Sunday School 5 - 2 Nephi 1-2


1 Nephi 17:3 And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

2 Nephi 2:26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. 

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

The balance between our free will and the response and reward from the Lord is a marvel and wonder. We must realize that the Lord is involved in everything that we let Him in. 

We push against our natural man that is in us all but not just that we push each other. Some see it as lifting because we are attempting to do such but others are judging and pointing like those in the building in Lehi's dream. There are those that say that the person partaking of the fruit, because of his hard life, is unworthy or she is a hypocrite (Greek word for pretender) because her home is unorderly or her children are jerks. 

Please don't  be the the people in the building, using baseless accusations, or attacking those without foundation of truth. Sure the foundation might be week because of personal struggle but it is still built on the rock that saves them. They are being nurished in a way that allows them to repent and build strength in the Redeemer. Cheer the righteousness of men women and children.  

Where do we linger? Where do we dwindle? Are we compelled by the Savior or dragged by the devil?  Do we invite people to do good or push away because of their (and perhaps our own) wickedness?

This week I have reflected on it and have been doing my own repenting.  Have I lingered in faith or dwindled because of unbelief. Have I said to the Lord "I believe, help thou mine unbelief." Mortality is rough and at times we are in the middle of things. We are trying to be hot or cold so that the Lord sees us where we are (Revelation 3:15-17). Drew people to warmth. Draw them to the tree without leaving. Beacon and draw people to good things. Encourage the week to yoke themselves frequently to the strong (the Savior) to lighten the load and allow them (and us?) to become strong (Matthew 11:29). 

We have free will, yes? Help keep that agency free by helping others get rid of the flaxen cords of sin and temptation. Direct them to the very person that cuts those cords. We are inherently good. Please see that. Help others to see it too is my prayer, in the name of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.

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