Today's a 1 Nephi chapter 2 kind of day....

Lesson #1 from the Book of Mormon


Today when I restarted the Book of Mormon, I decided to find an applicable lesson for my own life every time I read. I will mostly be focusing on actions- things I can DO (or stop doing) in order to better myself. A couple of things entered my mind today. The first idea comes from 1 Nephi 2:12. When talking about Nephi’s family leaving their home he said that Laman and Lemuel murmured because “they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.” Interesting that this is the one reason Nephi gave for their complaint. It wasn’t "Laman and Lemuel are upset because they had to leave all their possessions and friends and home" But instead it was because "they didn’t have faith God was going to help things work out in a way that would benefit them."

I think of times when I am angry or upset and I guess there are a lot of reasons for it, but mainly it is just because I lack faith. I, like Laman and Lemuel may not understand the dealings of God. Ironically, when I look back on it, God has never failed me. Ever. Every experience has been so perfect for me. They haven’t all been pleasant, but they have helped me to become the person I am now. Specifically, right now as a missionary I have my own personal doubts in my ability to share the gospel and bring others to the knowledge of this wonderful, life-saving and life-changing truth. I sometimes catch myself worrying that I'm not measuring up to my potential as a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ...

But as I pray and study the scriptures, and try to use faith I realize that these fears are ridiculous, really. Why? Because they exclude 2 really important things:
#1 If these scenarios were to become reality, it would be due to lack of action on my part. I can make the situation what I want it to be instead of falling victim to the circumstance. And I know that the Lord has promised that He will "qualify those He calls" and "make our weaknesses become strengths" if we are humble and apply the Atonement in our life. I am doing everything I know to do and so I can have absolute confidence that He will not let me fail.
#2 When I have these fearful thoughts running through my head, I don’t stop to think about how Heavenly Father wanted me here and so He will always be with me to help me through it. I need to trust in His love and goodness and ability to give the most perfect tender mercies. Fears come from being very narrow minded… which leads me to my second thought of the day....
 Nephi mentions that Laman and Lemuel are being ‘stiff-necked’. I’ve read that word a million times but this time when I read it, it sounded funny. What is stiff-neckedness? I thought back to a time when I had whiplash and my neck was so sore I couldn’t turn it. I felt limited in what I could do because I could only see straight forward. Driving was the worst because it was hard to see what was going on around me. So (in my limited experience) I would say that stiff-neckedness is the inability to see the big picture. You are only focused on what is going on right then, right in front of you and nothing else matters. For Laman and Lemuel, they were probably focused on how sad they were to leave their home and friends (understandable). And, as a reader, I can imagine how Lehi taking his family away from everything that they own and telling them to camp out in the desert for years on end would seem completely ridiculous. That is, if Nephi didn’t explain the rest of the story... Lehi had been warned by God that Jerusalem would be destroyed and commanded them to leave for their protection. Ahaa… there it is. The bigger picture. 

Suddenly it doesn’t become this awful goodbye to everything you own but a “thank you Heavenly Father for protecting me and my family from all the dangers back there.” Often we are bitter or afraid because we don’t turn to look around and see the big picture.The 'big picture' that helps us to see that Heavenly Father does not ask us to do anything to make us unhappy but rather everything He does, everything that happens, is because He loves us and wants so badly for us to return to live with Him again. If we would just exercise a little faith and open ourselves up to see the bigger picture, we would be able to see Heavenly Father’s purpose and plan for us and how he is always there to help guide us through this life. I can’t think of anything better than knowing that you have a Heavenly Father right beside you, protecting and guiding you every step of the way. SO- Lesson #1:
Believe in the dealings of God and take time to see the big picture... and if you can't see the big picture- just have faith that there IS ONE. There is always one. Let us never forget Who is in charge and just HOW MUCH He loves ALL of His children.

I think this explains my 'stiff-necked' theory well...

What I think about the Book of Mormon...

I just finished reading the Book of Mormon again. I don't know how many times I have read it... maybe 20 or so times.. but every time I read it, I learn something new! And every time I finish it, I have a mixed feeling of sadness (as you would when any good book ends) and great excitement to restart and read it once again. I love the stories. Just as I can't imagine not knowing about Jonah and the whale, Noah's ark, Daniel in the lion's den, and David that slew Goliath- I can't imagine not knowing about Ammon cutting off the arms of the Lamanites and converting an entire community, the 2000 Stripling Warrior's lives being spared because of their great faith, and Lehi and Nephi walking out of a crumbling prison completely unscathed. The Book of Mormon is filled with miraculous, faith-promoting, heart touching stories. I wonder how Lehi could have so much faith to leave his home in Jerusalem and everything he owns and take his family to journey across the ocean to the Americas. I feel like I'm at General Conference when I read about the beloved King Benjamin addressing his people right before his death. I reevaluate my personal commitment to stand up for my beliefs and share the gospel as I read about Abinidi being burned at the stake for his unwavering testimony. I feel hope that I will be able to change my life for the better and become more Christlike as I read  about the sons of Mosiah who went from being the vilest of sinners to some of the most faithful, diligent, and patient  missionaries this world has ever known. I am comforted at times when people reject and criticize my beliefs when I read about Alma and Amulek withstanding accusing judges and cynical lawyers. And my heart is pointed towards Christ and His Second Coming as I read about the sign of Christ's birth birth being fulfilled right before all the believers were to be killed, and the great storm and darkness at His death...followed by the most beautiful account of His 3 day visit to the Americas after His resurrection. My heart breaks as I read about the tragic destruction of the Nephite and Lamanite civilizations 400 years after His coming- Mormon and his faithful son Moroni being left to write the sad ending and seal up the record so that Joseph Smith can be led to translate them 1400 years later. All of these stories- all of these faithful prophets and missionaries- I can't imagine not having. They are just as precious to me as the story of Esther going before the king for the sake of her people, Job still holding on to his faith even after losing everything, and of course, the miraculous stories of Jesus Christ in the New Testament... His teachings, miracles, love and infinite sacrifice for ALL. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God just as surely as I know the Bible is. How do I know this with such a sure conviction? In a General Conference talk given by Tad R. Callister a couple of years ago he said:

"Years ago my great-great-grandfather picked up a copy of the Book of Mormon for the first time. He opened it to the center and read a few pages. He then declared, “That book was either written by God or the devil, and I am going to find out who wrote it.” He read it through twice in the next 10 days and then declared, “The devil could not have written it—it must be from God.That is the genius of the Book of Mormon—there is no middle ground. It is either the word of God as professed, or it is a total fraud. This book does not merely claim to be a moral treatise or theological commentary or collection of insightful writings. It claims to be the word of God—every sentence, every verse, every page. Joseph Smith declared that an angel of God directed him to gold plates, which contained the writings of prophets in ancient America, and that he translated those plates by divine powers. If that story is true, then the Book of Mormon is holy scripture, just as it professes to be; if not, it is a sophisticated but, nonetheless, diabolical hoax."

I know how much closer I feel to my Savior when I read it and I know how much happier, grateful, humble, and charitable it makes me. Therefore- I know that is is a book inspired by God. For the devil could not and would not have inspired such a book. It is one of my greatest blessings in my life- it has changed my life- and it can change anyone's life for the better if they ask with a sincere and honest heart. At the end of the Book of Mormon, Moroni pleads with everyone saying:

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (Moroni 10:4-5)


As a missionary, a representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I give this same pleading because I have read it, I have pondered it, I have prayed about it, and I know that the things written in it are true. So... 

Why does this even matter??

President Hinckley encouraged us to read the Book of Mormon to lift us above the things of the world, to enjoy the things of the Lord. He said, “Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God” (Ensign, Aug. 2005.).

And these blessings are far more valuable than any material possession... It is the closest thing to a cure-all that we have in this world.

"You can do it now!!"

My post today is for all of those who feel like they can't do it. Let's be honest. We all have been there a time or two (or like 50 times) in our life. We all have been stretched to that point where we just feel like we can go no further, endure no more, push no harder. I know. I've been there! A lot. But I don't want to focus today on all of the trials of life. As part of this earthly experience, our Heavenly Father knew that we would have to experience those things that only a mortal person can experience- pain, despair, heart-ache, rejection, loneliness, etc. Opposition and heart ache does not mean that Heavenly Father does not love us. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Although we may not see it- there are always reasons for these challenges. Sometimes we are given struggles so that we can learn to rely on our Savior. Sometimes we are given obstacles to overcome so that we can learn from them, become stronger, and better able to serve those around us. Whatever the case may be for the trials in your life, I have GREAT news! THERE IS A WAY TO OVERCOME THEM. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the World, and our loving Mediator, is that way. One of my favorite scriptures come from Doctrine and Covenants section 122, versus 7-9. These verses include the words of the Lord given to the Prophet, Joseph Smith, during a time in his life when he very well probably felt like he could endure no more.

“And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

“The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

“Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.” 

I love to couple this scripture with another favorite scripture from the Book of Mormon found in Mosiah Chapter 14, verses 3-5. 

 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.


 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

AND finally a favorite from The Bible. Matthew chapter 8, verse 17. 

17  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.


THAT is the good news. We have a loving Heavenly Father, who sent His only begotten son, to take our infirmities and bare our sicknesses, so that when we up faced with the challenges of life WE DON'T HAVE TO FACE THEM ALONE. We are not alone. We have never been alone. We will never be alone. We may sometimes feel that way... A parent can only help their child learn to walk if they take their hand a way for a little bit. And while the child may panic a bit because of the loss of assistance, if they could only look up they would see that their parents are right there... ready to catch them if they fall. Similarly it is with our Heavenly Father. He wants us to learn to walk- but He must first take away His hand. But He is still there... and He will always be there. One of my favorite conference talks given is "Mountains to Climb" by President Henry B. Eyring in the 2012 April General Conference. You can read his full talk here 

He says: 

"If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. And He always keeps His word."

I know this to be true!! Hang in there!!

After the trial of our faith....

Lately I have been studying a LOT about faith. What is faith? Why do we need faith? What do I have faith in? What can I do to have greater faith? Etc... Ether Chapter 12 (page 508 in The Book of Mormon) is probably one of my all time favorite chapters in The Book of Mormon! Every time I read it I come away having my faith strengthened and my desire to serve God increased. 
Here are some of my favorite verses:

 3 For he did cry from the morning, even until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in God unto repentance lest they should be destroyed, saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled—

 4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God....

 12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

 13 Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth.

 14 Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

 15 Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites.

 16 Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after.

 17 And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith.

 18 And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.

More than anything I am learning how faith is a principle of power. When we have faith, we call upon power from on High to help us in whatever we may stand in need of. Heavenly Father is so anxious and willing to help His children but he can only do so after we exercise our faith.

 Here is an amazing story of a lady from Brazil who saw miracles in her own life because she had faith and honored her baptismal covenants. This story was told by President Hinckley in the April 2002 General Conference. Read his talk here. 

He says:

Let me give you a story of a woman in São Paulo, Brazil. She worked while going to school to provide for her family. I use her own words in telling this story. She says:

“The university in which I studied had a regulation that prohibited the students that were in debt from taking tests. For this reason, when I received my salary I would first separate the money for tithing and offerings, and the remainder was allotted for the payment of the school and other expenses.

“I remember a time when I … faced serious financial difficulties. It was a Thursday when I received my salary. When I figured the monthly budget, I noticed that there wouldn’t be enough to pay [both] my tithing and my university. I would have to choose between them. The bimonthly tests would start the following week, and if I didn’t take them I could lose the school year. I felt great agony. … My heart ached. I had a painful decision before me, and I didn’t know what to decide. I pondered between the two choices: to pay tithing or to risk the possibility of not obtaining the necessary credits to be approved in school.

“This feeling consumed my soul and remained with me up to Saturday. It was then that I remembered that when I was baptized I had agreed to live the law of tithing. I had taken upon myself an obligation, not with the missionaries, but with my Heavenly Father. At that moment, the anguish started to disappear, giving place to a pleasant sensation of tranquility and determination. …

“That night when I prayed, I asked the Lord to forgive me for my indecision. On Sunday, before the beginning of sacrament meeting, I contacted the bishop, and with great pleasure I paid my tithing and offerings. That was a special day. I felt happy and peaceful within myself and with Heavenly Father.

“The next day I was in my office; I tried to find a way to be able to take the tests that would begin on Wednesday. The more I thought, the further I felt from a solution. At that time I worked in an attorney’s office, and my employer was the most strict and austere person I had ever met.

“The working period was ending when my employer approached and gave the last orders of the day. When he had done so, with his briefcase in his hand he bid farewell. … Suddenly, he halted, and looking at me he asked, ‘How is your college?’ I was surprised, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The only thing I could answer with a trembling voice was, ‘Everything is all right!’ He looked thoughtfully at me and bid farewell again. …

“Suddenly the secretary entered the room, saying that I was a very fortunate person! When I asked her why, she simply answered: ‘The employer has just said that from today on the company is going to pay fully for your college and your books. Before you leave, stop at my desk and inform me of the costs so that tomorrow I can give you the check.’

“After she left, crying and feeling very humble, I knelt exactly where I was and thanked the Lord for His generosity. I … said to Heavenly Father that He didn’t have to bless me so much. I only needed the cost of one month’s installment, and the tithing I had paid on Sunday was very small compared to the amount I was receiving! During that prayer the words recorded in Malachi came to my mind: ‘Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it’ (Mal. 3:10). Up to that moment I had never felt the magnitude of the promise contained in that scripture and that this commandment was truly a witness of the love that God, our Heavenly Father, gives to His children here on earth.”

I know that Heavenly Father is aware of each and every one of us. Sometimes we are put in a position where our faith is tested and we must put our complete trust in God. In our frame of reference, there may seem to be no way out. But I testify that if we put our trust in Him, miracles will always always follow. 

(For more information about what I believe and for a free copy of The Book of Mormon mentioned earlier, please visit Mormon.org)

The Lord Knows Best

I had a really great thought this morning as I was reading Ether. In Ether 6:4 it says that the Jaredites boarded their vessels 'commending themselves unto the Lord their God.' Many times in life we are led to do something and we just have to move forward and put ourselves, our worries, our desires, our insecurities, in the Lord's hands. This is what the Jaredites did. It must have taken so much faith to just get in a big vessel and trust that it will actually take you somewhere! They knew what they were supposed to do and then in one leap of faith they went forward and trusted that the Lord would take them from there.".... "In Ether 6:6-9 it talks about the journey they took to the promised land. It mentions 'mountain waves' 'great and terrible tempests' and 'fierceness of the wind. Sounds pretty terrible!! I think I would be so terrified if I were in the midst of all that. But yet, all of those things were necessary in helping them reach the promised land. Though things may seem scary around us- it is just the Lord's way of blowing us to the promised land- whatever that may mean for each of us in particular. We don't know where that promised land is- but the Lord does, and He knows what it is going to take to get us there. ALL of those seemingly terrible things end up being huge blessings when we get to look back at the end of it and see just how far we have come! These winds, waves, and tempests are necessary. Without them- we would not be moving at all- we would not be getting any closer to our promised land. There would be no growth, no learning, no change. And finally, when through it all, it says that the people of Jared did praise the Lord all the day long and that they did not stop praising Him through the night. We always have something to thank Heavenly Father for. Because there is nothing that is not for our profit and learning- our growth and development. And when we put our trust in Him and remember to thank Him in all things then 'no monster of the sea can break [us] and [we will] have light continually' while we voyage throughout this life..." I think preparing for my mission and on my mission I've encountered more mountain waves, terrible tempests, and fierceness of the wind. But I've also seen so much growth and change in myself- as I think we all do as we go throughout the trials of life. But i just love the imagery of us being in the Lord's hands and him guiding and directing us to where He knows we need to go.