Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Mormon 1 & 2 (Combined as narrative and thematic elements run together)

Verses 1-5: Ammaron's Commandment

Mormon writes that Ammaron asked him, at age 11, to retrieve the plates at age 24, and keep the history of the people.

What does this teach me about the atonement?
The atoning work of the Savior, and His gospel which implements the atonement for our salvation, is more sacred and precious than anything. In order for it to be of the most benefit, the teachings had to be preserved by the hands of those who recognize its worth. Those who rejected the Savior could not be neutral. They would have destroyed the record which was such an odious offense to their deceitful state of mind.

Lesson for me?
*Keep valuing and learning from this sacred record. It was preserved for you over many generations by people who risked their lives to protect it, and gave their lives to defend its teachings. It is the greatest earthly treasure you have.

Mormon 1 verse 6- Mormon 2 verse 29: Left to Themselves
Miracles cease among the scores of people caught up in warfare. Mormon leads their efforts but despairs at their wickedness.

How does this relate to the atonement?

The Savior felt the pain of all warfare, bloodshed and sin. Being a perfectly loving man, and knowing that His children cannot progress without exercising their agency, His recourse is simply not to lend His divine grace when His children use their agency to hurt one another. The people have the basic gifts and capabilities of mortality, but not the extra assistance available to us when we're seeking loving, constructive ends. By rejecting the Savior, we also reject the power He wrought through His atonement, which could be blessing our lives in ways beyond our imagining.

Lesson for me?
*It doesn't pay to rebel against the greatest source of love and knowledge in the universe. Duh. Don't do it. Let Him bless you!

Mormon 1 Verse 15
 15 And I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus.

That beautiful verse deserves special attention.
Mormon points out the causal relationship between a sober mind, and being visited by the Lord. I believe his use of the word sober (as Ammaron called him when he was ten) refers to His equanimity or resistance to letting his natural impulses (hunger, lust, greed, anger, pride, giddiness) rule over him. When one is sober, one is in control of one's faculties and better able to make wise decisions. The Lord can visit those who aren't ruled by opposing and distracting forces. Self-mastery is a means of tuning into His power.
How does this relate to the atonement?
The joy of the Savior is good enough to taste. It is His pure love- the love that moved Him to suffer on our behalf, and which now moves Him to attempt to minimize our sufferings and encourage us in purity and joy.

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