Episode 32: Lehi’s Dream & Our Journey to the Manger
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Everything we do in our celebrations of the Christmas season should, in some way, point the way to the Savior. This holy, sacred season is the “Sabbath” of our year. A time when we set worldly cares and distractions aside and once again return to the manger bearing gifts for those we love and for our King. In 1 Nephi chapter 8, we read the account of Lehi’s Dream and about four different groups of people who were invited to “journey to the manger,” and partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life.
Our journey to the manger is very much like our journey to the Tree of Life.
Four Groups & Their Journey to the Manger
Group One:
Christmas may be full of tradition, but members of this group never begin the journey to the manger.
Group Two:
Those among this group begin the journey to the manger, but the cares and distractions of the world cause them to veer off the path and onto strange roads--roads that lead anywhere BUT to the manger. They never make it to the Tree, because they did not make or keep their covenants with the Lord.
Group Three:
This group makes it to the manger, but instead of falling down and worshiping the Christ Child, they hold out part of them. They hold onto worldly ideals or ideologies that conflict with their covenants. Sometimes this is only a slight deviation--perhaps imperceptible.
Remember, the adversary does not care if we make covenants--what he cares about is that we don’t honor the covenants we make.
Those in this group are good people with good intentions, but they are seeking the approval of the world more than the approval of God.
Group Four:
This group comes to the manger bearing the gifts of a broken heart and a contrite spirit to the Christ Child, and in submitting their will to the will of the Lord, they become true disciples of Christ.
There is only ONE path that leads to the manger and that is the COVENANT path. If we are to be fully armed in today’s world, we cannot afford to veer off the path by even one degree. Honoring and Renewing our covenants weekly as we partake of the Sacrament is how we stay connected to the manger--it's’ how we return to it again and again.
We have precious gifts to offer the world:
We know why we’re here, where we came from, and what happens after this life.
We have available to us every gift, that God has made available in mortality.
We know how to prepare mankind for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
We know how to build eternal families on earth.
We know the way to the Messiah in the manger!
How do we NOT share these gifts with the world?
There are many ways to do this:
Invite others to come and see or to come and help
Share the link to our Zoom Sacrament meetings.
Engage in family history and temple work
Be a light to the world by how we live our lives
Share our light through posts on social media
Minister to and serve our neighbors
Do ONE Thing
Read 1NE 8 again within the context of the iron rod being our covenants.
Look for lyrics in the Carols that speak of the 2nd Coming of the Lord.
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Resources
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The Book of Mormon, 1 NE Chapter 8