LDS General Conference

Please join us this weekend as we listen to the words of our church leaders and prophet.  You can find it on BYU-TV, KSL if you live in Utah, streaming on the internet here - or on the Mormon Channel app on your mobile devices.  There will also be printed copies of the talks later on if you missed out - or for when you wish to re-read things that touched your heart. You can find an archive of the talks from the October 2014 conference here.

This is one of my favorite weekends of the year and I feel spiritually uplifted as I participate.  I loved this quote I read this morning, reminded me of the feelings the spirit will communicate to me over the next couple of days.

Here are some quotes I found on Facebook that were also a part of the notes I was writing down. (I'm kind of a crazy note taker.  It's the best way for it to sink in for me).

Lehi's Dream

Desirable Above All Other Fruit by James C. Christensen

Each time I read of "Lehi's Dream" in The Book of Mormon I notice something new, or something that seems more applicable to my life in that very moment. This morning was no different.  This is a concept that helps remind me how true The Book of Mormon is.  The words don't change, but their meaning and influence in my life evolve just as my needs evolve.

What stood out to me today was Lehi's immediate reaction when he partook of the fruit from the Tree of Life.  It starts in 1st Nephi 8:12, 

"And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."

Once Lehi was filled with exceedingly great joy his first response was to share the fruit with his family.  His family was the first thing he mentioned and he started looking for them so they could come and join him.  I thought about times in my life when something wonderful happened to me, or I've been able to experience something that filled me with joy.  I have also wanted to share that joy with my family members.

Another item that struck me was that Lehi did not run to them once he found saw where they were; instead he beckoned to them, and called to them to join him. 1st Nephi 8:15:

"And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit."

Lehi did not move from the spot that he had worked to get to.  He did not leave what he knew was most important and where he knew he needed to be. He stood in that place and was immovable - beckoning to his family to join him. To me that is an example that we must also stand steadfast and immovable in the ways of righteousness.  We can't risk being lost in the "mists of darkness", or fall off of the straight and narrow way.  As we call to those that we wish to join us we must stick to what we know is true, we must not be shaken from our own testimonies.

I'd love to know what you feel after reading these passages! Feel free to comment.

Let's Start at the Very Beginning…a Very Good Place to Start…

As I anticipated starting this challenge this week I was getting really excited!  All this past week I have been looking forward to starting on Sunday - September 21st.  I figured I'd get started in the morning - right away.  However, as life generally goes - my plans didn't flow as I had hoped and it wasn't until I got my kids down for bed tonight that I had the chance to get started on my reading.

I sat down at the kitchen table with my "supplies" - a new notebook for notes, a pen, a scripture marker, my Book of Mormon and the 90 Day Challenge chart. I was ready.

However, as I stared at the reading chart, I realized that the reading assignment listed started in 1st Nephi chapter 1 verse 1.  Was that really the BEGINNING of The Book of Mormon? I sat and thought for a moment…Technically the start of the reading would begin there - but what about the Introduction, or The Testimony of the Witnesses? To me THIS was the beginning of the challenge - a way to remind myself what The Book of Mormon really is, and where it came from.

So I decided to take a couple of extra minutes to re-read these parts of The Book of Mormon - and I am SO glad that I did! I'm grateful that I listened to that little extra prompting to really start at the very beginning.  As I read in the Introduction I came across this part (in speaking of Joseph Smith receiving the plates to translate The Book of Mormon):  

"On September 21, 1823, the same Moroni, then a glorified, resurrected being, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and instructed him relative to the ancient record and its destined translation into the English language."

As I read this I got chills. I looked at today's date - September 21st, 2014.  One hundred and ninety one years ago the Angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith on this day to explain to him about the plates he would be translating, and the purpose of The Book of Mormon! 

It could just be a coincidence, but it felt more like a reminder that Heavenly Father is personally mindful of me.  I was starting something that is important to me for the next 90 days, and the date seemed to be important at that moment.  It was one of those small tender mercies that make my heart grateful for times I can listen to the spirit's little whisperings.  

As I read the first day's reading (1st Nephi 1-3) I was reminded of Nephi's courage, and his goodness.  Nephi didn't question what his father asked of him, and didn't murmur.  He had faith, was obedient, and trusted in The Lord.  He knew that The Lord wouldn't ask anything of him (or us) that he wouldn't prepare a way for us to accomplish.  (1st Nephi 3:7) Heavenly Father doesn't expect impossible things from us. He gives us commandments and situations that might feel impossible - but He is there for us, and if we have faith and trust in him - like Nephi did - we will be able to do what He asks of us!

I can't wait for this coming week, and the great things we will read about Nephi and his family!

Hold to the rod, the iron rod

Moments after I had thought of doing the Book of Mormon challenge last Sunday we sang the rest hymn #274 "The Iron Rod". As we sang the lyrics in the 2nd and 3rd verses specifically I knew without a doubt that the answer I was looking for - and more specifically the peace and guidance I was searching for - would be found in the pages of The Book of Mormon.

2. While on our journey here below,

Beneath temptation's pow'r,
Through mists of darkness we must go,
In peril ev'ry hour.


(Chorus)
Hold to the rod, the iron rod;
'Tis strong, and bright, and true.
The iron rod is the word of God;
'Twill safely guide us through

3. And when temptation's pow'r is nigh,
Our pathway clouded o'er,
Upon the rod we can rely,
And heaven's aid implore.

(Chorus)
Hold to the rod, the iron rod;
'Tis strong, and bright, and true.
The iron rod is the word of God;
'Twill safely guide us through.

We know that "the iron rod" is referring to The Book of Mormon, and that by holding fast and tight to what we read and learn in it's pages we have the promise that we will be safely guided through the mists of darkness, peril, and our pathways that are clouded over by the world. That is what I want for my family, myself, and for those I love! So grab hold of that iron rod and do not let go!

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Book of Mormon 90 Day Challenge

This past week I found myself turning to the long list of holidays coming up. I got thinking of Christmas, Thanksgiving, anniversaries, Halloween - and just every-day-life mixed in there.  I started to get anxious and think of how I was going to face those holidays with the busy life our family has.  I found myself really starting to worry about "getting-it-all-done", but most of all I was worried about finding the time, or frankly - the mental energy to focus on the most important aspect - The Gospel and the love from our Heavenly Father.

I wasn't surprised on Sunday when I had the thought of a 90 Day Book of Mormon Challenge I had heard about earlier in the year. It was one of those tender mercies that I can't deny was given to me from The Spirit.  I pulled out a calendar and looked at how many days were left until Christmas - there were more than 90 - but it would be totally do-able if I wanted to embark on a 90 day challenge.  I felt hopeful and super excited.

As I thought about this possibility I noticed that my anxiety started to dissipate.  I felt better about the upcoming months.  It seemed odd that by adding something else to my plate that already felt full - the rest of it all seemed to feel like I could tackle it. As it often is - by putting Heavenly Father and the gospel first - everything else falls into place a little easier.

I got even more excited about the idea of focusing on The Book of Mormon when I found that some of my friends were interested in joining me in my challenge. It's always helpful to have support and people to turn to for accountability - so I look forward to that aspect of these next 90 days.

If you are interested in joining us - we are starting on Sunday, September 21st. I am including a calendar of what to read on each day.  There are 2 different calendars on the page. One has the dates included, and the other side has the date spots blank so you can add your own start and end date.  It isn't a huge reading assignment each day, but hopefully enough to help us all maintain a focus and give us the strength we need.  I look forward to sharing my testimony as I read, and keeping true to my blog and "Share Goodness". 

If you are interested in learning more about The Book of Mormon click HERE.  Or if you would like to request your own free copy please click HERE, or leave your contact information and I would love to help you out!

Hello - An Introduction To My Blog

Hi!

I have been thinking about putting together a blog like this for several years now.  For a while I even kept a list on my phone called, "Things I Will Blog About Someday….." Well that "someday" is TODAY!  Much of this will possibly be for my own personal benefit, recording some of my thoughts and feelings - but if by chance any of those thoughts can help others, so be it.

I hope that as friends, family members, and even strangers come across my thoughts and musings they will be able to feel even a drop of the light that my testimony gives to me.  I hope that I can share a piece of my heart and that my love for my Savior and for the gospel of Jesus Christ can shine through in the words I share. It is my desire that I will be able to uplift and inspire through the things I share.

I have been very inspired by the talk that Elder David Bednar recently gave at BYU Education Week where he talked about how we can use social media and technology to our advantage to share the gospel message.  You can view his entire talk by clicking HERE, or you can find an overview of the idea behind #sharegoodness by clicking HERE.

So as I attempt making my blog a place to share a piece of that goodness, I hope you'll enjoy what you find here.