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Unit 12: Day 2 - Mosiah 9-10

I'm continually amazed what the scriptures continues to teach new things to us.  This morning I read about Zeniff and his ambition to obtain the Land of Nephi where the Lamanites were occupied at the time.  Zeniff admitted that he was indeed over-zealous.  This serves as such a great reminder to me, being a young and inexperience father to really consider the things that I really should be focused on and the consequence of decisions made if the focused are placed in the wrong areas.  As a result of Zeniff's over-zealousness of trying to obtain the Land of Nephi, many trials were brought upon his people.  Wars and bloodshed were unavoidable.  At the end, all for what but a claim to a place of dwelling and prosperity?  There are so many parallels that can be compared today when our own ambitions blinds us in so many ways.  I think when we sometimes focus on something so hard that we began to forget or take the important things around us for granted: families, testimonies, friends, those that rely on us (ministering families and individuals).  I certainly have been guilty of this when I'm so focused at by work and career that I've unintentionally set second priority of my eternal companion and my beautiful children.  I too like Zeniff, had my eye so focused on the "Lands of Nephi", that sometimes we may even forget the Lord which I think there lies even a greater danger.  What are your "Lands of Nephi"?

I suppose one saving grace for Zeniff is that he caught himself in this tunnel vision early and quickly remember the Lord once again.  He once again put his strength not on himself but on the Lord.  He was taught/inspired on how to prepare for war against the Lamanites.  I think therein lies the great lessons of preparation and protection that comes from the gospel (Mosiah 9-10).  As I try to think back to a past experience of relying on the strength of the Lord, I need not to look further back than this morning when I woke up as the Spirit reminded/scolded me "to take care of your family!"  Isn't amazing how the Spirit works sometimes when He give you reminders and lessons at times when you really need them?!

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