I have learned so much from writing this blog. It has been crazy for me to see how much more I got out of the scriptures I chose to write about. They impacted me much more deeply and it was nice to get the thoughts I was thinking in my head out. I feel like I learned a lot about myself and my own testimony.
Sometimes I think it can be easy to doubt. It can be easy to think my testimony has slipped and that I don't really have much of one anymore. Writing these entries and reading over them has helped me to see that I really do believe. I am strengthening my testimony each day in small ways, but over the years it has been built up quite a bit which I am extremely thankful for.
I have learned the importance of missionary work. I have had moments through this project where I just wanted to go out and tell everybody I saw of the wonderful truth which we as church members hold. I have also learned how we should act toward the commandments and council we have received. We need to be obedient to the Lord. And why wouldn't me? It seems kind of silly to me to brush off commandments from a God who created a new world as well as all the inhabitants in it. Perspective is hard to keep sometimes in day to day life, but everyone once in a while I think it is so valuable to take a step back and look at the bigger picture we have the privilege of knowing.
Another thing I have learned is that the scriptures really do testify constantly of Christ and the sacrifice he has made for us. When I read, I can get pretty caught up in the story line. Picking out scriptures to write about has helped me to apply the teachings to myself as well as realize how much testimony of Christ is really born throughout the Book of Mormon.
Ultimately, I am coming away from this project for a deeper love for the Book of Mormon as well as my brother and Savior, Jesus Christ. I would be nothing without his atoning sacrifice. It would be so hard for me to get close to almost anyone in this life knowing that one day I would have to part with them through death. But, thanks to the Savior, we have eternal life. I will be with my loved ones for all eternity and I could hold nothing more dear to my heart.
Alma 1-7
5:14-15
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethern of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethern of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?
Growing up as a member of the church it is easy to ride off
of your parent’s testimonies as long as you are living at home. They hold you
accountable for going to church, attending seminary, and participating in youth
activities. Having moved out recently, I now have full control over that aspect
of my life. As I now attend church and do all the other things that come with
being a member of the church, it is totally my choice. I am now dependent on the
testimony I have had to gain for myself.
I like this little set of verses because it hits pretty
directly. In the scriptures I find I get caught up in the story a lot and
forget to apply it to myself, but with these I ask myself the questions directly. I find they are a call to check myself.
I find it so powerful to imagine standing before the Lord having him judge us. When you have an eternal perspective like that, little everyday troubles or temptations have much less power over you. I think that is a very important part of the temple for us here on earth. It takes us and gives us a different lens to look through while here on earth. It is so easy to start to create this little bubble as we go through our days and kind of forget about the bigger picture, but the temple helps us to zoom out and look at things much grander than us. It is such a blessing that we have that again here on earth.
Mosiah 22-25
23:21-22
21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.
22 Nevertheless- whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.
The Lord has a reason for testing our patience and faith. We need to prove ourselves to him. In the 1828 dictionary it is interesting to see what the word chasten really means. It is to correct by punishment; to punish; to inflict pain for the purpose of reclaiming an offender. He is not intentionally hurting us, he doesn't just need us to experience pain for no reason at all, he is inflicting pain for a purpose.We are here with little knowledge and have a lot to learn in our time here.
Christ had to suffer as well, except during his worst sufferings, he was abandoned by even the Lord, which is a pain we will never have to endure. When our burdens are simply too much for us to bear, Christ will help us lift it.
I have been learning a lot this semester about the power of Grace and how important it is to truly understand it. Even though we will try our hardest in life, grace is the real reason we will ever be anywhere close to making it to the celestial kingdom.
As we put our trust in him through our burdens, being tried in our patience and faith, we have been promised to be lifted up at he last day. How marvelous that really is.
21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.
22 Nevertheless- whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.
The Lord has a reason for testing our patience and faith. We need to prove ourselves to him. In the 1828 dictionary it is interesting to see what the word chasten really means. It is to correct by punishment; to punish; to inflict pain for the purpose of reclaiming an offender. He is not intentionally hurting us, he doesn't just need us to experience pain for no reason at all, he is inflicting pain for a purpose.We are here with little knowledge and have a lot to learn in our time here.
Christ had to suffer as well, except during his worst sufferings, he was abandoned by even the Lord, which is a pain we will never have to endure. When our burdens are simply too much for us to bear, Christ will help us lift it.
I have been learning a lot this semester about the power of Grace and how important it is to truly understand it. Even though we will try our hardest in life, grace is the real reason we will ever be anywhere close to making it to the celestial kingdom.
As we put our trust in him through our burdens, being tried in our patience and faith, we have been promised to be lifted up at he last day. How marvelous that really is.
Mosiah 17-21
18:9
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life-
I would give anything to be exactly who this scripture describes. How wonderful would it be to be so devoted to the Lord. It is such a Christlike thing to be able to feel for others and be there for them as the first few lines of this scriptures describes. I like to think about the things that will happen after this life and how incredible it would be to have labored to hard in this life to be able to be numbered with those of the first resurrection and then have eternal life.
It also makes me wonder what our purpose will be for living all eternity. I doubt we will just sit around perfectly content doing nothing; I imagine that would get pretty boring after a bit. It will be so interesting to have such a different sense of ourselves and our purpose. Right now it is hard to imagine anything other than what we know. We are born, strive to become the best we can be, then we die. With no end in sight in the after life, what will motivate us? What will we do? It's just kind of interesting to think about.
It is easy to become self absorbed and not really watch out for those around us, but we need to break the natural man's mindset and focus more on others. I especially love the teaching of comforting those who are in need of comfort. I know that when I have been low, nothing makes me feel better than someone goes a little out of there way to check up on me or say a kind word or two. I hope I can be that same comfort to those around me.
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life-
I would give anything to be exactly who this scripture describes. How wonderful would it be to be so devoted to the Lord. It is such a Christlike thing to be able to feel for others and be there for them as the first few lines of this scriptures describes. I like to think about the things that will happen after this life and how incredible it would be to have labored to hard in this life to be able to be numbered with those of the first resurrection and then have eternal life.
It also makes me wonder what our purpose will be for living all eternity. I doubt we will just sit around perfectly content doing nothing; I imagine that would get pretty boring after a bit. It will be so interesting to have such a different sense of ourselves and our purpose. Right now it is hard to imagine anything other than what we know. We are born, strive to become the best we can be, then we die. With no end in sight in the after life, what will motivate us? What will we do? It's just kind of interesting to think about.
It is easy to become self absorbed and not really watch out for those around us, but we need to break the natural man's mindset and focus more on others. I especially love the teaching of comforting those who are in need of comfort. I know that when I have been low, nothing makes me feel better than someone goes a little out of there way to check up on me or say a kind word or two. I hope I can be that same comfort to those around me.
Mosiah 13-16
15:7
7 Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.
Christ has done so much for us. He did so much for his Father. It makes it so much more real to me though when I picture one of my brothers going through what Christ did for us. I can see him being persecuted. I can see him in the garden. I can see him nailed there on the cross. Visualizing all of this makes it so much more tangible to me. Christ is my brother and he suffered and died so I can be clean and hopefully make it to the celestial kingdom one day with my family.
Grace is one of the blessings I hold dearest to myself. We don't have to go through this life alone, struggling to withstand temptations and keep our head up when life just gets too hard. We have grace to help us, strengthen us as we go through this life. Once we have done all we can and are done with this life, it is grace yet again that saves us.
The topic of grace had always been a pretty foggy topic for me. I used to think it was just the saving power at the end of our lives. I know others who think grace is what saves you with out much, if any, work on your part. So it was interesting to learn about how grace is sort of a trick question. It is the answer to it all. It is what helps us become the best we can as well as makes up for all the things we have fallen short for.
I am so thankful for grace and my knowledge of it. It is so relieving to know that you always have someone there rooting for you. Not only is Christ rooting for us, but he did everything in his power to help us come home. He went through so much pain and agony to save us, and he was so selfless that his own will was swallowed up in the will of the Father. How perfect his example is to us all.
7 Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.
Christ has done so much for us. He did so much for his Father. It makes it so much more real to me though when I picture one of my brothers going through what Christ did for us. I can see him being persecuted. I can see him in the garden. I can see him nailed there on the cross. Visualizing all of this makes it so much more tangible to me. Christ is my brother and he suffered and died so I can be clean and hopefully make it to the celestial kingdom one day with my family.
Grace is one of the blessings I hold dearest to myself. We don't have to go through this life alone, struggling to withstand temptations and keep our head up when life just gets too hard. We have grace to help us, strengthen us as we go through this life. Once we have done all we can and are done with this life, it is grace yet again that saves us.
The topic of grace had always been a pretty foggy topic for me. I used to think it was just the saving power at the end of our lives. I know others who think grace is what saves you with out much, if any, work on your part. So it was interesting to learn about how grace is sort of a trick question. It is the answer to it all. It is what helps us become the best we can as well as makes up for all the things we have fallen short for.
I am so thankful for grace and my knowledge of it. It is so relieving to know that you always have someone there rooting for you. Not only is Christ rooting for us, but he did everything in his power to help us come home. He went through so much pain and agony to save us, and he was so selfless that his own will was swallowed up in the will of the Father. How perfect his example is to us all.
Mosiah 7-12
7:33
33 But if you will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if you do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
Wouldn't it be great to be able to devote your whole life to the Lord? It can be hard in day to day life I think. As college students it is hard not to focus solely on you and your own success. I find it easier to become sad or depressed at times and the common thread I have found at there times is a focus on myself. It is hard not to fall into that mindset when you are worrying about things like grades and the future.
I am so blessed to have to opportunity to serve a mission this coming February. I am so excited to be able to devote this time to nothing but serving the Lord's children and hopefully touching the lives of many with the restored truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If only people knew. If they really know what the church was about, could look past the little corks or ideas they have about this church and learn a little about what it really had to offer, man would they be blessed.
It is hard for me to think about a life without the gospel. It amazes me to think about how many people seem to be happy in this world without it. I think life could be almost unbearable at times without knowing there is someone who is always by your side, someone who will always love you, that this life will only be but a moment, and ultimately that we will be able to live with our families for all eternity. It is hard to have people treat it so lightly. It is hard to see how much happier they could be with these simple truths you are offering to them in the palm of your hand. We all need to be a little bit bolder. We all need to bear our testimonies a little more freely. If we forgot about what these people around us thought, and cared instead about what Heavenly Father taught, how much more change would we, or could we make in the world.
It is easy to say now. This is just a blog Book of Mormon project I doubt more then two people will read, but what if. What if I could apply this theory of life to myself. I want to be bolder and at times shout out to the world of my knowledge of the gospel. Why then, can it be so hard at times?
33 But if you will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if you do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
Wouldn't it be great to be able to devote your whole life to the Lord? It can be hard in day to day life I think. As college students it is hard not to focus solely on you and your own success. I find it easier to become sad or depressed at times and the common thread I have found at there times is a focus on myself. It is hard not to fall into that mindset when you are worrying about things like grades and the future.
I am so blessed to have to opportunity to serve a mission this coming February. I am so excited to be able to devote this time to nothing but serving the Lord's children and hopefully touching the lives of many with the restored truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If only people knew. If they really know what the church was about, could look past the little corks or ideas they have about this church and learn a little about what it really had to offer, man would they be blessed.
It is hard for me to think about a life without the gospel. It amazes me to think about how many people seem to be happy in this world without it. I think life could be almost unbearable at times without knowing there is someone who is always by your side, someone who will always love you, that this life will only be but a moment, and ultimately that we will be able to live with our families for all eternity. It is hard to have people treat it so lightly. It is hard to see how much happier they could be with these simple truths you are offering to them in the palm of your hand. We all need to be a little bit bolder. We all need to bear our testimonies a little more freely. If we forgot about what these people around us thought, and cared instead about what Heavenly Father taught, how much more change would we, or could we make in the world.
It is easy to say now. This is just a blog Book of Mormon project I doubt more then two people will read, but what if. What if I could apply this theory of life to myself. I want to be bolder and at times shout out to the world of my knowledge of the gospel. Why then, can it be so hard at times?
Mosiah 1-6
3: 7-11
7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.
9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man. and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.
10 And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men.
11 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.
Nothing is greater than this sacrifice and blessing we have been given. Christ went through unimaginable pain and suffering in order to bring each of us home. To bring me home.
There is no way we can repay him. The joy he has enabled us to have in this life and life hereafter is incredible.
As long as I can continue to keep the commandments and strengthen my testimony, I will be able to live with my family forever. I could not be more excited for anything.
Really though, it is hard to even write about my love for the Savior and all he has done for each of us. I could never be grateful enough for the things he has done for me to return home again, along with the strength he has given me each day.
One of my favorite poems talks about a man who is walking on the beach with the Savior. When the man is in heaven and looking back down at his life, he finds there were times that there were no longer two sets of footprints in the sand but just one. Doubting the Savior, he asked why he had abandoned him at his darkest moments. The Savior replies and explaining that at those times he had not abandoned him but rather had been carrying him. This story to me is such an accurate portrayal of the pure, undying love that Savior has for each of us.
There is nothing in this world that feels so good as the joy you receive when you feel even a portion of the love Christ has for you. For me personally. Nothing can compare. I hope to be able to carry a little bit of that charitable love in my heart so I can share it with those I come in contact.
I know that not everyone believes in Christ here on earth but I hope that I can make those around me feel his love through me at some time or another. Nothing would make me more happy.
There is nothing that can
7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.
9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man. and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.
10 And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men.
11 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.
Nothing is greater than this sacrifice and blessing we have been given. Christ went through unimaginable pain and suffering in order to bring each of us home. To bring me home.
There is no way we can repay him. The joy he has enabled us to have in this life and life hereafter is incredible.
As long as I can continue to keep the commandments and strengthen my testimony, I will be able to live with my family forever. I could not be more excited for anything.
Really though, it is hard to even write about my love for the Savior and all he has done for each of us. I could never be grateful enough for the things he has done for me to return home again, along with the strength he has given me each day.
One of my favorite poems talks about a man who is walking on the beach with the Savior. When the man is in heaven and looking back down at his life, he finds there were times that there were no longer two sets of footprints in the sand but just one. Doubting the Savior, he asked why he had abandoned him at his darkest moments. The Savior replies and explaining that at those times he had not abandoned him but rather had been carrying him. This story to me is such an accurate portrayal of the pure, undying love that Savior has for each of us.
There is nothing in this world that feels so good as the joy you receive when you feel even a portion of the love Christ has for you. For me personally. Nothing can compare. I hope to be able to carry a little bit of that charitable love in my heart so I can share it with those I come in contact.
I know that not everyone believes in Christ here on earth but I hope that I can make those around me feel his love through me at some time or another. Nothing would make me more happy.
There is nothing that can
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