January 18-Week Three

this week the lesson was regarding the first vision. Having been a member of the church my entire life I have heard this story hundreds of times. But to actually study it and study the words of the prophets that have commented on it brought an even greater insight. Without having a testimony of the first vision one cannot know that the church is true, for everything that happened after cannot be truth if Joseph Smith did not see God the Father and Jesus Christ. As I read, in his words, today of his experience it was testified again to me that this miraculous occurrence really did take place. As i put myself in the shoes of a 14 year old i found myself to question, as did Joseph, why would a 14 year old make something like this up and then stick to his story amidst all the persecution and revilings towards him. I know that in today's world i could not have had the courage to stick with my story if i had been making it up and i imagine it was the same for Joseph. the lesson itself was geared towards the Lord creating the right time, right place and right man. throughout history there are definite historical moments in which you can see the Lord's hand in preparation. the first thing that had to happen was that the gospel had to be taken from the earth. You may ask why that had to happen but really its the same old addage "you always want what you don't have." Once the gospel is gone - or should I clarify- the priesthood and the holy ghost- was no longer found on the earth- the truth, in full, could not be present. So then you look at history and you see the renaissance and how peoples minds were expanding and searching and longing for something more, something that defined them- something that made them special and others special. They did this through literature, that made me people think deeper, art, that expanded minds and we got to see the world through anothers eyes and inventions, such as the printing press- that paved the way for the time when the gospel would be restored. Then came along those who noticed that something was missing from the "church" that ruled. People like Luther and Calvin wanted more and knew there was more and were willing to take a stand to help others see that there was more- this was, of course, at great risk to their own lives but it didn't stop them. Why? Because they believed in something greater than themselves (at least that is what I choose to think). Anyway because of these things and because of the Gentiles who began to stand up for themselves and began searching for more the road was paved for them to be led to the "promised land" the Americas. Where they could be free to choose for themselves how they would live. They brought with them the Bible and their different ideologies and with that they again paved the way for Joseph Smith to ask the one question we should all be ever so grateful for...Which one of them should i join? We as members of the church starting as early as we can talk should be asking a different but similar question...with sincerity. Is the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the only church with the fulness of the gospel or is this thy church restored in these latter days. I think for the most part we know this- we see it in the examples of others, we see it displayed in little miracles in our own lives. the seed has been planted...we just have to nourish it. Its amazing to me how we make fun of the primary answers like, prayer, read our scriptures, go to church and yet these are the fundamental principles in which our testimony can grow-without doing these things are root system cannot stay strong. When we are doing these things all the other finer points are more easily adhered to. We don't look for excuses to rationalize things like our clothing style, the media we take in, the thoughts we let control us...because there is no place for it. there is something of much more value in our lives. Now back to Joseph Smith...one of the points they made is that he had righteous parents- for the most part we all do- Now as I read about his parents and the kind of people there were I immediately thought of 1st Nephi 1:1 "I, Nephi, being born of goodly parents, and being taught somewhat in the learning of my father..." As i studied these words i thought- i was born of goodly parents. they have taught me to the best of their ability not just is the things they do well but also in their admittance of mistakes and by example making changes that better suited having the spirit present in our home. As I contemplated this direction even more i realized that while I am never going to be a prophet- I have a mission- I make a difference- my choice is whether or not I am going to choose to represent the Savior or the adversary. No matter what I do, I am affecting others and there is no gray line- its either Satan or the Savior. My mission is my own and by studying the scriptures and the lives of others and the choices they have made and by doing those things that will bring me closer to the Savior and allow the spirit to testify of the truths I seek- i can come to know that mission. It may be more than one mission but for sure it will entail being a missionary and sharing my testimony and asking others to come unto christ- to help them to see the joy I have found by following the counsel of the prophets. Joseph Smith was a great leader, prophet and example--I can follow his example and stand up for what I believe and not cower when the world tells me I am different i don't fit in. I will not back down. I know this church is true. It is not always easy to be different but I know it will be worth it if I endure to the end.

january 11- Week Two

I absolutely enjoy teaching. I love learning and love sharing what I learn with others. Our lesson was on, Our Savior Jesus Christ. What he has done for us, why and how we can get to know him throughout the Doctrine and Covenants. I must say for me I have not used the D&C the way i should have. I have gotten so caught up in reading the Book of Mormon, study the Old and New Testament, specifically Isaiah and the gospels that I think I forget about the D&C. But in just these 2 weeks I have grown a deep love for the words contained in it. First of all, it was written for the church members today, in this dispensation. Second, most of it comes directly from the Saviors mouth. Third, it is all in answer to someones earnest prayers. It testifies that our prayers are answered. If we want to know something sincerely he will answer. These are things I have always known but I really have been blessed with a greater knowledge of these things. We spoke of the atonement of Jesus Christ and how the Doctrine and Covenants gives us, in Christ's own words, the reasons for his sufferings. Why? So we would not have to suffer as he did. So we could repent. So we could be saved from spiritual death. His resurrection saves us from Physical death, our spirits being reunited with our bodies, but we must choose to have him save us from spiritual death. We spoke about forgiveness. We often forget that we have already been forgiven when we do something wrong, if we repent. We spoke about how the Savior forgets our sin and how as a mortal we may have a harder time forgetting the sin but that in remembering we are protected from doing it again. And that when someone wrongs us and sincerely repents or asks for our forgiveness we are required to forgive, maybe not forgetting what has happened but no longer judging or bringing up the past. We spoke about how we can use the D&C to come to know Christ and his character, his attributes, his personality and really get to know him- so we can become like him. And as we become like him we grow stronger and closer to him. It is so important to know our Savior and have a testimony that he knows us and loves us. To know that there is not anything that he would not do for us that would be in our best interest, if we just ask. To know that he knows our hurts, sufferings, pains and sorrows. He loves us perfectly and we need to start now to feel the same for him by letting the atonement have a place in our lives. Instead of just hearing it as a story- letting it become a reality. As I have heard it said before instead of believing in Christ, believing Christ.

I haven't taught yet but I have to say that I have learned from just studying that the D&C is a book of scripture that I have not given the credit it is due. I never read it with the understanding that the Savior is the author. Even though I have read it, it never clicked before truly how we can come to know our Savior by reading it. I knew the revelations were all answers to prayer and i also know that when we pray our answers come from the Lord but I never had put the two together. These words are insights into who our Savior is and truly what he has done for us to make it possible to return to live with our Heavenly Father. I look forward to teaching tomorrow. I find that I learn even more when given the opporunity to prepare, teach, and be edified by the spirit. I'll write more tomorrow.

Book of Commandments

Today I started a new year of teaching Sunday School and have a new class. I love teaching the youth and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony with them and by doing so be strengthened. Today our lesson was an introduction to the D & C and why we have it and why it is important. But really I ended up feeling that I needed to testify to finding our own testimonies and drawing strength from the testimony of others so our can grow and that includes the testimony of scriptures as well as modern day prophets. The D & C is modern day revelation given specific for our dispensation-to our day. It is the words of our Savior to his disciples in these days as to how to set it up and the principles, covenants, commandments and things pertaining to our salvation. Again I feel for myself, as with the Book of Mormon, that our responsibility as members of the church is to share our knowledge with others, which is why it is so important for us to gain a testimony now and not later. As members of the church when we are baptized we take upon us His name and promise to keep his commandments. when we do those things that are unrighteous we then are representing the adversary and no longer the Savior. I love the scriptures. I love learning about the history, the symbolism, the revelations, the prophecies and how all of these things pertain to me. If we search, ponder and pray to understand the scriptures and the words of the prophets the spirit will testify of the truth of all things. Our minds will be opened and our understanding will be granted. We will gain wisdom as we do our part. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ in these the latter days. While I am not perfect, I can become perfected in Him. I love to learn and as I search all scripture I find that it all testifies of the same thing- Jesus Christ is the Savior of all mankind; He suffered and atoned for all sins and died on the cross so that we could be resurrected and return to live with our Heavenly Father for eternity. Everything in the scriptures testifies of Him and his role as our Savior. I am so thankful to have a Prophet in the latter days who leads and guides us under the direction or our Savior. I look forward to delving into the intricacies of the D & C and can't wait to share my knowledge with not only my class but also my children, my family and my friends.