We know the bitter to prize the good but also, as the late Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, "We set our own thermostat as to temptations".
So, in one sense, we can manipulate our senses. There actually is a Good, like following God's commandments or doing His will.
JPS
Reading in 1 Nephi, chapter 8, verse 19, we read, "And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood."
“Along the bank of the river” which means that the bank is close enough to step into the river and be fully immersed BUT also runs parallel and so you would never get wet unless you deliberately chose to get in…
Also, if you were to be in the filthy river, the rod of iron is close enough for anyone to reach out of the filthy river and try to stop yourself and be helped by those wanting to “save” you.
Remember what Elder Maxwell said, though, “We set our thermostats as to temptation” so, it’s up to us to want to get out of the filthy water and up to us to be in a position to be rescued! Or, if we choose to wallow in the mire and mud, that would also be our choosing.
So, are you in the water? Whether or not you put yourself in the water, would you like to get out? Would you like to be rescued?
JPS
And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.
And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.In addition to the suffering for our sins... this suffering awakens the forgiving power of His atonement (His death awakens the resurrecting powers of His atonement… and His perfection awakens the enabling powers of His atonement!).
JPS
Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.Adam chose to fall... imagine what that must have been like for him. He was Jehovah's right hand man... He was obedient, and though it meant transgressing His Father’s commandment, he chose to fall... Literally, that men might be, and as Eve was already going to be cast out of the Garden and the first commandment they received was to Multiply and Replenish the Earth. Couldn’t do that if they were alone!
Adam had to learn to obey His Father’s commandments, not only in the straightforward way but also had to learn how to differentiate between two seemingly contradictory commandments and to see why one is more important to follow (and which will lead to the most Joy!).
Men will have joy as they repent and live the Gospel and become like their Heavenly Father! You need to read that couplet: Adam fell that men might be AND mem are, that they might have joy, but put the given first, that men are to have joy, so in order for men to be, Adam had to fall.
The next verse tells us how... Verse 26 tells us that, "And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall".
So, the plan always was that man would fall, SO THAT the Savior would need to or ne able to come and Save us!!!
JPS
The Tree of life fruit is bitter without the knowledge, experience, memories of trials and children and successes and joys that necessarily come with life! With those aspects of life, though, the taste of the bitter fruit will be delicious and joyful to eat!
Fruit of knowledge of good and evil is delicious to the taste like milk is to a newborn but good from the tree of life is like a gourmet meal... hardly bitter, but to a baby, it would be overwhelming and not be something you’d try again—in fact, a baby would spit it out!
JPS
Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence.
I will go and do... do, or do not, there is no TRY! Yet, Elder Holland says that we are blessed just for trying--kind of like how 'desiring' is the first step of Faith (Alma 32), and Nephi just said that he strove to keep the commandments; if we can only just desire, we will be blessed and out of that desire can come miracles (through faith...).
JPS
Seems that those few already acknowledging the Lord, His council, His blessings, and His strength, will already recognize His hand in everything and those who don’t will see His hand in nothing!
Or am I wrong?
JPS
A compass (cardinal directions)?
Remember how Nephi will say, phrases like, “traveling in a South/Southeast direction”… (vs. 13)? Without a compass for cardinal directions, Nephi/Lehi would only be able to say that they followed the directions on the compass or not—no comparing directions to where the family traveled (see vs 16, "And we did follow the didections of the ball, which led us on the more feetile parts of the wilderness.").
JPS
So, Nephi isn't saying, "Look, there were women doing bad things, but, look how bad the men are that are using women like gold and silver... like fine-twined-linen! Look how man thinks of women as a commodity or as a "thing" to be traded for and bought and sold! Look how depraved the men are in that abominable church" Are men or even I different from them? How?
The virtue and chastity of women are important--maybe the most important of all--but, I think God is using this type of language to say that men need to be protecting women's virtue but saying it in a way that makes men think it must be women's fault (like it's their choice alone that has brought them into prostitution)... He must be terribly disappointed in the choices of some women, but even more so in the men who are charged with their protection and care, right? How are we, the saints of God or members of His church, treating women similarly--like second-class citizens or even commodities?
JPS
JPS
