Mormon 7 has the beautiful part. The part about Jesus and how he gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up. Such a lovely thing to consider. Jesus brought to pass the redemption of the world. That's kind of a big deal, right? And the answer is to lay hold upon the word of God. This is the last of the words of Mormon, since in chapter 8 his son Moroni takes over and says the Lamanites slaughtered everyone, even his father and all of his kinsfolk.
Today is a good day to sit back and ponder these things. Snow is falling as the sun is shining, reminding of how strange this world can be. Coupled with the media finally announcing that Joe Biden won the election, it is a quiet and strange day for me. I voted, but I am a neutral observer of the whole thing. I prayed about who I voted for, and then I sat back and watched things unfold. I have prayed that I could remain calm while so many others around me were so emotionally invested. I have worked within uncertainty for so long, and I hope my trust in God will continue to supersede the drama of this country and it's leaders. In an election year I can relate to the secret combinations and works of darkness spoken of in Mormon 8.
Mormon and Moroni did the best they could in a time and place that was even more dangerous than the one I am in. Reading these chapters reminds me of how far mankind can fall, but also the value of persevering in the face of evil. The importance of clinging to that which is good. The deep strength that comes from trusting in God when all else is failing around you. Moroni was so alone. But he was alone with faith, and that is how there is now a book to read for knowledge and inspiration. No matter how bad my life gets, I am not yet living in a land of one continual round of murder and bloodshed, with no end to the ward.
And no matter what is happening around me, I can still be the kind of woman who does all things with an eye single to the glory of God. The world can fail me, but God will not. People can be unreasonable but God has a purpose in everything. I am learning that it is good to question, but that is not the same as doubting.
Moroni spells it out in chapter 8, the many things that can go wrong when people are not busy seeking what is right. When men stop looking to God and start praising only themselves.
There is so much in the last chapters of Mormon. I also want to proclaim a God of miracles. I want to be a faithful daughter of God, so I can receive a pouring of revelations and gifts and signs.
Moroni talks of redemption from an endless sleep, from temporal death. But I also feel like I have been saved from sleep walking through life. From going through the motions that are dictated by the society and culture I live in. Being more alive in Christ, more open to love and joy. To all the Godly things like peace and hope and a clearer vision of life. I want to know the God in whom I should trust, this is why I read the scriptures carefully.
I am also quite interested in the signs that follow those who believe. A short list is given, and it fascinates me:
in my name they shall cast out devils (the name of Christ)
they shall speak with new tongues
they shall take up serpents
if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them
they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover
I am certain the list is longer. And of course, this is about asking for the things that I need, and acting in faith. I sure hope I won't have the need to cast out any devils. This is really a thing! I hadn't thought much about that before.
It is time for me to read the Come Follow Me chapter, with all of the questions for digging a bit deeper into these things.
I am almost jealous of Mormon and Moroni. They knew they were keeping records for the good of future generations who would benefit from it. I feel like less than Abinadi. His testimony only reached one man. I need to believe that I could at least benefit one soul with the testimony that I write here. Although it may only be my own soul that grows from the sharing.
Maybe one day this blog could be read by my grandchildren, I suppose that is my hope. Who else has incentive to listen to my words? I am but a simple woman known by few. I write to praise God. I write to find my own way on my path. That should be more than enough.
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