Preach Jesus by conversation

IIn the hymn "Faith of our Fathers," it talks about preaching about God by loving others and using kind words and living a virtuous life. I love that. My words and they way I talk about people and things should be different. It should reflect my belief in God. It should be a sign to God of how I feel about Him. It is one way I can show that I have "taken His name upon me." I think that will be a New Years resolution--to have conversation that preaches. 

The footnote leads to this: 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Phil 1:27).

So cool. I don't know exactly how this relates to fathers/ancestors. But I still like it. 

"And preach thee, too, as love knows how, By kindly words and virtuous life."

Yield our hearts to God

Neill F. Marriott gave a really good talk about yield or hearts into God. The last while ice been uncomfortable at hush and even sometimes talking about church things. When I'm in my own or talking to Joseph about it, I feel fine. But when I'm at church or in a larger group of people, I don't like it that much. I feel annoyed with church culture, and I feel like there are so many other good people that aren't Mormon. I guess I can't really out my finger on what was bugging me. Anyway, I knew Heavenly Father is stretching me. There have been two things that have come out of these thoughts and feelings that are really good: 1) I never want to do anything again for the praise of man. I've done a lot of things to be seen of man. I have spent lots of my life wanting people to notice my efforts and service. I haven't done things quietly for only God to see. For some reason, this experience has made me sick at that idea now. And it's helped me recognize times that I've done  that without noticing it or meaning to.  The idea of other people noticing how i have served or whatever makes me nauseous. It's something that kills me about Mormon culture, and that I no longer can allow in myself. 2) I want to do things for God. Including being a member of the Church. I really want to be here. I'm still working on it, and I'm still having hard and prideful feelings. But I am working through them. 

Anyway this talk in 10/15 helped me so so much. I realized I need to open myself to the Spirit. Here's a few thoughts from it. 

This poem that she shares is moving to me. When I first read it, I tried to envision myself saying those words. Honestly o felt like that feeling was rusty. Like I couldn't quite say it without a tinge of resistance. I don't know why that is. I think I've been thinking a bit too much about myself and what I want and need and feel, instead of what God wants for me. Those feelings have been necessary, though, part of the process. Part of the reason I have felt this way, resistance, is because I don't want to be like everyone else. I don't want Him to make me into a cookie-cutter Mormon. But He won't; I just need to realize and feel that more. 

I like the line "yielded and still." To yield myself, I need to be obedient, I need to be repentant, and I need to be willing to do what He eventually asks me to 

do. 

She says to begin yielding our hearts to him by praying for understanding and learning about Him. "As our trust in Him grows, we open our hearts, seek to do His will, and wait for answers that will help us understand. 

After I repent, ask, is there more? What is limiting my access to guidance? 

We can only receive healing or knowledge from God after or hearts are broken and contrite. "The result of sacrificing our heart, or our will, to the Lord is that we receive the spiritual guidance we need." That's literally what Heavenly Father wants from me: a broken heart and a contrite spirit! Because then He can actually change me and improve me and truly bless me. 

Take time to think of the baby

There's a really sweet article in the December Ensign about Christmas. Christofferson advised me to relax and not be overwhelmed or even focused on what was to come in the Savior's life, but to just think about the little baby. To sit in front of a warm fire and let it warm me. Reflecting on the sweet, serene hours of his birth will warm me and comfort me and help me know how the Lord feels about my offering. Use this same idea when praying, to just be in His presence. I don't have to be perfect or the best at anything or really strong to just be with God. 

I like that advice a lot. I'm going to do it. 

Have compassion!

Have compassion!

If ye disobey, ye have no promise.

For some reason that idea is so poignant to me tonight. I have heard that a lot throughout my life, but I guess I've had enough of life now that I have learned it in my heart instead of just my head. Mostly from watching people. Maybe it's sticking more tonight because there are things j I need to do better, to better keep my end of a promise so that Heavenly Father can keep His. 

Helaman 4:11 Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God.

D&C 82:10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.

It's true! It's logical, even. And clear. We shouldn't have any questions about it. 

What I can think of is being kind and loving and understanding toward others. I need to do that better. And if I don't, Heavenly Father can't help me be forgiving or forgiven or help me with my self-esteem or other things. He can't bless me with as much love if I'm not seeking for it for others. 

Asking good questions

When creating questions to ask, think about the kind of answer you want to elicit. Stay away from questions that have just one, verifiable answer. 

Example: Read a passage and then ask, "Which of these verses causes the deepest feelings inside of you?" 

Ask the second question first. Example: Why is faith very important to you? (Instead of asking that after asking, is faith important to you?) 

Write down questions beforehand. Then read them aloud and ask, what will those I teach do with that question? I may to rephrase the question after reflecting on that. (Certain questions work better for certain classes, and that's fine.) (Use this technique in the home as well.)

Example: About Christmas readings: At what times or moments in your life has the birth of the Savior had the most meaning to you?

Concerning the events surrounding his birth, what has the most meaning for you? 

Through a parent's eyes

Only when we see through Heavenly Father’s eyes can we be filled with “the pure love of Christ.” Every day we should plead with God for this love. Mormon admonished, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.”

Renlund. So good. 

Where did Nephi get his testimony?

That's what I really want to know. So I'm skimming the first 15 chapters, and here is what I am finding:

*he learned a lot from watching his father

*he had great knowledge from God and knew the goodness and mysteries ofhim (but how?)

*he asked lots of questions

*he recognized his potential and calling (1:1)

*he had great desire to know the mysteries of God (2:15)

*asked for help (2:16). This verse that although the desire was there, things still didn't all come easily all the time for Nephi. He had doubts and questions too.   

*had faith

*sought diligently and humbly 

*believed in God's promises to him (2:19-22)

*he spoke with the lord and trusted him  (3:1)

*didn't murmur (3:5-6)

*gave his brothers opportunities to succeed and try again 

*quickly obeyed (3:7)

*trusted the lord to lead him (3:7)

*didn't give up easily (3:15)

*understood why they need scriptures, so he didn't just obey blindly 

*helps his brothers understand; taught with power and authority (3:16-20)

*had testimony-strengthening experiences, like seeing God's hand in helping them get the plates 

*obeyed even when it was hard (4:10)

*put God's will first (4:14)

*reached out to others, wanted to help zoram (4:32)

*he read and heard the scriptures (6) and saw the value in them 

*honored his father and was obedient to him (7:2)

*didn't take things personally, but was form toward his brothers in explaining how they were rebelling against God (not that they were rebelling against

 Nephi)

He asked Laman and Lemuel, how is it that yet have forgotten. This question shows that much of Nephi's faith rested on things he had seen or experienced or felt. The different between N and L/L is N had a good memory. N remembered what the Lord had done and who the Lord was and let that work in his heart to prove to him what the Lord could do.  But L/L, who had experienced some of the same things. Had never let it sink in and change them. They'd just forgotten it all. N understood this, and approached his lectures to them in a way to try to help them remember what they already had experienced and what they should have known to be true. 

The Lord maketh no such thing known

1 Nephi 15:9. Nephi asks his brothers if they have inquired of the Lord to know the truthfulness of something. They said no and that the Lord didn't tell them anything. Although this connect (or disconnect) is so clear when reading these scriptures--if we don't ask, we may not receive--it's still hard to remember. I sometimes wait for the Lord to tell me something, like if something is true or not true. And oftentimes I'm too lazy to ask Him, or to go through the truth-finding process. If the answer doesn't come immediately (before asking) and I am uncertain, I need to ask Him. I'm sure He wants me to go through frequent conversions and reconvictions. 

Ponderize verses

I liked this verse becaus I was (and still am) trying to learn more about my family history. And this verse helped me take it seriously and have the desire to do it.

I loved the second half of this scripture (teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ). This is Alma 37. Richard G. Scott's obituary/biography said that he lacked confidence in himself at an early age because he "didn't quite understand the gospel," as he put it. I can withstand temptation with faith in Jesus  and understanding of His gospel.

I like 16 (2 Nephi 4). I have seen and heard and experienced so many wonderful things. I should focus and ponder on them!

John 15:7: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." 

Alma 41:15 "For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all."

Knowing Christ=wanting to repent

And Alma 37 was good today. It reminded me that knowing and learning of Christ naturally makes us want to repent. And that we can withstand any temptation with our faith in Christ. 

And in verse 9 it says, the knowledge of the scriptures "brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God." So great. I love how those two things work together. 

See that ye do them

Mosiah 3 talks about the Atonement. 4 talks about how to use it. Benjamin says to believe! Humble yourself and believe in God, in Christ, in the Atonement. Then he says to believe that we must repent. I love that. It's like, believe that you aren't doing everything right and that you need to fix stuff and constantly be changing and growing and not stagnant. 

GC

Lawrence: if we don't seek ways to improve, if we don't ask what lack I yet, we could miss out on opportunities Heavenly Father has organized and created for us to improve. 

Family history

I am doing it! For some reason I finally have the motivation. I feel blessed about that. Last week I read a story about Henry G Boyle and it gave me lots of courage to do what is right. It was a story about his conversion and how he wanted to do what was right no matter his familial or social persecution. He even beat up a guy about it!

I'm doing 10 minutes of family history per day and also ponderizing this verse: 

Mosiah 4

I like how this chapter talks about love and service, without regard to the servee's merit, level of righteousness, faith, etc. 

It brings me comfort about how I treat homosexuals. 

Repentance and peace of conscience

Mosiah 4 wraps up repentance pretty well in just the first few verses. First I my view myself in the state rhat I am--guilty, human, imperfect, unable to clear myself of my own wrongdoings. Then I must tell God about it and ask for mercy and for the Atonement to cleanse me. And then exercise faith that He can and He will. And with having faith, I must remember that Jesus Christ created the earth and the heaven, and that He will "come down unto the children of men," or come and help me. 

Peace of conscience. What a valuable thing. Priceless. And it only comes through faith in Jesus. It can't come from anything else. 

Power

Power comes from God (Jacob 4:6-7). It is onto to help us. It is so that we can have it if we have faith. It is so that we can bring glory to God (Alma 8). God doesn't have power over us. Only we have power over ourselves and the agency to choose to change or hearts. So no one can have power over anyone else. Besides material and physical power...big of which are amazingly abused by humankind. 

"The Savior uses his power to redeem and empower us." Ensign, Sept 2015, pg 7

What the truth does for you

Sets you free (John 8:32)

Physically free and spiritually free

You know Christ better (John 8:32-35)

Chases darkness from you (D&C 50:25)

Know he truth of all things, so you know what isn't true too (Moroni 10:5)

Faith Hope Charity

When I am humble, I can be blessed with faith and hope. And then if I am a true follower of Christ, I will be blessed with charity, the pure love of Christ. 

I feel charity sometimes:

•Sometimes when I am in public and see people I don't know, I feel a love for them because they are my brother or sister. And I want to share the good news with them.

•I feel so much love and patience for Beth and Quinn.

•I feel a lot of love for Josh right now and his good sides. 

The Sacrament is like Baptism

Moroni 6 is goods I read it this time replacing baptism with sacrament. It made me want to take the sacrament more seriously, to think about Jesus and to have already repented and to have a contrite spirit and broken heart when I do.

Anger--Is it ok?

I'm learning a little bit about anger. I feel like I am mistaken in my understanding of it, like I have a misconception of what it is. And how to handle it and if it is ok to experience it. Honestly I think it is. Of course it's how we handle it that causes the spirit to leave or creates the need to repent. 

In April 2015 Ensign there is an article about weakness and it discusses anger. It says anger is a weakness. All these years I've seen it as a sin, but then it's been very difficult to "repent" of. It's because I don't need to repent of a weakness. Instead, I need to apply Ether 12:27 and seek the grace of the Atonement to help me overcome it. I shouldn't force myself to feel guilty about feeling angry about something. It is still a weakness at that point, not a sin. When I don't take care of it, or when I disobey the Spirit in how I handle it, then it becomes a sin and therefore something I need to repent of. 

What to do to overcome weakness:

•Ponder and pray to understand if the is a sin or a weakness and then what should be done about it. 

•Tackle one at a time. 

•Plan what to do, supports when things are hard, what action to take, how to study it, etc. 

•Be patient! "Patience is a manifestation of our faith in the Lord, gratitude for His confidence in us, and trust in His promises."

•Realize that weaknesses aren't sins and don't keep us from being clean and worthy of the Spirit. 

Ask myself, who am I going to give his weakness to? Satan or God? If Satan, it becomes a sin; if God, it becomes a strength, (although He may not eliminate it). 

I am inherently good. 

Hope

Hope is a gift (Alma 58:10-11). It's also a commandment to have hope (2 Nephi 31:20). Hope comes from faith. Faith comes first. Hope leads to active belief that something will happen. Having hope helps us do good things (Ether 12:4). Hope leads to peace in this life. Hope is an anchor. Maybe part of "working out our salvation" is to have hope. Hope that we will make it back to Him. Hope is the opposite of doubt. We are saved by hope (Romans 8:24-25), which makes me think having hope is part of working out our salvation. Hope is patiently waiting, rather than seeing. 

Come unto him

Repent. 

Choose Him to be my Savior. 

Think about Him.

Study about Him.

Try to be like Him.

Do what He would do. 

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

Joshua 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Prayer is worship

Prayer is a form of worship. And Heavenly Father doesn't want me to just be a Sunday disciple. He wants me to worship Him every day. He wants me to commune with Him every day. In Alma 33, Zenos thanks God for hearing him in any situation and location, "because of [his] afflictions and [his] sincerity," or his humility and sincerity. On Zenos's side. But it was "because of thy Son that thou hast been this merciful into me." On Heavenly Father's side.

He listens to my prayers whenever I am sincere. And he responds to them and reacts to them and blesses me with what I ask for and need because of Jesus. 

I need to involve Heavenly Father in my life more. And ask Him for help and guidance.

Eternal decision making

It is extremely important that we do not make decisions of eternal value from the perspective of mortality. For decisions that affect eternity, having a gospel perspective is essential.

Rafael Pino, GC Apr 2015

This is so true. And honestly I feel ask though most decisions of note are important, if they affect our eternity. 

According to our faith

Things happen according to our faith (and God's will). Miracles can happen iny life if I have faith. I can have the companionship of the Spirit and get spiritual gifts that will help me and others when I have faith. The opposite is also true:

Mormon 1:14 And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief.

Only God knows our thoughts

Only God knows our thoughts. Even when we think we understand or know someone and their intent ( and sometimes if we feel bad or insecure we want to blame them and say they have malicious or jealous intent), we don't! Even my husband! Sister! Only God knows their thoughts. So what should I do? Give them the benefit of the doubt. And also give the situation to God. 

16 Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart. (D&C 6:16)

Family scripture study

Family rituals: Strengthening Families book, p. 131

Having too many rules or focusing too much on schedule and structure can impede our following the Spirit and relying on God. 

Pride

"Christ wants to lift us to where He is. Do we desire to do the same for others?" Benson

I'm so grateful that Christ isn't proud. Where would we all be if He didn't want to help us rise to His character and stature and glory. 

Pride keeps me from being able to love purely and serve sincerely. It keeps me from getting guidance on how I am help certain people (if I am competing with them or if I am holding a grudge against them). Pride keeps me from growing closer to God. It keeps me from applying the Atonement everywhere I can, because I rely on myself in that situation rather than on God. 

He will protect me

Yesterday Heavenly Father did something really sweet for me. He printed me to sing "How Firm a Foundation" to open my scripture study. Then in my scripture study I happened to be at the end of 3 Nephi, where Jesus quotes Isaiah a lot and the gist of what he is saying is that God will be our rearward, that He will do anything we ask Him to, if we are obedient. So that was great. And so after that scripture study was done and packaged up in my heart, it came back to me last night before I fell asleep--during a small anxiety/fear attack. I started worrying so intensely about Conley. About if he was safe. About what I would do if anything bad ever happened to him. Satan was trying to make me doubt God and doubt my faith and doubt that he would help me. It was really strong and I was sure that if something happened to Conley, there would be no way I would keep the faith or not be mad at God. But I remembered the packages and I just had to tell myself to think like that--God would take care of me. God would help me through it. 

Miracles are based on my faith.

I think one thing about miracles being because of faith isn't because they only happen to people who have faith. But those with faith seem to notice them more. Sometimes having faith just allows you to see the miracle and then attribute it to Heavenly Father and the Savior.

How many times have I used what He did for me?

Most of 3 Nephi 18 led me to think about the question above. I think it was a question that came through revelation. It's a really good question, in my mind. How much have I used what the Savior did for me. (I'm also trying to be mindful of President Uchtdorf's talk about respecting and not overusing or making common the Atonement, by speech or thought.) I think after reading verse 20, I kind of had a daydream of sorts in which I was standing at the judgment bar and up on an overhead chalkboard thing was a list of the times that I have consciously and intentionally used the Savior's grace. I looked at my list, and then I looked at other peoples' lists (although I don't think the judgment bar will be a contest or competition or comparison with others) and some of them were longer.

This daydream really made me think and feel this thought: the Savior really truly deeply wants me to use Him. He wants me to come unto Him and use what He did for me to improve and repent. Verse 25 says that none should go away, as in none shall be turned away or denied from the power of Christ's Atonement. Including me. Every time.

How Christ Teaches to Needs

There is a part in the Bible that says something like, "Jesus perceived that they were wondering x, y, z. He said, 'I perceive you are wondering about x, y, z.'"

We should try to know how our audience is feeling and what they are thinking. Listen and watch them closely.

Forgiveness

Sacrament and the Atonement

In Sacrament Meeting,  a great and humble RM gave a talk. In it he said there are two ways to make the Sacrament more meaningful to us, so that it is truly a time when we receive a remission of our sins. 1) We must prepare. We can prepare by repenting throughout the week. Make a list of our sins throughout the week and order them according to severity. And then pray about them every day. In other words, don't push it off until Sunday. 2) Think about the Atonement during the Sacrament. Focus on it. Make it meaningful. 

He also talked about how the yoke on oxen is applicable to us. We can only carry our load and burdens when we are yoked with Christ. The yoke, the thing that binds us to Christ, is our covenants. Ours is the only Church that has those and that does that for us. 

He then talked about forgiveness vs remission of sins. Forgiveness is when we repet. It's soap. Remission is ordinances, baptism and the Sacrament. It's the water. What gets rid of sins for us. 

How Heavenly Father wants me to study

Feast on the word

Delight in it

Ponder about it 

Trust it that it is the words of Christ

Use my agency the have faith in it 

Not wait to be commanded in all things about it or how to do it

Seek answers through doing it 

Seek learning by faith 

Go to the scriptures for answers 

Satan makes us disbelieve

I've been noticing this in my own life and in the scriptures recently, that Satan will do whatever he can to make us doubt things we have previously witnessed and things that have strengthened us before. In Helaman 16 and 3 Nephi 1, it's says stuff like this: 

*"The people began to harden their hearts..and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom, saying, some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great abs marvelous works cannot come to pass..it is not reasonable that xyz, that Christ shall come..wicked tradition..which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing..for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true..and they will work some great mystery which will keep us down to be see rants u to them and grey keep us in ignorance.." "Satan did stir them up"

Satan will do anything he can to destroy truth. He will try to get us to reason in our heads; he will give us ideas as to why things supposedly don't make sense. He will tell us lots of lies and make us feel stupid for believing something old or outdated by the world's standards. He still does this today. A lot. 

Warnings that precede downfalls

Helaman 7 is really instructive about the sin cycle, or at least the steps that most often lead to a sinful, sad state. Here were a few things that stood out to me:

1. They wouldn't hearken. So they not only disobeyed, but they also weren't actively doing good things (v. 18)

2. They wouldn't repent (v. 17)

3. They forgot what God had done for them. How He had helped them and delivered them (v. 20)

4. They wanted gain and the praise of men (v. 21)

Man it's so imperative to remember. Remember what we once believed and loved and knew. 

In No Time, We Can Fall

I am loving the beginning of Helaman and what I am learning. In no time, the Nephites went from righteous to wicked because they started to boast in their own strength and rely on themselves. Hel. 4:13 says that. And then because of their iniquity, they became so weak, like verse 24 says. I looked up the footnote for verse 26, and it led to lots of scriptures about how a people fell in not many years. 

Alma 46:8 "Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one."

Nobody is immune from weakness, sin, regression. We must always be diligent in keeping our faith and desire to be good strong.  

2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One--yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity. Hel. 12:2

Blessings

I had a really nice time at the temple this morning. I did initiatories and felt the spirit a lot, and felt close to heavenly father and grateful for the temple. I also felt a lot of love from the temple workers. I admired them a lot because that they had everything memorized and we're very reverent toward the ordinance. That makes such a big difference to me.

I also feel very blessed because I played this morning pretty sincerely that I would be able to have more charity and love her my in-laws. And even though that is something I've been working on, I'm not sure how much I've prayed for it necessarily. And then I was just blessed with kind of a burst of charity towards them. I have the desire to talk to Moira and tell her that I loved her and appreciated her. And so I called her and was able to tell her that. It made a difference to me because I was able to show appreciation, and also strengthen our relationship. And for some reason by doing that, I feel like I understand her more and I understand that I can't hold her up to a certain expectation or certain way to be or to express love. She has certain abilities and experiences that enable her to do or to not do certain things. And I must allow her to express love in the way that she wants to and can do. And remember the him, that there are things I don't know about that she is experiencing and has experience.

What will I teach my children?

The stripling warriors' mothers taught them that if they had faith, God would deliver them. Since my children won't be fighting a physical army like they were, what will I teach them? They are fighting a battle still, even though its different. A battle against evil, against pornography, temptation, distraction, pride. God will deliver them from those things in the way of giving them strength to conquer their weaknesses, get strength from Grace, repent. 

Being Faithful, Ammonite examples of alternatives

Sometimes we have to find alternatives.  Like when we plan something to happen, and then it happens differently than we expect. In Alma 56, The fathers of the 2000 warriors were feeling bad because they couldn't fight and take up weapons of war. They had promised God that they wouldn't. But they were still able to help the cause. They found alternatives. In verse 27 it says that the fathers brought many provisions to the warriors. I love that. Sometimes things just don't go according to plan. The fathers wanted to always protect and support their families, but because of repentance and promises that they need, they couldn't. In order to be faithful to God, they had to find alternatives to meet the same end. They were still able to help protect their families by providing support.

Right now we may have to do that this summer. I was planning on teaching an online class, but it may not make. Which means that in order to still be able to survive financially, we will have to make other plans, and trust that God will help us do so.

Moroni strengthened weak cities

I really like how in the late 40s and early 50s of Alma Moroni goes around strengthening cities that were once weak and that everyone else (especially his enemies) thought would always remain weak.

It's a good lesson about ourselves. 

Lord, I Would Follow Thee

When the song says, "Savior may I Love my brother as I know thou loves me, find in thee my strength my beacon for thy servant I would be," it makes me want to reflect on how the Savior actually loves me:

*always, no matter what, probably more when I am obedient (but is that only His right? So, am I supposed to love unconditionally?), regardless of my weaknesses, or my past, without holding anything over my head, not just to see what I am going to do about it, not to test me, knowing all my strengths and needs and feelings, with understanding, righteously, not in an enabling way, still gives consequences for my actions 

In studying the parable of the talents, I learned that the talents I have been given are the Lord's. And I am capable of things that others aren't. And I will be judged accdg to how I use or don't use these talents. I am capable of loving a certain amount, and if I don't love to that amount, then I am an unprofitable servant. 

Look and Live

I really really loved Alma 37 this time. Alma tells Helaman in several different ways how when we have faith in Jesus Christ and when we trust in every father and her being obedient to his Commandments and have faith in the son, essentially, if we look and move, we will be able to withstand every temptation of the devil, the lead in everything that we do, and progress in our lives. It's a really powerful chapter. At the beginning of it, Alma testifies of the book of Mormon records and why they are important. And then he proves his testimony to be personal by using the example of the Liahona later on in the chapter. He shows that when the people had faith in God and believe that he would lead them, the Liahona would point where they should go. But if they were slothful, meaning if they forgot to exercise faith and turn to God to counsel with him and ask for help, they did not progress and were afflicted. It's such a simple principle, but it is easy to forget.

Boasting in God

I have a lot of things to be grateful for, and a lot of incredible blessing in my life. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable talking about them to others, like I am going to make them feel bad. That may be the discomfort is similar to Amann and Aaron's conversation about posting in the flesh versus posting in God. Somebody might mistake my gratitude or expression of all of my blessings as boasting in my strength. When it really is boasting and rejoicing in the blessings every father has given me. Blessings that I don't deserve and don't understand why he is given them to me. I'm realizing that may be my mission in life is to express that gratitude to God, and then express it to others humbly and only when I feel prompted to do so. I think I am so blessed because I need to use my blessings and talents and gifts and perspective on life to bless and lift others, kind of like my patriarchal blessing says about sharing love to others and being a beacon of light to the world. I'm realizing that the gratitude that I feel and the magnitude of my blessings are both sacred, and I need to keep it that way and often keep it between me and Heavenly Father. 

Savior May I Learn to Love Thee

I think I have been focusing on the wrong thing with speaking no ill of others. Although it has been a useful and a valuable lesson to learn the song "Nay Speak No Ill," I still have found it hard to apply it fully. I realized that it's been hard because I have been focusing on not saying bad things--an inaction--instead of focusing on serving and loving and obeying Jesus--an action. So, I'm going to start working on "Lord I Will Follow Thee" in addition.

The Lord was testing me this weekend, and I failed the test. I had a lot of animosity in my heart toward others. It was an awful feeling, but I couldn't eschew it, even though I wanted to. I need to (1) repent and (2) focus on the Savior more. 

I also learned something else about Heavenly Father's love for His children. I saw something unkind about Jesus today. It broke my heart. And I can't inagine what Heavenly Father thinks and feels when He sees hints like that all over from His children. Yet, He still loves them and blesses them with breath, life's things that make them happy... I should have that kind of love for those who offend me. 

General Conference, April 2015

Henry B. Eyring

He gave a beautiful talk on the law of the fast. From his words and the Spirit, I had a few thoughts. When we fast, we get closer to Heavenly Father. His testimony of that was so sweet, and I knew that it was true. I need to work on fasting, and on my testimony of it. I have a testimony of prayer; I know that by praying, I can get questions and needs answered. Well, fasting does the same thing! I just need to pray for good experiences with fasting and for a testimony. 

He also shared how much fast offerings help those in need. They really do! I've never thought about where our $20 a month goes, to whom, how, where it helps. But it does. Dollar for dollar. I want to think about/talk about with Joseph where it might go. Paying the fast offering is one way I can help the poor and needy, and directly help Heavenly Father. President Eyring talked about that connection, our service to others and our service to God.

Another testimony of the fast: while Jesus was fasting for forty days, he was able to resist the temptations of Satan. That story should lift and inspire me. 

Linda K. Burton

Praise your spouse in front of your children. Bite your tongue when tempted to say unkind things. Forgive him. Apologize sincerely. 

This was a sweet talk about companionship, especially about fathers and husbands."Thee lift me, and I'll lift thee, and we'll ascend together." I'm so grateful for Joseph.

Dallin H. Oaks

He spoke on the parable of the sower. How fertile is my ground? Do I search for what I can do better rather than think about what others need to improve. Do I hear the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit?

I  need to pray and ask Heavenly Father to help me notice things I'm putting before Him. I want Him to be first. I don't want to put the pleasures of man or material things before Him.

L. Whitney Clayton

Belief is a choice, an action. We don't accidentally pay tithing; we don't accidentally believe. Embrace belief. Actions evidence our belief. We choose to believe when we obey commandments, when we repent...

 

Doubt is easy. You can slip into it. It comes naturally, sometimes. Belief takes work and effort, constant work and effort. But it is so, so worth it. 

David A. Bednar

The fear of the Lord is honor and respect. Real, righteous fear doesn't make us afraid of the judgment bar. The only fear we will feel then is ourselves; we will see our self-deceptions clearly, then. Fearing God only means that I know I will be held accountable for my every thought, word, and action.

D. Todd Christofferson

This talk was amazing, and I totally needed it. He talked about the importance and sanctity of marriage. People need to get married to show commitment, to create a safe, secure unit for children, to bind each other to each other to help each other through life, to link families together (for family history and memories and honor).

Marriage is from heaven. Satan hates it and does everything he can to break it up.

Wilford W. Andersen

"I can teach you to dance, but you have to hear the music." Dancing without music is awkward and unfulfilling and embarrassing. We can teach our families the dance steps, but sometimes we forget to teach them how to hear the music for themselves.

 

The dance steps require knowledge and discipline; it's from the mind. The music is in the heart; hearing it takes knowledge and choice, but feeling and conviction more so. 

We must always be working hard to keep our radios tuned to the right frequency. "Have ye felt to sing the song of redeeming love? Can ye feel so now?" When we are on the right frequency, we can hear the music, and it fills us with joy. 

D and C 121 (includes power and authority of being a parent; it can't be maintained without the spirit) (when the kids hear the music, we won't need to threat or give compulsion... well, we shouldn't us those methods anyway). 

It takes diligent efforts to get good at music. And even when it is performed well, there will still be crescendos and decrescendos. Wow! I loved this talk! There are lots of symbolisms in music.

Dale G. Relund

"'Twas I, but 'tis not I." Shakespeare. So good. We can change. We can try again.

"The church is like a hospital; we are all sick in our own way. We come to church to get helped." We need to be tolerant of others' sicknesses or habits or weakness or differences. We need to let them grow in their own way, and understand that it is different from us. And we need to remember our own beams.

Compared to God, I and some homey that bugs me or is really imperfect are not that different. Remember that Jesus is without guile or hypocrisy. I shouldn't be a hypocrite either; I shouldn't judge others, have unrealistic or uncharitable expectations for them.

#without guile

A seventy (I don't remember his name) gave a talk about serving humbly instead of for the praise and honors of men. It reminded me of Joseph. It was an awesome talk

Quentin L. Cook

 

Work out your salvation, Alma 32 through 34

I think it's really cool how alma talked about faith being like a little seed, and then everybody asked how to plant that seed. And he just basically testified of Jesus Christ and then concluded with, choose to believe in him. Then Amulek talked about prayer and repentance and believing in Christ and the atonement. Then he says that we need to work out our own salvation in verse 37. We do this by receiving the Holy Ghost and taking the name of Christ a promise and humbling ourselves and being grateful and praying often and obeying.

Thinking with this perspective, that we are each responsible to work out our own salvation, helps me in visualizing missionary work. It helps me respect other people's agency and recognize that it is is there responsibility, but that I can help them if they accept it.

Put God over the honors of men

3/23 The first chapter in Benson's prophet teachings book is about loving God, why it's important and how to do it. He suas that we love God when we put Him first. 

He talks about Joseph and potipher's wife, about Nephi when Lehi murmured against the Lord, and about Job. How they all put God first, above heir families and beautiful women and boss's wives. 

I'm a people pleaser, so sometimes I laugh when people say rude things or I don't stand for truth and righteousness sometimes. I sit for truth and righteousness, and that is NOT enough. I need to stand for it. And not laugh when I shouldn't, and leave when I shouldn't be a part of a conversation, and stand for what is right and defend the truth as often as I can, in a loving way every time.

4/18

I've had a really good example of that this week. Landon's been doing some selfish things against Mari. I listened somewhat passively to him talk about. I should have told him that marriage is ordained of God and that he needed to stick it out and work hard to save three marriage. Instead i simply agreed that they were really different and that their goals were different also, supporting, essentially, his decision to leave her. But then I talked to Jordan. And spent a day thinking adopt it and praying about it. Jordan totally stood up for truth and righteousness. He didn't fear what Landon would think. He bore witness that marriage is ordained if God and that we are happy when we keep the commandments and fulfill our responsibilities. He told Landon is was very wrong to leave Mari. 

Jordan was a good example of putting the Lord first, even in the face of someone he loves.

Rejoicing in the Lord

Alma 26 is such an awesome chapter. I am in uses such beautiful language to talk about how grateful he is for the Lord and how much reason he has to rejoice and heavenly father and all the blessings he has given him and his brother in. I am in talks about how it's such a huge blessing that thousands of people converted to the gospel, yes, but he also talks about the huge blessing it was to have had the opportunity to be instruments and heavenly father's hands. I really love and appreciate that. He recognizes that the converts where the Lord's, not Ammon's. He praises God and said that praising God is his joy in his salvation and his life. He praises God for redeeming his soul and forgiving him of his sins and giving him the redemption through the atonement of Jesus Christ. And then allowing him to be patie he praises God and said that praising God is his joy in his salvation and his life. He praises God for redeeming his soul and forgiving him of his sins and giving him the redemption to the atonement of Jesus Christ. And then allowing him to be A missionary and share the gospel with others. He also rejoices in opportunities for obedience and commandments and repentance, rejoices in the responsibilities that we have in the direction of me fire is given us that if we follow we will be happy and receive revelation and be redeemed.

Charity doesn't fail because it always wins

Love makes you want to repent, want to obey, want to share the gospel, want to be kind, want to forgive, want to be patient.

And it's simple and easy to forget: we can't get to heaven without it!

34 And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.

Ether 12:34

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12?lang=eng

Promptings/commandments/tests

And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

Abraham 3:25

In reading Ezra Taft Benson's first chapter, I read the scripture above and had a thought occur to me. Sometimes when we receive spiritual promptings, they are hard to listen to. It's hard to be obedient, if we don't want to or don't understand the reason behind the prompting. But I realized that this life is a test and that most often we are required to make a decisions or do things on our own, according to our best judgment. So, spiritual promptings should be obeyed, because there are rare, they make it easier for us to know God's will, and we don't have to decide what to do: it's given to us. 

 I think of all the prayers that I have prayed asking for specific answer, and I've been times I feel peace about several options and conclude that I just need to choose one and allow heavenly father to guide me or just stop me that's not the right answer. So I think of the times that I don't get specific answers, and how often that happens. So when I do get a specific answer, I should listen and be grateful for it and obey it, because that is the Lord's will! And sometimes it's hard to know the Lord's will. 

"The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it. The great commandment of life is to love the Lord."

Chapter 1: The Great Commandment—Love the Lord

http://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-ezra-taft-benson/chapter-1-the-great-commandment-love-the-lord?lang=eng

Conversion

In Alma 19 there's so much to do about conversion. There's a scripture that says that king Lamoni was overcome, that the spirit had overcome his natural frame. And the footnote leads to Mosiah 3:19, where it talks about overcoming the natural man. And then later it talks about how they become converted to the Savior and that they had no more desire to do evil. That kind of conversion is something that needs to take place on a daily basis for me. I need to always be trying harder and harder or in different ways and better ways to become a saint through the atonement and to become more like the Savior. And slowly lose my desire to do evil.

PoEM Tie God in to Solve Problems at Work

I love this chapter. On pages 60-64, Clay talks about how he taught a man the principle of forgiveness at work. Apply the principles of the gospel! Use what I know to work to solve problems in secular environments as well, and use them as teaching opportunities to teach others and awaken their sense of faith and trust in Heavenly Father. 

Also, pray every day that those I interact with will feel of my love for them and of God's love for them. This will make it so easy to teach them about the gospel. And to apply the scriptures or orincipldd of the gospel. Also as a teacher he prays every day that he will be able to teach with love and that the Spirit of God will be in their classroom. That is something that I should do.

Teach P of S before commandments

One thing I love about Alma chapter 12 is how after Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden, God sent angels to teach them about the plan of salvation and redemption. And in verse 32 it says that God had been the plan of sedation and then he taught them the Commandments. That sequence is really important. We will have motivation and desire to keep commandments  and to know them and we will have an appreciation for them because they allow us to get back to heavenly father. That is why we must understand the point of salvation first, and then we will understand and want to keep the Commandments.

Strong? You still need to learn.

I like how in Alma 7, Alma rejoices at the faithfulness of the people. He says he is happy to see them still strong in believing in Christ. But he still proceeds to tell them about repentance and baptism and the Atonement; he shows them that they still must be focused on the Savior and spend their lives constantly drawing nearer and nearer to Him.

Then he goes on to say that no unclean thing can enter into God's presence, just in case they had forgotten. And he teaches them to keep working on faith, hope, charity, and doing good works in order to continue to keep their garments spotless.

Then he says, "And now my beloved brethren, I have spoken these words unto you according to the Spirit which testifieth in me" even though he knew that they were already diligent. But the Spirit STILL told him to preach these things unto them. I love that.

Follow the spirit

Live worthily, pray fervently, follow courageously (the Spirit's guidance). PMG 97

His promptings are quiet and still and soft and subtle. Listen!!

Goals-nay speak no ill

I had a goal for a while to practice not speaking ill of others. I felt like I need to revisit it because this last week was especially difficult to do that, and I think there is more that I need to learn. In Ephesians 4:29-32 it says: 

Only say things that are edifying to others.

Grieve not the Holy Spirit. To me this means even if I don't understand why I feel a certain way about saying something, if I feel like I shouldn't say it, then just don't say it. Let the reason of not offending the spirit be enough. Even if there isn't another reason that I can identify, like if I don't think the comment is that mean or if I think it is true or if I think it is necessary to say or anything like that. If I feel like I shouldn't say something then that is a good enough reason. And I need to listen to the spirit.

Don't say anything out of bitterness or anger or malice.

Be kind to one another and tenderhearted and forgiving, and think about how much Heavenly Father and Christ have forgiven me.

Then hymn number 233 says a few things as well:

Speak no ill. Speak kindly words. Don't tell every tale I've heard, because it is beneath a noble mind. Speak the best we can. Ask for a heart that tries to a efface other's faults. Think higher of man. Search for good in others earnestly. Be lenient to others' feelings. Don't make others' faults known.

Another interesting thing is in him number 235 and in doctrine and covenants 88 124 it relates speaking negatively of others to being lazy. Maybe that's because we are looking for the good in them and instead just easily finding the faults in them. And also we are trying  (because it does take effort sometimes) to stand up for them or to change the conversation or to be kind, when their faults are obvious.

ALWAYS be filled with the love of God

In Alma five verse 26, Alma asks "if you have experienced a change of heart, and if you have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can you fill so now? "And when I first read this I was thinking that even though I remember being forgiven and the sweet feelings I had thereafter many times, I don't think I necessarily feel that way all the time. But then I went to the footnote in Mosiah chapter 4 verse 11 and 12. They say that when we have tasted of his goodness and have received the remission of our sins that if we always remember that feeling in the greatness of God and my own nothingness and if I am always humble and I called the name of the Lord daily and stand steadfast in the faith then I will always rejoice and will always be filled with the love of God. Alma 4 verse 14 adds that one way to retain this remission of sins and this feeling of love of God is to be constantly serving others. That is because Christ served us so much, so when we serve others we are being like him and it's easy to remember him and feel close to him. D and C 29:31-34 adds that this process is called sanctification. It also notes that sings vacation is a continual process, and even those who have already received it, or started it, need to continue experiencing it. It's not a one time thing.

When I lack faith, I read stories of faith

I had a feeling when I was saying my prayers before scripture study tonight that I should read the story of Daniel in the Lions den. And then I realized once I started reading it that the reason for this is that there are so many great stories of faith in the Scriptures. And some that I haven't reviewed in a long, long time. And so, when my faith is lacking, or even when it isn't, or when I need guidance from God or need to feel close to him or build trust in him, I should look up different stories of faith and allow them to strengthen mine.

Sinners suffer anguish of soul

A lot of times it just seems like sinners don't really care that they are sinning or that they have done something wrong. But Mosiah chapter 28 talks about how they do! In verse four it says, "And thus did the Spirit of the Lord look upon them, for they were the very via list of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever." Wow! That is so interesting to me! And such a relief to know. I think I knew that always, but this is proof that it is true. Sinners you really do worry about the welfare of their soul, even if they aren't familiar or don't understand God. This is such a good thing to keep in mind when inviting others to learn about the gospel.

Teach my kids about satan

Satan is real and needs to be understood. We need to expect him to come and know that he will come and know how he will come. We are the spiritually advanced! Because we came in these latter days.

14 parenting tips

Smithal@ldschurch.org

Jonathon Swinton, 14 tips for disciplining children 

1. Be parents, not peers. Being authoritarianis better as a parent. 

2. Be united with your spouse 

3. Don't one of you bet the dictator or disciplinarian. 

4. Age-appropriate rules and ramifications. Involve children in making rules and ramifications. Don't chose too many. If you decide a rule, explain the why behind it. 

5. Make punishments hat are related to the infringements of rules. 

6. Time outs. Don't respond to tantrums or crying. Don't let them manipulate you. 

7. Don't use physical punishment (duh).

8. 

Consulting Heavenly Father in parenting

Alma is a good example in Mosiah chapter 26. He is faced with an issue about judging wayward people, and he takes the matter to the Lord and praise and listens and gets an answer. And then he follows through with with the Lord prompted him to do. This is a great chapter to consult when I am trying to figure out how to parent in a Christlike way, in a way that heavenly father would want me to do.

An interesting part of the chapters that it ends by talking about what Alma did, but not the result that came from it. It kind of leaves you hanging. Turns out in chapter 27, there were still lots of persecutions and the members of the church were still being inflicted by the unbelievers. So why did heavenly father tell Elma to do what he did when there really was no change there after? Well, later in the chapter, Alma the younger remembers what his father had taught. Maybe what Alma the younger was remembering was his father's most recent admonishment. Something that was inspired and chapter 26.

Be an example to your children in charity

I listened to Tad R. Callister's talk about parenting, and what I gleaned from most was that my children will learn from my example more than from anything else. And so I started thinking about qualities that I have, both good and bad, that my children will learn. And one thing that I have been working on lately is not speaking ill of others, no matter what. And I feel like heavenly father is trying to teach me this lesson probably so that I can rid myself of this habit and be a good example for my child. It's a quality that is hard for me to get rid of because it is easy for my personality type to express opinions, but it's something that I don't like and I don't want my child to pick up. I'm grateful that heavenly father is helping me get rid of that before it's too late.

I want my children to learn that they are more effective and everything when they have charity. The relief society activity last week had a speaker who said that the most important things to teach your children are first to love me father and second to love other people, the first two commandments. This helps us be better missionaries, better friends, better family members, better people in general.

Also in Mosiah chapter 27 it talks about how people did abound in the grace of God because they treated each other equally and learn prideful and were hard workers. All of these things I can use in parenting, and then the grace of God will abound with me.

Family council (for couples)

Talk about what we did the past week to help each other feel love.

Talk about the temple.

Start with the prayer. "In communication with heavenly father breaks down, communication between spouses also breaks down." (Ballard) Ask that the Spirit will permeate our conversation. And help us foster good feelings and good communication. Pray about everything. Even things as simple as how to divide housework/meals.

Decide together. Make decisions based on divine consensus, not on compromise. It may take time to reach conclusions. 

Evaluate yourself. Approach family councils not with criticisms of your spouse, but of desire to improve yourself.  Ask, is there anything problematic or worrisome in my words/behavior? 

Don't just have family councils when there is a problem or a decision to be made. Have them to express gratitude or appreciation for your spouse or family.

Open heart and going to the temple

I am the keeper of my heart and I can decide whether or not to open it. Elder Gerald Lund said, "The condition of our hearts directly affects our sensitivity a spiritual things. Let us make it a part of our every day striving to open our hearts to the spirit. Since we are the guardians of our hearts, we can choose to do so."

I'm reading a book called house of learning about getting more from your temple experience and the first chapter talks about having an open heart and about how when we have an open heart or about how the openness of our heart directly affects how much we can gain spiritually. And that our ability to understand the spiritual meaning of it symbolic teachings is directly connected to the spiritual condition of our hearts. I patriarchal blessing talks about how I will receive revelation in the temple and have a very spiritual experiences there. And it says that I should go to the temple frequently and with a prayerful heart. That's something I want to work on and study, having a prayerful and an open heart and purifying my heart. And what I can do better and more to make that happen. 

We don't like to feel guilty

I've been noticing a pattern lately in movies, life, and the scriptures that humans don't like to feel guilty. But we should. Because it gives us an opportunity to repent and grow and get closer to Heavenly Father and the Savior. 

One example is King Noah. He, after hearing Abinadi preach repentance, said, "Who is Abinadi, that I and my people should be judged if him, or who is the Lord, that shall bring upon my people so great affliction?" Crazy that he is so bold to say who is God. Sometimes people will make me feel guilty for something I don't need to feel guilty about. Other times, I need to take the matter to the Lord, see if there is something I can repent of, do so, and have faith that He will remove the guilt. But ignoring a prompting from another to repent or from God, is like saying who is God? I don't want to be like that. 

Receiving a witness of Christ

I was really touched yesterday when I read about Peter and Matthew and how he says that Jesus was the Christ that had been prophesied. And this confession is sincere and brought upon by the Spirit, and the Savior recognizes that and points it out. And Jesus tells Peter that the only way Peter knew this was through the Spirit. I supplemented this reading with Jesus the Christ and felt the spirit so strong in thinking about what a witness of the Savior does for us. I also have been reading in the beginning of the lasagna about how King Benjamin teaches his people about the Savior and about how to come and to him and become more like him and believe in him and repent and believe that he is the only way to eternal salvation and joy in this life. And what the people did when they receive this witness: they felt humbled, they desired to repent, and they had no more desire to do evil. It's so amazing to me how impactful a testimony of the Savior can be. And I want to strengthen my own witness and then share it with others and show them how knowing Christ can influence them and their lives.

When we put God first

When we put God first we won't be destroyed. In Jarom, he talks about how by obeying the prophets and by being continually perfect in their hearts with the word and continually repenting and having faith and not being stiffnecked and keeping the Commandments, they prospered. This isn't because the Lamanites didn't attack them, but because they put the Lord first and therefore were guided to know what kind of preparations they needed to make in order to defend themselves. So it's not like we can just have faith and study and be obedient and then sit and expect no temptations or trials to come into our life. It's more like that when we do keep the Commandments and prepare ourselves, heavenly father will guide us in knowing what we need to do to be safe and protected and not be destroyed. And often times this is a physical preparation like it was for the Nephites. They strengthened their armies and their cities in defense.

Our spiritual righteousness is so connected to our physical prosperity. 

Parenting like those in the Book of Mormon

Today while working at the temple I read Enos 1:1-3. Only the first few verses and they really caught my attention. I learned that I have been wrong in my thinking: that with children (or anyone else under our jurisdiction/influence) we should wait until they are ready to teach them or to testify to them. It's not true! Jacob taught his son Enos throughout his (Enos's) whole life...NOT just when Enos was ready. Which is a dang good thing because if Jacob had waited, there might not have ever been an opportunity to teach him and testify to him. And Enos would have never learned. Would have never had built up a spiritual storage (even without meaning to). 

There is SO MUCH about parenting in the Book of Mormon. It's so good. I hope I diligently consult the Book of Mormon as a parent. 

I could not be shaken

I am reading and Jacob and it is so good. In Jacob seven he talks about all of his witnesses, like how he has seen angels and how they have ministered unto him and how he has heard the voice of the Lord. He says, "I could not be shaken" and "For I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost."

This makes me think of how many different ways the Holy Ghost can communicate to us and the many different ways that heavenly father can give us witnesses. I feel that I have received many witnesses throughout my life and I want to say the same thing as Jacob, "I could not be shaken."

Another lesson to learn from this chapter is that even if we are strong, Satan will still try to make a struggle with random and unlikely things sometimes. We may think we are beyond a certain temptation or a certain test, but Satan will always try to infiltrate our testimonies and make us sin. Sherem was an anti-Christ who really wanted to make Jacob, a prophet and strong believer in Christ, doubt his faith.