Ether 9:1-22
Cycles of Great Prosperity and Tragic Wickedness.
Notice in Ether 9:5-12 that the rise of secret combinations again led to the destruction of many people. Verses 15-35 show a pattern that is repeated many times throughout the Book of Mormon.
1. The people prospered exceedingly during the righteous reigns of Emer and Coriantum (see vv. 15-25).
2. The people began to join together in secret combinations and turn to wickedness under the reign of Heth (see vv. 26-27).
3. The Lord sent prophets to warn the people of their great wickedness (see v. 28).
4. The people of Heth rejected the prophets (see v. 29).
5. The judgments of God fell upon the people (see vv. 30-33).
6. The people humbled themselves and repented and the Lord again blessed them (see vv. 34-35).
In the midst of these cycles of prosperity and wickedness, the Jaredites demonstrated that a people can be wealthy and remain righteous. It seems that the Jaredites were able to remain in a condition of righteousness and prosperity for over 100 years ( see vv 15-25). King Emer was even rightoues enough to see the Lord (see v. 22).
GC: For Our Spiritual Development and Learning by Elder W. Mark Bassett
"In order to understand the mysteries of God, or those things that can be understood only through revelation, we must follow the example of Nephi, who said, "Being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold He did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father." The Lord Himself further explained that Nephi had exercised faith, sought diligently with lowliness of heart, and kept His commandments."
Cutest angel I have ever seen.
This morning I picked up Charlotte and we went shopping at Deseret Book. Afterwards we went to lunch at Olive Garden. I told her this was my Christmas present to her. We both got the chicken and scampi and shared the little mini desserts. I put in an order of stuffed mushrooms for James. He told me he did not want me to buy him lunch so I figured an appetizer would do.
My dream "pretzel" house.
When I got back to Cathi and Terry's it was time to pack up and get ready to come home. Cathi gave us an article to read called: "Heavenly Manifestations" about a stake president in Idaho who had a vision of the afterlife. We read it for F.H.E.
Joshua is singing a solo in his ward on Christmas day and Cathi and Terry said they would go to hear him since we couldn't be there.
My Christmas tree a couple of years ago.
On our way home we stopped in Payson for drinks and James ordered a New York dog. I read to him from "He Is Coming."
Bill V. called and said a bunch more stuff was stolen from the construction yard last night. He said because James has most of his stuffed moved that he didn't need to pay rent this month. That is great news!
Joshua and Evan in 2011 when they were 5.
I love how Joshua is looking at Evan!
This evening we watched "Love You Like Christmas" and then read "Heavenly Manifestations" for FHE.
