Jan 12, 2020
I have had a great week, reading and studying 1 Nephi 1-7. I have used several different methods to study and had some interesting insights about covenants. I read the Title Page last week and came across the statement “Condemn not the things of God”. That led me to a search of the words “The things of God” and the “Mysteries of God” which seem to be or mean pretty much the same things and “the Blessings of the Fathers”. The scriptures that I found follow below my thoughts here.
My Thoughts
Seeking after the “Things of God” also sometimes called the Mysteries of God is not only important but also imperative for us to do in this life. As we do it we fill the commandment to seek after the Lord, to follow him.
The things of God include the plan of salvation which was presented in the council in heaven – the creation, the fall, the priesthood (the blessings of the fathers including the covenants and ordinances of the priesthood – temple work and the commandments), the atonement, the resurrection, the restoration, the judgement. and more. It is what God wants to do for us if we will covenant with him and be faithful. . As we do this, The things of God become a part of us. As I have read through these verses I am filled with the spirit indicating that I am at least heading in the right direction. I can feel the Lord gathering me in, teaching me, chastising me when I need it and forgiving me when I repent. He also comforts me and sends peace and tender mercies as I try to make it back home. Darwin feels many of the same things.
I learned about conditional covenants and unconditional covenants. God has covenanted to fulfill his word. We see how that takes place in one family at the start of the Book of Mormon where people are real and have agency. They were under some different laws and obligations than we are now but it is interesting how faith and faithfulness is rewarded and lack thereof eventually leads to loss of the spirit. God will continue to seek after us until we get it right if we keep seeking and knocking (enduring to the end and doing the works of righteousness).
Abraham was enabled to do what he did with Issac, not just because he was obedient but because he understood that God had made a binding unconditional covenant with him that he would be blessed with uncountable posterity (as well as other things). He didn’t have to know how it would happen. He just knew that it would happen and that it was for the eternities as well as for this earth. Issac was his and he could sacrifice him because he trusted the Lord and knew (not just believed or thought or hoped or wanted but knew) that God would fulfill that promise, if not through Issac than through someone else. He went immediately, not hesitatingly to fulfill the commandment of the Lord to sacrifice Issac. He didn’t try to second guess him. He knew a way would be provided for him to be blessed in the way the Lord said he would be.
Nephi likewise didn’t know how he was going to get the plates but he knew that God was faithful and would provide a way. And he did.
I understand so much more now about the Symbolism of the Covenants that the Lord makes with each of us. There are some that are unconditional and there are some that are conditional. I am so happy that I have had the opportunity to memorize some of the ordinances of the temple. They are conditional on our faithfulness but the Lord’s Promises will always be there and always be fulfilled as we do our part. Moreover, he will teach us how to do what he wants us to do if we seek to know it. I know this is true and I know that many times I have had no clue about how to do something that the Lord wanted me to do but was lead along and things just opened up so that it could happen.
Scriptures I found for “The Things of God” and the “Mysteries of God” and “The Blessings of the Fathers”
1 Nephi:1:1
1. I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.
1 Nephi:2:16
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.
1 Nephi:5:4
And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.
1 Nephi:6:3
And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God.
1 Nephi:10:19
For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.
2 Nephi:5:32
And I engraved that which is pleasing unto God. And if my people are pleased with the things of God they will be pleased with mine engravings which are upon these plates.
2 Nephi:26:17
For thus saith the Lord God: They shall write the things which shall be done among them, and they shall be written and sealed up in a book, and those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not have them, for they seek to destroy the things of God.
Mosiah:1:3
And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God.
Mosiah:2:9
And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.
Alma:10:8
And it came to pass that I obeyed the voice of the angel, and returned towards my house. And as I was þÿgoing thither I found the man whom the angel said unto me: Thou shalt receive into thy house and behold it was this same man who has been speaking unto you concerning the things of God.
Alma:12:9
And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
Alma:12:10
And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
Alma:26:22
Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually þÿwithout ceasing unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.
3 Nephi:28:15
And whether they were in the body or out of the body, they could not tell; for it did seem unto them like a transfiguration of them, that they were changed from this body of flesh into an immortal state, that they could behold the things of God.
Doctrine and Covenants:6:7
Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.
Doctrine and Covenants:8:11
Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.
Doctrine and Covenants:76:12
By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see þÿ and understand the things of God
Moses:8:16
And it came to pass that Noah prophesied, and taught the things of God, even as it was in the beginning.
Abraham:1:2
And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.
Abraham:1:31
But the records of the fathers, even the patriarchs, concerning the right of Priesthood, the Lord my God preserved in mine own hands; therefore a knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and also of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers, have I kept even unto this day, and I shall endeavor to write some of these things upon this record, for the benefit of my posterity that shall come after me.