Isaiah

Isaiah can be a difficult book to understand. Full of depth and symbolism it takes true patience and long suffering to understand this book. Knowing the background of Isaiah can help you understand his point of view the context of which he is talking about. Isaiah lived in a different time then us with different symbolism and foreign definitions to words and a geographical landscape that is unfamiliar from today. Here are 3 tips to better understand Isaiah.

A. Understand the manner of prophesying of the Jews. By understanding that they used the Law of Moses and how it impacted their life little pieces of Isaiah start to make sense. Like the Savior Isaiah used many images and parables to portray his point, not everything is to be taken literal. There are certain terms that have different definition than they did in Isaiah’s time. Because Isaiah talks in such depth we have to understand their type of prophesying to interpret it.


B. Become familiar with the geography of the Holy Land and regions surrounding it. Isaiah many times refers to the land and neighboring cities. By understanding the geography we can understand the challenges faced in their time. Isaiah also used towns symbolically such as Babylon was a symbol of wickedness, by understanding this as a symbol and not a city this changes the entire meaning and context of that section.


C. Understand the historical setting of Isaiah’s writings. To understand Isaiah it is important to understand the background of the people who he is teaching. Where they came from, what they have been through if they believed or have turned away all set how Isaiah will teach. Isaiah often talks about the conditions at that time, without knowing them these things might not make sense to us.


Knowing the background and history of Isaiah and his preaching sets the fundamental path to understanding him. You can’t build a tower mid air without support and you can’t fully understand Isaiah without knowing what his life was like and without knowing the vital background to set the story.

As you read the book of Isaiah here are some prevalent themes to watch for, to pick out that help be useful pieces of information to understanding Isaiah. These are things that we are used to hearing today that Isaiah also spoke of that might be easier for us to understand. Good luck with your reading!
1. Restoration of the Jews( House of Israel)
2. Believe in the Lord your Redeemer
3. Liken the scriptures unto us
4. God speaks truth
5. Christ is coming
6. The gospel brings happiness
7. Plan of Salvation
8. Prophecies of last days.
9. The Lord is salvation
10. God requires righteousness

Ecclesiastes

Introduction 

The book of Eeart be cclesiastes consists of reflections on some of the deepest problems of life. The author describes himself as "Son of David, King in Jerusalem". Ecclesiastes is written from the view point of the world, and should not be construed as theological pronouncements. 

Sought Happiness but Couldn't Find it 

The king that is speaking in the first 2 chapters was seeking happiness but couldn't find it. 

-Sought for Wisdom

- Wealth

-Had houses and vineyards and orchards 2:4-5

-Bought servants and maids 2:7

-Gathered treasure 2:8

He could have anything he wanted but nothing made him happy. He realized it isn't the temporal things that matter, it is the spiritual part of our life that will help us to be happy.

Principles Learned 

Here are two main principles that I learned from chapter 5

Verse 1: When we go to the temple go prepared to listen to the spirit. We don't need to focus on all the other things we could be doing and what a sacrifice it was to come. Instead leave the world behind and be happy to be in Gods house.

Verse 2: Think before you talk. In the verse it says "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart by hasty". This is a principle that I need to practice, sometimes the grumpy natural man comes out and I say things that I didn't mean, or hurt peoples feelings. If I take a second or two to think through what I am going to say it gives me a bit to calm down and reprocess something else to say. Or a better way to say it. 

Man's Purpose 

12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

12:7 "Then shall the durst return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" 

Respecting God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man when man dies our body returns to the ground and our spirit goes to Heaven. This is a good description of mans duty because God knows all of our secrets and all our acts. When judgement day comes we will be accountable for our works, so it is better to keep the commandments then to disobey them. 

Esther

      The story of Esther is one of the few books that is focused on a woman's work rather than a man's.  We can learn several principles as we read this story of faith, sacrifice, and standing for what's right. The story starts with King Ahasuerus having a royal feast for all his princes and servants. Meanwhile Queen Vashti also held a gathering for the royal women(1:9). At the end of the week the king commanded Vashti to come see him and the other princes to show them her beauty. She however felt that it was better to serve the royal women and refused to come see the king, know the consequences that would come(1:12). The king was upset and Queen Vashti was no longer queen. She stood up for what she was right even though the sacrifice was losing her crown.
      The king was now in search of a new queen, in his searching he found Esther(2:17). The king did not know that Esther was a jew. Her uncle Mordecai knew of a plot to kill the king, Mordecia told Esther and she reported it and the king lived(2:21-23). Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman believing it wasn't right and worshiped God how he felt proper. Haman did not like this(3:5). Esther asked her people to fast for 3 days then she would go talk to the king(4:16). This was very dangerous because you were only supposed to see the king if he called you, you just didn't walk into him room(4:11). Esther knew that this was her chance to save her people and was willing to stand up and sacrifice her life for them. The king accepts her and she requests to have a royal banquet where she reveal Haman's plan to destroy the Jews to the king and Haman is hung(7:10). 
This story of Esther shows her love for her people and that she would give up her life willing to save them. God helps us in mysterious ways, there is a reason the king picked her to be queen. We can’t always see the plan when we are caught up in the middle but through faith and trusting in the Lord He will help us accomplish great things. Esther is very inspiring for me to do what is right no matter what the costs are. She humbly served her people and didn’t ignore them when they needed her the most. Mordecai also stood up for what he believed even though it almost cost the lives of all his people. He is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Queen Vashti started it all when she sacrificed her crown for the service of her people. These are attributes of a great leader that I want to implement into my life.

The Miracles of the Lord through Elijah

Elijah was a Prophet on earth, he lived in the area of Jordan an "inhabitant of Gilead" he performed many miracles during his time on earth, here are a few examples. 

• 1 Kings 17:1- No rain or dew in Gilead for a few years 
• 1 Kings 17:2-6- Ravens fed Elijah bread and meat
• 1 Kings 17:8-16- A woman took Elijah in that was very poor, because she served Elijah over her and her son, her flour and oil that were nearly out lasted the whole time it never rained.
• 1 Kings 17:17-22- Elijah raised the women's son from the dead. This was the same women that fed him 
• 1 Kings 18:31-38- Elijah built an altar out of stone and wood then drenched it with water and God consumed it with fire. 
• 1 Kings 18: 41-45 Elijah and Ahab were able to get out of the land safely before it started to rain
• 1 Kings 21: 17-19; 22: 34-38. The King of Israel had killed someone to gain possession of land. Elijah  prophesied that the king would die on the same land, later this prophecy came true. 
• 2 Kings 1:9-14. The guards were sent out to find God, Elijah consumed 2 groups of 50 soldiers to stop them  from leaving the land. The third group of 50 sent he spared because they recognized that God was already in the land. 

Miracles can be both a blessing and a curse. It depends what side of the fence you are on. If you are cheering for God then the miracles will be in your favor, like the women that fed Elijah her last bit of food, she had food the whole time it never rained. For those that weren't doing what's right they were cursed with no water for a year. I have found it's a good thing to choose God's side. When Elijah's time on earth was over it says "there appeared a chariot of fire,...and Elijah went up in a whirlwind into heaven" he was translated. 2 Kings 2:11-12

Solomon's Succeeding to the Throne

I recently read and studied this section of the scriptures and loved it! I did not know Solomon made a mad rush to be crowned King. It is amazing the things you learn when you study the scriptures. Here is a quick overview of what I learned. Feel free to comment and help further my knowledge.

Bible Dictionary quick version of who these people are:

Adonijah- fourth son of David, usurps the kingdom, pardoned, afterwards slain
Abithar- Priest, Takes part in Adonijah’s rebellion, is thrust out from the priesthood.
David- King, Righteous man that disobeyed then repented.
Nathan the Prophet- Son of David and Bathsheba, helps anoint Solomon King
Solomon- Son of David and Bathsheba, crowned on the rebellion of Adonijah
Joab- David’s nephew, captain of David’s army, liked Adonijah, was put to death by Solomon
Zadok- Priest, Remained faithful to David during the rebellion, helped anoint Solomon king.

Quick Story How Solomon became King

Adonijah was in line to receive the throne after David died. David was getting old, Adonijah thought it was a good idea to start presenting himself as king. He arranged a royal procession, and a royal feast all without his father King David knowing. However David had told Bath-sheba Solomon would be king.

Nathan the Prophet tells Bath-sheba what Adonijah is doing, Bath-sheba then goes into tell David that Adonijah is preparing to take over the throne. David is upset and says that Solomon is to be king. Nathan comes in and confirms what Adonijah is doing. Adonijah has also gained support from some of David’s own people, Joab captain of David’s army, Abiathar the High Priest.
David tells Solomon he is to be king and right away sends Solomon on his (David’s) horse to Gihon to be anointed by Zadok the priest and Nathan the Prophet and was anointed king over Adonijah.

1 King’s 2:1-4

David is on his deathbed his charge to Solomon is to be strong, and to prove himself a man. To always obey God, keep His commandments and to grow his own testimony. If they are following what God says his people won’t fail.

Man of God

My definition of a man of God is someone who puts others before him that is faithful, valiant, keeps the commandments of God, seeks good in all things, loves the gospel. He is “steadfast and immovable” he stands up for what he knows is right, he has physical courage to defend his people at all costs to keep his values alive. His heart is humbled and full of gratitude knowing he as a man isn’t strong enough on his own without God’s help. A man of God is a well rounded man, he loves to learn, he is understanding, labors diligently, unselfish, kills only to protect his people. Someone people can trust and look to for guidance and know he will not run away in the face of trials. A man that God can trust to do His work on earth. The world needs more of these in the chaos that we live in. Is it you? Stand up and take the challenge.

Additional reading insights:

Holy Bible 1 King's chapter 1-2 http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/1?lang=eng

Bible Dictionary http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd?lang=eng

(1-2) 1 Kings 1. How Could Adonijah and Solomon Both Have Claim to the Throne of Israel? http://www.lds.org/manual/old-testament-student-manual-kings-malachi/chapter-1?lang=eng

Inspirational Thoughts

• "Every child of God can commune in prayer with Him."

  —President Henry B. Eyring, "Exhort Them to Pray", Liahona, Feb. 2012
  Topics: Prayer

• "You are never far from the sight of your Heavenly Father."

  —President Boyd K. Packer, "Counsel to Youth", General Conference, Oct. 2011
  Topics: Heavenly Father, Youth

• "The prayers of the faithful shall be heard."

  —2 Nephi 26:15, Book of Mormon
  Topics: Prayer

• "[God] offers us, through prayer in the name of His Son, the opportunity to commune with Him in this life as often as we choose."

  —President Henry B. Eyring, "Exhort Them to Pray", Liahona, Feb. 2012
  Topics: Prayer

• "Prophets are inspired teachers and are always special witnesses of Jesus Christ."

  —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Why Do We Need Prophets?", Liahona, Mar. 2012
  Topics: Prophets, Teaching, Jesus Christ

• "Watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear."

  —Alma 13:28, Book of Mormon
  Topics: Prayer, Temptation

• "Answers will come in the Lord’s own way and in His time."

  —Barbara Thompson, "Personal Revelation and Testimony", General Conference, Oct. 2011
  Topics: Prayer, Patience, Revelation

• "From the days of Adam, God has spoken to His children through appointed oracles who are charged with revealing His will and counsel to others."

  —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Why Do We Need Prophets?", Liahona, Mar. 2012
  Topics: Heavenly Father, Prophets, Revelation

• "I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh."

  —2 Nephi 4:35, Book of Mormon
  Topics: Prayer

• "I have learned that there is great safety in following the prophets."

  —Elder Jose L. Alonso, "Doing the Right Thing at the Right Time, without Delay", General Conference, Oct. 2011
  Topics: Obedience, Prophets

Hehe 

Listen and Love

In a world of sin and chaos what a wonderful blessing it is to have a living prophet’s seers and revelators to guide and direct this church through the turmoil and hardships of this world we live in. Not only do they speak the truth but they apply the gospel to their lives, living and loving the gospel. What amazing examples these men are for us to follow and admire.

We say “Home can be a Heaven of Earth”, or “Home is where the heart is”, it is where our families grow, support each other, play together, build eternal bonds, listen to each other, love one another, the home provides opportunities that the world can’t even imagine. It is important that your children know that they are loved and appreciated and that they are a special child of God who has a purpose in this life and with our Heavenly Father’s help they can fulfill their mission. Families are the basic fundamental unit in this gospel.

However sometimes families encounter hardships, loved ones can pass away, sins can be made, loved ones fall away from the gospel. When my younger brother was in high school, four months before graduation he decided that he didn’t want to follow the family rules anymore and willingly moved out. This was not an easy time for my family to see my brother who was raised in the gospel turn away and fight the gospel. Lehi was an amazing prophet, seer, revelator, husband, father, he kept all the commandments, he raised his children in righteousness, Sariah was a loving wife and mother. Her love is portrayed for her family when she becomes at angry at Lehi for sending her boys to get the golden plates from Laban and she is sure they are dead, the joy she has when they return home. Despite their efforts their children have their own agency, the ability to choose for themselves, son Nephi used his agency to become a great prophet, Laman choose to use his agency to rebel against God. “Behold I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God...” Deuteronomy 11: 26-27.  

Elder M. Russell Ballard in the 2010 spring conference spoke to mothers and daughters on their relationship and loving and caring and being a good example for one another. “Love your mother, my young sisters. Respect her. Listen to her. Trust her. She has your best interests at heart. She cares about your eternal safety and happiness. So be kind to her. Be patient with her imperfections, for she has them. We all do.” Young women need to learn from their mothers in the home, how to be a mother, they need to be prepared for their future role in the home; and what better way to learn, then through an example of a mother. Elder Ballard in the conference before, October 2009, spoke to fathers and sons and the importance of their relationship also. “Fathers who listen more than they talk find that their sons share more about what is really going on in their lives. Dads, listen to your sons.” Elder Ballard is the Great Great Grandson of Hyrum Smith, who is brother to Joseph Smith. I am sure Elder Ballard gained a testimony and truthfulness of families through the example of his own family. “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” 2 Nephi 2:25. Robert D Hales in April 2006 stated that “Sometimes we forget that our Heavenly Father desires that each of us have this joy. Only by yielding to temptation and sin can we be kept from that joy. And yielding is exactly what Satan wants us to do.”

 Take time to listen to your children, hear what they have to say, and be patient. Know your child’s concerns and problems, beware of what’s going on in their life. Children, talk to your parent’s, they love you, they want what’s best for you and for you to be happy. Try to find the best in your parent’s and make them a role model in your life. Pray to understand them and to see the good in them. Parents same thing look at the accomplishments your child has made, learn from them, become submissive like a child. Show each other you love them, show it in your actions, through family service, playing and spending quality time together, attend family home evening and set a good example, tell them verbally how much you love, care and appreciate them.

Prophets live what they teach, if a prophet speaks on eternal families that prophet is personally trying to build a family that will last throughout eternity, they have a firm steadfast testimony of this gospel and that their Heavenly Father loves them and talks to them, they are great examples to look to and heed their council because they speak the words of Christ “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken,... whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” D&C 1:38. Our Heavenly Father loves each of His children and has given us several tools to conquer our trials.

There are several gifts our Heavenly Father has given us including, baptism, the Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ, the priesthood, scriptures, living prophets, the light of Christ, prayer, temples, joy, hope, love, families, agency and many many more. These are all very important and vital to the gospel. With my brothers choices he choose to give up these gifts, he had been baptized, but he wasn’t keeping his baptismal covenants. Instead he felt he only disappointed his family, he felt lonely and abandoned. As his sister I didn’t know what to do, we all loved him and we told him and showed our love for him frequently. The first thing I had to do was accept his agency. “Agency allows us to be tested and tried to see whether or not we will endure to the end and return to our Heavenly Father with honor. ... Agency permits us to make faithful, obedient choices that strengthen us that that we can lift and strengthen others” Robert D Hales May Ensign 2006. Forcing someone to obey the gospel is against the plan of salvation, through agency Heavenly Fathers children can decide to return home.

 After recognizing agency someone must next realize that they can’t help this person on their own “Be thou humble in thy weakness and the Lord thy God shall lead thee, shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers. Be thou humble in thy pleading, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee, shall bless thee with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares” Hymn 130. Pray for them, fast for them, Heavenly Father can help place them in circumstances that make them grow that we can’t understand. Pray that they will find the spirit and that they will heed its council. “For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye man know with a perfect knowledge it is of God” Moroni 7:16.  Have faith in God your father that he can help, have faith that your loved one will soften their heart and come back to the light. Last of all love.

The best and only thing you can really do is to love them and accept them with their challenges, we can preach and lecture and point out all the mistakes they are making but that just allows them to build up higher and deeper walls, which we can’t cross. Love is the vital key that will not allow them to build the walls too high or too deep because that love won’t let them. “... let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” 1 John 4:7. One of the longest relationships you will have in this life is with your siblings, invite them to lunch, just you and them, a place where you can talk. Then ask them open ended questions, and really listen to what they say, don’t try to correct them, don’t try to justify the gospel, just listen and let them know that you are listening. Ask for clarification and when it is all over make sure you express your love and support for them. That doesn’t mean that you support their choices, but that you support them as a person.

“All youth will be more likely to make and keep covenants if they learn how to recognize the presence and the voice of the Spirit.” Elder M. Russell Ballard April 2010. Teach children while they are in thy youth principles and build them on a sure foundation, then let them build their castle. Agency is essential to the plan of salvation, we choose to keep our agency in the premortal existence, let us choose to keep our agency through this life by not giving it up to Satan. Remember to love one another and have faith in Jesus Christ that he can do anything. Love your family, you are sealed to them for eternity and you don’t want to lose them.

 

I have a family here on earth 

They are so good to me

I want to share my life with them 

 

For all Eternity 

In November 2011, I had the opportunity to marry my best friend in the House of the Lord for all time and eternity

It was an amazing wonderful experience all my and his family was able to come, all the family members that we old enough came inside with us and all the little kids waited inside in the nursery. I wouldn't change anything that day was perfect and I love being married to my husband and knowing that if he died tomorrow it wouldn't matter because I have him for forever and that my eternity will be spent with him. 

Ancient and Modern Temples

           Just as accient prophets built altars to worship God, we too have altars today. The Bible Dictionary defines altar as "Used for sacrifices and offerings and for sacred ordinances of the gospel..." Altars are then expounded and a temple is built where altars are used inside and outside the temple. Examples of temples in the ancient times are Solomons temple, Temple of Zerubbabel. Today there are over 120 functioning around the world. These temples are used to become closer to God, to do gospel ordinances like in ancient times.
       One of the special sacred ordinances done in the temple is marriage. A sealing between husband and wife to be with each other for eternity, making covenants with God that they will each do the best they can to help each other and be loyal. In Genesis 24 it explains that what God thinks about marriage.

• God loves covenant marriages
• First Rebekah married Jacob then he loved her
• covenants are the important part- love is a choice
• You choose whether to love or not
• As you grow together love will grow if you try
• Marriage should be in the covenant and the Lord will provide a covenant marriage, if you put your faith in Him and it will all work out
• We must do our part, then ask him to do His
• Specific prayers= specific answers 

    It was instructed by God that Jacob should not marry a Canaanite (someone outside of the gospel) God wanted Jacob to marry someone righteous in the covenant to raise righteous children and have them keep the covenant. 

     In Genesis 28: 12 Jacob tells of a dream where he sees a ladder on the Earth and the top of it went into Heaven, and Angels were traveling on this ladder. In Verse 13 He sees God sitting at the top of the ladder and gives Jacob a blessing of posterity, his children will be as many as the dust of the Earth. In verse 17 he realizes he is at a house of God. Jacob names the place Bethel. beth=house el=God, House of God. In verse 18 he makes a pillar to remember where it is so that he can come again and visit.

     Today anyone can go to the temple, however only those that are worthy can go inside.

Being worthy means

• Baptized by immersion into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Obeys the word of wisdom
• Keeps the commandments of God
• Obeys the law of Chastity 
• Has a testimony of this gospel and has faith in God and Jesus Christ. 

After temples are built, and before they are dedicated there is a space of time where anyone can go inside the temple worthy or unworthy and see what the temple is like inside and have a tour and learn more about the temple. These are called open houses, and every temple will have one for at least a month. This is a great time to learn more about the gospel and about temples and a chance to see the inside beauty and more about what goes on in the temple. 

Abraham and Isacc Video

Old Testament Abraham Video

Make sure your volume is up

Role Model Abraham

       

 There are three important promises that God made with Abraham.

• Promise one Abraham was promised the power of the priesthood for him and all of his posterity that is worthy of it. 
• The second promise is posterity, and that all nations will know his posterity. This promise is interesting because at the time it was given Abrahams wife Sariah couldn't have children and that his only son, Ishmael, was from Sariah's handmaiden. This is when Abraham learned that his wife would soon have a baby and that they would call him Isaac. 
• The third promise is property, Abraham was promised land for his posterity in Genesis 12:7 it says “unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.” One of my favorite lessons from this story is that Abraham remembered to thank God for all of the promises that He gave him. 

        The first thing that he did when they came to a new place was built an altar, an olden day small version of the temple. Temples are Gods home on earth, it is a place where people can go to feel closer to Him, to talk to God, receive revelation, be spiritually fed and so much more then we understand. Abraham built altars and today we have temples, we have temples all over the world, just like Abraham had altars wherever he lived. It isn’t enough to go to the temple once we need to go as often as we can.
           Abraham had a nephew Lot, Lot chose to live on a hillside watching over Sodom, Sodom was a very wicked place. By living on a hillside he wasn’t living in Sodom and being part of the wicked, he just wanted to watch. Abraham on the other hand turned his tent away from Sodom and pointed it toward the temple. Every morning Lot would wake up and see Sodom first thing and that’s where his focus was most of the day, watching what they were doing. Abraham on the other hand woke up to the temple, towards God and paid no attention to Sodom. Abraham put God first in all he did and that’s why he was blessed with great promises.
            You can only look at Sodom for so long before you join it. One example was given in class about letting Sodom into our homes through television, we aren’t being a part of it we only want to watch it, just like Lot. But how long can you watch a show that swears without having a bad word pop into your head? A month? Year? Only a week? Satan gets to us through which we don’t think he can affect us. Television isn’t a bad thing, but sometimes what Satan shows on TV drives the spirit away and lets Satan sneak into our homes without us realizing it. The lesson I learn from Abraham and Lot is that we are blessed when we turn our tents towards the temple, when our focus is on God instead of the world God can teach us and help us become a better person. I want to be an Abraham.