April 27-May 3rd: Mosiah 7-10

WOW!! What a message for us today. At this time in the world we need to remember this. We

are all captive to only ourselves as we don’t know all that the Lord knows. He
knew this would happen. He knew what people would do and how they would react. I know He knows what we will each do from this day on as well but it’s up to us ultimately. We choose what we do and how we come out of all of this.

Ammon went in search of the “lost Nephites” and what he found was them in captivity
because of their iniquities. What is holding us back or what are our
iniquities? I’m grateful for the Atonement and for the gift of repentance that
we received because of the Atonement. I’m grateful for a living prophet and for
the knowledge that he speaks with God and Christ and that I can gain my own confirmation of what is true by speaking to Christ myself. 

Through these chapters in Mosiah we learn also that choices will influence our future and those who may come into our lives. We can influence generations….so what choices will you make that will influence your posterity? Is it for their good? What changes can you make today to make a positive influence on future generations?

We may never know how our choices impact those who come after us  but how do we want to be remembered? Our choices today, just as the Nephites of old, will help guide and direct those who come after us. I am grateful for this knowledge and all that the Nephites, throughout the Book of Mormon, have taught me what is necessary to come closer to Christ. 

Here is music for this week. What choices are you making each day to better yourself, your family, and your posterity? Be sure to write down your thoughts for your record and to help in your weekly study! 

Choose the right! Choose the right! Let wisdom mark the way before.

In its light, choose the right! And God will bless you evermore.

April 20-26: Mosiah 4-6

This weeks study is a renewal and a change. Just as the messages recently from our church and political leaders have been. Our prophet has been providing us with lots of directions from the Savior as to how to prepare ourselves in this life which we live. We have recently had a special worldwide day of fasting and prayer. We all strive to have the faith to move mountains and even if that never happens we still know that God, our Father in Heaven, with His Son, Jesus Christ, are in charge of the world in which we live. We hope things will turn out how we want yet we know they may not and we always work to accept Their will in all things. 

King Benjamin taught the people and the words the people heard were so powerful that the people desired to change to be more in line with what Father in Heaven desired for them. King Benjamin told the people of all the many great blessing the Lord has for them if only they would follow His teachings and strive always to be more Christlike. Make the changes in their lives which are necessary to be in tune with the Holy Spirit. Even the people in his time lacked faith at times and felt they couldn't measure up to what was expected. But the Lord only expects us to do our part no matter how small and simple that may be at times. He knows us. He knows our heart. 

King Benjamin reminded the people that no matter where they come from, no matter their heritage, they are ALL one, the children of God, people of Christ. We must live more with that mindset. It's easy to forget this sometimes but that's why we continue to study and learn what the Lord needs us to know and learn!

In our study of Mosiah 5:1-7: "The spirit of the Lord can cause a mighty change in my heart." We may struggle with thoughts of not being able to change or lacking faith that we can change but here is what our prophet today has said, with the same strength and power as King Benjamin. "We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change...True change-permanent change-can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. ...The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change!" (Decisions for Eternity, Ensign, Nov. 2013, 108).

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the *worlds thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the *rolling thunder, Thy pow'r thru-out the universe displayed;

When thru the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze,

And when I think that God, his Son not sparring, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in,

That on the cross, mu burden gladly bearing, He bled and died o take away my sin,

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, "My God, how great thou art!"

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee, How great thou art! How great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee, How great thou art! HOW GREAT THOU ART!

(*Author's original words are works and mighty)

April 12-18 Mosiah 1-3 & Easter con't

This weeks study took an interesting direction for me. I really pondered on the words of King Benjamin and on the experiences of last weekend. We just had the opportunity to do just as Mosiah asked the people in his day to do. We gathered to hear the words of our Heavenly Father through our prophets of today. When I saw the introduction for this weeks study I realized just how important keeping records of our own personal “spiritual impressions” are. Not only will this act record things that are important to us but it will forever provide amazing insight for us in years to come as well as to our posterity. Writing our personal thoughts and impressions is our “plates of Lehi” (insert your name).

Taken directly from our study guide for this coming week: Like all great leaders in the kingdom of God, King Benjamin’s words and example point us to the Heavenly King, who is the Savior, Jesus Christ. King Benjamin testified that Jesus came “down from heaven” and went “forth amongst men, working mighty miracles.”  April 13–19. Mosiah 1–3 Even way back then the people “gathered together” to hear the word of the Lord. They didn’t have the technology we do today so the prophet sent forth teachers to teach to smaller groups. Today we have Stakes and Wards or Branches to help keep the Word of Christ alive.

On this Easter morning I am grateful for all I have especially my faith. I know these times are bleak and glooming. I’m sure I’m not the only one tired of the government imposed “isolation” but I can ponder on the memories of the past as well as the HOPE for a brighter future. This too is a “season” and will pass, although it feels like forever before it does. 

I am ready to stand up and shout my praises to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on this glorious day. NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY! I may be shammed by unbelievers. I may be oppressed by illnesses or governments. But I will NEVER deny my faith and belief in Jesus Christ and my loving, kind, and gracious Father in Heaven! God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, together deserve more than praise once or twice a year. All that I have has come by and through Them. They created me and this wonderful world in which we all live and how can we, I, repay that? The only way is to “always remember”! I would be nothing if it weren’t for Them.

This is a longer post than I’d planned but I do know this is my way of recording on my “plates of Lehi”. I cannot deny what I know to be true. I will not apologize for possibly offending others because of what I know to be true. I will be civil and polite to others who may not believe as I but I expect others to do the same for me. I love my Elder Brother and personal Savior, Jesus Christ. He created the world in which I live with all of you and He blesses each of us every day with the things we stand in need of. He will never leave any of us alone, although at times we may feel alone. He is with us, in our hearts. We can cry on His shoulder and plead with Him to relieve our sorrows. He is always listening and knows our hearts. He loves us and I am grateful to KNOW this to be true!

A VERY FITTING HYMN FOR TODAY! 

HAPPY EASTER! 

CHRIST LIVES!!!!