The Tree of Life

Tree of Life a

I had a thought this week about the Tree of Life vision given to us by Lehi and Nephi in the Book of Mormon. I have taken the opportunities to listen to podcasts the speak of other podcasts of those who are against the church.

Hearing the things being said has caused me to strengthen my knowledge of the gospel and where I stand with the topics being covered.

I am not having a faith crisis, my ~~intent~~ goal is to know what is being said so that I know how to respond if questioned. So I can find the answers which the Lord wants me to obtain.

Years ago I was faced with such a time when I was talking with someone who so against the church and I tried to defend the church, and I felt defeated because my knowledge was so limited. It did not keep me from the church but I think in some degree it has kept me from becoming more knowledgeable of the scriptures or rather, not seeing that I knew enough at that age but lacked the ability to stand firm and immoveable.

I have and am facing many times of the mists of darkness. Times when just my finger tips are on the rod, rather than holding to it. Many times of letting go and the Lord leading me back.

Here are two pictures that I see people leaving the path, some even after they have partaken of the fruit. Leaving or denying the Love of God, Joy.

Here Lehi wants to share with his family, but Laman and Lemuel have turned their backs and walk away.

So many parents are experiencing this, watching our children reject what the church has to offer, claiming they don’t believe.

There are SO MANY podcasts and YouTube channels that do this, calling from the great and spacious building. Here are some thoughts:

“Here is the next question I would like each of us to ask: What are my mists of darkness? Satan knows each of us well. He knows each of our strengths and he knows our weaknesses. Satan knows how to press our mortal buttons. And believe me, he is doing it at every opportunity. The way he tries to get me may be different from the way he tries to get you. But he is very good at finding our weak spots and hitting hard. What is it for you? Maybe it is discouragement or self-doubt. Maybe it is laziness. Or it could be influencing you to let a healthy curiosity lead you to doubting your own convictions. Maybe the mist is procrastination. Or it could be anger. It could be allowing Satan to gain power over you through horrible addictions to substances or pornography.” (Cheryl C. Lant)

“The great mists of darkness arise in our lives at various times and take many forms. Sometimes they are great temptations and trials, but most often they are very subtle to the point it is hardly noticeable that our grip on the iron rod has loosened.” (Kevin Miyasaki)

“The enemy and his angels are trying to distract us. Their purpose is to encourage us to deviate from the covenants that we have made with the Lord, causing us to lose sight of our eternal inheritance. They know well our Heavenly Father’s plan for His children, for they were present with us in that great Council in Heaven when it was all presented. They try to take advantage of our weaknesses and frailties, deceiving us with ‘mists of darkness …, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost.’ ” (Elder Ulisses Soares)

In contrast there are so many podcasts and YouTube channels who fight against them. Thoughtful Faith https://youtu.be/rXuAyJ1Qw1o Saints Unscripted https://saintsunscripted.com/ Come Back Podcast https://www.comebackpodcast.org/ Unshaken with Jared Halverson with the Come Follow Me discussions, but he also has some videos covering other issues: Seeking Truth https://youtu.be/hY9_bN7EFOc Don’t Let a Good Faith Crisis Go To Waste https://youtu.be/O0rOBheU_eQ Cwic Show http://www.cwicmedia.com and my new favorite David Alexander @davidmalvinalexander

Here is a link of an article to help the youth: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2019/05/12craven?lang=eng

John Bytheway has an article that talks about his book on the Tree of Life https://johnbytheway.com/oops-my-worst-book-title-mistakes-part-one/

An article by John Hamilton III https://johnhiltoniii.com/a-virtual-living-room-in-the-great-and-spacious-building/