alma 9: 7 - 18
--> i didn't like the question they asked today, so i'm just going to write whatever i darn well please.
i love the story of alma and amulek. they are wonderful missionaries. i took a lot of time during my mission to read and study about alma and amulek because they had a great chemistry as companions, and taught with such power.
i love verse 7: "and they stood forth to lay their hands on me; but behold, they did not. and i stood with boldness to declare unto them, yea, i did boldly testify unto them..."
so as a missionary i worked on speaking with boldness and power and never being ashamed of the message i had to bear. when i took my missionary badge as i got released, i felt that that boldness faded. reading this chapter again was a good reminder of the kind of missionary i want to be currently, even though i don't have the badge anymore.
may.30
alma 8: 18 - 9: 6
what is something you will do today to show Heavenly Father that you will obey His counsel promptly and serve Him faithfully and diligently?
--> today i will pray for an opportunity to serve someone in an unplanned circumstance, and when the inspiration comes to do so, i will act on it and make it happen :)
what is something you will do today to show Heavenly Father that you will obey His counsel promptly and serve Him faithfully and diligently?
--> today i will pray for an opportunity to serve someone in an unplanned circumstance, and when the inspiration comes to do so, i will act on it and make it happen :)
may.29
alma 8: 1 - 17
how might the angel's words in alma 8:15 have been comforting to alma? how might the angel's words be comforting to you?
--> i think sometimes in life we just need a little reassurance that we are on the right path. maybe it's because i'm such a words of affirmation person, but i think if an angel were to tell me those words that he told alma, i would find them very reassuring, and they would bring me great peace and joy. i also love the theme of finding joy in the scriptures. we are here to have joy in the learning process. the angel tells alma, "lift up your head and rejoice". sometimes we all need that reminder :)
how might the angel's words in alma 8:15 have been comforting to alma? how might the angel's words be comforting to you?
--> i think sometimes in life we just need a little reassurance that we are on the right path. maybe it's because i'm such a words of affirmation person, but i think if an angel were to tell me those words that he told alma, i would find them very reassuring, and they would bring me great peace and joy. i also love the theme of finding joy in the scriptures. we are here to have joy in the learning process. the angel tells alma, "lift up your head and rejoice". sometimes we all need that reminder :)
may.28
alma 7: 14 - 27
what do we need to do and what do we need to be in order to follow the path leading to the kingdom of God?
--> i like how the question is phrased in two different parts: what do we need to do and what do we need to be. there are many things we can do to follow the right path, but if we never change and become something different, our efforts will be in vain. there have been times in my life when i am going through the motions "when you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed." He takes our hearts, our very nature, when we are willing, and turns us into what He would have us be.
what do we need to do and what do we need to be in order to follow the path leading to the kingdom of God?
--> i like how the question is phrased in two different parts: what do we need to do and what do we need to be. there are many things we can do to follow the right path, but if we never change and become something different, our efforts will be in vain. there have been times in my life when i am going through the motions "when you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed." He takes our hearts, our very nature, when we are willing, and turns us into what He would have us be.
may.27
alma 7: 1 - 13
why do you think coming the coming of the Savior is the most important event of all time?
--> this section of verses is my favorite section about the mission of Jesus Christ. "there is one thing which is of more importance than they all - for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people." (vs. 7)
at the time this verse was written, the Savior hadn't come the first time. He hadn't performed the atonement yet. but the people believed in Him "as if He had already come." His atonement was perfect and complete and applied to them, even though it hadn't happened yet. because God is all-knowing and all-reaching and everlasting, He could figure out how this would happen.
similar to them, we look forward to the time when the Savior will once again be on the earth. He will restore peace and order on earth and we will kneel at His feet and worship Him forever. He will triumph in the end, but there must be much more wickedness before we get to that point.
i am grateful for my knowledge of the Savior of the world, and what it means to me personally. i look forward to the day that He will come back to earth, to rule and reign among His people in peace and perfect glory.
why do you think coming the coming of the Savior is the most important event of all time?
--> this section of verses is my favorite section about the mission of Jesus Christ. "there is one thing which is of more importance than they all - for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people." (vs. 7)
at the time this verse was written, the Savior hadn't come the first time. He hadn't performed the atonement yet. but the people believed in Him "as if He had already come." His atonement was perfect and complete and applied to them, even though it hadn't happened yet. because God is all-knowing and all-reaching and everlasting, He could figure out how this would happen.
similar to them, we look forward to the time when the Savior will once again be on the earth. He will restore peace and order on earth and we will kneel at His feet and worship Him forever. He will triumph in the end, but there must be much more wickedness before we get to that point.
i am grateful for my knowledge of the Savior of the world, and what it means to me personally. i look forward to the day that He will come back to earth, to rule and reign among His people in peace and perfect glory.
may.26
alma 5: 53 - 6: 8
how do you think the church today can bless those who do not know God?
--> everything about the church is tailored to all the children of God. His desire is for His children, all His children, to make it back to His presence. the gospel of Jesus Christ is the way that He has instituted and put in place for that to happen.
for me, the gospel gives me perspective. it gives me direction. belonging to the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints gives me a sense of belonging. a targeted way to serve. a community of saints to help and grow with and learn with. a close social circle. the gospel is the way to happiness in this life and the life after this life. it is impossible to think about my life without thinking about the gospel, because i am who i am because of the way i have adopted the teachings of Jesus Christ into my life. but i can say that i am forever grateful for the opportunity to be involved in such a wonderful organization full of truth and light.
i read a blog post today of a man that argues "give me something better than the mormon church". worth the read. click here.
how do you think the church today can bless those who do not know God?
--> everything about the church is tailored to all the children of God. His desire is for His children, all His children, to make it back to His presence. the gospel of Jesus Christ is the way that He has instituted and put in place for that to happen.
for me, the gospel gives me perspective. it gives me direction. belonging to the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints gives me a sense of belonging. a targeted way to serve. a community of saints to help and grow with and learn with. a close social circle. the gospel is the way to happiness in this life and the life after this life. it is impossible to think about my life without thinking about the gospel, because i am who i am because of the way i have adopted the teachings of Jesus Christ into my life. but i can say that i am forever grateful for the opportunity to be involved in such a wonderful organization full of truth and light.
i read a blog post today of a man that argues "give me something better than the mormon church". worth the read. click here.
may.25
alma 5: 42 - 52
why is it important to know that Jesus Christ will come again?
--> knowing that the Savior will come again gives me hope in this dreary world. there is so much wickedness and evil in the world, without the knowledge of Jesus Christ's second coming, i would have a hard time finding any sort of hope, or feeling any sort of peace. but because i know it's temporary and will all be made right someday, i find life bearable. i know who will win in the end. the righteous will prevail, sin will cease, peace will be restored, and we will get a real "happily ever after" :)
why is it important to know that Jesus Christ will come again?
--> knowing that the Savior will come again gives me hope in this dreary world. there is so much wickedness and evil in the world, without the knowledge of Jesus Christ's second coming, i would have a hard time finding any sort of hope, or feeling any sort of peace. but because i know it's temporary and will all be made right someday, i find life bearable. i know who will win in the end. the righteous will prevail, sin will cease, peace will be restored, and we will get a real "happily ever after" :)
may.24
alma 5: 26 - 42
how has your heart changed as you have studied the book of mormon this year?
--> as i read the book of mormon, i learn more about Christ. because of this, i have a desire to be more like Christ. as i read the book of mormon, i see the effect and benefit of righteous patterns in my life. as i read the book of mormon, i feel the spirit of the Lord. as i read the book of mormon, i gain a greater persepective and understanding of Heavenly Father's plan for me. as i read the book of mormon, i feel love, peace, and comfort. i have a desire to change.
how has your heart changed as you have studied the book of mormon this year?
--> as i read the book of mormon, i learn more about Christ. because of this, i have a desire to be more like Christ. as i read the book of mormon, i see the effect and benefit of righteous patterns in my life. as i read the book of mormon, i feel the spirit of the Lord. as i read the book of mormon, i gain a greater persepective and understanding of Heavenly Father's plan for me. as i read the book of mormon, i feel love, peace, and comfort. i have a desire to change.
may.23
alma 5: 1 - 25
what do you think it means to experience a "change of heart"?
--> a change of heart is preceded with a change of perspective. it's hard to change your heart when you don't have an experience that will inspire you to do so. when we experience the spirit nudging us to do something or change something, we feel the need to change our hearts and turn towards God.
"behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word."
what do you think it means to experience a "change of heart"?
--> a change of heart is preceded with a change of perspective. it's hard to change your heart when you don't have an experience that will inspire you to do so. when we experience the spirit nudging us to do something or change something, we feel the need to change our hearts and turn towards God.
"behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word."
may.22
alma 4: 5 - 20
what do these verses teach about how pride influences the way we treat others? and how does humility influence the way we treat others?
--> i love the explanations of alma. his humility, i believe, was one of his strongest characteristics. in verse 19 it talks about how he went forth among the people to preach the word of God to help them remember their duty to Him. the end of the verse speaks volumes: "seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them." alma's humility helped him to convert many souls to God. he wanted to glorify God in everything he did, and had an attitude of service and love towards his people.
it's interesting to think about alma's background as one of the wicked priests of noah... he had seen the flip side of leadership and how ineffective pride is. he had seen the way king noah led and bossed around his people. he had been in the middle of all kinds of false doctrine and practices and pride everywhere he looked. i believe with that perspective behind him, he could choose to be a leader full of humility and compassion, teaching the true principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. it's amazing how one situation in our lives leads to the next. always. God is in control.
what do these verses teach about how pride influences the way we treat others? and how does humility influence the way we treat others?
--> i love the explanations of alma. his humility, i believe, was one of his strongest characteristics. in verse 19 it talks about how he went forth among the people to preach the word of God to help them remember their duty to Him. the end of the verse speaks volumes: "seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them." alma's humility helped him to convert many souls to God. he wanted to glorify God in everything he did, and had an attitude of service and love towards his people.
it's interesting to think about alma's background as one of the wicked priests of noah... he had seen the flip side of leadership and how ineffective pride is. he had seen the way king noah led and bossed around his people. he had been in the middle of all kinds of false doctrine and practices and pride everywhere he looked. i believe with that perspective behind him, he could choose to be a leader full of humility and compassion, teaching the true principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. it's amazing how one situation in our lives leads to the next. always. God is in control.
may.21
alma 3: 20 - 4: 4
according to these verses, what reward comes to those who obey the Lord? what blessings have you received from the Lord as you have chosen to follow Him?
--> obey the Lord, receive blessings. don't obey the Lord, disqualify yourself from those blessings. simply put.
according to these verses, what reward comes to those who obey the Lord? what blessings have you received from the Lord as you have chosen to follow Him?
--> obey the Lord, receive blessings. don't obey the Lord, disqualify yourself from those blessings. simply put.
may.20
alma 3: 1 - 19
what are some ways we can show through our dress and appearance that we are disciples of Jesus Christ?
--> growing up in the church, i always knew modesty was important. we are taught from a young age to be modest in our dress. i never really struggled with modesty, but i didn't ever really understand why it was so important. there seemed to be such an emphasis on dressing modestly so you will attract the right guys, or to keep the men's minds in clean places, etc. this always bothered me. it wasn't until post-high school and possibly even on the mission that i realized why we are modest.
now, i dress modestly because i respect myself and the body that Heavenly Father gave me. i dress modestly because i know that i am a daughter of God with infinite worth and am given the commission to take care of myself in this mortal state. i dress modestly because i love Jesus Christ and understand His role in my life. i dress modestly because the gospel doctrines and principles have become more than just what i do, they have become who i am.
there's a great talk entitled, "modesty - reverence for the Lord". you can read it by clicking here.
what are some ways we can show through our dress and appearance that we are disciples of Jesus Christ?
--> growing up in the church, i always knew modesty was important. we are taught from a young age to be modest in our dress. i never really struggled with modesty, but i didn't ever really understand why it was so important. there seemed to be such an emphasis on dressing modestly so you will attract the right guys, or to keep the men's minds in clean places, etc. this always bothered me. it wasn't until post-high school and possibly even on the mission that i realized why we are modest.
now, i dress modestly because i respect myself and the body that Heavenly Father gave me. i dress modestly because i know that i am a daughter of God with infinite worth and am given the commission to take care of myself in this mortal state. i dress modestly because i love Jesus Christ and understand His role in my life. i dress modestly because the gospel doctrines and principles have become more than just what i do, they have become who i am.
there's a great talk entitled, "modesty - reverence for the Lord". you can read it by clicking here.
may.19
alma 2: 19 - 38
why do you think it is important to receive strength from God to stand against wickedness rather than having wicked influences removed completely from our lives?
--> referring back to my earlier post about the wars we are waging today... i learn a lot from reading about the way that the people in the book of alma fortified and prepared for wars. they spent so much time building up their cities and making preparations to go to war. they knew that the time would come that they would have to go to battle, that their safety would be threatened. so they started way in advance making preparations so that when they time came, they would be ready. "when ye are prepared, ye shall not fear"... right?
we have been warned of impending danger and temptation in the world today. the world is getting more and more wicked as they days go on, and the need to find strength and fortification in righteousness is important now more than ever. if God took away the wickedness and temptations, we would never learn anything. we are on earth to learn and grow, to gain a body and have a physical experience where we learn to control the physical temptations and influences that we are subject to.
why do you think it is important to receive strength from God to stand against wickedness rather than having wicked influences removed completely from our lives?
--> referring back to my earlier post about the wars we are waging today... i learn a lot from reading about the way that the people in the book of alma fortified and prepared for wars. they spent so much time building up their cities and making preparations to go to war. they knew that the time would come that they would have to go to battle, that their safety would be threatened. so they started way in advance making preparations so that when they time came, they would be ready. "when ye are prepared, ye shall not fear"... right?
we have been warned of impending danger and temptation in the world today. the world is getting more and more wicked as they days go on, and the need to find strength and fortification in righteousness is important now more than ever. if God took away the wickedness and temptations, we would never learn anything. we are on earth to learn and grow, to gain a body and have a physical experience where we learn to control the physical temptations and influences that we are subject to.
may.18
alma 2: 1 - 18
how has the Lord strengthened you in your personal battles?
--> alma is sometimes a tough book to read because it's all about war! growing up, i had a hard time getting through it because i didn't see the relevance in my life. now i see the relevance more than ever. this study today and the question that went with it has caused me to think a lot about the sunday school lesson we had today in church. there was a quote read that i think fits perfectly. it says:
"today we find ourselves in another war. this is not a war of armaments. it is a war of thoughts, words, and deeds. it is a war with sin, and more than ever we need to be reminded of the commandments. secularism is becoming the norm, and many of its beliefs and practices are in direct conflict with those that were instituted by the Lord for Himself for the benefit of His children.
"God reveals to His prophets that there are moral absolutes. sin will always be sin. disobedience to the Lord's commandments will always deprive us of His blessings. the world changes constantly and dramatically, but God, His commandments, and promised blessings do not change. they are immutable and unchanging. men and women receive their agency as a gift from God, but their liberty and, in turn, their eternal happiness comes from obedience to His laws. as alma counseled his errant son corianton, 'wickedness never was happiness.'
"in a world where the moral compass of society is faltering, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ never wavers, nor should its stakes and wards, its families, or its individual members. we must not pick and choose which commandments we think are important to keep but acknowledge all of God's commandments. we must stand firm and steadfast having perfect confidence in the Lord's consistency and perfect trust in His promises."
amen to that!
how has the Lord strengthened you in your personal battles?
--> alma is sometimes a tough book to read because it's all about war! growing up, i had a hard time getting through it because i didn't see the relevance in my life. now i see the relevance more than ever. this study today and the question that went with it has caused me to think a lot about the sunday school lesson we had today in church. there was a quote read that i think fits perfectly. it says:
"today we find ourselves in another war. this is not a war of armaments. it is a war of thoughts, words, and deeds. it is a war with sin, and more than ever we need to be reminded of the commandments. secularism is becoming the norm, and many of its beliefs and practices are in direct conflict with those that were instituted by the Lord for Himself for the benefit of His children.
"God reveals to His prophets that there are moral absolutes. sin will always be sin. disobedience to the Lord's commandments will always deprive us of His blessings. the world changes constantly and dramatically, but God, His commandments, and promised blessings do not change. they are immutable and unchanging. men and women receive their agency as a gift from God, but their liberty and, in turn, their eternal happiness comes from obedience to His laws. as alma counseled his errant son corianton, 'wickedness never was happiness.'
"in a world where the moral compass of society is faltering, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ never wavers, nor should its stakes and wards, its families, or its individual members. we must not pick and choose which commandments we think are important to keep but acknowledge all of God's commandments. we must stand firm and steadfast having perfect confidence in the Lord's consistency and perfect trust in His promises."
amen to that!
may.17
alma 1: 15 - 33
have you ever felt teased, mocked, or persecuted for keeping the commandments? if so, how did you respond?
--> living in utah, something that surprises me is how often i feel ridiculed by people of my own faith. i haven't had many bad experiences with people that don't belong to the church, but have had quite a few with people within the church. just this past christmas, i had a number of conversations with a boy that didn't have the same moral compass as me. not saying one is more righteous than the other, we just saw things within the gospel differently. in the moment, i was able to be strong and stand up for what i knew to be right (and that standing up was so much easier because i had decided before i was in the situation what my standards would be...) but after the fact, i had a little of a meltdown. i had never felt so challenged and felt it was so wrong to feel so challenged by someone that is supposed to believe in the same things as me. it was another good lesson to me that the only person my righteousness really matters to is my Heavenly Father. as long as i am right with Him, it doesn't matter what anyone else says or does or thinks or feels about the way i choose to live the gospel. thank goodness for that!
have you ever felt teased, mocked, or persecuted for keeping the commandments? if so, how did you respond?
--> living in utah, something that surprises me is how often i feel ridiculed by people of my own faith. i haven't had many bad experiences with people that don't belong to the church, but have had quite a few with people within the church. just this past christmas, i had a number of conversations with a boy that didn't have the same moral compass as me. not saying one is more righteous than the other, we just saw things within the gospel differently. in the moment, i was able to be strong and stand up for what i knew to be right (and that standing up was so much easier because i had decided before i was in the situation what my standards would be...) but after the fact, i had a little of a meltdown. i had never felt so challenged and felt it was so wrong to feel so challenged by someone that is supposed to believe in the same things as me. it was another good lesson to me that the only person my righteousness really matters to is my Heavenly Father. as long as i am right with Him, it doesn't matter what anyone else says or does or thinks or feels about the way i choose to live the gospel. thank goodness for that!
may.16
alma 1: 1 - 14
how would teachers of the gospel be affected if their success were based on their popularity? how could this affect their teaching?
--> one of my favorite things about the restored church of Jesus Christ is the opportunity we all have to serve in different callings throughout our lives. none of us are seen as superior to another, we all serve in different capacities at different times in our lives. i appreciate this for many reasons, one of which being that we don't have to worry about popularity contests. there are good people in every congregation. there are good people teaching the gospel everywhere. there is a set curriculum and set doctrine that is taught worldwide across the board. on any given week, you can be assured that no matter where you are in the world, people are learning the exact same thing as you, give or take a week or 2. i LOVE that about the organization of the church! in other churches, we see the effect of popularity contests on attendance at church... i'm glad that we don't have to worry about that.
how would teachers of the gospel be affected if their success were based on their popularity? how could this affect their teaching?
--> one of my favorite things about the restored church of Jesus Christ is the opportunity we all have to serve in different callings throughout our lives. none of us are seen as superior to another, we all serve in different capacities at different times in our lives. i appreciate this for many reasons, one of which being that we don't have to worry about popularity contests. there are good people in every congregation. there are good people teaching the gospel everywhere. there is a set curriculum and set doctrine that is taught worldwide across the board. on any given week, you can be assured that no matter where you are in the world, people are learning the exact same thing as you, give or take a week or 2. i LOVE that about the organization of the church! in other churches, we see the effect of popularity contests on attendance at church... i'm glad that we don't have to worry about that.
may.15
mosiah 29: 33 - 47
the "reign of the judges" was so significant to not only be in the scriptures but was also the new reference in keeping time. previously, writers of the scriptures kept track of time from when lehi had left jerusalem. what did you learn from these verses?
--> i love verse 43: "alma did walk in the ways of the Lord, and he did keep his commandments, and he did judge righteous judgments; and there was continual peace through the land."
this verse is further evidence of the principle i know to be true: that when we keep the commandments of the Lord and try our best to follow His will, we will experience peace and direction in our lives. the people of alma decided against a king and for a judge, and i think that was the best decision they could've made at that time.
the "reign of the judges" was so significant to not only be in the scriptures but was also the new reference in keeping time. previously, writers of the scriptures kept track of time from when lehi had left jerusalem. what did you learn from these verses?
--> i love verse 43: "alma did walk in the ways of the Lord, and he did keep his commandments, and he did judge righteous judgments; and there was continual peace through the land."
this verse is further evidence of the principle i know to be true: that when we keep the commandments of the Lord and try our best to follow His will, we will experience peace and direction in our lives. the people of alma decided against a king and for a judge, and i think that was the best decision they could've made at that time.
may.14
mosiah 29: 16 - 32
king mosiah shares revelation on the importance of righteous leadership. how has righteous leadership in the church blessed your life?
--> i feel like i have always appreciated the righteous leaders in the church. when i was teen, i remember a particular experience sitting with bishop williams in a birthday interview. we were talking about scripture study and he asked if i was a scripture skiier, snorkeler, or scuba diver. this led to a great conversation about the differences between the 3 and the opportunity to deepen our study of the scriptures no matter what stage we are at. when i walked out of his office, i felt so inspired and felt like he knew me a lot better than he really did.
righteous leaders of the church are inspired to say certain things and do certain things and lead the church in the way that the Lord wants. i have been blessed time and time again throughout my life with righteous church leaders. i grew so close to my bishops in logan during my utah state experience, and feel a similar connection to my leaders here in the singles ward. i am grateful for the inspired nature of the call to be a leader in the church.
king mosiah shares revelation on the importance of righteous leadership. how has righteous leadership in the church blessed your life?
--> i feel like i have always appreciated the righteous leaders in the church. when i was teen, i remember a particular experience sitting with bishop williams in a birthday interview. we were talking about scripture study and he asked if i was a scripture skiier, snorkeler, or scuba diver. this led to a great conversation about the differences between the 3 and the opportunity to deepen our study of the scriptures no matter what stage we are at. when i walked out of his office, i felt so inspired and felt like he knew me a lot better than he really did.
righteous leaders of the church are inspired to say certain things and do certain things and lead the church in the way that the Lord wants. i have been blessed time and time again throughout my life with righteous church leaders. i grew so close to my bishops in logan during my utah state experience, and feel a similar connection to my leaders here in the singles ward. i am grateful for the inspired nature of the call to be a leader in the church.
may.13
mosiah 29: 1 - 15
what are some opportunities young men and young women sacrifice or postpone today so they can serve missions?
--> school, scholarships, work opportunities, family events, marriage, etc. etc. the sacrifices are great when you serve a full-time mission, but the rewards far FAR outweigh what you are asked to give up. not a day goes by that i don't think about my mission: the people i met and love, the lessons i learned, the challenges i faced and the strength i gained. deciding to serve a full-time mission for the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints was the best decision i've made in my life up to date. wouldn't trade my experiences for the world.
what are some opportunities young men and young women sacrifice or postpone today so they can serve missions?
--> school, scholarships, work opportunities, family events, marriage, etc. etc. the sacrifices are great when you serve a full-time mission, but the rewards far FAR outweigh what you are asked to give up. not a day goes by that i don't think about my mission: the people i met and love, the lessons i learned, the challenges i faced and the strength i gained. deciding to serve a full-time mission for the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints was the best decision i've made in my life up to date. wouldn't trade my experiences for the world.
may.12
mosiah 28: 1 - 20
what experiences in your life have led you to want to share the gospel with others?
--> "when your understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ deepens, your desire to share the gospel will increase."
as i come to learn more about the atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ, i can't help but not desire to share it. that is a pattern shown time and time again in the scriptures. when people experience the "mighty change in their hearts", they want to turn around and share it with whoever they can, especially those that they love most.
what experiences in your life have led you to want to share the gospel with others?
--> "when your understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ deepens, your desire to share the gospel will increase."
as i come to learn more about the atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ, i can't help but not desire to share it. that is a pattern shown time and time again in the scriptures. when people experience the "mighty change in their hearts", they want to turn around and share it with whoever they can, especially those that they love most.
may.11
mosiah 27: 18 - 37
how does living the gospel change our nature?
--> the gospel takes men as they are and turns them into what they can be. simply but. "when you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed."
president monson gave a phenomenal talk about seeing others as they may become. read that talk here.
how does living the gospel change our nature?
--> the gospel takes men as they are and turns them into what they can be. simply but. "when you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed."
president monson gave a phenomenal talk about seeing others as they may become. read that talk here.
may.10
mosiah27: 1 - 17
when have someone else's prayers made a difference in your life? when have you felt that your prayers have made a difference in someone's life?
--> my mom often tells me that she prays for me, and i totally appreciate that. i remember a specific instance when i wasn't feeling well but had a student teaching observation to perform. there was no way i could cancel it and no way i could make it through the day either. i could barely stand up. my mom and i knelt in prayer before i left for school and as i listened to my mom's heartfelt plea that i would be able to make it through the observation and the day, i felt a sense of peace come over me. i didn't feel well right away, but the minute i walked up to the front of the classroom to teach, i forgot i was feeling sick. the minute i finished i felt terrible again. i know it was because of the faith and prayer of my mother that i was able to make it through and perform decently in that observation.
in our ysa stake we hold a "Zion Day" every tuesday where members of the stake each pray for each other on tuesdays. i have felt multiple times that when i take the time and energy to pray for specific sisters on that day or just for the members of the stake in general, i feel a confirmation that my prayers mattered. i also know they matter because i've called upon the faith and prayers of the members of the stake and have felt the guidance and spirit of the Lord in greater measure with the very thing i was seeking. what a powerful day. i have come to love tuesdays.
when have someone else's prayers made a difference in your life? when have you felt that your prayers have made a difference in someone's life?
--> my mom often tells me that she prays for me, and i totally appreciate that. i remember a specific instance when i wasn't feeling well but had a student teaching observation to perform. there was no way i could cancel it and no way i could make it through the day either. i could barely stand up. my mom and i knelt in prayer before i left for school and as i listened to my mom's heartfelt plea that i would be able to make it through the observation and the day, i felt a sense of peace come over me. i didn't feel well right away, but the minute i walked up to the front of the classroom to teach, i forgot i was feeling sick. the minute i finished i felt terrible again. i know it was because of the faith and prayer of my mother that i was able to make it through and perform decently in that observation.
in our ysa stake we hold a "Zion Day" every tuesday where members of the stake each pray for each other on tuesdays. i have felt multiple times that when i take the time and energy to pray for specific sisters on that day or just for the members of the stake in general, i feel a confirmation that my prayers mattered. i also know they matter because i've called upon the faith and prayers of the members of the stake and have felt the guidance and spirit of the Lord in greater measure with the very thing i was seeking. what a powerful day. i have come to love tuesdays.
may.9
mosiah 26: 14 - 39
why do you think the Lord requires us to forgive others? how are repenting and forgiving others connected?
--> there is a freeing that occurs when we forgive. when we harbor judgment or resent, we aren't able to fill the full portion of the spirit of the Lord. it is restrained when all is not right. i can say from personal experience that when i am at peace with others, i am at greater peace with myself. when i forgive others, i am able to more easily see them as the Lord sees them and able to feel of His love for them, which in turn allows me to feel a greater portion of His love for me. repenting is a turning of the heart toward God. a change. as we forgive, our capacity to love grows as our heart expands and we can feel again.
why do you think the Lord requires us to forgive others? how are repenting and forgiving others connected?
--> there is a freeing that occurs when we forgive. when we harbor judgment or resent, we aren't able to fill the full portion of the spirit of the Lord. it is restrained when all is not right. i can say from personal experience that when i am at peace with others, i am at greater peace with myself. when i forgive others, i am able to more easily see them as the Lord sees them and able to feel of His love for them, which in turn allows me to feel a greater portion of His love for me. repenting is a turning of the heart toward God. a change. as we forgive, our capacity to love grows as our heart expands and we can feel again.
may.8
mosiah 25: 15 - 26: 13
how were the people blessed as a result of being baptized and joining the Church of God?
--> verse 24 says, "the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land." that sums it up pretty well to me. when anyone takes the steps to follow Jesus Christ by baptism, they receive the same blessings.
to read more about baptism the Lord's way, click here.
how were the people blessed as a result of being baptized and joining the Church of God?
--> verse 24 says, "the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land." that sums it up pretty well to me. when anyone takes the steps to follow Jesus Christ by baptism, they receive the same blessings.
to read more about baptism the Lord's way, click here.
may.7
mosiah 24: 16 - 25: 14
how does it help you to hear examples of God's goodness and power in the lives of others?
--> i love reading examples in the scriptures because it proves that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is still helping us today as He was helping people long ago. He is still intimately involved in our lives, just as He was intimately involved in the people hundreds and thousands of years ago. reading about examples like these in the scriptures helps me see patterns in the ways that the Lord communicates and interacts with His children. as i learn more about these patterns, it helps me understand how He interacts with me in my own life too.
how does it help you to hear examples of God's goodness and power in the lives of others?
--> i love reading examples in the scriptures because it proves that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is still helping us today as He was helping people long ago. He is still intimately involved in our lives, just as He was intimately involved in the people hundreds and thousands of years ago. reading about examples like these in the scriptures helps me see patterns in the ways that the Lord communicates and interacts with His children. as i learn more about these patterns, it helps me understand how He interacts with me in my own life too.
may.6
mosiah 24: 1 - 15
why is it helpful to know that the Lord doesn't always immediate remove our burdens or take away our challenges?
--> understanding that very thing is understanding that there is a greater purpose and plan for our lives. to face our challenges with faith that it won't rain forever helps us to find the sun rays in between the clouds. there is beauty in the clouds. i recently watched a TED talk about the clouds. how no one notices the clouds until they are covering the sunshine. how there is so much beauty and majesty in the clouds that often goes overlooked. i am a believer that joy can be found in every moment, no matter how tough. there are things to be grateful for everyday, and in the midst of challenges, those things to be grateful for intensify. God knows exactly what He is doing. and isn't that wonderful.
why is it helpful to know that the Lord doesn't always immediate remove our burdens or take away our challenges?
--> understanding that very thing is understanding that there is a greater purpose and plan for our lives. to face our challenges with faith that it won't rain forever helps us to find the sun rays in between the clouds. there is beauty in the clouds. i recently watched a TED talk about the clouds. how no one notices the clouds until they are covering the sunshine. how there is so much beauty and majesty in the clouds that often goes overlooked. i am a believer that joy can be found in every moment, no matter how tough. there are things to be grateful for everyday, and in the midst of challenges, those things to be grateful for intensify. God knows exactly what He is doing. and isn't that wonderful.
may.5
mosiah 23: 16 - 39
how can you exercise faith and trust in God during your times of trial?
--> this past sunday was a good refresher course in the answer to this exact question. i had multiple conversations and lessons and reminders of the power of the spirit we can have in our lives and what it can do for us, especially during times of trial.
the single most important thing we can do everyday, whether we are in the midst of a trial or not, is to ground ourselves and seek the spirit of the Lord. turns out the small and simple things in our lives are actually not as small and simple as we may think. they give us the foundation and the grounding we need to live a peaceful life. i find that when i am doing the simplest things - daily scripture study, daily meaningful prayer, attending church to take the sacrament, and attending the temple regularly, i have a better perspective to meet life's challenges. often during challenges, i see the need to step back and look at the bigger picture. this is challenging when the thing i am facing seems like the end of my world and such a big deal, but really Heavenly Father has given us adequate means to face the challenges we are given, and the proper perspective to do so. i love Him for that.
how can you exercise faith and trust in God during your times of trial?
--> this past sunday was a good refresher course in the answer to this exact question. i had multiple conversations and lessons and reminders of the power of the spirit we can have in our lives and what it can do for us, especially during times of trial.
the single most important thing we can do everyday, whether we are in the midst of a trial or not, is to ground ourselves and seek the spirit of the Lord. turns out the small and simple things in our lives are actually not as small and simple as we may think. they give us the foundation and the grounding we need to live a peaceful life. i find that when i am doing the simplest things - daily scripture study, daily meaningful prayer, attending church to take the sacrament, and attending the temple regularly, i have a better perspective to meet life's challenges. often during challenges, i see the need to step back and look at the bigger picture. this is challenging when the thing i am facing seems like the end of my world and such a big deal, but really Heavenly Father has given us adequate means to face the challenges we are given, and the proper perspective to do so. i love Him for that.
may.4
mosiah 22: 10 - 23: 15
how have you been an instrument in the Lord's hands?
--> one cool experience that's happened recently: a few weeks ago i had the impression that i needed to start a scripture study group. i had been struggling to find meaning in my scripture studies and thought this would be a great way to pick up some momentum and have discussions with people about what i was reading. so, i invited a bunch of people after gauging interest, and so it began.
the first week, a girl came that is fairly new in the ward. after all was said and done she asked why i started this group. i told her my reasoning and she said, "no, this is for me!" she has been inactive for some time and while she was away from the LDS church, was attending Bible study with a friend. she loved that and had been missing that aspect of her life since coming back. as she was talking i just got this overwhelming feeling that she was the reason i was inspired to start this study. sure, it has been and will continue to benefit me, but Heavenly Father needed me to be an instrument in His hands and help her.
there are few feelings more fulfilling than acting on a prompting we receive and watching God's plan unfold.
how have you been an instrument in the Lord's hands?
--> one cool experience that's happened recently: a few weeks ago i had the impression that i needed to start a scripture study group. i had been struggling to find meaning in my scripture studies and thought this would be a great way to pick up some momentum and have discussions with people about what i was reading. so, i invited a bunch of people after gauging interest, and so it began.
the first week, a girl came that is fairly new in the ward. after all was said and done she asked why i started this group. i told her my reasoning and she said, "no, this is for me!" she has been inactive for some time and while she was away from the LDS church, was attending Bible study with a friend. she loved that and had been missing that aspect of her life since coming back. as she was talking i just got this overwhelming feeling that she was the reason i was inspired to start this study. sure, it has been and will continue to benefit me, but Heavenly Father needed me to be an instrument in His hands and help her.
there are few feelings more fulfilling than acting on a prompting we receive and watching God's plan unfold.
may.3
mosiah 21: 28 - 22:9
what have you learned that would give encouragement to anyone who needed to experience the Lord's power to deliver us from sin?
--> i have learned that the healing that comes from true repentance far outweighs the pain or embarrassment of taking care of it. there is a tangible lifting of burdens that comes when you are forgiven. i love that feeling of peace, no matter how hard or painful it is to go through the process to get there.
what have you learned that would give encouragement to anyone who needed to experience the Lord's power to deliver us from sin?
--> i have learned that the healing that comes from true repentance far outweighs the pain or embarrassment of taking care of it. there is a tangible lifting of burdens that comes when you are forgiven. i love that feeling of peace, no matter how hard or painful it is to go through the process to get there.
may.2
mosiah 21: 9 - 27
why was the Lord slow to hear their prayers? what can we learn as we wait for answers to our prayers?
--> one of the beauties of our relationship with our Heavenly Father is that He doesn't give us answers to our prayers whenever we want them. i have seen in my life time and time again how perfect His timing is. i normally feel like i know exactly what i want, but when life works out, it works out way better than i ever planned or imagined it. that, my friends, is a beautiful feeling. especially in a world where we are used to instant gratification and answers to things we need at the swipe of a hand or a click of a button, it is good for us to be forced to wait. good things come to those that wait. check out this mormon message. i really love it.
why was the Lord slow to hear their prayers? what can we learn as we wait for answers to our prayers?
--> one of the beauties of our relationship with our Heavenly Father is that He doesn't give us answers to our prayers whenever we want them. i have seen in my life time and time again how perfect His timing is. i normally feel like i know exactly what i want, but when life works out, it works out way better than i ever planned or imagined it. that, my friends, is a beautiful feeling. especially in a world where we are used to instant gratification and answers to things we need at the swipe of a hand or a click of a button, it is good for us to be forced to wait. good things come to those that wait. check out this mormon message. i really love it.
may.1
mosiah 20:12 - 21:8
what are some things prophets and apostles teach in our day that will help us avoid suffering and sorrow? what do they teach that will help bring us peace and happiness and help us return to God's presence?
--> everything they teach helps avoid suffering and sorrow. i'm always amazed how much time they spend talking about the basics: personal and family scripture study and prayer, temple attendance, and keeping your covenants faithfully. these principles aren't a shield of invincibility, but it sure makes life easier. i know it because when i apply these things i can feel a difference in the level of my happiness.
what are some things prophets and apostles teach in our day that will help us avoid suffering and sorrow? what do they teach that will help bring us peace and happiness and help us return to God's presence?
--> everything they teach helps avoid suffering and sorrow. i'm always amazed how much time they spend talking about the basics: personal and family scripture study and prayer, temple attendance, and keeping your covenants faithfully. these principles aren't a shield of invincibility, but it sure makes life easier. i know it because when i apply these things i can feel a difference in the level of my happiness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)