Thursday, November 14, 2024

Institue Notes -Ether 1-5

The word of the Lord in the scriptures is like a lamp to guide our feet, and revelation is like a mighty force that increases the lamp's illumination manyfold. We encourage everyone to make careful study of the scriptures and of the prophetic teachings concerning them and to prayerfully seek personal revelation to know their meanings for themselves. - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

The Omniscience of God in the minds of some well-meaning Latter-day Saints has been qualified by the concept of eternal progression. Some have wrongly assumed that God's progress is related to his acquisition of additional knowledge....

God derives his great and continuing joy and glory by increasing and advancing His creations and not form new intellectual experiences; There is a vast difference, therefore, between an omniscient God and the fast notion that God is on some sort of post-doctoral fellowship, still searching for additional key truths and vital data. Were the latter so, God might, at any moment, discover some new truth not previously known to Him that would restructure, diminish, or undercut certain truths previously known by Him. Prophecy would be mere prediction. Planning assumptions pertaining to our redemption would need to be revised. Fortunately for us, however, His plan of salvation is constantly underway, not constantly under revision. -Elder Neal A. Maxwell

He asked about light air and how they would get there.

"We doubt not the Lord nor His goodness. We've proved Him in days that are past." Prove me- tithing. Prove me, air, light, direction. Faith because He has proven himself.

Present the Lord with a solution. When Marty missed required coursework for woodbadge, he was told to present a solution. Same with the Lord. Go to the Lord in prayer and fasting and ask.

The language was corrupted. I can see how that would happen after my experience learning Portuguese. Different languages, accents, even teenagers communicating in ways I don't understand. 

Even Joseph Smith couldn't read the plates, but he was able to translate. 

Try to be highly favored of the Lord. 

Daniel Webster Jones description of translating The Book of Mormon into Spanish- Knots in the string. Something's wrong. Fix it.