various thoughts of Luke

 My first thought was regarding Theophilus, which I decided is sort of a primative way of naming a Christian, who the Gospel of Luke was written to. My second big THOUGHT, was a thing I read this morning about how news had reached Joseph in EGYPT that Herod was dead, but it is said that John was th one who accused him because he wrongfully married his sister in law, ya da ya da, wait, John was only about 3months or so older than Jesus. Something seems incorrect, but I had also noted that the gospel of Luke does not even mention Egypt, so inaccuracies of translation or such are truly not of consequence. Thoughts are merely that, thoughts. Not every thought leads to truth.Another thought that tripped great thinkers up was the fact that there are multiple accounts of a singular event. This is frequently done to accentuate the truth. I have learn, merely with my husband, that we could see and instantly record the same event, but our accounts would differ, what was the same would become more noteworthy and supported. It's how testimonies work in law.

The thought that I am currently having is one which will likely become a new favorite scripture from the book of Luke from chapter 11. This is where, among many things, Jesus unfolds many things to students. Here he is speaking about the importance of speaking up and asking for things:

v. 8

I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

That is an entirely new thought. it seems like we do not even need to worry about the propriety of what we are asking for, just ask it. Further it amazes me that God would ever been importuned. but in this parable God is represented by a snugly sleeping neighbor who has perfect, legitimate reasons to not even acknowledge the request, but I have always thought, he will instantly answer prayers because he loves me, this scripture was instantly beloved because it basically says that anything I ask will be answered and not because I am loved, but because I asked. Did I get that right?

Actually, I do that for my own kids when things are entirely inopportune for me, I will do it, regardless, my son arrogantly asks as if he already knows that I will get up and get him what he wants, not because he needs he Cause I could give millons of reasons the convince him that he will not get it, but I get up and do it. Or the time Joseph Smith asked if he could give some scripture plates to Martin Harris, and God said no, so Joseph kept asking. reason suggests the answer would not change cause God does not change, but here we see that he can be wearied into granting things.

It just occured to me that perhaps the disciples may not be the best source to know the teachings of Jesus. Often it is mentioned that they understood him not.

You have my Crochet Hook!

I was thinking this morning about a thing someone said last week, regarding All of the voices in the world screaming for things. As a teen I wrote a song when I had that thought, cause that's what I did with those little notions, now, I write blog posts. President Nelson, a prophet of God said that among all of the voices who was going to be God's voice? He was. Hence we have that cool video message, I truly think more hearts can be reached via Social media than ever could have been reached through say face to face contact and communication. And perhaps it took a pandemic like this to realize the great power we have.

So many directions to go with these thoughts, I will stick to my main premise avoiding the discussion of how we are truly all like a smphony playing our parts that independently seem too small to have meaning, like the videos I saw yesterday on collective minds, seemed like crowdsourcing to me....those surging starling very much remind me of slime mold. There is so much more to social unity than we can sense, but.... blah, so, I keep thinking about the fellowship of the ring movie how each, after Frodo speaks  one by one offers up his strength that the task might be accomplished. 

In my mind, President Nelson represents Frodo and in turn, each of us, can now pledge to help him. Personally, i cannot offer much, but what I can, I will. I remember a comment the "teacher/moderator" of our class said, "You all do not know how good it feels to see all of those little thumbs up appear in approval."

It used to be that people were not allowed to think or read for themselves. It was only through a preacher or some sort of trained religious leader that men could know the word of God. people were not even allowed personal copies of scripture. Well, this age we are not only allowed to share our own thoughts with one another, but we find great strength in such unity. Individual burdens are lightened. 

I no longer am even required to know and do everything, but like Henry Ford discovered anew what the egyptian monument builders already knew, Great things can be accomplished when we focus on our singular task.

At breakfast, we were discussing how Moroni was such a multi talented individual simply because he was able to stay alive for so long,let alone know how to read or write when he was on his own. I had wondered quite a bit how he always  apologized for his weakness in writing. I got it, this morning. I assumed everyone knew how to read and write, but it is to communicate, and he was completely alone for a VERY long time. Where did he get the tools to write. How did he eat? was he a chef, too? I ended feeling very Greatful that we can divide our labors, and I do not need to even know how to make new shoes, or such. If I need to know something, for instance, I can look online, surely someone knows. Yeah, it would be best to pray, or at least pray to verify truth.

Oh, time is running out. I have many things I need to do, so that others can not worry about how their clothes get clean, food gets made, presents get wrapped, etc.

also, check out: https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world-2020