We are all in good company

Thought of the day:

I know when we "grow up" we are supposed to know all the answers to life's tough questions. We are supposed to have figured it out through the examples of those who have gone before us - parents, siblings, friends and Church leaders - or at least be figuring it out still. The thing is, no matter how old I get I still want the confirmation from someone older and wiser than me. I want to feel like the choices I make are the right choices and that they will lead me to happiness and progression. 

I remember always thinking that the older I got, the easier it would be to make those "grown up" decisions. The truth is, I don't feel like I am getting any older - I just continually find myself in new situations, unknowns and "firsts" that tell me how inexperienced I really am. Today as I was reading in 2 Nephi I came across a scripture that made me realize it is ok to not have all the answers, because we can trust in someone who does. It doesn't just end there however. We all need tutoring - and we all need to go forward with trust in what our minds and hearts are telling us. 

Whatever it is we need in life - and we all need something - we can find it in the scriptures. I know that sounds really cliche because some things exist in today's world that didn't necessarily exist in the time when Nephi built his ship, or Moses parted the Red Sea, but it's true!  We have so many more things in common with our ancestors and with the examples in the scriptures than we think. Can you think of someone that had a falling out with their family, brother or father? Can you think of someone who had a hard time providing (food) for his family? What about someone who everyone laughed at or ridiculed because of their beliefs? Or what of the numerous accounts of people giving up their possessions, time, talents, sins and even their lives in order to be obedient to the commandments?  

The lesson I learned today - we are in good company. Look to the scriptures and we will never be alone. 

When Mormon was abridging the plates, he was inspired to know what to include - for us. As Mormon said, "I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing..." (Mormon 8:35)

2 Nephi 32:3

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."

Exodus 4:15

 "And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth; and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth and will teach you what ye shall do."

Alma 31:5

"And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just-yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them - therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."

Jeremiah 29:13

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." 

Book of Mormon Challenge

It's time for a new challenge!

Dane and I decided that before April general conference we wanted to read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover in order to prepare ourselves to be taught, to increase the Spirit in our lives and to deepen our understanding and love of our Savior Jesus Christ.

A few years ago, President Hinckley issued a challenge to the members of the Church and to the world:

"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."

I remember how much this challenge helped me during my young adult years, so I was really looking forward to trying it again. So far it has been fun to read more than just a chapter a day. The stories and teachings have come alive allowing me to really feel the passion and love from the words of the prophets. It brings to me the desire  to be better and to develop those Christlike attributes I am seeing in the Book of Mormon prophets. I thought it would be fun to use this blog as a way to record my thoughts and feelings of this new challenge - and invite anyone else to join in and share your thoughts, and feelings too!

Start from the beginning or wherever you are and feel free to comment and share!