Brooke and Will,
I wanted to share some really neat things about Genesis 35.
This chapter builds on my testimony of the true pattern that our Heavenly Father works after.
Since the beginning of time Heavenly Father taught his children to build temples in order that we could have a place here on the earth, that was sacred, and holy; a place where He could teach us and make two-way covenants with us.
It is interesting that this chapter begins with Jacob having a vision of a ladder that reaches to Heaven, almost as if it is a premonition of the following direction given to Jacob of the Lord.
The Lord tells Jacob to go to Beth-el, which means " House of God ", and make an offering to Him.
( Genesis 35:1 -2 ).
Jacob tells his family that they have to be prepared to go to this place where he would make an offering to God, or in other words to the place Jacob would go to the temple.
To me, I see the true instruction that Joseph Smith was given in building temples by the Lord as well, and the fact that we must be prepared to enter into them by being worthy.
Jacob then tells his family to put away the " strange gods " they have among them. Meaning to go to this Holy place, you can not worship other Gods. ( Genesis 35:4 )
This reminds me of the way that we lay aside the things of the world as we prepare to enter the temple and as we strive to be worthy and hold a temple recommend. Truly the truth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shines through even stronger than common, in his chapter.
Then we see Jacob build this temple in Genesis 35:14, wherein this place Jacob also received a new name from the Lord which is " Israel ", and then gave a promise that " Israel " would be fruitful, and that nations and kings would be his.
Those nations and kings are now referred to as the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and even today, as part of those tribes, we have access to these same promises and blessings as we enter the temple and make and keep covenants with the Lord.
I feel it such a privilege to be past of this House of Israel. As a member of His church we are all part of " Israel " either by lineage or adoption into it.
I know that this pattern set forth by the Lord of building temples and all of the symbolism, and ordinances that happen there, are truly from our Father in Heaven. I know that the actions that we partake in there have actual Priesthood Power that is added to our lives each time that we attend the temple to help our brothers and sisters, and ourselves have communion with God in ordinances and covenants.
I can not wait to go to the temple with you my Brooke and William.
Love, Your Mother
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Monday, May 1, 2017
Blessed For Your Sake
Brooke and Will,
I have failed to keep my book for your up of my scripture insights while I was in Statistics. You will see that my last post was in December, and I started my Statistics class in January through April.
It is the beginning of May, and although I did continue reading the Old Testament a bit, I did not get too far.
I will begin where I left off with my thoughts on how these scripture accounts can relate to us and the things that I feel to share with you in this book.
One statement made an impression on me as I read in the Old Testament, Genesis, chapter thirty.
Issac, Abraham's son, begat Jacob, whom was renamed " Israel" by the Lord, and Jacob married Leah, Rachel, Bilah, and Ziplah.
The Father of Leah and Rachel was Laban, and he was not fair to Jacob. Jacob served him faithfully despite the many times he was wronged by Laban.
As Jacob was working to do his best despite the circumstances, we learn in Genesis 30:27, that Laban's household was blessed by Jacob's presence there as Laban tells Jacob:
" I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake."
From this I am reminded that no matter what senerio or circumstance that we come into in our lives, we have the opportunity to bless other's lives, as the Lord will bless us as we seek to be the best servants to Him that we can be.
As I pondered upon this principle, I realized that even though Laban was recognizing that he was blessed with material blessings because of Jacob's presence in his household; likely, Laban was unaware of the even greater blessing that Jacob' had given him through raising his grandchildren, and serving his daughters with Godly power, as one of Abraham's descendants and as a righteous man.
As we are aware that Lord blesses those around us if we are trying to be a righteous servants to God,We will recognize the great opportunity that we have to be witnesses of the happiness and blessings that come from being engaged in the work of the Lord.
Laban recognized that Jacob was loved and favored by the Lord.
I hope that I can do a better job at doing those things that the Lord would look pleasantly upon, in order that other's testimonies would grow as Laban saw God's hand in Jacob's life.
It is a great thing to know that we can be a blessing to all those that we love. That makes me happy, and I believe that I am blessed because of you, Brooke and Will, as you are in my household, and you are my children.
I know that Heavenly Father gives me the motivation that I need in order to bless and protect you, that He loves. That is a great blessing to me. You both are such a strength to me.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I have failed to keep my book for your up of my scripture insights while I was in Statistics. You will see that my last post was in December, and I started my Statistics class in January through April.
It is the beginning of May, and although I did continue reading the Old Testament a bit, I did not get too far.
I will begin where I left off with my thoughts on how these scripture accounts can relate to us and the things that I feel to share with you in this book.
One statement made an impression on me as I read in the Old Testament, Genesis, chapter thirty.
Issac, Abraham's son, begat Jacob, whom was renamed " Israel" by the Lord, and Jacob married Leah, Rachel, Bilah, and Ziplah.
The Father of Leah and Rachel was Laban, and he was not fair to Jacob. Jacob served him faithfully despite the many times he was wronged by Laban.
As Jacob was working to do his best despite the circumstances, we learn in Genesis 30:27, that Laban's household was blessed by Jacob's presence there as Laban tells Jacob:
" I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake."
From this I am reminded that no matter what senerio or circumstance that we come into in our lives, we have the opportunity to bless other's lives, as the Lord will bless us as we seek to be the best servants to Him that we can be.
As I pondered upon this principle, I realized that even though Laban was recognizing that he was blessed with material blessings because of Jacob's presence in his household; likely, Laban was unaware of the even greater blessing that Jacob' had given him through raising his grandchildren, and serving his daughters with Godly power, as one of Abraham's descendants and as a righteous man.
As we are aware that Lord blesses those around us if we are trying to be a righteous servants to God,We will recognize the great opportunity that we have to be witnesses of the happiness and blessings that come from being engaged in the work of the Lord.
Laban recognized that Jacob was loved and favored by the Lord.
I hope that I can do a better job at doing those things that the Lord would look pleasantly upon, in order that other's testimonies would grow as Laban saw God's hand in Jacob's life.
It is a great thing to know that we can be a blessing to all those that we love. That makes me happy, and I believe that I am blessed because of you, Brooke and Will, as you are in my household, and you are my children.
I know that Heavenly Father gives me the motivation that I need in order to bless and protect you, that He loves. That is a great blessing to me. You both are such a strength to me.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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