Thee, Thou, Ye, You

In my studies today, I was in D.&C. Section 30s, meaning I've been digging around in Section 30 thru 34 or so.  I opened up my awesome copy of the Joseph Smith Papers, Revelations Vol. 1, and found the corresponding copies of the original manuscripts.  A few thoughts I'd like to share.

The archaic language of the original is largely edited.  Any reference from original dictation of "thee", "thou", "ye", etc. are all changed to "you".  Of late I have been reading some who enjoy praying with "you" instead of the older-style words.  I thought to give it a try myself.  Surely this crossing-out implied that while Joseph received it in the archaic style, those of his day were more apt to say and better understand "you".  What does it tell us?  Does God speak in Thees and Thous?

Another fun one: D&C 34:3-4 says in my leather bound, 1981 edition,

"Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God.  Wherefore you are my son; And blessed are you because you have believed;"

Original copy records to thusly (although my copy may not have all the editing notations in the manuscripts):

Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the Sons & daughter of God: Wherefore ye are my son, and blessed are you because ye have believed"

From Beloved Enos I learned to read this differently as well.  I won't spoil the fun by sharing, but point  you toward that Snuffer book.  (Kindle version costs less than many fast food dinners.)  It has opened my eyes up to some beautiful, beautiful discoveries when it comes to these kinds of word labels.    

A Good Friday Baptism

Dear Magdalene,

You were born on Good Friday.  Around 8-9 am.  Was it 9:01?  9:03?  I don't remember for sure.  I'm positive it's written somewhere.

It is only fitting that you were baptized this day.  I didn't want a big crowd, and you did.  We invited the ward, but in my opinion, the best of the best showed up.  It was family, your Primary teacher, the bishop and his family, and two other friends, one with spouse and one with grandkids.  Perfectly fitting.  I just wish I had known they were the only ones who would have shown up.  I would have invited everyone to wear pants, come with their scriptures, and done away with printing a "professional" program.

Your Aunt spoke on baptism, and shared the analogy of the penny, one being brand new, and the other being worn with years of use.  Baptism washes clean the tarnish we accumulate.

WaWa spoke on the Holy Ghost, and brought balloons.  You can feel his influence subtly, yet clear if you are paying attention.

We ate brownies, cupcakes, veggies, and jelly beans.  But none of that matters, because what matters is that you have made a statement to God that you are willing to follow him.  I don't know if you know or understand the gravity of it, and with time you may feel its importance.  I do believe you are mature and in-tune enough with God that you realize this was a wonderful day.  You told me you were "excited", and that you laughed as you got in the water.  I don't think it was just fun for you; I think in your heart you are well prepared, and felt the joy of the occasion.  We were all celebrating!

Grandma and angels were there.  Many of them.

I love you to the moon and back.  And even though there were only a few other humans there, they all love you to the moon and back as well.  What a wonderful, beautiful, love filled evening.

Love you immensely,
~Mom<3

Blood Moons

From Adam Benner, owner of Eye of the Lens Photography:

You can find his Facebook page here: Eye of the Lens Photography.  

Those are some phenomenal skills.  Talk about natural beauty in the heavens.

(I babysat him once when he was a kid.  ;)

~Jen:)

"Imagining The Book of the Lamb" Presentation

Phenomenal.  Long but worth the watch, the imagination, the discovery.

Sell all that Thou Hast

Dear Josten,

I've been thinking A LOT lately about a few verses of scripture.  They have been hot on my mind, and I frequently hear these verses recited of late:  

“Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:22-25)

These words have left a strong impression on me, and I have been trying to "lighten the load" of "stuff" I have in my home.  The other day, as I was de-cluttering, pondering these verses yet again, something dawned on me, and I want to share it with you so I don't forget.

I often wondered why Jesus didn't just tell this rich man to just donate his stuff to the Goodwill, Jubilee, or Deseret Industries?  Why does he tell him to "sell" all that he had?  Should I be selling what I have, and giving the money to the poor?  Attempting to sell what I have would not be worth the time to sell.  It's not worth anything, and if it is, my time is more valuable than to try to sell it.

This is where bells went off in my head.  As far as material possessions, while I have enough for my needs, when it comes to selling anything in the area in which I live, I am poor!  Aha!!!  hahaha!!!  After months and months of pondering these verses, I realized it.  I am poor, at least in terms of financial wealth.  There are only a few items that would garner more than a few dollars at a yard sale, and that is my bed and my electric piano.  Everything else would be chump change!  For this scenario, the instruction is clear.

If I had money, I would give.  King Benjamin reports:

And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give.  (Mosiah 4:24)

I would love to give anything I had to the poor, if I knew what was needed.  I am quite positive that there is great room for improvement here, and am by no means perfect.  For the time being, I donate what I feel I should to our local thrift store.  We don't have many visibly homeless in our town, but I would gladly give as needed.  After so much time pondering these verses, I am grateful to have had an "aha" moment.  And I look forward to the day in which I can have more to give!

Hugs!
~Mom<3 

Karma

Dear Daniel,

There is a law, irrevocably decreed...

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. - Jesus (Luke 6:31)

Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.  - Jesus (D&C 6:33)

Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been – if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil.  Now behold, this is the voice of the angel, crying unto the people.  -Alma (Alma 9:28-9)

We reap what we sow.  As we treat others, we shall so be treated.  This has been called a "Universal Truth", and I believe it.  Take care to treat others, regardless of who they are, with love, respect, and kindness.

Love you!
~Mom<3

 

 

Nephite Woman

Dear Austin,

I had a really unique opportunity in Primary today.  One of the counselors teaching Sharing Time asked me to pretend I was a Nephite woman, present when the Saviour appeared after His resurrection.  All the parts were written out for me; I could read the card if I wanted, but it was requested that I pretend to be the woman.

As I read through the card I pondered what it might have been like for that woman.  Enduring three days of earthquakes, tempests, lightnings... I think of the scariest of storms we have experienced in our lives, and I imagine this was much, much worse.  Houses toppling, land shifting, rains, fires, and complete darkness for three days.  Can you imagine three days of cries, sobbings, fear and hunger?  We struggle to fast for 24 hours!  What did they do for those three days?

The card said that after three days, a light appeared in the heavens.  I've learned that it was probably many months after the darkness that the Saviour appeared.  Probably more like 10, and it was at the temple at Bountiful.  What was powerful to me is that last night I stumbled across this site, and the author shared his powerful experiences of touching the nail prints in Jesus's hands, feet, and side.  Reading it last night brought me to tears, and I found it a miracle that today, reading the card and what I was being asked to "pretend" was just too coincidental to not be a miracle.

So with some trepidation I stood up at my turn to "pretend" to be this Nephite woman.  Imagining losing children or spouse in this earthquake, or surviving such an ordeal.  Waiting 10 months to wonder what would happen next.  Traveling to the temple for worship, trusting that what I was doing was still correct, despite the wait, the death, the destruction apparent all around, and trying to reconstruct it all.  Showing up at the right time and there, as luck and privilege would have it, I get to be present for when my God appears.  Hearing the testimonies of leaders and prophets testify of this moment for years, and finally getting to see for my own eyes!  And then to be invited to touch those hands, those feet, and that side for myself.  Tears were the only thing that came today.  What a powerful privilege and blessing that must have been for that Nephite woman.  I hope someday that we too can experience that.  Strive for it.  Believe it can happen, and do everything you can to get there.

Love you baby!
~Mom<3 

Uglies

Dear Magdalene,

There are some ugly people out there.  I'm not talking about the deformed or crippled.  I'm talking about those who are so internally pained and torn that they are ugly.  They let their biases, criticisms, and unkindness deform them, to where they are abrasive, rude, and mean, no matter what circumstances come their way.

One suggestion.  Cast out the devil in them, and leave.

I have learned that when you try to fight the devil, you typically lose.  But it takes two to fight, and asking your Savior to step in and do the battle is the only way to come out alive.  Don't even try it alone.  Let beauty overcome the ugly, and know that beauty comes from a connection to God.

When you feel like you can't do it alone, pray.  If you feel like you're not reaching heaven, pray harder.  Pray until you connect, and if you don't, keep praying.  Pray to come off conquerer, and pray to win the "battle".  It is a battle.  It is real, and if you wonder why sometimes working with some people leaves you shaking, realize that you have just met a devil, or a human possessed with one (or many).  Cast them out, leave them be, and then pray for protection.  They are real, and so is God.  He is more powerful than all of them, and refusing to be contentious is the first step in overcoming.

Love you baby,
~Mom<3