Rejoice, O my Heart

Here are some thoughts as I read 2 Nephi 4:
*Nephi says that his soul delights in the scriptures and ponders them. They are for our profit and learning.

*Verse 20- Heavenly Father was Nephi’s support in his afflictions and He will be our support too. Heavenly Father blessed Nephi, guided him, and removed his enemies from him. God blessed Nephi for his diligence, even if Nephi wasn’t perfect. Heavenly Father will bless us as well. He will be there to guide and comfort us ONLY as we are striving to live worthy of those blessings. He will do so ONLY as we are keeping His commandments and do our best to draw near unto Him.

*Verses 26-27- If I have felt the Spirit, why should I succumb to sin? I don’t have to “give way to temptations.” As Nephi said, “Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul” (2 Nephi 4:28).

*Heavenly Father wants us to use the power of the infinite atonement in our lives. If we are staying strong in keeping the commandments and improving our relationship with Heavenly Father, He will make way for the Spirit in our hearts. He will allow the Spirit to work within us and to remove our desire to sin. We will still be tempted, but we won’t succumb as easily if we’re truly striving to have Heavenly Father with us always.

*In prayer, Nephi clearly expresses his faith and trust in God. He asks for Heavenly Father’s help in overcoming temptation and for guidance to resolve the problems he is currently facing.

*WAYS I CAN IMPROVE:
I can make Heavenly Father a priority in my life. I need to put my trust in Heavenly Father and not in man. I know that He will guide and direct me if I am striving to keep the commandments and to make Him a part of my life. The only person whose actions I can determine are my own. Pray to Heavenly Father and get to know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ better. By better understanding His life and atonement better, I can draw closer to Him and be able to become more like Him.

Gratitude through Action

Here are some thoughts as I read 2 Nephi 1:
*It’s always amazing to me how much the Lord has blatantly blessed the family of Lehi… MANY miracles have occurred to get them to the promised land, including the visitation of angels, the liahona’s appearance and guidance through the forest and across the sea, the instruction and building of the ship for those who had never built a ship before, and the fact that they actually made it SAFELY to the promised land! They have been blessed with so much, but how quick some of them (namely, Laman and Lemuel) are to forget all of the blessings that they’ve been given. How quickly they are to turn against their own family members and against the God who clearly loves them and desires their happiness.
*Am I like Laman and Lemuel? Do I quickly forget all that the Lord has done for me? Do I also turn against family members who have been there for me along the journey and have blessed my life?

*I know that I live a blessed life. I have been given much and have never truly wanted for anything. I need to remember what I’ve been given and express gratitude to Heavenly Father for my multitude of blessings. He has given me much. He has blessed me with His spirit. Through my actions and adhering to God’s commands, I can prove my gratitude.

Taking A Stand

Here are some thoughts as I read in 1 Nephi 21:
*It’s amazing to me what the Lord has done for me and continues to do for me. I am so grateful that I KNOW that He has not forsaken me and will not forget me. He wants me to be with Him. I thank Heavenly Father for that knowledge that I have. I know that it won’t be easy. As verse 23 says, “For they shall not be ashamed that wait for me,” indicating that people will try to make me feel ashamed. The world wants me to feel ashamed for believing in and following Christ. But, I know that I’m doing what is right, even if it is hard. I know that if I’m humble and obedient to God’s commands, that I’ll be blessed of Him. The world doesn’t matter. No one else’s opinion matters. Only that I know that I’m striving to be righteous and return to live with Heavenly Father in His kingdom.

WAYS I CAN IMPROVE:
*Be kinder to those around me. Truly pray for patience to see others as Jesus sees them. Additionally, I can be more grateful for the knowledge I have. I can be proud that I am a member of Christ’s church. I can stick up for my beliefs and feelings.

Be the Change You Wish to See in the World

Here are some thoughts as I read in 1 Nephi 20:
*Verse 10- “For behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” We are chosen in our hard times. This scripture shows that it’s during our trials that our true colors stand out. It is through our trials that we are tested and strengthened or we are tested and do not withstand the tests given unto us. I want to be the former. I want to be tested and proved true in the midst of my trials. I do not want to be like those of Nephi’s family who complained against him. Oh, how hard it must have been to be in their position and not know how it all was going to work out. I know that Heavenly Father provides a way for us to make it through our trials. He is there the entire time buoying us up and allowing US to choose the high road or the low road. He wants us to improve because of our trials, not digress in spite of them. I must remember that as I go through hard times.

WAYS I CAN IMPROVE:
*Look for the roses amongst the thorns. See the positive. Come out on top of my trials rather than underneath them. Grow through the experiences I’m having rather than allowing myself to get downtrodden.

New Journal Format & Thoughts on 1 Nephi 19

I'm trying a new scripture journal format, which includes writing my thoughts as I read and includes a section at the end of WAYS I CAN IMPROVE based on what I read that day. In that way, I hope that I can be able to better myself by truly pondering and implementing ways I can improve based on my insights while reading the scriptures.

Here are some thoughts as I read in 1 Nephi 19:
*Verse 9 says, “And because of their iniquity, the world shall judge Him to be a thing of naught…” Even though this scripture was written about the time period when Christ actually lived on the earth, this scripture, sadly, captures how the world is today. Because of iniquity, people judge Christ and say that He really didn’t live, or that His sacrifice wasn’t as great as the scriptures say it was. Some people don’t even believe in Christ and instead mock and scorn those that do believe. There are those who say that they believe, when in reality their actions speak differently.
*I want to live my life so that the Savior’s suffering was worth it. I don’t want to waste what He did through actions and an unrepentant attitude. I want to live my life so that those who know me want to know Jesus Christ. I know that we can live as examples to the world, even in this world of sin and iniquity. I can be better.
*There is yet time to repent and to change. There is time to come unto our Savior and better ourselves for eternal life.
*Verse 23- Like Nephi, we also need to liken all scriptures unto us. If we don’t, we’re not using the scriptures correctly. These scriptures were given unto us for our profit and learning. They were given unto us to better us and to help us to improve ourselves in this life. We can only improve ourselves IF we are trying to liken them unto ourselves.

WAYS I CAN IMPROVE: Be more diligent at scripture study. I can TRULY apply the scriptures to my life in order to repent and better myself.
*I can remember my Savior and His suffering for me. I can use the power of the atonement in my life, not only to repent, but also as a source of comfort and strength.
*I can live my life according to the covenants I have made with Heavenly Father and I will make with him in the temple.

Asking in Humility

As I read last night in 1 Nephi chapter 15, I had a few insights that I’d like to write down. In the beginning of the chapter, Nephi talks about how, after he saw a vision about the tree of life, he returned to the tent of his father to find his brothers disputing over his father’s words. Nephi said, “For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought” (1 Nephi 15:3).

Nephi inquired of his brethren the reason for their contentions. They responded saying, “Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken…” (1 Nephi 15:7). And Nephi said unto them, “Have ye inquired of the Lord?” (1 Nephi 15:8). The reason for their misunderstanding becomes evident in their response, “We have not; the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us” (1 Nephi 15:9).

Laman and Lemuel lacked faith. In spite of all they had been taught, in spite of all the miracles they had seen, in spite of an angel of God coming to speak to them, they still doubted the validity of God. Because they lacked faith, they didn’t take the time to ask Heavenly Father, assuming that He wouldn’t answer them. Was this an excuse? Were they just lazy?

There are ways that we all are like Laman and Lemuel. At times, we fail to call on our Heavenly Father for answers or for clarification. However, Nephi provides a way for us all to improve, “Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said? – If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you” (1 Nephi 15:11).

I know that Heavenly Father is there and wants to bless us, but we must choose to come unto Him through our words and our actions. If we are doing out part, in His own time, He will clarify any questions we have concerning the gospel or our lives.

This Morning's Scattered Bullet Points...

Here are some thoughts as I read in Doctrine & Covenants, Section 5:
*Heavenly Father has provided a wonderful plan for us!
*The most important gift of that plan is that we have the ability to receive eternal life.
*In addition to that supreme gift, He provides us with other gifts along the way. He provides us with peace and comfort. He provides us with earthly and spiritual comforts and knowledge.
*How can people say that God doesn’t love us, or that there isn’t a God, when it is evident in everything around us? How ungrateful can people be to say that there is no God?
*People struggle with finding the purpose of this life, if there be any. We’re blessed with the knowledge that there is a God and He has masterfully created a plan for us. The odds are stacked on our side. We only have to do our best, to overcome our faults and mistakes, in order to return to Him. Sure, life isn’t always easy, but God is there to love and protect us, if we are living worthy of that love and protection.

Thoughts as I read 1 Nephi chapter 6:
*The scriptures are important… Nephi states that his purpose in writing is to persuade men to come unto God. He also says that he “will give a commandment unto [his] seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men” (1 Nephi 6:6). The scriptures are important to us in our day to provide knowledge, strength, and comfort. We need to use them in order to have power in our lives, for knowledge (especially spiritual knowledge) is truly power.

Easter's Reminder of the Comfort Jesus Provides

Here are some thoughts about Easter I wrote in my journal:

Today is Easter Sunday, and as such, I’d like to talk my Savior. I’m am eternally indebted and grateful for His atoning sacrifice. I know that He died for me and loves me. I listened to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s recent talk about Jesus Christ and his complete (and then some!) understanding of us because of His infinite atonement. He felt lonely and pain such that we’ll never feel. He went through so much in his short 34 years that we will NEVER have to experience. And he did it all so that we might live. He did it all for the glory of others, not for himself. It’s amazing and unfathomable to me that He gave his life for everyone around Him, save himself. “Glory be to God,” he said. He was the most selfless person that walked the earth and He invites us to partake of His atonement, to utilize that power in our lives so that we can be comforted, so that we can hope. I know that my Redeemer lives. He loves me as an individual. I thank my God for that sacrifice of His son. I know that allowing His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON to die feeling utterly alone was difficult, but He allowed it to happen because God loves us. He saw the bigger picture. He knew what the outcome would be. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for thy love, for thy care, for this atonement that provides me with hope, strength, and the gift of eternal life. I am trying my best to live up to the gift I’ve been given.

Praise for General Conference

Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for General Conference this past weekend. Like many, General Conference always seems to happen exactly when I need the spiritual sustenance it provides without fail. I am thankful for the leaders of our church who prayed and studied laboriously to create messages Heavenly Father wanted ME to hear. I downloaded all of the talks on Sunday and created CDs. I'm excited to listen to these messages over and over to remind myself how I can better my life and draw closer to my Heavenly Father and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Here are some talks I particularly enjoyed:

*Elder Robert D. Hale's talk on overcoming debt- This is something I've really been working on this year. Although I only have a car loan and student loans to pay, I feel the need to be careful of my spending in order to save and have no debt. This talk was very insightful and provided a good guide for me (as well as for Evan and I together) to determine that I will not spend my money on things that I don't need to.

*Elder D. Todd Christopherson's talk on keeping our covenants- I am preparing to go to the temple to receive my endowments this year. Recently, I've really been contemplating and praying about the temple. This talk helped me to see the power that is given to those who make AND KEEP sacred covenants with Heavenly Father.

*Along those same lines were two talks about the temple, Elder David A. Bednar's talk (see posting about last general conference) and Elder Gary E. Stevenson's talk. As Elder Bednar would say, these two talks in particular were a tender mercies from the Lord. He knew what I needed to hear about the temple, He knew that I needed Elder Bednar to speak about the temple. I gained so much power, strength, and understanding because of these words. I know that, as Elder Bednar said, there is protecting power in the covenants made and kept in the temple. And that, as Elder Stevenson said, we are never lost (proverbially) when we can see the temple.

There are a million other talks I also loved... Elder Holland's talk on the Savior's atonement and how because he suffered, He can now help us to NEVER feel alone. Or, President Uchtdorf's talk on the path of discipleship. Elder Oaks talk about service and love also inspired me to look outside of myself to work on improving the charity I have for others.

Time will not allow me to mention all of the insights I gained from general conference. I do want to say that I know that these men and women are called of God to lead our church in these latter days. I know that President Monson is a prophet of God. I appreciate his words, his cautions, and his guidance, for I know that they come from God, Our Heavenly Father. I want to adhere my life to the principles mentioned during conference. I hope that little by little I can progress as I try to so do.

Beginning Again...

Here are some thoughts as I’m reading in 1st Nephi, chapter 1 this morning:
*Because Nephi’s parents taught him well, he was able to have faith in his father’s words.
*Nephi’s father, Lehi, expressed exceedingly LOVE and faith as he prayed for his people. Because of this great love and faith, he was able to feel the spirit and see a vision.
*Version 14 Lehi says to the Lord, “Because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!” I have faith that this is true in our lives still today. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will not spare us from suffering and trials, but I do know that they will be there to guide us and comfort us along the way.
*In verse 18, Lehi goes forth prophesying unto the people of the things he saw. Imagine how hard this would be! I bet Joseph Smith related to this passage of scripture particularly because he understood what it meant to proclaim to the people the vision you had, even though people mocked and scorned.
*They were able to do this because “the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Nephi 1:20). Heavenly Father delivered Joseph Smith time and again just as He delivered Lehi from death in Jerusalem. Heavenly Father also will provide tender mercies for us as we strive to follow Him and do what He has asked us to do, in spite of the hardships that may arise because of it.

End of Another Journey

I finished The Book of Mormon a few days ago. Finishing The Book of Mormon is always anti-climactic for me. I always think that there will be fireworks and a a large celebration springing out of The Book of Mormon as I read through Moroni's final admonitions. None of those things happened this time. What did happen is a renewed peace and knowledge that The Book of Mormon is true. I love this book. I love its words and the comfort they provide in my life. The admonitions in The Book of Mormon on how to live a better life help me to improve and to be more charitable. I am grateful for this book and the opportunity that I have to read it again and again. Each time I read it, I realize something new. Here's to another beginning of The Book of Mormon!

Overcoming Revenge and Hard Feelings

We know the outcome of the Book of Ether long before we even begin reading the book. In fact, we find out the outcome of the Jaredite people earlier in the Book of Mormon (Omni 1:21) when Coriantumr is found with the 24 Jaredite plates.

However, as I approach the end of the Book of Ether for the 20-something time, I am still surprised and shocked at the destruction that takes place. I guess what has shocked me most this time reading is that the reason this civilization ended is that these people became so blinded in their hatred. These people were blessed of the Lord and allowed themselves to get so caught up in their pride and love of riches/power, that it became the achilles heel to their civilization.

The most poignant example of this is with Shiz and Coriantumr. In Ether 14, Coriantumr battles all men who are opposed to him, killing off all of them in order to retain his power in the land. Finally, he kills off Lib. Shiz, Lib's brother, decides to continue the war against Coriantumr and avenge his brother's death. Millions of people are forced to join the cause and/or die because of the greed for power. Dead, rotting, smelly bodies were strewn all over the land because there were so many dead and not enough people to bury them. "Nevertheless, Shiz did no cease to pursue Coriantumr; for he had sworn to avenge himself upon Coriantumr of the blood of his brother, who had been slain" (Ether 14:24). It's amazing to me that with all of this blood and carnage, how selfish Shiz was. He could have stopped the war and tried to save his people. Yet, he was so overcome with revenge rather than forgiveness that he (and OF COURSE Coriantumr) allowed an entire race to be killed off. He had the power to forgive, but decided instead to sacrifice his life and the lives of millions of people in order to exact revenge.

Now, I know that we HOPEFULLY won't be forced to make a decision in such circumstances during our lifetimes. But, we are forced daily to deal with other people in situations where it may be easier to be angry and spiteful than to forgive others. I know that forgiving others and overcoming our anger for someone who has wronged us will not only help to alleviate hard feelings, but it will provide an example for which others will gladly follow.

Shiz had the opportunity to end the war, but he continued fighting out of revenge.

Power of Scriptural Knowledge

Ether chapter 12 is one of the most quoted chapters of the Book of Mormon. As I read through it, however, I recognized an aspect about that chapter I hadn't before.

The chapter begins with an account of Ether, a Jaredite prophet, who went forth preaching unto the Jaredite people of faith and hope. And "Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not" (Ether 12:5). Moroni then pauses the record of Ether to recount the wonders and marvels Heavenly Father has done by faith. In his account, Moroni includes references to a wide array of scriptures not only from the Book of Mormon, but from The Bible also.

As I read through this chapter, I not only felt of Moroni's admonition for us to have faith, but I also felt the power of scriptural knowledge. Because Moroni knew the scriptures well, he was able to use them to share his testimony and admonish others to do so. He recalled specific stories and was able to use them as faith-inspiring examples.

We can learn a lot from Moroni, whose love and knowledge of the scriptures is evident. He not only abridged the scriptures, he studied them and understood them. Because of that, his words are able to bless our lives today. His example exhibits true faith and power.

Brother of Jared, Part II

One of my favorite parts of The Book of Mormon is the account of the Brother of Jared. A few years ago, I was struggling between several different decisions. I felt like I was begging and pleading Heavenly Father to give me an answer to a situation I was going through. No matter how much I begged and plead, I still felt like I wasn't receiving an answer. This was so hard for me!

And then I began rereading the account of the Brother of Jared in my scripture reading. He asked Heavenly Father for help in two aspects: 1, what to do so that they could breath in their ships; 2, what to do in order for them to have light crossing the ocean. Heavenly Father answered the first of Jared's requests and then turned the second request into a question by saying, "Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?" (Ether 2:25).

Rather than giving the Brother of Jared a direct answer, Heavenly Father asks him to study it out for himself and come to Heavenly Father with an answer. I realized after reading this that is how Heavenly Father often answers my prayers. I come to Him without having done the proper research myself. I ask questions without having thought of what I think would be the best solution or answer, expecting to be enlightened when I haven't given any "thought save it were to ask" him. What can I say? I'm lazy like that. I want everything handed to me on a silver platter rather than actually having to work for it.

That's why I love this story. The Brother of Jared thought about and made up his mind to act, and then in humility he came to Heavenly Father letting him know of his decision. Because of this, the Brother of Jared as blessed for his faith and humility. He was so blessed that he was able to see first the finger of the Lord and then the entire body of the Savior. In fact, the Savior said of this, "Never have I shown myself unto any man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast," (Ether 3:15). What a powerful example of what faith, work, preparation, and humility can do to bless our lives and provide answers to prayers.

The Brother of Jared, Part I

(Please refer to President Eyring's article about the Brother of Jared)

Every time I begin reading Ether, I am impressed by the Brother of Jared. He is such a faithful, humble man. Because of his exceeding faith, he was able to do and see many wonderful things. But, I'm getting ahead of myself...

In Ether chapter 1, the account of the Jaredite people begins at the Tower of Babel. The Lord has begun to confound the language of the people and sworn "in His wrath that [the people] should be scattered upon all the face of the earth" (Ether 1:33). Jared did not want his language and the language of his family to be confounded. He knew that his brother (hereafter Mahonri Moriancumer) was a "large and mighty man, and a man highly favored of the Lord." Therefore, Jared said unto his brother, "Cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us that we may not understand our words" (Ether 1:34). And, listening to the advice of his brother, Mahonri did so.

Because he did so, the Lord had compassion on them and did not confound their language. In fact, Jared again entreated his brother to pray to stop the Lord from confounding the language of their friends (and I'm sure loved ones). Mahonri did so and the Lord again blessed them that the language of their friends were also not confounded.

And a third time, Jared asked his brother to pray to the Lord about where they should go saying, "And who knoweth but the Lord will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth? And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lord that we may receive it for our inheritance" (Ether 1:38).

Mahonri listens to his brother, prays, and is instructed of the Lord to gather animals, seeds, and provisions and to journey into the wilderness. Because Mahonri listened to his brother, their whole family was blessed.

This account tells me a few things about Jared and his brother. First of all, Jared was a wise man too, who probably felt and was guided by the spirit to ask his brother to inquire after these certain blessings. I'm not sure, however, why he asked Mahonri to speak with the Lord and why Jared himself did not do it. It could have something to do with a patriarchal order. Either way, Mahonri inquired with faith and received an answer. He was humble enough to allow his brother to counsel him and to also be counseled of the Lord. Through his humility and faith, he changed all the lives around him for the better. I need to work on my humility, allowing myself to be counseled of the Lord and even by family and friends. Sometimes I get so stuck in my ways, that I won't allow myself to change, even if it is for the better. Thanks for your example, Mahonri!