Today’s Reading: 3 Nephi 13
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Can you imagine what it must have been like for the Nephites? Being taught at the feet of the Savior? Listening to and hanging on His every word? Never wanting Him to leave? Whenever I read about the Savior’s visit to the Americas, I try to envision what it must have been like to be there in His presence. How blessed those Nephites were; to be taught at the feet of the Savior.
And what did He teach them? In 3 Nephi Chapter 12, He taught the “Beatitudes” and how to live in a way that will lead you to perfection. In Chapter 13, He continues His teaching with these five steps…
- Serve those who are less fortunate.
- Pray to your Father in Heaven in an appropriate manner.
- Forgive all men (and women.)
- Fast with feeling.
- Hold on to the treasures of heaven.
All five of these gentle commands from the Savior are the things that will lead us back to Him and all five are necessary in order to stay by His side forever. They are not terribly difficult if we have “an eye single” to the glory of God (v. 22). What that means essentially, is that you are dedicated to God. Wholly, completely, and fully dedicated to God and what He needs you to do and how He needs you to live. This does not take away your agency, however. You can choose how dedicated to God you would like to be. The wonderful thing is, as you choose to show more dedication, then the Lord is able to bless you more fully in return. So, what are you waiting for? There are souls to serve, prayers to pray, people to forgive, fasts to hold, and eternal treasures to enjoy. It will be worth every ounce of hard work in the end. I promise.
“My experience throughout my life has shown me beyond question that if we will live the principles of the gospel as taught by Jesus Christ and the prophets, serving the Lord and keeping his commandments, it will contribute greatly to our success in the worthwhile things of life, both temporally and spiritually. We will raise better families and contribute more to the community than those who deny the Lord and ignore his teachings. In fact, if you look at the people whom you know, you will find that those who live truly Christian lives are happier, and more loved and respected, while preparing for eternal life.” -N. Eldon Tanner, Choose You This Day, April 1971
I grew up the oldest of 5 children in the blazing heat of Southern Utah. After high school and some college experience I met and married Mark Ogden and we are the parents of four children. I have owned and operated my own home-based preschool for more than a dozen years, and I consider myself an accidental author as well. When I am not in my minivan transporting children from one activity to the next, I enjoy playing the piano, blogging, speaking about my life’s experiences, and feeding my insatiable crafting disease.