11.8.15

Moroni 10

I finished the Book of Mormon today. And I absolutely love it. I feel so good that I was able to set this goal and accomplish it. I have a deeper understanding and love for my Savior and the Atonement.

In church, I've struggled feeling the Spirit because I get frustrated with wrestling my boys. Today, we sat in the chapel the whole time. Today it hit me. I have this family, my eternal family, because of the Atonement. I am blown away. I feel so loved by that thought. I know the Atonement is a very personal thing for each of us, but that thought just made it more personal to me.

I love you.

11.7.15

Moroni 9:25 My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.

*Don't stress about the past, nothing will change it. All you can do is live, prepare for the future, trust Him.

11.6.15

Moroni 7:9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.

*I've heard it all before, good cannot give evil and evil cannot give good. But today it clicked. It has to do with the INTENT. If we believe in Christ, we will pray with real intent, always, once we have that faith and belief it's hard for us to give up that REAL INTENT. 

(Today is day 97, I only have 3 chapters left, technically it's 2 days of reading and then I am going to do my institute class reading list of conference talks.)

11.5.15

All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devils takes power. - Joseph Smith in Nauvoo (Teachings of Presidents)

*I love this. I have never thought of it this way, and it completely makes sense. I will try harder to not allow the devil any power.

11.4.15

Ether 12:29 And I, Moroni, having heard these words, was comforted, and said: O Lord, thy righteous will be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith;

*ok, honestly, all of 12. It's such a faith building, beautiful chapter. His grace is sufficient.

11.3.15

Ether 8:26 Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.

*Some of our responsibilities and choices will have no affect on this generation, but will affect so many of our posterity.

(I am just going to say : I absolutely, without a single hesitation or doubt, HATE the words affect and effect. Seriously. Who's idea was that?)

11.2.15

Ether 6:9 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.

*I am grateful for music, and how many emotions are evoked with music. I love quite a few of the hymns we sing, and I love piano hymns. It put me at peace and makes me feel loved.

10.31.15

Ether 3:5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.

*I love this! We know the story, Jared's bro goes to the Lord, asking Him to touch the rocks so they'll have light. The bro has such strong faith that the Lord can and will do this that he sees Him! There have been many times I've seen His hand in my life.

Another line stood out in 4: And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man.

*He will do anything and everything He can to benefit and help us. He loves us. I need to look harder for His hand in my life and be more positive about the things that have yet to reveal their benefits.

10.30.15

Mormon 9:31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.

*I've been thinking of my weaknesses and imperfections lately and how, in seeing them, I'm working on making them strengths. It also helps me to ignore the imperfections of others, because they may be working on theirs, and I can't see where they started from. I'm grateful for my point of view and extended understanding.

10.29.15

Mormon 5:13 And this is the commandment which I have received; and behold, they shall come forth according to the commandment of the Lord, when he shall see fit, in his wisdom.

*It's difficult to have our plan work when, more often than not, our plan doesn't align with His plan. We have ideas of what we want, but He knows what we need to become. I'm working on aligning myself with His plan, the more excellent way.

10.28.15

Mormon 2:19 And wo is me because of their wickedness; for my heart has been filled with sorrow because of their wickedness, all my days; nevertheless, I know that I shall be lifted up at the last day.

*For this time, the Lord commanded Mormon to be a silent witness, to NOT preach and cry repentance unto the people. Mormon is to pray for his people. The Lord knows the hearts of all men. Sometimes, ok MOST times, it's best to keep quiet when we see others acting in a way we don't agree with. Pray for them and for peace for you.

10.27.15

4 Nephi 1:3 And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.

*This one made me think. Suddenly, it hit me. It wasn't that they had everything is common, is was that they saw each other as THEMSELVES, and as CHRIST. They loved one another completely and purely.

10.26.15

3 Nephi 27:28 And now I go unto the Father. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you.

*This only works if you ask the Father like this :

D&C 9:8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

*It's not about asking which choice to pick, it's about asking if your choice is the right one. :)

(I have been doing my 100 day challenge along with my conference challenge. Today is #86.)

10.12.15

Helaman 12:2-3
*These ones say that we need to remember the Lord our God when we are going thru time of peace and happiness, not just thru trials and tribulations. He is with us. We must have an attitude of gratitude and cry unto Him in joy and in sorrow. Express our thanks and seek His aid.

**I guess I got super excited for the General Conference Challenge and read today's talk yesterday. :)

10.9.15

Helaman 6:3 Nevertheless, the people of the church did have great joy because of the conversion of the Lamanites, yea, because of the church of God, which had been established among them. And they did fellowship one with another, and did rejoice one with another, and did have great joy.

*I've felt very strongly that my role as a visiting teacher is to be my sister's friend, I need to be there for them at all times, and I need them to feel like they can turn to me whenever they need something. I share the message, or a part of it that touched me. The sisters I visit have called me for all sorts of reasons and emergencies.

Growing up, I didn't feel like I really connected with any of the girls my age. But now that I'm in RS, I try really hard to chat with the sisters and get to know new ones. That feeling of BELONGING is so very important, it's part of what makes us feel loved.

10.8.15

Helaman 5:43 And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.

*When we repent, pray often, and keep His commandments, we each will be encircled by a pillar of fire and the heavens will open, and angels will minister unto us. Have faith, do not doubt what you know to be true.

10.7.15

Helaman 3:35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

*in the verse before this, it says how the faithful members we're being prosecuted and going thru afflictions. NEVERTHELESS....

We must seek Him in all things, while going thru all things. If we pray, fast, seek and study, our hearts will be softened, contentions will cease, and His Spirit will be our companion.

10.6.15

Alma 62:41 But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.

*The war was the same length for them all. But some hearts were hardened and some were softened. It comes down to what they thought of God & Christ. They either saw Them as the cause or the rescuers.

When you have trials, is your heart hardened or softened? Do we turn to Him or away?

10.5.15

Alma 60:20 Have ye forgotten the commandments of the Lord your God? Yea, have ye forgotten the captivity of our fathers? Have ye forgotten the many times we have been delivered out of the hands of our enemies?

*Have you forgotten when the Spirit touched your heart? I try to write down my experiences, but I've lost track of many journals over the years.

This scripture also stuck out.
29 Behold it is time, yea, the time is now at hand, that except ye do bestir yourselves in the defence of... your little ones,

*This hit me hard. :)

10.4.15

Alma 57:27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.

*Hold to the rod with all your might, mind and strength. Stand firm, as a witness at all times, and in all things, and in all places.