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.