Windhaven Publishing & Recovery
with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ." (Alma 37:33)
PREPARATION FOR DISCUSSION OF PRINCIPLE ONE:
“O HOW GREAT IS THE NOTHINGNESS OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN” (HELAMAN 12:7)
Step 1: Admitted that we of ourselves are powerless, nothing without God. (Mosiah 4:5; Alma 26:12)
The following scriptures are provided to enable you to practice using the tools of scripture study, prayer and capturing, and to introduce you to the principle we will study in the next chapter. There are seven references listed—one for each day of the week. Take one reference each day and spend at least ten minutes prayerfully pondering and writing your thoughts about these references. Although it may be tempting, please do not pass over these exercises. Remember, this book is not meant to be a “quick-fix” or an end in itself. It is a means to the end we all hope to reach some day— a living testimony of our Heavenly Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ. This end is well described by President Gordon B. Hinckley, encouraging us to: constantly nourish the testimony of our people concerning the Savior… [and to instill] a true witness in [each] heart of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ, [in order that in each of our lives] all else will come together as it should… (Ensign, August, 1997, p.3, emphasis added.)
Day 1: 2 Nephi 9:39—We often think of the word carnal as applying only to those people who appear to be very wicked. Look up the word carnal in the dictionary. Think of its definition as it applies to our efforts to solve our problems. Write about an area in your own life in which you are guilty of being “carnally minded” in regard to seeking solutions.
Day 2: 2 Nephi 12:11—Because we usually try to overcome our weaknesses alone, we fail time after time. How can this help in the process of humbling us? Write about a problem you have sought to solve yourself and how peaceful or permanent your efforts have been. What do you suppose it means that “the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day”—the day when our “lofty looks” shall be humbled and all truth shall be known?
Day 3: 2 Nephi 31:19—“for ye have not come thus far save it were by the _____________________________________________________________ with _____________________________________ relying ________________________ upon the _____________________ of ______________________ who is mighty to _____________________________.” Have you ever been told or have you thought that a lack of self-esteem was the reason you were having problems? What does this scripture say to you in regard to this modern “god” of self? Who has power enough to save your? Who should you esteem? How much? Is it yourself?
Day 4: Mosiah 2:21—In this scripture we are taught that we can never, even if we try with all our energy, return more to the Lord than we are receiving. How does this scripture translate into your everyday life? Does it bring you despair or relief? Write to Him about your feelings.
Day 5: Alma 26:12—We are bombarded with philosophies, programs, planners, commercials, products, and medications that promise personal power. Think back over your life and admit in writing some of these things that have lured you. Did they solve your problem? Did they improve your relationship with the Lord? The principles in this course can introduce you to the true Source of power so that you can say as Ammon did, “I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in HIS strength I can do all things.”
Day 6: Helaman 12:7—“O how great is the nothingness of the children of men.” This is a pretty plain statement. Notice the phrase “the children of men.” That expression is used repeatedly through the scriptures, applied to those who have not yet been born of God and become His sons and daughters (see Mosiah 27:25). Write about this verse. (Look back to the previous verse [6] for some clues as to why we are nothing when we are the “children of men.”)
Day 7: Moses 1:10—After being in the presence of God for many hours, Moses witnesses to us the tremendous contrast in power, glory and strength between God and man, using the same word that is used in Helaman, that man is “nothing.” Why do you suppose we resist relying on God’s power and choose to lean, instead, on self and the answers the world provides?