Reverence

I'm bypassing my Book of Mormon study on remembering today because I have to give a talk in church tomorrow on reverence, so that's what I'm going to study. And I'm not going to write about it here. But I don't want any of my imaginary readers to think I didn't study the scriptures today. I think I will base my talk largely on President Packer's talk Reverence Invites Revelation.

2 Nephi 31:4

Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.

Nephi is finishing up. He just has a few last important words to leave with us concerning the doctrine of Christ. He begins by reminding us that he has spoken to us previously of John the Baptist. I think Nephi's use of the word remember in this context is an effective teaching method. When we teach, we build on students' prior knowledge and understanding. New information doesn't do us much good unless it is somehow connected to what is already important to us. So Nephi tells us to remember something he has mentioned before, and we know that he is about to expand our knowledge relating to that subject.

In my journal writing, I think I will try to make it more cohesive by reminding the reader of things I mentioned in the past when I want to expand on the subject, for example like when I've learned something new that relates to a past experience. Nephi was a good teacher. President Packer wrote about a similar teaching method called apperception. Maybe these aren't methods. Maybe they're more like skills or nuances. Either way, they make a more effective teacher, which I would like to be.

2 Nephi 29:4-5--The Jews

4. But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?
5. O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.

In chapter 28 Nephi is prophesying about the latter days. Towards the end of the chapter he begins writing the words of the Lord, and it is the Lord speaking in chapter 29. He makes it clear that we need to remember the Jews. The chapter ends with reference to the Abrahamic covenant. I think we need to learn about the house of Israel and the Lord's covenants. We need to remember that we also are of the house of Israel, and what the Lord promised to the ancient Jews, he promises to us.

2 Nephi 10:24--We Are Saved by Grace

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

I don't know why I didn't include this verse with yesterday's post.

We reconcile ourselves to the will of God by repenting and striving to know and do what he would have us do. Once we do this, and only when we do this, we are saved in and through the grace of God. Remembering this will keep us from being proud and self-righteous. It will keep us from thinking we are better than others. It will keep us humble, and therefore happy.