Spiritual Growth Archives - Called to Learn

The Sabbath Day

Tresta Neil — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 12:57:22 +0000

The Sabbath Day was a difficult thing for me to understand for years. I grew up in a strict home where I could do very little on Sundays, but my friends could do anything they wanted. So, as a mother I really struggled with how to teach it to my children. For the first years it was weak and unknown. After learning the principles behind it and the how the Hebrew celebrated the day I now live and teach the beauty of the Sabbath Day.

Here are some ideas we have implemented and handouts we have created over the years.

Prepare a smell for the day, that is not used the rest of the days. (stove-top potpourri)
Have a Sabbath Day play list for songs only listened to on Sunday.
Light a candle that is lit in the morning, placed in a prominent place, and burned out at night.
Work on family vision, family history, family stories, family story book, family photos….
Go on family walks, spend time with a family member, give someone a call.
Practice Sabbath – we would learn how to sit still each day. At first it was 10 seconds, it grew to 10 minutes a day and it helped them learn to sit still at the pews.

The Hebrews thought of the Sabbath Day as the center of their week. The Star of David helps us understand how important it was for them. The center hexagon touches each of the days of the week, it holds it together. Just as we should center our lives around the Savior and have him be a part of each day of our lives.

John Young, one of my professors, wrote a beautiful article on the Sabbath Day where he introduces Hebrew culture and scripture ideas:

Sabbath Day -John Max Young

I made this Sabbath Day book for my little children to look at during Sacrament Meeting.

Sabbath Book PDF

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Epiphany

Tresta Neil — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 14:00:04 +0000

For many Christians in America, Epiphany is the forgotten holiday, yet it still celebrated in many countries around the world and in some southern cities.

This feast day is celebrated on the sixth day of January, twelve days after Christmas.

The day is set aside to commemorate the visit of the Wise Men to the young Christ child.

Epiphany is a Greek word meaning appearance of a divine being. In Eastern Christian tradition they call it “Theophany.”

Some cultures take January 6th very seriously. In Italy, for instance, Epiphany begins with a visit from the “Befana”. Befana is an old woman with a broom who seeks Jesus and rewards children on her way. In Mexico, The Three Kings bring goodies on that day.

Jerome and John Chrysostom, leading theoreticians in late ancient Christendom, take the date of epiphany to also be the day of Jesus’ baptism and the day of the wedding at Cana.

In the 1828 Dictionary we learn that, “The Greek fathers use the word for the appearance of Christ in the world, the sense in which Paul used the word in 2 Timothy 1:10.”The Christmas song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is about Epiphany. There are 12 days between Christmas Day, when the Catholic celebrated the birth of Christ and Epiphany, when the Orthodoxy celebrated His birth. The traditional meaning for this song include: “My true love” as God the Father who gave to us a partridge – Jesus, His Son, in a pear tree – the cross. (see blog on 12 day of Christmas)

In Matthew 2 we read, “Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

Dr. Ron Bartholomew, a BYU professor, commented on the wise men coming from Persia-Babylonia, where there was a large community of Jews and where Daniel, centuries earlier, was visited by angel Gabriel and prophesied of the Birth and Death of Christ.

Astronomer Johannes Kepler, in 1614, speculated that a conjunction between stars and planets might possibly have been the Star of Bethlehem which the Wise Men saw.

We now have equipment that can reenact the sky at the time of Christ’s birth. Months before Christ was born the King Planet, Jupiter made its retrograde motion in the King Constellation, Leo. This allowed the king planet to come in contact with the King Star, Regulus – the star at the heart of the lion, three times within several months.

All this appeared at the feet of the next constellation, Virgo, the Virgin. When the astronomers or wise Jewish men in Persia saw this they knew the prophesy of Daniel had happened – the King of the Jews was to soon be born.

Once the wise men got to Jerusalem they inquired as to where the King of the Jews was and were told, Bethlehem – the prophesied city of the birth of the King. As they walked south toward Bethlehem they saw Jupiter once again in its retrograde motion stand still above Bethlehem and they knew they were in the right place.

AND, what was the date?

Wading through several different calendars (Julian, Jewish and Gregorian) the date, according to our current calendar was January 6th exactly nine months after the birth of our Savior. No wonder many used this date to celebrate the appearance of the King, our Messiah to the world. (see my Bethlehem Star video for more details and/or see BethlehemStar.com)

I believe Epiphany is a monumental Christian holiday more because of the word “epiphany” itself.

Over the years, the term “epiphany” has come to mean any experience where searching ends and we find true enlightenment.

Any search or journey that ends with illumination from God (a bright star) is a day of epiphany.

The apostle Paul had an epiphany on the road to Damascus. There, like the Wise Men, he discovered Christ and laid his worldly treasures at his feet.

Joan of Arc, St. Francis, and Mother Teresa had epiphanies.

Joseph Smith had the ultimate epiphany when he knelt to pray in the grove of trees.

In his book “Surprised by Joy,” Christian writer C.S. Lewis remembers boarding a city bus as a nonbeliever but getting off the bus totally converted to Christ.

During the bus ride he found Christianity.

His journey of searching ended. He saw the star. He found Christ.

He laid his worldly life before Jesus and stepped down onto the curb.

Epiphanies, of course, aren’t limited to one per customer, either. My guess is the people I see as spiritual heroes have epiphanies as often I go shopping.

Today is January 6th and Christians everywhere have the chance to remember the journey of the Wise Men and the event that changed the course of history.

And, you will have a chance to recall the personal spiritual experiences that changed the course of your life as well.

In his poem, “Journey of the Magi,” T.S. Eliot tells how the Wise Men felt blessed, as they rode away from Bethlehem, as though their former lives had come to an end and a new one replaced the old.

This is how Paul, Joseph Smith, C.S. Lewis and so many others must have felt after their “personal epiphanies.”

This is why Epiphany will always be more than a minor holiday. When was your last personal spiritual experience? Have you written then down? Do you recall them often?

Epiphanies change our course and alters the way we see the world. They help us become more like God.

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The Scattering and Gathering of Israel

Tresta Neil — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 22:44:03 +0000

The First Shall be Last and the Last Shall be First

(taken from notes taken by Tresta Neil from a lecture by Victor Ludlow)

A - Lost Ten Tribes - 730s BCE

The twelve Tribes of Israel lived in harmony through the reign of King David and King Solomon. After that they split into two groups. Ten tribes went to the North and two to the South. In 730 BCE the Assyrians captured the northern ten tribes, they adopted the culture and religions of the region and quickly lost their identity as Israelites.

B - Lehites - 586 BCE and 600 BCE

Descendants of Lehi, Ishmael, Zoram, Mulek and others left Jerusalem area and settled in the Americas. Lehi called himself a Jew, like we call ourselves American, though he was not a direct descendant of Judah.

C - Jews - 586 BCE and 70 CE

All descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Levi residing in the kingdom of Judah. In 586 BCE Babylon conquered Judah and destroyed Solomon's temple. Some returned, built Herod's temple and grew. In 70 CE Rome subdued the Jews after their revolt and they dispersed among the nations of Asia, Africa and Europe.

D - Scattered Remnants - unknown dates

Various unidentified segments of Israel who migrated throughout the world. (see D&C 109:60-67, including footnotes, for some identifying terms and key promises of these 'scattered remnants'.) they lost their ancestry and language

D - Scattered Remnants - 1836

Various scattered remnants of Israelites, also known as 'Ephraim' or 'Gentiles' dedicated the newly built Kirtland Temple (see the dedicatory prayer D&C 109:60-67) Patriarchal blessings have helped identify many of these scattered remnants of Israel.

C - Jews - 1948

The Jews who were scattered in their 'Diaspora' among the nations of Asia, Africa, Europe and eventually into the Americas retained a hope of returning to their homeland. In 1841, Orson Hyde dedicated the Holy Land for their return. In 1948 the State of Israel was officially forms and hundreds of thousands of Jews gathered in Israel and were taught the Hebrew language and Jewish culture.

B - Lehites - 1970's

The descendants of the Book of Mormon were proselyted to throughout church history. Finally, in the 1970's, during the administration of President Spencer W. Kimball, the church began to grow among the Lamanites scattered among the indigenous and European peoples in Central and South America. In October 1975 President Kimball said, "now is the time of the Jew [Lamanite/Israelite]" and nine new LDS stakes were organized in Mexico city on a single weekend.

A - Lost Ten Tribes - Unknown? 2019?

Descendants of the Lost Ten Tribes are undoubtedly scattered into many parts of the world. They are probably lost to themselves, meaning they don't know they are literal descendants of Israel. Patriarchal Blessings are identifying these northern tribes. Further scriptural knowledge (2 Nephi 29:12-14) will help identify these people and their heritage.

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Breastplate of Gem Stones Upon His Heart

Tresta Neil — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 22:02:06 +0000

"He that is among you without sin, let him cast the first stone." These are the words Jesus used to warn those who accused a woman of adultery (a serious sin punishable by stoning). In the Mosaic Law stones symbolized judgment and justice. The Atonement of Christ fulfilled the demands of justice and allowed mercy to enter. Stones also represented mercy in ceremonial events in their tabernacle.

The High Priest, a type of Christ, wore four more pieces of clothing than the priests who wore four white linen clothes when they "[went] in before the Lord" (Ex. 28:29.) Namely:

Mitre, a gold headband with the words "Holiness to the Lord" (Exodus 39:30) engraved and tied onto the head over the turban with blue ribbons (Exodus 39:31.)
A dark blue robe with alternating gold bells and pomegranate ornaments hanging from the bottom.
The ephod, a very elaborate and ornate apron or waistcoat woven with blue, purple, scarlet and gold thread with two shoulder-pieces which held the breastplate of stones and a girdle or sash.
The breastplate, the same elaborate material holding twelve precious stones attached to the ephod.

No article of clothing was insignificant, each item was decorative, functional and symbolic.

The High Priest represents Christ as both divine and human. He wears spotless, white linen (priests clothing) representing Christ's perfect mortal life and gold representing his divinity and colors representing the varied perfections of his character (lectures on Faith).

Remembrance Stones

On each shoulder were two square stones made of black onyx, a semi precious stone with the same silica properties as quartz stones. Each of the 12 sons of Israel were inscribed on the stones, six on each side. It is believed they were listed in the same order as the scriptures list them, by family and then by birth (Genesis 35:23-26; Guide to the Scriptures, Israel; Exodus 28:9-10) therefore, on the right shoulder were Leah's six sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon. On the left shoulder were Bilhah's sons, Dan and Naphtali, Zilpah's sons Gad and Asher, and Rachel's sons Joseph and Benjamin. (Exodus 28:9-10.)

These stones are called "remembrance stones" for the names of the children of Israel who were carried "before God on [the High Priest's] two shoulders as a remembrance" (Exodus 28:12) of bearing the judgment (burden) of their sins and is moved to have mercy upon them.

The stones were set in two square gold settings fixed on the shoulders of the ephod. Golden chains extended from these settings to the golden rings of the upper corners of the breastplate not to be "loosed from the ephod" (Exodus 39:21.) The lower corners were fastened to the girdle of the priest with blue ribbons.

The Breastplate

The breastplate is a ten inch square, embroidered ornamental cloth, covering the breast of the high priest. It is set with four rows of precious stones, three in each row. On each stone is engraved the name of one of the twelve sons of Israel.

The names were not simply written on the precious stones, but "engraved," never to be removed or forgotten. These names are symbolic of his people, all of us. Through the Atonement we are engraved upon Christ's heart and hands.

The breastplate is called both the memorial and the breastplate of judgment. The High Priest, acting as Jesus Christ, wears the breastplate that he might always remember his people (see Exodus 28:29) and "bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart" (Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8.)

Christ, as our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), bears on his heart each of us, sustaining and presenting us, his blood-bought people before God. He presents us faultless (like precious gems) before God with exceeding joy. No one can separate us from his love nor pluck us from the Shepherd's heart.

The Twelve Stones

The twelve stones were arranged in four rows of three stones. They were arranged right to left. According to John Pratt, author of the article, Twelve Sons, Twelve Stones, the top row begins with Judah on a red sard or Odem stone (possibly ruby), Issachar on a tan topaz and Zebulon on a yellow green Chrysophrase (peridot). These three tribes were camped on the east of the temple. East is the sacred direction where the temple faced and from where Christ will return.

The next row is Dan on a red, black Jacinth (garnet), Naphtali on a light blue chalcedony (aquamarine) and Gad on an orange jasper (fire opal). These were the camps north of the temple or on the left hand of the priest who faced east at the head of the altar. On his right hand or south is Reuben on a royal blue Lapis Lazuli (sapphire), Simeon on a green Emerald quartz and Levi on a purple amethyst. The last row consisted of Asher on a yellow Chysolite (chrysoberyl), Joseph on a white beryl (diamond) and Benjamin on a red and white sardonyx, rose quartz (pink tourmaline). These tribes camped on the west of the temple or behind the priest.

When the Israelite set up camps in the promised land Levi's tribe became the priests, Gad and Asher moved up and Joseph's inheritance, as birthright son, split into two, Ephraim and Manasseh.

This left the four cornerstones or chief tribes as Judah, Dan, Reuben and Ephraim, the first in each row. Judah, the tribe from which Christ was born, being in the south east corner position or the chief cornerstone.

Christ is the "head stone of the corner" of Israel (Psalms 118:22; Matthew 21:42)

Each of these cornerstones represent Christ, Judah as the Chief cornerstone, Dan as the Judge, Reuben as the first born son and Joseph as the birthright son. Judah, Christ's own tribe, judged him in HIs life now, through the Atonement, he will judge them and the world.

Urim and Thummim

Two more stones appear on the High Priest's garment. A pocket behind the breastplate was made to hold the Urim and Thummim, “an instrument prepared of God to assist man in obtaining revelation from the Lord" (Bible Dictionary). Joseph Smith described it as "two transparent stones set in the rim of a [silver] bow" (HC 4:537; JS-H 1:35).

God asked the High Priest to "put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and Thummim" (Exodus 28:30). They were to be worn on the heart of the High Priest that he may "bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually." (Exodus 28:30) just as Jesus bears all our judgment through the Atonement.

We are engraved upon the heart of Christ, the precious "living stone." He is the "headstone of the corner" (Psalms 118:22; Matthew 21:42) his kingdom on earth which is a stone "cut out without hands" (Daniel 2:34-5) He bears our names "upon his heart" (Exodus 28:29) we are forever “before him” (Luke 9:52). His love and "mercy extends to those who fear him" (Luke 1:50) When we accept his atoning act of bearing our sins we acknowledge his command to "go and sin no more." (John 8:11)

Resources

LDS Scriptures: Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants
Lenet Hadley Read, All Things Testify of Him, January 1981 https://www.lds.org/ensign/1981/01/all-things-testify-of-him-understanding-symbolism-in-the-scriptures?lang=eng&clang=ase
John P. Pratt, Twelve Sons, Twelve Stones, 3 August 2005, Meridian magazine http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2005/12stones.html

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Stone Cut Without Hands

Tresta Neil — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:50:29 +0000

(written by Tresta Neil 2017 for the Millennial Press, Rock volume, not published)

God uses the geography of the continents to teach us. One main message he taught was we need not fear. Christ used Mt. Carmel, a symbol of richness and fruitfulness, in several metaphors. He used this same Israelite mountain in modern prophesy, "As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon the Saints." (D&C 128:19) Understanding the geography of Mt. Carmel (Hebrew Kerem-El means "Garden of God" see Isaiah 33:9; Jerimiah 50:19) and how it averages 250 dew-nights a year because of its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea helps give us a visual of how much knowledge God wants to give his Saints and how we need not fear ignorance.

The story of Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream teaches us, through geography and history, to have courage in sharing the gospel. First, Daniel tells the king what he saw in his dream. "Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form of thereof was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass. His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay." (Daniel 2:31-35) This impressed King Nebuchadnezzar and was he willing to hear the interpretation.Daniel explained the great image's body represented five different kingdoms. Each kingdom being slightly inferior to the one before. Daniel revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar that he, and his great kingdom, was like the head of gold (Dan. 2:38). His kingdom would be overpowered by a weaker kingdom and that pattern would continue until all the land becomes a mixture of smaller, strong and weak, nations who "share the control of the earth." (SWK) like the pieces of iron and clay in the feet.

Most of Earth's recorded history took place in the northern hemisphere. Nebuchadnezzar's rock image lays across the Asian and European continent with its head stretching over Asia and its toes reaching across the ocean to America. Orson Pratt gave us a detailed explanation of these countries through history. (see "The Setting Up of God's Kingdom in These Latter Days." Discourse by Elder Orson Pratt, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, February 4, 1872. http://scriptures.byu.edu/#:t249fb:j15)

Head of Gold - Babylonian Empire in Asia (Dan. 2:38)
Breast and Arms of Silver - Mead-Persian Kingdom a little west of the Babylonian Empire. (Dan 2:39)
Belly and Thighs of Brass - Macedonian [Greek] Empire westward (Dan 2:39)
Legs of Iron - Roman Empire comprising the eastern and western empires of Rome (Dan 2:40)
Feet and Toes of Clay - Present Kingdoms of Europe (Dan. 2:41) the toes branching across the Atlantic Ocean into the United States constituting the governments that have grown out of the European governments located in North and South America.

Daniel continued the interpretation, "Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth." (Daniel 2:31-35)

The stone is a symbol of the last kingdom that will cover the earth and last forever. This kingdom will not be created by man, but will be established by an angel (Revelations 14:6-7) in behalf of the creator of stone, whose right it is to reign (D&C 58:22) and govern the nations of the earth, even Jesus Christ.

President Spencer W. Kimball defined the stone by saying,

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was restored in 1830 after numerous revelations from the divine source [including angles]; and this is the kingdom, set up by the God of heaven, that would never be destroyed nor superseded, and the stone cut out of the mountain without hands that would become a great mountain and would fill the whole earth." (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/ 1976/04/the-stone-cut-without-hands?lang=eng)

The Saints that walked the plains and their enemies that pushed them to "go beyond the Rocky Mountains" had no idea they were fulfilling this prophesy. No doubt any of them entertained the idea while they were being driven that their new home would be the place for God's Kingdom to roll forth.

Orson Pratt pointed out that from the top of the Rocky Mountains, the backbone of America, the stone was cut without hands and is rolling forth. Missionaries are being sent out throughout the world from the headquarters of the Church. The stone will roll forth first to North and South America and Europe, the feet of this great statue and then to remnants of the Roman Empires in East Europe and Africa. Finally it will sweep across the Macedonian/Greek and Persian Empires and across Asia until the whole earth has heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and accepted him as their Lord and King.

Truly, we need not fear the ways of the world God is sending the dews of Carmel upon the Saints. He teaches us through the geography of the Earth. We are a part of that stone, we belong to the Kingdom of God on Earth. As we share the gospel and help others turn to God we are helping the stone roll forth and fill the whole Earth. Roll On!

*ACTIVITY - color these different metals on a map in their appropriate areas. As you color think about how the gospel of Christ has spread across North and South America (the toes of the great statue), reaching across to Europe (the feet) and into the remnants of the Roman Empire in Eastern Europe.

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Where Does My Help Come From?

Tresta Neil — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 17:54:59 +0000

Richard came to my door with a smile and an envelop. He exclaimed, "We're having a celebration! I have designed and created a statue that we are erecting next to Lori's headstone. We will unveil it at our celebration."

Richard's wife, had died one year earlier and he worked at a place that designed and made bronze statues. "I would love it if your family could come," he said as he handed me an invitation.

Richard and I were good friends though he was much older than I, we shared a great thirst for understanding the Hebrew culture and language within the Old Testament.

"It will be an Ebenezer!" Then with a smile "I'm raising an Ebenezer."

I wrinkled my brow, another Hebrew word I recognized, but couldn't define. "An Ebenezer?" I asked.

He smiled, "Yes, it is a Hebrew term meaning "stone of help." Samuel erected a stone monument to remind the Israelites how God helped them. I want to make a monument to honor Lori and to remember God's help in our lives." Richard's love and conviction for God and Christ always left me amazed, he knewfrom where his help came.

"Do you have a minute?" he asked, "I could tell you more." We walked to my backyard and sat down on the chairs as my children played on the swing set.

Richard began, "The Old Testament tells the story of a time when the Philistines declared war on the Israelites and their large armies were advancing toward Jerusalem. The Israelites knew they were in trouble and would be destroy without help. They went to the prophet, Samuel and pleaded with him to ask the Lord to save their lives. Samuel prayed and the Lord intervened, the outnumbered Israelites miraculously won over the Philistines."

"God intervened powerfully for them, didn't he?" I observed.

"Yes, he often did, Richard agreed, "but this time was a little different because while the Israelites celebrated their victory, Samuel pondered. He wondered how he could help them remember to turn to God instead of their idols and their own strength." Richard had been watching the children as he told me the story, but now he looked directly in my eyes. "Samuel erected a stone monument and gathered them all together and declared, pointing to the monument," Richard's voice deepened, "'Hitherto has the Lord helped us' and named the monument, Ebenezer or 'Stone of Help'. Samuel invited them to remember from where their help came and he promised that if they remembered they would always have His help and protection."

Richard wasn't just telling me a story, I felt he was sharing his testimony. "This statue you designed is not only about your wife, it is about showing the world your belief and love for God, am I right?"

Richard's eyes glistened, "Yes, that's the true definition of an Ebenezer - a monument to recognize and remember God's hand in all things. Speaking of definitions, I know you love words and etymology. Would you like to hear more definitions of the word 'ezer'?

"You know I would." I said. I have a habit of bringing a notepad and a pen with me everywhere I go and had pulled it out. As I wrote down the word, Richard unfolded its meaning.

"The Hebrew word 'ezer', or help, is used three different ways in the Old Testament. The first describes God when he helps the Israelites, like in the story of Samuel. The second is used to describe other nations when they strengthen or stand with the Israelites in their time of need." Richard paused to let me finish writing. He continued, "But did you know it is a description of Eve when she was given to Adam?"

Confused and very curious to know more, I glanced over at my children to make sure they were still playing nicely and in hopes they wouldn't interrupt, "No, how?" I begged, "Tell me more."

He chuckled, he was in his element. He reminded me of my father when he would say, "I've gotcha where I wantcha, now I'm gonna teacha."

"Following the creation of Adam," Richard explained, "YaHWeH or Christ said, 'I will make him an ezer kenegedo [or help meet] for him'. (Genesis 2:18) Ezer kenegedo literally means 'a helper like his opposite' today we would say, 'his other half'." Again, he paused. I thought of the implications of Eve being called an ezer and said, "Just as Christ stands with Israel as 'The Helper of Israel' so is Eve stand with Adam as 'The Helper,' am I understanding that correctly?"

"Yes, you are."

"Whoa, that sheds new light on their relationship." I was beginning to "see" that I had a blurred vision of them before.

Richard continued, "Can you imagine Adam and Eve standing side by side celebrating their opportunity to go to earth together? It made them stronger in the war against Satan." he was on a roll, "We are following in their footsteps as couples. When we help God, by remembering who we are, God helps us."

Our conversation ended there with one of my boys getting tangled in the swing.

That night I wrote in my journal and pondered on how I could help my sons and daughter remember who they are and instill in them the joy I felt at that moment of being on the Lord's side, fighting at the side of my husband for God.

The answer to this piercing question came from another conversation I had with Richard. It was November and were studying the life of the Pilgrims. "I am a direct descendent of William Bradford." I told him proudly.

"Then we are cousins, because I am too." My heart soared! I had always known we had a connection, now we had a family connection!

"I've been to the obelisk of William Bradford at the top of the beautiful Burial Hill on School Street in Plymouth, Massachusetts."

"You have? Tell me about it!", I insisted.

Referring back to our previous conversation he said, "it is also an Ebenezer."

He was a master at creating curiosity. "Don't stop there," I again begged.

"In 1835 the relatives of William Bradford, erected an eight and half foot granite monument in his honor. You know he was the Pilgrim's governor of Plymouth for 30 years. But did you also know he knew Hebrew?"

"No!"

"Yep, that's probably where we get our insatiable thirst for understanding Hebrew words. We really are related." He winked at me, just like my father would when he was trying to be funny. "William learned the Hebrew language to help him understand the Old Testament better. He also had other religious texts he read. He knew that to be a father, a leader, and teacher he needed the Lord's help."

"How is his obelisk an Ebenezer?" I asked.

"Because, at the top of his memorial obelisk is written in Hebrew, "Jehovah is Our Help."

An Ebenezer is a monument to remember God and Christ. His descendants, our cousins, must have known that William would have never erected a monument without it being in honor of his Helper, Jehovah, The Creator of the world. Oh, speaking of the Pilgrims reminds me of a quotation I read about providence and being content no matter what is going on around you. The Pilgrims were perfect examples of this. It is from the book I found in the library called Thanksgiving - A Time to Remember." He reached into his bag and pulled out a wrinkled piece of paper and handed it to me.

It read:

"Being grateful is a choice. It's not a feeling dependent on our circumstances as we clearly see in the Pilgrims lives. They believed that God was in control - 'Providence' they called it. They responded to the circumstances of their lives with a perspective that said, 'God has allowed this for our good.'…

"Thank you," I told Richard, "What a perfect way to describe the Pilgrims and a great example to follow."

Later I put a copy of his Providence quotation in our devotional book, so we could work on memorizing it.

After the unveiling of their angel Ebenezer and the celebration, our family discussed how Samuel's monument helped the Israelites and how our great…great grandfather William Bradford's example helped the Pilgrims. Soon our children were talking about ways we could "raise an Ebenezer" to remember God's help in our lives as well. Richard proposed, one evening while he was visiting our family, that we find smooth stones and have the word 'remember' carved into them. "That way you can have your own individual ones and if you pile them together as an ancient alter, it can be one Ebenezer for the family," he said enthusiastically. "Plus I could help by doing the carvings for you."

As we left each child showed enthusiasm for our new project. The next day we went to the mountain and chose our smooth stones and together we gave them to Richard.

Years later we still have our stones as a reminder of where our help comes from and we have memorized the quotation about Providence and have many well-cherished memories of Richard who passed away shortly after he carved our stones. The angel statue with her outstretched hands is a true depiction of both Richard and Lori, messengers of Christ, with a life-changing message of love and friendship. Thank you for sharing your life, your stories, your testimony with us.

We raise our Ebenezer and celebrate when we remember Christ's help in our lives. To help us remember we say these words, "I know where my help comes from. My help comes from the Lord, my Rock, my Ezer, my Savior, Jesus Christ."

References:

This is based on a true story. The exact words of the dialogue and the order of how things happened may have been different than is written. Richard Erickson was an extraordinary friend and mentor. I want to be a better friend because of his example and the example of those he thought of as heroes.
For a complete list of 'ezer' used the scriptures see https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=kjv&strongs=h5828
For the definition of helpmeet see http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/articles_helpmeet.html
Rainey, Barbara; Thanksgiving - A Time to Remember
Psalm 121 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."
An article on Eve as an "Ezer" in a military sense see https://happiness-seekers.com/2018/04/30/gods-secret-tribute-to-women-a-hebrew-word-that-will-change-the-way-you-see-womanhood/
For more on the origin of the word women and Eve as a 'ezer' see Weyland, Heidi; A Call For Christian Women (article) www.christinasforfamilyfaithandfreedom.com
For more on the obelisk of William Bradford see https://historicaldigression.com/2017/09/

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My Conversion Story

Tresta Neil — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 22:12:50 +0000

(talk given by Tresta Neil on November 9, 2014)

I was born into a very religious family. They are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ and I’d like to share with you my conversion story!

First and foremost it was my family who taught me the gospel of Christ. Today, I’ll share with you things that happened outside my family.

It all began with a missionary.

When I was 8 years old I sat about half way back in the middle row next to the end. I remember a sister missionary, the first I’d ever known bore her testimony and I knew I wanted to be just like her and go on a mission.
At 14 years old another sister missionary came and did a fireside for us. She had gone to Canada on her mission and I felt the spirit and knew I wanted to be just like her and go on a mission.
At BYUI I lead the perfect life, everything was great, good grade, wonderful roommates, fun callings, member of many groups, etc. Etc. I felt my life was going great and decided that it was too perfect and so I did exactly what we are told from this very pulpit not to do. I prayed for trials. I wanted so much to prove to God that I could handle anything.
I graduated and moved to Ogden a few months later. There I had received the trials I prayed for. I got into the very strenuous nursing program, my professors were not kind, my classes rigorous. Church was foreign and I had a difficult time convincing myself to attend. I was working full time to pay for school and housing. my roommates were unkind and even mean and I moved over ten times in one year. I got to the point where I didn’t feel like my life was worth living. I had failed God and myself. I remember running up a hill and falling under a tree. “Father, I pleaded, I don’t want to live any more, please help me see.” I then heard these words, “You have a work that no other can do.” I finished the statement out loud, “do it so bravely so kindly so well that angels will hasten your story to tell.” I knew I could make it through this and I knew I had to, because no one could do the work God wanted me to. And I also knew God still loved me, I had not failed completely.
I graduated from nursing school and moved to Provo. By this time I was old enough to go on a mission but was now not worthy. Should I give up on that dream, was it worth it? I often asked myself. The answer? Always, “YES!” I wanted to be a missionary mommy! You know the one who knew the scriptures so well that she would quote them when disciplining her children. A mother that was so close to God that everything she did was what He would do if He were here. I wanted to be the perfect wife and mother and in my mind going on a mission was the only way I could achieve that – I could not bare to think of being a mother without first being a missionary. So, I spent a year getting worthy to serve and working, saving everything so I could pay for 100% of my mission.

I believe living in the spirit is like standing on a ball. When you are at the very top, balanced and stable you are in the spirit, in control able to think. When you are tipping off the ball is when you no longer have the spirit, you are concentrating more on not falling than on the beauty given you. You believe Satan’s lies of being unworthy, not good, ugly, etc. Stand back up, know who you are and what you are here to accomplish.

One scripture keeps me going D&C 4:2 If you have to desire you are called to the work. I had the desire to serve God and I knew I was called – I would make it on a mission.

I served a mission in the Netherlands and I was a go getter, I was there for three reasons:

1. to learn as much as I could including memorize scripture,
2. have amazing experiences and
3. learn to be the best mommy ever.

One experience, we were tracking and I felt the spirit so strong about an area. So a few days later we tracked the area, it was hard, no one would answer the doors, we had several slam the door in our face, but I was still happy, I knew we would find someone in this area. Sure enough. There was a door and I could see a guy sitting on the couch, but he didn’t come to the door, I knocked louder, nothing, so I knocked on the window. Finally he came to the door and yelled through the door telling us he couldn’t open the door to come around the back. We ended up teaching him and he was later baptized. God led us to him.

Other missionary experiences.

1. Amanda – “even I can be forgiven”
2. Children – “What happens to our bodies when we die?…Resurrected bodies, can we eat, what happens to the food… tangents are good.

I did become a mommy – it isn’t as easy as I had thought it would be before my mission. And I haven’t raised only Nephi type children. I sometimes tipped on the ball and make mistakes. But there is one thing I know for sure! My children were sent to me not just for me to help them, but for them to teach me and to make me into a different person. I love the plan of God.

9. Blessings our family has received for having a missionary out:

1 – Etienne- I told him he had to stay with me forever and give me hugs and kisses every day of my life. He said, “I can’t do that, I have to do what Teo is doing and go on a mission.”

2 – Tirzaan- I asked him, “why do I love you?” “Because I’m cute!”, “Sometimes you are not cute, so that is not the reason.” After talking with his big brothers and sisters, he came back with “You love me because I’m a child of God.” “yes, but if that were the only case I would love everyone as much as I love you and I love you more than some others.” He consulted with his big brothers and sisters again and that night he came to me and said, “Mom, you love me because I am your son and Jesus sent me to you so you can love me.” “Yes, Tirzaan, that is exactly right, I love you because you are mine!”

3 – Matteo – relationship to God, read the quotation about his relationship with God.

4 – FHE – we are having FHE much more regularly and enjoying and even look forward to it.

5 – Izaak has been turning back to God. His institute class is changing his perspective and life.

6 – All of our testimonies increased greatly… on and on

I know that this church is the living church of the earth. I know God lives! I know Christ died for me and you so that we may return. I know that we have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, on the earth today. I know that I am a child of God and of Christ and that by always learning more about them I can become like them and achieve my goal of being able to act exactly like they would in every situation.

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Mothers Make the BEST Mentors

Tresta Neil — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 21:50:04 +0000

5 Homeschooling Truths

(written by Tresta Neil in 2016 for a friends book on homeschooling)

“I think we should homeschool our children.” These are the words I heard my husband say after our fourth child was born.

When I returned home early from my mission to the Netherlands I was told that I would not be able to have children. Thom and I began our marriage prepared to live our lives without children. After several miscarriages, our first child was born. We named him Izaak, the Dutch name for happy, because we were happy for an actual birth. Eleven months later (you can get pregnant while nursing) came our second. Twenty months later came number three. I was beginning to panic. I was still working as a nurse at night and while Thom worked during the day I tried to watch my boys and sleep. I would often wake up to torn up books, painted the couch, mice chasing or egg throwing. My fourth and first girl came twenty-two months later and I began to seriously wonder if motherhood was as wonderful as everyone had said it would be. Honestly, there were many days I wanted out, four children in diapers and too tired to clean or cook, let alone read or visit with friends. Now Thom thinks we should homeschool! Forget it!

Besides all the children and work drama, how could I, who was in remedial reading throughout school and barely graduated high school with a low GPA, teach my children? Plus, what would they do for friends and social life? “Isn’t that what school was all about?” I thought. “Nope, I was NOT going to homeschool my children and have them miss out!”

To appease my husband, I traveled to Utah to attend a homeschool conference where Thomas Jefferson Education was introduced. It seemed to be the best method for many families. Yet, my heart resonated with The Noah Plan created by the Foundation for American Christian Education (F.A.C.E.). The presenter talked about teaching principles, centering all learning on Christ, and the creation of notebooks that become individual textbooks.

This idea stirred up many emotions and questions. “Could all education be centered on Christ, even math?” “Could learning be individual?”

I recalled all the times during school I would be interested in going deeper into a subject and was stopped because it didn’t fit into the curriculum or we had to move on because of time. “Could homeschooling be different?” My professor at college taught me how anatomy and physiology with the knowledge of the restored gospel came alive. “Could my children learn all subjects that way throughout their life?” My reason for serving a mission was to be a great mother who effectively use scriptures in teaching and disciplining my children. Homeschooling could be the vehicle to assist me in achieving that desire. “Oh, Tresta,” I thought, “you’re going to be a homeschooler . . . well, Thom’s going to be happy . . . HELP!”

God was kind and sent me a mentor, LuJean Livingston. She had found The Noah Plan in a hotel drawer while on vacation, she felt it was the answer for Latter-day Saints and began sharing it with everyone including American Heritage School. We would meet together once a month. She opened up the scriptures and showed me how every subject was found in the scriptures. She taught me how to find principles in books, the difference between doctrines and principles, and how my children could come up with their own applications. Her guidance became my life line and the beginning of a wonderful education and experience for my children and for me.

Throughout the twenty plus years of homeschooling I have learned many truths and dispelled many myths. Here are my top five truths:

1. Parents are the best teachers for their children no matter their “schooling”

Throughout High School I believed the lies of my teachers and classmates that I was not smart. After graduating from college, I continued to believe it. In fact, I feared conversations because I might reveal my stupidity. As I learned alongside my children, making my own notebooks and sharing ahas with them, I began to gain confidence in my intelligence and communication. Our love for each other grew stronger every day and nothing can replace the feeling of watching them learn and receive revelation for their own lives.

2. Life’s Challenges are the Lesson

Life is full of challenges and trials from which we get to learn. Our challenges included personality clashes to the point of arguments and everyone complaining at the same time. We started out homeschooling so poor that we used the back side of discarded real estate fliers from Thom’s work for our notebooks. Our seventh child was in and out of the hospital for four years with liver transplant complications and internal bleeding. Two of our sons were in different hospitals at the same time, one with RSV and the other with liver rejection. We have worked through five home births, the loss of our home and other dreams, living in a two- bedroom basement apartment with eight children and major learning disabilities.

Our latest challenge is having Thom at home while he recovers from a virus that attacked his heart leaving it functioning at 25%. Life’s challenges are our homeschool/life lessons, they teach us how to solve real life problems, how to work together and find peace in the storms.

3. Success can be Found in Daily Routines

My son who had a stroke had many physical and learning disabilities. He took a lot longer to learn things than any of my other children. For example, we had to teach him to climb a ladder by doing it with him a few times every day and at first, physically moving him through the process, then talking him through it. Finally, we had him talk himself through it until he was able to do it without thinking about it. This is how he is currently learning to read. When he reviews the sounds of the letters daily he continues to make progress and can read words, but if he skips one day his progress stops and he has to begin again.

Homeschooling is like this, it is successful when we study daily. Consistent learning yields a great education.

4. Creativity Inspires Connection

When we struggled with getting along the learning never happened. One day I was frustrated because no one was listening to the lesson, so I sent them outside to the backyard. I soon joined them and ended up playing in the leaves, creating forts and laughing together. I took a picture of the children in the leaves and put it up on my wall. Weeks later a friend admired the photo and I said, “That was a horrible day!” She said, “I’d love to be a part of your horrible days.” She was right, we had made something beautiful out of a rough day and we returned and completed our assignments happily. When mental learning is not happening, doing something creative inspires connection and prepares the mind.

5. Recording Creates Lasting Memories

Creating notebooks has been the single most joyful thing we have done in our homeschooling experience. These notebooks have become a source of memories, of recalling lessons and for teaching and mentoring others. My son asked for his English reference notebook while on his mission so that it could help him learn other languages. Record keeping is fun and the pages become personal textbooks and books of remembrance for each of us.

I wish I had known these principles when I started.

Ten years into homeschooling, I was a happy mother of seven with a hard decision, “Should I put my children in public school?”

My seventh child was born without a bile duct (biliary atresia). He underwent an unsuccessful surgery, was placed on the liver transplant list and continued to get worse. Our “new normal” would be in and out of the hospital therefore I would not be available much. Homeschool had become our way of life, our daily routine and our passion! After a family meeting, three of our children chose to go to public school. After a successful transplant everyone returned home to learn together.

I aspire to teach my children using a system: 1) remember who they are, 2) receive and record personal revelation, 3) relate and act on their knowledge, 4) recognize principles, 5) retain by sharing with others and 6) rejoice in new wisdom and begin again with the new situation.

The wonderful thing about homeschooling is watching my children learn something new and experiencing their ahas first hand. The best thing is watching them confidently make inspired decisions, apply their knowledge wisely and lovingly teach each other.

Homeschooling is an accelerated way to learn patience, tolerance, and true connection. I chose the vehicle of homeschooling to help me develop these virtues. You can too. Christ qualifies those that have the desire. If you have been thinking about it then jump in. You will be lead to your mentors, just as I was. And one day you’ll have your child say to you, as my daughter said to me, “Mom, you are my best mentor.”

Tresta Neil is a veteran homeschool mother of eight. She learned principles and practices right alongside of her children for years and currently teaches them to other parents to help make their journey easier. Her passion is in researching truth and symbols and sharing them with others. To learn more about her products and programs please visit her website at www.KeystoneEd.com. Her unique resume includes sitting on a cactus.

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Measure Your Faith

Tresta Neil — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 21:22:32 +0000

(written by Tresta Neil in 2015 for Keyguard, our co-op class)

Take your pencil and grade yourself honestly on each question with a 1, 2, or 3: 1. Yes 2. To some degree 3. No

1. Do I believe that I can call on God and he will hear me?

2. Do I believe that I will receive what I ask?

3. Do I have great expectations?

4. Do I show daily enthusiasm?

5. Do I believe I can draw upon the power of God?

6. Do I believe that the answer to all my problems is close by?

7. Do I have a deep conviction that all that the Father hath is mine?

8. Do I believe that “life” treats me the way I believe it will?

9. Do I place all my dependence upon God?

10. Do I empty my mind of all contrary and negative thoughts so that faith can operate without interference?

11. Do I strive to show my faith through every thought, action and feeling?

12. Do I believe that I have dominion?

13. Do I believe God wants me to succeed?

14. Do I have a definite purpose in prayer?

15. Do I expect answers to my prayers?

16. Are all the forces of my being moving with my desire to be like Christ?

17. Do I believe in Christ and accept him as my Savior?

18. Do I feel confident that God loves me?

19. Do I trust the Savior enough to accept his will and do whatever he asks?

20. Do I firmly believe that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ I can be forgiven of all my sins?

21. Do I have enough Faith to obtain answers to my prayers?

22. Do I think about the Savior during the day and remember what he has done for me?

23. Do I have the faith necessary to make good things happen in my life or the lives of others?

24. Do I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true?

25. Do I have enough faith in Christ to accomplish anything he wants me to do even miracles?

The closer your number is to 25 the stronger the faith you have. This is an on going process and not about perfection. This is only a guide to help you know what area to work on.

Make it a daily practice to focus on faith, focus on one area until you have mastered it and then choose another one to focus on. Write about your progress, challenges and improvement in you study or scripture journal.

Questions taken from God Works through Faith by Robert Russell and Preach My Gospel

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Resources for the Eight Core Subjects

Tresta Neil — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 21:07:41 +0000

(compiled by Tresta Neil in 2014 for the LDS Homeschool Conference)

History
Ancient History

A Voice of Warning by Parley P. Pratt Reformation
At the Summit of the Ages by Gordon B. Hinckley

Geography
Mathematical Geography

Our Creator’s Cosmos by Neal A. Maxwell

Physical Geography (land, air, water)

Dikes Verses Living Water by David B. Wirthlin

Political Geography (borders, culture)

Removing Barriers to Happiness by Richard G. Scott

Literature

Scripture

The Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto our Salvation by Robert D. Hales

Biographies

God Will Have a Tried People by Howard W. Hunter

Poetry

The Poetry of Success by Sterling W. Sill

Classics

Medicine for the Soul? by Sterling W. Sill Drama
Joy in the Journey by Thomas S. Monson

Nations/Culture

The Church Goes Forward by Gordon B. Hinckley
The Ensign to the Nations; a Light to the World by Gordon B. Hinckley

Language

Science of Grammar, etc. by Orson Hyde, Jan. 22, 1855
The Tongue of Angels Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2007 General Conference

Science Astronomy

The Heavens Declare the Glory of the Lord by Don Lind (Space Flight)

Chemistry

My Father’s Formula by Henry B. Eyring Physics
The Law and the Light by Boyd K. Packer
God Will Have a Tried People by Howard W. Hunter (friction)

Geology (land)

What is the symbolic meaning of the term ‘rock’ in the scriptures?

Oceanography (water)

Ocean Currents and Family Influences by Spencer W. Kimball
True to the Faith by Thomas S. Monson (maka fekes)

Meteorology (air)

Christlike Attributes: Wind beneath our Wings by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Botany (plants)

This is My Work and My Glory by M. Russell Ballard (tomato plants)

Zoology (animals)

Fundamental Principles to Ponder and Live by Spencer W. Kimball

Humanology (crowning creation)

The Magnificence of Man by Russell M. Nelson

Math

Key to the Universe by Orson Pratt
The Physical Worlds by Henry B. Eyring

Music

At the Summit of the Ages Gordon B. Hinckley
Worthy music, worthy thoughts by Boyd K. Packer and video The Power of Hymns by Merrill J. Bateman
Satan’s Thrust – the Youth by Ezra T. Benson
Les Derniers Jours by John A. Green

Art

The Gospel Vision of the Arts by Spencer W. Kimball
How Will Our children Remember Us? by Robert D. Hales
The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord by Elder Boyd K Packer
At the Summit of the Ages by Gordon B. Hinckley

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