My Book of Mormon/Testimony Journey

Shouldering The Task Alone

2011-04-14T05:49:00.000-07:00

In preparation for Easter this year, I've been reading a new book out about out called God So Loved The World, which focuses on the last week of Christ's life and what happened on each day. I've really wanted to gain a better understanding of Him and what He went through for me and for you. I have slowly started to understand better how the scriptures from the beginning of time had prophesied about this week and everything that Christ went through had symbolic meaning to it. It didn't just happen. As the end of the week became nearer, it was necessary for literally the weight of the world to fall on His shoulders alone so that the process of the Atonement could take full effect. I don't understand how or why this was necessary, only have faith that it was. I love this quote....

"Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke of this, "the loneliest journey ever made and the unending blessing it brought to all in the human family...., the Savior's solitary task of shouldering alone the burden of our salvation." As a result of what Jesus has done for us, Elder Holland testified that "one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path...Trumpeted from the summit of calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are."

Prepare, then Ask

2010-05-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

I have always found the story of the brother Jared to be very interesting. I think it was fascinating that he took matters into his own hands and had the faith to go before the Lord to present his plan for light. I found a quote from President Harold B. Lee that was very meaningful. I think it balances the idea of faith and using your own mind to get things done.

"This is the principle in action. If you want the blessing, don't just kneel down and pray about it. Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to receive the blessing you seek." -President Harold B. Lee.

Mormon 7

2010-04-29T05:55:00.000-07:00

Mormon chapter 7 is only 9 verses long, but how powerful they are. They are Mormon's last words to us as he gets closer to the end of his life. Verses 1-7 teaches us what we need to know, and verses 8-9 teaches us what we need to do. Read this short chapter today. It will make a difference how you live your life today.

True Believers in Christ

2010-04-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

In 4 Nephi, we read that the people were true believers in Christ. What does that mean?

- True believers are settled in their views of Christ

- True believers gladly perform their duties in the kingdom

- True believers are humble

- True believers are willing to do what Christ wants

- True believers have a balanced contentment

- True believers truly pray

- True believers have both right conduct and right reasons for that conduct

- True believers rejoice in the success of others

- True believers remember that forgetting is part of the forgiving

- True believers are innocent as to sin, but not naive

- True believers are happy

Today, think about how you measure up to each of these.

How Do You Feel About The Scriptures?

2010-03-22T05:10:00.000-07:00

I feel like I make a really good effort to read the scriptures on a nearly daily basis and I also feel that I receive blessings, understanding and spiritual protection by following the commandments. However...this morning while reading, I came across a quote from Pres. Hinckley that made me wonder and think that I am probably not to where I need to be yet. Where do you fall?

"I am grateful for emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine."

On the Lord's Errand

2010-03-12T05:48:00.000-08:00

"Some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling. Remember that this work is not yours and mine along. It is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand we are entitled to the Lord's help." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson

I think that everyone, when presented with a new calling, should accept without reservation. These new assignments can be daunting and exciting and often cause us to grow. I often feel like my effort is so insignificant to what others do, but this quote is a good reminder that all our efforts, no matter how small, or how long we are called to serve in that capacity can make a difference. And....if we are able to serve till the end of that calling with pure intentions, then the Lord will bless us for it and we will feel accomplished in it.

Tender Mercies

2010-03-07T05:28:00.001-08:00

I have seen it in my life over and over especially lately. I know you've seen it in yours. Take a few minutes today to think on how the Lord has blessed you and how that blessing has been individual. It's not a coincidence, its not an accident. It was meant for just you.

Relying on Testimony

2010-03-03T05:29:00.000-08:00

"Trials are His way of stretching us and helping us become as He is. Our crises will differ in magnitude and frequency, but they will continue throughout our lives. I testify that as we turn to our testimony of Him in times of crisis, we can find the strength to overcome all that we are asked to endure." - Elder Paul Pieper

One of the things I've noticed in my life as I've fallen, gotten up, fallen again, and tried to rise up stronger spiritually, is that I feel like I look to my testimony more now as a reminder of strength. There were days where I would fall and then say, "Why....why keep trying" and turn the wrong direction in frustration. How does it go? Line up line, precept upon precept....

The more times we look to the Lord for strength and less towards ourselves and others, the stronger we will be both spiritually and gain more confidence in ourselves to do the right thing no matter how many times we get knocked off our planned course.

Pondering

2010-02-19T05:12:00.000-08:00

The scriptures repeatedly ask us to "ponder." This is a regular exercise that has continually escaped me my whole life. Yes, there are times that I do better at it than others, but I'm certainly not an expert ponderer. Christ, in the Book of Mormon asked the Nephites to go to their homes and ponder on that which he had said. Sitting during scripture study, while taking the sacrament or other times where I study the gospel, I want to think about, study it out and try to learn and understand what is before me, but my mind will start to wander after a time and I have to pull it back in line. I believe that the Holy Ghost speaks through our minds and hearts when we are pondering and concentrating on such things and therefore we grow spiritually. This week I want to do more of that. I will spend more time pondering what I read and less time simply trying to make it through the chapter. It is an important and vital part of scripture study.

Christ's Love

2010-02-18T05:17:00.000-08:00

3 Nephi 17:21-24

21 And when he had said these words, he ^awept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and ^bblessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

22 And when he had done this he wept again;

23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

I just finished reading chapter 17 of 3 Nephi for the 3rd time. I'm amazed and touched by the tenderness and compassion of Christ's visit to the America's after His death in Jerusalem. As I read, I get the feeling that he possibly came to teach a more formal sermon but saw the people's yearning for him to stay and simply be with them. He was overcome by their love for Him and marvelous miracles and teaching ensued. I love the account of how he gave special attention, individual love and possible taught the children some of the most sacred teachings illustrates to me how much He loves children. Perhaps His example towards children and others is a great example to us on how we should treat others AND not worry so much about accomplishing our plan, but to let the spirit guide. I am touched by His love.

What would it have been like to be there?

Continuing Forward

2010-02-10T05:10:00.000-08:00

I like to run...well at least now I do. Most days I look forward to my daily run, but there are days both summer and winter where when that alarm goes off it takes every ounce of energy and will I have to get up and go. Sometimes I'm just tired, sometimes I don't want to brave the cold, and sometimes I'm just plane bored of the routine. BUT....what one of the main reasons I do it is for the feeling of accomplishment, the feeling that I got up and did it despite the obstacles. So....I continue forward day in and day out. I look back to when I first decided to start running and see how far I've come, but also see that I have a long ways to go...in fact, it is a life long project. I may complete this race or that distance in a certain time or simply just cross the finish line, but there will always be another race and more importantly a new day to train.

The life/gospel lessons in my little running story are obvious....but it was a good reminder to me that my spiritual life is just like my running life. It takes constant effort despite the challenges and will never be over.

Enduring to the end, or remaining faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God. This belief distinguishes Latter-day Saints from many other Christian denominations, which teach that salvation is given to all who simply believe and confess that Jesus is the Christ. Latter-day Saints believe that to be saved a person must have faith in Jesus Christ, demonstrate repentance of sins, submit to baptism by immersion, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying-on of hands by those holding the true priesthood authority, and then remain faithful to all covenants, continue in righteousness, and endure faithfully to the end of mortal life (Heb. 3:6-14; 6:4-15; Mark 13:13). This enduring faithfulness makes it possible for a person to receive fully the grace of Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants states, "If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God" (D&C 14:7).

The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi taught the principle of enduring to the end as a requirement of salvation: "After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost,…and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you not to have known me…. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved" (2 Ne. 31:14-15; cf. Heb. 6:4-6). As Nephi explains, enduring to the end involves having faith, hope, and charity; faithfully following the example of Jesus Christ; and always abounding in good works (cf. Alma 7:23-24): "Unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved…. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end,…ye shall have eternal life" (2 Ne. 31:16, 20).

Enduring to the end includes being willing and prepared to endure faithfully the trials of life, as did Job, Stephen (Acts 7), Paul (2 Tim. 4:5-7), Peter (1 Pet. 1- 4), and Moroni 2 (Moroni 1:1-3). The Lord spoke this reassurance to the Prophet Joseph Smith after several months of incarceration in Liberty Jail: "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes" (D&C 121:7-8). by John M. Madsen

Follow the Prophet

2010-01-21T05:43:00.000-08:00

When Christ was crucified and lay in the tomb, the people in the America's experienced great storms, earthquakes, fires and death, and then 3 day of darkness. The people could be heard saying, "O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets and cast them out."

In our day, we don't physically kill and stone the prophets, but do we spiritually. I would put forth the idea that if we do not "tie ourselves to the prophets" or rather follow their counsel with exactness, that we are following the people of old and casting out our prophets to an extent. These are not simply old men at the head of our church leading to their hearts desires, but rather conduits of the Lord. When we choose not to obey and focus our attention on their words, we are in fact, not listening to the counsel of the Lord. It can be as drastic as turning away and getting involved in alcohol and drugs or as simple as saying that a little bit of pornography won't hurt....it won't affect me, or even, only attending part of church on Sunday. We are required and should fully obey the counsel from our prophets even if it inconveniences us a bit. I know and have a strong testimony of our modern day prophets. I know they lead us through God's spirit and I know that my family and I are better off and more spiritually fit to receive blessings because of it. I pray to be "tied to the prophets" always.

True Conversion

2010-01-19T05:14:00.000-08:00

"Stated simply, true conversion is the fruit of faith, repentance, and consistent obedience. Faith comes by hearing the word of God and responding to it. You will receive from the Holy Ghost a confirming witness of things you accept on faith by willingly doing them. You will be led to repent of errors resulting from wrong things done or right things not done. As a consequence, your capacity to consistently obey will be strengthened. This cycle of faith, repentance, andconsistent obedience will lead you to greater conversion with its attendant blessings. True conversion will strengthen your capacity to do what you know you should do, when you should do it, regardless of the circumstances." - Elder Richard G. Scott, April 2002

Sometimes I truly believe that I am converted, but then find myself falling back into less faithful prayer and scripture study either because I give it less emphasis or other things in life cause me to become distracted. By the time I realize this, I make new commitments to be better and head back that direction. How do I fully enter the cycle of faith, repentance and consistent obedience as Elder Scott says? I guess, as he says, the more you are able to stay in that cycle, the more you are strengthened to be more consistent.

Real Prayer

2010-01-13T05:15:00.000-08:00

In Enos we read about how Enos wrestled before (not with) God for answers to prayer. Although this is obviously a spiritual thing, I believe it to be mental also. To be able to clear one's mind from all distractions and really concentrate before your maker and talk to Him. Additionally, knowing what to pray for. The scriptures say that the Holy Spirit will tell us what to pray for. I believe aligning our will to this is what wrestling means.

Lastly, what does one due when it appears that no answer is coming? In Ether, with the brother of Jared, he comes to the Lord and presents him with a problem...lighting in their ships as they cross the ocean. The Lord basically, and kindly, says, well, what do you want me to do? You are smart and resourceful, what would you that I do? From Pres. Hinckley....

"Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work." — Gordon B. Hinckley

It occurred to me this morning that if no answer is coming immediately, its not that something is wrong, but perhaps there is no right answer, or more importantly, perhaps the Lord excepts us to get up off our knees (stop wasting time) and start to work, then the answers or the confirmation will come.

Replacing Fear With Faith

2010-01-07T05:45:00.000-08:00

In 3 Nephi 4:10, we read about the Nephites reaction just before the Gadianton robbers descended on them for war.

3 Nephi 4:10
 10 But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection; therefore, whenthe armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them.

Just before the greatest danger of their lives, the Nephite warriors are on their knees praying for strength. The Gadianton robbers mis-took this sign of submission as weakness but soon found out that it was not.

We must prepare ourselves and families for the challenges that are coming and are at all of our doorsteps, We do this by replacing fear of the unknown or challenges with faith. Faith that the Lord knows what will happen and has our best interest in mind. He will guide us through the darkness, but we must have faith that it will happen and live our lives so we are worthy of these blessings. Right now we (my family) are facing some big decisions... decisions that seem to have no answer that we can see. It's frustrating and can get us down, but I realized this morning that this is simply fear creeping in and we need to replace that fear with faith.

3 Nephi 1-7

2010-01-03T06:20:00.000-08:00

I just started studying 3rd Nephi today and found an interesting quote from a previous prophet, Pres. Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) which has made me want to study this portion of the Book of Mormon even harder. I think it's interesting to note his quote.

"the record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior's visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Savior's second coming."

Only those who were firm and steadfast in their conversations were able to remain strong prior to the Savior's appearance in the America's after his crucification in Jerusalem. I would imagine that the same is true today. We know that the Savior's second coming is not far off. We also know that it is getting harder and harder to keep the commandments and be strong in our conversions. Like the Nephites of old, only the firm and steadfast will make it. I want to be one of those.

God Never Never Never Will Forsake Us

2010-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Might I invite you to take a few minutes to watch this. It's message is that no matter how hard it is, how lonely we may feel, God never leaves our side. I testify that this is true!

God's Love For Us

2009-12-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

"....He chastened them; yea, in the days of their iniquities hath he chastened them because he loveth them." (Helaman 15:3)

I know, and I think that most people know of, God's love for us despite our follies and short-comings. But do we really believe this? Often, we are the most hard on ourselves I think. I met a cab driver recently back east. As we talked, it came up that I am LDS (Mormon). He began to tell me how he was baptized and was active in the church for awhile, but then his life started to fall apart and he no longer goes to church. He said, "I know that what the church teaches is true, but I'm disappointed in decisions I've made. I need to get that worked out before I come back." He was missing the whole point. The church is not for the perfect but rather those trying to be better. "We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19). Heavenly Father and Christ's love for us is eternal and always forth-coming.

Although I don't always claim to have been exactly on the straight path, I've always been able to see through dark mists that God indeed loved me despite it all, and therefore that gave me strength to make the necessary changes to come back onto the right path. His love is always there for the sinner AND for the repentent. He cannot tolerate the sin, but he loves us in-spite of the sin. If you feel like God does not love you, simply pray sincerely and ask...you WILL feel it because He does and I've felt and continue to feel it.

To Act for Ourselves...

2009-12-26T06:32:00.000-08:00

"For Behold, Ye Are Free, ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free. He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you." (Helman 14:30-31)

I find free agency an interesting thing. Often I find myself contemplating what I want now for what I want in the future and the future is a hard thing to imagine when it comes to the next life. It's obvious that major wrong decisions hamper our spiritual well-being and probably the outcome in the next life (without repentance), but what about the smaller things? I feel like sometimes I'm always doing a balancing act. BUT, I soon realize that is because my life is not inline with where it needs to be. The balancing act comes from falling to far to the left. Imagine a straight line. Our job is to stay on that path and the Lord helps us stay on that path through the scriptures, prayer and the Spirit. When we cross the path more than staying on it, it is because we let temptations, however small, pull us one direction or the other rather than staying on the path. That being said, it is the divine plan of the Savior to let us make those decisions and use repentance to correct when we're off. I'm grateful for the foresight and love of our Heavenly Father to give us that chance and know it is part of the Plan of Salvation.

Why We Celebrate...

2009-12-14T05:08:00.001-08:00

Forgivness

2009-12-08T04:59:00.000-08:00

"How wonderful that God should endow us with this sensitive yet strong guide we call a conscience! Someone has aptly remarked that 'conscience is a celestial spark which God has put into every man for the purpose of saving his soul.' Certainly it is the instrument which awakens the should to consciousness of sin, spurs a person to make up his mind and adjust, to convict himself of the transgression without soft-pedaling or minimizing the error, to be willing to face facts, meet the issue and pay necessary penalties---and until the person is in this frame of mind he has not begun to repent. To be sorry is an approach, to abandon the act of error is a beginning, but until one's conscience has been sufficiently stirred to cause him to move in the matter, so long as there are excuses and rationalizations, one has hardly begun his approach to forgiveness. This is what Alma meant in telling his son Corianton that 'none but the truly penitent are saved' (Alma 42:24).

(Spencer W. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, pg. 152)

The Resurrection & Eternal Families

2009-12-02T05:37:00.000-08:00

The resurrection is a gift from God that requires nothing from us. We will all be resurrected despite our behavior, good or bad, in this life. What happens after is up to us. I am so grateful for that hope that the resurrection provides. I know that it doesn't simply end with this life. The relationships we build in this life continue onto the next. Knowing that I can be with my wife and children forever gives me motivation to be the best I can be and treat them with the perspective that this relationship is eternal. The ability to be sealed forever as a family unit that cannot be broken by even the bands of death is done in a temple by someone who has the authority to do that. Living my life so I am able to attend the temple and honor those promises I made is paramount.

By Small and Simple Things

2009-11-22T15:41:00.000-08:00

"And the Lord God doth work by ^ameans to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very ^bsmall means the Lord doth ^cconfound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." - Alma 37:7

Often, there are great events in life that shape and change our lives....death, birth, marriage, new job or loss thereof, sickness, world events, etc. But when you really stop to think about it, it is the sum of the small things in our lives that shape us. A ship reaches its destination through large rudder directional changes, but the majority of the trip is done through small and constant changes by a very small rudder on a very large ship.

I often see the the effects on my life, both personal and professional, when I don't read the scriptures or pray on a regular basis. By doing those small things as well as holding family home evenings, loving one another, repenting when falling short, being thoughtful and kind to my spouse on a constant basis, serving faithfully in my calling, are things that keep me on course. Those type of things are the small things that make up the man and bring about His great and eternal principles as one of His children does the things necessary to carry on the work and someday return to Him.

Trusting In The Lord

2009-11-18T05:46:00.000-08:00

3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their ^atrust in God shall be supported in their ^btrials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be ^clifted up at the last day. - Alma 36:3

This verse really hit me yesterday and I've been thinking about it ever since. I think that sometimes society teaches us to have such trust in ourselves to accomplish things that we lessen the enormous responsibly we have to continually learn to put our trust and hope in the Lord. How do you balance the need to trust in yourself to accomplish and trust in the Lord to deliver you? It often takes hitting the bottom before we realize the appropriate balance which should be weighted more heavily in the Lord's direction.

Procrastination & Repentance

2009-11-12T05:48:00.000-08:00

"Procrastination, as it may be applied to Gospel principles, is the thief of eternal life--which is life in the presence of the Father and the Son." - President Joseph Fielding Smith

The need to daily repent is something that we have been taught all our lives, but I think it's hard to daily do this without falling into repetitious prayer. Something I found that helps is to go over in my mind before I pray my day and actions to think of specific times where I need to do better and then to specifically ask for repentance from those times. It helps me be less repetitious and take more advantage of the Lord's forgiveness.

To Pray Continually

2009-11-08T15:08:00.000-08:00

In Alma 33, Alma teaches the people that they do not have to have a "certain" location to pray, rather they can pray anywhere and continually. The idea that you have to have a certain location to pray in order to have your prayers heard seems silly, but then I started thinking....what does it mean to pray continually? Do I have rituals for prayer like the people Alma was teaching, but just don't realize it?

Alma 13: 28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and ^awatch and pray continually, that ye may not be ^btempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be ^cled by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, ^dmeek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

Elder Erying says..."Our hearts can be drawn out to God only when they are filled with love for Him and trust in His goodness. " (Conference Oct. 2001). So, I think that my tendencies is to make sure I pray morning and night and with family. But...if I forget to pray in the morning, do I stop and take care of that wherever I'm at, or keep moving? Does having your heart drawn out towards God mean that you have charity? I would suppose so. So, I guess that having a prayer in your heart continually would involve integrity at work, looking for ways to be an example and serve and being true to oneself when alone or without anyone else around.

Discipleship Is A Journey

2009-11-04T06:05:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wonder if my greatest hindrance to building a testimony is patience. I'm not good at seeing the long-term. As Alma progresses in his oratory on comparing the growth of a seed to a tree bearing fruit to our spiritual journey, I realized that patience plays such a grand player in our discipleship. Being able to see the end at the beginning or more importantly all along the way as we grow and learn "line upon line" is paramount to eating of that fruit from our tree.

42 And because of your ^adiligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the ^bfruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

43 Then, my brethren, ye shall ^areap the ^brewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth ^cfruit unto you.

What do you do to keep perspective?

Faith...as a Seed

2009-11-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

Alma 32:28-30 discusses how faith does not instantly come rather it grows slowly through diligent efforts. I'm pretty sure I always "got this" and understood that it takes time and effort for ones faith and testimony to grow, but I don't think I really thought about all the ways the soil needed to be cultivated in order to make the seed grow. I found this quote by Elder Faust which struck a cord today.

"We also need to prepare our own seedbed of faith. To do this we need to plow the soil through daily humble prayer, asking for strength and forgiveness. We need to harrow the soil by overcoming our feelings of pride. We need to prepare the seedbed by keeping the commandments to the best of our ability. We need to be honest with the Lord in the payment of our tithing and our other offerings. We need to be worthy and able to call forth the great powers of the priesthood to bless ourselves, our families, and others for whom we have responsibility. There is no better place for the spiritual seeds of our faith to be nurtured than within the hallowed sanctuaries of our temples and in our homes." - Elder James Faust, 1999