Murmuring, Murmur

     Murmuring seems to be the beginning of all destructive seen. Those who murmur do not understand/have faith in the Lord. They do not understand His powers or miracles and therefore complain for things they do and do not have. They are weak in suffering and assume suffering is because the Lord hates them. They murmur in their hearts and to others until they have grown in hatred and pride and are led to iniquities and bloodshed and become ungodly. Those who murmur will be chastened or destroyed. Those who do not murmur are those who have faith, recognize blessings, power, and love of God and are the favored people.

*Ex 15:24, 16:2, 17:3 - Children of Israel are big time murmurers, Num 14:2, 16:49, Deut 1:27, Psalms 16:25, Josh 9:18 - "because the Lord hateth us" he has ____

*Isa 29:24, 2 Ne 27:35 - Those who murmur will learn doctrine, those who err in spirit will come to understand

*Luke 5:30, 15:2, 19:7 - Pharisees were murmurers

*John 6:41 - Jews during Christ's time were murmurers, John 7:12

*John 6:43 - Jesus said "murmur not among yourselves" do all things without murmuring-Philip 2:14

*1 Cor 10:10 - murmurers are destroyed

*Jude 1:16 - murmurers are ungodly

*1 Ne 2:11 - Laman and Lemuel were the kings of murmuring -17:17 weak in suffering -16:20, 2 Ne 5:4 - to the point of bloodshed, 1 Ne 3:31 - do not know/believe God's powers/miracles, 17:49 - Nephi commanded them to stop

*1 Ne 3:6 - Those who do not murmur are favored of the Lord - you have to learn to recognize blerssings 17:2

*D&C 9:6 - Do not murmur for your circumstances, they are all wisdom in the Lord

*D&C 25:4 - Do not murmur for circumstances you have not had

*D&C 75:7 - You will be chastened for murmurings of your heart

Stiffneckedness

     Stiffnecked people are proud and rebellious against God. Like so many groups throughout history(Children of Israel, Jews who crucified Christ, Nephites before coming of Christ, Nephites before destruction, Lamanites, etc.) they are those who murmur, forget God, do not understand His teachings but demand things they cannot understand, they follow precepts of men and do not believe in miracles or repentance, they resist the Holy Ghost and prophets and persecute the righteous. In order to remove stiffneckedness, the Lord sends tribulations and stumbling blocks, prophets with plain speech to remind them of death and destruction and keep them in remembrance of God's law. Or you could remove your own stiffneckedness simply  by reading the scriptures, repenting, and purifying your heart. That's the way I choose. Remember if you have a stiffneck and are proud, there is no room for repentance or miracles - the only way you can be healed.

*Ex 32:9 - Children of Israel are a stiffnecked people(Ex 34:9, 33:5, Deut 9:6, Mosiah 3:14, Jer 17:23, Jacob 6:4)

*2 Ne 25:28 - Speak plainly to stiffnecked people so that they cannot misunderstand your testimony, will stand as a witness against them - if you deny Christ, you deny prophets and law

*Hel 5:3 - Nephites were stiffnecked people before coming of Christ

*Hel 9:21, Hel 13:29 - The Lord suffers the stiffnecked but they have an awful destruction waiting for them unless they repent.

*Deut 10:16 - Purifying your heart removes stiff necks

*Deut 31:27 - Stiffneckedness=rebellious, 2 Chron 36:13

*2 Chron 30:8 - Removing stiff necks(service)=entrance into the Lord's sanctuary

*Psalms 75:5 - Speak not with a stiff neck

*Isa 48:4, 1 Ne 20:4 - When the Lord knows your stiffneckedness, He gives you humbling experiences

*Ezek 2:4 - The Lord sends prophets to the stiffnecked

*Acts 7:51 - The stiffnecked resist the Holy Ghost, it works according to faith(Jarom 1:4,) stiffnecked won't search knowledge and they refuse to understand(2 Ne 32:7)

*1 Ne 2:11-12 - Signs of those who are stiffnecked = murmuring, no respect for the spiritual, are unfamiliar with the God who created them and His dealings, pride, costly apparel(Jacob 2:13), led by precepts of men(2 Ne 28:14)

*2 Ne 6:10, 10:5 - Jews who crucified Christ = stiffnecked people - Jacob 4:14, looking beyond the mark, demanding things they can't understand, receive stumbling blocks, quick to do iniquity, slow to remember (Mosiah 13:29)

*Enos 1:22-23 - The Nephites were stiffnecked people - nothing could save them except exceeding harshness, plain speech about the death and destruction that awaited them without repentance, continually keeping them in fear of the Lord, don't believe in miracles or repentance, persecute the righteous, delight in bloodshed, love iniquity(all ways of devil) - Alma 26:24, Alma 20:30, Alma 15:15, Alma 9:5, WofM 1:17

*Alma 37:10 - The Book of Mormon made to convince and help the stiffnecked

*Hel 4:21 - Scriptures can remove your stiffneck

*3 Ne 15:18 - Stiffnecked cannot understand prophets/prophets commanded not to speak to them, they build churches for gain, twist scriptures - Morm 8:33

*D&C 5:8 - Stiffnecked kindle God's anger, revokes his commands -D&C 56:6

*D&C 112:13 - God sends tribulations to unstiffen so He can come and heal. *because if you don't believe in miracles or repentance how can you ever be healed?

Dependability

     Dependability is really the thing that will get you through life, helping you endure and serve and maintain your faith. It is a crowning jewel on every trait for someone who is dependable in their faith, their obedience, their charity. Obedience brings you the kingdom immediately but dependability gives it to you in the end. Be dependent on God and His word and you will become dependable, receiving all blessings connected to it.

*Psalms 118:8 -  It is better to trust in God than man

*Prov 3:26 - Lord is thy confidence, shall keep they foot from being taken

*Prov 31:11 - Be the kind of woman who others can safely trust, do others good all your life

*Luke 12:33 - Your good works become a treasure you can depend on

*1 Cor 13:8 - Charity is the one thing you can depend on, everything else falls/fades

*Gal 5:10 - Have confidence in those who will stick to their views/opinions

*2 Thes 3:4 - Be the kind of person others can have confidence in obedience

*Heb 6:11 - Dependability will help you have hope, diligence, AND ENDURANCE

*1 Ne 3:7 - Nephi is one of the most dependable people I know, probably because he has full confidence in the Lord and depends on Him. - 2 Ne 6:2 -many others depended on him because of his confidence -2 Ne 4:19, 34-35 wo to. him who trusts man. 

*Mosiah 5:15 - Dependability(steadfast/immovable) and abounding in good works will bring you heaven, salvation, and eternal life - Abr 3:26. D&C 70:15 - Many blessings D&C 84:80 - temporal blessings - body, limb, joint, mind not wearied or darkened, a hair will not fall unnoticed, never go hungry or athirst.

*Mosiah 7:19 - If you ever have trouble having confidence in God, look at his passed works

*Alma 48:13 - Captain Moroni = dependable(firm in faith of Christ, dedicated to his oaths)

*Alma 53:20 - Armies of Helaman - "true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted" -exceedingly valiant for courage, strength, activity.

*Hel 10:4 - Be dependable as a missionary - seeking God's will and keeping commandments

*D&C 18:3 - Rely on the scriptures

*D&C 82:24 - The kingdom is yours, and will be forever, if you are steadfast

*JSH 1:59 - Sometimes dependability is required for keeping commandments

Thanksgiving

     Thanksgiving can be a consecrated sacrifice for it can be a sacrifice to give up mourning and selfishness and instead develop a glad, humble heart that recognizes God's greatness. Those who are rooted in their faith and testimony of Jesus Christ live close to the Spirit and humility and therefore naturally abound in thanksgiving.  They therefore abound in the blessings of giving thanks - including entering into the gates of heaven, receiving things of the earth more than a hundred fold and being made glorious. It is also a protection from evil and a way to give back to God in a never ending cycle of love. It is what will bring you into the presence of God, both here on earth and in heaven.

*Lev 7:12 -  Thanksgiving is a sacred ritual/sacrifice used to be given through unleavened breads always with oil

*Lev 22:29 - Thanksgiving should be made of your own will

*Psalms 95:2 - Come into God's presence with Thanksgiving - entry into gate - Psalms 100:4

*Psalms 147:7 - Sing your thanksgiving

*2 Cor 4:15 - Everything is for your sake and through thanksgiving it comes back to God

*2 Cor 9:10-12 - Thanksgiving is like the never ending cycle of a bountiful crop, give even more thanksgiving for a beautiful cycle(seed to fruit to food for many to more seeds to more fruit to more ability to feed)

*Phil 4:6 - Let all your requests be made with thanksgiving

*Col 2:7 - Those who are rooted and built in faith abound in thanksgiving

*1 Tim 4:4 - Every creation of God is good - refuse nothing without thanksgiving

*Rev 7:12 - Along with thanksgiving - give to God: blessing, glory, wisdom, honor, power, and might

*Alma 34:38 -  Things to help you live in Thanksgiving daily - the Holy Ghost, taking the name of Christ, humility, sincerely worshipping

*3 Ne 10:10 - Mourning can turn to joy and thanksgiving

*D&C 46:7 - Thanksgiving is a protection against temptations and evils

*D&C 136:26 - Thanksgiving/Happiness - praise with singing, dancing, music, prayer

*D&C 59:15-22 - Those who give thanks with cheerful countenances/glad heart will be rewarded with things of the earth. D&C 78:19 - made glorious, 100 fold and more

*D&C 89:11 - Use everything with prudence and thanksgiving

*D&C 97:12-13 - Temples are a place of thanksgiving

Sacrifice

     Sacrifice is an act of faith, of obedience, of rejoicing, of thanksgiving, of worshipping, a way to show testimony, and a way to receive revelation. It is a way of representing the sacrifice of our Savior, a sacrifice that is infinite and eternal and which we should ponder often and continuously invite into our lives. Without our sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit, Christ's sacrifice does not work. Sacrifices can be part of a covenant, a way to separate ourselves from sin, a cleansing step for true repentance. The sacrifices you make(especially that of service and love to God and his children with all your heart, soul, understanding and strength, through tithes, offerings, time, talents, means, and temple service)will be part of your final judgement. It is a type of priesthood power. Sacrifice with a sincere heart and it will be a protection and a blessing to you, bringing you ever closer to that ultimate sacrifice, the Atonement.

*Gen 22:9 - Abraham to sacrifice Isaac - sometimes God just wants to know what you'd be willing to give up for Him. Heb 11:17(by faith), Jacob 4:5, D&C 138:13

*Ex 3:18 - Sometimes sacrifice requires a separation - go into the wilderness

*Ex 12:27 - Sacrifice can sometimes be made out of gratitude/remembrance

*Ex 20:24 - Make an altar, the sacrifice, then receive blessings. Lev 17:5 - also bring peace, Deut 27:7 - also rejoice

*Ex 22:20 - If you sacrifice to anyone but the Lord - you will be destroyed, do not sacrifice to evil. Deut 32:17, Hosea 11:2, Mal 1:8, 1 Cor 8:4

*Lev 1:3 - burnt sacrifice must be male without blemish and offered voluntarily - similitude - Deut 15:21, 1 Cor 10:20

*Lev 3:1 - Peace offerings can be male or female without blemish - sprinkle blood on altar

*Lev 7:1-11 - Laws/rules regarding different sacrifices

*1 Sam 15:22 - To obey is better than to sacrifice

*1 Kings 18:38 - Elijah sacrifices and people believe

*Ezra 6:11 - make sacrifice to go along with prayer to ask for blessings

*Neh 12:43 - Sacrifice made as a way of thanksgiving

*Psalms 4:5 - Sacrifice made as an act of faith - Heb 11:4 Abram made sacrifice by faith/which is why it was better than Cain's. Moses 6:3 - Also Seth.

*Psalms 40:6, Heb 10:3, 5-8, 12, Heb 7:27 - Christ's sacrifice is superior so once He has made it, they are no longer required.

*Psalms 50:5 - You can make covenants through sacrifice

*Psalms 51:17 - Sacrifices=broken heart and a contrite spirit, D&C 97:8. You have to make this sacrifice or His sacrifice does not work 2 Ne 2:7

*Psalms 106:37 - Do not sacrifice your children to devils/other gods - Ezek 16:20

*Prov 15:8, 21:27 - Sacrifice made by wicked is abomination, make sure you do it with sincere heart - Isaiah 1:11

*Prov 21:3 - To do justly and with judgment is better than to sacrifice

*Dan 11:31 - Evil will take away daily sacrifice

*Amos 5:25(Acts 7:42) - God will ask you about your sacrifices

**Micah 6:7-8 - No matter how much you sacrifice, it will not be good unless you are serving the Spirit, doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly.

*Zeph 1:7 - The Lord has prepared a sacrifice for you.

*Mark 9:49 - Sprinkle sacrifices with salt as a cleansing

*Mark 12:33 - Worth more than all your sacrifices is to love God with all your heart, soul, understanding, strength, and to love your neighbor more than self.

*Luke 2:24 - Sacrifice when a son is born = 2 turtle doves/pigeons

*1 Cor 5:7 - Purge out/sacrifice your sin to become clean - use Christ's sacrifice

*Heb 5:1, Heb 8:3 - Sacrifice is a priesthood ordination - uses the power of God

*Heb 13:16 - God is well pleased with sacrifices requiring doing good and praying

*1 Peter 2:5 - A temple built to do sacrifices in

*Rev 2:14, 20 - Some people corrupt law of sacrifice, eat offerings and commit fornication

*1 Ne 5:9 - Sacrifice is a way of rejoicing

*Mosiah 2:3 - Actual sacrifice/burnt offerings = Law of Moses, 3 Ne 9:19-20 - Burnt offerings no more, only sacrifices now are broken heart and contrite spirit

*Alma 34:10 - An infinite and eternal sacrifice made not by human, but God

*Mormon 4:14-21 - evil=human sacrifices to idol gods

*D&C 59:12 - Sunday is a good day for sacrifices - of time, talents, means, service

*D&C 64:23 - Now is the time of sacrifice and tithe - it is a protection/blessing

*D&C 97:12 - Sacrifice for the temple - D&C 84:31 - and in temple -D&C 124:39

*D&C 132:50 - Sacrifices are a step to repentance

*D&C 138:2 - Reflect on the Savior's sacrifice often

*Moses 5:6 - Sacrifice = an act of obedience(sometimes blind)

*Fac 2, Fig 2 - Revelation comes when sacrificing

Commitment

     Commitment is a deeper, higher level of faith and brings the same powers and blessings and miracles as faith. It removes fears, brings hope and love and the power to endure. It is what will help you receive eternal life. When you commit to God and His kingdom with a fixed heart and a singleness of mind, with full purpose of soul, might, and strength - then everything will be given to you, everything will work out for your good and though you may be persecuted and suffer, you will be blessed with the love of God and eternal life. You will be built on a rock, always doing, always looking forward, always being prepared for what will come. Commit daily and HEARTILY. Commit because of love, because of trust, because the Lord has already wholeheartedly committed to you.

*Num 14:24 - Those who are committed and who follow diligently are chosen

*Deut 6:5, 26:16(Mark 12:30, Moro 10:32, D&C 4:2, Kings 23:3, Psalms 119:10, Morm 9:27, D&C 11:20) - Commitment should be with all your heart, soul, might, mind, and strength

*Deut 10:12 - Commitment should be with respect, obedience, love and service

*Josh 24:14-25 - Choose this day(and every day) to commit yourselves to the Lord's service

*Ruth 1:16-18 - Prove to others that you are committed, even until the end

*1 Sam 12:24 - Let your commitment be based on the great blessings you've already been given

*Psalms 37:5 - Committing and trusting bring miracles and blessings

*Psalms 112:7 - With a fixed heart trusting in Lord, you will fear no evil, Dan 1:8 - Daniel had a purposed heart

*Joel 2:12-13 - Commitment sometimes includes fasting, mourning, remembering kindness of the Lord

*Matt 4:20 - Fishermen/Apostles committed immediately

*Matt 6:33(3 Ne 13:33) If you are first committed to God and His kingdom, everything else will be added unto you.

*Matt 7:24, Luke 6:47-48 - Commitment is building house upon a rock

*Matt 8:22 - Follow 1st, let dead bury dead, ok to delegate, let things take care of themselves

*Matt 19:21 - Give to the poor, do not worry except to follow Christ

*Luke 9:62 - Do not look back once you have committed

*Luke 12:43 - Blessed is the servant found doing. (James 1:22 - be doers of the word and not hearers only)

*Luke 14:28-29 - Part of commitment is planning/preparation for future

*Luke 23:46 - commend=commit, Christ committed His Spirit to the Father

*John 8:31 - True disciples are committed

*John 13:37-38 - Peter's heart was always in the right place - always wanting to be true - sometimes he faltered

*John 14:15 - "If ye love me, keep my commandments" simple commandment

*Acts 2:42 - The commitment of converts - Mosiah 5:5, Mosiah 18:10 

*Rom 1:15 - Commit as much as you have in you

*Rom 6:17 - You are a committed servant to your choices/what you obey

*Col 3:23 - Do it HEARTILY

*James 2:24 - By works and faith you are saved, be committed to both

*1 Pet 2:23 - Commit even when you suffer and the world says fool - Matt 5:10, Alma 1:25, 5:26, 23:6

*1 Pet 3:13 - Nothing can truly harm you when you follow good

*1 Ne 2:3 - Lehi fully committed

*1 Ne 3:7 - The Lord is commited to you and has already prepared a way for you to fulfill your commitments

*2 Ne 31:20, Jacob 6:11, Omni 1:26 - Commitment to Christ and his commandments will bring you to eternal life

*Alma 5:57 - In order to truly commit, you need to separate from all wickedness

*Alma 38:2 - Some people are just born committed - it's a gift

*Alma 46:21 - Serious commitment when consequence is you will be rent like a garment if you become unfaithful

*3 Ne 18:9-11 - Sacrament is a huge blessing to renew commitments and blessings

*D&C 20:37 - Truly committed means you take on the name(D&C 20:77 - the sacrament is taking on his name)

*D&C 36:7 - "singleness of heart" D&C 88:68 - "minds become single to God"

*D&C 59:11 - Keep the Sabbath holy, be obedient all days, all times

*D&C 78:7 - Being committed is a way of preparation

*D&C 90:27 - Commitment is service, prayer, faith, obedience, remembering and if you commit to those things, everything will work out for you

*D&C 97:8 - Those who are committed to the point of a broken heart, contrite spirit - your sacrifice are accepted by the Lord.

*Abr 1:2 - Before commitment, you need desire(faith)

*3 Ne 29:8 - The Lord is committed to you.

*Luke 4:8 - Your commitment can rebuke/dismiss Satan

Protection, Divine

     Divine protection prepares, preserves, protects, and delivers you. If you have faith, hope, and courage and are obedient to the commandments and covenants you have made then no enemy shall ever harm you - you will be protected, both physically and spiritually. Your life, your health, and your soul shall all be saved. Not only shall you be saved, but your descendants will be saved as well. Not only that, but some might be converted to the Lord because of the protection you receive. Protection comes in many forms: destruction of enemies, peace to your soul, warnings, guidance, shield from fire/weapons, the Atonement, filled with the love of god, administration of angels, heaven is opened, etc. All you have to do is be obedient, have faith, love the Lord, and call on His name.

*Gen 15:1 - "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."

*Psalms 3:3 - The Lord is: shield, glory, lifter of thy head

*Gen 45:7 - The Lord prepares, preserves, delivers - 1 ne 5:14, Moses 7:61 - preserves through all dangers

*Ex 12:23 - The Lord will smite your enemies - the blood on your door(the Atonement) is your protection - evil will pass by you. - D&C 89:21

*Ex 13:21 - The Lord leads by day(cloud pillar) and by night (fire pillar) - Isa 4:5 - guidance and protection - what is guiding you is also protecting you.

*Num 14:9 - No fear when the Lord is with you.

*Psalms 18:1-3 - The Lord is strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, buckler, horn of salvation, high tower - you will love Him, trust Him, praise Him, call upon Him, and you will be saved from enemies.

*Psalms 31:23-24 - Love the Lord and have faith and He will preserve you and "plentifully rewardeth the proud doer." If you have courage and hope, He will strengthen your heart. - Psalms 145:20

*Isa 29:8, 2 Ne 27:3 - If you fight against the Lord, your soul will be empty.

*Isa 52:12(58:8) - The Lord will go before you, His glory will be your reward(your light will break forth, your health will spring forward, they righteousness will go before you)

*Isa 54:17, 3 Ne 22:17,  D&C 7:9-10 - no weapon against you will work, every tongue that speaks against you will be condemned, D&C 109:25 -  He who digs a pit for you will fall in himself

*Isa 66:12-14 - Gives peace like a river, He will comfort you, your heart will rejoice, your bones will flourish, hand of the Lord will be known, indignation given to enemies.

*Jer 15:20 - You will be like a wall of brass - they will fight against you but not prevail, the Lord is with thee and will save and deliver thee.

*Jer 20:11-13 - Those who fight will stumble, not prosper or prevail but have everlasting confusion. He will deliver the soul of the poor.

*Zech 2:5 - The Lord will be a wall of fire around you and glory in you.

*Matt 28:20 - The Lord is with you even unto the end of the world

*Mark 16:18 - Apostles will drink poison and not get hurt.

*Eph 6:11, D&C 27:15 - Put on the whole armor of God and you may withstand all the wiles of the devil.

*1 Ne 2:2, Alma 27:12 - Sometimes the Lord protects through warnings - just leave, do not fight

*1 Ne 22:14, 2 Ne 10:16 - Those who are not for the Lord are against the Lord, all nations who fight against Zion will turn on each other and be destroyed

*1 Ne 22:17 - He will preserve righteous, enemies will be destroyed by fire -D&C 63:34

*2 Ne 9:53 - Your covenants protect you and your seed

***Hel 5:24, 43-48 - Protected by a pillar of fire - from both inside and out - protection = not just physical but filled with the love of God, peace to your soul, administration of angels, heavens opened.

*3 Nephi 4:30 - Protect as long as you call for protection

*D&C 45 - 66-67 - Zion = land of peace, refuge, safety - glory of the Lord is there, also terror of the Lord to keep enemies away

*D&C 89:18-21 - Covenants = protection = health in the navel, marrow in the bones, wisdom, great treasures of knowledge(even hidden treasures), run and not be weary, walk and not faint, destroying angel passes by you.

*Dan 3:23-26 - Shad, Mesha, Abed = protected from fiery furnace - walked with God in the fire

*Dan 6:16-23 - Dan was not hurt in lions den because he believed in his God

*Mos 13:2-8 - Abinadi is protected as long as he needs to carry and deliver God's message

*Hel 16:2-3,6 - Samuel protected from stones/arrows - protection helped some believe in his message

*D&C 97:25 - Protection comes from obedience