2 Nephi 31:20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
*This is the 2016 mutual theme. I'll be studying it in my journal, cuz it's awesome.
*I love it. Eternal life is not just given to us. We work for it.
Moroni 10:8 And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.
*He has given us so many gifts. Each has talents we only need to explore. Do not hide them, invest in them, grow them.
Come & eat.
The table is set, we need only to partake of the bountiful gospel He has prepared for us. Alma 5:34
*Every day, with all the little things you do in your home, even in the little directions you give (wash your hands, clean your room...), in what may seem mundane, routine, and unexciting, you are actually teaching the gospel, and you can share these ideas with your children.
**I'm going to try and seek out those teaching moments.
Go ask your father.
Doc&Cov 19:38 Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing-yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.
39 Behold, canst thou read this without rejoicing and lifting up thy heart for gladness?
Alma 7:11-12 =The Lord eagerly awaits the invitation to come and succor us. (Succor = TO RUN TO)
Pray unceasingly, speak with Him.
Help your sister.
We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:
Faith Divine Nature Individual Worth Knowledge Choice and Accountability Good Works Integrity and Virtue
We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.
*We are children of God, we stand together, always.
Jan 2016 Presidency message:
Loving disciples of Christ pray and work for such a blessing for others and for themselves. From accounts in the Book of Mormon and, for many of us, from our own experience, we know that the gift of happiness is attainable. We know that the path to happiness is well marked. We also know that maintaining happiness is not easy unless, as with the Nephites after the Savior's visit, the love of God dwells in our hearts.
*Alma 13:28-29
Clean your room.
We have been asked to maintain a spiritual environment in our homes. We need to have a righteous environment so the Spirit of the Lord would be comfortable in the room, so that He may come to us, answer our prayers.
*Neal A. Maxwell- Just as the rising generation is here now, by divine design so are we who have been placed just ahead of them. This is not by accident.
**Welcome Him into your home, your lives and you will know peace.
Change your attitude.
Mosiah 4:O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, AND our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.
*Thru the Atonement, our sins are forgiven AND our hearts are changed and healed. He is the Healer.
Wash your hands
Alma 12:14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.
- We are not spotless but repentance is the "hot soapy water" that can make us clean and repair our souls that our
(Doc&Cov 121:45)...confidence [will] wax strong in the presence of God...
*Repentance not only cleanses our hands, but changes, heals our heart.
Uchtdorf. Happiness your heritage.
An instrument in His hands.
In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers.
*I absolutely love this.
The work of creation.
Uchtdorf, Happiness your heritage.
The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.
We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. Our birthright and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.
*Men are that they might have joy. I've seen you create amazing things.
Moses 1:39 For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
*Creating and being compassionate are 2 objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father's perfect happiness. These are 2 activities that we, as His spirit children, should and can emulate. Have I done any good in the world today?
Compassion : sympathetic consciousness of other's distress together with a desire to alleviate it.
Doc & Cov 6:20 Behold, thou art [Bryana], and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.
*Sometimes we undervalue our abilities. We focus on what is lacking rather than what has been accomplished.
*When we ask Him in prayer we must listen for how He answers us. He answers us each differently.
Day 21
What mean these stones?
Josh 4:6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
*History proves the love the Lord has for His people and His willingness and ability to lead them to a promised land.
*What stones have you shouldered and placed as a memorial of your journey? I hope you bear them proudly, every stone you have put on your shoulders is just another chapter in your legacy. He leads me, He leads me along.
Day 20
Art thou only a stranger
Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures
Doc&Cov 88:63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
*My life has been so busy lately I haven't recognized the blessings around me. I need to seek for Him and see.
Day 19
Seek for more
John 20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him...Master.
*She was searching for Him. Do I recognize the Lord's voice? Am I preparing to hear His voice? I must search for Him, to prepare to hear.
Day 18
After all.
Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
*I love this. Tonight it made me look at what I've been struggling with. Have I taken it to the Lord? Let Him know I'm aware of it?
Doc & Cov 64:31 And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it.
32 But all things must come to pass in their time.
*I have so many marvelous plans, in my head they're beautiful and they work out perfect. Most times, oh so often, my plans never ever work out even remotely close to what's in my head. I've come to recognize that the Lord's Hand is over everything and His timing is perfect, even for the little things, the little insignificant chores and tasks. He sees me, my life, my whole heart. He knows where and who I need to be and when.
Day 17
What lack I yet
Mark 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
*Do we go the extra mile when serving? Do we willingly give all we have to serve the Lord? It means that we are always on the Lord's errand. Extend your reach.
Day 16
Help thine my unbelief
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
*Part of the promise of the Atonement is the blessing that comes after we have done all that we can do. When we aren't enough, He can make up the difference. But we must ask the Father, in Christ's name, for the added strength.
We must believe that after all we can, He can fill what's empty, straighten our bent parts, & make strong what's weak. He can make us enough.
Doc & Cov 6:14 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time.
6:20 Behold, thou art [Bryana], and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.
*Put your name in 20.
I love these scriptures. They comfort me.
Day 15
The sycomore tree.
Luke 19:4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
*Zacchaeus removed himself from his busy life and climbed a tree to see the Savior clearly. Where is your sycomore tree, your sacred haven?
Day 14
The better part.
Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
*Martha was cumbered to serve. Each day we have the opportunity to give the better part. We too may feel cumbered and troubled about many things, but we can take the opportunity to lift and brighten the lives of others by simply doing that which we do best.
What are you best at? How can your gift bring joy to others?
Day 13
Out of darkness.
Isaiah 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.
11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
*We must continue to follow the prophets, but without apathy. We must be strong in our convictions of the gospel. We cannot lead ourselves to the Celestial kingdom, He leads us.
Day 12
The Gift.
Luke 17:18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
*If we turn to the Savior and seek His counsel, we too can be healed and given the chance to live again. Turn to Him and He can AND WILL help us to strengthen our weakness. May we thank Him for blessing us.
Day 11
Calm the waters.
2 Ne 25:26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
*To keep the focus on the Lord each day we
Talk- Do our conversations with friends and family reflect our daily experiences with Christ?
Rejoice- Do we rejoice when our prayers are answered?
Preach- FHE? Do we find opportunities to teach of Him in our home?
When we focus on Him, the stormy world around us disappears. When we take our eyes off Him, we sink.
Day 10
Stand.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Stand by faith-Rom 11:20
Stand fast in the faith-1 Cor 16:13
Stand and testify-Alma 5:44
Stand spotless-3 Ne 27:20
Stand in the place of our stewardship-D&C 42:53
Stand in holy places-D&C 45:32
Stand as a witness-Mosiah 18:9
Take upon us the Lord's whole armor, that we may be able to stand-D&C 27:15
Having done all to stand for truth, righteousness, peace & faith-Eph 6:13
Day 9
Ancient Keys.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (I love this scripture, we talked about it in institute, in class, after class & now in my reading!)
Hinckley-It is the opportunity, the responsibility of every man & woman in this church to obtain a conviction of the truth of this great latter-day work & those who stand at its head, even the Living God and the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Recognize His voice.
John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
*He leads us, protects us, heals us, defends us, and comforts us. We show our devotion to the Shepherd when we choose to listen to His voice & to come when we are called. His concerned and consistent call will beckon to us daily.
We must remember there is only One who has set aside everything to seek us.
Day 7
Promise without a parallel.
Moroni 7:26... Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.
*Not many people can run 6 miles the 1st time they take up jogging. So it is with answers. We learn to receive them, a step at a time, until we become familiar enough with the answers to prayer to appreciate them everywhere around us. As we become more familiar with the way He answers us, we will learn to pray more often.
** Favorite -> D&C 6:14
Day 6
When hope is gone.
Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
*When Christ was suffering in the garden, the last of His strength fleeting, He was sent an angel to strengthen Him. In our darkest hours, when we require strength to just exist, He will send us angels to help us through. The Lord will be always near you.
Day 5
Who is this Jesus?
John 4:7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
*It started as just a mundane daily chore, she got water from the well. But she was taught a lesson and given the Living Water. Some of our greatest learning moments come as we go about our ordinary daily tasks. Seek the "pearls in the field" every hour. See the heavenly blessings that surround you.
