1 Nephi 17: 2-3

 Having just read 1 Nephi 17:2-3, I realize that even though the Book of Mormon is written from men's perspectives, these verses show Young Women's progress.

The daughters of Ishmael were probably all between the ages of 12 and 25 when they left their cushy home in Jerusalem. I bet they had never camped or journeyed much. They trusted and followed their father into the wilderness. They get married off to a set of brothers, not all of them thoughtful and patient, but young and impertinent as young males tend to be. We do not know how much was love and how much they just did as expected. But then they lose the one male they trusted thoroughly, their father and they "did mourn exceedingly" (v 16:35), now they get to rely on the young man they married for all their support and protection, and maybe their old father-in-law Lehi, who they or may not have much connection with. But they get through their mourning, and the next thing we know, not only are the traveling, but they are doing it well being pregnant and new mothers. 

That transition from murmuring to motherhood, from fragile femininity to strength to care for our children in any circumstance, is one we all must go through in life.  How great this transition is Nephi calls it a blessing (thinking the raw food diet was tough, when it was probably more healthy than they ate in Jerusalem). And then how this diet and daily activity level gave the women strength like the men.

I am sure the women found ways to do all the daily chores in the wilderness while traveling, and that alone helped quiet their murmuring, but so does the magic of holding your baby while he softly sleeps on your chest. That transition to motherhood, called "matrescence", is a powerful thing, involving much bio-psychology and physiology, and has a spiritual dimension that we only began to understand in hindsight.

It is no wonder Nephi doesn't talk much about it, as he couldn't, having not experienced it, and his wife, most likely left uneducated in reading and writing, was too busy taking care of the children and household, couldn't take time to write to us about her experience. Which is too bad, more women's voices are needed in the gospel. 

 I have prayed the same prayer

as Isaiah 64

when the world weighs down upon me

and I groan with the earth at the sickness she carries

when the new cycles are too constant

the air too thick to breathe

I have cried for the coming of the Lord

for it all to be destroyed

but then I remember that we need to build

Environmental Catrostrophy, Failed States & Forging A new Nation

 When you consider the plagues of Egypt, many of them could logically be tied to volcanic activity:

Red algae bloom from added warmth & nutrients in the Nile. The algae bloom drives out the frogs, dead frogs are perfect breeding grounds for lice & flies. Fire and hail also sound like the results of volcanic activity. 

The locus, just happens to add to the fun fest, boils & death could be volcanic gasses, results of flea bites, ect.

This regional environmental catropohy, and the most powerful nation in the land (that has maintained power by slave labor, and who instead of hearing their crys, assigns heavier workloads to them). Responds in a way that depletes his nation of all their cattle, crops and their army.

Other signs of environmental cataclysm include the mass mortality event of the quail, the parting of the red sea (can't account for how that was done yet, but I"m sure it had environmental and economic ripples) the war with the Ammonites (they too had just lost everything and were trying to fight or flee as a way to deal with their environmental upheaval.

The Lord used all this to not only set his covenant people free, but then to teach them and forge a new nation.

They had to learn to rely and trust him. He taught them through daily administration of the manna. That he is the bread of life. He taught them through healing the water that he is the living water. He built a generation to believe in him, after their 20 generations or so of bondage.

Is he using our current environmental and economic catrasphies to build and teach his covenant people today?

To the Pharaohs of Every Age:

 Given chance after chance 

to repent

plague after plague

to acknowledge the God of Israel

but no, 

you strike offensive again

You Bastard!

you will lose in the end and we will go free

You Bastard!

you could end these plagues!

but no, 

 your dick must be bigger than mine

but I'm not waving it-

only doing the work I was sent to do

My heart breaks

all the innocents 

crushed 

under your command

all the pains they suffer

so you can keep sitting in your shiny palace

how many more have to die for you?

your children?

your armies?

Must all be drowned before you give up your scheme?

Genisis 3:16

Many people consider this curse a curse on Eve, but our Heavenly Father wont curse us. This is actually more like explaining the best way to handle the natural consequences of the fall.

 This verse naturally causes pause in feminist-minded people. We can understand the labor/sorrow/childbirth reference and accept that as a translation similarity, in fact, it is easy enough to understand desiring your husband. It's that darn word "rule" that gets us. What does that actually mean and how many men in the history of the world have used that word as an excuse to dominate the opposite sex? Or worse yet, women using it as an excuse to stay in relationships where they are dominated.

After looking across translations "rule" is consistently the word, so what does it mean? Then I remembered how that section of the scene plays out in the temple. That we will harken to our husbands, as they harken to Christ. 

But modern prophets always have the best understanding available on such subjects: (and I am copying from an explanation  of Brad Wilcox. See here for more)

President Spencer W. Kimball offered this valuable insight regarding the phrase “thy husband … shall rule over thee”: “I have a question about the word rule. It gives the wrong impression. I would prefer to use the word preside because that’s what he does. A righteous husband presides over his wife and family.” (Ensign, Mar. 1976, p. 72.)

Also we remember the man the Lord was talking about when he said these words to Eve. Adam was the great Michael, he who had helped Jehovah create the earth, the great first prophet of the Lord on earth, a most righteous son of God. Those who interpret God’s blessing upon Eve as a punishment have not understood the meaning of scripture. The Lord was telling Eve that she would be watched over, cared for, and protected by the righteous love of a noble husband as she entered the fallen world. In the misunderstandings typical of mortality, how ironic that many men take this verse and use it as license to exercise unrighteous dominion and to rule over their wives instead of treating their wives in a manner to encourage a spouse’s desire toward them.

In October 1993 general conference, Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “Should a man ‘exercise control or dominion or compulsion … in any degree of unrighteousness,’ … he violates ‘the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.’ … Then ‘the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved.’ … Unless he repents he will lose his blessings.” (Ensign, Nov. 1993, p. 22; see D&C 84:39; D&C 121:37.)

In the general Relief Society meeting held prior to general conference, Elder M. Russell Ballard, also of the Quorum of the Twelve, said: “God has revealed through his prophets that men are to receive the priesthood, become fathers, and with gentleness and pure, unfeigned love they are to lead and nurture their families in righteousness as the Savior leads the Church (see Eph. 5:23). They have been given the primary responsibility for the temporal and physical needs of the family (see D&C 83:2). Women have the power to bring children into the world and have been given the primary duty and opportunity as mothers to lead, nurture, and teach them in a loving, spiritual environment. In this divine partnership, husbands and wives support one another in their God-given capacities. By appointing different accountabilities to men and women, Heavenly Father provides the greatest opportunity for growth, service, and progress. He did not give different tasks to men and women simply to perpetuate the idea of a family; rather, He did so to ensure that the family can continue forever, the ultimate goal of our Heavenly Father’s eternal plan.” (Ensign, Nov. 1993, p. 90.)

on the process of creation:

 When we plan out, practice, and release, are we creating these things spiritually before they become physical?

D&C 121: 34-36

 D&C 121

Sorry, I'm writing this with kids literally sitting on my computer, because yelling at them to get off my lap so I can write about the principles of righteousness seems kind of self-defeating.

VS 34-36

35: heart set on the things of the world... honors of men

And I pause and ask myself why do I seek to grow this business?

and my answer is simple: I seek to grow it so I, and the other people in it, will not have to worry about magically finding money for retirement, kid's college, or health care, in many respects it is to secure those dignities for myself and my children that many other countries provide for their people. I do not have my eyes on prizes of riches, no fancy cars or houses, or even East Coast Colleges, but just enough not to have to worry about the budget every time we want to do something. 

And another reason to grow it is because it will be an adventure.

Vs 36 though is what caused me to post. The concept that the principles of righteousness control the powers of heaven. Is that like the laws of physics to control m movement in this mortal existence? Then of course what are they? We probably know what they are, but just haven't classified them as such.

My guess would be charity, kindness, long suffering, purity. 

let me ponder that a bit more

Abide this Covenant

 Will you abide in my covenant, or will you give?

at the slightest pressure?

a bagel on fast Sunday

When teased at school or questioned by a friend

what is religion good for anyways?

When I ask for more than you think you can give

time on a weeknight?

How about nap time on Sundays?

Raise another child?

Transform your home to be a  place to teach the gospel? Hold Sacrament? Sew masks?

Maybe request money 

All good? You are strong enough?

level up

persecutions

pollutions

Even unto death

Will you abide this covenant?

That is the name of the game

not wealth, not ease, not happiness or peace as the world giveth

by as I give you

Abide with me

in the covenate

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

 In D&C 88 there are verses depicting events before and after the second coming, then it details the resurrection. How are those of the first resurrection chosen? I think we will choose ourselves. At the first trump, those who are anxious to serve Christ will rise and show up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ready to work in his kingdom, they will be so excited they won't even think about what it means about their rating or eternal salvation. They will do it because Christ called them. 

The ones that wait for the second trump need more prodding. They are not as anxious but will do what is right if prodded enough.

Those who wait until the third trump are not anxious in the good way, but the bad, they know they don't want to serve, they know that their results will not be as cool as they could have been.

Christ is Coming, Hurray!

 talking to the kids about how Covid is back to its winter glory, and they were asking "When will it end?"

 I replied, according to my study in the D&C and NT this week "Probably not until Christ comes."

 5-year-old pipes up "Christ is coming? Hurray!!"

Hurrah indeed, now to make sure we are standing in Holy Places to survive all the fun until then.

Watch the Tempest

 it breaks upon you

feel the spray hit your face

stand sodden    but solid

storm ragges around you

be ye yet unmoved

watch the green shoot

bud on the trees

then smell the smoke

the blood      vapors of summer

The gathered shall watch

        awaiting the day of the Lord

while doing His work

in storms, fire, summer

& yet stand unmoved

His Face is before us

Come Follow Me study thoughts from February

 Feb 5th

let yourself be gathered 

by softening your heart

Life water is free

please drink freely

and stand upon the rock

ye shall withstand

water & rock

withstands winds

water & rock

living water

rock of revelation

upon these we stand

will withstand

D&C 11

wisdom is greater than riches

the means of doing good

point all you meet unto me

walk in my spirit- that your mind becomes full of light

and understanding

your heart full of joy

you shall know all things you desire

hold my doctrine- manifestations of my love and light

when your heart and mind are ready

I shall loose your tongue

power of mine to teach men

to show them my love

learn my voice- listen to its quiet promises and wisdom

this rock of revelation shall show you all things

which ye are to do, to know, and in my wisdom, to act

When your mind and heart are quiet you can hear it

Celestial Music

calm and joy

learn to hear it when the world is in tumult around you

when anger rages at you

tune into the celestial symphony

D&C 12-16

What would the Lord have me do?

a question for the rightous in every age

Come Follow Me study thoughts from January

 The psychic dream scape is noisey

rest is no longer rest

dreams drown us further

day and night become one

non stop

where is the quiet

              the escape

              the flight?

how do I connect in the midst of all this noise?

D&C 3

Persuasion of men

instead of God

thou hast transgressed them often

crossed the path- worry about how you appear in men's eyes

stay on my side

my eyes are kind

my judgments just

D&C 3:11

God used becoming as other men as a threat/consequence of disobeying him. Reminds me of the Nephites becoming weak as the Lamanites because the Spirit of God ceased to dwell with them.

It's your choice

to become like other men

weak, misguided

but boasting of your own wisdom

I think its folly

and hoping you will find

your need to rely on God

Become more than you are

or than men, alone, may be

D&C4

How does vs 5&6 relate to each other? listed in both verses are faith and charity

D&C5 

Declared from Heaven

Truth of a book

Truth about God

our Father

Truth about His son

about how nations hold together

how individuals hold together

bound by their love of God and Liberty

working best in Equity

D&C6:6

I answered every time you asked

in your mind 

your heart

an idea

an understanding

only I know the thoughts

the intents of your heart

be faithful

keep asking

you were sent for this time

D&C 7

what desirest thou?

a question for our day

Search out your deep desires

Deep desires

dig them out

beyond time

beyond season

before flesh

beyond death

what desirest thou?

Family, My desire is to be with my Family Forever

Earth was to be family made flesh, forever -together-

D&C 8

seeing beyond time & reason

only what God intends

bit here

           bit there

only what God intends

line

      upon

              line

only what God intends

as we

               are ready

                                    to understand

two stones in my hands

their weight                 heft

them use

        only as God intends

my gift- only a single purpose

         Focused as God intends

single purpose of marvelous work

Gifts and Talents take work to make them shine

I give you raw material

the you may learn to craft, to become a creator

D&C 10

The devil seeks to destroy

                          to disarm you

He doesn't see in your quiet time

strength- rod of steel- building inside you

10:43

I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will show unto the that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the Devil.

The parents will prevail- they know your games- you may think you win for a season- but thier wisdom is greater and will prevail- thier desires made manifest and good will grow

Growth of Good

beautiful

through struggle

we will see

beautiful

waiting for me

because of His

beautiful

grace

His love for me

I will enjoy its embrace

Beautiful Savoir

Come Follow Me study thoughts

 Bare up burdens with ease

what you need will be provided at the very hour you need it

flying on Eagle's wings-

promises of the Lord, for all those who do His work, preach His gospel

Come Follow Me study thoughts

 Looking at Emma

I see a lady who had to keep it together

repeatedly

as things came crashing down

over

and over

the one who holds firm

which allows the rebuilding to occur

always giving to someone else what she could live without

Come Follow Me study thoughts sec 29

 Gathered like chicks

Do we hear our mother cluck?

She calls us

to come back to her

She sees the danger

we are blissfully unaware

scratching and pecking away

she calls to us 

come and be gathered danger is seen

A Shepard counting her sheep

Are all saftley in the fold?

counted before I can sleep

99 are here, but I must find the one, 

the stubborn one that will not come when I call

the one that is hurt and scared, one that must be carried back upon my shoulders

A lost coin of infinite worth

I will turn the world upside down to find it

rejoice with me when its found

All is saftley gathered in

home to the Father

home for the Holy day

Love, safety, and warmth

in the bosom of our Father

Thank you big brother for calling us

allowing us to be clean enough to be here

Thank you for helping me find my lost sheep

for loving my stubborn ones

for feeding the hungry ones

for never giving up on the ones I put in your charge

How could I? I love them too

Come Follow Me study thoughts Sec 29

 D&C 29

vs 9

Humbling the haughty

impoverishing the rich

making strong the weak

the stiff to rebound

The Lord will stretch you

vs12

I hope the crowns are emblematic and not real

I need no gold upon my brow to bow mw down

but of light, of love, singing songs of mercy and sweetness

Crown of righteousness, responsibility, of knowledge, teaching, loving and administering to my neighbors

Hebrew 10:31

I fall into His hands

but I am not afraid
He has succored me
nurtured me
led me carefully
let me explore this world

I fall into His hands
He has caught me
brought me to His bosom
holds me safe

My heart stays with him
my heat and mind
to do His will
during my time here

He will catch me should I fall
I fall into His hands

every day
I fall

Phillipians

I'd rather be with Christ
than in prison
but at least I can
write to you here

for the ability to serve God
I will rejoice

+ hope you will too

Acts 3

Acts 3

Silver and Gold
I have none
but infinite worth

joy to your hearts
salvation to your bones

walk
soar

Jesus has Risen
so you can too