Sunday School 3 - 1 Nephi 11-15 - Piece by piece

Nephi asked God to see what his father saw. Now in the scriptures it shows the vision twice, showing the importance of the vision. Now Nephi didn't want the vision but he wanted to know what it means. He was a man who wanted to apply all things of the scriptures to himself (1 Nephi 19:23). 
The thing we need to learn from his vision is that we can question the Lord with the intent to learn. For Nephi, it gave him angels and the opportunity to see the young Savior and parts of the life that he, Nephi, had built his whole life about. He had a conversation and asked questions to the angels but instead of telling him the answers, we observed how the Lord teaches, He allows us to have ah-hah moment. What better then discovery. The Spirit to spirit moment comes when we want to attach to the Lord and learn of Him. 

When we learn from him we learn to good and be good and share good then we can change the world through good but let's change the word good to charity. In my mind John 13:35 says...

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye [have charity for] one another; as I have [charity] you, that ye also [are charitable to] one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have [charity] one to another.” 

Now it's just me because I like action words, charity being one of them.
The other thing I want to let you know is that the Lord is one who is a God of the impossible. For Abraham, he had a son with his beloved wife, in his old age. For Isaac, he was delivered from a sacrifice because he had learned sacrifice, redemption and rescue from his father. Jacob was given property, posterity and the priesthood. Was history messy with regular life? It sure was and is and will be, but you know what? Nephi remembered covenants and how impossible those miracle were. Prophets after that were no different, Red Sea, lions fire pits, swallowed by sea creatures, anything coming up for the house of Lehi was possible because he worshiped the God of the Impossible. I hope you remember that.

Now let's ask the question. While you have been reading studying and pondering the scriptures, have you wondered and recorded times where the the Lord of Impossibility made things possible? Did he pull you from the snow through angels; give comfort in turbulence; take you to an oasis when all was lost? Write these stories to tell to your friends, family and strangers.

Now back to the discussion on the tree of life. Have you needed a shroud from the storms of life or needed cover as you felt naked. Did you need substance because your soul hungered? The tree gives us an encouragement (covering or atonement) and living waters and bread of life when we need it most but we must go to the tree daily. Call on the Lord daily to receive these things. Sin and turmoil haunt us daily. Let us find joy and share that joy with others. The Lord will shelter and feed us. He will quench us if we seek Him. When we ask the Lord for help be a participant in your story, take the first step. Noah, Jared and Nephi built a boat first not knowing where they were going. They let God decide the path but it was because they took the first step. Another example is Nephi didn't not pray to for God to change his circumstances but prayed that through him, the young man Nephi, God can change circumstances. Nephi broke the bands because he took the first step.

The other thing is the Jews clung to the rod to the point of missing the tree. Don't do the same. The scriptures point to Jesus. The prophets point to Jesus. Your testimonies should point to Jesus. Take the time to make those three things your iron rod to take to the tree, to the Savior.

Along the path pay attention to where you linger and where you dwindle. Do you dwell with uplifting things or does murky mist blind your eyes. Do you say, well that's just how it is or do you attempt to pull yourself towards the tree daily? It's not easy and life is messy with sin and vice. Be faithful. Show your trust in the Lord. Visit the Lord through fasting and prayer. 

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading.

Brother Bingham 

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