Monday, May 10, 2010
Prepare, then Ask
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Mormon 7
Friday, April 9, 2010
True Believers in Christ
Monday, March 22, 2010
How Do You Feel About The Scriptures?
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?
Friday, March 12, 2010
On the Lord's Errand
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Tender Mercies
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Relying on Testimony
Friday, February 19, 2010
Pondering
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.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Christ's Love
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Continuing Forward
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
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Follow the Prophet
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
True Conversion
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.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Real Prayer
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....
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Replacing Fear With Faith
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.
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.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
3 Nephi 1-7
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.