Day 142

Today I've been thinking a lot about peace, and how much Christ taught the importance of it. He says more  than once in the scriptures "Peace be unto thy soul". He is, after all, the "Prince of Peace".

I know I want to constantly feel peace in my life. And I have learned from experience that the only way to truly feel inner peace is through Christ. By using the atonement and letting Christ help me with my problems.

I know that Jesus Christ is the master of peace, and he wants me to feel at peace with my life. And I can do that as long as I'm living my life the way he wants me to, and I'm worthy to be guided by the Spirit.

Day 141

“Testimony will come to you in pieces as parts of the whole truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ are confirmed. For instance, as you read and ponder the Book of Mormon, verses you have read before will appear new to you and bring new ideas. Your testimony will grow in breadth and in depth as the Holy Ghost confirms that they are true. Your living testimony will expand as you study, pray, and ponder in the scriptures.”-President Henry B. Eyring

I'm focusing on that quote today. Especially because I feel like that quote applies right to me and what this blog experience has done for me. I know I don't update this every day like I originally planned on doing, but I have made more of an effort to read the scriptures and/or general authority talks every day, and I have felt my testimony grow stronger because of it. Just like what President Eyring said, verses and chapters have stood out to me so much more with studying every day. Now I can see why it is so important.

Day 140

Last night I read the Book of Jarom. I loved verse 12 of that chapter (the only chapter in the whole book). I loved the very end of the verse, "for they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance."

I really like how the verb "pricked" was used. I think it explains how the Spirit can nudge you so well! Heavenly Father knows us better than we know ourselves, and he knows what we need to feel in order to continue to try and keep our lives in order. I think the term "prick" is a perfect example of what it is to feel enough guilt to realize you should be continually praying to Heavenly Father and trying to be better. I don't think I've heard that term used in the scriptures yet, so I think that's  a big reason why I liked it so much.

Day 139

Today I read section 70 of the Doctrine and Covenants. It's about the law of consecration. It was a good section to read to remind me that the Lord has blessed me with so much. It reminded me of the importance of paying tithing, and it's not so much the actual money/10% that matters, it's the thoughts and intent behind it. I've had some personal experiences with tithing and that's helped me gain a stronger testimony of it. Even when there are times when it stresses me out to make ends meet, tithing is always something I know is the most important to pay. Because as long as I am paying back what has so graciously been given to me, then I know it will all work out somehow.

The Lord blesses me with so much. I have so much to be grateful for. This was a really good section for me to read today to remind me of what is most important, and how I have so much and a good life. The Lord is looking out for me, and I know through faith everything will work out how it is supposed to.

Day 138

The scripture I want to focus on today is Hebrew ch. 12:7

 7 If ye ^aendure ^bchastening, God dealeth with you as with ^csons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

I don't know if I've ever read that scripture before, but I really like it for some reason. I take it to mean for me, that God gives me trials because he loves me. Not to punish me. He knows what is good for me, and he knows pushing me helps me stretch in ways that help me grow the most. Trials are not supposed to block my path, they are supposed to strengthen me to become a true daughter of God.

Day 138

I just finished reading a short article by President Uchtdorf. It was about listening for His voice. What I got out of the article is- If you're listening, you can hear. Sounds obvious, but it's true! If I'm not taking the time in my life to truly listen for the Spirit, how can I hear it? I can make myself become so busy and productive, that I can forget that I need to constantly have the Spirit as my companion.

Taking time each day in scripture study, and even just pausing what I'm doing can make a huge difference. Setting aside time to just breathe and contemplate opens up my mind and heart so that the Spirit can be present.

Day 137

Tonight I read the last chapter of John, which is the last chapter of the ministry of Christ while he was on the earth. I found two things very interesting in this chapter-

1. Why did Jesus repeatedly ask Peter to "feed his sheep"? And why was that the last thing he wanted to tell Peter before he left? I personally think this shows how important it is to share the gospel. If Christ repeated it to his apostle 3 times, and also saved that for the last words of wisdom to give, it must be important. It makes me want to be a better missionary.

2. The last verse of this chapter is amazing. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the whick, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." It's humbling to know that Christ already did so much for us, but there is also an uncomprehendable amount of works he did that we do not know about, just because there is no rom to write it. But it makes perfect sense to me, how can you limit to just a few books of scripture the teachings and workings of the man who is the redeemer of all mankind.

It really makes you think.

Day 136

Tonight I read an amazing chapter in 1 John, chapter 4. It was all about love. I thought about going back and counting how many times the word love is said in this chapter, but decided not to. But it is a lot.

There were a couple verses that I really loved.

4. Ye are of God, little children; and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

I love that verse! We are children of God. Our Father created this world we live in. If we can remember this divine inheritance we have, and remember that we already have godly characteristics within us, the world should not affect us. If we can continue to have the insight of knowing that we are children of God.

20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother ,he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

I really like that verse too. We are hypocrites if we say we love our Heavenly Father but are holding grudges against people in our lives. How can we love like God if we don't love everyone?

I feel very uplifted after reading that chapter. It really did fill me with God's love, and I hope to keep that and let it grow, and to remember to love all men just like my Heavenly Father does.

Day 135

Today I watched a short video by President Uchtdorf about our power to create. He made such a good point about how so many of us think "well, I'm not really the creative type." But all of us are! We are daughters of the most creative being-our Heavenly Father. He's passed down characteristics of himself upon us, and that gives us the power to create. It doesn't have to just be something artistic, it can be anything.

Serving others creates new friendship opportunities. Cleaning creates a clean home. There are so many things we create everyday. And they are good things! I hope to remember when I'm feeling down on myself to remember that I am a creator in the making, and right now I'm practicing by trying to create a good home.

Day 134

I read Daniel chapter 7 today. It was about a vision Daniel had of the kingdoms and the last days. It was actually really interesting. His vision was about how this great terrible beast with ten horns would devour man and seem to trample the earth under its feet. But just when it seemed that all hope was lost, the beast would be defeated and goodness would reign on the earth forever.

And that's how it will be, I think. Things will keep getting worse and worse and we'll wonder what is happening to the world, why is this giant beast (Satan) trampling us under his feet and gaining so many followers? But just like the end of this chapter, the righteous will be remembered, and will be chosen to live in the highest kingdom forever and ever.

Day 133

Today I read Acts chapter 18. It was a good chapter. It took place during Paul's ministry. There were  few verses that I really liked (obviously. That's how it always is when I read the scriptures.)

9. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision. Be not afraid but speak, and hold not thy peace;
10. For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city.

I just loved the "fear not" part the best. It made me wonder, was Paul scared? Is that why the Lord came to him in the night? It must have been, because the Lord knows what we need the most. I'm guessing Paul was nervous to go speak to these people, and the Lord gently reminded him that through Christ, everything is possible.

It was great to read those verses, because we all know how amazing Paul is in his ministry. And to read that he is a lot like the rest of and gets nervous and afraid sometimes, comforted me in knowing that I'm not the only one with struggles.

Day 132

Today I read Doctrine and Covenants section 67. Joseph Smith received a revelation about some of the brethren in the church who were wondering why they have not had the priviledge of seeing God like Joseph did. Heavenly Father gave them an answer back. And I thought it sounded like an answer a loving father would give his children when they ask for things they are not ready for yet.

He told them to "continue in patience until ye are perfected." I love that. That's what we are doing throughout our whole lives. Trying to become perfect. But we lose patience with ourselves a lot of times. I'm trying to be better at realizing Heavenly Father knows me, and knows what to help me with to help me to continue to be perfected.

Day 131

I finished reading 1st Nephi chapter 17 today. I loved the reference he made to Moses and his people as he was talking to his brothers who were murmuring against him and Lehi.

Nephi talked about how the people of Moses were sent down firery serpents because they stopped believing. They were bitten, but then God provided a way for them to be healed: by looking at Moses' staff. But since it was such a simple task, a lot died because they didn't believe it would actually heal them.

The gospel can be like that in a lot of ways to some people. There are a lot of simple, basic principles we teach. Sometimes people think they are so simple that there's no way it could be true.

I love that the gospel isn't that hard to understand. It makes sense, and it's supposed to make sense.

Day 130

This week I'm focusing on talks by President Uchtdorf. Today I read a talk he gave last April titled "You are My Hands". I love the title of this talk. He stuck true to the title giving us counsel and advice on how our church is a church of service, and our ultimate example of service is Jesus Christ.

He mentioned how Christ never once talks "down" to us. He talks "to" us, as equals. He loves us so much that he shares everything he can that he knows we need to know in order to perfect ourselves. And a big part of that is serving our fellow man.

We all have callings that make up our church today. All of us are giving service. Visiting teaching, home teaching, teaching sunday school, being a young women or young men advisor, being in a bishopric: all of those callings (plus many more) we do without expecting pay. Or really expecting anything in return. That's why our church functions so well and withstands the changes the world goes through. We are selfless when it comes to building the church of God. That's how we need to be in order for everything to work. And we all feel good doing service.

Heavenly Father wants us to be eternally happy. He knows that the key to that is serving each other.