2023 October 19, Journal Entry

Yesterday was sort of a day of recovery for both of us. We both feel that our medical issues - Cathy's eye surgery and my black eye from my fall - are improving. 

Neither of us is sleeping very well and we think we need a mattress better suited to us. Cathy selected our current mattress after extensive research including customer reviews and we've had it now for several years. To me it's just too firm. She has always preferred firmer mattresses. When we go on trips and sleep in hotels I have often slept better. Anyway, she is now on board with getting a new mattress that will be more comfortable. We may shop for one today or tomorrow.

Come Follow Me 

I have to say that I'm getting a little tired of "studying" Paul's Epistles. There is no doubt that Paul, the Apostle, was a great servant of the Lord, but these letters seem to be a history of the problems he faced in trying to keep the Church of Jesus Christ on track during the early days following Christ's crucifixion. The useful part of them shows that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the same then as it is now and the problems cropping up in the church then are somewhat similar to problems facing the church today. Useful but...

For example today's scripture from the Come Follow Me App is found in 1st Thessalonians 4:14 which reads: 

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

Then we are given an explanation of what somebody believes that this scripture means and this explanation corresponds well with Gospel principles that we find in today's church.

In the ScripturePlus app today's scripture is 1st Thessalonians 5:18, 

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

This is a good point but most of us already know we should be grateful.

I realize that this year's study is The New Testament but trying to make a years worth of study of the New Testament seems to be challenging at best. The parts about Jesus' life and teachings were absolutely interesting and useful but these letters by Paul...

For example, a quote from today is much easier to understand for those of us who live today:

 "Those who believe that the grave is man’s final destiny live without hope of a better world and are inclined to embrace that fatalistic approach, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die”…

Whereas, those who believe in a life after death are much more inclined to lead purposeful lives. Belief in a resurrection and related truths encourages one to obey the commandments, repent of sins, serve others, and do the other things that bring joy and happiness both here and hereafter."

Elder Carlos E. Asay Of the Presidency of the Sevent, April 1994

Book of Mormon reading 

Third Nephi, The Book of Nephi the Son of Nephi, Who Was the Son of Helaman. And Helaman was the son of Helaman, who was the son of Alma, who was the son of Alma, being a descendant of Nephi who was the son of Lehi, who came out of Jerusalem in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, the king of Judah.

Chapter 1, Nephi, the son of Helaman, departs out of the land, and his son Nephi keeps the records—Though signs and wonders abound, the wicked plan to slay the righteous—The night of Christ’s birth arrives—The sign is given, and a new star arises—Lyings and deceivings increase, and the Gadianton robbers slaughter many. About A.D. 1–4.

Chapter 2, Wickedness and abominations increase among the people—The Nephites and Lamanites unite to defend themselves against the Gadianton robbers—Converted Lamanites become white and are called Nephites. About A.D. 5–16.