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.