Reviving

Time to kickstart this old clunker. I've been thinking about it all semester ever since I found Katfish's blog the other month.

So, I'm thinking something that could motivate me to write more in this thing is to give it a more specific purpose. Specifically, make it a bit of literary analysis. I'm going to try to write a little bit about what I read in the scriptures each day and little entries when I finish reading assignments for classes just to get me thinking. (Did I mention I'm an English/Biochemistry major? Yeah, it's true.) I'm also thinking about doing a Sonnet-a-Week type thing where I analyze one of Shakespeare's Sonnets every Saturday. I've always wanted to read more of them and have time to think about it, since I get a sonnet-of-the-week mailing list, which I promptly categorize in Gmail and then archive it unread.

Scripture thoughts:
Reading: 3 Nephi 21-25

I'm almost finished with the prophet's challenge to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. It's pretty exciting that I actually followed through with something. So, I always love reading 3 Nephi because, of course, that's when the Savior comes. Somehow I always forget that there are a whole bunch of Isaiah chapters in there. They always slow me down a lot, and, like most people, I usually speed read through them as fast as possible.

However, this time I noticed that after Isaiah, there are chapters from a couple of other Old Testament places. (I am probably noticing this more because this is the first time I have read the BoM since finishing the Old Testament.) Specifically, chapter 24 quotes Malachi 3 and verses 13-18 stuck out to me a lot. These verses talk about something I thought was peculiar to modern times, but clearly has been going on throughout time. Those who obey God and try to live righteous lives are not always blessed. Not just that, really, because I knew that, but more that "now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are delivered." (3 Nephi 24:15) This is so completely relevant to our day, when traditional values have been turned on their heads, and we overtly worship those who are immoral and self-centered and we "set them up" by giving them our money. (They're called celebrities, people.)

But the best part about this is the verses that follow, which reassure us that the Lord of Hosts keeps a book of records on this matter, in effect reminding us that justice will eventually be served. We don't need to worry about the comparative righteousness of others, only of ourselves, because the Lord will return and "discern between the righteous and the wicked." (3 Nephi 24:18) I've never thought of the final judgment in this way - as a comfort. We don't need to worry about judgments because the Lord will see to that.

It's quite a nice thought. And I think it's enough for today.