Mosiah Chp 17

This chapter is a very inspirational chapter. As I was reading it I was able to understand more of how we can stand up in what we believe in no matter the circumstances.

This chapter is about Abinadi and his act of heroism. Abinadi was told by The Lord that the people were living in unrighteousness ways. So he goes into town and prophesies to the people that they must repent and change their ways. They don't listen and cast him into jail. Even though he was in jail he wouldn't deny of the things he was told which unfortunately led him to death by fire.

I feel as though when we are faced with things such as peer pressure, we should remember Abinadi. When someone asks if we are Mormon we shouldn't hide and be ashamed. We should be able to be confident even though it might cause a loss of a friend or be considered an outcast to our world. We should stand as witnesses of God and not be ashamed of this true church.

OKAY! Ready Set Go!

Okay! Starting now I will be posting every single day. But first, I want to share my feelings on General Conference last week.

I felt as though a lot of speakers really focused on the prophet which is amazing I think. I enjoyed learning more about how we could listen to his words and be able to remember our past prophets as well.

Something I would like to share is my favorite talk from Elder Bednar. He mainly addressed things to the people who were not members of the church, however, I myself got a lot out of it as well. I feel as though even though it was addressed to the non members, I was able to learn and ponder how to teach theses things to my investigators in Alabama.

Also, I though the story of the little boy was adorable! If you don't remember, it was a story how a little brother got a scrape on his arm. His brother rushed to his side and took him inside to get the scratch all cleaned and taken care of. Even though the soap hurt the little brother, he was appreciative as the soothing effects of the cream was on his torn up skin. The little brother, now with bandaids all up his arm, took the tube of cream and gave some to his friends because he remembered when he was in pain, that was the stuff that helped him feel better. He wanted to share with his friends a way for them to feel good when they did not.

I feel this story sums up the main reason why I want to go on a mission.You know, before, I was really debating on if I wanted to go on one. I had no clue if I was supposed to serve now or when I am older with my husband. I never really had the desire to serve until I actually graduated. Since then, preparing for a mission has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. This talk sealed the deal of me going on a mission.

 The Lord has helped me so much in my life and I continue to see his hand in my life every single day. In addition, I have been blessed with so many things. The Lord has provided me with the best family, the best siblings, SPECTACULAR parents, the best friends, a great and happy home, many wonderful talents, and trust me, many many more things, I have felt how happy it is to live in a home where the spirit is around, and a home where the a priesthood holder lives. I know how it wonderful feels like to take the sacrament, and how peaceful it is inside Gods temple. I know the blessings that come out of an eternal celestial marriage. I see many many children in primary who are more then happy to learn about the gospel and sing songs to praise our Heavenly father. I know how it feels when I am in pain or am sad, and I open the scriptures for heavenly father to help my pain and sadness go away. Just like the ointment that helped the little boy, the gospel is that way to me. And that is the reason why I want to go on a mission. Not because it says so in my patriarchal blessing, or that my siblings went on one, ( Though those are great contributing factors and I am thankful for my siblings great examples and love and support they give me). I want to be able to share the gospel with others, so that when they are sad, hurt, anguished, or lost, they will know how to rely on the Lord with anything and know of the many blessings that come out of living this true gospel.

For the cultral celebration, we made a white flag and on the flag we were supposed to write something that would help us live true so that we could go to the temple. On my flag I wrote "Because I have been given much I too must give." This is a really great song and the words are wonderful.

Because I have been given much I too must give
Because Of thy great bounty lord each day I live
I shall divide gifts from thee with every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me


I didn't watch all of this talk because dad fast forwarded it before I \told him I wanted to listen to it, but when he played it the most inspiring thing came to my brain.

Elder Bednar stated, " The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides the cleanser necessary to be made pure and clean, the soothing salve to heal spiritual wounds and remove guilt, and the protection that enables us to be faithful in times both good and bad."

I am glad I was able to listen during this talk I got so much out of it and my prayer was answered. I am now for sure willing to stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places.

I love the gospel so much, and I am so happy to be born into it.

Tori

2 Nephi Chapter 4.

     I wonder if Nephi feels like I am kind of feeling at this time in my life. In this chapter, Nephi exclaims that he is such a horrible person basically. Calling himself wretched  and his soul grieveth and heart sorroweth because of his iniquities. A lot of times we wonder what Nephi has to be iniquitous about. He seems to do everything right. Praying and asking questions and following his father's commandments. But I wonder if there was more that we just don't know about. Maybe he was not as perfect as we may see him as. He is human anyway. I can't begin to understand what ways he thought he was iniquitous. (That's my new word for the day. haha.)

     I feel the same way as him sometimes. I do some of the basic things God has asked us to do but I don't do all of them. I feel guilty that I don't do what I am supposed to be doing. But just as Nephi said, "My God hath been my support. he hath led me thorough mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep." I know God is there for me. Sometimes I forget but I know he is there. He is my support and if I try to follow him I am doing a good  job. Everyone is not perfect and God knows that. As long as we TRY, he will be proud of us. : )

    Amanda

I read the intro to the bible before going to sleep last night. It was kind of an interesting read. I have never done that before. It was using old english a little so I had to focus really hard to understand it and still may not have fully. Then Cody and I read 2 Nephi 3 and that is always a cool chapter. Testifying of, or prophesying really, of Joseph Smith. If you read it, find ways that it talks about him. :)
Amanda

What a glorious conference it has been. It is a lot easier to listen to conference when you feel that they are directed to you. I can't wait to get it in writing so I can study more in depth. I may actually re-read all of them. Most of the talks, to me, were about obedience. Obedience bringing forth blessings. I have been so relaxed with the gospel that I now feel I am not quite as strong as I used to be. I need to dig back into the habit of praying every night and reading. Dig back to the day when I got a 100 percent on my reading in seminary. Dig back to the day that I would study every morning before doing missionary work. I am so mad that I don't do that now. Elder Scott's talk really just hit me though. When he said very firmly, "DO IT." I almost put my hand to my forehead and saluted him and said, "Yes sir!" Ha Ha. That is mostly what I got out of conference. Just the NEED to do better. Times are rough and we need that strength.

Amanda

Sunday morning confrence

So as I was watching confrence this morning I began to see a pattern on what was being taught. I thought if The Lord has people talk about the same thing over and over then it is best we listen. Maybe the first talk was not enough to get people's attention so he had to have another person give a talk about the same thing later. Heavenly Father is great how he does things like that. 

The two main topics I was really picking up on is that we really really need to heed the words in which the prophet speaks. " weather it is by my own mouth or the mouth of my servants it is the same" I forget who gave both of the talks about this but I did find it interesting that it was one person right after the next saying we needed to listen to what the prophet had to say. There are too many people hearing what the prophet has to say but then try to bend his words and start disobeying those things. If Heavenly Father had come and stood at the pulpit today and told us what needed to be done then we all I believe would get up that instant and start the work with out complaining or changing what he had to say. But in truth it pretty much is The Lord who is up there talking when the prophet is speaking. The words came directly from Heavenly Father himself. So all in all remember to not take the prophets words lightly. 

The second topic that was spoken highly of today was the blessings and importance of the sacrament. I think we all get into the mind set of repetition every Sunday when the bread and water is blessed and passed around to us. We bow our heads hear the prayer and then take our bread and water and then pass it on. But we often forget to think of why we are taking the bread and water and forget to ponder how special it is that we are able to have the blessing of having our sins atoned for every week. We sing a hymn that is supposed to help us think of the importance of the sacrament but often times I feel like I focus more on the notes I am singing than the words coming from my mouth. We need to think more and be more grateful for the blessing of the sacrament. Put that time aside to pray personally and thank Heavenly Father and Jesus for this amazing blessing we have to be forgiven of our sins weekly instead of falling into the repetition state of mind. Think of the words of the hymns. Open the hymn back up and read them and let those words speak to your soul and remember how much our Heavenly Father loves us for giving us such a gift and blessing of the sacrament. 

I hope to hear what you all had felt and learned from conference today. It is such a blessing to be able to hear all these talks from the prophet and his seers and revelators. I look forward to the next session. 

Tessa

Spiritual Increase

Spiritual Increase.

I don't know about you but I need a severe kick in the butt to start reading my scriptures more. It's not that I don't like reading the scriptures I just never think to or just don't really want to at the moment I think about it. This is SO not what needs to be happening and I know that. Tori came up with the idea to have "family scripture study." I thought it was a brilliant idea and was wondering how we could read the scriptures and have it be easy to put down our ideas onto paper so we could all see. I thought making this blog would be a good idea. I want to do this and I hope you do as well! Here is to increasing our spirituality and becoming who God wants us to be. :)