So, September was a very crazy month as well. But I am going to do better. I hope to hear more from all of you as well 😉😉😉 Last week I was reading in Alma, the war chapters, about how Moroni had the people working hard to prepare and protect there cities. As I thought about this I thought, we don't really have to face physical battles, but we do face spiritual battles every day. There are those who oppose and criticize our beliefs, who may mock us or even threaten us. As I pondered this I asked myself how can we prepare and protect ourselves and our families spiritually. I know the standard answers, - prayer, scripture study, attend meetings, FHE, temple and family history work, etc - but how can we make those things more meaningful in our lives, so that they truly do strengthen, prepare, and protect us and our families, so we are not just "going through the motions". I am aware of a number of people who for many, many years have been "active in the Church" but not active in the gospel. And I pondered on what we, as a whole family, can do to help each other. So, I'm asking for your thoughts and ideas. We do not live close together, but I think we are still a close family and can help in strengthening and protecting each other. Let me know your thoughts.
💖💖💖LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU ALL💖💖💖
I think it would be cool, if after the year is over (since some of us are taking President Nelson's challenge to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year) we as a family could read the Book of Mormon together in a month. Every family or person who wanted to participate would have a section of the Book of Mormon, say a book, or a certain number of chapters from this book or that book that we would read. So we as a family would read the Book of Mormon together, but we wouldn't each read every part of it.
ReplyDeleteWe talked about doing this as a company at EFY, and I've really liked the idea and I've been trying to figure out when or with whom I could do it.
Hannah, several years ago we were challenged in our ward, I think, to read the Book of Mormon in a month. I took that challenge and it was really an amazing experience! Reading it that fast gave me a much clearer picture of all the events in the B of M and how they were connected. It was hard! But really such a great blessing and I was so glad I took the challenge. It means reading about 18 pages per day but just a week or so ago I was thinking that I really wanted to do that again so that I could once again get that clearer picture. I know this is not what you had in mind, but I thought it would be great if whoever wanted to would join the challenge. Let me know if your interested. We can put the word out. Love you!
ReplyDeleteTo anyone who reads this, if you are interested in taking the 1 month challenge in January let me know. I am determined to do it. It is an awesome experience.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to do it.
DeleteI was reading in 2 Nephi this morning and in Chapter 26:27 it states: "Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance." I think today was the first time that I realized that this is saying that His people, meaning us as members of His church, are COMMANDED to persuade ALL MEN to repentance. We have a great responsibility to invite others to come unto Christ. The strong emphasis in the Church to gather Israel is to encourage us to fulfill this obligation. I don't think it means that we are to go to our neighbors or people on the street and call them to repentance. But I think we need to be earnestly striving to help others find the truth. We can do that by being a good example, by reaching out to a less active member, by inviting friends to attend an activity or meeting, by standing as a witness of Jesus Christ. I'm sure there are many other ways we can do this. I know that the Lord will help us if we make a sincere and continuing effort. Love you all!
ReplyDeleteActually my comment above was from last Sunday. I put it on blogger:Family History:Wirthlin instead of here, so I copied and pasted it here.
ReplyDeleteSo today I was reading in Alma 5. It is one of my favorite chapters because he asks so many questions that we can ask ourselves and ponder on them, like "have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" There are others. Then he goes on to ask if we think we will be able to lie to the Lord. Then he says, "Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?" If we consider this question we might be motivated to do what is right our of fear. But a better motivation to follow our Savior is love. Our love for Him and His love for us. When we are motivated by love we have a desire to be kinder, more thoughtful, less judgmental. We have a greater desire to reach out to others, to help them come unto Christ and receive those blessings. We are more motivated to do all we can to help gather Israel because we realize the great joy and happiness the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring to all people. I love the scriptures! I love the Book of Mormon! I know that it is the word of God and it was preserved for us and brought forth for us to help us as we prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I do not know when that will be or if I will be alive to experience it, but it is a glorious time that we live in and we all are blessed to be a part of it! Love you all!!!
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