Book of Mormon, D & C, Pearl of Great Price

In 1 Nephi, chapter 19, Nephi discusses the life of the Savior, who would come far into the future. He talks about the Savior’s death and the persecutions the Jewish people would face as a result. The Book of Mormon Student Manual clarifies misunderstandings some people have concerning this subject:

“For centuries apostate Christianity used the crucifixion of Jesus as an excuse for persecuting the Jews. Occasionally people still say, “This long history of rejection is the punishment for what they did to Jesus.”

In his quoting of Zenos in 1 Nephi 19:13–19, Nephi gave us some important insights into the Jews and their tragic history. There is no indication that because they are “scourged by all people, because they crucify the God of Israel” (v. 13) this scourging is initiated by God….

…Anyone who thinks that persecution of the Jews or other minority groups is pleasing to God is in deep need of repentance (see 2 Nephi 29:5).”

Even in the United States of America, a nation founded on religious freedom, people have been, and continue to be persecuted for their religious beliefs. From its beginnings, some people have tried to make religious freedom apply only to their only religions. Since God planned the United States as a place where the restored gospel could flourish, Latter-day Saints often see this as Satan’s efforts to put an end to the spread of truth.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint has an Article of Faith that says that we give all others the right to worship as they see fit and ask the same privilege of ourselves. With this in mind, it’s not appropriate for any Latter-day Saint to harass or persecute another for his faith. Latter-day Saints are taught to show respect for the beliefs of others. While this doesn’t, of course, preclude missionary work, it does show an expectation of respectful missionary work, focused on what we teach, not on what others teach.

Hate crimes and persecution have no place in the Savior’s gospel of love. The Savior himself, on the cross, asked God to forgive those who crucified him. If He could do this, can we do any less? This is true of the Jewish people, as we see in 2 Nephi 29:5, and it is also true of all others who worship differently than we do. It is what God expects of all His children, regardless of their current faith.

“As I have loved you, love one another.”

For more on the whys of persecution, visit LDS.org and read “Why Did People Act This Way?”

When God commanded Nephi to make plates on which to record the records of the people and the church, Nephi explained that he wrote only that which he considered sacred. However, he noted that many had little respect for that which is sacred.

For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet. Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels. 1 Nephi 19: 7

This parallels a serious problem we face in today’s society. Many people have come to lack respect for that which is sacred, even in their own beliefs or those of others. Today, God is often not treated with the respect He most certainly deserves.

Too many people take lightly their obligations to their Father in Heaven. They use his name, and that of His Son as mere profanity, or casual expression. They take credit for their own blessings, ignoring who the blessings came from. Some people devote their lives to convincing others that God isn’t real; that we don’t need God to exist or to live. Some say there is no power greater than themselves, a dangerous thought, certainly.

All of this mocks that which is sacred. God asks us again and again to show respect for sacred things, sacred moments, and sacred places. By doing so, by honoring those moments and places He has designated as sacred, we show respect for Him. We demonstrate the depth of our love for the Creator and for our Savior.

How can you show respect for that which is sacred? You can begin by showing respect for those things others consider sacred, even if they aren’t sacred to you. Then you can start to pay attention to what is sacred to you. What do you feel best shows your love and devotion to your Father in Heaven and to your Savior?

How do you dress when you visit His home? God doesn’t ask us to show up in expensive, prestigious finery. He does ask us to come in our best clothing—modest, respectful, and appropriate.

Once there, He asks us to behave respectfully. We enter quietly, speak quietly, and sit quietly. When church meetings are in progress, we listen carefully and apply the words to our own lives, so we can improve our ability to live the gospel.

At home, we can treat sacred things as sacred. This means treating our bodies with respect, honoring our responsibility as parents or spouses, keeping the covenants we’ve made with God, and living the gospel as best we can.

God gives us sacred spaces and moments to help us feel closer to Him. Honoring those sacred things is one way we thank Heavenly Father for the gift of sacred things.

And it came to pass that the Lord commanded me, wherefore I did make plates of ore that I might engraven upon them the record of my people. And upon the plates which I made I did engraven the record of my father, and also our journeyings in the wilderness, and the prophecies of my father; and also many of mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them. –1 Nephi 19:1

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are a record-keeping people. From the earliest, days, they’ve been instructed to keep good records and even personal journals and family histories. In fact, on the very day the church was organized, Joseph Smith was commanded by revelation to keep a record of the church.

As individuals, members of the church are counseled to gather and verify their family histories, write a personal history, and keep a journal. These are to be handed down through the generations, giving members a connection to their ancestors. Because we believe family life is forever, these records can help us feel connected to the family we don’t remember knowing—sort of a family reunion.

Have you ever looked over your genealogy charts and seen nothing but names and dates? These are nice as curiosities, but it’s much nicer when you know who that person really is. For instance, I have a well-researched ancestor named Elizabeth Blossom. Because her father was a pilgrim, and her husbands and some of her sons were important, there is a great deal we know of her. I know all the places she lived, the names of her children, and that ten of her children died before she did. I know her Pilgrim father and brother were supposed to go on the Mayflower journey, but returned home when the boat they were on—the Speedwell—become unseaworthy. But I don’t know why they returned home. Nor do I know how nine-year-old Elizabeth felt leaving Holland to join the Pilgrims in a new land. I don’t know how she felt when her father died and her mother remarried only a few months later. Her family fled the Pilgrims and moved several more times due to religious divisions, but I don’t know if she left because she believed the pastors they followed, or if they left because the men did.

Imagine if Elizabeth had kept a journal. I’ve made her as real as my imagination can make her, but with a journal, I’d know. I’d know how she felt about moving to a new land across the ocean, just as I know how Nephi felt about a similar journey when he was also young.
The journals left behind by early church members show us the church in a way the statistics can’t. The testimonies, the stories, the trials, the blessings…they all bring our history to life. Your own journal can do the same for your descendants.

“From time immemorial the Lord has counseled us to be a record-keeping people. Abraham had a book of remembrance, and Adam had one. You may think of them as not being as highly educated as we are, but they were well-trained people. Adam spent much effort being the school teacher for his children. He and Eve taught their sons and daughters. He taught them the gospel in their home evenings, and he taught them reading and writing and arithmetic.

And they kept their books of remembrance. How else do you think Moses, many hundreds of years later, got the information? These records had been kept, and he referred to them and got the history of the world, which wasn’t in any library other than that. Can you see your responsibility?” -- Spencer W. Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Personal Journals,” Ensign, Dec 1980, 60

When Lehi’s family boarded the ship they’d made for crossing the ocean to a new home chosen for them by God, boredom might have been a challenge for them. Unlike Noah’s family, they didn’t have the large number of animals to care for.

9 And after we had been driven forth before the wind for the space of many days, behold, my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and also their wives began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness, yea, even that they did forget by what power they had been brought thither; yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness.

10 And I, Nephi, began to fear exceedingly lest the Lord should be angry with us, and smite us because of our iniquity, that we should be swallowed up in the depths of the sea; wherefore, I, Nephi, began to speak to them with much soberness; but behold they were angry with me, saying: We will not that our younger brother shall be a ruler over us. (1 Nephi 18)

It might seem that the singing and dancing were considered by Nephi to be immoral. Actually, however, it was what the singing and dancing did to them that was the problem. It appears the music was of a type to cause them to behave rudely and to chase away the spirit, so they no longer remembered God’s place in their lives.

The church has always celebrated music done properly. The pioneers, only allowed to bring essentials with them, brought musical instruments. In the evenings, instead of collapsing in exhaustion, they often danced. Brigham Young said, “If you wish to dance, dance; and you are just as much prepared for a prayer meeting after dancing as ever you were, if you are Saints.” (Journal of Discourses, 6:149, 148.)

By this, he pointed out that a true member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will choose music and dancing that is pleasing to God. When dancing is done properly and in the proper spirit, it won’t chase away the Spirit.

The church publishes a pamphlet for youth called For the Strength of Youth. This pamphlet advises:

“Dancing can be fun and can provide an opportunity to meet new people. However, it too can be misused. When dancing, avoid full body contact with your partner. Do not use positions or moves that are suggestive of sexual behavior. Plan and attend dances where dress, grooming, lighting, lyrics, and music contribute to a wholesome atmosphere where the Spirit of the Lord may be present.”

The church has often hosted musicals, dance festivals, and regular dances for youth. These types of events allow church members to enjoy dancing in a safe and appropriate environment. The music played at dances is carefully screened for appropriateness, and young people attending agree to a standard of behavior while in attendance.

Any church member who listens to music or participates in musical activity is advised to listen carefully to the words of the music. In addition, they’re counseled to notice how the music or dance makes them feel. If it inspires inappropriate thoughts, emotions, or behavior, it should be removed from the member’s life.

However, music can uplift and even build testimonies. Our sacred hymns have conversion power. While members are not expected to listen only to sacred music, they are expected to be certain the music doesn’t take away from the sacredness of their mortal life.
For more on music, watch free online a new video in which teenagers discuss the role of music in their lives.

Worthy Music, Worthy Thoughts