This week we had the amazing opportunity to look deeper into a popular story in the Book of Mormon. Those that are familiar with 1 Nephi know that Lehi's dream can be interpreted as an interesting look into our life here on earth.
The most interesting thing that I learned this week from our discussions on this story was how Christ really is the center of everything in this story. We often talk about how the tree represents the love of God, the rod is the word of God, the path is the gospel....etc. But, actually, deep down, all these things are symbols of Jesus Christ and His mission. Think about it. The love of God? That is Jesus Christ. He is the gift that our Heavenly Father has given all of us. Jesus Christ is the way (the path) and He is the word. No matter what you may consider each of the symbols to be, all of them will come back to Christ and all that He embodies.
It is the same in our life here on earth. Christ is the center of everything. He is the way, the truth, and the light.
This week was enlightening in so many ways. My testimony of Christ and His Atonement was strengthened as I studied the scriptures and reflected on the idea of repentance, forgiveness, and mercy.
I am so grateful for the insights that came from my classes this week. There is something that is so comforting about taking a few hours each week to sit in a religion class and learn about the gospel (and the Book of Mormon in particular). It reminds me of how easy it is to make Christ a bigger part of my day.
sexta-feira, 27 de janeiro de 2017
sexta-feira, 13 de janeiro de 2017
Week 1: New Beginnings
It is interesting to be starting the Book of Mormon here at the beginning of a new year. It gives me another perspective on life and how I can make 2017 even better than the rest.
First of all, I wasn't even planning on taking this class in the first place. It kind of just...happened. I have taken a class from this professor before, and I knew his class was spiritually enlightening. And that is exactly what I have been needing.
Today marks exactly 10 months that I have been home from my mission in Maceió, Brasil. It was an amazing, spiritual time that I can never replace. As such, I have been doing all my scripture study in Portuguese since then. I learn different things when I read in Portuguese. I can still remember, quite clearly, teaching out of the well-worn book on dirt streets to the special people of Brasil.
When I hear someone reading the scriptures in English, my mind automatically fills in the corresponding words in Portuguese. In class we read, "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." and I heard in my head, "Eu, Néfi, tendo nascido de bons pais...."
What a beautiful way to start the Book of Mormon. I have read that verse over and over again with dozens of investigators as they started reading of the Book of Mormon themselves. We would read that verse, just that verse, and talk about it with them, explain it, and ask for their thoughts. Some would disregard it as trivial, but others saw the importance of it, and were drawn to the knowledge that lay ahead.
Just as Lehi and his family started their journey, so we too start our own personal journey every time we open the scriptures. We start a journey of learning and growth that we carry with us throughout the rest of our life. I am so grateful for these small journeys that ultimately make up the most important journey, our life here on earth.
First of all, I wasn't even planning on taking this class in the first place. It kind of just...happened. I have taken a class from this professor before, and I knew his class was spiritually enlightening. And that is exactly what I have been needing.
Today marks exactly 10 months that I have been home from my mission in Maceió, Brasil. It was an amazing, spiritual time that I can never replace. As such, I have been doing all my scripture study in Portuguese since then. I learn different things when I read in Portuguese. I can still remember, quite clearly, teaching out of the well-worn book on dirt streets to the special people of Brasil.
When I hear someone reading the scriptures in English, my mind automatically fills in the corresponding words in Portuguese. In class we read, "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." and I heard in my head, "Eu, Néfi, tendo nascido de bons pais...."
What a beautiful way to start the Book of Mormon. I have read that verse over and over again with dozens of investigators as they started reading of the Book of Mormon themselves. We would read that verse, just that verse, and talk about it with them, explain it, and ask for their thoughts. Some would disregard it as trivial, but others saw the importance of it, and were drawn to the knowledge that lay ahead.
Just as Lehi and his family started their journey, so we too start our own personal journey every time we open the scriptures. We start a journey of learning and growth that we carry with us throughout the rest of our life. I am so grateful for these small journeys that ultimately make up the most important journey, our life here on earth.
Assinar:
Postagens (Atom)