I love the story of Zosimus! I also love the two of you coming together for these Book of Mormon lessons. They are so sweet yet powerful. Thank you so much. ♥️
You asked about our takeaways. These 2 things stood out to me. In 1 Nephi 8, I noticed how often the word partake is mentioned. That made me think of the other time we hear it: the sacrament prayer. I thought that the sacrament is my weekly chance to partake of the fruit and if the power of the love of God. I looked up the word partake in the Webster 1828 dictionary. Several of the meanings gave me greater insights to the sacrament. I also noticed the parallel between the dream and Helaman 5. There is darkness in both. And in both when the people pray, the darkness is relieved. Lehi made it to the tree, and the people in the prison with Nephi and Lehi had a miraculous experience that would have helped them know the love of God. Thank you for these wonderful lessons, which so much and inspire greater pondering and insights.
I did more pondering and researching. ( I'm trying to follow the example of our podcasters who are so amazing.) The word partake is used My Gospel Library kept closing on me, so I do not have an exact count. But I did a search for the word partake in any form. There were references to the sacrament directly. Many of the references spoke of partaking of the fruit-either in the Lehi’s dream or in the Garde of Eden. Other references used the phrases “partake of salvation,” ‘partake of the heavenly gift” and “partake of the goodness of God.” All those phrases are related to receiving the result of Christ’s atonement in our lives. My rough search showed only two times in the Book of Mormon when the word was used in some ordinary way, such as partake in the spoils of war. I began to see the sacrament as being symbolic of partaking of the tree of life. The sacrament represents the love of God in powerful ways. We are partaking of emblems of Christ’s atonement when we partake of the sacrament. As we intentionally and diligently prepare to partake the sacrament worthily, we are holding to the rod and remaining on the path. If our preparation is holding to the iron rod, then the sacrament is arriving at the Tree of Life. We can make the journey to the tree of life each week and partake of fruit of the Tree of Life-the fruit that is “desirable to make one happy” and fill our souls “with exceeding great joy.” Oh, how I need to be more intentional about my preparation! All this pondering made me look up partake in the Webster 1828 dictionary to see what the word meant when Joseph Smith was translating the plates. The definition of partake gives added meaning to me. Excerpts from PARTAKE entry in Webster's 1828 dictionary: 1. To take a part, portion or share in common with others; to have a share or part; to participate. This definition reminds me that the fruit of the Tree of Life is for all. Like Lehi, I need to call others to come partake of the fruit. The phrase “share in common” makes me think of Zion and caring for each other. That needs to be part of our preparation. 2. To have something of the property, nature, claim or right. The word nature stuck out to me. Through partaking of atonement through the sacrament, I can change my nature. As I do all I can do, Christ will provide the way so that I have claim to eternal life. 3. To be admitted; not to be excluded.
That was amazing! As Brother Welch talked about the comment of his professor that he looked like he was floating for excitement, I was also excited! I don't think I've ever felt such a level of excitement when studying scripture. Thank you so much for what you are doing!!
I just love this sister so much At closeups you can almost see the heavens and feel the unconditional love. The spirt teaches her (she has Celestial hearing abilities and can hear them with ease) and then she blesses us with that knowledge Thank you❤
Thank you, Dr. Wilson and Dr. Welch, for this excellent spiritual and intellectual discussion. Thanks also for the scholarly collegiality you share with us.
Thank you! I learn so much listening to you both. I am so grateful that you two were instruments in helping us feel the power of the holy spirit. What a treasure to have you both teaching us. I am filled with gratitude for you , Sis. Wilson and Bro. Welch.
Sister Wilson and brother Welsh . I must say that I enjoy this years lessons even more than last years. I feel that I am learning so much . And it is down right fun to listen .
What a team you two make… Heaven’s Blessings for sharing what you’ve both paid the price to obtain❣️
9 месяцев назад
Hello from Mexico!! Loving their insights. I love their enthusiasm, knowledge, and testimony. English is not my first language but every effort to grasp their ideas is worth it. Thanks for doing this! ❤
Thank you for the narrative of Zosimus. I have read from other sources that the flood narrative also exists in many other places and languages. In the opening of his conference talk in October, President Oaks says three times that the plan of salvation is for all people everywhere. I found your discussion enlightening and reinforces the importance of the priesthood power restored in our day to seal people everywhere.
Oh wow, what an amazing lesson. I am enjoying these beautiful presentations, I found this to be very insightful. The BOM truly is a gift that keeps giving, just like God’s love. I am reminded of this each time I study and read it. I am always blown away and re-amazed with every new takeaway/insight. The discussion on Zosimus was very interesting, I played the video a couple of times on that part. That story is proof to me that there are so many other people in history, and in the world today, who have had similar visions from the Lord. Although they are different, because each child is different, the Lord knows what is needed to speak to each child individually, and customizes the communication style accordingly. What I find really interesting is despite the personalised communication, the message is the same. Thank you Bro Welch and Sis Wilson, I really enjoyed this presentation. God bless you and everyone at SC ❤️
Thank you so much for the information on Zosimus. While preparing a class on Arabic in the Book of Mormon in Monterey where I taught Arabic, one of my mentor/instructors mentioned an ancient Arabic text with the same story as Lehi. He promised me several times to bring in the book so I could read it. The book (of what he told me) was written in Arabic and Aramaic and at that time never translated into English. I wanted to translate it and have a photo copy of the book but again, he never brought it in. So, I don't know if Zosimus and the Bedouin story are same but it's good to know that it is there.
Beautiful discussion. Thank you for sharing these great insights. I love that you defined Bethabara, I did not know that. I learned from your other colleagues that "Beth" means "house of" but now I know the other portion is "place of crossing!" I also love the insight of Zosimus. This is amazing as I have never heard of it before. Something that came to mind for me is, what if others that were at the Tree of Life in Lehi's dream were led there (either by the same angel or different ones). What if there were other leaders/prophets were led there but we only have the record of Lehi? WOW! Lastly, as you were talking about the Tree of Life in other cultures, I'm Samoan so the coconut tree popped into my head because we refer to it as the Tree of Life. Then Jack mentions it and it blows my mind. For the first time, I drew a parallel from Lehi's dream to the coconut tree. I knew the coconut tree was the tree of life to the Samoans because of the way we use it in totality, but I never equated it to the "Tree of Life" as in the Book of Mormon. Thank you for drawing this out! ❤
From the Philippines l just read the book of Mormon in six days been a member over 60 years took the challenge l challenge you too do that. No hand of man could write this book. a matter l am only British member here Philippines l believe
Loved the insights. One thing they blended together though, was the two groups that made it to the tree. The ones that “clinged” to the rod didn’t stay at the tree, the ones that “continually held fast” did. When we tell our youth to “cling” to the iron rod, I cringe. It didn’t end well for that group.
I came to the comments to specifically see if anything was being mentioned about “clinging” because at face value just hearing that word can cause us to consider that this is the highest form of holding to the rod. Yet, it’s a word only used when describing the group that made it to the tree and fell away. Those who didn’t fall away were “continually holding” which makes me think too many are going with the wrong interpretation of what it means to cling. We are missing something it seems.
@@jakemckittrick I agree. Elder Bednar talked about this difference (cling vs continually holding fast) in an October 2011 talk titled “Lehi’s Dream: Holding Fast to the Rod”. He said: “Clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional “bursts” of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God.”
I love these episodes but I really love how you point out evidences of an ancient text. I love the parallels of Zosimus and those paintings are fabulous.
I love that you have switched up the hosts. I love hearing another voice for the scriptures. Good job guys! I don’t love the pauses with the titles in the video. I think it messes with the flow, But that is me. I do love the relaxed new look. I feel like the hosts are good friends having a chat and I get to listen. ❤ it.
These lessons has made me feel that King Salomon who had built the most beautiful Temple 🤔 It appears that King Salomon knew how important the Temple & what It plays in God's Plan Of Salvation. I Just Love Your discussion regarding the marriages of Lehi & Ismael's children. The Is So Much To Share In These Podcasts 🎯🙏💯%
Oh cool! I have been to that exact spot at 39:03, on the Jordanian side of the Jordan River. At the time, there was a HUMVEE mounted with a 50-Cal machine gun tucked back into the bushes only 15 feet from the water on the right side of the structure. I saw Jews and christians dipping themselves in the water on the Israeli side. It was such a cool experience! 🕊
Lynne Hilton Wilson speaks about the name, Ishmael, which we recognize as the name of Abraham’s first child, born of Hagar, the handmaid of Abraham’s first wife, Sarah. (Please watch the video beginning near the 2:00 minute mark.) Lynne says that Hagar was Abraham’s first wife, though I think she meant to say Abraham’s first child, who was born of Hagar. Also, I'm wondering if the name Ishmael was common among the Israelites.
In 1 Nephi 8:24 the people who fall away, even after partaking of the fruit were described as “clinging” to the word of God rather than “holding fast” to the iron rod. Those who “hold fast” will “never perish” as Nephi discusses in chapter 15. Sooooo there must be a difference between “clinging” and those who “hold fast.” Interestingly, the 1828 Webster Dictionary has 2 definitions for “cling”. The second, more ancient definition of “cling” comes from the Saxon meaning: shrink, wither, contract, dry up. So perhaps “clinging” to the word of God could be a fading, shrinking, withering grip in contrast to “holding fast” which Nephi promised would result in “never” perishing. Just an idea.
Many thanks for such a wonderful lesson. I found very much interest the Zosimus narrative, I tried to access the document but the link might be wrong as it crushes any time I have tried. Would you please review it? I would like to read the whole document as par of my study. Thanks a lot !!
Has anyone put together the names of Zenos and Zosimus? It sounds to me that Zosimus is the Latin form of Zenos... After all, Lehi was possibly reading from the Book of Zenos when he had his dream.
ok I will try again in the third lesson. Maybe Lynn can take a little relaxing tonic...or you 75 year olds need to be awakened every sentence with her interjections...sheesh
I found Sister Lynn talks too fast for me to understand. If that is the case with you, go to the settings and reduce the playback speed. That helped me so much last year listening to her wonderful presentation. 8
