I can't believe that I didn't remember this talk addressed in General Conference. It was such a beautiful talk and I needed to be reminded that the blessings that occur day to day aren't just coincidence, but rather a tender mercy from the Lord.
Elder Bednar said it perfectly, "The Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ."
“But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” -1 Nephi 1:20
I've received a countless number of tender mercies from the Lord. He continutes to bless me each and every day. I'm so thankful for the strength I receive from Him to help me withstand the temptations of the adversary.
"I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us"- Elder David A. Bednar
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Captain Moroni
"Yea, Verily, Verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men." Alma: 48:17
In institute, Brother Hunsaker had pointed this verse out the other day. When I went home to read, I had left off right at Alma 48, where it talks about Moroni and included that verse. I knew that Moroni was a righteous man, but I guess I didn't know too much about him. (I don't have the brain capacity to remember all that I read, like my dad does!) So instead of reading chapter after chapter, I decided to study more about Moroni and what made him so righteous. I found all of these characteristics about him in Chapter 48:
In institute, Brother Hunsaker had pointed this verse out the other day. When I went home to read, I had left off right at Alma 48, where it talks about Moroni and included that verse. I knew that Moroni was a righteous man, but I guess I didn't know too much about him. (I don't have the brain capacity to remember all that I read, like my dad does!) So instead of reading chapter after chapter, I decided to study more about Moroni and what made him so righteous. I found all of these characteristics about him in Chapter 48:
- He prepared the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord Their God (A good example/teacher)
- He had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites and erecting small forts, building walls of stone...fortified and strengthened the land (A Great Leader, Diligent, Serviceable)
- Created places of security for those around him in frightening and perilous times. (A protector/comforter)
- Prepared to support their liberty, lands, wives, children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians. (A man of Integrity- Also, Submissive and Meek)
- A strong and mighty man (Nice body, perhaps?) :]
- A man of perfect understanding (Smart)
- A man that did not delight in bloodshed (Peace maker)
- A man whose soul did joy in the liberty and freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery. (Kind, Joyous)
- A man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people. (Self-less, Humble, Prayerful)
- A man who was firm in the faith of Christ (Strong Testimony, Didn't Doubt.)
- Had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood. (Again, Self-less, Willing to die for his country, people, and what he believed in, Courageous.)
- A man whose heart did glory in doing good, in preserving his people, in keeping the commandments, and of resisting iniquity. (Loving, Worthy, Faithful)
- A man of God (Lived his life serving the Lord and putting Him first, Highly Favored of the Lord)
The part that stood out to me the most was when it described Captain Moroni as a man whose heart did swell with Thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people. I don't think to thank the Lord for the blessings he bestowed upon anyone but me. I think that just shows his Humility and how self-less he was. These attributes and characteristics were just found in chapter 48; I know that he had so many other great qualities about him mentioned in other chapters, that I haven't gotten to yet. And forget about the list I made in Young Women's of the qualities I want in a future husband, I just want a Moroni!
[I think it's safe to say he had a nice bod. ]
Monday, April 12, 2010
Keep the Commandments
I'm reading in Alma, the part where he's speaking to his sons. Yesterday I read about his talk with Helaman, and today with Shiblon. Alma mentioned so many times in both of these chapters that, "Inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God, ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God, ye shall be cut off from His presence." Apparently this is important to remember, otherwise Alma wouldn't have repeated himself multiple times. It's always important to stive to live Heavenly Father's commandments, not only to prevent us from being cut off from his presence, but because when we are keeping his commandments we are worthy to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we have the privilage of having the Holy Ghost as our constant companion. When we follow the commandments satan has less power over us, temptations are easy to turn down, and we are able to have peace in our lives. The primary song "Keep the Commandments" sums it all up.
1. Keep the commandments; keep the commandments!
In this there is safety; in this there is peace.
He will send blessings;He will send blessings.Words of a prophet:
Keep the commandments.
In this there is safety and peace.
2. We are His children; we are His children,
and we must be tested to show we are true.
Hold to His promises;Hold to His promises,
Heeding the prophets:
Keep the commandments.
In this there is safety and peace.
Mosiah 2:22
"And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you."
1. Keep the commandments; keep the commandments!
In this there is safety; in this there is peace.
He will send blessings;He will send blessings.Words of a prophet:
Keep the commandments.
In this there is safety and peace.
2. We are His children; we are His children,
and we must be tested to show we are true.
Hold to His promises;Hold to His promises,
Heeding the prophets:
Keep the commandments.
In this there is safety and peace.
Mosiah 2:22
"And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you."
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Conversion Stories
Since I hate writing, I decided to start a blog based on my scripture study and other spiritual notes. I'm doing this mostly for me, but not for the benefit of getting more comments, but because I want to remember what I read and study, and hopefully be helpful to others. In Missionary Prep today we talked about how important it is to keep a record of your writings, so I'm trying to get better at it, and eventually I'll print off all of these posts and preserve them for my posterity.
Anyway, this weekend was full of conversion stories. My roommate came home from a date yesterday, and said that the guy she went with made a complete 180 with his life. He used to be on the pathway to nowhere good, but is completely different now, and made the decsion to serve a mission. In Sacrament Meeting today, one of the Relief Society Presidents gave a beautiful talk about how her grandparents were converted when they were 90. And when I got home from church, I picked up from where I left off reading in Alma 36, which talks about Alma the Younger's conversion story. I took this as the Lord's way of telling me I need a conversion story.
I'm not necessarily a 'sinner.' I try to do what is right, but sometimes fail hardcore with it. Recently I haven't been reading my scriptures as diligently as I should be, and saying my prayers was like a chore for me. So it was really good to be reminded of all these stories where people weren't living the way they should, realized that they weren't happy, changed their ways, and ended up being these great people who have so much love for the Lord and his work. This is just what I needed to hear. So I'm working on my 'conversion story' where I will always have that same desire to do good, just like Alma the younger, who was probably the best missionary of all time.
I just want to close with a few passages from what I read today. I seriously was bawling by the end of every chapter because I knew this was meant just for me, and that just goes to show how inspired the Book of Mormon really is, and that the Lord truely hears and answers our prayers. "The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is the most powerful resource in conversion." -Preach My Gospel
Alma 36: 12-22-- "I was racked with eternal torment for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins.
Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments.
Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
Oh thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct bothe soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.
And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold , I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of the one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
And now, behold when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
Yea, I say unto you my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea and my soul did long to be there."
My favorite talks in General Conference have always been the ones testifying of the Book of Mormon.
The first one that comes to mind was a talk given in October of 2008 by Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis called "Because My Father Read the Book of Mormon."
The second one was given in October of 2009 by Elder Jeffery R. Holland called "Safety for the Soul"
If there's anyone reading this, I would encourage you to read both of these talks and Alma 36, even if you're not struggling with your testimony, or you don't need a conversion story, because everyone needs to be reminded that the Book of Mormon is true. It is an inspired book. And it was preserved and brought to pass just for us and for our day.
Anyway, this weekend was full of conversion stories. My roommate came home from a date yesterday, and said that the guy she went with made a complete 180 with his life. He used to be on the pathway to nowhere good, but is completely different now, and made the decsion to serve a mission. In Sacrament Meeting today, one of the Relief Society Presidents gave a beautiful talk about how her grandparents were converted when they were 90. And when I got home from church, I picked up from where I left off reading in Alma 36, which talks about Alma the Younger's conversion story. I took this as the Lord's way of telling me I need a conversion story.
I'm not necessarily a 'sinner.' I try to do what is right, but sometimes fail hardcore with it. Recently I haven't been reading my scriptures as diligently as I should be, and saying my prayers was like a chore for me. So it was really good to be reminded of all these stories where people weren't living the way they should, realized that they weren't happy, changed their ways, and ended up being these great people who have so much love for the Lord and his work. This is just what I needed to hear. So I'm working on my 'conversion story' where I will always have that same desire to do good, just like Alma the younger, who was probably the best missionary of all time.
I just want to close with a few passages from what I read today. I seriously was bawling by the end of every chapter because I knew this was meant just for me, and that just goes to show how inspired the Book of Mormon really is, and that the Lord truely hears and answers our prayers. "The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is the most powerful resource in conversion." -Preach My Gospel
Alma 36: 12-22-- "I was racked with eternal torment for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins.
Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments.
Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
Oh thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct bothe soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.
And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold , I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of the one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
And now, behold when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
Yea, I say unto you my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea and my soul did long to be there."
My favorite talks in General Conference have always been the ones testifying of the Book of Mormon.
The first one that comes to mind was a talk given in October of 2008 by Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis called "Because My Father Read the Book of Mormon."
The second one was given in October of 2009 by Elder Jeffery R. Holland called "Safety for the Soul"
If there's anyone reading this, I would encourage you to read both of these talks and Alma 36, even if you're not struggling with your testimony, or you don't need a conversion story, because everyone needs to be reminded that the Book of Mormon is true. It is an inspired book. And it was preserved and brought to pass just for us and for our day.
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