Small and Simple Things

A while back I decided to start jogging. It was something I  have done before, and I started slowly in order to safely increase my ability and capacity. In my haste to get back to where I had been before I tried to get there a little too quickly. I sped up my treadmill. It worked…at least for a little while…until I pulled a muscle. This forced me to stop, and it took a while before I could resume jogging again. I did learn my lesson though, and took it slow and steady the next time. 

There is no quick and easy road to heaven. Taking things slowly can be applied to more than just improving our physical endurance. It can also help our spiritual endurance and prepare us for the challenges that we will face in this life, and in the life hereafter.

“Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.” (Alma 37:6)

In thinking of small, yet significant, things that have had an impact on my life I am reminded of an experience I had with the still, small voice.

I had graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and still had no idea what I really wanted to be when I grew up. I was happy at my job on campus, but realized that it was not where I was supposed to be. I didn’t have any plans for moving, and not knowing where to really start looking for a job I went through a “temp agency”, with the hopes of getting my foot in the door and obtaining a full-time job. 

It didn't take long to find one in my field. I was hired for a week. I loved what I did, and could see the potential for traveling (which is something I enjoyed). After 4 days I was asked if I would accept the position full-time. I was thrilled and immediately said “yes”. What could be better than getting what I was hoping for?

The rest of the day, however, I had a gentle gnawing feeling that it wasn’t where I was supposed to be. I waited until the end of the day and slowly approached the CEO and let him know that I was sorry and I could not accept the job. As I left that day I felt a feeling of freedom, even though I had no idea what the future would hold for me.

I went back to my parent’s home for the weekend, and the next week I started looking for jobs closer to home. Through a series of miraculous events I had a full-time job within two days. It was a job I stayed at for many years that I absolutely loved, and I grew so much more there than would ever have been possible at the temp job.

I have tried to listen to that still, small voice throughout my life. I have found that when I listen (and follow the feeling) things always work out; even if it doesn’t make sense.

I had another experience (around this same time) when I had decided to drive back to visit my old roommates. I had the car loaded, and started to drive away from home. My car screeched a little but because it had been doing that for a while I was used to the noise.

My parents live near the top of a steep hill and before reaching the hill I had a very strong, but gentle, impression that I needed to stay home. I turned the car around and stayed home. A little while later I felt I should check the brakes on my car. As I took the brake pads off, the brakes crumbled in my hand! I had worn them down SO thin and had not paid attention to the warning, screeching, signs. Had I also not heeded the gentle prompting of the spirit to stay home I don’t want to imagine what could have happened.

I am grateful to the Lord for the gentle guidance of the still, small voice. 

Throughout my life I have had opportunities as I’ve read the scriptures to find specific verses that have helped me during specific times in my life.

When I was going to college I struggled financially. I remember one day in particular I was feeling overwhelmed about it. As I read the scriptures that night the first verse I came to calmed my heart, and reminded me that I had been trying to handle the situation all on my own. What I needed to do was act in faith and trust in the Lord.

"And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him." (Helaman 12:1)

There have been other times in my life when I have opened my scriptures and read a verse that fit a particular need at that time. What a wonderful blessing it is to have the scriptures available and so easily accessible to us. 

Prayer is another thing that is so simple that it can often be overlooked, especially in the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, the power of prayer is no simple matter. In my life I have seen prayer work miracles: winds changed, fire stopped, fears abated, hearts softened, and many other examples. 

I remember listening to a performance by the composer Hillary Weeks who said, "the Lord is influenced by our faith". I honestly believe that faith is power and with it we can make things happen (if it is in accordance with the Lord's will). Faith coupled with prayer can work wonders.

I remember one time in particular when the Lord seemed to be influenced by our pleadings.

I was in my early teens, and my family had gone on vacation to Mexico. Our flight, as printed on the tickets, would be leaving the following morning to Los Angeles at 8:00 a.m. Gathering our large family into the airport at 6:00 the next morning we found out that our flight had already left – apparently the ticket agent had an old flight schedule (1 ½ years old). All flights from Mexico to Los Angeles for the next 3 days were completely booked. We were placed on standby, but the hopes of getting all 9 of us on one flight were pretty slim. We could either spend 3 days in the airport (which was not a pleasant thought), or split up our family so that we could take whatever seats became available on whatever flights happened to have room (also an unpleasant thought).

My parents decided to pray. I remember all of us kneeling together on the airport floor – I was a little embarrassed and had my face buried in a stuffed animal. My father’s pleadings must have touched the merciful heart of the Lord, because shortly after the prayer we were informed that an entire baseball team had missed their flight! This gave us ample room to make it to Los Angeles without any further worry.

I am grateful for a loving, and merciful, God who hears and answers our prayers. Not always in the way we expect, and not always right away, but the answers do come.

Another seemingly small thing that has made a big impact on my life is the power of gratitude. Gratitude is something that can change our perspective from sorrow or despair to hope and faith.

At one point in our marriage my husband and I had a very strong impression that it was time to look for a new job, out of state. We had never even considered the idea before, but we moved forward in faith. Within a short time we had a job offer. But, much to our surprise, we didn’t feel that we should accept it.

After declining the offer, the impression to move disappeared. I felt a little frustrated because the impression had been so strong. I struggled with it but tried to be grateful for the opportunity the Lord was giving me to strengthen my faith.

Looking back at what I have learned since that time, I have been able to be much more grateful for what I have, and it has helped me have a much more positive outlook on where I am right now.

President Uchtdorf said this about the power of gratitude,

"Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.

"We can be grateful!

"It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding." (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Grateful in Any Circumstances," General Conference, April 2014)

If you have not tried offering a prayer of gratitude, try it. It can change the way you see the world.

Just as there are small and simple things to lead us toward the Lord, there are small and simple things that can lead us away from him just as easily, if not easier. Elder Neil L. Andersen said,

“…the world will not glide calmly toward the Second Coming of the Savior…. More concerning than the prophesied earthquakes and wars are the spiritual whirlwinds that can uproot you from your spiritual foundations and land your spirit in places you never imagined possible, sometimes with your barely noticing that you have been moved.” (Neil L. Andersen, "Spiritual Whirlwinds," General Conference, April 2014)

Just as this is true, I believe that we cannot glide calmly toward eternal life with God.

Throughout my life I have learned that it takes a considerable, consistent effort to keep moving forward in the gospel. There have been times where I haven’t been as diligent in my scripture study, as sincere in my prayers, or as quick to heed the still small voice. I happily go on my way without realizing that I am slowly moving down a slippery slope.

In the book “The Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis, a senior devil is trying to teach his apprentice devil the tricks to trap the human soul. I feel this advice very fitting to the examples I listed above.

“You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts…” (C.S. Lewis, The Complete C. S. Lewis: Signature Classics, 220)

Just as exercising slowly and steadily can increase physical endurance, our slow and steady journey to eternal life can increase our spiritual endurance. The Lord works with us at our own pace; “line upon line, precept upon precept” (Doctrine & Covenants 98:12). He will not give us more than we can handle, but he will continue to push us to our limit. As we are able to reach that limit (which we can always do with His help) he will push us a little further and a little further. He does this, because he has walked this path before and knows what it takes to become like Him.

President Spencer W. Kimball said,

“...let us remember that it is not so much what we know that is important, as what we do and what we are. The Master’s plan is a program of doing, of living, not merely knowing. Knowledge itself is not the end. It is how we righteously live and apply that knowledge in our own lives and how we apply it to help others that describes our character.” (Spencer W. Kimball, "Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith," Ensign, September 1983)

As we continually seek the Lord, albeit through small and simple things, we can learn how to become like Him, and how we can best serve Him while on this earth. Earth life is so short, and what we do here really will make a difference as to where we go after this life.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

I have been reading in Alma 34 and there was one verse that I kept being drawn back to.

“And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.” (Alma 34:14)

Everything past, present, and future boils down to the single greatest event in human history: the Atonement of Jesus Christ. So much has been written throughout history about the Atonement because of the eternal nature and importance of this magnificent event. Tad R. Callister says this about the importance of the Atonement.

“The Atonement of Jesus Christ outweighs, surpasses, and transcends every other mortal event, every new discovery, and every acquisition of knowledge, for without the Atonement all else in life is meaningless.” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, 4)

Bruce R. McConkie said the following,

“Now, the atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths.

Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life.

But if we are to have faith like Enoch and Elijah we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived.

May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement.

We must cast aside the philosophies of men and the wisdom of the wise and hearken to that Spirit which is given to us to guide us into all truth.

We must search the scriptures, accepting them as the mind and will and voice of the Lord and the very power of God unto salvation.” (Bruce R. McConkie, "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane," General Conference, April 1985)

We can learn more about the Atonement by studying the words of the Lord’s prophets and apostles. We can also read the scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon. But we will gain a greater understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ as we learn to apply it in our individual lives.

The intent of Jesus Christ is to bring salvation to those who believe on his name. His mercy overpowers the demands of justice allowing men to have faith unto repentance. As we act on our faith we can access the Savior’s mercy. Once we come unto Him we are encircled in the arms of His safety. He has paid the price for our sins and weaknesses, therefore justice can have no claim on him. Those who do not have the faith to act will be left to themselves to feel the “whole” weight of justice (see Alma 34:15-16). And for those who are just beginning to plant the seed of faith, and are hoping for repentance, I think they will also be encircled in the arms of safety.

The ability to truly change comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and his Atonement. Through Him we can be changed, even when the power of our frailties and weaknesses seem to be so unalterable. At times we may need to rely solely on our faith, and believe that we can be forgiven of our sins, in order to change.

This morning was a little frustrating to me. I felt a little grumpy. I didn’t know what caused it, but I didn’t like feeling that way. I prayed and asked the Lord that somehow, through the Atonement of his Son, the grumpy feeling could be taken away. Slowly I felt the negative feelings lift, and a peace took it’s place. For me, the hard part is not getting so caught up in my day-to-day challenges of life that I forget to ask the Lord for his help. Whenever I have petitioned him He has always been there.

When it comes to change, I think that the Lord is much more concerned about where we are going than where we have been. He knows who we are, and who we can become. Each day we can try a little harder to be a little better, and if we slip up one day, we can try again the next. I am truly grateful for the chance I have to try again (and again…and again…).

Overcoming the natural man–our habits and tendencies–can be very difficult. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can learn how to overcome. He can teach us how to overcome, because he has experienced everything we have (or ever will) experience. Jesus "suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent." (Doctrine & Covenants 19:16, emphasis added). "These things" that he suffered covers more than just our sins, as Elder David A. Bednar explains.

“Not only does the Atonement of Jesus Christ overcome the effects of the Fall of Adam and make possible the remission of our individual sins and transgressions, but His Atonement also enables us to do good and become better in ways that stretch far beyond our mortal capacities. Most of us know that when we do things wrong and need help to overcome the effects of sin in our lives, the Savior has made it possible for us to become clean through His redeeming power. But do we also understand that the Atonement is for faithful men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully? I wonder if we fail to fully acknowledge this strengthening aspect of the Atonement in our lives and mistakenly believe we must carry our load all alone—through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline and with our obviously limited capacities.

It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to the earth to die for us. But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to enliven us—not only to guide but also to strengthen and heal us.” (David A. Bednar, "Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease," General Conference, April 2014)

As we seek to be obedient, and to listen to (and obey) the promptings of the Holy Ghost our nature can be changed. The Lord allows us to choose who we want to become, but if we choose to become who He wants us to become it will take some effort, but will be well worth it in the end.

“...as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

When we ask the Lord for help to change he is there–waiting. He understands (more fully than we can comprehend) our weaknesses, heartaches, struggles and frustrations. As we come to Him, in humility, it is only through the Atonement that we can fully overcome. I love the way C.S. Lewis explains it.

“It is no good trying to ‘be myself’ without Him. The more I resist Him and try to live on my own, the more I become dominated by my own heredity and upbringing and surroundings and natural desires. In fact what I so proudly call ‘Myself’ becomes merely the meeting place for trains of events which I never started and which I cannot stop. What I call ‘My wishes’ become merely the desires thrown up by my physical organism or pumped into me by other men’s thoughts or even suggested to me by devils….

“[M]ost of what I call ‘me’ can be very easily explained. It is when I turn to Christ, when I give myself up to His Personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own….

“Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.” (C.S. Lewis, The Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics: Mere Christianity, 176-7)

Faith in Jesus Christ can give us the power to change. Obtaining that faith does not come easy, but it is something that all of us can do...with some effort.

Tad R. Callister states, “The scriptures. The prophets. Personal revelation. These are the principal tools by which we build our house of faith” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, xi). 

Enoch, Elijah, and many others, strengthened their faith in such a way that they were ready to act without question, whatever the Lord asked. Alma and the sons of Mosiah were men of great faith–we can see this by the spirit and power that accompanied them. We can also learn from their examples how we too can gain that faith.

In Alma we read,

“...they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

 "But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting;” (Alma 17:2-3)

To build faith takes time. It doesn’t come in an instant. It comes little by little, drop by drop. As we act in faith, our faith can grow. Study the scriptures diligently (for me, I’ve learned it helps to have a purpose). Learn the word of God so you can live it. But this is not all: kneel in humble prayer to petition the Lord for His help and strengthen your faith through the spirit of fasting.

Faith is trusting in the Lord when “[all our] powers of reason have been exhausted” and we have nothing left to go on but the feeling we have inside. (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, 111). 

I love the way that Elder Callister describes the faith of Moses.

“Do not all men, at some time in their lives, face that dilemma—the reason of the world versus faith in Jesus Christ?

"Moses experienced it. He had just freed the children of Israel. He now led them on a seemingly suicidal course direct for the Red Sea. The Egyptian armies were in hot pursuit. The powers of reason no doubt cried out: ‘Veer to the left or to the right. To proceed straight ahead is a death trap—pinned against the wall of the Red Sea on the one side, the fast-approaching Egyptian army on the other.’ But Moses was steadfast in his course. March they would, directly toward the Red Sea. The Israelites, seeing their fate, fearfully cried out, ‘It had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.' Moses was alone. The power of reason and the power of the people combined against him with a raging fury. But deep within his soul was a power that far exceeded the powers known to man, a power that drove him on against the world, against all seeming odds, against all that was rational and reasonable in life. It was the power of faith. It proved to be his—and his people’s—temporal and spiritual salvation.” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, 109)

Moses trusted in the feeling that he had learned to recognize was the Spirit of the Lord. Abraham must have trusted in that same feeling when he was asked to sacrifice Isaac. They both had faith, and their faith and trust in the Lord gave them the strength and courage to move forward despite their difficulties.

President Thomas S. Monson is a wonderful example of faith, and action; but it is something that didn’t happen quickly. It took time for him to recognize the quiet whisperings of the spirit, and to know when to act quickly. 

In the book, “To The Rescue: the Biography of Thomas S. Monson”, it shared an example of his learning to heed the promptings of the Spirit. It helps me understand why he is so insistent in counseling us to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I don’t have the book with me, so I’ll paraphrase it. A brother in his ward was sick, and he felt he should visit him at the hospital, but had a meeting to go to. He went to the meeting, but kept looking at the clock and continually being distracted by the feeling that he should visit his friend. He waited until the meeting was over and rushed to the hospital. He was met in the hallway by a nurse who asked if he was Tom Monson. He responded in the affirmative and said he was looking for his friend. He was then told that his friend had been calling his name right before he died. I can only imagine the regret he felt (and may still feel now) for not following the feeling. 

President Monson teaches us,

“We watch. We wait. We listen for that still, small voice. When it speaks, wise men and women obey. Promptings of the Spirit are not to be postponed.” (Thomas S. Monson, "The Spirit Giveth Life," Ensign, June 1997)

But how does listening to the promptings of the Spirit apply to using the Atonement in our lives?

I once worked with a man who told me of an experience he had with the Atonement. He had a lot of serious changes that he needed to make in his life. When he prayed about it he received very specific instructions in his mind of the step-by-step things he needed to do to overcome his challenges. Hearing this experience also helped me better understand the personal nature of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I have found that in my own life I tend to struggle with the same things over and over again. It seems really hard to overcome certain habits or tendencies that I have. It’s frustrating at times not to see instant (or even quick) progress when I am trying really hard, but it is in the process of overcoming that we become stronger. I like how C.S. Lewis explains it.

“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find out the strength of the German army by fighting against it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means…” (C.S. Lewis, Inspirational Writings of C.S. Lewis, p337-8, emphasis added).

I know everyone deals with trials and troubles, and many problems large and small. When I was praying to know the main point to share today I felt the impression to speak of the unfathomable love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us. We know God loves us. We know Jesus loves us. We can read about it in the scriptures over and over again,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

I sometimes have a problem of forgetting the love our Savior has for me. I know the Lord loves me despite what I do, but I feel I may be too hard on myself when it comes to forgiving my weaknesses. I have found, however, that the more I study about the life of Christ, the more I learn of his constancy and the infinite nature of his love. I am gaining a greater understanding of His amazing ability to forgive.

In our Stake Conference a couple of years ago Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, came and spoke to us. I remember he spoke a lot about studying the life of our Savior. He said to study it as families, individuals, couples, or in whatever way we can, but to take “considerable” time to do it. Two books he recommended reading, to do this,  were “Jesus the Christ” by James E. Talmage, and “The Infinite Atonement” by Tad R. Callister. I have found amazing insight into the Savior's life and love for us from what I have read in these books. I want to quote from Elder Callister’s book about something that gave me a little bit more of an understanding of the depth of the Savior’s love.

“That night [when Jesus was born], god the Son traded his heavenly home with all its celestial adornments for a mortal abode with all its primitive trappings. He, the King of heaven, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, left a throne to inherit a manger. He exchanged the dominion of a god for the dependence of a babe. He gave up wealth, power, dominion, and the fullness of his glory—for what?—for taunting, mocking, humiliation, and subjection. It was a trade of unparalleled dimension, a condescension of incredible proportions, a descent of incalculable depth. And so, the great Jehovah, creator of worlds without number, infinite in virtue and power, made his entry into this world in swaddling clothes and a manger” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, 64).

And he did it for you and me, so we could have a chance to return back home to Him.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said,

 

“I bear personal witness this day of a personal, living God, who knows our names, hears and answers prayers, and cherishes us eternally as children of His spirit. I testify that amidst the wondrously complex tasks inherent in the universe, He seeks our individual happiness and safety above all other godly concerns.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Grandeur of God," General Conference, Oct 2003)

In his talk, Elder Holland continues on and quotes from Joseph Smith:

“Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive. … God does not look on sin with [the least degree of] allowance, but … the nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls...” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 257, 240-41).

I think the more we can realize the love God has for us, His forgiving and merciful nature, and the power that can come from using the Atonement in our lives, we will want to become more like Him. As we turn to him, we can change. Through our efforts we can come to know our Savior more and more, and feel of His love in even greater proportions. What a truly magnificent blessing from our loving Father in Heaven.

Lessons from The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

My purpose is not to try and convince you that the Book of Mormon is true. I can't. It is only through the convincing power of the Holy Ghost that "[you] may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5) – if you ask in faith. President Joseph Field Smith said the following,

“The Spirit of God speaking to the spirit of man has power to impart truth with greater effect and understanding than the truth can be imparted by personal contact even with heavenly beings. Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, Chapter 14, The Gift of the Holy Ghost)

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and goes hand in hand with the Bible. Why do we need another book of scripture when we already have the Bible? Elder Mark E. Peterson explains it this way.

“Having been taught that the Bible contains all of the word of God, some ask us why we have these other scriptures. They do not realize that the Bible provides for more scripture and that it points to a pattern established anciently by the Lord in which He placed prophets on earth to provide that scripture….

“The chief reason we have the Book of Mormon is that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall all things be established. We have the Bible; we also have the Book of Mormon. They constitute two voices—two volumes of scripture—from two widely separated ancient peoples, both bearing testimony to the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Mark E. peterson, "Evidence of Things Not Seen," General Conference, April 1978))

In his talk he gives many, many more explanations about the Book of Mormon, and the prophecies and realization of it’s coming forth, but that is not what I want to cover. I want to share some of the lessons that I have learned from studying the Book of Mormon.

Lesson 1: Obedience to God’s commandments makes a difference.

The first great lesson that came to my mind when I started thinking about this book was the story of Nephi, in the First Book of Nephi. Nephi’s father, Lehi, is a prophet who is commanded to leave Jerusalem because people are seeking his life (like all ancient prophets, it seems). They leave, and then the Lord commands Lehi to send his four sons back to Jerusalem to get the scriptures, recorded on brass plates, from a very wealthy leader in the city – Laban. As Nephi recounts the story he shares his testimony with us.

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7)

After two failed attempts at getting the brass plates, and his brothers wanting to give up and go back to the wilderness, Nephi knows the Lord will provide a way and decides to move forward on his own. He creeps into Jerusalem at night, not knowing what is going to happen. Here are Nephi’s words,

“And it was by night; and I caused that they [my brothers] should hide themselves without the walls. And after they had hid themselves, I, Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban.

“And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

“Nevertheless I went forth” (1 Nephi 4:5-7, emphasis added)

Nephi knew that the Lord could do anything. He could have provided the needed scriptures outside of their tent in the wilderness. But, in His great wisdom, He sent them on a journey for a greater purpose; to strengthen their faith – as well as giving all those who now read his words hope, and an example to follow. Nephi’s faith, moved him to action, and is what brought about the miracle that followed. He is able to obtain the brass plates so that his family can take them into the wilderness. More importantly, they are able to bring the record with them to the promised land. Without this written record they would not be able to have the scriptures in order to pass the teachings they contain down through generations. There is much power in the written word, especially the word of God through His prophets.

How was Nephi able to get to a point where he trusted the Lord enough that he was willing to walk into a major city at night and somehow find the one thing the Lord needed him to find? Nephi’s trust came through obedience to the commandments of the Lord. Time after time he pleads with is brothers to be obedient. Why? In 1 Nephi 17:35 we read, “Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God.”

A reoccurring theme we read in the Book of Mormon is that those who are obedient are blessed by the Lord. Their lives are not free from challenges (far from it) but amidst those challenges they are still able to find joy and peace, through their faith in Jesus Christ; faith which leads to action. It is through obedience that we can build enough faith in Jesus Christ to keep going when things get tough.

Lesson 2: Through the Lord we can Strengthen Our Weaknesses

Each of us is a literal spirit child of our Heavenly Father. If we can firmly grasp that concept it can help us in realizing that there really is a God in Heaven who wants to help us – he is our Father. As President Uchtdorf testified,

“Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love.

“God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "You Matter to Him", General Conference, Oct 2011))

Because of His love for us, our Heavenly Father has provided us with his Plan of Salvation that, if we follow it, will lead us back to Him. We each have strengths and weaknesses, but we must remember our divine nature. We were each created in the image of God, our Father. Joseph Fielding Smith speaks of this divine nature.

“Man has within him the power, which the Father has bestowed upon him, so to develop in truth, faith, wisdom, and all the virtues, that eventually he shall become like the Father and the Son; this virtue, wisdom, and knowledge on the part of the faithful does not rob the Father and the Son, but adds to their glory and dominion. Thus it is destined that those who are worthy to become his sons and joint-heirs with our Redeemer, would be heirs of the Father’s kingdom, possessing the same attributes in their perfection, as the Father and the Son now possess.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:35.)

To become like God is not a trivial matter. It will not come in this life, nor will it come without considerable effort on our part – and even then we cannot do it on our own. We must be cleansed through the atoning blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Elder Richard G. Scott said,

“Each of us has had times in our lives when we have made poor choices. We are all in desperate need of the redemptive power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Each of us must repent of any rebellion. ‘For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.’ He cannot because He knows what it takes to become like Him.

“Many of us have allowed weakness to develop in our character. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we…can build spiritual fortifications between ourselves and any past mistakes that Satan attempts to exploit. “ (Richard G. Scott, "Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ," General Conference, Oct 2013)

We need to use the time we have on this earth to strive to become truly aligned with the will of God. “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors” (Alma 34:32). We are reminded us of the daily struggle we will face, and the necessity for the wise use of our agency, through the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell.

“It is up to us. God will facilitate, but He will not force.

“Righteous desires need to be relentless, therefore, because, said President Brigham Young, ‘the men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day’ (in Journal of Discourses, 11:14). Therefore, true Christian soldiers are more than weekend warriors.” (Neal A. Maxwell, “According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts," General Conference, Oct 1996)

Our ultimate desires will largely influence how we choose to act on the strengths and weaknesses that we have. Our desires will also be a determining factor in whom we will become in this life and in the life to come. Elder Maxwell continues, and speaks of our desires being integrally connected to the outcome of our time here in mortality.

“Whether in their conception or expression, our desires profoundly affect the use of our moral agency. Desires thus become real determinants,…

“Desire denotes a real longing or craving. Hence righteous desires are much more than passive preferences or fleeting feelings. Of course our genes, circumstances, and environments matter very much, and they shape us significantly. Yet there remains an inner zone in which we are sovereign, unless we abdicate. In this zone lies the essence of our individuality and our personal accountability.

“Therefore, what we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity. ‘For I [said the Lord] will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts’…

"God thus takes into merciful account not only our desires and our performance, but also the degrees of difficulty which our varied circumstances impose upon us.” ((Neal A. Maxwell, “According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts," General Conference, Oct 1996); emphasis added)

From the Book of Mormon we read,

“Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.” (2 Nephi 2:27)

The Lord has given us the knowledge to choose between good and evil. He is always waiting to help us, but we need to remember to ask for His help. That is not true with the adversary; he is always on the move looking for ways to entice us to succumb. We need to remember that Satan desires that all men be miserable like he is. His sole purpose is to bind us in such a way that we feel that we cannot return to God, or even approach our loving Father for help. Satan has learned that through patience and enticing us to numerous small, seemingly insignificant, infractions of sin he can accomplish his purposes.

“...for he is the founder of all…works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.” (2 Nephi 26:22)

When I was thinking about what I can do to strengthen myself against the adversary, one of the stories from the Book of Mormon came to mind. It is found in the Book of Helaman. There is a war between the Lamanites and the Nephites (a recurring theme throughout the Book of Mormon) and this time, “the Lamanites had gathered together an innumerable army of men, and armed them…” (Helaman 1:14). The Nephites were unprepared because they had been distracted by so much contention in the government that they didn’t guard their capital city well “for they had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the heart of their lands to attack that great city Zarahemla” (Helaman 1:18) The Lamanites were prepared, attacked the weakened city, and took control of it.

Satan will attack us where we are weakest, and for a human soul, made of spirit and body, the body is a prime target. Elder Melvin J. Ballard states,

“…the assault that the evil one will make upon us to capture us will be made through the body. That is the line of contact. You have all heard the adage that a chain is no stronger than its weakest link. It will break at its weak point. Generally we will observe that our weak link is in the flesh. The devil knows the weak link, and when he undertakes to capture a soul he will strike at the weak point. There may be strength elsewhere, but he never attacks us where we are strong. He attacks where we are weak.” (Melvin J. Ballard, "Classic Discourses: Struggle for the Soul," New Era, March 1984)

Before we came to earth we all lived as spirit children with our Father in Heaven. Satan was there, and we knew him. When we came to earth a veil was placed over our mind, but not his. He is very aware of our strengths, our weaknesses, and who the Lord knows we can become. As we trust in the Lord, however, we can find strength in Him, for “he is mightier than all the earth” (1 Nephi 4:1). In the Book of Mormon we find out how to make our weaknesses stronger,

“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” (Ether 12:27)

The Lord truly has, as Nephi testified, provided a way whereby we may accomplish all that He requires of us. By humbling ourselves and coming to Him we can overcome the tendencies of the natural man.

Lesson 3: Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all mankind may be saved.

The Lord knows that “the natural man is an enemy to God” (Mosiah 3:19). We need to be continually reminded of the things of God or we have a tendency to revert back to our ‘natural man’ state. In the words of President Gordon B. Hinckley,

“We are all so busy with our mundane pursuits which pull us this way and that. We all need, the whole world needs, the opportunity to meditate and reflect on the things of God and to listen to words that inspire and help.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Let Us Live the Gospel More Fully," General Conference, Oct 2003)

The Law of Moses was established anciently, as a physical reminder of the forthcoming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and as a reminder to remember the things of God. After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Savior appeared to the Nephites on the American continent and announced a change from the Law of Moses. From the book of Mormon we read the words of Jesus Christ.

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name….

“And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.

“I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

“And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

“And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit….” (3 Nephi 9:15, 17-20; emphasis added)

To be contrite means “feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming” (link). As we humble ourselves before the Lord, acknowledge our faults and shortcomings, and have faith in Him, we can gain access to the power of His atoning sacrifice. Partaking of the sacrament each week is one place we can think of this sacrifice – a sacrifice He made for us. 

The prophet Alma, in the Book of Mormon, also speaks of the Law of Moses being fulfilled through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

“And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law [of Moses], every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.

“And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.

“And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety…” (Alma 34:14-16)

Through the foresight and mercy of our Heavenly Father we have been blessed to have a Father in Heaven, and our Elder Brother, who love us more than we can fathom. "We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" (Article of Faith 1:3). Through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ we can have hope of repentance. The scriptures have been preserved for our day, and the Book of Mormon has been written specifically for us, as noted by Moroni, the last prophet from the Book of Mormon. 

“Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Mormon 8:35).

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But, you don’t have to take my word for it. Moroni, in his final chapter in the Book of Mormon, records the following promise. 

“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

“And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moroni 10:3-5)

This is another one of the Lord’s promises; specifically about the Book of Mormon. Prove the Lord, and find out for yourself.

Agency

In Alma chapter 32 we find Alma teaching a group of people who have been humbled by their afflictions. He teaches them about faith and compares the words he speaks to a seed that must be planted and nourished if it is to take root. He then states, “ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering” (Alma 32:43). This got me thinking about agency. Agency in its simplest form is the ability to choose; the ability to decide the action that we will take.

Each and every day of our life we are given numerous opportunities to make choices. Some are insignificant, yet some can make all the difference to our eternal progress and exaltation. The choices we make might be based on our desires, past experiences, beliefs, expectations, necessity, or our circumstances. One thing we need to remember about agency and making choices is where they will ultimately lead us. President Thomas S. Monson explains it this way:

"Life’s journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine destiny" (Thomas S. Monson, "Courage Counts” Ensign, Nov 1986).

It is our thoughts and actions that will ultimately show our greatest desires.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell states:

“Actually, everything depends—initially and finally—on our desires. These shape our thought patterns. Our desires thus precede our deeds and lie at the very cores of our souls, tilting us toward or away from God. God can ‘educate our desires’. Others seek to manipulate our desires. But it is we who form the desires, the ‘thoughts and intents of [our] hearts’.

“The end rule is ‘according to [our] desires … shall it be done unto [us]’, ‘for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts’. One’s individual will thus remains uniquely his. God will not override it nor overwhelm it" (Neal A. Maxwell, “'Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father'”, Ensign, Nov 1995).

Agency is not something new, and it is not limited to our short sojourn here on earth. Before we came to earth each of us had the ability to choose, and those of us who are here chose to be here. President Joseph Fielding Smith spoke of premortal spirits possessing agency when he said:

“God gave his children their free agency even in the spirit world, by which the individual spirits had the privilege, just as men have here, of choosing the good and rejecting the evil, or partaking of the evil to suffer the consequences of their sins.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:58-59)

Agency is such a critical piece of our Father in Heaven’s Plan of Salvation that He watched as some of His spirit children chose not to follow His plan, but instead chose to follow Lucifer – to their own eternal detriment.

The Lord allows us to make choices, and through trial and error we learn more about what we want and what we don’t want. In the end, we show through our choices what it is that we truly want.

Marion G. Romney explains:

“Over and over again the scriptures teach that men receive from the Lord according to their desires. Alma declared:

“… I know that [God] granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction” (Marion G. Romney, “Magnifying One’s Calling in the Priesthood”, Ensign, May 1973).

We are on this earth to be tried and tested. In Abraham the Lord explains, “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abraham 3:25).

In a vision to Moses the Lord states His purpose for our existence. “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). His goal is to help us attain eternal life with Him. Everything He asks of us is for our eternal benefit. We cannot see the end from the beginning, as He can, so we must learn to trust in and rely on His ultimate plan for us.

We have been blessed with a body, and also the ability to think for ourselves. Our minds are amazing. With them we can choose to do so much. Those choices are based on our ultimate desires, whether they be good, bad, or indifferent.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin speaks of the power of the mind when he said:

“All evils to which so many become addicted begin in the mind and in the way one thinks. Experience teaches that when the will and imagination are in conflict, the imagination usually wins. What we imagine may defeat our reason and make us slaves to what we taste, see, hear, smell, and feel in the mind’s eye. The body is indeed the servant of the mind.

“In his widely acclaimed essay As a Man Thinketh, James Allen reinforced what Jesus so beautifully proclaimed. Mr. Allen wrote:

“Man is made or unmade by himself; in the armoury of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself; he also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace. By the right choice and true application of thought, man ascends to the Divine Perfection; by the abuse and wrong application of thought, he descends below the level of the beast. Between these two extremes are all the grades of character, and man is their maker and master. …

“All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts. (New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co., n. d., pp. 8–9, 34.)" (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Pondering Strengthens the Spiritual Life”, Ensign, May 1982).

With the ability to choose we need to be careful how we use our precious time on this earth, and whom we "list to obey" (Alma 3:26). As we choose to follow the Savior we may strive to not commit sin, but we will need to dig a little deeper within ourselves to also be committed to do those things we should be doing. This comes through consecrating our hearts to the Lord, as Elder Neal A. Maxwell explains:

“To the extent that we are not willing to be led by the Lord, we will be driven by our appetites, or we will be greatly preoccupied with the lesser things of the day….

“Once the telestial sins are left behind and henceforth avoided, the focus falls ever more on the sins of omission. These omissions signify a lack of qualifying fully for the celestial kingdom. Only greater consecration can correct these omissions, which have consequences just as real as do the sins of commission. Many of us thus have sufficient faith to avoid the major sins of commission, but not enough faith to sacrifice our distracting obsessions or to focus on our omissions” (Neal A. Maxwell, “'Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father'”, Ensign, Nov 1995).

Faith

This brings us to faith. One of the first principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to have “...faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Articles of Faith 1:4).

In Alma 33 the people Alma has been teaching ask him how to plant the seed of faith. His response is to, “begin to believe in the Son of God” (Alma 33:22).

Believe there really is a God. Believe that his Son died for you. Believe that you really can be forgiven. Believe that you really can change. And this 'good seed' of belief will work in you. As you believe and ask God for forgiveness you will feel a lightening in your soul – a great weight of sin being removed, a realization that there really is a God in heaven who knows you, loves you, and is waiting with outstretched arms to help you. You will then be able to recognize that this seed must be good; and seeds from the same tree produce the same fruit. So believe and continue to taste of all the wonderful fruit that this tree has to offer. 

Elder Richard G. Scott says this about faith:

“When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual’s life from maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness. The exercise of faith is vital to Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness. But true faith, faith unto salvation, is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ, faith in His doctrines and teachings, faith in the prophetic guidance of the Lord’s anointed, faith in the capacity to discover hidden characteristics and traits that can transform life. Truly, faith in the Savior is a principle of action and power” (Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character”, Ensign, Nov 2010).

Just like planting a tree, nurturing it, and waiting for the fruit to grow, it takes time and nurturing before the seed of faith will grow. Some of the ways to increase our faith are through obedience, studying the scriptures, prayer, fasting, paying tithing, temple attendance, and service.

Prayer

Another important principle is that of prayer. In the Bible Dictionary we learn about the relationship between God, man, and prayer.

“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. 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” (Bible Dictionary, "Prayer").

As we humbly approach our Father in Heaven in prayer, we may not always receive the answers we desire. We must learn to have faith in the Lord and in His timing.  As Elder David A. Bednar states,

“The object of our prayers should not be to present a wish list or a series of requests but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is eager to bestow, according to His will and timing. Every sincere prayer is heard and answered by our Heavenly Father, but the answers we receive may not be what we expect or come to us when we want or in the way we anticipate” (David A. Bednar, "Ask in Faith”, Ensign, May 2008)

Let me share an experience from my own life. A few years ago, the company that my husband worked for was forced to downsize, and my husband was told that he would be let go. Through a bit of effort on his part he had a job offer shortly after this announcement. The job was exactly what he wanted to do, with good pay, a good location, and the timing was perfect. We took our decision, to accept this job offer, to the Lord and felt a very definite “no.” We were surprised but decided to trust the feeling. We declined the offer, and they extended the offer again – something they did three times (an additional test of our faith). My husband then became unemployed, with no other offers in sight.

After three months he was able to find another job; but when compared to the earlier job offer this one did not look like his ideal job. Now, several years later, we reflect back on the employment opportunities that have come to us since that time, and the tremendous opportunities for growth and development my husband has had that would not have come had we accepted the original job offer.

Prayer is a very personal way that we can find out the will of the Lord for ourselves. It allows us to communicate with our loving Father in Heaven. I love this quote by Elder Richard G. Scott about the personal nature of prayer:

“Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with

Him as our Father….

“It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer” (Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer”, Ensign, May 2007).

The Lord knows all, and as we humble ourselves before Him we can be guided in our lives to find greater fulfillment and happiness than we could have found on our own.

Scriptures

Reading, studying, pondering and applying the scriptures in our lives is another way that we can choose to follow the Savior.

I want to speak in particular about the Book of Mormon, and the promises it contains. I have read the Book of Mormon many times throughout my life. A few years ago I realized that the stories had become so familiar that I didn’t really get much out of my scripture reading. I remembered a talk by President Ezra Taft Benson in which he talked about reasons for reading the Book of Mormon. He said,

“It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path” (Ezra Taft Benson, "The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion”, Ensign, Nov 1986).

Marion G. Romney also spoke of the power that comes from a regular study of the Book of Mormon when he said:

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Marion G. Romney, "The Book of Mormon”, Ensign, May 1980).

I decided that I was going to test these promises and make a daily, purposeful study of the book of Mormon. When I first started, I was a little worried because I generally read right before bed. I didn't think I could get much out of it, and I was also worried that staying up late to read would not be as beneficial as sleeping. As a young mother I was often very tired, leading to my emotions running a bit high at times. I knelt down and explained my situation to the Lord – how I wanted to begin a serious study of the Book of Mormon, but was a little nervous about the effects that come from late nights and losing sleep.

I started to read every night, and prayed before I read. One thing I noticed was the amount of sleep I needed seemed to lessen. I was able to function well and my emotions stayed in check. About a month after starting this experiment I had a really rough day when I got angry and ended up in tears. When I talked to my husband about my troubles he said that he was surprised at my reaction. He said that for the past month there had been such a wonderful, peaceful feeling in our home.

My husband knew nothing of my experiment, and I feel that the spirit in our home was changed because of my consistent reading from the Book of Mormon. There truly is a power that comes from reading the scriptures. One lesson this experience has reinforced to me is that when I remember to turn to the Lord for help, He is always there.

Obedience

Obedience, to me, is an all-encompassing principle. Much of what we do, and who we become, in life depends on our obedience to the will of our Heavenly Father. True obedience cannot be forced. It comes from way down deep inside, and is reflected in the person we are becoming. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said this about obedience,

“Seventy years ago, Lord Moulton coined a perceptive phrase, ‘obedience to the unenforceable,’ describing ‘the obedience of a man to that which he cannot be forced to obey’. God’s blessings, including those associated with consecration, come by unforced obedience to the laws upon which they are predicated. Thus our deepest desires determine our degree of ‘obedience to the unenforceable.’ God seeks to have us become more consecrated by giving everything. Then, when we come home to Him, He will generously give us ‘all that [He] hath.’

“…the submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give,’ brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us” (Neal A. Maxwell, "'Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father’”, Ensign, Nov 1995).

As we strive to be obedient to God’s will, instead of our own, we can be guided and directed by the Holy Ghost. Attending the temple, as often as we can, will help renew our spirits and provides a greater understanding of the plan of salvation. As we pay our tithing the Lord has said, “prove me now herewith…if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:20). This is a promise from the Lord. Plant the seed and test this promise.

As we continue on our journey leading to eternal life, we need to remember what we are aiming for. If it is eternal life with Heavenly Father, then obedience to His laws is what will get us there. It is also through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can become cleansed from our sins and imperfections, and try again when we fall short. Elder David B. Haight reminds us,

“Immortality comes to us all as a free gift by the grace of God alone, without works of righteousness. Eternal life, however, is the reward for obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel” (David B. Haight, "The Sacrament—and the Sacrifice”, Ensign, Nov 1989).

It doesn’t matter to the Lord what specific assignment we complete or if we are doing better than soone else. In the day of judgment we will not be compared to anyone, except ourselves. As we put the Lord first in our lives things will work out in the end. Elder Rex C. Reeve states:

“I suppose in the day of judgment the question won’t be so much what did you do or where did you serve, but rather, did you serve me with all your heart? Did you put me first in your life?...

"Yes, the answer and solution to all the challenges and needs we have, national or personal, is to turn our hearts to God, put Him first in our lives, keep His commandments—and all things will work for our good, even those tests which seem so big and require so much. They, too, will bless our lives” (Rex C. Reeve, "Look to God”, Ensign, Nov 1982)

What will truly make a difference in the next life is the direction we are facing when we leave, and the choices we made while here on earth. President Henry B. Eyring states, "If we choose the right, we will find happiness - in time. If we choose evil, there comes sorrow and regret - in time. Those effects are sure" (Henry B. Eyring, "A Priceless Heritage of Hope”, Ensign, May 2014). In the end, the rewards we receive from the choices we made will be ours, and ours alone.