Saturday, October 3, 2009

Mosiah 7

King Limhi laid out some of the grievances of his people, most of which he ascribed to their own wickedness and especially to their rejection of the prophets of God. He also complained about the oppression they suffered at the hands of the Lamanites, including a 50% tax levied on all that they produced. Let's see, our current estimated overall tax rate in the US is about 40% (higher depending on the state and locality where you live). Perhaps we should say, as Limhi did,

23 And now, is not this grievous to be borne? And is not this, our affliction, great?

I have to inject a little humor here and there.

This chapter closes with this testimony from Limhi:

33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

I can testify that the power of the Savior's atonement can deliver us from bondage -- the bondage of rage, addiction, and sin. If we turn to the Savior with full purpose of heart, trust in him, and serve him, he will bring peace to our souls.

A mind that is not diligent, is misdirected and can never rest. The scripture that inspired Joseph Smith to ask God which church is true, can inform our search for answers to our own questions. Joseph pondered James 1:5 over and over. I think the following three verses speak to the idea of a diligent mind:

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

The key phrase is "nothing wavering." It takes full purpose and complete faith.

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