"Behold, thou art Oliver..."

A little over a week ago, my ward began a 90-Day Book of Mormon Reading Challenge. It's been a wonderful experience, for me at least, thus far. We're reading based on Book of Mormon Central's Reading Challenge, which follows the order in which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, accompanied by the sections of Doctrine and Covenants he received during the said translation.

To open up, we read Doctrine and Covenants 6. This section is an appropriate one - both thematically and chronologically - to begin.

There is much knowledge to be gained here, but I'll only mention two particulars that struck me. One in this post, and another in a second post, because the second half has gone out of control and deserves its own post.

To begin.

During our scripture study, we are encouraged to take a page out of the prophet Nephi's book and "liken the scriptures" unto ourselves. This can be taken too far occasionally. In this case though, I believe it is appropriate.

20 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of the desires; therefore treasure up these words in the heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love. (D&C 6:20)

The Lord's statement to Oliver Cowdery here is powerful enough on its own grounds. I'll admit to feeling a few goosebumps when I read it. I can only imagine how Oliver felt reading and hearing them from Joseph. This was personal counsel from the Lord for him.

However, this verse expands beyond a personal application for Oliver to provides modern readers with an equally influential lesson.

One thing I love to do with the scriptures is to occasionally insert my own name. It has the potential to provide a powerful personal impact. In this case, it serves as a reminder from the Lord to treasure up the blessings, promptings, and personal revelation which I have received.

In times of trial, we can easily forget all with which we have been blessed. It's pretty easy to forget the positives when all you can see is the negatives. I'm certainly guilty of this occasionally. However, it's during trials that we should seek for solace in sacred moments. A journal (another thing I've neglected) certainly helps in this effort.

Hold on to those moments. Treasure them up in your heart. Be faithful and diligent. And, as the Lord has said:

34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

This post isn't what I intended it to be when I started. I certainly don't intend to sermonize, but as Daniel Day-Lewis jokingly relates in the movie Lincoln, "I could write shorter sermons, but once I start, I'm too lazy to stop."

The moral of the story. Don't be discouraged. Don't fear what man can do. And always remember who stands with you.

"... the greatest of these is charity..."

Whenever I find myself in a foul mood, perhaps after an argument with a roommate, co-worker, or after a frustrating exchange on Twitter (which shall not be linked to), I find myself going back to 1 Corinthians 13.

I've done so since my mission, when a zone leader recommended it while I was dealing with a particularly difficult transfer and companion.

It's never failed to move me emotionally, but more importantly, it's always inspired me to repent and try to be better.

There's much to be gained in counsel from this short chapter, but I'll only quote the final two verses in my entry today.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

There are more eloquent analyses than the one I'll give here.

We don't know everything now. We don't understand all woes. We can't understand why all people act as they do. And that's frustrating.

But have charity towards them. Assume the best. And try not to respond in hostility and anger. I'm not particularly good at this. Many of us aren't. But that doesn't mean we should try our best. And the Savior will pick us up as we fail and falter along the way.