Old Testament FDREL 301- Week 6

Personal Journal Week 6 Lesson 12

This week I had an opportunity to reflect on principles I learn in the scripture reading, and from discussion with my instructor who left a remark on my post. It has to do with the word “duty”. Have you thought about what our duties are? We have personal duties, duties as human beings to be kind to one another, and duties as members of the Lord’s church.

Duty relates to my Becoming project. How can I be more obedient if I do not know or fully understand my duties? I enjoyed researching the word duty and came upon a talk called, “Our Path of Duty” (April 2010) by Keith B. McMullin. There was an excerpt from a Book I read by Corrie ten Boom. She survived capture in a Nazi camp and later in life met up with a guard from the camp who became Christian. He sought forgiveness and asked her “Will you forgive me?”

Corrie ten Boom said, ““It could not have been many seconds that he stood there—hand held out—but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do.

“… The message that God forgives has a … condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. …

“… ‘Help me!’ I prayed silently. ‘I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.’

“… Woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. As I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.

“‘I forgive you, brother!’ I cried. ‘With all my heart.’

“For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely, as I did then.”6

For those who eschew evil and live good lives, who strive for a brighter day and keep the commandments of God, things can get better and better even in the face of tragedy. The Savior showed us the way. From Gethsemane, the cross, and the tomb, He rose triumphant, bringing life and hope to us all. He bids us, “Come, follow me.

Our duty is to follow Christ. He knows the way perfectly. If we are to be perfected, happy, kind, people we need to follow Christ. As we fulfill our duty, we become like Him, and He blesses us, heals us and fills us with joy as we strive to do so.

“Duty does not require perfection, but it does require diligence. It is not simply what is legal; it is what is virtuous.” – Keith B. McMullin

Finding Principles Judges 13 – 21, Ruth, 1 Samuel 1-15

1. Scripture: Judges 16: 16 -17

16 And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;

17 That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.

Principle: This is interesting that Samson knowing Delilah was trying to learn the secret in order to take away his strength that he would playfully, and intently allow her to press him, and deceive him. In times of weakness, he has turned not to the Lord. He is trying to fill a void of betrayal from previous experiences, and falling into another trap. Sometimes we are not in the best company or may be with people who do not have good intentions. Often, we can feel we are in danger and choose not to listen to the voice of the Lord or the promptings of the spirit. When we compromise the safety of following the covenant path we will meet spiritual danger. When we are down trodden, disappointed, betrayed, feeling alone, or feeling unworthy we need to come to the Lord in prayer and ask for help. He will console us and comfort us. One of my favorite scriptures is Moroni 10:5; “And by the power of the Holy ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”

Our Heavenly Father cares about how we feel, and we can share our pain, disappointments or fears. He will answer us and give us the strength to endure through the power of the Atonement.

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2. Scripture: Judges 16:28

28 And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

Principle: Haven’t we all been in a place where Samson is in? Being disobedient, weak or maybe just made a mistake and regret fell upon us? When Samson says, “remember me” Sometimes when we do things that are wrong or just don’t do what is right, we can wonder if the Lord will remember us. We can feel unworthy possibly to pray or even ask for help. The adversary wants us to feel weak, and unloved. We can follow Joseph Smith’s example when he was in the sacred grove and felt doom in Joseph Smith History 1: 16-17

16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound.

We are loved, we are remembered, we are children of our Heavenly Father and He wants to help us through whatever we are going through we need to seek, and ask for His assistance. (253)

3. Scripture: Ruth 1: 14

14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Principle: I am always touched by Ruth’s response and love for Naomi. She knows Naomi is in need, and rather than think of herself, she stays loyal to Naomi. I think of my family, friends including the sisters I minister to and reflect how I can more desire to be more loving, and sincere. I feel Ruth’s sincerity, and though it may be easy to serve, serving with love is what ministering is all about. It is the Savior’s way, and some may be easier to love than others, however, we are asked to love everyone, and minister as the Savior does. According to President Nelson, we all need ministering, “Effective ministering efforts are enabled by the innate gifts of the sisters and by the incomparable power of the priesthood. We all need such protection from the cunning wiles of the adversary.” (Ministering, April 2018) Have you ever thought that ministering is a form of protection? Each of us is vulnerable and need watch care.

Finding Principles Judges 13 – 21, Ruth, 1 Samuel 1-15

1. Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Principle: When I taught seminary I remember this scripture as a scripture mastery. The Lord judges us by our hearts rather than our outward appearance. It teaches me that what people present themselves on the outside may be different than the condition of their heart. It is difficult to righteously judge people. We don’t know what people are going through and we shouldn’t judge someone on one action, or what people say necessarily. I have had weak moments where I said something I shouldn’t have and I wouldn’t want to be judged on my worst moment. We don’t know the history of people like the Savior, Jesus Christ does. In saying that we need to use caution as well when we judge people to be righteous with good intent, and we do not know the intentions of others. Save judgement for the Lord.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

“When the Lord measures an individual, … He measures the heart as an indicator of the person’s capacity and potential to bless others.

“Why the heart? Because the heart is a synonym for one’s entire make-up. …

“The measure of our hearts is the measure of our total performance. As used by the Lord, the ‘heart’ of a person describes his effort to better self, or others, or the conditions he confronts” (“The Measure of Our Hearts,” Ensign, Nov. 1988, 15).

(235)

2. Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:33

33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

Principle: There are lots of people with good intentions who may not think we can do what the Lord knows we can do. David showed pure courage and faith in the Lord, and when we know we have a work to do, we can take courage the Lord will strengthen us. I remember a particular time when I served as seminary teacher, enrolled in Pathway, working fulltime, a mother, and wife. I loved each responsibility and there came a time when I wasn’t sure if I could keep up, and yet when I prayed about whether it was too much for me to teach, I felt I could do with the Lord’s help. When leaders asked how I was and if I was sure I was able to serve, I knew the Lord was assisting me. It was the enabling power of the Atonement of Christ that allowed me to carry the burden with the Lord. I remember President Hinckley teaching the principle less fear and more faith. When we are carrying a heavy load or when we are in a David and Goliath position we can be assured the Lord will make up for what we lack. (197)

3. Scripture: 1 Samuel 18: 12-16

12 ¶ And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.

13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.

15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

Principle: David behaved wisely. This teaches me that David was a self-disciplined individual who was in control of his emotions, and acted in a manner that was pleasing to the Lord. When we act “wisely” we invite the Lord and His spirit to be our companion. Saul was jealous and angry toward David, and David managed the situation with care. Elder Holland says, ““There are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other. … The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those” (“The Laborers in the Vineyard,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 31). (158)