I thought it would be fun to create a scripture chain online this week regarding bondage and deliverance. People have commented privately that they are unsure or reluctant to comment online because they don't want to sound "stupid". So- I thought this scripture chain might be a good way for us to have a no stress opportunity to look up a scripture they like and add it to the chain. I will be printing out a copy of the chain for our class next Sunday. Remember, if you want to remain anonymous or make up a fake username THAT's FINE! What's not fine is not participating!! I hope everyone will realize that our class is not about sounding "smart" but about sharing and relating experiences and insights, because EVERYONE has something unique to contribute.....
Now- the first two scriptures on the chain that we started in class 4 weeks ago are:
1. 1 Nephi 1:20 "... But behold, I Nephi will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."
2. Mosiah 7: 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 will do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage."
Something I have been pondering recently is this idea of serving God with "all diligence of mind". This phrase is intriguing to me, and led me to a wonderful talk written by John Welsh (the former dean of the BYU law School and the man who found chiasmus in the Book of Mormon in 1970s). He talks of this idea of serving God with all "diligence of mind" and gives some great, very practical examples of how we might accomplish this. One that I liked was that it takes diligence of mind to learn the names of everyone in our ward--this goal can be a form of serving God, when we approach it in such a manner.
The link to the talk is on the blog if you'd like to read it!
Please add to our chain, by pressing the comment button under this post, and typing in a scripture you like regarding bondage and deliverance. It would be great if you could type out the scripture, so we can all read it, but any comments about the scripture are completely optional. Please help our chain grow!!
3 comments:
I found something interesting as I was going through my favorite scripture references on bondage. Mosiah 7:20 And again that same God has brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem, and has kept and preserved his people even until now; and behold, it is because of our iniquities and abominations that he has brought us into bondage. I started my search thinking about deliverance from bondage not expecting to think about being brought into bondage…So I thought…Why would he bring us into bondage? I can see from this reference it was, “…because of our iniquities and abominations…” As I continued my search I found another reference to being “brought into bondage” but this time for a different reason…Mosiah 23:20-24,27 23 For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, …when I backed up to verse 20 I found the explanation for why…20 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people: yea he trieth their patience and their faith. It is a beautiful part of our Father’s plan how he personalizes our trials and so patiently seeks to teach, guide and correct us. Because even as he brings us into bondage he promises to deliver us…22-23 & 27…22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day(delivered)… In fact he is the only one who can deliver us…23 and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob…I think that’s the point…to get us to remember Who it is that we are dependent on for deliverance….27 Alma exhorted them that they should not be frightened, but that they should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them. It is in my trials that I best remember and that I most clearly see the hand of the Lord in my life because whether it is to chasten me or try me “being brought into bondage” causes me to look to God and live. These are just a few of my thoughts on my favorite reference on bondage and deliverance. I can’t wait to hear from others…to prompt my study. Thanks Sister Brock for providing this forum to share.
Here is a scripture on Bondage
Alma 30:24 Korihor who is the anti- Christ is teaching against the church. He is preaching that those that follow him are free and those that follow Christ are in bondage (basically). Isn't this the crys of the world today? If you have morals and values and follow and serve our Savior you are in bondage but as we know the opposite is true. Those that don't follow Christ and the teachings are in bondage to Satin. One more reason why this book was written for our time.
Deliverance- Alma 30: 49-50,55-56
Same chapter- Korihor has tempted God to show him a sign that he is real. Alma says it is better the one man be lost than be the means of bringing many souls down. So with that Korihor again tempts God for a sign and is struck dumb (so there is his sign). Not saying the word directly in that chapter that they were delivered, but the Lord Delivered the People from the Anti-Christ (Korihor) by stiking him dumb and at the end of the chapter he died. Thus in the last verse Alma 30: 60 the Lord reminds us that the devil will not support his children. There is NO deliverence from doing Satins will.
Mosiah 9:17
"Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the lamanites, for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers."
Do we go forth into our daily "battles" in the strength of the Lord? What are our daily "battles"?
When I looked up the root word "might" is defined as "with one's utmost power or force". This is a point to ponder...how much power and force do we use when we pray? Is it our utmost?
Contemplate the diction: "awakened to our remembrance". It is as if the light bulb turned on...the Nephites had a clear understanding or "realization of thier circumstances". They remembered the Lord will deliver them as he did their fathers. So as I liken this maybe as I face "battles" in my life I need to evaluate my prayers,Do I pray "mightily"? Have I forgotten (or lack faith?) Do I believe,excersize faith and act upon the Lord's promises? Just food for thought...
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