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Shielding Power

Scripture Man is hoping to get one excited and engaged in scripture study. Scripture study just makes one feel better.  It is especially rewarding when you share your study with someone. Scripture study shields you; It builds faith, family, and relief.  It is like fresh air, a purifying drink,  or a sweet sunset.  Remember it is eventually sealing your heart closer to God. One can find spiritual strength just pondering its verses and vital concepts. Helen Whitney said, of spiritual strength like this, "the love of God flowed from heart to heart, till the wicked one seemed powerless in his efforts to get between us and The Lord, and his cruel darts, in some instances, were shorn of their sting."

To end this pattern, until we begin the next one in September;  Scripture Man will be posting a survey to see how the blog is blogligerating.

Rip Entry Experiences

It is Thursday.  I need to report my "rip" dive experiences from the three scripture references I memorized.

I decided to place a copy (post-it pad) of each scripture in the lunches of my wife, my daughter, and two sons as they set off to work and school.  My daughter even shared the scriptures with her friends at school lunch. My daughter asked for another scripture this morning.

I logged on a genealogy website and began searching for an ancestor. My initial fifteen minutes turned into one-hundred and twenty minutes of searching the next day.

I went each day to the gym and did my 20 minute workout of swimming.

I feel that Light (noun); Scriptures, Study of; and Angel, Ministering (my topics this month) topics were applied through my experiences.

I found these quotes to help, motivation from Scripture Man:

"We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. One becomes in some area an athlete of God.

Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can."

Martha Graham, Dancer

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Live Your List- Help Wanted

This post is a once a month occurrence. It is called "live your list". I will find a list from someone and post it. Listing is a great way to keep things catalogued in your mind.


From Linda K. Burton:

• • Help wanted: parents to bring up their children in light and truth
• • Help wanted: daughters and sons, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, and true friends to serve as mentors and offer helping hands along the covenant path
• • Help wanted: those who listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and act on impressions received
• • Help wanted: those who live the gospel daily in small and simple ways
• • Help wanted: family history and temple workers to link families eternally
• • Help wanted: missionaries and members to spread the “good news”—the gospel of Jesus Christ
• • Help wanted: rescuers to find those who have lost their way
• • Help wanted: covenant keepers to stand firm for truth and right
• • Help wanted: true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The list concept came from the quote:

"Making decisions in advance will help you be guardians of virtue. I hope each of you will write a list of things you will always do and things you will never do. Then live your list." Elaine S. Dalton

Three Day Period

General Relief Society President, LDS Church, Linda K. Burton said, "But there are other ways to serve as devoted disciples. Imagine with me some of the possible spiritual “help wanted” signs related to the work of salvation". She lists a dozen.  Google it.

This is what I am talking about with my applying "rip" entry experiences with my three topic scriptures.  I finished day one, now I am on day two. A blog will be given on Thursday to recap.

Postscript

We have finished our three week journey of building a scriptural study pattern. Has it been worth it? Well, through this process I have reviewed 3 topical guide headings and their references.  I selected a scripture from each heading to memorize.  I can now quote them.  Was it worth it?  I certainly believe it was.  Even as we reviewed the 3 heading topics, I can even remember the stories associated with the ones I selected.

Now for the next three days apply the scriptures you have memorized to your daily walk.  For example, for me:

1) scriptures, study of; Joshua 1:8
2) Angels, ministering; Moroni 7:25
3) light (noun); Psalms 119:105

Then record your example from each day; an experience. This process is like "diving", yet completes the process and is memorable by applying it to your life.  Applying it is called "rip" entry (little to no-splash). In competitive diving this type of entry completes a successful dive, and encourages one to improve. Like judges, your personal judgement from your dives will make your scriptural study more meaningful and worthwhile.

Sunday Notes

Elder David Baxter of the Seventy came to our stake conference.  He coming, reminded me of building my database of the General Authority biographies at work. He is a great man, as all the general authorities for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are.  He mentioned that we need to be optimistic and rise to our full potential, and not view our life as if on a jumbo tron; replaying all our short comings and weaknesses; we have divine DNA, to release our potential in life.

In addition:

He quoted Neal Maxwell, ..... just as God cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance, as we become more like Him, neither can we. The best people have a heightened awareness of what little of the worst is still in them! Indeed, the divine discontent, the justifiable spiritual restlessness that we feel, is a natural follow-on feeling in the disciple who has taken the Lord's counsel to "make you a new heart and a new spirit." (Ezekiel 18:31.), and

To be cheerful when others are in despair, to keep the faith when others falter, to be true even when we feel forsaken-all of these are deeply desired outcomes during the deliberate, divine tutorials which God gives to us -because he love us.

Memorize, topic #3

I have chosen to memorize this reference:

Using another apt symbol, the Psalmist wrote: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105.)

On Sunday review the three references you have committed to memory.  I will also review where we have started, and where we our headed with scripture adventures- with Scripture Man.

A Thought

As you go through this process you will recognize that thoughts will come to your mind as you review your references, and as you memorize them. I call these moments as "thought fillers" or "script-ions".  This happens right as I am ready to go to bed.  Picture them in your mind. Record them.  I record them on cards and in my iPad.

A Clear Page

As a young boy I had been practicing and preparing a piano selection for the Dallas Symphonic Festival. My mother learned the orchestral part of the song. In fact, I memorized the lengthy piece. During the performance before the judges my mother skipped to another page.  I noticed the problem and resolved it by;  I recalled the "lighted" page she was on in my mind, and began playing where she was.  To me it sounded a little awkward, and a major mistake.

When we received our score from the judges, not one commented on the alteration.  As a young boy in that performance I knew the source of the lighted page. My hours of practicing my piece had paid off, and the power of Christ lit the page for me to continue.

Treasure, #3

Christ is a light. A light to a darkened world.  He is our light and life. I selected the following references to ponder. Here they are listed below.

Psalms 119:105, a light, a lamp to our feet and path;

Matthew 5:16, let your light shine;

Doctrine and Covenants 50:24, your light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Dive, Three

I seek the light of Christ everyday.  I try.  I fall short. But the desire is ever often. Our Savior Jesus Christ provides such light; it is a guide beyond our comprehension, yet it illuminates our way.  I found it, this light, this morning as my return missionary son was listening to hymns on his iPhone and I was pondering the light (noun) topic. I was put on a lighted path; a path of hope and refreshment.  Sometimes we need to just stop for a few seconds, take deep breathes, close our eyes, ponder, "slow down, steady the course, focus on the essentials"as Dieter Urfdorf has said, and Christ's light will come.

I found over a dozen references I really liked.  I will whittle this down to four references by tomorrow.

Topic, Light

The topic came to me.  It came to me while playing my daily hymn this morning, "The Lord Is My Light".  It sings, -The Lord is my light, he is my joy, and my song. By day and by night he leads me along-. The topic, LIGHT.  It is a perfect concept because everyone in the family is beginning another school year.  The thought came to me,  "as we rise each morning in faith, may we look to heaven and say -oh what a beautiful morning-".

Ponder New Topic

We will search for a final topic to complete our three week project of making it a habit to study the scriptures on a regular basis. We have reviewed two topics already.  I am pondering many topics this morning. Before the day is over I should have one.  Before I select one I am going to go over my two scriptures that I have memorized during my first two weeks.

Exercise Faith

My angel wife and I were able to help our daughter in her first sprint triathlon early this morning.  She swam, biked, and ran.  She trained for this for nearly a month and a half.  She rode her cruiser bright green bike.  It was so fun to watch her.  During her training she taught herself to flip turn in the pool. The scripture, "men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did hold upon every good thing" Moroni 7:25, was realized.

Memorize

From the most recent diving exercise I will memorize Moroni 7:25-

25 Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ. (Book of Mormon, Moroni, Moroni 7)

Another Angel Story

Referring to his childhood on a large Idaho farm, Brother Barrus spoke of his nightly assignment to round up the cows at milking time. Because the cows pastured in a field bordered by the occasionally treacherous Teton River, the strict rule in the Barrus household was that during the spring flood season the children were never to go after any cows who ventured across the river. They were always to return home and seek mature help.
One Saturday just after his seventh birthday, Brother Barrus’s parents promised the family a night at the movies if the chores were done on time. But when young Clyn arrived at the pasture, the cows he sought had crossed the river, even though it was running at high flood stage. Knowing his rare night at the movies was in jeopardy, he decided to go after the cows himself, even though he had been warned many times never to do so.
As the seven-year-old urged his old horse, Banner, down into the cold, swift stream, the horse’s head barely cleared the water. An adult sitting on the horse would have been safe, but at Brother Barrus’s tender age, the current completely covered him except when the horse lunged forward several times, bringing Clyn’s head above water just enough to gasp for air.

Here I turn to Brother Barrus’s own words:
“When Banner finally climbed the other bank, I realized that my life had been in grave danger and that I had done a terrible thing—I had knowingly disobeyed my father. I felt that I could redeem myself only by bringing the cows home safely. Maybe then my father would forgive me. But it was already dusk, and I didn’t know for sure where I was. Despair overwhelmed me. I was wet and cold, lost and afraid.
“I climbed down from old Banner, fell to the ground by his feet, and began to cry. Between thick sobs, I tried to offer a prayer, repeating over and over to my Father in Heaven, ‘I’m sorry. Forgive me! I’m sorry. Forgive me!’
“I prayed for a long time. When I finally looked up, I saw through my tears a figure dressed in white walking toward me. In the dark, I felt certain it must be an angel sent in answer to my prayers. I did not move or make a sound as the figure approached, so overwhelmed was I by what I saw. Would the Lord really send an angel to me, who had been so disobedient?
“Then a familiar voice said, ‘Son, I’ve been looking for you.’ In the darkness I recognized the voice of my father and ran to his outstretched arms. He held me tightly, then said gently, ‘I was worried. I’m glad I found you.’
“I tried to tell him how sorry I was, but only disjointed words came out of my trembling lips—‘Thank you … darkness … afraid … river … alone.’ Later that night I learned that when I had not returned from the pasture, my father had come looking for me. When neither I nor the cows were to be found, he knew I had crossed the river and was in danger. Because it was dark and time was of the essence, he removed his clothes down to his long white thermal underwear, tied his shoes around his neck, and swam a treacherous river to rescue a wayward son.” (2008 October General Conference, The Ministry of Angels, Sat. Afternoon Session - Jeffrey R. Holland)

Story, Angel

A great story about an angel is found in Daniel 6:10-23: an angel aiding Daniel-

10 ¶Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me:

Treasure Again

These few references from yesterday imply much about the ministering of angels to the earth.  In Hebrews it expresses their ministering such as a flame of fire.  This flame as a restoration of many things to the earth in the latter days. As John the Beloved certainly was part of- and "sent forth". And finally in Moroni, the grand display of them, and that they help us "exercise faith in Christ and seek for good".

Robert Millet wrote, "How interesting it is that two people can sit side by side in the temple and one see angels while the other is offended by the ritual.  So it is in the society of which we are a part- some find reason and opportunity to harden themselves in iniquity, while others, who breathe the same air and struggle with the same problems, find occasion to do great good and have the attendant opportunity to entertain angels."

New Dive: Angels, Ministering

I identified the following scripture references from the Topical Guide, Angels, Ministering:

1) Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire: Heb. 1:7 ; ( Ps. 104:4 ; ) (Topical Guide, Angels, Ministering)

2) I will make him as … a ministering angel: D&C 7:6 ; (Topical Guide, Angels, Ministering); by revelation John the Beloved to remain on earth, "sent forth heirs of salvation".

3) angels who minister to this earth: D&C 130:5 ; (Topical Guide, Angels, Ministering)

4) by the ministering of angels … men began to exercise faith in Christ: Moro. 7:25 ; (Topical Guide, Angels, Ministering)

At Church

Robert L. Millet, “The Influence of the Brass Plates on the Teachings of Nephi,” inSecond Nephi, The Doctrinal Structure, ed. Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr. (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1989), 207–25.

Bishop Cline in priesthood lesson talked about the power of the brass plates; always new and shiny- expressing multiple meanings depending upon time read or multiple doctrines expressed by the particular author-prophet. This implies an elevated way of reading and exploring scripture. We were talking about Eternal Marriage, and I remembered this phrase "If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. ... It becomes special because you have made it so." F. Burton Howard

Read the above reference for additional insight about the brass plates.

Memory

Of the scriptures you identified in your dive, memorize  one. Memorize it by next Sunday. *try to memorize 12 scriptures a year.

I selected a portion of Joshua 1:8; "then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, then thou shalt  have good success."

I would be certain to file this scripture somewhere; perhaps in your notes section of your iPad.

Story

When Joseph Fielding Smith was eight years old, his father gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and asked him to read it. "I received this Nephite record with thanksgiving," he later recalled, "and applied myself to the task which had been assigned to me." His love for the book motivated him to get his chores done quickly and sometimes even leave baseball games early so he could find quiet places to read. In less than two years after receiving the gift from his father, he read the book twice. Of that early study, he later said, "There are certain passages that have been stamped upon my mind and I have never forgotten them." (See Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. and John J. Stewart, The Life of Joseph Fielding Smith (1972), 57.)

Ponder

Ponder today yesterday's dive; find a story or quote that may apply to it.

Treasure

As you have "dived" in the topic (scriptures, study of) through the standard works. I am sure below the surface, treasures to your life journey can be carried into your heart.  I identified for me:

1) Scriptures give us God's instruction for eternal life (John 5:39)
2) We should ponder the scriptures daily (Joshua1:8)
3) They bring us joy ( 2 Nephi 4:15)
4)  We can receive revelation through them (Doctrine and Covenants 138:1)

As I sat back and pondered these verses I was impressed in Joshua the promise that will make "thy way prosperous and you will find success" by scripture study.

I figured this in my mind, max 5-7 minutes.

This was well worth the "dive".

I would link your dive.

"I draw lines to connect ideas. I shade verses and underline key words. When I find ideas that relate to each other, I make a scripture chain to link those ideas (see "Scripture Linking," Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 58). I like to think of my scriptures as a workbook, so sometimes I record where I was when I gained an insight or the name of the person who taught me. That way the experience is refreshed in my memory when I read that passage again.""My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures," Ensign, May 2004,

Diving

We are going to learn the concept of "diving".  Diving is a mental conceptual pattern we use everyday. It's logic is based upon choices and thought processes we encounter and surface each day.  Such as deciding this or that, the gym, what healthy items do I select for breakfast; we then dive for a choice or answers.

We will do this with the topic, Scriptures, Study of (surface topic).

Highlight the topic.

Now with questions in mind, Why? Where? How Scriptures, Study of, answer.

Mark the verse/verses as you dive through the topic. If you want write the question on the scripture. You will probably find 3-5 references.  Read them.

At Church, Seek for Inspiration

It is amazing how inspiration can come -it can often be heard from a church lesson, like today. Brother Williams mentioned one such "packets of light", "These acknowledgements of imperfection in the lives of those whom I admire and sustain as the Lord’s servants does not cause me to lose faith and confidence in them nor in mankind. It only underlines the fact that we are all engaged in the same effort to make ourselves better and to approach increasingly the prefect model of the Savior. That effort, according to Joseph Smith, will be a continuing one:

It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. [Teachings, p. 348]

I have learned that my own progress cannot always be represented by a sustained, constant upward curve. There are ups and downs. I observe this same phenomenon in the lives of those with whom I am well acquainted. The encouraging thing about this movement along the course of life is that in most instances the lows experienced in more recent times are generally higher on the curve toward perfection than some of the highs were in earlier years. Often the greatest challenge is to sustain the effort when some slippage has occurred. It is particularly difficult when we are inclined to measure our own weaknesses against the strengths of others." Dean L. Larsen, Speeches BYU 1987

Forming, The Habit

We are going to experiment the next twenty one days; building a new habit as a scripture man would-scripture study. Scripture study may be in five, ten minute segments, in a quiet and still place. You may be engaged even longer if you wish in your study time.

We will focus on marking and the memorization of scriptures applicable to your own daily walk.

To begin with, we will review two topics from the Topical Guide, Standard Works/Edition The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In conclusion, Elder Richard G. Scott said "Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high".

The Shield

"The plan designed by the Father contemplates that man and woman, husband and wife, working together, fit each child individually with a shield of faith made to buckle on so firmly that it can neither be pulled off nor penetrated by those fiery darts.

It takes the steady strength of a father to hammer out the metal of it and the tender hands of a mother to polish and fit it on. Sometimes one parent is left to do it alone. It is difficult, but it can be done" Boyd K. Packer

Following Scripture Man can help in this molding process, sealing the silver "S" to your heart.

As a side note, Mikita wrote, "mothers prepare us to answer adversity's call and face the trials of life". (more advice from him, his book, "I sit all amazed")