Day 155

Today I read the second part of section 10 in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Lord is still lecturing Joseph Smith on letting Martin Harris take those transcripts. But he makes a good point in verse 37: "But as you cannot always judge the righteous, or as you cannot always tell the wicked from the righteous, therefore I say unto you, hold your peace until I shall see fit to make all things known unto the world concerning the matter."

I really like that because it helps me remember that I do not know everything. And my impressions of people can be way off. Heavenly Father is the only one right now who knows the thoughts and intents of every person's heart. I only know a smidgen of what they are feeling. It was a good gentle reminder that I should remember to worry only about myself and bettering myself, and being better at serving others because I don't know what they are going through.

Day 154

Today I read the first part of Doctrine and Covenants section 10. This is after the transcript Martin Harris was given was lost, and the Lord caused Joseph to lose the gift of translating for a while as a result of it. But now the Lord gave him another revelation. There are a few really good verses in this section, the main one the famous "Pray always that ye may come off conquerer." That is such good advice. If we are constantly praying to our Heavenly Father in our hearts, we will constantly be trying to be in tune with him and what he wants of us, and what he wants of us is to return to him, to be the best we can be. He wants to communicate with us, and I love that I can always communicate with him!

Day 153

Today I read an article by Henry B. Eyring in memory of President Hinkley. It was written shortly after the prophet's death, and it was President Eyring rememering the faith of our beloved prophet. President Hinkley always would say "It will work out." Even when the presidency was dealing with some difficult issues, he always said "Things will work out."

Even now, a few years later, President Hinkley is still such an amazing example to me. His faith is what helped him to continue to serve and move on through life. My problems seem so little compared to the burden he had of being president over the entire church. Surely, if President Hinkley always had faith that things would work out for him and the church, then I could have faith like that as well. I'll work on that.

Day 152

Today I read Philemon chapter 1. I don't remember ever reading out of Philemon before, but it was a great chapter! I was looking for verses that had to do with communication with God, because that's still been on my mind since reading Elder Eyring's message yesterday. I found this verse in this chapter that I really liked. "6 That the ^acommunication of thy faith may become ^beffectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."

I had to read over that verse a few times before I understood what it meant (to me). If I acknowledge every good thing in my life, I am acknowledging Christ's love for me. Because every good thing comes of God. And if I acknowledge every good thing in my life and Christ's love for me, my communication to Heavenly Father will be better, and my faith with grow because I'm seeing and thanking Him for everything he's already done for me. Remembering all the good things I have while I'm going through a hard time will help strengthen my faith, because I'll see all that I've already been blessed with, and it can help me remember that I will continue to be blessed.

Day 151

Today I read an article by President Henry B. Eyring about having courage. He talked about how having the Holy Ghost with us can help us find courage because not only does it prompt us what to do, it comforts us when we know we need to do something difficult. I loved this line from his talk: "That communication with God helps banish fear from our hearts as it builds faith and love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ."

I love how having the Holy Ghost can "banish fear". I remember hearing President Monson say once that "fear is the opposite of faith." We can't have fear and faith in our hearts at the same time. Having faith means I'll be accepting of whatever comes because I know it's according to Heavenly Father's plan.

Day 150

Today I read the first part of Ether 13. Ether prophesies of the last days and the destruction that will come to the people. The verse I really liked was 9 "And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old save the old have passed away. and all things have become new."

I really like "and all things have become new". I like to think that that applies to everything and everyone. We will all become new by being resurrected, and have the opportunity to live with Heavenly Father. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that I need to be better at focusing on bettering myself so that at the last day, I can know that becoming "new" for me will also include being able to live with Heavenly Father.

Day 149

Today I read Ether chapter 11. This chapter goes through all the wicked kings before Ether was born and grew up to become a great prophet. During this chapter other prophets are mentioned coming and testifying to the people about repenting before they are destroyed. One verse in particular talked about because the people became wicked, there were famines and pestilences and wars in their land. It reminded me of how opposite that verse is of what Heavenly Father teaches us, that if we are faithful in keeping his commandments, we will prosper in the land. That chapter to me is proof of what happens to a people when the decide they are better than Heavenly Father. Bad things begin to happen when people ignore the commandments.