3rd Nephi and The Conversion and Testimony of the Gospel by Harvey LaVerne Cottrell, my Dad.

3^rd Nephi and The Conversion and Testimony of the Gospel by Harvey LaVerne Cottrell, my Dad.

    

   “It’s in the morning of September 28^th, 1984. I woke up with quite a bit of pain about 1:30 in the morning. The pain medication finally took hold and I was going to give a descriptive experience that was happening to me that was led by the Holy Ghost and talk into this recording device that had been given to me by the Lord I’m sure. And I uh hadn’t turned it on at the right time or I didn’t hit the right button or something but as I went to play it back as I was going to listen to my beautiful words I was expounding on. I went to play it back and the tape was blank.  So evidently something was supposed to happen before I was to make this tape to start my journal. Well their is two missionaries working with me. I’m taking the lessons my daughter requested of me when she was going away on her mission when she was killed in a car wreck about 4 months into her mission. I was quite surprised the tape was blank. I thought I was well enough and I had my faculties well about me and knew how to run this thing. But evidently I was doing something wrong and something more was supposed to happen before I made the tape. So I stalled around doing some research on how I’m experiencing Reaganism as a vet. But some time went by and some other events happened that I won’t expound on. However I did start reading (3^rd) Nephi in Chapter 11 like the missionaries that are teaching me the lessons that they instructed, yesterday when they were here to see me. Uh as soon as I started reading I knew before I had got to the words of the 7^th verse of (3^rd) Nephi chapter eleven that I had truly found the true gospel of Jesus Christ. A great calm has come over me. I went on to read into chapter 12. However the Lord has answered my prayer. I prayed with the missionaries when they were here. They instructed me that I would know if I asked in earnest weather this book was the true gospel and hey it didn’t take long for me to turn around and to get rid of all fears and doubts and contention in my heart. I just praise the Lord that this is happening to me. I’ve a led a sinful and neglectful life spiritually.  Although I’ve done some terrible things I’ve done some good things too. But uh if I remember the old Baptist preaching that we aren’t saved by works alone. I’m sure getting an education this stay in the hospital and just praise the Lord. This is my testimony.” Harvey LaVerne Cottrell

     Whenever I am reading the Book of Mormon and I come to 3^rd Nephi chapters 11, 12 and on I am reminded of this special testimony of my father’s that he left recorded for me. The day his prayer was answered to know that the gospel was true. To know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was the restored gospel on this earth. Restored by Joseph Smith and is led by a living prophet and apostles today. That it was the gospel that had all the keys of the priesthood to perform baptism and the other saving ordinances. He learned that it is the path to return to live with God and our Savior Jesus Christ again. It’s the path for forever families.  He learned that my sister who was killed in a car accident on her mission left home to teach others this same truth and continued her mission in the spirit world for however long God wanted her too.

     

     My dad accepted the gospel on September 28^th, 1984. Was baptized on October 7^th, 1984. Was finally diagnosed with why he was so sick. It was terminal cancer. He died on October 13^th, 1984. He accepted the gospel before he knew he was literally dying. 

My dad at his baptism. Dad is in the back left. These are the two missionaries that taught him.Elder Bonner and Elder Esplin and a friend of his named Jerry. 

      In 3 Nephi where my dad was reading is about Christ when he visits the American continent after his crucifixion by the Jews. He said he started reading in chapter 11 and before he got to verse 7 he knew. Verse 7 God is introducing his Son Jesus Christ to the Nephites. He said “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name – hear him.”  In verse 8 “And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them…” Verse 10 he introduces himself “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.” The Book of Mormon is a 2^nd testament of Jesus Christ that a prophet who lived long ago complied the records of the Nephites, Lamanites and others who inhabited the American continent long ago for us to have and read in our day. To bring us to Christ and his gospel.

     3^rd Nephi chapters 11 – 29 Christ is among the people teaching them all that he taught the Jews. He teaches His gospel. Faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. He teaches he is the light of the world. He teaches the beatitudes. He tells them to let their light shine unto the people and do good works to glorify the Father. He taught so many things. A few are do not be angry with your brother, daily take up your cross and deny yourself the appetites of the flesh, turn your cheek, love your enemies, bless them that curse you do good to them, pray for them, serve others but not for the glory of men. He taught them how to pray using the Lord’s Prayer. Forgive others. Lay up treasure in heaven not on earth. You can’t serve two masters, ye cannot serve God and the devil. He taught many things on how to be more like the Savior. 3^rd Nephi 14 verses 24 – 27 tells that those who heareth His sayings and do them shall be like a wise man, who built his house upon a rock. When the rain descended, and the floods came, and the wind blew it fell not because it was built upon a rock. But those heareth these sayings and do them not shall be like a foolish man who builds on the sand and the rain and wind comes and beat upon the house and it falls away.  My dad was converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ because of the teachings of Jesus Christ in 3^rd Nephi.  I will be forever grateful.

     A side note of interest… My mom and dad were divorced when I was around 2-3 years old. He did live a sinful life. He was an alcoholic, smoked and who knows what else. But this I do know. He loved me and my little sister. He was a good man and his life was more than drinking though and I need to write it down for posterity.  He would come and take us out for hamburgers. I do have good memories of that and others. He was a good grandpa and loved my kids. Joshua (my 3rd child) was 1 when my dad died. Dad died of a cancer that was caused by his lifestyle. I’m grateful to know that there is a life after death and he could still learn on the other side to keep his testimony growing. My sister, his daughter was there to greet him as we lost him.

This picture was taken the summer of 1984. 3 months before he got so sick and died. 

Dad(Harvey), Joshua, Me (Linda), Larry,

Misty and Rachel. 

and yes I made us matching shirts...

Blessed Art Thou ____________

Blessed Art Thou ________

Nephi was a great prophet in the Book of Mormon around 23 B.C. He was so faithful in teaching God’s word and performing his work that the Lord said unto him in Helaman 10:4 “Blessed are thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people… but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

Nephi served the Lord’s people with unwearyingness.  A great example to us all in our service in God’s kingdom. I know I could do better in serving my fellowmen. Not only in sharing God’s word but in serving others over and above my callings and my family.

I have to choose another attribute of Christ to work on this section of the semester for class and I have chosen service. I know that is an area I can “work” on and improve. I want to hear one day “Blessed art thou Linda for those things which thou hast done.”  

We have been taught in Mosiah 2:17 that when we are in the service of our fellow beings we are in the service of God.  

Pray Anywhere, Anytime

When we pray are we reciting words or communicating with God, our Father in Heaven?

     In the Book of Mormon is a story of a group of people that lost the site of prayer. In Alma 31 the prophet Alma heads a mission to go preach to the Zoramites. The Zoramites are a group of people that  had the gospel preached to them but broke off from the Nephites and fell away from Christ teachings. Because of this they had fallen into great errors. One of these errors was the way they prayed and worshiped. As it says in Alma 31:12 they would gather themselves together one day a week and then worship in a way the astonished Alma and his brethren. One day a week they would climb a tower that they had built which was high above the head and only admitted one person at a time. This one person then would say as I paraphrase Alma 31:15 Holy God we believe you are God. You are a spirit and we believe that since we are so wonderful, terrific and magnificent you separated from our brethren and we will be saved and they won’t. There isn’t a Christ because I’m sure we don’t need one because we are so good. Yep we are awesome and we are the chosen ones.  Then after every one worshiped like that they would leave and go home and not think about praying or worshiping God at all till the next week.

     Could you just picture Alma’s jaw dropping open looking at his fellow missionaries and saying “SAY WHAT?” As it says in Alma 31: 24 Alma was grieved. He was grieved unto sorrow for this people. He prayed for comfort from the Lord as he and his fellow missionaries would preach unto this people and share the gospel with success.  Did they have any success?

     As Alma was preaching unto the people a large group of people came to him. These people were poor and were not allowed in the synagogues or on the tower to pray and worship. They asked Alma how can we pray? We are cast out of our places of worship. Alma lovingly turned around and taught them that they can pray anywhere and anytime. They don’t need a tower, they don’t need to be rich, and they can pray always.  God wants to hear from us every single day throughout the day. We can pray always and anywhere.

     In Alma 33 starting in verse 3 Alma asked the people if they remembered the prophet Zeno’s teaching on prayer. This is where is gets exciting as Alma teaches  3 Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophetof old, has said concerning prayer or worship?

 4 For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea,thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning 

those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.

 5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.

 6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.

 7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.

 8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them.

 9 Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations    

     These people were taught many things. In Alma 34 they again were taught about prayer by Amulek.

18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

 19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

 20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

 21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

 22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

 23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

 24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

 25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

 26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of 
those who are around you.

     Did you read anything about needing a tower to pray upon? I didn’t. The prophets have taught that we can pray anywhere and over all those things that matter to us. Even pray for your enemies.  We don’t have a set of words to pray. We pray from our heart to a loving Heavenly Father who wants what is best for us. We can talk to him and importantly we can to listen to see what he has to say to us.

     I received a text with a precious picture in it of my almost 2 year old grandson this last week. He has been taught by goodly parents who love the Lord and our Heavenly Father about prayer. This precious child of God knows he can pray anywhere. He got the scriptures, climbed on the chair, folded his arms and bowed his head and started talking.  Sweet boy.