Tight Like Unto a Dish

In the opening chapters of Ether, we are introduced to Jared and his brother (aptly referred to as the brother of Jared). The brother of Jared communes with the Lord, and is told to build barges. This brings up many questions: how many? how? how will we breath? how will we see? All valid questions, and all answered by the Lord.
In construction of the ships, the Lord lays out the exact designs, "and they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish." (Ether 2:17). In being tight like unto a dish, the barges were sealed against the water, so there was no worry of them filling and everyone sinking, which would be bad. They know it will be tight because these were the designs given to them by the Lord. Now, the issue of them being tight like unto a dish did present one problem, the problem of air supply. If it's airtight, then no more air can come in, and once the air in the barge is gone, they'll all suffocate. This is pretty simply solved, the Lord instructs the brother of Jared to simply put a hole with a stopper to allow air in, then stopper again when water starts coming in.
I'd like to focus on "tight like unto a dish". This is said many times in the verse in description of the barges. Everything, the top, bottom, side, and door are all tight like unto a dish. What does that mean for us? The benefit for the barges was that it would for sure keep out all the water. That was the main danger being presented to them (that and sea monsters), and what they worried most about. We're just going to set off on this grand voyage in these big wooden barges, in the wide open sea, with absolutely no knowledge of where we'll be or where we're going? We'll drown! But, thanks to the Lord's instructions, that didn't happen. We can seal ourselves. We can make ourselves tight like unto a dish the same way the brother of Jared did with his barges. By following the Lord's instructions and doing as He says, we protect ourselves from the dangers that surround us and want to get in and drown us. As we make our lives tight like unto a dish, we are better able to avoid/resist temptations, and keep ourselves afloat, guided by the Lord, towards that promised land. And all the while, the Lord will provide us with air to breath, and light to see. Are you tight like unto a dish?

Pride Cycle

Today, I finished the Book of Mormon (not the whole Book, just Mormon's book in the Book of Mormon). Here we see the beginning of the end. After Christ has visited, the people all convert to the gospel, and they have all things in common. For years and years they live in happiness and harmony. All is well. But then, after a couple centuries, pride starts to swell in people. They start thinking more about themselves, and putting on costly apparel, and looking good. They start contending, and people start thinking they're better than others. Suddenly, the people are on a quick downward slope. Before you know it, there are wars going on. Mormon is asked to lead the Nephite army against the Lamanites. There is blood and carnage. Mormon feels great sorrow for his people, because he and his son appear to be the only righteous people left. He sees that, after much death and bloodshed, his people are sorrowful, and he gets hopeful because he thinks they might remember their God, and repent. But, they don't. They simply have pity for themselves. This makes Mormon, once again, very sorrowful. As he continues to lead the armies, they grow in strength, and are able to defeat the Lamanites. As they do this, they boast of themselves, saying they did it themselves, and swearing by the heavens and God's thrown that they will kill their enemies. Mormon is not having any of that, so he resigns as their leader. He eventually comes back to lead them again, but they are all killed, every Nephite, except for Mormon, his son Moroni, and 22 others. The Lamanites are now pretty much the only survivors, and want to finish off the Nephites once and for all. Mormon, who has the plates containing the record of the people, gives it to his son Moroni. Mormon is eventually killed, and Moroni finishes the record before sealing them and being killed. It's just amazing to see how, in the span of 400 years, and entire people can go from being righteous and happy to being so wicked. The pride cycle is seen all throughout the Book of Mormon, where the people are righteous, get blessed, grow prideful, become wicked, are punished, repent, are righteous, get blessed, grow prideful... etc. etc. But, never has it been seen where the cycle doesn't... well... cycle. This is where it all ends. There is no upward climb, now. There is no returning to righteousness. There is no remembrance of their God. This is where the cycles stops, because the people have become so wicked, prideful, greedy, and vain. They have completely turned on the ways they have been taught. They have dug themselves into so deep a hole that there is no climbing out.
It's interesting that this happens after Christ comes. He introduces to them the Gospel and sets in order the way they should live. He ordains his disciples, and gives them the charge to teach. Everything is going so well for so long. It really makes you wonder what exactly happened to make this happen. How is it that the people of that time were just so wicked and vile that nothing, not even the words of Mormon exhorting them to repent, could bring them from the brink of destruction? What was different about those people?
The world has moved so far away from God. We see it everywhere. Things like drug use, sexuality, and language are viewed as everyday things, part of our normal lives so it's no big deal if they're displayed on TV or in magazines or wherever. Because of this, we become desensitized to things that should bother us. There are so many things out there that Heavenly Father doesn't like, that we think are just normal things. We too often have the "it's no big deal" mind set about it, and aren't bothered by the things we see. Let us always remember our Lord, and never ever be like the Nephites, where we forget Him and turn on Him. We need Him in all aspects of our life, and if we remember that, and keep his commandments, He will protect us.

Testimony

In John chapter 4, we read of an experience Jesus had with a woman of Samaria. He meets her at the well, and asks her for a drink. She then questions why He, a Jew, would ask a Samaritan for a drink, when Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans. He then explains of living water, water that He has that if she would partake, she would never thirst again. She misunderstands the metaphor, and wants actual water that will forever quench her thirst. She then comes to the realization that He is no ordinary man, first claiming Him a prophet, then realizing his full divinity as the Messiah. She goes and spreads the word, and many people hear her words and come to see for themselves. Verses 41 and 42 read: "And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." It was after they had seen for themselves, witnessed the Man Himself, that they knew who He was. They had to learn it, to experience it, rather than just rely on the words of others. The woman gave them reason to believe, but it was interactions with Christ that made them truly believe, and know who He was.

This is what we do. We aren't out here to convince anyone, or to make them believe what we say. We give people a reason to believe, and a desire to know, and then it's up to them. They have to go straight to the source: Just as the people of Samaria knew it was the Messiah when they heard His words, people of Montana (or wherever you may be serving) can know the truthfulness of our message by hearing and reading the Word in the Book of Mormon. We can testify until we're blue in the face, but that's not what is going to convert them. My testimony is my own. I can't loan it to someone, and someone else can't take it for their own; they need to develop their testimony just as I have, and as countless others before me have: Through studying the scriptures and praying to know if it's true. It is through the Holy Ghost that people will know truth. "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Introduction to the Book of Mormon). We invite all to come and see. We give them a reason to believe, and the Lord makes them believe. That's why we're here, that's what we do. Our words aren't enough. The Spirit is.

A Special Witness of the Book of Mormon

Elder Holland is one of my favorite speakers. He is so passionate, wise, and just plain amazing. This talk he gives on the Book of Mormon gets me every time. He is so sure of its truth and divinity. I am too. It's when I see men like this, intelligent, well spoken men bear such strong testimony, that it must be true. There are people that you can just listen to as they talk about these things, expound the scripture, and assure you they know it's true, and it must be true. There's just no way men like them could be duped, tricked, or scammed. This is real; I know it is. I've tried it for myself. I've prayed, I've fasted, I've asked my Heavenly Father "with a sincere heart, will real intent, having faith in Christ". Because of this, I know it is true, and I will tell that to anyone. I will not ever waver on this. I will never doubt. I have made my decision, and I'm sticking to it, come whatever forces of evil may try to tear me down, make me flinch, or chip away. I have built my foundation on the Lord, and He is a rock. The Book of Mormon is scripture; it is the word of God; it is true, and I defy any man to listen to watch this video and still think that a man such as this, who has been ordained an Apostle, a special witness of Christ, is deceived.

Service

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.." (Mosiah 2:17)
This is true. I know it is. King Benjamin, in his amazing address to his people, expounded in large part on the Godliness of service. He was their King, but he worked right along side with them. He didn't just sit back and have everything done for him, lavishing in his great riches; rather he worked for what he had, and what he had wasn't just material goods and wealth, but the love, respect, and admiration of his people. He knew the true merit of service, and he passed along this knowledge to his adoring people. "And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!" (Mosiah 2:19). King Benjamin realized that any service rendered here was just a model for our devotion to the Lord. He truly understood what service was and the importance of it.
Jesus also expounded on the advantage of service. He taught his disciples, in a way that anyone could understand, that service unto the least of these, your brethren, would be service to Him.
"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:35-40). Come the judgment day, we will be held accountable for what we did in our time of probation. If we live our lives in a service oriented way, as the Lord taught and expects of us, He will recognize that service, and relate it to himself, saying that the kindness you showed towards those around you, you also showed to your Savior. 

May we always look for opportunities to serve those around us. Even the smallest gesture can make a big impact. Service doesn't always have to be labor or volunteer work. A smile, an encouraging word, a kind deed can make the difference in someone's day.

The Book of Mormon

A lot of people we talk to, when asked if they've ever heard of the Book of Mormon, will say yes. However, when we ask if they know what exactly it is, they'll say no. So, what exactly is the Book of Mormon? Well, by just looking at the name, we can obviously assume it is a book. True. But it is so much more than that. The full title is "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ". Now, as the subtitle implies, it is another testament, not a replacement testament, not a better testament, not a more accurate testament, another testament. The Book of Mormon goes hand in hand with the Bible, they both witness of God's love for his children, both have accounts of prophets dealing with the people, and both testify of the divinity of Christ and his role as the Son of God, and the Savior of the whole earth.
What exactly is in the Book of Mormon? Well, the Book of Mormon is an account of a man named Lehi, who was a prophet, and was warned by God to leave Jerusalem before it was destroyed (which it was when Babylon took it over). He took his family, his wife and four sons, Laman, Lemuel, Samuel, and Nephi, and headed for the wilderness. They also brought Ishmael and his family. After time in the wilderness, where they experienced trials and afflictions, the Lord commanded them to build boats, and, just as with Noah, the Lord gave them specific instructions. They built these boats, and followed the logical next step, they set off on the open seas. After a long trip, they arrived in the promised land as was told them by God. This land was what we know now as the American continents. They settled there, and after Lehi died, he left Nephi, the youngest son, in charge. He did this because Nephi was the most righteous and faithful of his sons. The oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel, were both very angry with this. They were not righteous, and did not follow God's laws. The anger amidst the family resulted in two major groupings to be formed: The Lamanites (those who followed Laman) and the Nephites (those who followed Nephi). The Lamanites were typically more wicked people, and the Nephites were typically more righteous, but throughout the account, we see a kind of roller coaster with the Nephites, seeing them being righteous, then prideful and wicked, then righteous again.
As time elapses, we see accounts of numerous prophets, such as Alma, Abinadi, Ammon, etc. We see their dealings with Nephites who have gone astray, and Lamanites. They taught the word of God, just as prophets did in the old continent (like Moses, Noah, and Abraham). And one thing that all the prophets prophesied was the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. All the believers awaited in great anticipation the coming of the Lord. Around the time he was to come, the nonbelievers were really sick of the believers, and threatened that if the sign didn't come (a day, a night, and a day where there was continual light, as if there were no night),  then they would kill all the believers. But, the sign came, and many were converted.
Several years later, following Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, during the 40 days he tarried on the earth, he taught his disciples on the old continent, and visited his people on the new continent. He called 12 to preach the gospel, just as he did in Israel, and he gave them a sort of abridged version of his ministry. Again, many were converted, and Christianity swelled. However, shortly after, the people fell victim to pride and became wicked, so much so that they were all killed, until the only Nephite left was a man named Moroni, who had been given the records of the people, which had been abridged, keeping all the most important parts, and compiling them on a set of gold plates. He knew he wouldn't survive for much longer, and that the plates needed to be protected, so he sealed them up in the earth, where they would remain until the time came for them to be discovered.
These plates remained buried for about 1400 years before a man named Joseph Smith was led to them by an Heavenly Messenger, the man who had hidden the plates himself, Moroni. Joseph Smith then set about to translate the plates, and that has become known as the Book of Mormon (so named for Mormon, Moroni's father, who had abridged the plates).
Besides just being a book, it is another volume of scriptures, and it is the fruits of the Prophet Joseph Smith's labors. It is convincing evidence of the truth. If the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith is a prophet, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church restored again, and all the men following Joseph Smith are prophets.
I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that we are still guided by a prophet today, Thomas S. Monson. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's restored church. I know this because I have prayed about it, and God has told me, through the Holy Ghost, and I know that the same can happen for you, if you read the Book of Mormon, and sincerely pray about it.

Stay in your Stronghold

I'd like to share with you an story about two men, Amalickiah and Lehonti. These are people from the Book of Mormon, specifically the book of Alma, and this story comes from Chapter 47.
Lehonti was the leader of the Lamanite army. Amalickiah wanted to be the king over all the land. Amalickiah had an ingenious plan to make this happen, and it first started with taking control of the Lamanite army. He would then become king of the Lamanites, and from there would take over the whole land and be king of all. He was going to start with the Lamanites because the Nephites didn't have a king, and it's awfully hard to become king over a people who aren't in a monarchy. Amalickiah's plan began with Lehonti. When Amalickiah approached with his portion of the army that he was put in charge of, Lehonti took his men and they retreated up a mountain and refused to come down. Amalickiah then sent up an embassy, requesting Lehonti to come down and talk to him. Lehonti said no. The embassy came down and reported to Amalickiah, so he sent up another embassy to try to convince him to come down just to talk. Again, Lehonti said no. Once again, Amalickiah sent an embassy up and, once again, Lehonti refused to come down. Amalickiah saw that Lehonti was pretty set on staying up on his mountain. So, Amalickiah, in his cunning craftiness, went up the mountain, almost to the camp, and requested that Lehonti come down, just a little ways, with his guards. Lehonti didn't see much wrong with that, so he came down, just a little ways with his guards, and talked to Amalickiah. Amalickiah then laid out his plan: he told Lehonti that he didn't want to fight, and that Lehonti should bring his troops down in the night, and surround Amalickiah's troops, and Amalickiah would give them up into his hands, as long as he could be second in command. Lehonti is totally down with this idea, because it gets him more power, so he does exactly what Amalickiah says. Now, Amalickiah is second in command of the army. And how do you get from second in command to first in command? You kill the first in command. As it says in Alma 47:18 "And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died."
Amalickiah in this story is just like Satan. He'll tempt you all the time, and sure, you can say no to the big ones, like coming all the way down the mountain, but eventually, he'll be more subtle. He'll come almost all the way up to your camp, so you just have to come down a little bit, and he'll even let you bring your guards. He'll lull you into that false sense of security, and he'll make you feel like you're in charge the whole time. And then, once you've fallen into his trap, he'll administer poison to you by degrees until you die. Notice, Amalickiah didn't have someone thrust a spear into his heart, or administer one big dose of poison and kill him instantly, rather he did it slowly, by degrees. Just like Satan. He'll slowly lower you, bring you down, until you're spiritually dead. We must always remember to resist even the little temptations. We shouldn't even go down from our camp a little bit. Never let the enticements of more power, or gain, or pride, or self satisfaction be a reason to lower yourself at all. Stay in your camp on your mountain. Never leave.

Don't leave here. You're safe here.