I finished the BOM this morning. This is the first time in my life I've ever read it 3 times in a year. It's been a great experience. Things are finally fitting together in my brain. My attitude is so much better when I read daily. Petty things don't get to me. I'm more patient and loving and I just feel like I have the spirit with me all day long. Here's to 50 more years like this one. Dad suggested that I try another book. I might add something else, but I'm convinced that the Book of Mormon is something special. Read, my darlings. Read and read and read.

Temples

OK, so I'm not really sure how this works, and this may be totally off since it's not really from the scriptures, but I'm going with it since it's churchy (tho it can be found in the scriptures). This Sunday (today), I gave a talk about temples. I didn't say anything deep about them, mostly cuz I really don't understand temples yet and am able to do so little of the mighty things that take place in that building. Instead, I gave my personal feelings and testimony of the temple. They were quite childish and simple, I admit, but I really did try teaching by the spirit. Afterwords, so many people told me that my talk was the easiest to pay attention to cuz I'm so much more lively and jokey than the other two that spoke. But I degress (..digress?)..
This experience has givin me a stronger testimony of temples. I know that I need these ordinances to get back to my Heavenly Father, and once I've received them for myself, I can serve my fellow spirits who weren't able to get this wonderful chance so that they may be as happy as I and someday live in our Father's presence. I know that my body is a temple and that I need to treat it like one. I want it to be as I think of the temple:happy, uplifting, pure, kind, clean, beautiful, to name a few. But not only that, I want to show others that I respect myself and that they should do likewise. I don't hate when people speak unkind or angry words about the temple, so why not myself? I'm not a fence they can graffiti! Even if they try, it won't stick on me, cuz I won't let it.
I looked at the temple for a moment last night as we rushed from building to building to sing. And those few moments lifted me, comforted me, gave me hope! It was so radient against the black of night. I want to be like that. I want to be a shining example for all to see, even those I may not come in contact with.
Even as I write this, I realize that there is so much symbolism with the temple. I knew there was, but I never thought of the different symbolism for ME being the temple. Anyway..I think it's very important for all of us to go to the temple regularly. As I explained in my talk, the temple is like a plate of chocolate and sin, whatever it be that is keeping us from the temple is a clear plastic baggie over the chocolate, keeping you from it. Do you really just want to stare at the chocolate, letting your mouth water over it-not enjoying the blessings of it, because of that stupid baggie? You need to workout the baggie in your life, whatever it may be. You don't want to purposely deprive yourself of goodness. (I didn't word it quite like that, so you don't have to worry, Mom, I didn't say stupid at church.)

I was reading in Alma on Sunday about Ammon teaching King Lamoni's dad and in verse 12 (chapter 22) it says he "read the scriptures" to the king. I had never caught that before. I was sure they wouldn't let the missionaries take the brass plates into the land of the heathens, but did they have copies? I did some research and later in Alma 63:12 it says the things they got from Mosiah were written and sent forth among the people. Think how neat that is! They had scriptures to carry and teach from that long ago.

I love the anti Nephi Lehites. That kind of faith amazes me. Watching 1000 people get killed and knowing that you're next might be more than I could do. It was amazing enough that more than that many people joined the church because of it. I'm also impressed that the Nephities could accept them with open arms. I'm getting a little less tolerate as I get older. I'm going to try to follow their example. Surely I can love all those that God loves (even though they still might frustrate me at times.)

This is one of my favorite scriptures: Alma 28:9 ...this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

3 Nephi 28:10

I just finished reading in third Nephi this week.

Because of the lessons last Sunday and different things that I have encountered in life, I have found myself continually reflecting on chapter 18, verse 10.

Christ is talking about a fullness of joy. He basically tells the apostles that they can have a fullness of joy, just as He and the Father have.
I guess my real thought has been how to really receive a fullness of joy. It's easy to be happy with the gospel.. But fullness? The same fullness that the Godhead feels?

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding this whole thing... But I keep thinking about the previous verse (Verse 9) when Christ talks about spreading the gospel.

What can I do to spread the gospel to world? What can I do to deserve such joy?

Anyway... those are my thoughts.

Have you ever noticed how Nephi loves the phrase "soften your heart?" When he wanted to understand the dream, he asked the Lord to soften his heart. He seems to use it whenever he needs help from the Lord. He uses the term conversely with his brothers when they "harden their hearts." I'm going to start praying for my heart to be softened about things. It certainly worked for him.

I just finished the Book of Mormon for the second time this year. What a great experience. I'm getting something new every day that I read. I love Mormon and Moroni. What an awful experience it would have been to be alone and hiding from the Lamanites for such a long time. I can't imagine having to deny your testimony or be put to death. I hope we never get to that point again. We are so lucky. I'm excited to start it all again. 1 Nephi, here I come.

Momsy

Mom, will you get me an email address for everyone else so that I can invite them to be a part of the blog? That would be stellar.

And thanks for posting. You are the best! Love ya!

It's only taken my two months to get my act together, but you don't want to hear about that. I'm so excited about sharing my ideas. I read first thing in the morning and there is no one around to talk to. By the time we're in the van, the BOM is not the first thing on our minds.

A few months ago we were in a meeting and President Peterson talked very briefly about what a difference it had made in his life when he started reading and studying every day instead of most of the time. That was about all he said, but I couldn't get it off my mind. I usually read 80-90% of the time, but there were days when it just wasn't convenient. It's kind of like exercising, I start out strong and hit a busy time and lose my momentum. I just kept wondering if I only felt like I needed the spirit 80-90% of the time. Well that's laughable. So...I gave myself a new challenge and went for it. I used to read because I felt obligated to do it. Now I can't wait to get up and get into it. I just can't put into words the difference it has made. You'll just have to take my word for it. The stories are finally fitting together in my brain and I can see the Lord's bigger pattern instead of focusing on whatever is happening at the moment.

I'm on my second time through the BOM this year and that is amazing. It used to take me a couple of years. I decided to read two or three chapters instead of whatever little amount I felt like I had time for. Luckily, I have time to do this. You may not and the other way works too. Even 1 verse is better than none. It shows the Lord you're making some time for Him. Anyway, I'll just start my musing where I am now and catch up as I read things again.

I'm in Alma and loving Moroni all over again. I've read and heard the stories countless times but I realized this time that the Title of Liberty came about not in an effort to defeat the Lamanites, but when they were once again trying to get all the Nephites back into the gospel. Sometimess our biggest enemies are the people around us that can get to us bef0re we realize what they are doing to our testimonies. We think they are friends and allies. Think how much damage Amalikiah did before he was killed and then his brother took over. They did more against the righteous Nephites than thousands of Lamanites. When people turn against God, they are out to take people down with them. What a scarey thought.

I love the army of Helaman. I hope you all know that your mother has a testimony and loves the Lord. My greatest joy is knowing that all of you share this love and are trying to live your testimonies. Watching all of you become responsible, admirable adults is a a priceless gift. Thanks for what you do and what you are. I love you!

Hello!

Dear family,

I have finally constructed the blog!
Please feel free to post any thoughts that you have from your scripture study or any cool insights to the gospel.

I am so excited to learn from everyone.

Love you all!