I Have NOT Given Up!

Just given IN to the temptation to "take a break." I'm actually missing my OT stories. I have made it through Ruth and will keep plugging away.

Stay tuned...

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is a book about covenant-making. Its setting is the east side of the Jordan River as the second generation of the Israelites who came out of Egypt is about to enter the promised land. Years of experience in the wilderness had chastened them and trained them to keep their covenants. (See Deut. 1:1–5.) The book also coincides with the end of Moses’ tenure as leader of Israel. Many of the people had been very young when all of Israel last covenanted to obey the Lord at Mt. Sinai. Frequently at such moments of transition to new leadership, the outgoing leader would bring all the people under covenant again to obey God. Such seems to be the case as Moses passed the mantle of leadership to Joshua.

Ensign » 1990 » April; Deuteronomy:A Covenant of Love
By Stephen D. Ricks
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I just finished Deuteronomy and ABSOLUTELY LOVED it! I never realized how much of the OT is focused on Moses and the children of Israel. And Moses is my new scripture hero. He truly was a prophet of the Lord, and led the people to the promised land, BUT NEVER GOT TO SEE IT WITH HIS OWN EYES! And he knew he wouldn't see it! That's pretty unselfish.

It's a pretty easy read, too. So I definatley suggest reading this book, even if you don't want to read the whole OT.

Talking Donkey!

I wonder how often some of us get our direction from the Church and then, like Balaam, plead for some worldly rewards and finally receive an answer which says, in effect, If you are determined to be a millionaire or to gain this or that worldly honor, then do it with the understanding that you will continue to serve the Lord. Then we wonder why things don’t go as well for us as they would have done if we had put first in our lives the things of God’s kingdom?

What are the rewards of unrighteousness? Do they not include seeking for worldly things when these oppose the interests of the Church?

And don’t we all know people who, though they were once firm and steadfast in testimony, are now opposing the Lord’s purposes and interests on earth because money and power have twisted their judgment of what should or should not be?

Balaam, the prophet, inspired and mighty as he once was, lost his soul in the end because he set his heart on the things of this world (see D&C 121:35) rather than the riches of eternity (see D&C 78:18).

What a wealth of meaning there is in these inspired words of Joseph Smith, words addressed to people who have testimonies but want to mingle the things of this world with them: “Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?"

--Bruce R. McKonkie

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So I just read Numbers 22-25, the part with Balaam and the talking donkey. What a crazy story! I enjoyed reading the talk by Bruce R. McKonkie on the subject as well.

I believe that the Lord does give us the agency to do what we want, but will also let us know what we need. I'm grateful for that. Lately I have been wondering what more I can do to live the gospel better. I found that I need to sincerely pray more and keep my eye on the goal of the celestial kingdom. I love prayer and how Heavenly Father answers our prayers. I'm grateful for the Holy Ghost that can talk to us and prompt us to do better.

I'm glad to be plugging along in the OT. Stories like this one make it worth it!">

Cliff Notes Bible

Don't worry, I'm still reading. I'm in Numbers, and just learned about Heave Offerings. I hope I never get tested on these things, because everytime I hear the words "heave offering" I don't think pleasant thoughts.

Anyway, I found this poem (at Meridian Magazine) and loved it. I also learned that if you read three chapters a day, you can finish all of the standard works in 18 months. So really it shouldn't take me 10 years to finish the OT.


The Bible in Fifty Words

God made
Adam bit
Noah arked
Abraham split
Joseph ruled
Jacob fooled
Bush talked
Moses balked
Pharaoh plagued
People walked
Sea divided
Tablets guided
Promise landed
Saul freaked
David peeked
Prophets warned
Jesus born
God walked
Love talked
Anger crucified
Hope died
Love rose
Spirit flamed
Word spread
God remained.

- Unknown

Leviticus, or is it "Leave-it-and-cuss?"

So I may have to take a reprieve from the OT. My family and I have faithfully read from it every night, and so far there are have been some cool stories, and A WHOLE LOT of sacrificial instructions. Yesterday during the sacrament, one of my sons smooshed his bread and called it unleavened.

Last night the family gave up. They are going back to the B of M, the best book ever written. I'm tempted, too. Do you think I'll make it to the celestial kingdom if I don't read the OT? Does the reading get better? Should I just skip Leviticus and move on?

Anybody got any suggestions?

Exodus

Nephi’s familiarity with the Exodus story is paralleled by his apparent familiarity with the exodus cycle as a literary pattern. The final testimony of the exodus of the last days is the same as the testimony of the exodus from Egypt and the exodus from Jerusalem: “All flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

-Liahona, February 1988

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We've been reading about the Israelites and the exodus from Egypt. We've read of the plagues, of Moses needing to hold his hands up in the air for the Israelites to win their battles, of manna and of Moses delegating his responsibilities so that he won't wear out. There are many, many lessons that can be learned from these chapters, many details that are so neat to think about and ponder. But because I only have a few minutes to blog (as usual), I'll just write about the whole exodus and compare it to others exoduses in church history.

I find it interesting that the Nephites also had an exodus, although on a much smaller basis. When Lehi was commanded to leave Jerusalem, that was an exodus for the Book of Mormon people. The people were familiar with the Bible's account of leaving the land of Egypt, and saw the symbolism.

The Jaredites also had an exodus when they escaped from the people involved in the tower of Babel. They too came to a new land to worship freely.

And, of course, the pioneers left Nauvoo to follow Brigham Young in an attempt to find a land to worship freely. We've all heard the stories of sacrifice and hardship they went through, but also the blessings because they did so.

The theme of leaving one place to find another, guided by the hand of the Lord, is common throughout church history. I believe that many of us also go through our own individual exodus, to find our place in the world, our testimony, and our place to worship how we feel is right. I'm glad the Lord allows us the freedom to choose, but also guides and directs us if we choose to follow Him. I love Him and trust in Him with my whole heart.

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Few men in the Old Testament are of greater importance to Latter-day Saints than is Joseph of Egypt. (Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, July 1999).

I can't believe I haven't written about my favorite story of all time in the Bible. I love the story of Joseph, who was sold into Egypt by his brothers and was amazing despite many setbacks. When he was a slave, he worked hard to earn a better position, when he was wrongfully imprisoned, he helped others by interpreting their dreams, he worked hard for the Pharoah and became Egypt's #2 guy. And, oh ya, he forgave his brothers for fake killing him. And his brothers became humble, and they all lived happily ever after.

What a great story. And the musical is great, too.

Ten four good buddy.