Always Remember Him

This week Ethan and I read 2 Nephi 13-20. One of my favorite things about the Book of Mormon is that the main purpose is to bring us closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Church is named "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints", so it would only make sense that HE was the one at the center of our testimonies, hearts and everyday lives. We have been told many times that the Book of Mormon is the "KEYSTONE" of our religion. A "keystone" meaning that it holds the whole arch (the gospel) together at the very top. And Jesus Christ is our foundation. It would only make sense then that they "keystone" (Book of Mormon) of our religion is only able to stand because of the "foundation" (Jesus Christ)... which is why I think it is so neat that the Book of Mormon is yet "Another Testament of Jesus Christ", helping us to more fully draw ourselves closer to Him.

In 1 Nephi 19:18 it says, "And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their redeemer".

Nephi's who purpose in spending so much time engraving on the plates was to persuade us to remember the Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ. In fact, EVERYTHING Nephi did was based on inviting others to come unto Christ. As missionaries we recite "our purpose" a LOT which is "To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ, and His Atonement, Repentence, Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end". We are all disciples of Christ, meaning that we don't need a name tag on us to be able to have this be our purpose as well in our everyday lives.

I would challenge us all to try to be a little more like Nephi who knew what his purpose was and everything in his life revolved around that. Think of what your purpose is and what your motivation is behind the things you do. Try to let our Savior, Jesus Christ, be at the very center of all that you are doing daily. I have a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon and know that it is true. I know that when we put Christ at the center of our lives that we will be happier than we could have ever imagined!

What are our Desires?

So Allie and I have been reading in 1 Nephi and we have been sharing together what we learn and now we were invited to share with anyone who comes to read this what we have learned also! Even if very few people or maybe none at all come to read this it is going to be a good way for Allie and me to use this as some sort of journal for our scripture notes.

I was thinking of a few chapters, specifically 11-13. A quick summary for anyone who might be wondering whats in those chapters. An angel appears to Nephi and he is asked what he desires. He then states that he desires to see the things that his father had seen. Just think about that answer! I don't think that was a half hearted answer. It wasn't Nephi saying, "Sure, I guess it'd be cool to see what my dad saw." He was sure of what he wanted. He was so sure and pure enough to not only have an angel appear to him, but also to show him his exact desire.

Maybe we should stop for a second and ask ourselves what our real desires are. What would you say to an angel standing before you? (Keep in mind he probably knows your answer before you say it... so no lying.)

Desire is a great thing. I am not to the point that Nephi is at, but I do have faith that one day I can get there. Alma teaches us that if you don't believe then desire is enough for now. Start trying and doing good things and you will grow and seeds of belief and faith will start to sprout in your heart and you will grow! That's the hope and good news that keeps me trying. I know that it is truly because of the Atonement that we can keep trying and can become a little better every day. We can all start by feeding our desires and doing good things to make them better!

Obedience brings MIRACLES!

For one of our classes, Ethan and I are going to be doing weekly "scripture shares". We will post the link to the blog each week on Facebook and you will be able to come here to read what new principles we are learning and how our testimonies are being strengthened. Feel free to share with anyone of your friends as well! We hope that as we are learning and growing spiritually in this study of the Book of Mormon that all of you, as our close friends will also have your own personal testimonies of the Book of Mormon strengthened too.

The scripture I wanted to share this week is in 1 Nephi 2:3. And it says "And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him". This is such a simple yet profound scripture. Lehi was asked to take his family into the wilderness!! To leave everything he was comfortable with in his home and go to the wilderness with his family. And he did it acting in complete and total obedience. He didn't complain or ask why or why couldn't someone else do it... He just went and acted in faith.

Obedience is KEY. And I really do believe that obedience takes a lot of faith. Reading this chapter, and especially this verse, I came to recognize (once again) the importance of being obedient and how miracles truly to occur from being obedient.

I saw this on my mission multiple times. I tried so hard to be obedient and do what the Lord asked of us as missionaries. And because of that I saw MANY MANY miracles on my mission. As I read this verse though I thought about how true it is that obedience and miracles don't only apply to missions and missionaries, but to all of us right now. Being obedient will help us in school, work, doing the laundry, cleaning the house, chasing after kids, etc. We have been asked to do lots of things by general authorities... even just in this past conference. I think we can all do a little bit better at being "obedient unto the word of the Lord" by listening to those talks and applying them in our own personal lives... just as Lehi did.

So my challenge to all of us is to try to listen to at least one conference talk this week and then make a goal and habit out of it! Listen to the words of living Prophets and Apostles who are telling us what the word of the Lord is... and then go out and DO IT. I can promise us all that as we are obedient to the word of the Lord in the best ways we can be that we will find true miracles in our everyday lives. And I share that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.