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.

1 Nephi 6

Chapter 6 is rather short, but in it Nephi describes his purpose of his writing. He wants us to be persuaded to turn to Heavenly Father (1 Nephi 6:4). For such a purpose, he will only write things that are pleasing unto God versus things that the world would have really enjoyed having written down (1 Nephi 6:5).

There is a quote from President Ezra Taft Benson explaining how the Book of Mormon actually accomplishes this purpose:

The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ. . . . It tells in a plain manner of Christ and His gospel. It testifies of His divinity and of the necessity for a Redeemer and the need of our putting trust in Him. It bears witness of the Fall and the Atonement and the first principles of the gospel, including our need of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and a spiritual rebirth. It proclaims we must endure to the end in righteousness and live the moral life of a Saint (“We Add Our Witness,” Ensign, Mar. 1989, 5).

If we want to know God, if we want to know more about ourselves and the world around us, studying this book is the way to go. Why would you not want to study this fabulous book?

In the August 2005 issue of the Ensign, President Gordon B. Hinckley challenged us all to read and reread the Book of Mormon in the article entitled "A Testimony Vibrant and True". He then concluded saying:

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.

Seriously, why would you not want to read this book?

1 Nephi 5

The scriptures are pretty special, as 1 Nephi 5 illustrates.

As soon as Lehi first received the scriptures, he gave a prayer of thanks and then studied them (1 Nephi 5:10). They gave an account of the creation of the world, a record of the Jews and prophecies of prophets (1 Nephi 5:11-13). They also contained a genealogy of his ancestors (1 Nephi 5:14). I'm sure that was wonderful to know your ancestors. For me, I always find it fascinating to hear about my own ancestors and what they did. It gives you a sense of connection with the past. It shows you where you came from.

Scriptures are something that you use to guide you in your daily life. It gives you guidance if you look for it. This particular chapter, for example, teaches me how I should be studying the scriptures and what I should be looking for.

I should begin with a prayer. A prayer of thanks for the blessing of having the word of the Lord accesible. I could then start studying from the beginning. But I could also study by subject: creation, history, prophecies, genealogy (some examples). As I finish my study, I should have the spirit with me at the point if not beforehand. Then I will have guidance for my own life and my family and would share my learning with others.

Nephi says:

And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children (1 Nephi 5:21).

The scriptures are always of great worth and desirable, because they inform you of what God wants His children to know and cause us to find happiness. Meaning, they present to us His commandments and His wisdom. You wouldn't want to raise children in an environment without every scrap of guidance that could lead them to happiness. It's a wonderful thing that Lehi's family, and my own, are each blessed with the scriptures.

In 1 Nephi 5:22, it reads:

Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise.

We travel in the wilderness everyday. That's a part of mortality. We try to work through hardships that we face in life. Carrying the scriptures with us, carrying the word of God with us in our hearts and in our homes, can help us on our way towards the land of promise, towards Eternal Life.

My Sister's English Teacher is an Alien

My sister was given an assignment in her English class to write a persuasive essay about why they should or should not have phones in class. He informed them they could create and use any facts they'd like to. My sister took it to heart. Her essay was the discussion around the dinner table the other day and so I wanted to read the entire thing. She hurried over to the computer and emailed me a copy. Hope you enjoy it just as much as the rest of us!

"Cell phones should not be allowed in class. They are disruptive, distracting, and the signal from so many cell phones would tell the hostile aliens where we are. No one wants to be captured by those little purple things that live on Venus. They cut people up, tinker with their organs, then put them back together however they want to. These aliens, unlike the mythical illegal immigrants from Mexico that try to steal over the border, mythical because it has never happened before because the United States’ security is awesome, are real. It can be proven by the United States through their top-secret facility, Area 51.

From "Stargate SG-1"

"The aliens know that the youth of today are obsessed with cell phones. They prefer children to adults, and so then they see a mass of cellular signals, especially around schools, they know it is children they have found. These aliens have such high technology they could hide anywhere, or be anyone. English teachers especially are likely to be aliens because they abhor the grammatically incorrect use of any language while texting. Aliens hope to ride our world of cell phone use, so they don’t have to worry about using languages incorrectly, and so people cannot communicate easily with one another when they come to invade our planet. While they might have superior technology, we are more intelligent, especially since the only place they tend to look for cell phone use is during school hours, in school classrooms.

"Many people say there are no such things as aliens, especially aliens from Venus. It was those people who were taken first. As the aliens put their experiments back together, they install an alien self defense mechanism, ASDM for short. How it works is if the person with an ASDM is in the room when someone suggests that aliens are real, the mechanism kicks in and the person is tricked into disbelieving anything that is said. Those who say aliens aren’t from Venus, but from Mars, have a more complex ASDM installed in their brain. Those people were the people who already knew about the existence of aliens, and truly believed it and tried to do all they could in ridding the Earth of the aliens, but were unfortunately captured in battle. The original ASDM, which works for most people, wouldn’t work for them, so the aliens had to modify it. The newer ASDMs make it so human’s anger of aliens is directed at Mars instead of Venus.

"Since aliens are at war with humanity, it is important to know the telltale signs of an alien. First, aliens like to be English teacher, as sated before, so they can fix all the language issues. Not that all English teachers are aliens, only the majority of them are aliens. Second, aliens like their human impersonations to be male because they are the soldiers and the spies, while the females are the ones in charge and back on the ship and on Venus conducting the experiments on people. The aliens also like to have beards so they can more easily high the seam of their disguise under the beard. The biggest sign is when someone tells you they need to keep their phones on in case their young child needs to call them in case of an emergency, even though 9 out of 10 times the phone rings, it is a wrong number. That is a lie. Their cell phones aren’t cell phones because they loathe those ‘infernal contraptions’. Rather they are communicators used in speaking with the alien head quarters. Their ‘phones’ cannot receive wrong numbers because first, they aren’t cell phones, and second, they can only communicate to one place, alien HQ. When they say is it a wrong number, wait to see who gets asked to see him after class. Then notice, you will never see that student again. If you do, they usually come back with a cold, the side affect of the ASDM. What happens is that the alien receives instruction to get a child alone so they can beam him or her up and prepare them for dissection. If anyone has a male English teacher who has a beard and keeps their phones on for emergencies, run away screaming."

1 Nephi 4

In 1 Nephi 4, we are told of how Nephi actually acquires the plates of brass from Laban. The key to his success was his being "led by the spirit" (1 Nephi 4:6). It often takes a lot of courage and faith to act without knowing what exactly it is you are going to do or say.

It reminds me of the times when I've friends wondering about the gospel and when I begin to answer, I have no idea where exactly I'm going with the topic besides sharing what I know, sharing my testimony. I'd consider that being led by the spirit. There are also times when you have the idea of visiting someone, and you really are afraid to for one reason or another, thus you come across an excuse as to why you can't or shouldn't. But then when you do act, you realized that it was good. That it was worth it.


Elder John H. Groberg said:

“Be willing to take reasonable risks. We live in an age of reason, logic, facts, and figures. These can be useful if kept in subjection to faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. But if they ever take precedence over faith in Him, then they are not useful and can be very harmful. I have found in my life that most of the good decisions I have made may not have been made if they were based solely on logic or reason. . . . 

“. . . Nephi was determined to do what God wanted him to do even with logic to the contrary. The scriptures tell us in 1 Nephi 4:6 that he went forth not knowing beforehand what he should do but knowing he should obey God and get the plates. . . . 

“I suspect had he listened only to reason, Nephi and his brethren would still be waiting outside the walls of Jerusalem. I sometimes wonder if by our listening to reason and logic too much, and not trusting God enough, we may find ourselves waiting outside the walls of His holy city” (“Trust in the Lord” [CES fireside for young adults, May 1, 1994], 3, www.ldsces.org).

I think I should try to be better led by the spirit. That I should learn to act quickly to any sort of guidance from the spirit. Which means I really should become better at recognizing it.

To help with that, there is a quote from Elder Richard G. Scott saying:

“The bedrock of character is integrity. Worthy character will strengthen your capacity to respond obediently to the direction of the Spirit. Righteous character is what you are becoming. It is more important than what you own, what you have learned, or what goals you have accomplished. It allows you to be trusted. Righteous character provides the foundation of spiritual strength. It enables you in times of trial and testing to make difficult, extremely important decisions correctly even when they seem overpowering” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2003, 80; or Ensign, May 2003, 77).

Thus, I have to work on building a good character. I'd think that'd come naturally from my doing the best I can every day. It's harder than it looks. To do the absolute best I can. Every day. What's really nice is when I accomplish such a task. However, it's nice to know that when I'm not able to do my best that there is the Atonement that can help me become even better.

1 Nephi 3

The themes of 1 Nephi 3 seems to be obedience, faith and determination. Each are attributes we come to admire in other people and wish that we ourselves had at least the same measure.

Nephi's Courage

The Lord commanded Nephi to go and get the plates

From the wicked Laban inside the city gates.

Laman and Lemuel were both afraid to try.

Nephi was courageous. This was his reply:

Chorus:

"I will go; I will do

the thing the Lord commands.

I know the Lord provides a way;

he wants me to obey.

I will go; I will do

the thing the Lord commands.

I know the Lord provides a way;

he wants me to obey!"

The Lord commanded Nephi to go and build a boat.

Nephi's older brothers believed it would not float.

Laughing and mocking, they said he should not try.

Nephi was courageous. This was his reply:

Chorus

The Lord gives us commandments and asks us to obey.

Sometimes I am tempted to choose another way.

When I'm discouraged, and think I cannot try,

I will be courageous, and I will reply:

Chorus

When I was in primary at church, one of my absolute favorite songs was "Nephi's Courage". It was also my siblings favorite song. As a result, I believe we sang in for several months straight every Monday night for Family Home Evening. (My parents must have been really tired of it after the first month.) It's a song about Nephi and his determination to be obedient and faithful to God. We loved it so much because it was the classic Book of Mormon story. Much like the Bible stories of Noah or Moses, this was Nephi and we loved him. When the chorus came around, we'd practically shout it and give the words their extra emphasis, every phrase ending in an exclamation point. I believe we all still have it memorized. We were raised on this sort of thing. We knew that we would go and do the things the Lord commands. Just like Nephi (1 Nephi 3:7).

Even now, I really love this song and the lessons it still teaches me about obedience, fierce determination and faith.


While reading 1 Nephi 3:15-16, I asked myself if I personally have the faith and determination to face the obstacles in my life that sometimes might cause me to worry. I found comfort in President Henry B. Eyring words in which he said:

“Whoever we are, however difficult our circumstances, we can know that what our Father commands we do to qualify for the blessings of eternal life will not be beyond us. . . . 

“We may have to pray with faith to know what we are to do and we must pray with a determination to obey, but we can know what to do and be sure that the way has been prepared for us by the Lord” (“The Family” [CES fireside for young adults, Nov. 5, 1995], 1, www.ldsces.org).

Prayer. It truly is a miraculous thing. I just need to be able to have a small amount of faith to get on my knees and ask God to help. As I keep working at it, as I take a step with a little faith and determination, it will soon grow to greater faith and determination and help me accomplish that which needs to be done. I just have to act in obedience.

1 Nephi 2

There are a few things that my mom and dad, any parent really, tries to teach their children: being kind to others, sharing, being quickly obedient, etc. But when you think about God and realize the unimaginable love He has for us as our Heavenly Father, you come to understand that He really wishes just as much and more than any parent for us to learn to do the right thing.

He sets up rules, or commandments, to help guide us. He knows what will give us happiness and tries to guide us in that direction. It's much like having a mother who tells you not to put your hand on the stove. As a child you may wonder why. Putting your hand on the stove when your mother tells you not to could hurt, especially if it is on. However, sometimes you look at the stove and it doesn't say it's on nor is it red, so you think it's safe. But you could end of quickly discovering the hard way that the stove takes awhile to cool.

In 1 Nephi 2, it teaches that one of the qualities one should have is that of being obedient. Especially to the commandments. You want to be someone like Lehi (1 Nephi 2:3). Nephi was also told to keep the commandments, because then he would prosper (1 Nephi 2:20).

President Joseph F. Smith said on the subject:

“The man who stays with the kingdom of God, the man who is true to this people, the man who keeps himself pure and unspotted from the world, is the man that God will accept, that God will uphold, that he will sustain, and that will prosper in the land, whether he be in the enjoyment of his liberty or be confined in prison cells, it makes no difference where he is, he will come out all right” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 257).

So, of course, I am actually really grateful for the commandments and what it has to offer us. Even if I don't always understand all the why's and how's of things, I really enjoy them. It may sound mighty odd to a great many people, but I really am thankful for rules that give me freedom. Like, going back to the stove, I'm grateful for the rules set down by my mother so I wouldn't have to experience the pain or the permeant scarring of burning my hand on the stove.

Lehi and Nephi also gave us examples of giving thanks and asking for knowledge in prayer (1 Nephi 2:7, 16, 19). Prayer is an important part in our lives. It helps us strengthen a relationship with our Father in Heaven. In the Bible Dictionary, under "Prayer", it says:

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

There is a great talk given by J. Devn Cornish entitled "The Privilege of Prayer" which was given in the last General Conference. I really loved it. It reminded me about the importance prayer has in my life.  Prayer is something that I can use at any time and in any place. It builds my personal relationship with my Heavenly Father. He knows me perfectly, but I'm trying my best to know him better too.  He can help through any struggle, great or small. I can pray about something totally insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but I know that he hears and listens to me. How wondrous that is.

Elder M. Russell Ballard has also given counsel on prayer:

“I often hear people say ‘I told the Lord’ this or ‘I told the Lord’ that. Be careful not to ‘tell’ Him but, rather, to humbly seek and ask your Heavenly Father for guidance and direction. Prayer should be yearning and filled with gratitude” (“Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might” [CES fireside for young adults, Mar. 3, 2002], 3, www.ldsces.org).

I'm so grateful for the guidance and comfort given me. The Book of Mormon certainly helps me build my own character, my determination to do my absolute best, as well as my love of life.

1 Nephi 1

In keeping with my goal, I thought that I would start today rather than putting off things for tomorrow. I thought that maybe you'd like to read along, or have quick access to the chapter I'm on. Thus, here is the link to 1 Nephi 1.

I feel that 1 Nephi 1:1 is the most read scripture of The Book of Mormon by people who have good intentions of reading the entire book. When you think about that fact, when you realize that this entire book was organized by God through His people, you face a question: Why would God want this verse to be the first?

It begins by introducing a family. Nephi and his parents. It shows he was taught in the learning of his father. That he has seen afflictions, or hardships, in his life. But Nephi goes on to say that he was still extremely blessed, even if life was hard at some points. So he creates a record, or keeps a journal, to help us understand God and Nephi's personal relation with Him. Nephi wants us to know both of His goodness and the purposes of God we may not understand (or the mysteries of God).
This first verse truly also begins to explain what the purpose of the LDS church is:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized by God to assist in His work to bring to pass the salvation and exaltation of His children. . . .

In fulfilling its purpose to help individuals and families qualify for exaltation, the Church focuses on divinely appointed responsibilities. These include helping members live the gospel of Jesus Christ, gathering Israel through missionary work, caring for the poor and needy, and enabling the salvation of the dead by building temples and performing vicarious ordinances. 

So Nephi had parents. And guess what? I have parents too! Families are important. At Mormon.org it says:

The Family is Central to God's Plan“No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” –David O. McKay 

It's no stretch to say that a person has a serious advantage in life if they come from a loving, supportive home. Many people still succeed though they come from less-than-ideal family situations, but having our basic needs met, knowing that our parents love us and learning life lessons at home make all the challenges of day-to-day living that much easier to face. Likely, as an adult you want a happy home for your family. 

This is no coincidence. God organizes us into families so that we can grow up in happiness and safety, and so that we can learn to love others selflessly—the key to true joy. Within the family is the best place to learn to love others the way Heavenly Father loves each one of us. 

God's Church exists to help families gain eternal blessings. We believe the greatest blessing He gives us is the ability to return to live with Him in heaven with our families. We follow our Heavenly Father's will because that is how we earn this blessing.

So families are important. But realizing your challenges and still realizing how blessed you are is also a fantastic skill to have. I just really love this verse. I also really love the last verse just as much.

". . . But behold, 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." 1 Nephi 1:20

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the “tender mercies of the Lord”:

“I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them. 

“. . . The Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindness, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly the Lord suits ‘his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men’ (D&C 46:15). 

“. . . One of the ways whereby the Savior comes to each of us is through His abundant and tender mercies. For instance, as you and I face challenges and tests in our lives, the gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence that reaches beyond our own capacity are two examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. And the persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2005, 105; or Ensign, May 2005, 99–100).

I love the tender mercies of the Lord. They happen all the time. You've just got to look for them.

239 Days from Today

The Book of Mormon contains 239 chapters.
If I begin to reread The Book of Mormon once again and I read one chapter a day for the next 239 days, I'll finish Thursday, July 3, 2012.
So I have a goal. A chapter a day.
But I also want to make sure that I incorporate it into my personal life. I don't want to read a chapter in a hurry and then totally not remember what is was I read a moment ago, or even a day ago. I want to be able to take out as much as I possibly can in relation to my own life. Thus, I have a plan as to how to be kept accountable.
Each day I'm going to require myself to type up a blog post. A blog post about that chapter. A post of the chapter in relation to my own life.
I'm actually terribly excited for this.

(Though, life will probably get a little crazy. So completing it by July may be a little intense. At the latest, I'll have it done in a year from today.)


Recently, MormonMessages came out with a YouTube video about The Book of Mormon. I think it would be a good introduction to everyone.

Modesto North Stake Relief Society Conference

"Be still, and know that I am God"

Psalms 46:10

Be Still, My Soul
by Katharina von Schlegel


Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Saturday was the Modesto North Stake Relief Society Conference. It was so inspiring. I love going to this meeting. It's one of my favorite meetings all year. I get to be spiritually fed. I'm able to see and visit with ladies I haven't seen in ages. I really just love this meeting.

The emphasis was learning to take the time to be still and refocusing on Christ.

It really was a terrific meeting. We were reminded at how we are women of great worth. That we make a difference. That every thing we do, whether large or small, makes a difference. We are each individually special to Heavenly Father. He loves each of us. We have to have our moment of stillness so we can focus "hands and eyes" on the Spirit. These moments of stillness result in a strengthening of our faith and helping in making our burdens lighter.  I love these moments of stillness.

After the meeting we all got together for lunch. I loved the food! and the socializing of course. But they even gave us the recipes of the foods we ate. Which was really clever and really great of them. I thought that I'd reproduce them on here so that you can use it if you'd like! (Because it was really delicious.)

I know that I'm funny by taking a picture... but it was GOOD!

Chicken Tortellini Soup

64 oz low salt chicken broth

Rotisserie chicken meat (or 3 chicken breasts)

3 carrots cut at angle

3 celery stocks cut at angle

one onion finely chopped

frozen cheese tortellini

bay leaf, bullion, salt, pepper

Broccoli Salad

4 cups broccoli

2 cups cauliflower

1/2 cups roasted almonds

1/4 cup chopped red onions

1 cup Marie's Coleslaw dressing

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup bacon cooked chopped

1 cup crasians

Poppy Seed Salad

2 bunches of spinach

1 head of iceberg lettuce

1 sliced carrot or onion

5 tomatoes or mushrooms

1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese

1 cup cottage cheese

1/2 cup bacon bits

grilled chicken (optional)

Dressing: 3/4 T poppy seeds, 1/3 cup white vinegar, 1/3 cup sugar, 3/4 cup of vegetable oil, 3/4 T dried onions, 3/4 tsp of salt, 1/3 tsp prepared mustard

Sweet Grapes

Cream: 8 oz sour cream and 6 oz soft cream cheese

Then mix with: 4 lbs grapes (wash, take of stems, dry)

Spread into a 9x13 pan, sprinkle brown sugar and chopped pecans on top before serving. Serve at room temperature.

Potato Rolls

1 pk yeast

1 c mashed potatoes

3 1/2 c warm water

1 c butter

1 T salt

1 cup sugar

12 c flour

Mix all but flour, add 4 c flour, mix well. Let rise 1 hour, add 8 cups flour until stiff dough. Knead 10 minutes, let rise until double, work down twice, roll into balls, put on pan and let rise about 20 minutes. Bake at 375º about 20 mins.

Caramel-Glazed Apple Cake

1 c brown sugar

1 c granulated sugar

1 1/2 c vegetable oil

3 eggs

5 apples, cored, peeled

1 1/4 c chopped nuts

3 c flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/4 tsp vanilla

Butter and flour a 9x13 pan. Beat both sugars and oil. Add eggs one at a time, beating well, mix dry ingredients; gradually add to egg mixture, mixing just until blended. Stir in apples, pecans and vanilla; pour into pan.

Bake 325º for 50 to 75 min. Let cool in the pan.

Caramel glaze: 4 T butter, 1/4 c sugar, 1/4 c brown sugar, pinch of salt, 1/2 cup heavy cream, cook 2 min stirring constantly. Poke holes in the cake, pour on warm glaze.

White Grape Punch

Lots of crushed ice, 1 frozen white grape concentrate, 1 liter of ginger ale, few fresh or frozen raspberries for color

It was a fabulous event. It always is. I'm so grateful I was able to attend.