My way or the Lord's way

My favorite general conference talk was by Elder Nattress: "No Greater Joy Than to Know That They Know." I received a strong impression that we were to start reading the Book of Mormon as a family again, starting immediately. For the past three years we have been reading the book of scripture that the seminary students are reading and this year we were working our way through the New Testament.

The next morning "I Nephi" commenced.

Recently we read of Nephi breaking his bow. In 1 Nephi 16:18 it says nothing of breaking the arrows, just the bow. A few verses later, Nephi tell us of crafting a new bow AND new arrows. Now, why couldn't he have just made a new bow to go with the old arrows he still had?

We have a gentleman in our ward who has been shooting bows and arrows since he was very small. He commented one day in Sunday School that Joseph Smith, with his limited background, could not have known that bows and arrows go together. You break a bow, you make new arrows to go with that bow. What an interesting insight from an expert in the field.

I was also thinking about Nephi and his brothers having to return to Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates, or the scriptures.

The first attempt recorded in 1 Nephi 3:10-11 has Nephi and his brothers consulting with one another about what to do and then casting lots as to who was going to simply go ask for the plates.

Ya, that didn't work.

The second attempt in verse 22 has them trying to purchase the plates from Laban.

Yep. Didn't work.

At this point they are frustrated and angry and ready to give up. On their third attempt, Nephi heads into Jerusalem being "led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."

Ding, ding, ding! This time he was successful. 

So what made all the difference?

The first couple of times, those brothers, Nephi included, tried to do things their own way, using their own wisdom and understanding, their own skills. Not until Nephi followed the Spirit were they successful.

Is there something you are badly in need of? Something you desperately desire? [Our little family understands a little about needing something desperately, like employment for instance  :)]

The Lord knew how to get those plates and he knows how to help us obtain what we righteously desire and are in need of. Listening and heeding the Spirit of God is the key.

I have a bishop who is so good at following the Spirit's direction. That is a gift I greatly desire and am working on.

These are the days of . . . 
*working my first full week -- I think that 6th grade class liked me.

*basketball tryouts -- Erik attempted again for the high school team and was cut again. What courage. I don't think I would have tried a third time.

*early morning math -- Ash was nominated to be a part of a special early morning math team with a competition coming up in February.

*fasting and prayer

*a great friend and visiting teacher who invited me to be a part of her sealing session -- I haven't done sealings since I got married and that was a special experience.

*making consecrated bread for the sacrament with my Laurels -- We are so close to completing Mel's personal progress for her.

My favorite clump of scriptures at this time in my life

I was issued a Facebook challenge by Kiersten, who reads her scriptures consistently every day, to share my favorite scripture.

She hasn't missed a day since she went to EFY at the beginning of June; she is surely an example to me of what I should be doing more often.

Anyway, choosing a favorite scripture is a hard thing to do. So many speak to me at different times.

The other morning during our family scripture time, we were reading D&C 31. It starts out with "Thomas, my son" but as I have learned to liken all scriptures to me, I inserted my own name "Missy, my daughter, blessed are you because of your faith in my work."As we read the rest of the section, I had a powerful feeling of love and approval come over me as the Lord spoke to me in that section. I received a tender mercy of love that morning. I know God lives and loves me as my own earthly father loves me.

The world may say there is no God, but I say otherwise. I cannot deny the miracles, the blessings that have come into my life because of a loving, kind Father in Heaven who showers me with tender mercies every day. I know he understands me intimately. I know he wants nothing more than for me to be HAPPY. And you know what? I am so happy with my life.

There is no greater feeling of joy than knowing your life is pleasing to your earthly parents as well as your heavenly parents.

Life is good!

Personal Progress - Scripture project for Knowledge

Awhile ago in our family scripture reading, we hit that great stumbling block called Isaiah. And we chipped away at it until we finally broke through and felt a little free-er. At the time I was reading a book by John Bytheway to help me understand it a little more so my youngins wouldn't get bogged down.

 

I highly recommend reading this book if you want to understand any part of Isaiah a little more. I wrote notes in my scriptures

and used post-its to write notes

and prepared glue-ins.

This little project took several months and I know the next time I roll through this particular section of scripture, I'll be a little more prepared and my understanding will increase.

FHE - 1st Nephi, Chapter 1

Ashlyn was in charge of the lesson this past week and I got this idea that would put our Eggspert buzzer game to use.

Ash and I sat down Sunday night and read through chapter 1 of First Nephi and came up with about 20 questions.

TANGENT: I've been really trying to STUDY my scriptures lately and have found that questions are invaluable. It gets you thinking and pondering. I haven't gotten very far, however, but I've learned more about Zedekiah, king of Judah at the time of Lehi, than I've ever known before. END OF TANGENT.

Then for FHE everyone was given about 10 minutes to read through chapter 1 and study it as much as they could in that time before Ash quizzed them with her questions. The winner got some stale chocolate I had in my closet. Oh yum!

She asked a lot of WHO and WHAT questions, but I think one of the most important questions we can ask when studying is WHY.

I mean WHY would the Jews care so much about the content of Lehi's prophesies that they would want to kill him? If we see some outlandish story in the National Enquirer, we might roll our eyes, call them looney, and just dismiss it. We certainly don't have any inclinations to go out and harm whomever wrote the story. It makes me think that the Jews must have believed somewhat in Lehi's words, at least enough to want to get rid of him, to shut him up.

I also like what Nephi says at the every end of the chapter. I kind of see it as his purpose for writing, for keeping this record that we have today. It is the thesis statement for the Book of Mormon.

"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."

The Lord is going to be with those who are faithful. And throughout this book we see that again and again. When we are faithful, the Lord is there to bless us, strengthen us, help fight our battles. And when we are not faithful and cease to remember him, we have no promise. That is what this book is about and Nephi wants us to know that right from the start.

QUESTIONS WE CAME UP WITH

What is the name of the first book in the Book of Mormon called? FIRST NEPHI

Who taught Nephi? HIS FATHER, LEHI

What does the word commencement mean? BEGINNING

What was the language Nephi wrote his record in? LANGUAGE OF THE EGYPTIANS

Who was the king of Judah? ZEDEKIAH

How many prophets were there during the time of Lehi? MANY

What were the prophets prophesying about? THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM

What came to Lehi as he was praying? PILLAR OF FIRE

After praying, Lehi went home and did what? CAST HIMSELF UPON THE BED

What were three of the five things Lehi saw in his vision? GOD, ANGELS, the ONE, 12 OTHERS, a BOOK

What was given to Lehi in his vision? A BOOK

Lehi describes Jesus’s countenance as being brighter than what? THE SUN AT NOON DAY

Who wrote chapter 1 of 1^st Nephi? LEHI

Who abridged chapter 1 of 1^st Nephi? NEPHI

The people are going to be forced to leave Jerusalem and go where? BABYLON

Did Nephi record everything his father saw and heard and prophesied? NO

What does the word abridgment mean? TO SHORTEN OR CONDENSE

What did the Jews want to do to Lehi after he testified to them? KILL HIM

What two things were in the book that Lehi prophesied to the people about? THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH and THE REDEMPTION OF THE WORLD

Why did the Jews mock Lehi? BECAUSE HE TESTIFIED OF THEIR WICKEDNESS

Nephi wants to show us through his writing that the  _______________     ________________ of the Lord are over all those whom the Lord hath chosen because of their faith. TENDER MERCIES

Isaiah - That Great Stumbling Block

I was going through my blog drafts and came across this one and for whatever reason I failed to click publish. Here ya go.


Anyone who has set out to read the Book of Mormon soon discovers that great stumbling block called Isaiah. With all the imagery he uses in his prose, he can be downright baffling to read, much less wade through.

So why?

Why was Nephi instructed to include the words of Isaiah? Why did the Savior himself quote from Isaiah's writings and declare his words to be great? (see 3 Nephi 23:1)

I find it quite interesting that Nephi, intending to persuade his people to more fully believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, read to them from the writings of Isaiah (see 1 Nephi 19:23).

Isaiah has never been a favorite of mine. I am one of those who find him challenging, hard, difficult to understand.

So I was a little taken back when Kiersten tells me last week how much see enjoys reading the writings of Isaiah. (She's been reading the Book of Mormon as a goal.)

WHAT??

Since she was in charge of the lesson for Family Home Evening, I gave her the assignment to teach us something from Isaiah.

I didn't give her a lot of time to prepare, but she did teach us about the name Utah which most of us have understood to mean "the top of the mountains." It's a pretty cool correlation but whether the meaning is entirely correct is up for discussion.

Either way, Isaiah was right when he stated that "the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains" (see Isaiah 2:2) No one can really dispute that Utah is situated in the top of some pretty good-sized mountains.

She also wanted to point something out that her friend Rachel showed to her. The word Utah reads vertical in that same verse of Isaiah, but we also discovered that not all editions of the scriptures show that to be true. It's a fun thing to find, but certainly not one to base a testimony on.

Oh, I hope she continues her love of the scriptures, especially Isaiah since she truly does delight in his words.

I have much to learn from my daughter and also from Isaiah.

Consistency is the key

Our stake president issued a challenge at our previous stake conference to read The Book of Mormon by November. And then a couple of weeks later the talks in sacrament meeting were on The Book of Mormon. 

Our little family is reading The Book of Mormon for the second time and I'm hoping that we can finish by November. I think we can do it.

For me it all started 6 1/2  years ago when we moved to Stansbury Park. Our magazines hadn't quite caught up to us yet when President Hinckley issued the challenge to read The Book of Mormon by the end of the year. So I didn't even know about this challenge until September, and by that time I was a little discouraged that we would be getting a late start. I even contemplated NOT doing the challenge, but after much thinking I KNEW that this is what my little family needed. I began our family scripture readying knowing that we would not finish by the end of the year. And three years later we finished. It was such a good feeling to know we had been obedient to a commandment.

Since then we have continued to read the scriptures. We aren't perfect. Weekends and summers are very difficult for us to find a good time to consistently read. But I know we have been blessed for our efforts.

Tyler and I escaped to St. George several weeks ago to take in the home show. It seems silly since we've already built, but it was fun to get decorating ideas. Although I found myself several times saying, "What a great idea! We'll have to remember that for the next house we build." Just to clarify . . . that will never happen.

We decided to leave the three oldest at home since they had school and activities that weekend. A bonus was their aunt and uncle live next door and would be around if problems did arise.

That Monday morning following our get-away weekend, I got the kids up to read scriptures and had them turn to the chapter we were on. Nate piped up and told me that they had already read that chapter. He told me how they had gotten up Friday morning and read scriptures by themselves before heading off to school.

I have been blessed with amazingly good kids, but I know it's the consistency in reading scriptures that has blessed us. That habit has been instilled in them. I love The Book of Mormon. This past year in reading I have learned so much as I have read with different eyes. When you realize that 532 pages cover 1000 years of history, you then know that everything contained within those pages is critical to our day.

Do you . . .

want to feel the love of God more powerfully in your life?

want to feel more in tune with His Spirit?

want to have the heavens opened to you daily?

There is a way you can feel a daily renewal of God’s everlasting love and drink from “the fountain of living waters” (1 Nephi 11:25). It follows a pattern set by the Prophet Joseph Smith when he went to a grove of trees early one morning in 1820 seeking answers to his questions. I speak of a morning devotional time spent in prayer, meditation, and scripture study. If you have a devotional every morning, even if only for a few minutes, you will be deeply blessed.

There is great power in setting aside quiet, prayerful, meditative time. In the stillness that accompanies our pondering, we can come to know the Father and His Son.

I know from personal experience the spiritual power that can flow into your life if you follow this practice. You will feel the love of God and a cleansing, purifying regeneration of your spirit (see 1 Nephi 11:22–25; D&C 50:28–29). You will experience moments of revelation, when the Spirit whispers to your spirit what you need to do to be a better father, a better mother, a better son or daughter, a better disciple of Jesus Christ.

I do know that if you continue to meet daily with Heavenly Father in the private chambers of your home, you will come to know Him and our Savior in ways you couldn’t otherwise (see 3 Nephi 19:16–23, 25–29). May you do so and have the heavens open to you in whatever glorious ways your Heavenly Father has prepared for you.

As we use daily devotional time to gain greater spiritual strength, we will better understand Heavenly Father and the Savior and His Atonement. We will taste of “the goodness of Jesus” and feel “with exceedingly great joy” the power of His eternal love.

Yoshihiko Kikuchi, "Opening the Heavens," Ensign, August 2009

Knowing what to keep: lessons from a handcart tragedy

By Wendy Ulrich

Deseret News

Published: Saturday, July 30, 2011 5:00 a.m. MD

As members of the Martin Handcart Company crossed Wyoming in October 1856, they faced evaporating food supplies, increasingly difficult terrain and impending winter storms. In an effort to hasten their progress toward the relief wagons they hoped were coming, they took a desperate risk and burned their extra blankets and coats to lighten their loads.

Within days, temperatures plunged and a raging storm pummeled them with 18 inches of snow. They ground to a halt, out of food, out of energy and unshielded from the fierce winds and cold.

I wince to realize what their decision cost them in frostbite, hypothermia, sickness, misery and death. Days before, those heavy blankets and coats must have seemed like the only variable over which they had any control in the complex equation of supplies and needs, weight and speed. But how they must have longed for that lost protection when the storm set in!

Perhaps the handcart companies made a rational choice under their circumstances. Without the benefit of satellite images from the nightly news to warn them, they didn’t expect the snow to fall so soon. But I have been amply warned. There is a “portent of stormy weather ahead,” and I cannot afford to burn through blankets of relationships, spiritual reserves, healthy living or other resources I will surely need, even when they feel heavy at times. Even when I am afraid, I cannot reach my goal any other way.

Nevertheless, as I bend under the weight of life’s demands, supplies dwindling, in a hurry to get through the steepening terrain of my days, something always seems to be slipping off the cart: scripture study, sleep, prayer, healthy food, attending the temple, service, connection with friends, exercise, family time, learning, visiting teaching, meditation. Ironically, time for such fundamentals dissipates in the press of my busy life — sometimes just when I need them the most.

It is true that sometimes I simply must lighten the load, and something has to give. I cannot carry everything with me when my energy is low and demands are high. The gospel helps me make such decisions thoughtfully, prayerfully. I can meditate on a single scripture or covenants while I shower or eat, pray while I drive and make that call another day.

But at times I simply need to make room for the blankets I’d like to slough off, even though they cost me precious energy. If I don’t invest in these things now, I will not have the shelter they provide when the storms rage. Even more, I will not have their spiritual nourishment to strengthen me for today’s pull.

Yep. I've thrown my "blanket" of scripture reading/study out of the handcart. I certainly didn't need this article to remind me that scriptures are as important to my spirit as food is for my body. Life has been busy these past 6 months and my scriptures have quietly sat, waiting for me. But I feel change in the air. School is soon to be back in full swing (in fact I went with Kiersten to register for junior high and boy did we have fun playing with her locker combination) and I'm anticipating a quiet moment or two in my day.

Closer to Christ - Days 87-90

DAY 87

Scripture study: Ether 13-15

Mark and ponder: Ether 12:27

Scripture thought of the day: Moroni 10:32

Thought of the day: "Hopefully, we're making some progress in our own individual lives. I hope that every person can feel he or she is a little better today than they were yesterday, a little kinder, a little more gracious, a little more generous, a little more honest in purpose and word an deed, a little stronger for the right, a little stronger to resist the wrong."

DAY 88

Scripture study: Moroni 1-6

Mark and ponder: Moroni 4:3, 5:2

Scripture thought of the day: Moroni 6:4, 6

Thought of the day: "Few ordinances or performances in the Church act as a greater incentive to personal righteousness than partaking of the sacrament. Those who partake of the sacramental emblems - having a comprehension of the covenant involved - are making for themselves a course which will result in obedience, holiness, and sanctification." -Bruce R. McConkie

DAY 89

Scripture study: Moroni 7-9

Mark and ponder: Moroni 8:24-26

Scripture thought of the day: Matthew 7:7-8

Thought of the day: "While it is a simple thing in a life of faith, I have truly, truly learned the importance of always praying. When one prays from the heart, it increases the faithful heart. And when one has a faithful heart, a deeper love grows. When love grows, it leads to the ability to treat those around us kindly. Praying unceasingly will bring about a better life as a member of the church. -Hitoshi Kashikura

DAY 90

Scripture study: Moroni 10

Mark and ponder: Moroni 10:3-5

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 11:13

Thought of the day: "Without reservation, I promise that is you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Closer to Christ - Days 80 - 86

DAY 80

Scripture study: Mormon 2-4

Mark and ponder: Mormon 4:5

Scripture thought of the day: Matthew 6:33

Thought of the day: "There must be purpose in our lives. We are here to accomplish something to bless society with our talents and our learning. There can fun, yes. But there must be recognition of the fact that life is serious, that the risks are great, but that we can overcome them if we discipline ourselves and seek the unfailing strength of the Lord." -Gordon B. Hinckley

DAY 81

Scripture study: Mormon 5-7

Mark and ponder: Ether 12:27

Scripture thought of the day: Moroni 7:5

Thought of the day: "You are good. But it is not enough to just be good. You must be good for something. You must contrib8te good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others." -Gordon B. Hinckley

DAY 82

Scripture study: Mormon 8-9

Mark and ponder: Mormon 9:21, 27-28

Scripture thought of the day: Matthew 17:20

Thought of the day: "The faithful will exercise faith and pray always for all who are within the reach of the Lord. The good desire good to all." -Brigham Young

DAY 83

Scripture study: Ether 1-3

Mark and ponder: Ether 3:14-16

Scripture though of the day: Ether 12:6

Thought of the day: "Are you full of faith? You can tell whether I am or not by looking at me. You can tell whether the brethren who have been speaking to you are full of faith in the gospel by the look of their countenances. You can see if there is not a word spoken." -Brigham Young

DAY 84

Scripture study: Ether 4-7

Mark and ponder: Ether 5:3-4

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 17

Thought of the day: "For their testimonies [the Three Witnesses] shall rise up to condemn the unbelieving and rebellious before the judgment seat of Christ, yea there are or will be 10,000 times 10,000 other witnesses to testify with equal surety of the truth of the Book of Mormon." -Bruce R. McConkie

DAY 85

Scripture study: Ether 8-10

Mark and ponder: Ether 8:18-24; 9:16-20, 26-35

Scripture thought of the day: Moroni 7:5, 12

Thought of the day: "This scripture should alert us to what is ahead unless we repent, because there is no question that as people of the free world, we are increasingly upholding many of the vils of the adversary today. By court edict godless conspirators can run for government office, teach in our schools, hold office in labor unions, work in our defense plants, serve in our merchant marines, etc. As a nation, we are helping to underwrite many evil revolutionaries in our country." -Ezra Taft Benson

DAY 86

Scripture study: Ether 11-12

Mark and ponder: Ether 12:6-18

Scripture thought of the day: Alma 32:27

Thought of the day: "It is faith tht is the converter. It is faith that is the teacher. This precious and marvelous gift of faith, this gift from God our Eternal Father is the strength of this work and the quiet vibrancy of its message. Faith underlies it all. Faith is the substance of it all. Whether it be going into the mission field, living the Word of Wisdom, paying one's tithing, it is all the same. It is the faith within us that is evidenced in all we do." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Closer to Christ - Days 73-79

DAY 73

Scripture study: 3 Nephi 11-13

DAY 74

Scripture study: 3 Nephi 14-16

Mark and ponder: 3 Nephi 14:24-27

Scripture thought of the day: 3 Nephi 15:9

Thought of the day: "With gospel perspective, we can know that when we endure to the very end, we are actually enduring to the very beginning. Thus, rather than viewing this virtue as delivering us expiring in exhaustion to a finish line, we are brought intact and victorious to a starting line." -Neal A. Maxwell

DAY 75

Scripture study: 3 Nephi 17-19

Mark and ponder: 3 Nephi 18:19-21

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 63:64

Thought of the day: "The trouble with most of our prayers is that we give them as if we were picking up the telephone and ordering groceries - we place our order and hang up. We need to meditate, contemplate, think of what we are praying about and for and then speak to the Lor as one man speaketh to another. 'Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord' (Isaiah 1:18). That is the invitation. Believe in the power of prayer - it is real, it is wonderful, it is tremendous." -Gordon B. Hinckley

DAY 76

Scripture study: 3 Nephi 20-22

Mark and ponder: 3 Nephi 20:8-9

Scripture thought of the day: JST, John 6:54

Thought of the day: "The sacrament and the partaking of those emblems is the very heart of our Sabbath worship. It includes a renewal of covenants with God. It caries with it a promise of His Holy Spirit to be with us. As we partake of the sacrament we can all stand on a level lane before the Lord. Each is accountable for what he does as he renews his covenants with the Lord in that magnificent and beautiful and simple ordinance of the gospel which carries with it such tremendous meaning." -Gordon B. Hinckley

DAY 77

Scripture study: 3 Nephi 23-26

Mark and ponder: 3 Nephi 23:81

Scripture thought of the day: Deuteronomy 17:19

Thought of the day: "Let us establish in our lives the habit of reading those things which will strengthen our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world." -Gordon B. Hinckley

DAY 78

Scripture study: 3 Nephi 27-30

Mark and ponder: 3 Nephi 27:13-14, 20

Scripture thought of the day: Hebrews 11:16

Thought of the day: "The test of the church is the kind of me it produces." -David O. McKay

DAY 79

Scripture study: 4 Nephi, Mormon 1

Mark and ponder: 4 Nephi 1:12

Scripture thought of the day: Alma 17:3

Thought of the day: "Is it too much to ask of anyone, any member of this church, that you actually fast for two meals a month? It will only bless our lives if we do so. I am satisified that if every man, woman, and child in the United States of America were to observe this great and marvelous practice, which costs no one anythin, not a thing, that it would take care of all the welfare problems of this nation. The Lord's way is a simple way that takes nothing from us, adds to our humility, to our spirit of worship, to our physical well being, and takes care of those in need and distress." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Closer to Christ - Days 66-72

DAY 66

Scripture study: Helaman 11-12

Mark and ponder: Helaman 12:23-24

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 95:1

Thought of the day: "The process of perfection includes challenges to overcome and steps to repentance that may be very painful. There is a proper place for chastisement in the molding of character, for we know that "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." -Russell M. Nelson

DAY 67

Scripture study: Helaman 13-14

Mark and ponder: Helaman 13:11, 14:8

Scripture thought of the day: Alma 34:33

Thought of the day: "Repentance through faith in the Lord's Atonement is the vital, lifelong process - not an isolated event - of coming unto Christ and being sanctified in Him." -George F. Hilton

DAY 68

Scripture study: Helaman 15-16

Mark and ponder: Helaman 15:8-9

Scripture thought of the day: 1 Nephi 26:8

Thought of the day: "Even yesterday's spiritual experience . . . does not guarantee us against tomorrow's relapse. Persisitence thus matters greatly." -Neal A. Maxwell

DAY 69

Scripture study: 3 Nephi 1-3

Mark and ponder: 3 Nephi 1:18-19

Scripture thought of the day: 3 Nephi 1:14

Thought of the day: "There is one supreme fact in the universe. It eclipses all other truths, all thought, all being, all emotion. God lives." -Utah Senator Jake Garn

DAY 70

Scripture study: 3 Nephi 4

Mark and ponder: 3 Nephi 4:10

Scripture thought of the day: 3 Nephi 4:8

Thought of the day: "When it comes to prayer, let's have no more empty statements and insincere but polite phrases. Be honest. If you're mad, say so. If you're confused, say so. And don't think anything is too small for the Savior's loving attention." -Cheiko N. Okazaki

DAY 71

Scripture study: 3 Nephi 5-7

Mark and ponder: 3 Nephi 5:13

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 127:4

Thought of the day: "Having daily access to the Spirit . . . is better than periodic miracles." -Neal A. Maxwell

DAY 72

Scripture study: 3 Nephi 8-10

Mark and ponder: 3 Nephi 9:14-15

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 76:5-7

Thought of the day: "We may never understand nor comprehend in mortality how he accomplished what he did, but we must not fail to understand why he did what he did." -Ezra Taft Benson

Closer to Christ - Days 59-65

DAY 59

Scripture study: Alma 54-56

Mark and ponder: Exodus 19:5-6

Scripture thought of the day: Jeremiah 50:5

Thought of the day: "In our utter desolation, what could we women do but pray? Prayer was our only source of comfort; our Heavenly Father our only helper. None but he could save and deliver us." -Amanda Barnes Smith, Haun's Mill, Missouri, October 1838

DAY 60

Scripture study: Alma 57-58

Mark and ponder: Alma 57:21, 58:40

Scripture thought of the day: Psalms 62:6-8

Thought of the day: "Gospel hope is not a vague, wishful desire, but a powerful expectation, a conviction, that Jesus Christ will save us. This hope in the Lord Jesus Christ includes the expection of a glorious resurrection, indeed, hope that all of God's promises will be fulfilled in our behalf." -Lili de Hoyos Anderson

DAY 61

Scripture study: Alma 59-60

Mark and ponder: Alma 60:36

Scripture thought of the day: Joshua 24:15

Thought of the day: "In his wisdom, Captain Moroni didn't just look for weaknesses to shore up. He also focused on strengths in the Nephi defense so that if the attach from the enemy got too fierce, there would be safe places. As part of our ongoing effort to fortify our marriage, my husband and I also look for our strong places. They are easier to find through prayer. In prayer I have found that Heavenly Father loves us even more than we ourselves do and truly wants our relationships to succeed." -Michelle H. Bagley

DAY 62

Scripture study: Alma 61-63

Mark and ponder: Alma 62:49

Scripture thought of the day: Psalms 45:1-2

Thought of the day: "Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon put honor and humility in perspective . . . The scriptures teach us that honor includes such things as faith and trust in the Lord, payment of tithes and offerings, fear of the Lord, humility, and obedience." -Robert D. Hales

DAY 63

Scripture study: Helaman 1-4

Mark and ponder: Helaman 3:29-30

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 38:9

Thought of the day: "The spirit of God never generates contention. It never generates the feelings of distinctions between people which lead to strife. It leads to personal peace and feelings of union with others. It unifies the soul. A unified family, a unified Church, and a world at peace depends on unified souls." -Henry B. Eyring

DAY 64

Scripture study: Helaman 5-8

Mark and ponder: Helaman 5:12, 8:14-15

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 81:5-6

Thought of the day: "Climbing the gospel ladder toward exaltation will require more than a casual commitment to the gospel, more than a few visits to church on Sunday, more than a passing familiarity with the scriptures as we endure faithfully to the end." -David Sorenson

DAY 65

Scripture study: Helaman 9-10

Mark and ponder: Helaman 10:4-5

Scripture thought of the day: 1 John 1:8-9

Thought of the day: "But in coming here [to earth], we forgot all, that our agency might be free indeed, to choose good or evil that we might merit the reward of our own choice and conduct. But by the power of the Spirit, in the redemption of Christ, through obedience, we often catch a spark from the awakened memories of th immortal soul, which lights up our whole being as with the glory of our former home." -Joseph F. Smith

Closer to Christ - Days 52-58

DAY 52

Scripture study: Alma 37-38

Mark and ponder: Alma 37:35-37

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 88:118

Thought of the day: "Yes, the scriptures do give us counsel and prepare us in all things. They are pertinent to the situations we find ourselves in daily: how to meet temptation . . . how to handle hurt feelings, maintain family stability, be a good neighbor, and manage one's finances; the list extends as far as study and human need will take us." -Thomas E. Hays

DAY 53

Scripture study: Alma 39-41

Mark and ponder: James 1:12-16

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 63:47

Thought of the day: "By obedience to the laws of the gospel, you can lift yourselves above the quagmire of sin that surrounds us in this world. In addition to helping you to become better servants of the Lord, obedience to these laws will help you to be better in everything you undertake in life . . . because you will know that your life is acceptable to your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ." -Joseph B. Wirthlin

DAY 54

Scripture study: Alma 42-43

Mark and ponder: Alma 42:27-28

Scripture thought of the day: 2 Nephi 2:28

Thought of the day: "Sometimes . . . a person . . . is almost overwhelmed and wonders, 'Can the Lord ever forgive me? Can I ever forgive myself? but when one reaches the depths of despondency and feels the helplessness of this position, and when he cries out to God for mercy in helplessness but in faith, there comes a still, small, but penetrating voice whispering to his soul, 'Thy sins are forgiven thee.'" -Spencer W. Kimball

DAY 55

Scripture study: Alma 44-45

Mark and ponder: Alma 44:4

Scripture thought of the day: Joel 2:32

Thought of the day: "It is my constant prayer to God that He will have mercy upon us and preserve us from the great enemy who knows he has only a short time in which to work. I have been made to tremble and quake before the Lord and to call upon him with all my heart almost day and night . . . Maybe it is through suffering that we are to be made perfect. At least it has the effect of drawing us nearer to the Lord, which is a blessing." -Mary Fielding Smith

DAY 56

Scripture study: Alma 46-47

Mark and ponder: Alma 46:12-14

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 109:54

Thought of the day: "You are like titles of liberty as you strive to protect your families from such intruders as selfishness, harshness, anger, and strife. Your banner stands for peace and love and service to your families. You don't have to be Captain Moroni to make a difference. Our Father in Heaven needs you to be who you are, in your family. You are very important . . . We call upon you to take a stand for kindness and goodness and service to those you love most, our families." -Sharon G. Larsen

DAY 57

Scripture study: Alma 48-50

Mark and ponder: Alma 48: 11-13, 17

Scripture thought of the day: 3 Nephi 27:27

Thought of the day: "The power of one person is apparent throughout the scriptures as we see the influence of . . . Mormon and Moroni . . . often alone, standing as one, even as each of us on occasion must stand alone in a sometimes hostile world. Yet as these valiant servants of the Lord were not entirely alone, neither will we be, if we are worthy of His companionship and the companionship of the Holy Spirit." -Wm. Rolfe Kerr

DAY 58

Scripture study: Alma 54-56

Mark and ponder: Exodus 19:5-6

Scripture thought of the day: Jeremiah 50:5

Thought of the day: "President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors promised church members that is they would gather their children around them once a week and instruct them in the gospel, those children in such homes would not go astray. It is time for us to think of turning the hearts of parents to children now while living . . ." -Harold B. Lee

Closer to Christ - Days 45-51

DAY 45

Scripture study: Alma 20-21

Mark and ponder: Alma 21:16

Scripture thought of the day: 1 Nephi 4:6

Thought of the day: "God does not send thunder if a still, small voice is enough." -Neal A. Maxwell

DAY 46

Scripture study: Alma 22-23

Mark and ponder: Alma 23:6

Scripture thought of the day: Alma 17:2-3

Thought of the day: "Our temporal bodies would soon become emaciated, if we fed them only once a week, or twice, as some of us are in the habit of feeding our spiritual and religious bodies." -Joseph F. Smith

Day 47

Scripture study: Alma 24-25

Mark and ponder: Alma 24:19

Scripture thought of day: Alma 52:20

Thought of the day: "The summer patriot and the sunshine saint retreat when the battle wages fiercely around them; theirs is not the conqueror's crown." -Bruce R. McConkie

DAY 48

Scripture study: Alma 26-28

Mark and ponder: Alma 26:5-6, 22

Scripture thought of the day: Mosiah 2:17

Thought of the day: "Your call to serve is not from human beings. It is a trust from God . . . Whatever name it has, every call is an opportunity to watch over and strengthen the children of our Heavenly Father. The Savior's work is to bring to pass immortality and eternal life. He called us to serve others so that we could strengthen our own faith as well as theirs. He knows that by serving Him we will come to know Him." -Henry B. Eyring

DAY 49

Scripture study: Alma 29-31

Mark and ponder: Alma 29:9

Scripture thought of the day: Hebrews 13:14

Thought of the day: "I pray that you . . . will not only be worthy to receive ministering angels, but that you  . . . will become a ministering angel in the lives of of others as you exercise faith in working mighty miracles, thereby becoming a great benefit to your fellow beings." -Spencer J. Condie

DAY 50

Scripture study: Alma 32-34

Mark and ponder: D&C 18:10-11, 15-16

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 8:2

Thought of the day: "It is the right and priviledge of every man, every woman, and every child who has reached the years of accountability, to enjoy the spirit of revelation, and be possessed of the spirit of inspiration in the discharge of their duties to members of the church." - Joseph Smith

DAY 51

Scripture study: Alma 35-36

Mark and ponder: Ephesians 6:13-18

Scripture thought of the day: Hebrews 11:1, 6

Thought of the day: "A key promise of the Father is the gift of the Holy Ghost, whose purpose is to lead us along the strait and narrow path helping each person develop unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. If one makes and keeps gospel covenants, he or she will yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and become a Christ-centered person." -Merrill J. Bateman

Closer to Christ - Days 38-44

DAY 38

Scripture study: Alma 5

Mark and ponder: Alma 5:38

Scripture thought of the day: Matthew 6:24

Thought of the day: "One can still go to the Garden of Gethsemane, but the Lord Jesus cannot be found there, nor is he in the Garden Tomb. He is not on the road to Emmaus, nor in Galilee, nor at Nazareth or Bethlehem. He must be found in one's heart." -James E. Faust

DAY 39

Scripture study: Alma 6-8

Mark and ponder: Alma 7:23-24

Scripture thought of the day: Phillipians 4:8

Thought of the day: "While the Lord will magnify us both in subtle and dramatic ways, he can only guide our footsteps when we move our feet." -Marion G. Romney

DAY 40

Scripture study: Alma9-10

Mark and ponder: Alma 10:22-23

Scripture thought of the day: Proverbs 15:29

Thought of the day: "Being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances." -Joseph Smith

DAY 41

Scripture study: Alma 11-12

Mark and ponder: Alma 12:10

Scripture thought of the day: Ether 4:8

Thought of the day: "That man is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most closely approaches the pattern of Christ. This has nothing to do with earthly wealth, power, or prestige. The only true test of greatness, blessedness, and joyfulness is how close a life can come to being like the master, Jesus Christ. He is the right way, the full truth, and the abundant life." -Ezra Taft Benson

DAY 42

Scripture study: Alma 13-15

Mark and ponder: Alma 13:28

Scripture thought of the day: Corinthians 10:13

Thought of the day: "If we entertain temptations, soon they begin entertaining us.

DAY 43

Scripture study: Alma 16-18

Mark and ponder: Alma 17:2-3

Scripture thought of the day: Luke 1:37

Thought of the day: "Faith is the force of life." -Leo Tolstoy

DAY 44

Scripture study: Alma 19

Mark and ponder: Alma 19:6

Scripture thought of the day: Corinthians 4:4

Thought of the day: "If we falter and turn aside, our lamp will burn dim and finally go out when lo, the Comforter, the source of revelation, will leave us, and darkness will take its place; then how great will be the darkness." -Joseph Smith

Closer to Christ - Days 31-37

DAY 31

Scripture study: Mosiah 14-15

Mark and ponder: Mosiah 15:19

Scripture thought of the day: 2 Nephi 9:7

Thought of the day: "The atonement of the master is the central part of world history. Without it, the whole purpose for the creation of the earth and our living upon it, would fail." -Marion G. Romney

DAY 32

Scripture study: Mosiah 16-18

Mark and ponder: Mosiah 16:17

Scripture thought of the day: Hosea 13:14

Thought of the day: "Against the medals and monuments of centuries of men's fleeting victories stand the only monument necessary to work the eternal triumphs - an empty garden tomb." -Howard W. Hunter

DAY 33

Scripture study: Mosiah 19-22

Mark and ponder: Mosiah 21:15

Scripture thought of the day: Hosea Proverbs 15:29

Thought of the day: "Though persecutions arise, though reverses come, in prayer we can find reassurance, for God will speak to the soul. That peace, that spirit of serenity, is life's greatest blessing." -Ezra Taft Benson

DAY 34

Scripture study: Mosiah 23-26

Mark and ponder: Mosiah 24:15

Scripture thought of the day: Matthew 11:28

Thought of the day: "This marvelous offer of assistance extended by the son of God himself was not restricted to the Galileans of his day. This call to shoulder his easy yoke and accept his light burden is not limited to bygone generations. It was and is a universal appeal to all people, to all cities and nations, to every man, woman, and child everywhere." -Howard W. Hunter

DAY 35

Scripture study: Mosiah 27-29

Mark and ponder: Mosiah 27:25-26

Scripture thought of the day: Alma 5:14

Thought of the day: "This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many thing right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help. We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our heart an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues." -Thomas S. Monson

DAY 36

Scripture study: Alma 1-2

Mark and ponder: Alma 1:25

Scripture thought of the day: Joshua 24:15

Thought of the day: "There is, in fact, no such thing as neutrality where the gospel is concerned." -Joseph Smith

DAY 37

Scripture study: Alma 3-4

Mark and ponder: Alma 3:26-27

Scripture thought of the day: Romans 6:16

Thought of the day: "We must put God in the forefront of everything else in our lives . . . When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives." -Ezra Taft Benson