While studying in 2 Nephi 28, I was stuck by verse 32. It says, "Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts."
     Upon reading this verse I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the mercy of the Lord. Just as the Gentiles, I have often denied His hand, yet in spite of all that He has still extended it. As I have repented and come unto Him, He has never withheld forgiveness or withdrawn His love for me. He has truly been merciful.
      I would like to add that this mercy is not there for just me or even just a few of us, and it is not only there for a set period of time in this life. Even when we deny Him He does not leave us. He is always ready to extend mercy, we simply have to reach for it and accept it. I know this doctrine to be true because I have experienced it many times. I have felt the presence of His hand every time I have reached for it. He is ever ready to bring us back to Him, to strengthen us in times of struggle, and to pull us out of sin with his merciful arms.

     In my personal study of the Book of Mormon this past week I studied 2 Nephi 26. I had a lot of thoughts and insights throughout the whole chapter, but I want to focus on verse 24 because it is incredible to me. It says, "He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation."
     This verse is speaking of our Savior, Jesus Christ. What struck me about it most is that Christ doesn't do anything unless it benefits us. More than that, anything He does is out of the unfathomable love He has for us. He laid down His life, so that we could rise from the grave. He atoned, so that our spirits could rise from their spiritual grave.
      I know these doctrines to be true. I personally know that Christ loves me so much and because I know that I also know that I can come to Him in time of weakness and trial. I know that He perfectly understands because He made the ultimate sacrifice and I know that I have been and continue to be blessed by a truly loving Savior, but even further than knowing these things of Christ, we can and should directly apply this knowledge to our actions.We have been commanded of Christ to partake of His salvation. We should take this commandment very seriously and with the utmost sacredness. When we need Him we should come unto Him with a humble heart and seek for healing, comfort, forgiveness, peace, and so on. I would exhort that we all seek Christ and utilize His gift of salvation.

In my study of the Book of Mormon this past week, I studied 2 Nephi 4. The entire chapter really struck me, but I would just like to share a few verses.

In verses 27-30 it says,"27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation."

I was so grateful to read these. They were very thought provoking questions and responses for me personally and can be for all of us if we really take them to heart. Why do we give in to sin.. why are we angry.. why are we doing and being all those things contrary to the commandments of God and giving way to Satan? We do not have to yield to the devil. We don't have to become angry or sad. We too can waken our souls, we can rejoice and be glad, we can choose to do the right and to withstand temptations. We do not have to remain in a state of anger, sin, or weakness. It is a choice each and every one of us have in every single moment and situation. We can always choose the better way and we can always choose to be happy. Though I understand that we all have imperfections and won't be perfect in this life, I know that if we make a conscious effort to rejoice in the Lord as Nephi does, if we trust in Him, follow Him, and make Him our rock and foundation we can feel the spirit awake our souls from a state of despair and sorrow and sin. I have personally been very grateful for that choice as I have faced/face difficult times. I have felt that joy come from my Savior, my soul has been awakened and I testify, once again, that we all have the choice to feel that as well.

Opposition in all things

During this past week of my class Jesus Christ and The Everlasting Gospel we discussed several principles and doctrines, but one that really stuck out to me is illustrated in the passage Moses 1:1-22. These verses tell of Moses's beautiful experience with God while he was on a high mountain and of the following encounter he had with Satan. Upon discussing this, our professor pointed out that Moses had had a "spiritual plateau" as he referred to it. He had felt an abundance of the spirit as he viewed God's creations and the grandness of the universe. When he returned from this he was confronted by Satan with an extremely evil and opposite power. Our professor said that Brigham Young taught, "Whenever God gives you a very high, holy, or sacred experience either right before or right after he is going to allow the devil to tempt you or he himself will give you a trial equal and opposite in proportion to what you just experienced." Moses's experience and this quote instantly reminded me of several of my own personal struggles and spiritual highs that I had gone through recently. In recognition of those experiences, I was humbled, and it caused me to realize that I need to prepare myself now for those struggles ahead. Moses, though he felt fear and a struggle to oppose Satan, did not falter because he had prepared himself spiritually and followed the will and counsel of Heavenly Father. Our professor told us, "Don't beat yourself up when you struggle after you've had amazing spiritual experiences... let you grow through them instead of go through them." Just as Moses all of those who do experience a very spiritual high will at some point face the opposite amount of struggle or trial. We must all do what we can to prepare ourselves against those times. We must make decisions now to follow our Heavenly Father, to endure and press forward, and to allow hard times to help us grow and progress. I am grateful for both trials and spiritual experiences. I know that they are the means to growth in this glorious gospel. How we face both types of experiences will determine which way we go and who we will follow.