As a disclaimer, I have absolutely no idea how many "parts" this series of 2 Nephi will have. I suppose it all depends on how many weeks it takes me to get through the book.
You may remember that, once upon a time, my family started reading the Book of Mormon and sharing our thoughts on our readings with each other. I've recently begun again, and decided that I will attempt to post my thoughts weekly (hopefully not weakly), probably on Sundays, because that seems appropriate.
Also, I've got a Kindle now (and I love it), so I've been reading and making notes on that. However, by the time I actually got my Kindle, I was already partway through 2 Nephi, so that's where I'm starting this whole thing.
Now, onto the meat of my post:
2 Nephi 25:1 This comes after a lot of chapters of Isaiah. Isaiah was hard for the people of Nephi to understand, too. I don't think we should feel too discouraged when we do not understand his prophesies. Maybe instead we should learn the manner of prophesying among the Jews of that day.
Verse 7 We will have no reason to doubt that the prophecies of Isaiah have been fulfilled.
Verse 28 "And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not;" Does this mean that words of Nephi alone should be enough for the convincing of the truth contained in the Book of Mormon?
2 Nephi 26:1 "And after Christ shall have risen from the dead he shall show himself unto you" If we are meant to liken the scriptures unto ourselves, then I think that we should remember that Christ has shown himself unto us, too. Maybe we have not physically seen our Savior, but we can see those things which make manifest glory.
Verse 29 I like how it is that Nephi tells us precisely what priestcrafts are, so that there can be no question in our minds when we are confronted with them. "Priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion."
2 Nephi 29:8 "Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word?" I was thinking specifically of the early days of the Church, but I am sure there are instances in our day, too. How many people become angry, or upset, or defensive (ie murmur) when they hear that the Lord has given more scripture in these latter-days?
Verse 11 "I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them" Doesn't this make you wonder how much more scripture there is out there (from other nations) that we have yet to receive?
So. My last day of work was last Friday. I am not sure that it has really hit me that I am never going there to work again, because I basically feel no emotion about it, other than constantly thinking "Oh, yeah. I don't I have work tomorrow. I guess this means I should do homework." I know that there are some people there that I will begin to miss, but I am going back in on Saturday for a retirement open house that is being put on for one of my (ex)coworkers. I guess I had ought to finish saying my goodbyes while I am there, because I really didn't say many upon my departure.
Anyway, Saturday I drove up to Provo. It rained/snowed nearly the entire drive, sans about 20 minutes of it south of Nephi. So much rain/snow! The good thing about that, though, is that my car now looks a great deal cleaner. I still need to wash it, but it is not near as bad as it was.
Basically the fist thing I did upon arrival was go to dinner at P.F. Chang's. It really hurts my heart that there is not one closer to where I live, because I love their food. However, I think they've changed their sweet and sour sauce, because it didn't taste the same and it wasn't that good. Good thing I got the lo mein, too; that was still delicious, as were the crunchy wantons.
Saturday night I went to the Timeless showcase at the Pardoe with my Nicoke. It was very well done, and I enjoyed it. Bonus that I totally did not think of until halfway through the show: this totally counts as one of my homework assignments for the semester, assuming I get off my duff and write about it.
Basically I just relaxed all weekend and enjoyed the fact that I was able to get out of town for a while (despite the snow, which, in case you forgot, I loathe).
P.S. Monday, on my way out of town, I stopped at Nicoke's place of employment and we played dress up. See below.
