Scripture Study Update

Continuing to read the scriptures with the kids every night. We just started 2 Nephi. The end of 1 Nephi was a little difficult to get through. We split up the chapters evenly so that each of us gets to read twice, and every once in a while, I’ll stop the flow to ask the kids questions or explain certain things, just to make sure that we’re all actually understanding these things and not just blindly reading words. Well, the last 5 or so chapters of 1 Nephi are Nephi prophesying about the Great Apostasy and the Latter Days and it gets really confusing what he’s saying as he says Holy One of Israel and Gentiles this and Judah that. I can always read the Institute Guide in between but a lot of times I forget to.

Starting 2 Nephi chapters 1 and 2, even though Lehi addressing his sons, he talks about the things that will befall them and their seed in particularly the “land of inheritance” it makes things fairly clear. Grandpa said that Nephi prophesying about the Latter Days, he did it in code so that only those who were meant to understand could. In these first chapters of 2 Nephi, I think Lehi talking to his sons actually spoke a bit more plainly so that his sons would understand, lol.

Anyway, the discussions during these chapters have been great. The kids are still so young and all jokes and obnoxiousness aside, when we actually get down to the reading and the answering of questions, these kids know their stuff. I’m so impressed with how in tune they are, not only paying attention but also understanding the intricacies of what was being said. HB also brought up Esau at one point because I asked, other than Jacob, who was Lehi’s other younger son? Ben blanked and couldn’t think of anyone other than Jacob and Isaac from the Bible(because of seminary this year) and HB pipes up and mentions Esau and missing out on his blessing. We all turned to her, pleasantly surprised, and asked, “How do you know about Esau?” TB was confused but when we explained the story of what happened to Esau and Jacob, he remembered it and said, “Oh, I love that story!”

I’m just truly blessed that these kids are already so knowledgeable about the scriptures, so eager to understand and learn. It’s not always as reverent as I would like our reading to be but I understand the difference between going too far and just being happy and enjoying this time reading the scriptures together. I can tell that they truly are happy.

I’m excited for tomorrow night! This past Sunday, the sister missionaries cornered me(only teasing!) asking when would be a good time to come over and I finally scheduled a day with them. I was so sad that I missed the opportunity to invite over Sister Brown while she was still here but I kept putting it off, waiting for a day when I could make the house somewhat presentable. So, when they asked me(Sister Mayer now taking Sister Brown’s place as Sister Agado’s companion) I figured I’d schedule something now and we’d work towards cleaning the house before then. If it is clean, then it is. If not, at least it will only be a little cluttered(because we’ve already done cleaning so far; it is just the day-to-day clutter and people not putting their shoes away, type of mess).

They’re going to come over and read with us chapters 4 and 5 of 2 Nephi and help us with our scripture study. Hopefully they’ll offer us some insights to these chapters that we wouldn’t have otherwise. I’m so excited! Cannot wait!