All Things According to His Will

I have been trying a little harder to remember God's will this week in my life and again find I fall short! So I turned to the Book of Mormon Class Member Study Guide to see the question posed...
What can you learn from Nephi about how to make your heart more receptive to the teachings of the prophets.
1 Nephi 2:16, 19 reads...
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.  


And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.

Could it really be that simple?
Nephi sought out the Lord, softened his heart, and did not rebel.
Maybe the key is a soft heart, tender to the mercies God is willing to bestow upon each of us if we will just seek Him out.

1 Nephi 1:20
...But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto deliverance.

Goal for the coming week...
Be mindful of the Tender Mercies of God.
Seek for them
List them
Express gratitude for them.
Try to be a Tender Mercy for others.

New Year...New Posts

I don't know why I don't write more often.  I really love placing my thoughts, goals, and beliefs on the page.  There is something very healing about writing, it reminds me of what is in my heart, that there is more to life then just the busy run around of my daily schedule.  

This year in Sunday School we are studying the Book of Mormon.  

I love this Book and know it is of God.  

I would like to share my love for it with anyone 

willing to read my ramblings.

In Relief Society we are studying the words of George Albert Smith. 

I will also add my lesson thoughts since 

I teach the third Sunday each month.

(my dream calling)

I hope to spend more time studying the Scriptures this year.

I see my dear husband reading every day and know I fall short. Please comment, share your thoughts, and help keep me on task.  I know the gratification I get from lessons learned should be enough motivation. But, in reality, it truly helps to be accountable to others who are willing to study also and push me to be a better person.  

I will start with the upcoming Sunday School lesson and see if I can explore it throughout this week...by Sunday I hope to also have my lesson up.

Lesson 2: All Things According to His Will

Book of Mormon Class Member Study Guide poses the question:

Why do some people today rebel against the Lord and his Servants?

Nephi states that "the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center."

Hard truths are never easily faced but readily ignored.  None of us like to believe we are wrong, or living in a way that would disappoint our Lord, or even our parents or loved ones. It is easier to rationalize and believe we are right, doing our best. 

I remember when I was younger I had someone dear in my life tell me that I had to live with who they were, they wouldn't change. It seemed like such a strange concept to me. 

Aren't we here on earth... 

to change? 

to grow? 

to perfect ourselves here on earth? 

As time has passed, it seems more often than not that people want to just be accepted as is...no refunds...this is who I am...deal with it.  Such people may not even feel they are rebelling, just living their lives and want to be left to do so.  When in fact, it is as rebellious as those who deny the laws of God...in truth, it is it the same. 

I find I often fall into this trap and others. 

Life is so busy, there isn't time to do all that is required in the Gospel.  

How can I 

raise a family

work

clean house

pay bills

do laundry

cook

AND 

fulfill my church responsibilities? 

The solution is 

COMMITMENT

  

Much of Stake Conference this week spoke of commitment.

That which we commit to, we accomplish. 

No commitment, no accomplishment.  

   

1 Nephi 3:7

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way that they may accomplish the things which he commandeth them.  

The question now lies before me...Will I go and do?

Lesson Tomorrow

My Relief Society Lesson is tomorrow.  It is found in Gospel Principles and titled...The Scriptures are Available to Us Today.  I can't believe it has been over a month since I began blogging, but I am grateful for what I have learned so far. As I have been preparing my lesson, I remembered a wonderful presentation given at an Enrichment Activity, for the women of the Church.  She gave us a hand out with the following info on it.

Scripture Study

Necessary for regular quality scripture study:

1-Have a regular time (preferably at least 1/2 hour)

2-Study prayerfully (start with prayer, pray during or afterwards)

3-Have a goal

Ideas to enhance study

Mark a blank set of scriptures

Use different colors for different meanings

Write all your thoughts in the margins

Keep a scripture journal

Write questions, thoughts, ideas, personal revelation

Read scriptures in a different language

Research background (i.e. what was going on in history during Isaiah)

Study topics

Look up the footnotes

Read the Sunday School lessons

Read straight through in a certain time period

Research questions you have

Talk to others about what you learn

My Scripture Study Goal:

What I'll read:

When I'll read:

How I'll accomplish it (2 chapters a day, etc.)

When I'll accomplish it:

When I looked back over what Sister Lowder had presented, I started to take inventory of how I am doing...at least how I have done the past month.
I don't have a regular time...but I am making time.
 
I find that as I study, a prayer is in my heart for my children
...I want their lives to be blessed, their struggles to be few, and their ability to handle the struggles that do occur in their lives will be found through the Gospel.
 
My goal has been to teach them, but I am not sure I can set a date of accomplishment...it is a life time process. While it may seem less efficient, I have incorperated over half of her suggestions and it seems to be working for me so far. 
 
Now I have to bring this back to my kids.  I hope they can read the scriptures, but not just read them...study them, delve into the message and research their questions.  Our brains are hardwired to recognize truth, but we must use our brain to weed out truth from fiction...spiritual from worldly...good from bad.  That which is good is of God.