Mormon Bloggers

I don’t know how many people liked the first one, but one person requested more, so I did chapter 2. Download MP3: 1 Nephi 2 And in case you missed the first one, here it is: Download MP3: 1 Nephi 1  Read More →

There it is, one of the most essential, key ideas about life.  In the very first verse of the very first chapter of our favorite Book of Mormon.  How many times have I read that verse?  Not only as many times as I’ve read the Book of Mormon, but for every false and failed start as well.  So, oodles of times by now.  How long has it taken me to truly grasp the significance of this verse?  Decades. 1 Nephi 1:1– I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days. Could this be one of life’s most valuable lessons?  Could “many afflictions” possibly go hand-in-hand with “highly... Read the rest of this entry »

A few days ago, one of my readers asked if I would “post some advice on what it was like having a second baby. Sibling issues, bedtime madness, and when you actually sleep.”  I have to admit that I am pretty flattered that someone would ask me when we all clearly know what a nut case I am!  So, after thinking about it for a few days, I decided to give my piece and then open it up for you more experienced moms.  So please leave a comment if you have some pointers and advice to share for our new mom’s of plus ones. I got pregnant with my second, Nephi, when Sammy was just a year old.  We wanted to have the first two close together because my husband and I both grew up with a close sibling and loved it!  Ben and I wanted that for our kids too. From the very first when we found out we were expecting numero dos, we started prepping Sam for it.  Even though he was only one and had speech and language impairment (although we didn’t know this... Read the rest of this entry »

It takes a lot of confidence to say, “I know I’m right.” In fact, I’d have to say it takes more than confidence – it takes spiritual conviction. Even the accomplished scientist won’t say, “I know this theory is true.” So what is it that gives Nephi the right to say that he knows the things he’s writing is true? Some would call this blind, naïve, or delusional. But that’s assuming that Nephi is wrong. But he’s not wrong, and he knows it. 1 Nephi 11:16-17 And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God? And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. 2 Nephi 4:35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. 2 Nephi 25:7 But... Read the rest of this entry »

1:2 “the language of the Egyptians” I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians. That sounds to me like Lehi wrote in Hebrew style, but in the Egyptian language – well, some kind of Egyptian language. Obviously Lehi would be fluent in Hebrew, but why would he speak or at least know how to write in Egyptian? “We don’t know what Lehi’s occupation was, but since he was conversant in the Egyptian language and he seemed some-what familiar with the ways of the desert, it is logical to assume that he had some occupation or some previous experiences that utilized both skills.” H. Donl Peterson, “Father Lehi,” in First Nephi, The Doctrinal Foundation, ed. Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr. (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1988), 55–66. Okay, so I guess Lehi probably did work that was facilitated by a knowledge of the Egyptian language. I looked... Read the rest of this entry »

The comes a time in all of our lives when our kids come of age, and we start to teach them morals and values.  Honesty is a big one.  Now, under the heading of “honesty” comes several sub-categories like: lying, cheating, stealing, etc.  I think the first part of honesty we teach our little ones is not to lie.  Most all kids learn at an early age to lie.  Mostly it starts with, “Did you poop?”  We ask this question knowing full well what the answer is!  But don’t act surprised when your kids lie and say “no” so they can continue playing and you can go on thinking you are either smelling something else or someone just has gas. What makes me laugh, is that the kids actually act shocked and angry when you catch them in their web of deception.  Oh, please… how stupid do they think we are? Right now, the Nutshell is suffering from a nasty bout of thievery. Nephi, my youngest, “dearest”... Read the rest of this entry »

“therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days” Sometimes we assume that the book of 1 Nephi is like a journal – that Nephi kept it as he went along. Maybe that’s the case for the other plates he kept, I don’t know, but with the version we have access to, Nephi wrote his record 30 years after Lehi’s family left Jerusalem, and well after the time they arrived in the Promised Land. (see 1 Nephi 19:1-5 / 2 Nephi 5:28-31) 1 Nephi 19:1-5 4 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did make a record upon the other plates, which gives an account, or which gives a greater account of the wars and contentions and destructions of my people. And this have I done, and commanded my people what they should do after I was gone; and that these plates should be handed down from one generation to another, or from one prophet to another, until further commandments of the Lord. 5 And an account of my making these plates shall be given hereafter; and then, behold, I proceed according... Read the rest of this entry »

“therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days” Sometimes we assume that the book of 1 Nephi is like a journal – that he kept it as he went along. Maybe that’s the case for the other plates he kept, I don’t know, but with the version we have access to, Nephi wrote this record 30 years after Lehi’s family left Jerusalem, and well after the time they arrived in the Promised Land.  (see 1 Nephi 19:1-5 / 2 Nephi 5:28-31) Why does that matter, you ask? Well, it doesn’t, really. I just thought that was kind of cool. Then again, maybe you could draw the lesson from it that keeping a journal is not enough, we should write our life history, too. Okay, so maybe that’s not the intent, but that’s a good lesson, too!  Read More →

“Having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God” I’m sure you’ve been in church when someone has said something like, “Let’s not dive too deeply into the mysteries,” or, “that’s one of the mysteries that we don’t really need to know right now.” Of course, they are right. The things which the Lord has not revealed are not presently important for us to have. Things like the how dinosaurs fit into the plan, the precise location of the lost tribes of Israel, and the date of the second coming are all interesting subjects that we’ll someday understand, but don’t need to now. But whenever I read verses like this one (1 Nephi 1:1), I have to question if mysteries is the right word to refer to things we’re not meant to know. Why do I say that? Well, it just seems like every time the scriptures are talking about mysteries, they’re talking about something we should be trying to obtain. The Scriptural Definition... Read the rest of this entry »

Woo Hoo!!!  The day has finally come to dust off those running shoes, break out the workout clothes, and get out and work it! I can’t tell you how excited I am to do this!  And the response I had from you, my readers, family, and friends has been amazing!  Do you know we are just short of 50 challengers!!!  Yay!!!  That means there are 50 of us out to make our lives a little more exciting, more invigorating, and best of all, healthier.  It’s my hope that all 50 of us will make it to the end and become inspirations for many others who need a little nudge in the right direction,  I mean, come on, who doesn’t want to inspire others?! I wish I could give a prize for the kick off today, but since I have prizes along the way, and short a few sponsors that I would have liked to have, we’ll just settle for a great big virtual pat on the back!  (I know, not as cool as a real prize, but it will have to do) — but no... Read the rest of this entry »

Cartoon by hartboy on flickr “…and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days…” These are clearly the words of an optimist. Nephi wasn’t kidding when he said he’s seen many afflictions in the course of his days. Can you imagine having to leave your home, your bank account, and everyone you’ve ever known (other than your immediate family,) to go blaze a trail to an undiscovered country and settle there? Oh, and let’s just make you the leader of the new colony, too. You’ve probably heard someone point out that Laman and Lemuel did do the things they were asked to do. They did leave Jerusalem with their riches. They did go get the plates. They did go back for Ishmael’s family. They did help build the boat. They even crossed the ocean like God commanded. What was the difference? Their attitude. They complained every step of the way,... Read the rest of this entry »

What would Nephi’s education been like? Well one thing for sure, traditional school’s in Nephi’s day were significantly different than they are today. Today the only thing religious that can be taught in school is the so-called constitutional “separation of church and state,” (which, interestingly, is never mentioned once in the constitution in any form). Nephi’s education would have been so immersed in the scriptures that it took precedence over math, science, art, and geography combined. He would have been taught reading, writing, and history intensely, mostly because it’ a vital part of scripture study and record keeping. The bible dictionary talks about the kind of education Jesus would have received in His time, and I think the basic education system would have been the same in Nephi’s time. “The divine law impressed upon parents the duty of teaching their children its precepts and principles, but little is known about the methods... Read the rest of this entry »