2 Nephi 33

One of my favorite callings I've had is to teach; teach Relief Society, teach Young Woman's, teach Primary, etc. I loved teaching. But I've always had to recognize that I really wasn't the teacher, that I'm more the conductor of a discussion. In fact, the Holy Ghost is the real teacher. For me to be an effective teacher, I need to invite the Spirit into the lesson. I need to follow promptings and and say what the Spirit wishes me to say. Then it's up to the students of the class to allow the Spirit to bring the message into their hearts and inspire them.

Things I'm Gonna Miss...

Today I'm getting ready to head back to BYU-Idaho via Utah. This means packing: deciding what to bring, what to throw away and what to leave behind. As a result of this process I've been thinking of all the things I'm going to miss for the next 7 months:

2 Nephi 32

Once we are members of the church, baptized and having the gift of the Holy Ghost, what next? Even for members that were baptized when we were eight, sometimes we ask, what now? What do I need to do to keep progressing down this path? Chapter 32 really answers this question.

We have been blessed by the Holy Ghost. We have been told to "feast upon the word of Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20). The Holy Ghost teaches the words of Christ. The words of Christ will tell you all the things that we should do (3). Having the Gift of the Holy Ghost gives you the guidance you need for it will "show unto you all things what ye should do" (5). So we need to pay attention and live such a life that welcomes the Spirit into our hearts. We need to listen. We need to act on every good thought we have.

2 Nephi 31

To be saved, we must endure to the end in following the example of the Son of the living God (16). Verse 20 gives more detail:

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Stay firm in your foundation in Christ. Have a strong testimony of him. Follow him in Faith and hope. Have the love of God for all men; have charity. We we just push forward trying to follow him and in doing what is right. If we push forward, if we work to progress, if we absorb the word of Christ, and we endure to the end, then we shall have eternal life. I want that. So I'll just do my best everyday. Do my best, and correct mistakes that will be made because I'm mortal.

2 Nephi 30

This next semester I'm taking a science class called "Origins of the Universe, Earth and Life." It's almost an oxymoron, because we won't know how exactly it was all put together until the Second Coming. So we are only studying what science has been able to put together. Anyways, verses 15-18 reminds me of this:

New Year Resolutions

In case you happen to be totally oblivious, New Year's is right around the corner. We all know that a new year marks new beginnings or a fresh start. It happens to be the time of year where we make resolutions that will better ourselves.

So what are a few of my New Year Resolutions?

• Follow a budget
• Be a better listener
• Learn to say hello in 5 languages
• Strike up a conversation with a stranger
• Be available for others when they need me
• Add to my favorite recipes
• Make a short video
• Do some sort of exercise once a week outside of my normal routine
• Manage my time better
• Write a story
• Become an expert on something
• Donate my time
• Discover adventures
• Read a classic
• Learn about my ancestors
• Write old-fashioned letters
• Take a photograph of life

New Year's resolutions can be whatever you want them to be. They can be serious, amusing or silly. But they're great. This time of year is when it's best to take full advantage of making goals for yourself. Here is a website that I just found that could help you in creating your own mixture of resolutions.

Have fun everyone!

2 Nephi 29

"Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember on nation like unto another?" (8).

"For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it" (12).

I love this. What would happen if you discovered a record of a people, whom you believe would have never heard of the Israelites' God, but when in fact their record proves they believed in the same exact God as the Israelites? Believed long before Jesus Christ came to the Earth, and long before Christian missionaries spread the news to all the world? That's what the Book of Mormon is. It shows that not only did the Native Americans believe in a God once upon a time, they believed in the same God as the Israelites. It's just another testament to me that the Book of Mormon is true. That Heavenly Father is our Father in Heaven and that Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. It's all true.

2 Nephi 28

"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."

2 Nephi 28:30

We are given guidance, smal guidance that grants us wisdom. As we act on it and learn, we receive more. Our wisdom and knowledge is added upon. Meanwhile, if we decided to stop on the path of progression you begin to slide back down. You can't stop and stay where you are; you are always progressing or regressing. Try to spend every day making that extra step that moves you forward.

Merry Christmas!!

I hope you are having a fabulous Christmas on this blessed Sabbath day. I truly love this day. I had no idea how excited I was for today until I tried to fall asleep. I always have some of the craziest dreams on Christmas Eve.

2 Nephi 27

"For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."

2 Nephi 27:23

It is comforting to know God is constant. That no matter what happens he'll be there. It gives me that feeling that all will be well today, and tomorrow, and the next day, as long as I put my trust in him. He's the same always. He's a God of miracles. It really makes me peaceful to know that.

2 Nephi 26

Chapter 26 speaks of how the Lord "inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile" (33).

Moved, without Moving

Have you ever moved before? In the years growing up? or after high school? or during college? or after? I think that pretty much covers everything. I know that I've moved a total of 5 times. Once when I was 8 years old. Then 6 months after I graduated high school I moved off to college with most of my things. After 7 months of my freshman year, I moved home. Then the next January I moved back to school. Then I moved back. and soon I'll be moving to school again. Though in all honesty the biggest move was when I was 8. Even as an 8 year old I recognized it as perfectly hectic and crazy.

2 Nephi 25

I'm sure you are aware that the past several chapters have been chapters from Isaiah. In Chapter 25, Nephi explains Isaiah because "the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy" (4). Nephi also mentions why he speaks and writes the words of Isaiah: "for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them" (8).

There is one verse in particular that I really enjoy:

2 Nephi 24

Chapter 24 is the last of the Isaiah chapters. The righteous will be gathered and will find rest from sorrow and fear. Doesn't that sound magnificent?

I've talked about the Millennium a lot ("1 Nephi 22", "2 Nephi 6", "2 Nephi 11", "2 Nephi 21" and others I'm sure). But it is still something that I really look forward to.

Just make sure you live righteously and repent.

2 Nephi 23

Chapter 23 is a bit gloomy. The heading to the chapter reads:

"The destruction of Babylon is a type of the destruction at the Second Coming—It will be a day of wrath and vengeance—Babylon (the world) will fall forever—Compare Isaiah 13. About 559–545 B.C."

2 Nephi 22

Chapter 22 is all about praising the Lord in song. Isaiah 12:2 (which is also 2 Nephi 22:2) is the verse that inspired the following hymn, which is one of my favorites.

2 Nephi 21

Chapter 21 speaks of the Millennium when Christ shall reign on the earth. I like the visuals of many of these verses, but my favorite is verse 9:

"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

2 Nephi 20

Chapter 20 seems to me to be more historical then a chapter where you can learn some lessons. However, I still learned some. One verse reads:

"Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!" (15).

The footnote for this verse says that the prophet is comparing the king to a tool; the king of Assyria. But I think it also teaches us a lesson to not be boastful.

2 Nephi 19

Chapter 19 is entirely about the Savior. There is so much that could be discussed, but it almost feels to me as if I continue to repeat myself as Christmas comes closer. But I'll share one of the most well-known verses with you:

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (6).

2 Nephi 18

Chapter 18 talks more about our Savior. We often hear that Jesus Christ is our foundation, but for some he will be a stumbling block:

"And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem" (14).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:

2 Nephi 17

It's the Christmas season and in Chapter 17 it reads:

"Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign—Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (14).

How blessed are we to have a Savior. Immanuel, a name for Jesus Christ, comes from words in Hebrew that mean “God with us.” There should be no question as to why we celebrate Christmas. It's a season where we rejoice in his birth because it symbolizes our chance at Eternal life if we but repent and live righteously.

2 Nephi 16

You know, the Isaiah chapters in the Book of Mormon can be really hard to relate to sometimes. I had that problem with Chapter 16. However, there was still a portion I could relate with in verse 10:

"Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes—lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed."

For us to be people who are obedient and righteous to the Lord and his prophets, we should try to open our eyes and see the world around us. See the people we interact with and see how we can help. See all the blessings we take for granted. See and enjoy the beauty of the world. We should try to hear the sounds of lovely music. Music of nature, music of the heart, music of the rhythms of life. We should try to understand that which we see and hear with our hearts. Our heart should be our interrupter. To do all this, we will be converted and healed by the Lord.

2 Nephi 15

Chapter 15 I understand much better then the previous one. It's informing us that Israel will be scattered upon the earth, then giving warnings of what we'll be faced with, but that the Lord will "lift up an ensign to the nations from far, . . . and behold, they shall comes with speed swiftly" meaning that Lord will gather his people (26).

12 Days of Christmas

There are a great many things people do for the Christmas season. I was trying to think of ways I could do something special this year. Reading this month's Ensign, there was an article "As Christ Comforts Us" about an LDS family who ended up moving to New Zealand. They were there for the Christmas season and had come in contact with an Irish family of another Christian faith who were also spending this holiday far from the people they knew. They decided that they'd do the American tradition of the 12 Days of Christmas. Even some of youth from their ward became involved. Since that time, this other family and their congregation they met with for church, all believed the 12 Days of Christmas to be something members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do.

It got me thinking though. I decided I wanted to do the 12 Days of Christmas for one of the girls I visit teach. I looked all over the internet for ideas for this. I've never done this before. So I wasn't sure what the tradition was. Then I found this site. It had a little poem thing to use with ideas as what to give each person for that day. Mixing them up a little and adjusting the words to my own use I came up with the following:

Teaching "The Final Judgement"

Remember last month when I taught the lesson in Relief Society? I was asked to teach yesterday as well! I really love teaching Relief Society. I've had the calling once before, and I love filling in for the YSA branch.

The's lesson was on The Final Judgment. I had never connected the fact that the Final Judgment is the FINAL judgement of judgements made as we move through life. That was absolutely fascinating to me. I mean we are judged worthy to receive the baptismal ordinance, as well as judged worthy to receive a calling, temple recommend and in the case of the men, the priesthood, etc. I love it.

2 Nephi 14

Chapter 14 is another Isaiah chapter. I honestly don't know what to say about this chapter. I like how verse 4 reminds me to make sure I cleanse my life. I like how verses 5 and 6 caused me to think about turning to the Lord for safety, comfort and peace.

I guess this makes me think of ways I can cleanse my life. Like the lesson I taught yesterday, I should try to live every day as if it were a Celestial day. Making sure I say prayers morning and night, studying the scriptures, these are small steps I could take to live a cleansed life.

It's also important for me to turn to the Lord. Because of his Atonement, I can repent. I can find comfort and peace through him. I can be happy.

So this was a simple and small post, but it still teaches you something. I love the scriptures. They always teach you.

2 Nephi 13

Isaiah prophesies what will happen to Judah and Jerusalem in Chapter 13. I'm focusing in on what the first part of verse 9 reads:

"The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and doth declare their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide it. Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves!"

What is a countenance?
A countenance is an indication of mood, emotion, or character via appearance, especially the expression of the face

2 Nephi 12

My Family at the San Diego Temple (Spring 2008)

Isaiah is speaking on a great many topics in Chapter 12.

One of those topics spoken about are the temples of the lord. So I just want to take the time to talk about how awesome Temples are. Isaiah uses the phrase "the mountain of the Lord's house" to describe temples (2). Elder Bruce R. McConkie said,

“All of the holy temples of our God in the latter days shall be built in the mountains of the Lord, for his mountains—whether the land itself is a hill, a valley, or a plain—are the places where he comes, personally and by the power of his Spirit, to commune with his people” (The Millennial Messiah [1982], 275).

Repeating Personal Progress

The Personal Progress is the program created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for young women ages 12-17. In the current booklet it lists what the purpose of the program is:

"Personal Progress will help you strengthen your faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ as you learn His teachings and regularly apply them in your life. It will help you strengthen both your present family and your future family. It will help you prepare to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple. And it will prepare you to be a faithful, contributing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

"The Personal Progress program uses the eight Young Women values to help you understand more fully who you are, why you are here on the earth, and what you should be doing as a daughter of God to prepare for the day you go to the temple to make sacred covenants. It will help you prepare for your future roles as a faithful woman, wife, mother, and leader in God’s kingdom. Participating in Personal Progress teaches you to make commitments, carry them out, and report your progress to a parent or leader. The patterns you establish as you work on Personal Progress—such as prayer, scripture study, service, and journal keeping—will become personal daily habits. These habits will strengthen your testimony and help you learn and improve throughout your life" (Overview for Young Women).

I received my Young Womanhood Recognition on September 7, 2008. The Young Women Personal Progress booklet I was given just before I turned 12 years old is in a state of possessing a faded blue binding, as well as highlighter and pen marking each page accompanied by messy handwriting, dates and signatures. That little booklet helped teach me a lot of things in life.

2 Nephi 11

My Soul Delighteth. Those are the words Nephi uses throughout Chapter 11. He's introducing the words of Isaiah that he'll be quoting for the next several chapters and he uses the phrase "my soul delighteth in his words" (2).

I don't know about you, but Isaiah is sometimes the harder part of the Book of Mormon and Bible to understand. Occasionally, I'll receive some insight. But more often than not, I just don't understand it. This time around I'm using John Bytheway's Isaiah for AirHeads. It's extraordinarily helpful. Then I begin to understand why Nephi's soul delighteth in his words. In the original language, Isaiah's words were more like a type of poetry. And poetry in one language does not easily translate into another. But I've begun to see the beauty in the words of Isaiah. Both in it's meaning as well as in the syntax, the arrangement of the words within the sentences.

Spirit of Christmas

Christmas season is the season where service is just abounding everywhere. I love it. You begin to think of ideas to serve your fellow man. For example, just today I thought of doing the 12 Days of Christmas for someone. It's made me soo excited. I love the opportunities we have to better ourselves during Christmas, and the rest of the year.

Scams

In my family, we just let the phone ring unless it's a number we recognize and our parents are home. Because generally it's for them anyways and the message will usually be something along the lines of "tell your mom (or dad) that on blank-day, so-and-so needs this or that and that the meeting on this blank-day has been changed to this time." Etc. We leave it for the answering machine so our parents can actually get the message.

So the other day, when we were all together in the family room lounged on the couch, draped over chairs, or sprawled on the floor chatting about life while the television was paused, the phone rang. It was one of those numbers we didn't recognize, plus it was an unknown caller. My dad actually asked that we pick it up. We normally don't, because usually those numbers are trying to sell us something. But we did, and gave him the phone.

And guess what? Someone was calling from India! My family doesn't know anyone personally who lives there, just so you know. This person was telling us that we have a problem with our Windows on the computer and thus he called us so he could help, or whatever. Now, this guy called the wrong house. First, I think that we have only one non-Mac in the house. Secondly, we haven't had a problem with our computers. Thirdly, my dad's a computer scientist and so actually knows what computers can and can't do. Receiving a call from India about the fact that one of our computers is having problems and so reached out to this guy for help and then from that learned our actual house number to call to help was highly unlikely. Apparently impossible as well.

2 Nephi 10

While reading Chapter 10, I kept in mind the events that occurred 70 years ago yesterday: the attack on Pearl Harbor. I wanted to say something about the day that happened long before my birth.

I've learned about Pearl Harbor through the American History classes taken while in school, the History Channel, and every once awhile a book or newspaper article. I also learned from a great-great aunt who was a Japanese school girl living Japan during WWII. She told our family that she was grateful for the atomic bomb that hit Japan, because as a school child she was training with poles to fight the American soliders. The bomb was the only thing that could have stopped such a total destruction of her people. They were ready to die fighting. Every citizen.

When my family visited Hawaii in the Spring of 2009, we visited Pearl Harbor. It was quite the experience. Seeing all the names of all the people who died during the attack was heart-wrenching. It makes you grateful for the men and women who serve our country.

2 Nephi 9

As you have probably noticed, I've been trying to blog everyday about a chapter in the Book of Mormon as I read through it once again. In each blog, I've try to focus on something from that particular chapter that really stood out to me. I try to show what I've learned or why I find it important or even how it relates to my own life. I really want to encourage inspiration from the scriptures as I read and then really study out a particular portion. As a result, I'm also working on keeping them short. Sometimes I get a bit carried away because it's just so exciting to me.

However, in Chapter 9, I've come across a problem. There is just so much that stood out to me in this chapter that my scriptures here are colored like the rainbow in most every verse. Seriously. I've also am grateful for the talent of writing neatly and tiny with a pen, because now the margins are filled with black-ink insight.

The Bible

Scriptures are an amazing work of God that I don't think we take full advantage of them as we should. 

Richard G. Scott said,

"Because scriptures are generated from inspired communication through the Holy Ghost, they are pure truth. We need not be concerned about the validity of concepts contained in the standard works since the Holy Ghost has been the instrument which has motivated and inspired those individuals who have recorded the scriptures. 

"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ" ("The Power of Scripture").

2 Nephi 8

Jacob is quoting Isaiah once again to the Nephite people in Chapter 8. But I'm only focusing on verse 7, because that's the one that really helps instruct me on how I could be better.

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. 

First, we are to hearken. Hearken doesn't just mean listen. It means to give respectful attention. It means that when my mother asks me to do something, I shouldn't say, "Yeah. Ok. Sure" as I'm distracted by the computer or television. It means that I stop what I'm doing so I can be respectful as well as give her my full attention. That's how we should be with God. We shouldn't just say, "Yeah. Ok. Sure" to the commandments or words of the prophets, we should sit up and really listen with respect and your whole being.

The Close of 2011

The end of the year is upon us once again. Today I found a video covering moments of 2011. Moments where there was great hardships but where we were all inspired.

There was a Yahoo! blog 2011 Year in Review in which I think that the video originated from. I really really enjoyed the video and it brought back many memories of my own when each of these things occurred.

2 Nephi 7

Chapter 7 begins with God asking the Israelites who abandoned whom? Was it he who turned away from them? Or was it the Israelites who turned away?

CHRISTmas

Christmas. It's called CHRISTmas. It's not only a holiday where we celebrate the giving and receiving of gifts, leaving treats for Santa and his deer, and not having to go to work or school. It's a holiday where we celebrate the birth of Christ and all that symbolizes. We celebrate Christmas because of what Jesus Christ, our Savior did for us. He made it possible through the Atonement for us to repent and live with our Father in Heaven again. The Savior. That's the purpose behind all the decorations and sales and presents.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

You know what today is?

It's the day of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional! I'm rather excited! They have it this early in the month so that we may record it or have it online so that we may watch it in among our own Christmas traditions. They are always very good and inspirational! So don't forget!

Today it'll show at 6:00 PM Mountain Time. If you miss it, well, it'll be on the site along with all the former First Presidency Christmas Devotionals.

I really hope you can incorporate it into your holiday season!

2 Nephi 6

In Chapter 6 of 2 Nephi, Jacob is now teaching the Nephite people from the words of Isaiah. But my favorite part is in verse 13 which reads:

". . . the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah."

When Jesus Christ comes to the earth again, the people of the Lord will not be ashamed or afraid of going forth to meet the Savior. They won't be wanting to hide any sins. They will know of the power of the Atonement and so, in preparation for meeting the Savior, they will have tried to live as righteously as they could and repent of their mistakes. They would have done so before the coming of the Lord because they've been waiting. In preparation for waiting they would have prepared themselves as much as they could so they could go forth to meet the Savior when he comes in his own timing.

2 Nephi 5

Nephi's people did "prosper exceedingly" and "lived after the manner of happiness" (11, 27). That sounds absolutely fantastic!! Just those words themselves cause me to want to have what they had. However, I already am blessed in that way.

There are several ways that we can prosper. Today we normally turn our thoughts to material goods including money and status symbols when we think of prospering. But President Heber J. Grant taught was true prosperity is:

"When I say prosperity I am not thinking of it in terms of dollars and cents alone. . . . What I count as real prosperity . . . is the growth in a knowledge of God, and in a testimony, and in the power to live the gospel and to inspire our families to do the same. That is prosperity of the truest kind” (Gospel Standards, comp. G. Homer Durham [1941], 58; also cited by James E. Faust, in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 74; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 59).

We just had the American holiday of Thanksgiving. We counted the things we are grateful for. When you make that list what are some of the things that usually top it? Family. Friends. God. The food set before you. America. The things we are most grateful for are not usually the new flat screen TV, the awesome iPad 2, or the new smartphone. We are grateful for other things that is not usually counted among "prosperity".

2 Nephi 4

In the previous chapters, Lehi has been giving blessings, advice and prophesies to his posterity as their father, patriarch and prophet and he continues to do so in Chapter 4. What I really want to focus on is a father's blessing.


Sometimes as members, we wonder when it is appropriate to receive a father's blessing. As James O. Mason said in 1978,

". . . There is a sacredness about a father’s blessing that requires that it not be employed without careful spiritual preparation. . . .  

"However, my daughter was right in one principle: a father’s blessing is available whenever there is a need; it is not something to always be saved for grand ceremonial occasions" ("I Have a Question", Ensign, July 1978).

Avent Calendar for Christmas

Life. It's one of those things you've gotta love. I mean, do you realize that we have 25 days until Christmas? I want a Christmas Advent Calendar. One with a little chocolate for every day. I'd make sure I was the first one up everyday so I could get it. I actually know a few people who do that. I think I'll just have to make one for myself. Maybe it won't have amazingly delicious chocolates in it.. but I'm sure I can have an M&M a day. Or maybe an Oreo. I'll figure out something yummy to eat. The holidays. It's a perfect excuse for taking delight in delectables. Then New Year's will arrive. The perfect excuse for making a goal to exercise. Life. Gotta love it.

I've got to create my own advent calendar.

2 Nephi 3

Joseph Smith Jr. is the main focus of Chapter 3. I suppose I could go through the whole chapter can tell you what each part means to me. However, I think I'll share with you my testimony of this man.

Joseph Smith. He was the man who formally organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. He saw our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. He helped to restored the fullness of the gospel to the earth today.

2 Nephi 2

The theme of Chapter 2 seems to be focused on the wonderful gift of agency we've each been blessed with to be able to choose between good and bad.

"Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other" (16).

In order for us to be able to choose, we actually had to have things to choose between. Thus, the whole "it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things" (11). If there weren't opposition than we wouldn't know what real happiness was nor was true misery might be.

Learning from Ancestors

Family History. I love it. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it's part of what we do. It doesn't just mean genealogy work. I means really getting to know your past relatives. In the church, we also use it to discover which portions of our ancestors' ordinances are done.

For me, however, I have to go back a great many generations to find someone without their work done. All lines of my ancestors joined the church back in the 1800s. They've pretty much been doing Family History work ever since then. As a result, I don't focus all too much on that aspect of it. But I do love to follow the doings and stories of each individual. I learn of their struggles to America back before it was a country. I learn of their struggles across the Great Plains to Utah and from there to other parts of the West. I learn of the hardships they faced in the Great War and the Great Depression. I learn how much technology has changed. I learn of their daily lives, their hopes and dreams. It's truly fascinating to me. Much of the lessons my ancestors have learned through their trials are simular to the ones I face now. You learn much wisdom from studying your ancestors' lives.

2 Nephi 1

There's a lot in Chapter 1 of 2 Nephi. But I'll be focusing in on a part of verse 21:

". . . arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity;"

I really loved that. I began looking through the Priesthood session of the October 2011 General Conference for a talk and quotes I could use for this verse and I found the following poem in "The Power of the Aaronic Priesthood" that Bishop Keith B. McMullin gave:

Preparing for the Christmas Season

It's the Christmas Season. It really is. I see decorations up. I hear Christmas music on the radio. I've come across Christmas movies on TV. I see people helping each other out. The weather's getting brisk. It's truly the Christmas Season.

There are several things we do to prepare for Christmas. We set up our decorations both inside and outside. We look for gifts for our friends and family. We may go around and sing carols to your friends and neighbors, delivering a little gift as you go. Perhaps you have a Christmas Advent calendar. Maybe you begin reading all your Christmas books and stories. Possibly you read Luke 2. We may sing and hum about Santa and his reindeer or about how beautiful the first Christmas was. You might go to a soup kitchen and serve a meal. Or maybe go to a nursing home and sing carols. Sometimes you may have a huge meal with family and friends. There's a great many things we do to prepare for Christmas.

1 Nephi 22

I really like Chapter 22. I really do. Nephi's brothers had asked him what the meaning of Isaiah's words in the two previous chapters meant. So he explained it to them. It's also the last chapter in 1 Nephi. It's basically a brief history of what will happen in the world since Nephi's time. The creation of the United States of America (7), the restoration of the gospel (8), the gathering of Israel (6-12), Jesus Christ will show his power to the world (10-12), those against the church will end up destroying themselves (13-14), the righteous will be preserved (17), the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (20), and the Millennium will occur (24-28).

This chapter reminds me much of the lesson I taught in Relief Society a few weeks ago. The lesson was Chapter 44: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

1 Nephi 21

Chapter 21 is another Isaiah chapter. I used the same sources as in the previous post about 1 Nephi 20. I have to mention that my favorite by far is Isaiah for Airheads by John Bytheway. I highly recommend it. Especially with reading The Book of Mormon. The other sources are mainly for the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament versus the Isaiah portions in The Book of Mormon. There's more to be understood when you read and study the words of Isaiah mentioned amidst the words of the Nephites and Lamanites. Like, why was Nephi quoting these verses to his brethren? Why were they important their peoples? This book really helps you out in both understanding the words of Isaiah as well as the background story going on while Isaiah was being mentioned. I really recommend it.

Officially the Christmas Seaon

'Tis the Christmas Season!!

I L♥VE this time of year. I really really do. It's one of my favorites. Everyone is in such a good mood (if they aren't stressing about presents or something). I see my neighbors putting up their Christmas lights and decorations. As well as their trees. All the stores are playing Christmas songs. A lot of community service occurs, either planned or spontaneously. Neighbors helping neighbors, strangers helping strangers. I just love every moment. Families gather together. We keep each other in mind as we try to think of gifts to give them. You begin reading all the Christmas stories. You start watching all those Christmas movies. You begin listening Christmas music as you work around the house and drive to different places. I just love Christmas. Everyone is just so happy. It's such a fantastic way to end every year. Christmas. It's just wonderful.

I hope you each have a wonderful Christmas season!

1 Nephi 20

Chapter 20 is an Isaiah chapter in the Book of Mormon. It can be compared to Isaiah 48 in the Old Testament. There are actually quite a bit of Isaiah chapters in the Book of Mormon. They like to quote him and teach from him. As the Lord said to the Nephites:

"And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. 

 "For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles. 

"And all things that he spake have been and ashall be, even according to the words which he spake" (3 Nephi 23:1-3).

But Isaiah can be hard to interpret. Thus, I'm using a few outside sources in my reading of the Isaiah chapters beyond the institute manual: Isaiah is for Airheads by John Bytheway, Visualizing Isaiah by Donald W. Perry, "Great are the Words of Isaiah" by Monte S. Nyman.

The Hike of a Lifetime (a.k.a. The Hike of MY Life)

Exercise. There are a lot of things that are positive about exercise. One of the big ones is that it generally results in a longer life. Kind've something you'd think everyone would be doing then wouldn't you? Well, let's just say that I'm extremely lazy and don't purposely go out of my way to exercise. I just live life and call it exercise.

As a result of this, even though I have a wonderful metabolism and look in shape, I'm actually not really. I mean, yes, I can go play some games of Ultimate Frisbee whenever I'd like, but let's just say I'm not a marathon runner or an extreme sport person. I'm not anything of the sort. I don't prepare myself to go hike Mt. Everest.

Well, I have a story for you.

1 Nephi 19

This chapter contains one of my favorite verses, 1 Nephi 19:23:

And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

There are several things to be learned from this verse. Nephi taught his people using the scriptures. He read to them from the scriptures so that they may increase their testimonies in Jesus Christ. He did that by likening the scriptures unto them, this way they could profit and learn.

In modern times, we have received many instruction and guidance to teach us how to liken the scriptures unto us. One of my favorite is in the March 2009 Ensign entitled "Likening the Scriptures to Our Personal Lives". I recommend you read the whole thing. As it's all very good. But at the end of the article there are a suggested list of questions you could ask yourself as you read the scriptures:

Happy Thanksgiving!!

It's that time of year again!

Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving. It's the time when families and friends get together and think of all the wonderful things we have in our lives and express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for them.

1 Nephi 18

When you read the scriptures, there are several ways you could go about it. Sometimes you look for a theme. Sometimes you read it much like any book. Sometimes you look by topic. Today being Thanksgiving, I looked through Chapter 18 through the lens of Thanksgiving.

At first there didn't seem to be much in the way of gratitude and Thanksgiving. Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were once again rebelling and causing much grief to Lehi and Sariah, Nephi's young brothers Jacob and Joseph, and Nephi and his wife and children (9-21). Nephi had been bound so he couldn't move, bound so tightly that when he was eventually released, because Laman and Lemuel feared God, his wrists and ankles were extremely swollen and sore (10-12, 15, 20). Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael had threatened anyone who should speak for Nephi (17). Lehi and Sariah were brought down onto their sickbeds and were on the verge of dying (17-18). There didn't seem to be a whole lotta thanksgiving in there.

But then I read verse 16:

1 Nephi 17

Remember the song "Nephi's Courage" I mentioned in a previous post? First it mentioned Nephi's going and getting the plates, then it mentioned his building of a boat. Chapter 17 is were Nephi's building of the boat occurred. It's also where his brothers murmured and wanted to kill Nephi, again, causing Nephi to give quite the speech to them while filled with the Holy Ghost.

Reading it, you side with Nephi. But there may be times when you read it and realize that you may have more things in common with Nephi's brothers then you thought. One of the things Nephi said to them was:

Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God. Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words; wherefore, he has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asunder (45).

1 Nephi 16

In Chapter 16, several things happened. Lehi's sons and Zoram married Ishmael's daughters (7). The Liahona was introduced (10). Nephi's bow of steel broke (18). Ishmael died (34). Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael planned to kill Lehi and Nephi then were chastised by God and repented (35-39).

For me, the greatest lesson in here was of how Nephi dealt with the trial of the breaking of his steel bow (15-32).  The words of Elder Marion D. Hanks really express my thoughts on this:

“What to do? Nephi says he made a bow and an arrow out of some available wood, got a sling and stones and, ‘I said unto my Father, “Whither shall I go to obtain food?”’ It is a simple thing, isn’t it? . . . This means that Nephi went to his father and said, ‘Dad, the Lord has blessed you. You are his servant. I need to know where to go to get food. Dad, you ask him, will you?’ Oh, he could have gone to his own knees. He could have taken over. 

“I count this one of the really significant lessons of life in the book, and, I repeat, the pages are full of them. A son who had strength enough, and humility enough, and manliness enough to go to his wavering superior and say, ‘You ask God, will you?’ because somehow he knew this is how you make men strong, that wise confidence in men builds them. Lehi asked God and God told him, and Lehi’s leadership was restored” (Steps to Learning, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [May 4, 1960], 7).

1 Nephi 15

There are many topics covered in 1 Nephi 15 but I'm going to focus more on what verses 32-36 teaches. See, Nephi was explaining to his brothers that a day was going to come where "they must be judged of their works", the works they did "by the temporal body in their days of probation" (32).

There are words and phrases from all over the world that expresses this belief such as "karma" and "what goes around comes around." We all seem to have this belief. Good leads to good. Bad leads to bad.

We are each here experiencing "probation" or mortality. This entire mortal experience is a test of sorts. To see who we will become. We are sent to Earth with no memories of things before. But we were given bodies and agency. What will we do with them? Will we earn our reward in the Celestial kingdom? Or will we end up burying ourselves as we choose that which is not good?

The following is from the Book of Mormon institute manual:

1 Nephi 14

Chapter 14 is the last chapter where Nephi is learning from an angel the meaning of Lehi's words. It seems to me that it just for us in these last days.

In this chapter it tells us exactly how those who do evil will perish. They'll perish and be destroyed by their own works (1 Nephi 14:3-4). As they try to bury the saints of God, they are only tripping up their own selves.

Nephi is told that if we are to be blessed and saved, we are to harken to the Lord, not harden our hearts against Him, and repent (1-2, 5-6). The saints of God would be few, yet everywhere on the Earth (12). Even though multitudes would be gathered together to fight against the Lord, the saints and the covenant people will be blessed by the power of the Lord and will be armed with righteousness (13-14). There will be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and people on earth, and the wrath of God will be poured out among the wicked; that day is when the "work of the Father shall commence, in preparing the ay for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people who are of the house of Israel" (15-17).

1 Nephi 13

Chapter 13 is still as part of the continuation of the explanation of Lehi's dream to Nephi. I find it interesting that the angel teaches Nephi the interpretation through showing him the history of the world (the future for Nephi). Though I suppose that was what Lehi's dream was all about and we just study the symbolism of the dream itself.

You know, it would be pretty fantastic to study the history of the world through the eyes of God. Nephi was shown the doings of the Gentiles with their nations and kingdoms, their building of a church, and their desire for praise from the world (1-9). He saw how the Gentiles were separated from his brothers' descendants by the ocean (10-12). Then he noticed that the Spirit of God working with the children of men to bring them to the land of promise causing his brothers' seed to be scattered and smitten (13-14). The Spirit of the Lord was with the Gentiles and they prospered and gained the land for their inheritance and were humble before God (15-16). But then their "mother Gentiles", their mother nations, came to battle against them (17). However, they had the power of God with them and they were delivered out of the hands of all other nations (18-19).

1 Nephi 12

Continuing with the interpretation of Lehi's dream for Nephi, chapter 12 begins with Nephi's gaze being redirected from by the angel to the land of promise, which in this case means the Americas (1 Nephi 12:1). He saw wars and contentions, then destruction of cities as well as all sorts of natural disasters (2-5). After all that, Nephi then saw the Lamb of God descending out of the heavens and organizing the church among the people, just like he did among the Jews (6-10). He saw how the people were perfectly righteous for three generations and much of the fourth, but soon enough they fell away resulting in the Nephites destruction (11-20). It left the remanent of the people dark, loathsome, filthy, full of idleness and all manner of abominations (21-23).

1 Nephi 11

Yesterday's post was about Nephi turning to the Lord and asking for understanding and knowledge about Lehi's dream, which was in another post from a few days ago. I feel like I can just copy and paste that table into this post and be done. The entirety of chapter 11 is giving us the meaning of the dream Lehi had.

In verse 1, Nephi desired to know the things his father saw, had faith that the Lord could make them known to him, and pondered in his heart before he received his answer.

1 Nephi 10

Chapter 10. I like it a lot. Though, I like all of the chapters. So it's not really a unique statement. This is the chapter where our Savior, Jesus Christ is mentioned.

Verse 4 reads:

Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.

I began wondering why they referred to Jesus Christ a prophet. Growing up in the gospel, I haven't often heard the Savior referred to as a prophet, except in the scriptures or learning that's how the Jews view him. I decided to look up what a prophet is in the Bible Dictionary. In summary, a prophet:

Time for Registering!

Wow. It's already time to sign up for my next semester. That's just a bit crazy to me. It was July only a few months ago! And now, it's the week before Thanksgiving and practically a month before Christmas. Then the week after that it's time for me to return to Rexburg, ID and freeze to death.

What Rexburg, ID practically looks like in January

I love Rexburg, don't get me wrong. I really do love the town. It's just the snow that is a little crazy. Oh, and the wind. I'm a Cali girl! Cold means it's 60º outside! Though once I'm there for a month and a half, I start thinking that 34º means it's warm... but that's a whole other issue.

But I'm excited to return. I get to learn some new things. I get to be productive every day (hopefully). I am able to see friends whenever I'd like to (when I'm not crazy busy with homework). I even get to be a Junior this time around. That's the oddest thing. To realize that I'm a Junior. It represents that I've been at school for the past two years. That I graduated high school 2 1/2 years ago. It's odd to look back on my younger self and realize how much I've changed and grown in those years. It makes me so grateful that I have grown, but it's just surprising at how much fast the years are passing me by.

I remember when I was in grade school that every year was so very long. From Christmas to Christmas or birthday to birthday. It was forever. Now? It feels like we just had Christmas. Not that I'm complaining. I absolutely love Christmas. However, they do seem to come more frequently than before. Maybe it's because when I was 8 years old, a year was 1/8 of my life. That's quite significant. Now it's only 1/20 of my life. I expect that Christmas will seem to come closer and closer together as life goes on.

In the next two years, I'll (hopefully) be graduated. My one brother will have returned from his mission to South Carolina and the other will have been out for at least a few months. I plan on using this blog for the both of them. I'm so clever. My sister will be a Senior in high school (that's a scary thought...). And my youngest brother will be in the midst of 8th grade. That's not too bad. Scary. But it wouldn't be high school.

Time. Goes by fast, and slow. and everything in between. "Time is relative." It's true. Albert Einsein was a pretty smart man. Time is time. It's hard to really pin it down. and it's always changing. It never stays constant.

I love it. I've got a lot to look forward to in life!

1 Nephi 9

I'm beginning to think that one of the themes of the Book of Mormon may as well be the explanation of it's purpose in existing. Chapter 9 is speaking about the two separate plates Nephi wrote and named after himself. The small plates and the large plates. The small plates holds the "ministry of [his] people" (1 Nephi 9:3). The large plates contant "an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of [his] people" (1 Nephi 9:4).

Nephi wasn't really sure why he was told to create two entirely separate plates, but he did it because of a "wise purpose in [the Lord]" (1 Nephi 9:5).

We can also practice obedience as Nephi did. Elder Marvin J. Ashton once said:

Sometimes when we are asked to be obedient, we do not know why, except the Lord has commanded. Nephi followed instructions even though he didn’t fully understand the wise purpose. His obedience resulted in blessings to mankind all over the world. By not obeying our present-day leaders, we plant our seeds in stony places and may forfeit the harvest (in Conference Report, Oct. 1978, 76; or Ensign, Nov. 1978, 51).

We can exercise this type of obedience in a smaller extent with our parents, teachers and leaders. When my parents ask me to take out the trash or clean the living room or some sort of thing, as a child you may not know why. But we can act immediately anyways. When the Lord asks us to do something, we definitely should do it. The Lord knows everything and he wants the best for us.

As verse 6 says:

But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell also contributed to that topic:

Some have sincere faith in the existence of a God but not necessarily in a revealing and omniscient God. Other sincere individuals question God’s omniscience, wondering, even though respectfully, whether even God can know the future. But an omniscient and revealing God can at any present moment disclose things future. This is possible because ‘in the presence of God, . . . all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord’ (D&C 130:7). Thus God ‘knoweth all things, for all things are present before [his] eyes’ (D&C 38:2). He told Moses, ‘There is no God beside me, and all things are present with me, for I know them all’ (Moses 1:6). 

No qualifiers on the scope of God’s knowledge appear in holy writ. Instead, we read: ‘O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.’ (2 Nephi 9:20). (If Thou Endure It Well [1996], 46).

The Lord knows everything. Why wouldn't you want to be obedient to Him? There really isn't a reason why you shouldn't. He wants what is best for us. He knows how we can get there. He prepares a way and tries to guide us down it. Why wouldn't you want to listen to his instruction?

Teaching Relief Society

Yesterday, I taught Relief Society in my YSA branch! It was pretty great. I haven't taught Relief Society for a few years. It used to be my calling. When I graduated Young Women's and entered into Relief Society, I began to teach once a month from July through December. I loved that so much. The sisters in my home ward are some of my best friends. I really love them and their friendships. They are so wonderful. I consider my homeward as my extended not-family. It was truly a pleasure to teach the lessons. As the teacher, I was more of a conductor of a discussion than a lecturer. Especially since I realized that so many of the sisters had so much to contribute than I did because the had truly lived, and I felt as if I was just beginning. I didn't (and still don't) have as much experience. But it was honestly one of my favorite callings (though, truthfully I love them all).

As a result, being asked to teach Relief Society once again was truly something I was rather ecstatic to do. Even though I know almost no one in my Relief Society. I'm beginning to know them though and they are a great group of girls. But I've never taught my own peer group before. It's actually rather amusing that I was terrified of that. I'm more comfortable teaching YW's or the sisters in my home ward.

My lesson was Chapter 44: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

This is way I tend to prepare for teaching from the Gospel Principles manuel. I begin by reading it through once or twice. Just reading it. No notes. No highlighting. Just reading. I then go back and try to determine which quotes and sections really made an impression on me. I'd jot done little comments about my impressions near the the quote. I'd then go back through again and I write in questions along the side next to each section. This way, when I am teaching and we come to that point, if I feel it is appropriate, I can ask those questions and make those comments that the class can ponder and discuss.

I truly believe it is important to teach from the manuel. Not just pick a topic and go wild with it. However, I also believe that we can wander a bit from the exact words in the manuel. I just believe that everything we taught about has to stay under the umbrella of the lesson title. I always want to make sure that I am teaching what our Latter-day prophets feel is important for us to be teaching and learning about for that day. But I also want to make sure I allow the Spirit into the lesson and prompt people to speak and feel and learn something. Sometimes the lesson moves in a direction I wasn't quite expecting because that's what that particular class needed to hear.

For such flexibility, I really have to know my lesson and topic well. This way I can answer most any question that comes my way. Or I can guide the class in a certain direction based on the what I feel. I've never had a lesson set in stone. I just try to learn as much as I possibly can so I can be the best instrument I can be for the Lord and the Holy Ghost and teach what they'd like me to teach. It's quite the endeavor. But I really love it. What's really helpful is having a background in the gospel. Meaning daily scripture study is helpful in more than just guiding your daily life. It's helpful in adding to that foundation of information you can pull from.

It really is true that the teacher learns more than the class. The teacher has to know the topic and lesson well enough to move in any direction under it. Then with all the insights and knowledge from the class that you never even thought of, you learn even more. I really, really loved teaching the gospel. You have Latter-day Saints as your "students", you have the Holy Ghost as the teacher, and you just stand in front of the class and direct, just like the conductor for music. It's fantastic.

Yesterday went well. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had to teacher in my YSA branch. It was wonderful

1 Nephi 8

Chapter 8 is all about Lehi's dream of "The Tree of Life".

from Book of Mormon Manual - LDS Institute

Personally, I think that the above table is extremely helpful with really understanding Lehi's dream. So I wanted to include it in here for all of you to use.

There is so much that I could focus on in this chapter. But I think that I'm actually going to focus on what Lehi teaches his family after his dream.
In verses 37 and 38, it reads:

And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them.

And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them. 

It would be a hard thing to teach and guide wayward children back to the path that leads them to happiness. I'm sure you'd feel entirely helpless and insignificant with your efforts. Elder Robert D. Hales said:

We too must have the faith to teach our children and bid them to keep the commandments. We should not let their choices weaken our faith. Our worthiness will not be measured according to their righteousness. Lehi did not lose the blessing of feasting at the tree of life because Laman and Lemuel refused to partake of its fruit. Sometimes as parents we feel we have failed when our children make mistakes or stray. Parents are never failures when they do their best to love, teach, pray, and care for their children. Their faith, prayers, and efforts will be consecrated to the good of their children (in Conference Report, Apr. 2004, 90; or Ensign, May 2004, 88). 

We have to remember that we are each individually blessed with agency. We each have the ability to choose right or wrong. You can't make someone do something. You shouldn't attempt to take their agency away. Just do the absolute best you can and recognize that you did your best. But don't ever give up on them. on anyone.

1 Nephi 7

Whenever I begin read Chapter 7, it makes me chuckle. This chapter is where Nephi and his brethren return to Jerusalem to bring Ishmael and his family out to the wilderness with them. Or, more exactly, bring Ishmael's daughters out so Nephi and his brothers could marry them (1 Nephi 7:2). Now, in the past Laman and Lemuel both have murmured against the commandments of their father. They obey them grudgingly. However, this time, nobody complained at all as they obeyed (1 Nephi 7:3). I'm pretty sure they were quite excited to go collect their future wives.

It was only on the way back to the camp that they once again began to be rebellious (1 Nephi 7:6). Nephi then asks them questions trying to bring them back into remembrance of God who has gone so much for them (1 Nephi 7:8-15). I really like verse 12:

Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

There is often times when I worry about life, the future and how exactly I'm supposed to face things I fear. But this question from Nephi really causes you to stop and think. It helps me turn back to the Lord in prayer and ask for help through these difficult struggles and worries in my life. We have to stay firm in our testimonies and live by them. We have to be faithful to God. Things will work out great. Just maybe not the way you first imagined.

"Ye have choice" (1 Nephi 7:15). We always have a choice to make. Between good and bad, good and better, better and best. We should to our best to make the right choice.

Nephi is pretty great in teaching us a lot of lessons, for after his brothers and soon to be brothers-in-law tried to kill him twice, he still "frankly forgive them all that they had done" (1 Nephi 7:21). Personally, I never want to face having to struggle with giving that sort of forgiveness. It would be hard. But if Nephi can forgive them for almost killing him, then I'm certain I should also be frankly forgiving in all areas of my life.