Teens & Seminary

When reading through the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, two particular things seem to happen again and again. As the righteous people in the land, known as the Nephites, follow the Lord’s commandments they are blessed. Their lands produce bountiful harvests, they become rich in gold and silver and many precious things, all as a blessing for doing what is right. At times they are living so righteously there are no poor among them.

Usually when things are going this well two things invariably happen. First, there are those who begin to value the gold and silver, the fine silks and linens, far above helping those who may be in need. They would willingly rebuff those who might come to them for help. Second, there are those who begin to think too much of themselves, not due to their riches, but because of their wisdom. They are learned men who think they know better than everyone, even God.

It is this second group our next scripture mastery verses focus on in the Book of Mormon.

“O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God” (2 Nephi 9:28-29).

To have a love of learning is a wonderful thing. Whether you find yourself focusing on one particular subject, like art or physics, or would rather learn about a variety of things, learning is a good thing. We must never forget, however, that this love to learn, and the ability to do so are granted to us by our Heavenly Father. The danger lies in when we begin to trust more in ourselves more than in God.

In these cycles I mentioned before individuals inevitably became certain that their own ideas trumped the silly ramblings of supposed prophets of God. Some claimed they knew better than the prophets and led many people away from the Lord’s Church. Others claimed there was no God at all, and eventually left the Nephites altogether to join those who opposed (the Lamanites).

When this pride, both of learning and of riches, turned good people toward wickedness, the Lord would begin a path of humbling the Nephites. It would happen through wars with the Lamanites, or famine, or in being brought into captivity. Regardless of the method it was meant to remind the people to whom they owed their vast knowledge and riches. Only after great suffering, repentance, and a sincere change of heart would the people find themselves being blessed once again.

You and I find ourselves in a time when the rich are getting richer while the poor become poorer. People value gold and silver more than their fellow men. Learned men and women expound about how there is no God, or are more concerned with expounding their own words and ideas rather than God’s. We can see the cycle happening even in our world today.

So what can we learn from those who have gone through this before? Keep the Lord’s commandments. Follow the words of His prophets, both those from the Bible and Book of Mormon, and those who reside with us in these latter-days. If you are fortunate enough to come from a family with money, don’t value it over those who are in need. If you have access to books and teachers, be watchful. Consult your Heavenly Father in what He would have you do with this knowledge.

Those who have learned to submit to the Father in all things are perhaps the wisest of us all.

I’ve been fairly weepy the last few weeks (though I heartily exclaim there is no coincidence with my kids being off-track at the same time). It feels something like being two seconds away from bursting into tears at any moment. The littlest thing, whether it’s a tender or a frustrating moment, will set me off.

This happens to me several times throughout the year, in particular when I’m feeling a little lost as to my purpose in this life and what it is God truly wants for me. More often than not several new forks have been placed in my road and I simply don’t know which one to choose. Or, rather, which one God would have me choose.

Does this sound at all familiar? Perhaps, as teens, you thought the choices would get easier once you ‘grew up,’ got a job, had a family, all those things you’re taught to do. It isn’t. If anything the choices get a bit harder, in particular because time begins to fly by so much faster, and you realize just how important making the right choice becomes.

Even still, sometimes you can be making all the right choices and still feel a bit lost. There is a particular hymn I always turn to whenever life becomes a little too hard to bear, called "Count Your Blessings."

When upon life’s billows you re tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your blessings; See what God hath done.
Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; See what God hath done.
~Text: Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1856-1922

I have come to learn one of the best things we can do when we are feeling most lost is to take stock of our blessings. Perhaps at times these blessings may seem small, and far too insignificant compared to our trials and tribulations. I can testify to one good thing that comes of counting your blessings: recalling the good things in your life can bring about a wonderful change of attitude.

I have some remarkably kind children who have a sincere desire to choose the right. My husband is a good and kind man, who always thinks of others before himself. I have parents who raised me in the ways of the Lord. I have been given many dear friends over the years who have become vital parts of my heart. I have been raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of which I have a firm testimony of it being Christ’s restored church. I have been blessed with many wonderful gifts, which have brought me much happiness and have enabled me to serve others. Being able to serve others brings me such joy.

The funny thing is, this is just a starting point. Once you start listing the good things in your life, you might be surprised to find there are many more blessings you had never realized before. If you, like me, are feeling a little lost, take a moment to count your blessings.

“Nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours. And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious” (Doctrine and Covenants 78:18-19).