The Final Chapters

What a hard thing it is to pick my favorite verse from the final chapters of The Book of Mormon and expound on it for the blog. Should I quote the last few verses of chapter 7 about faith, hope and charity and how "charity is the pure love of Christ and who is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." There could hardly be better advice than that.

Or should I talk about one of my favorite scriptures of all time in verse 48. For those who feel they should have more charity but don't, how do they achieve it? "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love.." The answer is right there.

But then there's the advice in chapter 9 about not giving up on others, even if it seems hopeless.

"And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease labor, we should be brought under condemnation." You never stop trying with loved ones - even if they don't change, at least you can take comfort in the fact you'd tried our hardest.

Of course, chapter 10, the final chapter is filled with pearls of wisdom. There's the promise of Moroni in verse 4 that if we read and then ask the Lord if this scripture is true, "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." It's a simple promise, easy to understand, and yet entire talks could be given about each phrase of that verse. It's a promise I've put to the test and received an answer.

As powerful as verse 4 is, there's so much to learn from the remainder of the chapter. There are the inspiring verses that tell us that the Lord give each of us special gifts. We should consider what our special gifts are and use them to build the kingdom.

Verse 23 really stuck me. "If ye have faith ye can to all things which are expedient unto me."

Now, that's a promise that gives me hope I can accomplish whatever of the Lord wants of me.

However, I think verse 32 really hits the nail on the head with the primary message of the Book of Mormon. "Yea, come unto Christ and be perfected in him and deny yourselves of all ungodliness." That's what all the other verses are leading us to do - to come unto Christ. After all, the Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ.

But finally, the thought hits me that I don't have to choose just one verse to talk about in my blog post. There's nothing that says I can't mention all of them that I like, so I did.

What a blessing it has been to read the Book of Mormon with the youth of our ward. I'm so gratified at the testimonies our young people have of this great scripture. I, along with so many of you, bear testimony of its truthfulness and leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Moroni 9:25

"...may Christ lift thee up..."
Isn't that just great? The power of God, and of the priesthood, and of the whisperings of the Holy Ghost- through them, Christ can lift you up! It made me so happy watching the Bishop's video of Book of Mormon interviews, and how many people said, when they were sad, they turned to the scriptures. It's a very smart thing to do, because as Moroni said, Christ can lift us up. The Book of Mormon is called Another Testament of Jesus Christ, which would lead me to believe it can lift me up, if Christ can! I have now read the Book of Mormon all the way through 4 times, and I know the positive impact it can have in my life, and that it is the word of God. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Moroni's Challenge

What a great experience this has been, reading the Book of Mormon on my own for the first time. It has been a great blessing and I have felt the spirit stronger in my life. Anyway, the final scripture I wanted to share is found in the last chapter of the book of Moroni, in verse 4.

Moroni says: 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.

I would like to challenge all of you, if you have not already, to pray to Heavenly Father and ask if the Book of Mormon is true. I know and bear my testimony that he will answer your prayers. I have a testimony of the truthfullness of the scriptures and I know they are the word of God. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that the time is soon at hand that he will come again. I know that he knows us and loves us each individually, and that he knows and understands our hopes and problems. I am so thankful for the example of all the prophets and heroes of the Book of Mormon. I am especially thankful to have the gospel and to be a member in this Latter-Day church. I know that through Jesus Christ and the Atonement we are able to live with our Father in Heaven again. And this I leave you with in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Until We Meet

I am very touched by Moroni's final comments in Ether chapter 12. I think he presumed this would be the last message from him in the Book of Mormon - mostly because he himself writes in Moroni chapter 1 that "I had supposed not to have written more." But he goes on to say that he had not yet perished so he would write a bit more.

So Moroni's message in at the end of Ether 12 is very powerful. It's as if he is talking right to us He bids farewell "until we shall meet before the judgement seat of Christ. And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face."

If anyone has any doubts about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and Moroni's testimony he tells we will all find out at that time that he was telling the truth. I look forward to that day when I can meet Moroni and hear his testimony from his own lips and perhaps express to him my eternal gratitude for the role he played in compiling that great book of scripture that has blessed my life so much. I KNOW it's true, and I add my witness and invitation to his: "And, now I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written." in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Moroni 7:19 & 22

(Verse 19) "Search dilligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil." I think that's pretty good, straightforward advice. It gets even better when, in verse 22, it says, "In Christ there should come every good thing." So, when you look for answers or guidance in Christ's light, you'll know good from evil. And that good will be extra good, because every good thing comes from Christ. And you just chose Christ's good. So, you're pretty much set. Obviously, you have some trials, but Heavenly Father knows you can handle them, and eventually, good things will come. I would like to bear my testimony of these things, and of the entire Book of Mormon. I know that it is true, and I'm so grateful that the bishop was inspired to have us do this blog. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Charity Never Faileth

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is greatest of all, for all things must fail- But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

-Moroni 46-47

I have often heard the phrase 'Charity never faileth' in conference talks and Sunday School lessons, but I never knew where it came from. Well, now I know. Anyway, these two verses are pretty powerful and contain a lot of good doctrine. The very first thing Moroni tells us (before he even shares what charity is) is that if we don't strive to have charity, we are nothing. He then goes on to say that charity is the pure love of Christ and that charity never faileth. And whoso possesses it at the last day, it shall be well with him. So how do we know when we have obtained charity? Well, I think we'll know we possess charity when we are as close to Christ's example as we can be. When we are able to love others for who they are and not judge them by their past transgressions. When we are willing to do anything to help others when they are in need. And if we have been and still are obedient and loyal to our Heavenly Father. That is when we'll know.

I have a testimony in these things and I know that they are the truth. I know that Moroni was inspired to write these words about charity for a reason. I know that President Monson is a true prophet and that he is called of God. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that he atoned for our sins. I believe that The Book of Mormon is true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

It Shall Come in a Day When ...

I was amazed this week reading how the prophecies of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon are happening. Mormon 8 has a lot of them. First there are the natural disasters:

"Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be heard of fires, and tempests, and vapors of smoke in foreign lands. And there shall also be heard of wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places. Yea, and it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions up the face of the earth."

I think of the news we've reported just recently - the tsunami and earthquake in Japan that killed so many people. The recent tornados - 1,032 of them reported in April alone. The worst April on record before that the worst was 267 back in 1974. Normally a handful of people die per month in tornados. 875 lost their lives in April.

Another part of the chapter says the Book of Mormon will come in a day when some will say it's okay to do anything you want and Lord will uphold you at the last day. It also says there will be murders and lying and whoredoms and all manner of abominations. We are certainly seeing plenty of that too.

The fulfilling of these Book of Mormon prophecies is just one more indication of its truthfulness.

Ether 12:27

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.

This is such a powerful scripture that really explains a lot about why we have weaknesses and trials. The verse states that Heavenly Father gave us weaknesses so that we may humble ourselves before him. Also, weaknesses and trials provide a way to build our faith in the Lord and challenge us in life. But in order for us to strengthen the weaknesses we have, we must work diligently to try to fix our problems that we face. I believe that if we have faith in Heavenly Father and his power, he will help guide us through our trials. I know that these things are true and that we have weaknesses for a reason. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that he set the perfect example for us. I have a testimony of repentance and forgiveness, and I know that we must all forgive each other for the wrongs we have committed. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet called of God and I am thankful for his example as well. I know that the scriptures are the word of the Lord and that they are true. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Thou Are a Sober Child

I am amazed at the great confidence Ammaron had in Mormon when Mormon was only ten years old to tell him about the golden plates and trust that Mormon would remember to dig up the golden plates when he was 24 and take charge of them. But then Mormon was apparently an incredible young person to be made head of the Nephite armies at just 15 years old - the age of the teachers quorum in our ward. But then Joseph Smith was just 14 when he had the first vision.

It just shows us that the Lord can use faithful young people to carry out his work.

Mormon 9:26 and 28

Verse 26 says, "And now, behold, who can stand against the works of the Lord? Who can deny his sayings?" When I'm not standing up for things that are right, to me, that's denying Him and the guidance He's given us. If we go forward with faith and truly apply the sayings of our Lord, whether through scripture or modern revelation, we will be examples of Him, instead of offenders.

Verse 28 says,"Be wise in the days of your probation." Pretty straightforward, right? As I said earlier, we need to go forward with faith. It also always helps when we look at things with eternal perspective. As the verse said, these are days of probation. Our life here on earth is only temporary! I like to think of it as going on a trip somewhere special, like, say, Hawaii. Usually, the trip would be 1-2 weeks long, and you're going to cram as many cool and fun things to do and places to see as you can, not just lay around, watch TV in your hotel room, and text your friends. Our life here on earth is the same way! In eternal timing, this life is very short. We shouldn't just waste this precious opportunity doing useless, or even harmful, things.
I would like to bear my testimony of living the gospel and not just going through the motions, how it positively it affects my life! And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Turn the Heart of the Children to the Fathers

One of the scriptures the Savior quotes during his visit to the Nephites is comes from Malachi:

"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

In recent months I am seeing more an more how this prophecy is being fulfilled, even with the youth of our ward. When I see the young people turning out in large numbers for baptisms for the dead, I see the heart of the children turning to their fathers - to those who are dead that have gone before them and need these saving ordinances.

When I hear about the young men and women in our ward going monthly with their families or weekly with their friends on their own to the temple , often in the early morning hours before school, I see the heart of the children turning to their fathers.

When I see people starting to go weekly to the temple, who used to only go each month or just a few times a year, I see the heart of the children turning to their fathers.

The increased fulfilling of this prophecy must be pleasing to the Lord and I'm so pleased members of the Shamrock Park Ward are helping to make it happen.

Do all Things in Worthiness

I just wanted to start by wishing everyone a happy Mother's Day. I am so thankful for my mother and for all she does for me and my family.

Well, the scripture of this week that really stood out to me is found in Mormon 9, verse 29. It states- See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out.

The reason I chose to blog about this scripture is because it's essential to our eternal salvation that we are worthy to perform and participate in ordinances of the gospel. If we are not worthy to enter the temple or be baptized, we won't be able to have our sins washed away or have an eternal marriage. And if we don't have these things, we will not have the opportunity to receive eternal life.

The verse also says that we should do all things in Jesus' name. This is another important thing because everything must be performed in the name of the Savior in order for them to be true. That is why we bless the sacrament and other ordinances in the name of Jesus Christ.

This scripture also includes that we must endure to the end. So if we do all things in worthiness, if we do all things in the name of Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, we won't be cast out of the presence of the Lord. I have a testimony of these things and I know that they are true; I say them in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

3 Nephi 27:28

"....whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you." I thought this was a great verse, and especially fitting for fast Sunday. I would like to share my testimony that the Lord does hear and answer our prayers if we truly have the desire and faith. He knows each and every one of us and is aware of our needs. He sends people into our lives who are acting on inpsiration to answer our prayers, and we do the same for others. I say these things in the name of Jesus Chirst, Amen.

Easter

As Andrea mentioned, those of us who have been keeping up on reading two pages a day in the Book of Mormon found ourselves reading about the visit of the Savior to America right at the Easter season. President Turley challenged me in my last interview with him to student that last week of the Savior's life leading up to the resurrection. As I did so I realized the Bible is largely silent about what happened on that Saturday between the crucifixion and the resurrection. But as I studied I became aware that one of the things Christ did while his body lay in the tomb in Jerusalem was visit his children on the American continent. He didn't show himself to them yet, but they heard his voice. We read in 3rd Nephi chapter 9 that while the people around Zarahemla were wandering around stunned in the darkness after earthquakes and fires and other natural disasters that the voice of Jesus Christ was heard by them saying, "behold, I ma Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are." It made me realize that Jesus loves all his people. My study of the events leading up to that first Easter have increased my appreciation for and testimony of our Savior.

3 Nephi 15:9

This verse truly, is one of my favorite scriptures. This is Christ speaking to the people in the Americas as he teaches them the gospel. The reason I really love this scripture is because it is still very important to us today and still applies in our lives. He says to them: Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.

For we, in order to receive eternal life, must be baptized and have the gift of the Holy Ghost bestowed upon us. We must be worthy, by obeying the commandments and living the gospel to recieve our endowments in the temple. We need to be sealed to our spouse and family in the temple. And finally, we all must endure to the end.

I am so thankful that it is Easter today and that we have been able to celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection. I know that because of him we will all be able to be resurrected one day. I know that he is the Savior and Redeemer of this world. I am so thankful for his willingness to sacrifice for us in Gethsemane so that we would be able to repent and live with him and Heavenly Father again. I know that this is the true church and that the scriptures are true. I am so thankful that we will be able to attend the temple as a youth body this Thursday and partake of the eternal blessings offered there. I know that we have a true prophet here on Earth, Thomas S. Monson. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

His Sheep

It was very fitting that throughout this past Easter week, in my scripture reading, I happened to be at the part in 3rd Nephi where Christ comes to the Americas. I noticed one day as I was reading that he often refers to us as His sheep, with Him as our shepherd. I found that so comforting.
In 3 Nephi 15:21, Christ was telling the people, "Other sheep have I not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." Isn't it so nice to know that our Savior is aware of each and every one of us and our needs? He wants every one of His sheep in His fold because each of us are valuable children of God. "They shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep." (16:3) I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He knows and loves me. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

O That We Had Repented

It was interesting to me as I read 3rd Nephi chapter 8 how the Lord comes through with his promises when it comes to both blessings and cursings. When the great destructions in the 3rd Nephi come to pass it's only then that the people wish they had repented. But it was a case of too little too late. And yet we read in chapter 10 verse 14 where it says that "he that hath the scriptures, let him search them because all of these deaths".. . were a fulfillment of prophecy.

What can we learn for our day. I think people, likewise, are ignoring the consequences of poor decisions. Then when those consequences hit they wish they had repented. It's my hope that none of us will be in that position - that we will chose the right and let the positive consequences follow.

Did Not Sin Ignorantly

We learn in 3 Nephi chapter 5, how after the Lord helped the Nephites destroy the

Gadianton robbers that the people were so humbled and grateful that "there was not a living soul among all the people who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets."(chapter 5 verse 1). We go on to read that, "they did forsake all their sins, and their abominations, and did serve God with all diligence day and night." (verse 3).

What righteous people they were - all of them. And yet we turn the page (seven years later) and we read that the majority gave in to the temptations of the devil and "did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught to them; therefore they did willfully rebel against God."(2 Nephi 6:18)

There are two lessons I take away from these verses for our day. First, like the Nephites, if we sin we do it willfully because we've been taught better and are under greater responsibility and thus greater condemnation if we sin. Second, I'm amazed at how quickly these people who had

such great testimonies (remember they did not doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets) fell away and fell to temptation.

It makes me realize that we have to work on our spirituality every day. But I also know that when we do that is when we feel the greatest peace and happiness.

3 Nephi 9:14

Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I recieve; and blessed are those who come unto me. What a unique scripture this is of how we must come unto Jesus. That if we come unto him he will extend his arm of mercy to us and will grant us eternal life. Through him we will all be blessed and we can inherit the kingdom of God. He is the light and life of the world. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The Father and the son, our savior and redeemer. He healed the sick, the dead he raised, he suffered the attonement willingly and died for us on Calvary's Hill. It is not just our responsibility to come unto Jesus Christ alone. We have been challenged to invite all to come unto him so that they may also partake of the many marvelous blessings he bestows upon us. For it is his work and his glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. And the only way for this to happen is to be missionaries and invite, invite, invite all to come unto Christ the Savior. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

3 Nephi 3:14

"...he caused that fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedinlgy great." I think we all should 'cause exceedingly great fortifications' to be built in our own lives. At General Conference, we were, as always instructed to pray often, study our scriptures, and bear our testimonies. We wouldn't be getting told this all the time if it weren't important! These are our latter-day fortifications, and we want them to be as strong as possible so we can stand as witnesses of God.