General Conference - March/April 2015

What an amazing Conference!!  No surprise, but I loved it!!  I was filled and uplifted and inspired!  There were many thoughts that came to me as I listened to the words of our leaders (who I proudly and whole-heartedly sustain!).  I could go through every talk that was given and share my thoughts, but I especially wanted to touch on the ones that referred to scripture study.

I love Pres. Henry B. Eyring prays to know what to fast for.  That is exceptional!!  I want to remember that.  Also, this is the third or fourth time this year that I have heard Isaiah chapter 58 referred to, so I am planning to do a much more detailed study of that chapter very soon!

Elder Dallin H. Oaks talked about the Parable of the Seeds/Soil.  Our ground needs to be good and we keep it that way by prayer, scripture study, sacrament renewal, a mighty change of heart, etc.

Elder L. Whitney Clayton gave an AMAZING talk about choosing to believe!  God does not force us to believe.  Our belief and testimony are not passive principles, we must hope and sacrifice for them.  We will not accidentally believe in Christ, we must actively pursue our testimony.  CHOOSE by praying, fasting, studying our scriptures, attending the temple, going to church and partaking of the sacrament, repenting.

Elder David A. Bednar quoted my favorite scripture: Helaman 5:12!

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom talked about a young woman who was questioning her faith.  She expressed the importance of prayer and scripture study in receiving the answers to our questions.  She also quoted Helaman 5:12!

Elder Jose A. Teixeia talked about how our choices with technology can determine our spiritual progress and maturity in the gospel.  He said that we need to take time to set aside our mobile devices and do other things like turning the pages of the scriptures!

Bishop Gerald Causse asked if the gospel is still wonderful to us?  Are we actively searching the gospel, cherishing it?  He told us to anchor our faith in the pure, simple principles of the gospel.  I really feel that my active scripture study is one of the main things that is keeping the pure, simple gospel wonderful to me!!

Elder Brent E. Nielson talked about the parable of the Prodigal Son and he made many references that helped me to see that parable in a different light, and I am planning on doing a more detailed study of that parable soon!

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk!  WOW!!!

Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke about grace.  I really appreciated his talk, as I feel that grace is an underutilized and misunderstood principle.  I have done a study on grace in my scripture study journal, but this talk made me want to go back and reread all of it and look at it with fresh eyes.

Elder Kevin W. Pearson's talk was AMAZING!!  Again, I have done a study on Lehi's Vision of the Tree of Life in my scripture study journal, but this talk gave me so many more insights and I want to go back and revisit it!!  I love that he said, "Search the Book of Mormon and the words of the living prophets, every day!  Every day!  EVERY DAY!!"

I absolutely LOVED it when Pres. Uchtdorf got up after Elder Rafael E. Pino's talk and began speaking in German.  He apologized to Pres. Monson, saying, "I thought we were still speaking in our native language."  I love that our leaders are so funny, and human.  I know that probably won't make it into the Ensign or the Conference Report, so I wanted to make sure we remembered it. 

Elder Russell M. Nelson concluded the Conference by talking about the Sabbath Day.  He said we don't need a list of DOs and DONTs, our attitude on the Sabbath constitutes a sign to Heavenly Father of how we feel about the Sabbath.  Scripture study on the Sabbath (and other days) is a sign to Heavenly Father of my commitment to His word, His gospel, my own salvation!

I love General Conference!!  I am grateful for the words of our beloved prophet and the many other leaders of the Church that bless my life!

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#BecauseHeLives

On www.mormon.org there is a beautiful video for Easter about our Savior, Jesus Christ, entitled Because He Lives.  You can watch the video by clicking HERE.

There is also a link to download a marker to show where you feel the influence of Jesus Christ in your life.  I posted mine to Twitter.  #BecauseHeLives #Easter #scripturestudy #mormon #LDS

UPDATE:  I was showing the whole #HeIsHere #BecauseHeLives thing on mormon.org to a friend and when I got to the page, I got all excited, as there I was!  Right in the middle!  How fun!!

New calling

I am SO EXCITED that it is finally official and I can finally share!!

I have been called to be a Seminary teacher!!  

I am overwhelmed with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for this amazing blessing!  I am privileged to wake up extra early, and hang out with sleepy, whiney teenagers every morning.  Haha!  So, saying that tongue-in-cheek, but being realistic, that doesn't sound that great, but I really am thrilled for this calling and the incredible opportunity it gives me to study the scriptures and share my love of scripture study with others.  Even those who would rather be asleep.  That being said, I was very pleased with the positive response from the youth who will be in my class next year!  That makes me very happy!

The moment I was asked to accept this calling, I was immediately drawn to the Old Testament and the books of Moses and Abraham.  I have been studying them and am very anxious for the next school year to begin! 

What a blessing!!

2015 Spring General Conference

I'm excited!  Have been for weeks! 

I love that all the meetings are included as one now!  Perfection!

I am getting prepared... 

Great are the Words of Isaiah

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The prophet Jacob said: "And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may life up their hearts and rejoice for all men.  Now there are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men."  (2 Nephi 11:8)

Jesus Christ himself said: "An now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things.  Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah."  (3 Nephi 23:1)

I am heading into the Isaiah chapters of 1-2 Nephi and I wanted to share the notes that I have in regards to Isaiah and the Book of Mormon.

Why did the Nephites quote Isaiah?

1. He was a relatively recent prophet.
          742-701BC - years of Isaiah's ministry
          100-150 years from the time of Nephi and Jacob

2. Main theme was the destruction of the House of Israel, of which the Nephites were an important branch.

3. Isaiah spoke of the status of the House of Israel in the last days and the Book of Mormon was preserved from those in the Latter-days.

4. Isaiah spoke repeatedly about the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

(I did not reference this list in my scriptures, so I am not sure if it was a quote from a book, or notes from an Institute class or something like that.)

Suggestions for better understanding Isaiah

1. Gain an overall understanding of the Plan of Salvation
          Prophets assume that their listeners understand what they are talking about

2. Study the doctrine of the gathering of Israel
          Most of Isaiah's writings are on this subject

3. Use the Book of Mormon - the Book of Mormon is our greatest scriptural commentary on Isaiah
          Quoted by Nephi, Jacob, Abinadi and Jesus Christ
          Bruce R. McConkie: "May I be so bold as to affirm that no one, absolutely no one, in this age and dispensation has or does or can understand the writings of Isaiah until he first learns and believes what God has revealed by the mouths of his Nephite witnesses as those truths are found in that volume of holy writ."  (Ensign, Oct 1973, pg. 81)

4. Use modern revelation
          In Doctrine and Covenants there are sixty-six places that use language similar or identical to Isaiah.  In Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith there are thirty-five Isaiah passages in twenty-one different chapters.

5. Learn how New Testament writers understood and explained Isaiah
          Jesus, Paul, John the Revelator

6. Know and understand the Old Testament settings and context for Isaiah's writings
          For example: because of the wickedness of the people, Isaiah often spoke in figures, types and shadows, but Nephi didn't have to.

7. Understand the manner in which the prophesies may be fulfilled
          Prophesies may have dual fulfillments or multiple applications.  Recognize contemporary events as fulfillment of ancient prophecy.

8. Seek the spirit of prophesy and devote yourself for serious study
          2 Nephi 25:4 - "Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn."

How important is it that we understand Isaiah?

"Isaiah has been reserved for a reason.  Nephi and Mormon went to great efforts to see that Isaiah's writings were a part of the Book of Mormon.  They are meant to be understood.  Nephi never intended that we skip or hurry through the now sixteen-page segment in the middle of his second book.  'If our eternal salvation,' Elder [Bruce R.] McConkie warned, 'depends upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah as fully and truly as Nephi understood them -- and who shall say such is not the case! -- how shall we fare in that great day when with Nephi we shall stand before the pleasing bar of Him who said: 'Great are the words of Isaiah'?. . . It just may be that my salvation (and yours also!) does in fact depend upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah as fully and truly as Nephi understood them.  For that matter, why should either Nephi or Isaiah know anything that is withheld from us?  Does not that God who is no respecter of persons treat all his children alike? Has he not given us his promise and recited to us the terms and conditions of his law pursuant to which he will reveal to us what he has revealed to them?'." (Ensign, Oct 1973, pg. 78) -- Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, McConkie and Millet, pg. 277

Understanding Isaiah is not the easiest thing in the world to do. I find it fascinating to understand how he described the things that he saw in our day.  I mean, how does someone who lives 700 years before the birth of Christ, centuries before the invention of the automobile and airplane, describe modern transportation?  "They shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary or stumble among them.  None shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken."  How might he describe a helicopter or a fighter jet? Maybe the "two tails of these smoking firebrands"? or the "hiss for the fly" or a "bee"?  

Most importantly, Isaiah prophesied of the Savior, Jesus Christ! Studying the words of Isaiah can increase our testimony and love of Jesus Christ! Isaiah's words apply to our day, even more than they did to his day.  I am grateful for the many resources we have to help us to better understand his words, especially the Book of Mormon!  (If you would like a free copy of the Book of Mormon, click HERE)

Ponder, consider and remember

Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf posted this on Facebook today, and, as I prepare for General Conference, I thought that this bore repeating, or in this case, sharing:

"April general conference is a time when seasons change. In the southern hemisphere, the leaves turn colors as autumn begins, and spring flowers bloom in the north. Conference provides an opportunity to gather together as friends and families to become more united in our faith in Jesus Christ and in our efforts to serve Him.

"As I have prepared for this conference, I have felt impressed that each one should ponder again about God's plan for our lives and consider our individual place in this divine plan as His children.

"Please, always remember that each one of us matters to Him, wherever we may be."(emphasis added)

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Comparisons, Symbolism and Examples in the scriptures

There is no possible way that I can spend any amount of reasonable time talking about symbolism in the scriptures.  There is just WAY too much to even BEGIN in one blog post.  I mean, the Savior specifically used parables and symbolism so He could separate those who wanted to hear a nice story and those who wanted to understand the greater meaning of the gospel, and they are EVERYWHERE in the scriptures!  However, I would like to lightly rub the surface for a few minutes, based on what I have been reading in the scriptures recently.

This year (and possibly longer) I am reading through the Book of Mormon three times.  It is taking me a LOT longer to do it this way, but I am really thrilled with the results.  I was especially fascinated by 1 Nephi chapter 17.  It took me two weeks to get through this one chapter.  I was AMAZED by all that I had never seen before in this chapter.  (The funny thing is, I am sure that many of you reading this will say, "Pffft! I already knew THAT!"  It amazes me how we all see the same thing in different ways and at different times.)

Specifically, I had never before noticed the incredible amount of comparison and symbolism between the Israelites leaving Egypt and being directed through the wilderness to the promised land, and Lehi's family leaving Jerusalem and being directed through the wilderness to the promised land.  How had I missed that?!!

A FEW comparisons and symbolism that I noticed:

The Israelites had many faithful believers amongst them, and many people who were quick to find fault and complain.  Lehi's family had the same.

The Israelites went through many cycles of obedience and murmuring, as did Lehi's family.  In both instances, there was much "affliction, hunger, thirst, and fatigue," and in both instances many "were desirous to return"to where they had begun their journey, even if that meant bondage.

The Israelites were led through the wilderness by a pillar of fire, and Lehi's family were led through the wilderness by the Liahona.  (Interestingly enough, Hugh Nibley stated that the interpretation of the word Liahona is "to God is light" or "of God is light".)  Both were led through the wilderness by the light of God.

The Israelites were fed in the wilderness with manna, quail and water, and Lehi's family were fed in the wilderness by the fact that they didn't have to light any fires to cook their food.  They Lord blessed that their food was sweet to them.  It was symbolic of the sweetness of the Lord's blessings, and to the Israelites, it was specifically symbolism of the Savior.  Manna represented the Bread of Life and the water represented the Living Water, both references to Jesus Christ's roles as the Redeemer of mankind.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for the space of (around) forty years, mainly as a refining period in which the Lord strengthened those who were willing to remain faithful to Him through their trials.  Lehi's family were in the wilderness for eight years, mainly for the same reason.

In both instances, many reverted to riotous, inappropriate actions, forgetting the power of God that had brought them out of bondage.

In both instances, quite often, direct revelation was received by a visit to a high mountain, representative of the Temple.

As I was sitting in sacrament meeting, as the sacrament was being passed, I considered how I approach the Temple.  Do I approach it as Nephi did, with a newly made bow in hand, asking for directions on how to get food, or do I show up expecting God to fix all of my problems without trying to come up with an idea or a solution on my own?  Honestly, kinda the last part.  It made me realize how I need to rethink the way I approach the Lord.

So, beautifully, wonderfully, the experiences in the scriptures of the Israelites escaping the bondage of Egypt, and Lehi's family escaping bondage of the destruction of Jerusalem, are a comparison, a symbolism, of each of us, individually, escaping the bondage of the natural man, as we strive to become more like our Heavenly Father, returning, one day, to His presence (the promised land).

My heart is full!