Holdin to the Rod

This week we studied 2 Nephi 9-16. This world is pretty crazy right now and these passages talk about a future vision that seems scary close to the times we are now living.

These passages are comparable to Isaiah so therefore tons of deep thinking. Our weekly study skill was visualize. Have you ever tried to visualize as you are studying the scriptures?  As I tried to create a visual picture of the setting, people and possibly placing myself in the setting as I listened to the scriptures this week was really amazing. As I continue to study daily in the scriptures I am amazed at how much adding these study skills help me seek greater understanding. As I was reading/listening I kept visualizing scenes from Capital in the Hunger Games, 2 Nephi 12: 7-9. How haughty and self-serving the people depicted in the movie as well as how outrageous they all look, it was a really interesting visual. But these same wicked and worldly men will be brought low "the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down" (2 Nephi 12:11). The Lord will humble all of us, especially those who deny him.

We talked in specific detail more about Chapter 2 Nephi chapter 9. We discussed that which brings us closer to Christ vs. that which brings us closer to the devil. In class we reflected on how much easier it is to just go with the flow, how it seems so fun to party and play and worry about our troubles later. At first the consequences either don't set in, or they seem worth it until further down the road. But… further down the road you now have an addiction, a sin to repent from, and much farther reaching consequences than you realize. The things that bring us closer to Christ seem like a list of rules, things we can't do and the way we are supposed to the things we should do. But as we follow the rules and gain the reward of our righteous choices we see and understand that there are no chains only freedom and happiness. It was reconfirmed this week to me that following Christs example is the true path to happiness, I plan to keep holdin tight to the rod.

Once again I want to reiterate my gratefulness to this Pathway program, it is helping me achieve all the things the Lord wants for me at this time. Its giving me the opportunity to learn how to do the "ponderizing" that we learned about in conference this last Oct. It's making sure I put Christ in the center of my life and learning.