2.28.16

Alma 10
*Amulek is speaking to his people in Ammonihah. At first, they're amazed cuz 2 people are preaching the same words. Then it pricks their hearts, and they try to trap them in their words and justify their own actions.
**I'm love the Spirit, and my testimony. It's not hard to CTR when I believe and have faith.

2.27.16

No scripture tonight, just an insight. My homework is due Saturdays by midnight. I usually do it after the boys are in bed. But today, I turned it in during Little K's nap. I'm grafteful I did, cuz tonight was crazy. Little K had to get 4 stitches above his right eye after jumping on a couch. I wouldn't have turned it in by midnight, if I'd waited. I was able to focus on my boys tonight, instead of homework.
*I'm working on following the promptings I get. Sometimes, I'm not in the right mood to listen, I'm working on always being receptive to the Spirit, but it's hard.

2.26.16

Alma 8-9 (9:20-22)
*I'm not going to post them, but these 3 verses include a huge list of blessings the Nephites have received by the hand of the Lord. Reading this long list, got me thinking (& counting) my own blessings. When I'm at that rough part of my week, I need to count my blessings & say thanks.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high. 

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done. 

2.25.16

Alma 6-7 (7:26)
26 And now my beloved brethren, I have spoken these words unto you according to the Spirit which testifieth in me; and my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, because of the exceeding diligence and heed which ye have given unto my word.
*This would have been an awesome Testimony meeting.

2.24.16

Alma 5 (26)
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
*What do you, Bryana, need to do today to feel His presence, to feel the Spirit, to feel His love?
**I love Alma 5, it is beautifully written, and Alma's testimony is so powerful. I am an Alma. I married an Alma. I need to record my testimony for my children.

2.23.16

Alma 4 (3)
3 And so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause to mourn; and they believed that it was the judgments of God sent upon them because of their wickedness and their abominations; therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty.
*Many things awaken me to a remembrance of my duty, I try very hard to see those things every day, so I don't forget. It's easy to forget, to lose faith when trials come. But look to Him.

2.22.16

Alma 2-3 (2:30)
30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.
*Alma prayed with faith, but not for selfish reasons. Sometimes our prayers are answered because we are thinking of others and not of ourselves. He wanted to be spared so he could help his people, not himself.

2.21.16

Alma 1:25
25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.
*Stand tall and strong, be faithful when trials come. He is here.

2.20.16

Mosiah 28-29 (29:39)
39...and they were exceedingly rejoiced because of the liberty which had been granted unto them.
*This liberty, this power of choice, is why each of us is here. Having options is the whole reason we came to this earth. This is the plan!

2.19.16

Mosiah 27
25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind... must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;
*At some point in our lives, we must make the choice to be converted to His gospel, to truly be a changed being. From that point, it's either forward or backward, there is no standing still.

2.18.16

From institute. Mark 5:34
34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
*The woman with the issue of blood reaches for her Savior, she knows if she touches His clothes, she'll be healed. As she touches the hem, she is made whole. Christ turns to see her, for 12 years she has spent every penny to find a cure, and He says, Your spirit is now whole as well as your body. She is clean.
*I have always loved this story, but tonight, it hit me right in the feels. I realized that each of us, at one point in our lives, is that woman. I've felt it lately, because of my migraines. She touched His clothes, she should have been condemned by the law, but He is the law and forgives her. By touching Him, she made Him unclean (by the law) but He cleansed her, purified her, atoned for her. She spent every penny she had trying to get relief, many physicians, with no relief. I feel that I had done the same, I've tried so hard to make the migraines stop, thrown so much money and so many doctors visits at it, with no relief. But we both took a step of faith, her touching His clothes, and I getting my ears pierced. Both, after years of searching, have relieved us of our pains, our aching. I wish mine had been solved by turning to Him, but I feel comfort in knowing I have tried everything (honestly, EVERYTHING!) and now I finally have relief. I know there have been many, oh so many, miracles in my life. I feel that getting the piercings is yet another miracle.

2.17.16

Mosiah 25-26 (26:16)
16 And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the words alone which thou hast spoken unto them.
*I love this. There have been many times during GenConf where my heart has swelled and I have felt the Spirit strong. Think of when the Spirit has testified to you.

2.16.16

Mosiah 24 (12)
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.
*I believe this is what it means to pray unceasingly. Always carry a prayer in your heart and pour it out into the Lord.

2.15.16

Mosiah 22-23 (23:21)
21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.
*I have to work harder at always being willing to prove faithful to the Lord. The trials we're given are never meant to break us, but to strengthen us & bring us closer to Him.

2.14.16

Mosiah 19-21 (21:14)
14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions.
*Humility is where it starts. I'm learning more each day, what it means to be child-like. I'm seeing my boys ask WHY a lot, but while asking they're doing what I've asked of them. Obedience is key, we can ask why, but keep doing.

2.13.16

Mosiah 18 (11)
11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.
*I need to be better at rejoicing upon hearing His word. I also need to share this desire of my heart, with others. One day at a time, one hour, one minute.

2.12.16

Mosiah 16-17 (17:11-12)
11 And now king Noah was about to release him, for he feared his word...
12 But the priests lifted up their voices against him...Therefore the king was stirred up in anger against him...
*When you act a certain way, it's hard to turn and make a change- especially when those around you know you to be a certain way.
*Have faith, have courage.

2.11.16

Mosiah 13-15 (15:11)
11 Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets... those who have hearkened unto their words... that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God.
*We are His seed, we are who declare His word. We are the joint-heirs of the kingdom.

2.10.16

Mosiah 11-12 (12:27)
27 Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?
*You cannot teach what you do not know. You cannot know without seeking. We must first seek to KNOW for ourselves, then can we teach others. That's why our trials are blessings, we can then help others, and let them know they are not alone, that we walk with them.

2.9.16

Mosiah 8-10 (8:18)
18 Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.
*He is the Light we need to see our way thru the wilderness. We are here for joy, and helping others to find joy. Our trials are to make us strong, and strengthen others. You are not alone. You are never alone.

2.8.16

Mosiah 6-7 (6:3)
3...Also had appointed priests to teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the commandments of God, and to stir them up in remembrance of the oath which they had made...
*I've found that in Conf and in Church, if a certain scripture or topic pricks my heart or I get annoyed, it's because I am being stirred to remembrance of my covenants. Like the HG is whispering- you're slacking, girl.

2.7.16

Mosiah 4-5 (4:27)
27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.
*Work diligently in every goal and effort in your life. Even the routine tasks. Make a plan, creating goals, don't rush. The Lord will strengthen there.

2.6.16

Mosiah 3 (15)
15 And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them...
*My institute teacher challenged us last week to look for Christmas in every aspect of our lives. When it rains. When you cook. When you play with your family. Today, doing the dishes I saw Him. I cleaned a cup and thought how many times I've cleaned that cup, and I will continue to do so every time it gets dirty. Because it's mine.

2.5.16

Tonight Mr. and I had the opportunity to clean the Ogden Temple. It was an amazing experience. It was a totally new temple experience. The Spirit was still there, it was calm and peaceful, but it was wonderful to serve to Lord in a new way. We got to walk around the Temple and in all the sealing rooms. It was a chance to become more familiar with the Temple. It also made me realize how much I need to be familiar with the Spirit and the Temple.

2.4.16

Mosiah 1-2 (2:11)
11...I was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a [wife and mother] over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.
*Suffered means allowed, permitted. I also put in CALLED.
*Each of us has a specific calling in this life, given to us by Heavenly Father. He knows where each of us is, and when and where that calling will enter our lives. It's HIS timing, not ours. I do feel that each of us will know in our hearts when we have gotten to our called position.

2.3.16

WofM (4)
4...I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass
*Their fathers were witness to the prophecies being fulfilled.
*A while after my patriarchal blessing, I was positive that it would NOT come to pass. There wouldn't be a temple marriage, or kids, or a love of genealogy. But I'm reminded: our plan is not always His plan.

2.2.16

Enos-Jarom-Omni (E:17)
17 And I, [Bryana], knew it would be according to the covenant which he had made; wherefore my soul did rest.
*When I read this, my name just slipped in there. I receive so much peace and comfort from my covenants, from knowing Heavenly Father will always be there. I just have to continue to progress and never stop learning of Him and His word. Never stop seeking Him.

2.1.16

Jacob 6-7 (7:5)
5 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things;... wherefore, I could not be shaken.
*We must trust in our testimony and in our blessings and revelations. I will NOT be shaken!

1.31.16

Jacob 5 (22)
22 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit.
*Even if we think we've been planted in the wrong spot, or think we should have other blessings- always know : the Lord knows EXACTLY where He planted you. He knows EXACTLY the blessings given. He hasn't forgotten.