Monday, November 23, 2015

1 Nephi 8:12

12  And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great ajoy; wherefore, I began to be bdesirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was cdesirable above all other fruit.
            -What is it that does or has filled our souls with “exceedingly great joy”?  See Alma 36:17.

    “it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy”
            -is this “joy response” common to all people; is it shared equally by others or was Lehi’s taste different than other’s might be?  Does the sweetness, whiteness and joy brought about by the fruit have the same impact on all?  And if not, why not?

     “it was desirable above all other fruit.”
            -what other “fruit” is out there?  What are the competing or substitute fruit that might grab our attention and lure us away.
            -if our youth (or anyone who has not yet experienced the joy of the gospel) can just “taste” or experience of the fruit of the gospel they will see that it is more wonderful than other fruits like drinking, drugs, peer acceptance, the pleasure of sex, fame, popularity, wealth, social standing, wealth, fame, etc.
            -how can we assist our children and others to participate in the indulgence of this marvelous fruit so they might know and experience the unspeakable joy?

       “I knew…”
            -Lehi knew because he experienced!  But how can others know unless they experience it as well?  In fact, others may often disbelieve Lehi’s knowledge and feel that it cannot be “most desirable”.  It is impossible to know of the truth or joy of the gospel without experiencing it!  But to experience it, a person must live it.  This is no different than the first law of secular learning:  the scientific method.  But the same people who live by that code utterly refuse to put it into practice regarding spiritual matters.

      “it was desirable…”
            -the fruit here seems to be an absolute motivator. It provides the reason for pursuing the path to it.  Were the fruit not there (as a reward) would anybody walk the path to the tree?  It is almost like a piece of candy to a child  -is this a correct interpretation? Should it be viewed in this way?  Are we, as mortals, to act in such and such a way because of something’s appeal, because of some reward or hope of some good feeling?

No comments:

Post a Comment