1 Ne 1

I realized, as I read this chapter, that I've always focused on Nephi and Laman when I studied 1 Nephi in the past.  I think for my purposes now, it makes sense to focus more on Lehi, Sariah and the Lord and their dealings with their children.

I find the very first verse useful.  It addresses being "goodly parents" directly:

1 Ne 1:1
I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father

Ok.  So we need to teach our kids everything we know.  A bit obvious.

How?

Not so obvious.

1 Ne 1:5
Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.

So we can probably pray for our "people" as well.  Obvious.  However, not always practiced...

In verses 12-13 the Lord gives Lehi a warning of the coming destruction to Jerusalem, so he could prepare and warn others (as he does in v18).

Notice that even though the Lord has the power to, he doesn't remove Lehi and his family, he gives the information and lets Lehi do what he will with it.

v16: Nephi speaks of records his father kept of the teachings he gave to his children.

Anyone else thinking of constant encouragement to keep a journal?  Such as here, here, here, here, and here?

Lehi goes forth among the people, and despite the mocking he endures...

1 Ne 1:19
...and he (Lehi) testified of them (his visions from the Lord); for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of the Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.

I am made uncomfortable by Lehi's boldness- pointing out the wicked activities of others, but when you are a steward, I suppose it is your duty.  We must let our children know when they have made bad choices.

Lehi also bears testimony of the Messiah.

You can bet his children knew that he knew it as well.

Witnesses and Testimony of Joseph Smith

I haven't yet decided how much I will read each day.  I'll just have to play it by ear until I see what works best.

I find it interesting that the angel Moroni spoke with Joseph, repeating his instructions exactly, 4 times.

Joseph was 14.

How many times then must I repeat myself to a 3 year old?

I choose to read into this, if it means taking away something valuable.  I think this might be a lesson in consistency- something I don't think I have big problems with.

I think this may also be a lesson in patience.

Indeed, patience is a virtue that is constantly tried in my life.  I have always known myself to be rather impatient, until I had a baby.

For some reason, I feel infinite patience for a newborn baby- despite the sleeplessness, despite the inability to communicate, despite the unexplained crying.

It's easy.

They are so innocent, everything new, knowing nothing.  I can understand their behavior- new body that doesn't do what they want.  A mouth that can't form words for clarity.  Eyes that won't see properly.  I can understand the frustration they must feel getting used to their new body.

Even a 1 year-old I can commiserate with.  Still can't get their legs to allow them to run like big people can, still can't form words, though understanding has begun.  Still, their understanding is limited and, little scientists, are learning how things work- what happens if I drop this?  How about now?

Something happened, though, when communication was overcome.  Now that I can have coherent conversations, some started by me, some by my son, about real things with explanations about how the world works and questions that demonstrate understanding...

Now my infinite pool of patience has run dry.

He knows what I want.  He knows what happens when he hurts other people/runs in the street/dumps his food on the floor/gets stuck in high places.
He knows...
Well, he should know.

He does it anyway.

He must not really know.

Please help me to teach him to know without finding out the "hard way".

Perhaps telling once isn't telling 1000 times after all.

Introduction

I used to be very good about reading my scriptures everyday.

Ironically, once I started having kids, it pretty much fell by the wayside- at a time when I've never needed more help!

I have been attending a stake scripture class held once a week, but we creep along at only 2 chapters per week, and I think I need more help than that.  However, it has opened my eyes to the multitude of parenting and marriage advice in the scriptures and I love having other women- mothers and grandmothers- to learn from their experiences!

I was pointed to a scripture mentioned in Stake Conference yesterday- 2 Nephi 32:3

"... Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."

I plan to put this to the test, specifically with how to be a better mom and wife.

I thought we had extra journals lying around for this but then I thought, why not have a digital journal that I can easily search?  And THEN I thought, why not have a digital online journal that anyone can easily search?

So here we are.

This blog is mostly for me, but if you have any constructive comments or experiences that you feel relate, I'd love to hear them.