Monday, January 4, 2010
Snell Family Blog
We have decided to create a blog!!! Mom and Dad wanted a place where we could all go to share our thoughts, ideas, and spiritual experiences in studying the Old Testament this year in church. Hopefully this will better prepare us for our classes on Sunday, and help us grow closer and more united as a family.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Good morning family. January 2010
ReplyDeleteI awoke thinking about some insights I had while in the temple the other day and while studying Moses 4 and 5. I thought Justyn could use them in preparing for her RS presentation on ways couples (with or without kids) can spend Monday Nights. Being engaged, Lindsey and Caleb can certainly put these ideas into action as well, with the exception of the one I mention in paragraph 7
My experience in the temple was so cool....ideas kept flooding in throughout the whole session as I thought about Adam and Eve and their relationship early on as a young couple. We can certainly pattern our marriages after their example and what they did with the time they had together. My thoughts also fit in nicely with what I remember Dad Snell teaching us once from the scriptural account in Moses.
First off, starting in verse 6 of Moses 4 we learn that Eve knew the will of God and recognized his voice and was striving in her own life to be obedient to what she had been taught was right. I think it's interesting that the scriptures record that Satan approached Eve first and tried to confuse her or at least distract her from obeying God's will (vs 7-12).....likewise we as women play a pivotal role in what we do as couples and how we use our time.....although our husbands are to preside over FHE's, often it will be the wife's encouragement and promptings to be more faithful in spiritual matters that moves us to create more meaningful monday nights.
In verse 13 we learn that Adam and Eve "discovered their nakedness" (they were missing something) and set to work to solve the problem. They were domestic and creative.......this certainly comes into play as couples consider what they are missing in their Family Night observance. Watching football can't be our main staple for the evening. We actually have to do something, plan something and put forth effort and create meaningful time. I will say here that it's probably not "what we do" that is most important, but that we protect Monday nights from outside things and regard it as sacred, shared time together. Dad and I have tried to do this all our married life and have a strong testimony that living this principle does strengthen families.
In verse 14 we learn that they loved the garden and "walked in the cool of the day" together...suggesting they relaxed and enjoyed each other and the beauties of nature.
In Chapter 5 verse 1 we learn that Adam and Eve "labored together." We could spend some of our Monday nights working on projects in the yard or in our homes. Or we could seek for a way to lift the physical burdens of others.
In Moses 5:2 we learn that Adam and Eve had children and experienced the blessing of parenthood. This certainly could be a Monday night activity (as Charlie suggested to her RS friends one Sunday) A couple could tend children of another couple in the ward so they could do something together. Or perhaps join a family sometime and enjoy a more chaotic FHE experience.
Moses 5:4 teaches that Adam and Eve "called upon the Lord" and prayed together. Spousal Prayer has been a blessing for your dad and I. Our first prayer together was given on our honeymoon and has been a part of our lives for 23 years now. I had never heard of the concept of spousal prayer and did not see it in action in my home so I must admit our first prayer together was a little strange for me. But I have come to cherish it and have always appreciated the tender feelings it has fostered between us. Expressions of love our communicated between your dad and I as we kneel together in prayer that would never otherwise be spoken, bringing softer hearts and greater love and unity.
ReplyDeleteI also love this verse because we learn they both "heard the voice of the Lord" and shared promptings and spiritual impressions with each other. They both relied on their faith. This kind of communication brings a spiritual connection we can acheive in no other way.
Moses 5:5 indicates that they "worshipped together". Certainly our time as couples is limited and doing things of a spiritual nature is important. Sometimes dad and I will read together from a church book, or discuss an article from the Ensign, or study a conference talk and how it applies to our life. We can study our patriarchal blessings, set goals together and enjoy the fruits of the spirit.
Verse 5 also tells us that Adam and Eve "offered sacrifices" together. Doing hard things brings growth and blessings. Perhaps we can talk of some good things we could give up in order to enjoy sweeter things....like being more in tune to recognize the companionship of the Holy Ghost more in our lives. Or maybe we can do a service that really stretches us physically or financially.
Verse 8 and 9 teach us beautifully how as Adam and Eve repent together their marriage is blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost and their testimony of God and who He is is sweetened and strengthened.
We learn in verses 10-12 that expressing gratitude is part of their lives. They "blessed the name of God". Perhaps we could spend a night writing thank you notes to people who have served us or enriched our life in some way. We could record in our jounals some of the tender mercies we've received as a couple.
And finally, verse 12 teaches us that Adam and Eve "made all things known to their sons and daughters" and taught their children. Of course your dad and I love this one and are glad we now have sons! We hope we've given you a solid foundation to build upon as you leave the homefront. Our love for the Lord is paramount in our lives and He is the true source of happiness. Dad and I truly feel as Nephi expressed "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ and we write according to our prophesies that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."
Have a great day and I love each of you !
Mom