Book of Mormon Sunday II- Alma 1-7

  The Book of Alma begins with the account of Nehor, who practiced Priestcraft. Through law, the  Nephites protected themselves against the motivations of those who would lead them astray. Amlici took his intentions to a new level when he was defeated by popular vote and armed his followers. 

    Alma 2:18 "Nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to flee before them."

   When the Amlicites joined forces with the Lamanites, the Nephites feared destruction. Again, their cause was blessed by the Lord and they were strengthened.

   Alma 2:28 "Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them."

    Why did these clashes of opinions escalate to war? The law allowed people to hold their own opinions. No one could legally persecute another for their beliefs. However, when one faction desired to compel another group to believe with lethal force, then war was inevitable.

   Alma 3:8 "And this was done that their seed might be distinguished from the seed of their brethren, that thereby the Lord God might preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions which would prove their destruction."

   The conflicts between the Amlicites and Nephites led to huge loss of life. But, soon the Nephites reemerged with strength and many, lacking wisdom, elevated themselves in comparison to their neighbors and within the church this inequality was so pronounced that Alma gave up his judgement-seat to preach repentance.

   Alma 4:15 "And now it came to pass that Alma, having seen the afflictions of the humble followers of God, and the persecutions which were heaped upon them by the remainder of his people, and seeing all their inequality, began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him."

    The preaching of Alma is powerful, so powerful that his words today speak to me and touch my spirit. Who can not be moved by the words:

"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"

   Drawing on the past history, Alma calls his people to remember the bondage they suffered and warns them that this same decline will bring them to destruction or to their knees in repentance.

    The people in Zarahemla were in a bad way but the next town, the people of Gideon, we're in better spiritual condition. Alma had reason to rejoice in this group of people.

   Alma 7:26 "And now my beloved brethren, I have spoken these words unto you according to the Spirit which testifieth in me; and my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, because of the exceeding diligence and heed which ye have given unto my word."

   Here is a good example how the goodness of people strengthens the missionaries who can then go to preach with more resilience.

Traveling Talent

   Hours in a car can drive me to agitation but The Knitting Queen used the time to finish some overdue projects. I watched her knit and purl from the back seat.

                      When the project was done I became the model. It sure felt cozy and so soft.

                         It isn't for me but someone is having a birthday today and I hope they like it!

If Life Were a Game to Win, Then Some of Us Would Come Out Alive.

   At the playground this Saturday my grandkids and I were playing with a great piece of equipment; a kinesthetic Tic Tac Toe board.

At one point all the X's stacked up and I saw a life lesson there. I wish someone had told me when I was young that even when you apply your best efforts your life may go terribly wrong. Somehow I got the impression that there was a formula for a charmed life. Even if you hire the best life coach the X's don't always stack up in your favor.

   Shortly after that fun on the playground we learned that our nephew had killed himself after many months of depression and despair. He was Bi-Polar, though we did not know that, and this disease takes one-third of it's victims. I have experience with that disease as my father and two brothers survived it with many limitations on their lives. A fragile mind can be destroyed by some of the assaults of life. Many of us know of others with mental illness and have seen it's effects. No matter the tragedies of someone's life there are days to celebrate and reflect upon. Each of us leave some imprint of our best selves on others and Braden Asay was no exception.

We knew him, yes, as the heart of the party. Kind, polite, and so much fun, he made us all glad to be around him. Our last longish encounter was at the wedding of my son Andrew. The family stayed up late to play games and he introduced us to the game "Mafia". I haven't played it since but I still smile at the memories of that night.

These were some of the cousins, not all, but those who were available at the wedding shoot. The groom was obviously busy and Jon must have been chasing kids.
   What I know for sure is that someone was there to greet him and take him home. Grandma Beth knew he was coming and prepared the way.

Book of Mormon Sunday II- Mosiah 23-29

   The deliverance of Alma's people shows the power of the atonement. Mormon. the editor, comments that affliction is given to the righteous as well as the unrighteous to show the power of Jesus Christ's deliverance. I get that; I am not comfortable with that truth but I understand that every child of God must come to see Jesus as their Savior. 

    Mos.24:14 "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

    This people will have burdens placed upon them and the help they receive from the Lord will be talked about for generations. Their deliverance will be an example of the mercy of God and will stand as a testimony to their posterity.
   Mos.24:16 "And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage. And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage."     Mosiah 26:8 "Now king Mosiah had given Alma the authority over the church." What confidence the King must have had in this Alma who had changed his heart at the words of Abinadi. As the chosen head of the church he found himself in the position of judging the actions of his people. 

    Mosiah 26:13 "And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter, for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God."

  Every church leader should feel that humility and the Lord assures Alma of his confidence.

  Mosiah 26:20 "Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name, and shalt gather together my sheep.

   I  think of the soul searching Alma did about the behavior of his own son. What deliverance and mercy it was that the angel interceded and stopped these young men from further sin.

    Mosiah 27:29 " My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more."

    Mosiah 28:4 "And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever. And it came to pass that they did plead with their father many days that they might go up to the land of Nephi"

    These stories of repentance are a comfort to me as they show the mercy of our Savior. 

A Temple in Suburbia

     Sometimes, not often enough, I go to the city and visit a sanctuary we call a Temple of God. It is made of stone, glass and steel but it is also made of commitment and devotion. I go to worship a God who is just and true. Within it's walls I find peace and connectedness. Not just for myself, but I go to bring peace and connectedness to others.

    There is much to learn about my God from being outside the temple walls. Notice how the lines of the building move the eye upward. To ascend to Him is his desire and his glory.

     An angel in golden attire stands upon the highest pinnacle blowing a trump to announce to the world that God has restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That the veil has been opened to allow all God's children to sanctify themselves and come to Him.

       This sanctification comes through the living water offered by Jesus Christ. It is his life and mission which is exemplified inside and outside the walls. Not unlike temples of old, God teaches through pattern and symbols in his holy house.

     The family is front and center in the purpose of the temple. We come to unite husband and wife and to seal families forever.

    As buds on a much beloved tree I learn to embrace the divinity in myself and see it in all of humanity.

       This life is the spring of an eternal life and I yearn to understand the life that God lives.

      He teaches me line by line and precept upon precept how I can be made whole and wholly His.

       I go to the temple to find my Savior and in the process I learn about who I really am.

One Word

  A photo blog I visit is discussing the power of one word. I admit I thought it a bit contrived until I noticed words around me, at home and in the homes of others. I have words on my socks, for heaven's sake, and these words are great. How did I miss these words all around me.

A favorite painting was wonderful and when I added some very meaningful words the painting became a source of comfort.

I have photographed some words in the homes of my friends. Here is a sampling.

 This picture is here, not because the words tea infuser are important, but because I love the flowers I purchased yesterday and my big teacup has a worthy purpose now.
   Words are everywhere and they can bring our minds to better thoughts, don't you think?

Is Yoga a Religion?

I am a Christian and I find that some Christians feel hesitant to involve themselves in Yoga. Here are some questions I have been asked.

1. Is Yoga a religion? 

Yoga is an ancient path which may be older than any religious belief. A few religions have adopted the pathways of yoga including meditation, asana, or movement, and breath observation. 

2. What does Yoga mean?

The word yoga has been translated from a sanskrit word which means to bind or "yoke" together. Yoga is a verb, which you do when you yoke the body, mind and spirit together.

                                         
                                                             3. Is yoga exercise?
                                             Yoga is movement synchronized with the breath.
                                                            4. Do I have to be flexible to do Yoga?

      Yoga may help you become flexible but any body can benefit from yoga providing you protect yourself by using movement that feels good. Props to aid tight muscles help to find ease in each movement.

5. Do I have to be able to sit on the floor?

No, a chair can offer support and you can have the same benefits from using it as a prop.

6. Will I have to chant during a class?

Some teachers use an opening "OM" to start class together. Actually, the vibrations caused by vocalizing the sound of "OM" are very healthful and wake the body. No one, in my experience, has made me feel like I have to do everything in class. And I have never encountered religious symbols or relics in any class I have taken.

7. Why does everyone say "Namaste" at the end of class?

Namaste in sanskrit means "the spirit in me honors the spirit in you". I feel the truth of those words in my belief system.

8. I don't have a perfect body, will I fit in?
We do tend to compare ourselves against each other and we are all vulnerable about our bodies. I won't lie and say that I have never felt too big to do yoga but the benefits far out way any embarrassment I have felt. I do yoga alongside skinny young things, men with really inflexible limbs, and older people who make me want to be like them when I grow up. I have done yoga on a cruise ship in Alaska, in a farm town in Wyoming and in several studios on the Island. We have some of the best instructors right here at home.
9. What is the most important benefit you have experiences from Yoga?
Yoga has helped me appreciate and honor the body I have. What would my Heavenly Father say if I told him thanks for this body but I don't really like it and would rather have a different one.
The prophet Joseph Smith taught new truth about the importance of gaining a body in mortality.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. So every living soul who has a physical body ultimately has power over the adversary. You suffer temptations because of your physical nature, but you also have power over him and his angels."

In a recent address to youth, Elder Packer said,

"We need our bodies because it is through the body we receive revelations.

 Perhaps the single greatest thing I learned from reading the Book of Mormon is that the voice of the Spirit comes as a feeling rather than a sound. You will learn, as I have learned, to "listen" for that voice that is felt rather than heard."

I have finally learned to hear my body. For years I felt only two physical messages, pain or no pain. I lived in my head. But yoga has helped me learn to hear my body and give it what it needs. I still ignore it sometimes but I am much better than before.

Yoga has helped me feel the spirit more sensitively.

 "Some critics have said that these verses are in error because you hear words; you do not feel them. But if you know anything at all about spiritual communication, you know that the best word to describe what takes place is the word feeling."


So, I recommend yoga to anyone and hope I can encourage others to try it and see if it "does a body good"