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)