In my Book of Mormon class this last week, we discussed the scripture Moroni 7:45, "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." After reading this scripture, our professor told us to replace the word charity with Christ. All these things that describe what charity is, describe who Christ is. He went on to say that charity is not something that we can have without Christ. Charity is the “pure love of Christ” and because of that, we can become charitable through Him. As we take in the love which our Savior gives to us, it is through Him by which we are enabled to reflect that love and extend it to those around us. Without Christ, true charity is not possible. Christ really is the only truly charitable person to ever live, he was and is charity. Even when Christ was on the cross He prayed these words of charity, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This insight caused me to really reflect on how true of a disciple of Christ I am. It’s so easy to love someone and treat them with kindness when life is going well, but how do we do when times are at their worst in our own personal lives, do we extend our hand in Christlike love to others? This is the true test of a disciple of Christ. May we all strive to look to the Savior to receive charity for others in all circumstances. I am so grateful for the role Christ plays in our lives and I know that He will come to our aid and give us true charity if we look to Him for that love.

This past week in class, we discussed the story of the Brother of Jared. We specifically talked about Jared as he had to prepare the barges to cross the ocean. There were several problems with the boats and in Ether 2:19 he prays to Heavenly Father saying “And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light; whither shall we steer? And also we shall perish, for in them we cannot breathe, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish.” In the following verses, Heavenly Father gives him answers to each of these problems in three ways. The first way He answered was by telling Jared, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it,” just as He did with the steering of the barges. The second way He answered was by giving step by step instructions as He did with solving the problem of no air. Then the third way He was by letting Jared choose how to solve a problem just as He did with the problem of no light in the barges. We can always be assured that God will answer us. He will always answer us in one of these ways every time we ask Him for an answer to problems we are facing, but, most often, He will answer by letting us choose what we will do to solve the problem, in turn, giving us an opportunity for more growth and change. By doing this He shows us the importance of agency; that it is truly a gift. If, whenever we were faced with a problem and He gave us a direct answer either by telling us what to do or by saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it,” we would not learn, and our hearts would not change. Overall, we could not become like Christ.

  In our discussion is class this past week, we went over 3 Nephi 13:16 which says, “Moreover, when ye fast be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” This lesson on fasting was a good reminder to me on how I should be on fast Sunday. I often worry more about my physical body being fed than my spirit. Our professor reminded us to look at fast Sunday as a day we can learn to fight against those things we seek after according to the flesh and to learn to let our spirit control our appetites and instead feed its hunger. He also compared this to learning to control our lusts and other worldly desires as we go throughout the rest of the month. Fast Sunday really is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our spirit and to put off the natural man. We should really be joyful instead of fasting with “a sad countenance”. This opportunity we have to fast each month can really be an amazing way to fill our souls with The Living Water and the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father will reward us, as it states in the scripture, if we come unto Him to fast and fast not unto men. 

In my Book of Mormon class  this past week I was really touched by our discussion of 3 Nephi 11:15, “And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.” This scripture speaks of Christ’s visit upon the earth after he was resurrected. I love that it specifically says that Christ went forth among the people “one by one”. This shows how individual His sacrifice was for each one of us and how personally he knows us. His atonement was for all mankind, but it was done for each of us individually not collectively. The Savior does know what each of us needs and He will do for us exactly what we need. He loves each one of us very personally and understands perfectly how we feel and if we reach out to “touch” Him as he goes forth among us, He will show us and give us exactly what we need to grow and change. He is the path to all righteousness and joy. His intimate and infinite sacrifice is what makes all eternal joy possible.

 In my Book of Mormon class this past week, my professor discussed the scripture Alma 46:12 which says, “And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it – In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children – and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.” This scripture is the title of liberty (or as our teacher called it – the title of agency). In our discussion of this passage, he brought to light an aspect which I had never thought of before. He said that the order in which each thing came on the list was significant. Without remembering first and foremost God we could not have religion, and without religion, we could not have freedom, and without freedom, there would be no peace, and without peace, the relationships with our family would not survive. Overall, we must put God first in our lives, above all else, and as we remember him in all things, everything else will fall into place. We will continue to grow closer to Him, His Son, and His other children. We will see our hearts softened and our minds increase in understanding. The blessings that God promises will continue to be poured out upon us.

This past week, as I was pondering Alma 5 I specifically thought about verse 26, which says, “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” So often I have read this scripture and been reminded that I need to reevaluate my spiritual life. This time, as I pondered this question, I realized that I should always be asking myself if I can feel the influence of the spirit at all times. It is so important that all of us, as children of our Heavenly Father, feel the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost so that we can be guided where God wants us to go, be continually spiritually fed, find feelings of peace and true joy, and overall grow continually closer to our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. We should all constantly ask ourselves if we can feel to “sing the song of redeeming love”? Is it a part of who we are? Are we doing those things which would allow us to have those heavenly feelings? I know that it is so important that we continually work to have those be a part of our daily lives, and if we do so we will draw near to Heavenly Father and continue to become like Him.

While studying the Book of Mormon this week, I came across the scripture Mosiah 7:33 which says, “But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.” I love the implication that this scripture has for my life and the life of all the children of God. If we but follow the counsel of this scripture, we too can be delivered from “bondage”. Our loads can be lightened as we turn our hearts and will to the Lord. He doesn’t want any of us to suffer and he provides every opportunity for us to be able to carry our burdens with ease, all he asks is that we follow Him. Though this does not mean that he will remove our burdens completely, it does mean that he creates a way for us to be able to overcome trials and ease our loads. I also came to a more complete realization that this does not mean he will ease our burdens or deliver us how we would like Him to, but rather, it will be done according to His will. The Lord knows what is best for us, and because of that He will fulfill this as He sees it fit. 

Throughout my studies of the Book of Mormon this past week, I came across an often-quoted scripture in Mosiah 2:17 which says, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” As I read this this time around, I was struck by the power of that message. It is one of the simplest messages and most fundamental principles that Christ taught. Over and over we are taught to love and serve our neighbor, reach out to those that need our hand, comfort, and so on. Though this principle is so often talked about, I find myself often overlooking it. Sometimes I think I’m doing good because I am praying, studying the scriptures, keeping the commandments, and so on, but I forget to reach out to those around me. There are so many who struggle and are in need of heavens aid, which comes through His hands, us. Furthermore, as it states in this scripture, in serving others we are serving God. How amazing that we have the opportunity to do so! Let us all strive to serve our God a little more by reaching out in service to His children. 

During my study of The Book of Mormon this past week, I came across the scripture 2 Nephi 31:10, which says, “…Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?” I’ve read this scripture many times, but I had never taken the time to think about it. This time as I pondered it’s meaning, I was reminded of a simple principle. I was reminded that if we do follow Christ we are also following our Heavenly Father. The Son can do nothing save what he sees the Father do. If we look to Christ as our exemplar, and heed His counsel to follow Him, we can find the same peace and joy that He did and does today. In addition to this, we must be willing to follow any commandments our Heavenly Father gives us. If we do not then we are not truly following the Savior and becoming as He is. I am grateful that we do have a Redeemer whose example is perfect and can help guide us to change our hearts and minds to align with the will of the Father.

In my studies of the Book of Mormon this past week I noticed a phrase that is used frequently in 2 Nephi 19, along with several other chapters. This phrase is, “…For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” This phrase gives hope for all of us as children of God. It has given me so much hope and strength to face my own weaknesses. Even though we may turn from God and His Son, and though they do not condone sin, they will never turn away from us. In fact, as it says, “his hand is stretched out still”. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are always extending their hands to us and all we need to do is reach up and take them. No matter how far we have strayed from Him, our Savior, and Him, our God, we can always come back. No matter what sins we have committed we can change and return. God is loving and merciful and so is our Savior.  Christ has made it possible through His atoning sacrifice to be saved be saved from our sins. His hand is continually extended in times of heartache and in times of when we feel Godly sorrow for sins. He wants to comfort us and He wants to heal us. He will not leave us, especially in the darkest of times. When hope seems lost and strength has fled, His light will bring back hope and His stretched out hand can provide the strength needed to push forward. I am so grateful for all of this and I know it to be true. 

This past week as a part of my study of the Book of Mormon I read Jacob 5, which we also discussed more in depth during class. As my professor went into more detail about the meaning and symbolism of the olives trees and Lord of the vineyard, I was specifically enlightened about the meaning behind the plucking out of the wild branches. One person in my class mentioned that it was like the Mormon message “The Will of God” and for us to be able to produce the best “fruit” we must allow the Lord (God) to cut us down. While the wild branches remained on the tree they rapidly consumed all the good and produced nothing but bad fruit. The only way that they could be saved and once again produce good fruit was to remove all the bad branches. Just as in this story, we must let God and our Savior cut out the “bad branches”, so that we can be saved and flourish with “good fruit”. If we do not, the “bad branches” (whether they be sins, lost opportunities, or any sort of trial) will consume us and overtake the “good branches” to the point where we will, in turn, produce nothing but “bad fruit”. I am grateful to know though, that the reason God cuts us down is out of pure love and that the end reward is always so much greater than we could have ever imagined. I am also grateful that our Savior has provided a way for other things such as sin to be removed from our lives. The removal or prevention of “bad branches” is how we will be able to feel the joy of our good fruits and be enabled to extend them to others.

In my Book of Mormon class this week my teacher taught about 2 Nephi 2. The one thing that really stuck out to me was in verses 5-6. He mentioned that we are not justified through the law which is given unto us by God; we are justified to live with our Father in Heaven through the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ. Without His sacrifice, we cannot be redeemed. This lesson caused me to pause and think about the real importance of Christ. I have felt His mercy in my life on many occasions, but this time I felt how important and necessary He is in each moment of our lives. He is the bread of life. We MUST come unto Him always. He is the way, the truth, and the life. I am so grateful to know that I do have a redeemer and because of Him I can live with my Heavenly Father and family forever in pure joy.  I know that if we strive to keep the law that through Christ we can be justified to live in eternal glory and exaltation.

In my study of the Book of Mormon this past week, I ran across a scripture in 1 Nephi 9:6 which says, “But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.” The power of that passage really struck me. It strengthened my testimony that God really is all knowing and all powerful!  He knows each one of us individually and on a very personal level. He truly does have all power and will bring to pass His work. There has never been a time in the history of mankind or in life eternal that God has ceased to do this. Though we may not always understand why we are commanded to do something or why we must endure a trial, God does. There is nothing he does not understand, so we must trust in Him. He will never lead us astray. I am so grateful for this truth and my knowledge of it. I am also grateful that He sent a Son that has descended below all to save us. Heavenly Father truly does have all wisdom and if we listen to and obey Him, we will gain the same understanding and wisdom line upon line.

I have been thinking a lot recently about one of my favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon which is 2 Nephi 2:25: “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” Our Heavenly Father’s plan for all of us is to have eternal joy. It stuck out to me, because often I let the stress of school or the other hardships I face bring me to a point where I do not feel that joy. As I have pondered this principle I have grown to understand it on a deeper personal level. God did not create us so we would have to suffer through life. Adam did not fall just so we could feel only momentary pleasure. Our Father in Heaven truly loves us and His purpose for us is to have joy, eternal, lasting joy, and He does not just plan for us to have that joy in fifty years or even in the next life. He wants us to have it always, every day, right now. On several occasions in my life, when I have struggled through the daily battles of mortality, this truth has brought me peace and a sense of purpose. I know that our loving Father in Heaven has a plan for all of us and that if we remain true and faithful to Him, giving Him our all even until the end, that His purpose for us will be brought to pass. We will be able to have that eternal joy.