100 Days: Read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year

[Misshalfway]

I am so in!!!!!! I just started the book of mormon a month ago......I think I will just keep going but join this effort as well. I am in the end of 1 nephi.

[Wingnut]

Originally Posted by Misshalfway

I am so in!!!!!! I just started the book of mormon a month ago......I think I will just keep going but join this effort as well. I am in the end of 1 nephi.

Well, we should be caught up to you in about a week.

[Nappaljarri]

Originally Posted by a-train

My children are 4 years and 2 weeks old respectively. I plan now to homeschool my children. As a seminary teacher I teach 16 different students, the three that are homeschooled are my best students. Those from single-parent families struggle the most.

I came from a single parent home and was (un)educated by public schools. I plan to do all in my power to offer my children better.

-a-train

Good on you A-train, go for it. I saw differences in behaviour and attitude in the first week that I decided to do it. The world teaches us today, that the education of our children is the government's responsibility. But We are taught in the D&C that we are parents are ultimately responsible for the education of our children. I don't think I would have a leg to stand on at judgement if my excuse for wandering children was that the government taught them wrong principles along with failing secular education.

[Nappaljarri]

Wednesday 24th September 2008

Read 1 Nephi 4-9. Two main points that have impressed me this time are:

1: Lehi’s dream, he says that there is a rod of iron and a path to follow. If the rod of iron is the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all of its covenants, what does the path represent? I have talked about this with my husband, and we believe that the path represents the family. Our earthly family whom we have responsibility for. The rod and the path go together, and you don’t have the one without the other. It is the same with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the family. If we have the gospel, but ignore our family and concentrate on other people and on “the church” at the neglect of our family, then we have lost our way. And similarly, if we have great family relationships and love our family but do not take hold of the rod, we loose our way, because we do not use the gospel as our guide in this life.

2: The above point is strengthened by the fact that during Lehi’s dream his first priority was to guide and call his family to the tree. Then they continued to call others and and guide them as well. But first is family.

It is 5:45am here. We wake up at 4:15am every morning to send Daddy away to work. I am glad this contract is finishing in 2 months.
Peace to you all.

[Nappaljarri]

This morning I have been thinking about today's reading and I thought of two more interesting themes to bring up.
1. We read of Laman and Lemuel accusing their father of being a visionary man (I don't know if that was in my reading today, but I'm sure everyone knows this part of their story). And in my reading today we read that Sariah also has a moment when she is scared for the safety of her sons and also accuses her husband of being a vissionary man and taking them from their land out into a place which is dangerous, and that she thought her sons had been killed because of this. My questioning is, how much influence did Sariah have on Laman and Lemuel? Just a thought, as we all know how much influence a mother has on the teaching and attitudes of their children.

2. "inasmuch as ye keep the commandments ye shall prosper in the land." This notion that comes up many many times in the Book of Mormon. Coupled with the knowledge that Lehi was a wealthy man, and a prophet, we can assume that he was already keeping that principle. So my question is, what are we to do with the wealth? And how does this wealth affect the next generation? My husband and I have been having this discussion, as we are the first generation on both sides of our family to accumulate wealth, and we do not want to be one of those people who have the attitude of.... "we want to give our kids all those things that we missed out on." We can also see the error of our ways if we went down that path. It seems that if you bring children up in wealth (I mean everything given to them that they want), it teaches them to be selfish. So we are taking the road of self reliance. Yes, we may have lots of money, but we won't be showing our children this. We have just sold our first home (which thankfully got us into this strained housing market) and am onto buying a bigger piece of land so that we can till, and raise crops, and chickens and a couple of cows etc. I'm sure you see the picture. I think that the pride cycle has something to do with generational change. That the parents in the pride cycle who repent and come unto the Lord are righteous (and are the ones who are blessed with the wealth), but they make the erronous mistake of allowing that wealth to define their next generation of children. We do not want to make that mistake. One last note, we have found one good reason to spend money, Family history and temple work. We live 700miles away from our Brisbane temple, and so there is nothing better to spend money on then attending the temple regularly (we have been blessed to attend the temple every 2 months). Also we have spent it on gathering certificates which add up and are planning family history trips back to the land of our ancestors. All very suitable reasons to spend money I think (seek ye first the kingdom of God and all else shall be added unto you).

Hope you are all having a nice sleep

[skalenfehl]

Originally Posted by Nappaljarri

My questioning is, how much influence did Sariah have on Laman and Lemuel? Just a thought, as we all know how much influence a mother has on the teaching and attitudes of their children.

Very interesting perspective! Thank you for sharing that. One thing is clear, though, from reading further. She truly loved her sons. I'm reminded of the stripling warriors and their faith taught to them by their mothers.

Hi All,

Hmmmm, I just might join you all, 100 days huh ??

God bless,
Carl

[pam]

That would be awesome if you joined it Carl.

[Misshalfway]

Wing, are you following a set reading schedule? ....did I miss that? And are we gonna talk about what we are reading??

[pam]

BRB I'm heading out to Deseret Book to buy me new scriptures. Without details to the entire story the ones I had are gone and I need new ones. I've been using ones just found around the house. Besides I need the "Large print" ones. lol That way I can join in.