Sunday School 43 - Moroni 1-6
“As a great Christian writer (George MacDonald) pointed out,” Lewis references, “every father is pleased at the baby's first attempt to walk: no father would be satisfied with anything less than a firm, free, manly walk in a grown-up son. In the same way, he said, 'God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy.”
We cannot just start and expect the start of a journey and think that it is the end just because you left heavens door and say, "yep done."
In two talks by Elder Utdorff I found that the darkest times is when we shine the brightest. Moroni was alone for a long time attempting to finish his father's work. He had no idea how it was going to end or who would read his father's work. All he had was faith that the message of the Book of Mormon would get to the listener that needed it. Should he had seen how the message was going to rest a thousand plus years or would written in his home language and that language was going to be lost and undecipherable, it would of might of discourage him. The Lord in vision showed how the Lord was going to make this book a true marvelous work and a wonder.
One of the darkest days can be the most sacred. When Joseph Smith was put in prison, he received some of the most inspired revelation. The same can be said for Joseph if Egypt or Daniel who faced lions or Alma and Amulek who was jailed by Lamanites. Our own dark times can be rough with an unpredictable outcome. We may be asked to follow the Spirit doing something we have a clue for why but we need to step forward like Israel did when faced with the Red Sea on one end and the army of Egypt on the other. Prophets don't always know the outcome but they are still the voice on the tower crying warning and encouraging us to show strength faith (unshakable trust), loyalty (repentance when we waver).
It's interesting how Moroni came to realize how the Book of Mormon has a view of the church of Jesus Christ from the outside looking in and failed to show things done inside such as the sacrament and baptism. The temple even echoes in the Book of Mormon but not the prayers said. Moroni gave us that. Again, Moroni was led by the Spirit not knowing what to write but exercising his calling, his keys, and priesthood.
Parable of the spoons
One day a man said to God, “God, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.”
God showed the man two doors. Inside the first one, in the middle of the room, was a large round table with a large pot of vegetable stew. It smelled delicious and made the man’s mouth water, but the people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. God said, “You have seen Hell.”
Behind the second door, the room appeared exactly the same. There was the large round table with the large pot of wonderful vegetable stew that made the man’s mouth water. The people had the same long-handled spoons, but they were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The man said, “I don’t understand.”
God smiled. It is simple, he said, Love only requires one skill. These people learned early on to share and feed one another. While the greedy only think of themselves…
https://sofoarchon.com/heaven-and-hell-the-parable-of-the-long-spoons/
When we study the sacrament, we learn that the sacred sacrament is about sharing. Never one is encouraged to feed yourself while holding the tray but it is offered to us by someone else. When we are at church are we trying to feed ourselves or are we attempting to feed others with the thoughts, impressions and scriptures. Are we attempting to edify others or lean back in our chairs expecting to be spoonfed inspiration? I have heard it said "What did you learn at church?" Sometimes it is returned with "Nothing.". What we should ask, ourselves at least, "What did we give at church?" When we reflect on the spoon parable it was because they gave that others were eager to give also. We do that at work and home, why not church? Not just prepare a lesson but an experience that can be applied to us today that can be shared and if we are not teaching, prepare to be givers.
Depression, boredom and loneliness are appetites that need satisfaction
While Moroni was alone I'm sure he had a lot on his mind.
Who do we punish when we don't turn to others for a solution? The Lord, spouse, friends, a councilor? Depending on our circumstances, we need to navigate our trials well. At times it's in prayer and other times it's with an outside source.
Remember, remember, are the most important words of our life. Moron and Moroni kept a record so that they (and us) would remember our blessings. How many times have we head the precious record of the prophets this year? How many of us wrote our impressions in journal format of our experiences. I know for my own blog it's been a twisted journey with inspiration and answers that would of not come had I not listened to the Spirit and various sources. Brothers and Sisters, God wants us to learn as much as we can about the Savior and Holy Ghost so we can grow closer to our Heavenly Father. Keep it up! We have so much to learn.
Jesus doesn't want followers but disciples. He wants us to use our priesthood power, authority, keys, covenants to grow closer to him. Followers just believe but do nothing but deciples have faith, press forward and make decisions even when they don't know the outcome. Are we believers in Christ who hit the follow button or disciples of Christ who exercise faith in him? Do we stand up when knocked down or do we wait for "inspiration" to get up? Don't wait, press forward. Show the Lord that you want to lead in your decipleship.
The house of bread (Bethlehem) gave us the Bread of Life so that when the bread was broken we would savor the sweetness of His gift, eternal life with God. Our bread of life is broken continuously. Do we give a sweet savor like the Savior or a stink because of our bitterness? Life is hard. Bitter herbs and laven bread was the bread of the passover. It was supposed to remind us that the bitterness of life could be resolved by the Atonement of Christ. Some say how can that be done? Life is so bitter at times, so full of sorrow and failure, but look at it this way. Chocolate is from a bitter bean mixed with sugar a sweetness and we must have both to be chocolate. The Savior knows our life is going to have unexplained bitter moments and they may not be explain in this life as it was with Mormon and his son Moroni but you and I see when has come of their work.
Life is unexpected full of twist and turns. I encourage you look forward to the end and while you are on your journey. Show decipleship daily to others especially this Christmas. Reach out to your neighbors and families and share a moment. The more moments you create the more your life will be shared with them. Have a great week.
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