3 Nephi 14

Yes, I fell off the wagon for a little while, but I got back on a little bit ago.  I just haven't blogged about reading because I hated admitting that I fell so far from my goal to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.  But, we all do it right?  The good news is I'm back on.  Who's with me?

I'm really loving 3 Nephi, and tonight I read a great chapter.  I was getting ready for bed thinking, I could really use some inspiration tonight.  And inspiration I got.  I knew I was in for a treat when I saw that I have the entire chapter highlighted.  So much of what I read stuck out to me.

In verse 6 when Christ tells us:

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

I added the bold.  How great are those words?  I'm pretty sure this definitely was not meant to be taken in the way I read it tonight, however after some great discussions with one of my favorite girls today it reminded me to not date below my standards.  I've dated some pretty awesome guys, and some pretty awesome guys who for whatever reason behave in some pretty not so awesome ways.  Looking back I noticed a pattern of something very important that every guy I've dated in the last few years has lacked.  I am really focusing on keeping what I need most in a relationship, and keeping my priorities in tact.

In verses 7 and 8 we're told:

Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

It's unreal how simple some things are that I hope and wish for, but never seem to take to the Lord.  I'm always thinking of the bigger things-job, health, family, etc.  I really need to remember to take other things to the Lord.  How amazing is it that He never tires of hearing from us?  How truly wonderful that He wants to hear all our daily problems and thoughts, even if it's something as simple as "I feel like I need more friends."

Again, in verses 15-18, 20:

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.

I'm not calling guys I know false prophets.  Not at all.  This just reminded me of an email Jason sent to me while he was on his mission.  I was a very young 18 year old freshman in college and he warned me to look out for the "wolves in sheep's clothing" who might want to date me.  I had no idea how many of them there were.  (Disclaimer.....I'm not man-hating, and don't think all guys are jerks.  SWEAR!  I've just had my eyes opened over the last few years.  I'm not holding them entirely accountable.  I'm responsible as well.  We teach people how to treat us, therefore I'm working on becoming a better teacher.)  I'm reminding myself about a conversation I had with a good friend Russ in college, who taught me about the ways to be able to feel out guys.  I was so worried of being deceived, but there really are red flags that are sometimes ignored.  On that same thought, I'm also working on becoming a person that doesn't have those red flags as well.  

Finally, in 24-27:

Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock-

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand-

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Such powerful words here.  I want to build upon the Rock that is the Savior Jesus Christ, because the winds and rain do come.  Sometimes they don't stop for days, and it's so difficult to keep my house up when it's built on the sand.  I can still hear the scripture mastery in my head from high school, "Build upon the Rock or fail."  So true.