2 Nephi 18

It’s  interesting how he talks about Christ being a stumbling block. It makes me think about Elder Oaks’ talk about religious freedom being threatened, and how people don’t believe that a religious justification for anything is valid anymore. Like you have to have some other reason to vote on an issue than your beliefs, as if reason was more important than God. And so people seem to do the wrong thing just to not do it based on that, to not be weak and follow Christ. And sometimes I’m distracted by caring about the things of the world, and worrying about what the world thinks, but it is really only ever Him I need to worry about pleasing. And then all will be right in the end. I wonder why that’s such a hard concept to trust.

2 Nephi 17

It is interesting to note how all of these prophecies came to pass. If you look at the Middle East now, it is definitely a desolate land. The Lord always does what He says He will do.

2 Nephi 16

This is getting into the weird Isaiah stuff I don’t understand. What I do understand was this: I completely understand Isaiah’s feelings of unworthiness before the Lord, and the glory of his redemption. I also understand that he chose to be the messenger; that God always allows us our agency and never forces anyone to serve Him. He is asking now, who will go—and every day I have to make the choice whether or not it will be me. I’m grateful for the choice, and I love Him for allowing me to make, even though I choose wrong so often.

How does that apply to my parenting? How can I allow them to exercise their agency, while still teaching them? How do I lovingly and fairly apply or allow consequences? I have so many questions! That’s something to pray about.

2 Nephi 15

It really struck me when he talks about the pomp and glory descending into the pit of hell. I feel like sometimes I am fooled by things that glitter and believe they are more important than they are. I’m not sure how to explain what I mean. Like a nice house, or being formal, or dressing in designer clothes. I guess it’s just another way I feel like I’ve let worldly things become overly important to me lately.

I was also thinking about those that love music (and by extension art and beauty) but consider not the works of his hands. I think it’s a trick of Satan to distract us with things that are good to the detriment of things that are best, which are the only things that really matter.

It also resonated when he said Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and the prudent in their own site. Sometimes I think I’m so smart, or I understand things that others don’t, and I get really proud about it. Sometimes that might be true, but if so, it is only if God reveals it to me, or led me to understand. I have no reason to be proud about it. I need to give the glory to Him.

I love that Isaiah ends by reminding us to have hope, that God will prevail, the earth will be renewed and all will be made right and joyful. Sometimes it seems so easy to despair as the world gets wicked. And it is sad, and awful, but God will prevail, wickedness will pass away and all will be made right and beautiful. We just have to make sure we are on the right side when the battle comes, and it will all be okay.

2 Nephi 14

What touched me in this chapter was the protection of the Lord over the homes and assemblies in Zion. If Zion is now, and it is in our hearts and homes, I want that protection for our home. What do I need to do to make it more Holy and worthy of His presence here?

Controlling my temper is definitely one thing. I know the Spirit of the Lord is not here when I am going crazy on these poor guys. And the media in our home is another thing we need to be more careful about. I guess it’s really more turning from the world!

2 Nephi 13

Again, a rebuke to worldly women. And yet it’s so hard to forget every day to not worry about things that don’t matter. It’s so easy to WANT things and think that they matter. But really they don’t. I think the key is I need to be better about filling my life with things that do. It will be filled either way, and if I don’t keep my mind and heart and hands busy with things that really do matter, I fall back into the things that don’t.