the answer became quite clear. "Ashley, I don't know. I don't know at all. But this much I do know: obedience is everything. Faith is a principal of obedience. If we obey, even though we don't understand, the Lord gives us power. For every law we obey, a blessing comes. Maybe we don't even know it at the time, but obeying brings blessings. Right now, Ashley, do you have the faith to obey, even though you don't understand?" She said she did and absolutely wouldn't quit. She would "do faith." And she did. She read the Book of Mormon faithfully. Not only did she not understand how it was all going to work but she didn't understand much of what she was reading. The end of the first nine weeks came. She came into the kitchen after school, crying and clutching a crumpled piece of paper. She threw it on the counter and ran upstairs. I knew immediately it was the grade report, and my heart sank. How would I ever instill a desire for faith in her heart again? But as I uncrumpled the paper, there were all As and Bs! I ran upstairs and found her in the bathroom, splashing her face. Now we were both crying. Expecting a story of inspired new study procedures, I exclaimed "Ashley! How did you do it?" Instead, my fifteen-year-old daughter taught me again about "doing faith" in three simple words, "Book of Mormon.“ Perfect Brightness of Hope, 15.