Words of Mormon

First, an explanation. I'm LDS (if you haven't figured that out), which stands for Latter Day Saint. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It's a long title, I know, but it has to be, for the Lord says that for a church to be his, it must have his name in it (I'd quote the scripture, but my kids are banging down the door for attention, and I want to finish writing my thought process). We're called Mormons, usually as slang. It used to be used as an insult by people who didn't understand the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

Mormon was a man. He took the time before he died to abridge many ancient records down to the ones of utmost importance for mankind to use at the end of time. He writes that he used inspiration from God to do so, and I believe he did. From his writing, he seems a humble man, one who is doing what he is asked to do, whether or not he understands why. (I wish my kids had this quality! Maybe if I did...)

His own words are not long, so I wish to post them here, in segments, with my own thought processes. I'm sure you'll notice a theme here. Given this is true, I'm in awe of what the Lord had other people go though to make sure my future and my children's future could take place and be fruitful. I suppose this is perfect timing in light of Memorial Day being yesterday, and I'm still thinking of what other people have sacrificed for me--wondering if I'll ever make a large enough sacrifice to make the world a better place for my posterity, or if I will, what it will be.

1 AND now I, Mormon, being about to deliver up the record which I have been making into the hands of my son Moroni, behold I have witnessed almost all the destruction of my people, the Nephites.
2 And it is many hundred years after the coming of Christ that I deliver these records into the hands of my son; and it supposeth me that he will witness the entire destruction of my people. But may God grant that he may survive them, that he may write somewhat concerning them, and somewhat concerning Christ, that perhaps some day it may profit them.
3 And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.
4 And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass—
(Book of Mormon | Words of Mormon 1:1 - 4)

It never occured to me before as I read this that he was writing AFTER the first coming of Christ, and that he then states that there are many prophicies that need to take place before the second coming, that had already occured at this time! So, things were already going and underway before this dispensation started. I got a feeling that we are farther along than I'd previously thought, and rather than worry me, it excited me.

5 Wherefore, I chose these things, to finish my record upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephi; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people.
6 But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren.
7 And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.
8 And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people.
9 And now I, Mormon, proceed to finish out my record, which I take from the plates of Nephi; and I make it according to the knowledge and the understanding which God has given me.
10 Wherefore, it came to pass that after Amaleki had delivered up these plates into the hands of king Benjamin, he took them and put them with the other plates, which contained records which had been handed down by the kings, from generation to generation until the days of king Benjamin.
11 And they were handed down from king Benjamin, from generation to generation until they have fallen into my hands. And I, Mormon, pray to God that they may be preserved from this time henceforth. And I know that they will be preserved; for there are great things written upon them, out of which my people and their brethren shall be judged at the great and last day, according to the word of God which is written.
(Book of Mormon | Words of Mormon 1:5 - 11)

I love how he admits there just isn't time to do everything, but that he has to pick the best--the best out of the history, the best of the Lord's commandments, the most important of it all. But he doesn't do it by his opinion, he communes with the Lord. This was an answer to prayer for me, as I often look at all the homeschooling options available, and wonder what to cover for our children (beyond the basics of reading, writing and math, of course). I've concluded from this passage of scripture that I need to pray about each child, not try to teach all of them the same thing, and not to judge other homeschooler's choices for their children (despite their want to argue over methods at times--which is all in thinking that what was confirmed to them as the best choice should be that way for all).

Yes, teaching each child individually is going to be harder, but I feel that each child has a different purpose in life, a different road to take, different tasks the Lord would have them accomplish, and they will each need different skills to do so. The only way I can prepare them to fulfill the roles the Lord has in mind for them is to follow his promptings as I teach them. What will be right for one, will not be right for another.

Enos, again.

I read a quick few verses in Enos, because I was in a hurry and knew I needed some scripture in my brain today.
The thing that stuck out the most was that God tells Enos that He cannot lie, or He would cease to be God. He's honest with us. It made me think of when people say that God did not answer their prayers...I often wonder if they really mean that God didn't answer them the way they wanted to have them answered. I know that happens to me. Sometimes, God says no. He has to. Some things aren't really for our best interest.
I saw a tiny bit of Evan Almighty the other day at my mother's. I know, I'm out of the movie loop, since it's the first time I've seen it. The part I saw was about this very thing. Jim Carey (or the guy he plays--Evan, right?) just answers YES to everyone's prayer. And the world goes horribly wrong. It makes sense. Can you imagine giving your children everything they want? At any time?
I can, and it's not pretty.

So, at this point in time, despite the fact that sometimes I get frustrated, let me publicly say, "Thank you, God, for always being honest with me, and telling me when it just can't be."