Scripture Insight: 2 Nephi 32:3

3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

Discussion
You know that hunger you feel at the end of the fast, where you are willing to anything in sight because it all sounds good. I think of that when I read this scripture and feasting upon the words of Christ. We are so hungry for truth and knowledge we want to gobble it all up. We want to read and learn as much as we can.

Then there re are other times where we feel only slightly hungry. We get more picky. We may want to eat this but not that. It can be like, yeah, I like that, but I'm not in the mood for it. There's something specific we have in mind. These are times where we are seeking something specific from the scriptures and become picky about what we read. This is not feasting. This is going back and forth to the kitchen every 5 minutes looking for something to eat but never getting anything (we think what we want will magically appear but it never does). We finally settle for something that sounds okay and walk away unsatisified.

We need to approach our scripture study like the first example and not the second. And lets hope we never get to the point where we're "full" and feel we don't need anymore nourishment from the good word of God.

The trick is to always remain "spiritually hungry" so we can feast like the scripture advises. Any thoughts on how to do this?

Study Recap: The Importance of Receiving a Personal Testimony by Elder Robert D. Hales

Title: The Importance of Receiving a Personal Testimony
Author: Elder Robert D. Hales
Source: October 1994 General Conference
Link: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1994/10/the-importance-of-receiving-a-personal-testimony?lang=eng

Rating: 4/5


Favorite Points

• Our testimony comes by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. The testimony received and carried within us enables us to hold a steady course in times of prosperity and to overcome doubt and fear in times of adversity.
• Each of us needs to know what a testimony is, how we can get it, and what our responsibilities are once we have received a testimony. 
• Individual testimonies are the foundation and strength of the Church. Our testimony provides a guiding light that leads to a commitment which directs our conduct and our way of life. Our testimony is true north on a spiritual compass. It is a moving force that cannot be seen but can truly be felt. It is a burning within that tells us what is right. It is when “your heart tells you things your mind doesn’t know” (Harold B. Lee).
•  
  Our testimony is a gift from God. It should be shared, but we do not have the authority to bestow a testimony upon someone else, because a personal testimony is granted by the Holy Ghost. It can aid others in gaining knowledge for themselves—a knowledge abiding in the heart that leaves no room for doubt.
• We must each gain such a testimony if we are to withstand the trials and adversities of mortality and go on to the glorious eternal future we all desire.
• Joseph Smith sealed his testimony with his own blood. The Prophet’s martyrdom was a voluntary acceptance of death to seal the testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants (see D&C 135:1) and to bear holy witness of Jesus Christ and his gospel in this dispensation. 
• We do not give our testimony and life in the manner that Joseph Smith, the martyred Prophet, gave his life. Rather, we give testimony by devoted service in our lives each day to lift and strengthen others.
•  People often ask me, “How do you know?“ “How can you know that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ?” While there seems to be no exact formula by which each of us receives a testimony, there does seem to be a discernable pattern. Though prayer is important in gaining a testimony, we cannot merely ask in prayer for a testimony and expect it to be given immediately to us.
• Generally, testimony emerges over time and through life’s experiences. We can compare testimony to the process of watching a photograph develop. Powerful impressions of the Spirit come like flashes of light on receptive photographic film. Like the chemicals needed to develop the picture, certain spiritual conditions and experiences are needed in our lives for our personal testimony to develop into a certain truth and knowledge. And like a photograph, a testimony, if not carefully preserved, will fade with time.
• Testimonies often come when there is willingness to serve where we are called. They come when a decision is made to strive to be obedient. Testimonies come during efforts to help, lift, and strengthen others. They come from prayer and from studying the scriptures and applying them in our lives. Whatever our circumstances, there seem to be moments in each of our lives when we can be given the knowledge that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ.
• There is no greater search in life that we can embark upon than the quest to gain a testimony of the truth.
• Be willing to endure the test of time. Do not think that it is easy to maintain a testimony. Others will test you. Sometimes they will point the finger of mockery and scorn. Sometimes they may persecute you openly. Be prepared. Know in advance that the best of God’s children have had the courage of true conviction and were willing to suffer ridicule, deprivation, and even death for the sake of true testimony. Is each of us willing to do likewise?  
• Doubts about matters of religion that arise from a lack of knowledge can be constructively resolved. The solutions are instruction, study, and prayer, which result in increased testimony, which drives out further doubts.

Scripture Insight: D&C 76: 75, 79

75 These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men.

79 These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God.

Discussion
This scripture seems more applicable now than ever before. While Satan has always had his power to influence and deviate those away from the true principles of the gospel, it seems that there are more and more members that I come across that have views or beliefs that are in stark contrast to church teachings.

For example, a large movement in the US and in many countries around the world has made a push for adopting same-sex marriage for "equality." Even a casual reading of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," the scriptures, and other teachings of the prophets makes it clear that acting on same-sex desires is a grievous sin. It has been clarified more in recent years that having those desires is no different that the carnal desires one might have towards the opposite sex or to use illicit substances. The sin comes from acting on those impulses or allowing them place in our minds.

The church as a policy does not get involved in politics and allows members to support whatever political affiliation they choose. Civic duty is encouraged. It is interesting to note that one of the few and rare circumstances that the church did get involved with the political scene was when it encouraged members in California to oppose the adoption of same-sex marriage in that state. Again, the church's (and by the church we can also say the Lord's) position on this topic has been clear.

Yet there are many active church members who support same-sex marriage. I came across one person who stated that they did not believe that the Family Proclamation was true revelation by a prophet. My response, you had the First Presidency and the entire Quorum of the Twelve get together and sign a document of one accord and send it out to the entire world...there not going to do that unless it is revelation.

It's sad to see even faithful members of the church get caught up in the wiles of the devil and his craftiness. I know that they are good people, even "honorable" as the scripture above states. But we all need to look to the Prophet in all things and hold strong to the iron rod.

#MissionaryStoryMonday: Mexican Coke

There are few things better tasting in the world that Coca-Cola from Mexico. They use real sugar instead of corn syrup which gives it a better (and more addicting) flavor. Now I stopped drinking caffeine by personal choice a few years before my mission and was a little shocked at first as to how many members and other missionaries were drinking Coke (how can that be!?). My first Zone Leader is the only guy I met on the mission staunchly avoided it all cost.*

But then one day I had one and it was awesome. The best was when the family you were eating with had Coke to drink for you. Now things are a little different where I served and most of the time the family did not actually sit and eat with us. They would've eaten beforehand or they ate in another room. I'm still not sure why they did this. Anyway, since they were not there it was just you and your companion plus any other missionaries that happened to be with you.

One day we were with another companionship and eating in the home of one of my converts (the one mentioned in a previous post). She set down two 2 liter bottles of Coke on the table and we all began salivating like Pavlov's dog. We completely forgot about the amazing enchiladas she made us that day because we just wanted Coke.

One of the other missionaries that was there said something that I had not realized before that day but immediately knew it was true. He said that we shouldn't freak out because there was Coke because what happened every time is that we would become so fixated on it instead of the food and would try to drink more of it than someone else before it was gone. Guilty.

We all stopped for a moment to appreciate the truth bombs he was throwing at us. But then I looked at him said, "You're just saying that so we'll drink less of it so there will be more for you." And thus began the frantic race to drink Coke.

*This guy would sing the follow lyrics to the tune of "Choose the Right": Choose the Sprite, when the coke is place before you!

Study Recap: “Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father” by Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Title: “Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father”
Author: Elder Neal A. Maxwell
Source: October 1995 General Conference
Link: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/swallowed-up-in-the-will-of-the-father?lang=eng

Rating: 5/5


Favorite Points 

• Whenever Church members speak of consecration, it should be done reverently while acknowledging that each of us “come[s] short of the glory of God,” some of us far short (Rom. 3:23). Even the conscientious have not arrived, but they sense the shortfall and are genuinely striving.
• A second group of members are “honorable” but not “valiant.” They are not really aware of the gap nor of the importance of closing it (see D&C 76:75, 79). These “honorable” individuals are certainly not miserable nor wicked, nor are they unrighteous and unhappy. It is not what they have done but what they have left undone that is amiss. For example, if valiant, they could touch others deeply instead of merely being remembered pleasantly.
• In a third group are those who are grossly entangled with the “ungodliness” of the world, reminding us all, as Peter wrote, that if “[we are] overcome” by something worldly, “[we are] brought in bondage” (2 Pet. 2:19).
• To the extent that we are not willing to be led by the Lord, we will be driven by our appetites, or we will be greatly preoccupied with the lesser things of the day. 
• Busy, he ends up in a posture of some accommodation with the world. Thus he forgoes building up the kingdom first and instead builds up himself. A small course correction now would make a large, even destinational, difference for him later on.
• Once the telestial sins are left behind and henceforth avoided, the focus falls ever more on the sins of omission. These omissions signify a lack of qualifying fully for the celestial kingdom.
• Only greater consecration can correct these omissions, which have consequences just as real as do the sins of commission. Many of us thus have sufficient faith to avoid the major sins of commission, but not enough faith to sacrifice our distracting obsessions or to focus on our omissions.
• Most omissions occur because we fail to get outside ourselves. We are so busy checking on our own temperatures, we do not notice the burning fevers of others even when we can offer them some of the needed remedies, such as encouragement, kindness, and commendation.
• Actually, everything depends—initially and finally—on our desires. These shape our thought patterns. Our desires thus precede our deeds and lie at the very cores of our souls, tilting us toward or away from God (see D&C 4:3).
• One’s individual will thus remains uniquely his. God will not override it nor overwhelm it. Hence we’d better want the consequences of what we want!
• Another cosmic fact: only by aligning our wills with God’s is full happiness to be found. Anything less results in a lesser portion (see Alma 12:10–11).
• The Lord will work with us even if, at first, we “can no more than desire” but are willing to “give place for a portion of [His] words” (Alma 32:27). A small foothold is all He needs! But we must desire and provide it.
• So many of us are kept from eventual consecration because we mistakenly think that, somehow, by letting our will be swallowed up in the will of God, we lose our individuality (see Mosiah 15:7). What we are really worried about, of course, is not giving up self, but selfish things—like our roles, our time, our preeminence, and our possessions. 
• He is only asking us to lose the old self in order to find the new self. It is not a question of one’s losing identity but of finding his true identity! Ironically, so many people already lose themselves anyway in their consuming hobbies and preoccupations but with far, far lesser things.
• As one’s will is increasingly submissive to the will of God, he can receive inspiration and revelation so much needed to help meet the trials of life.
• The complete consecration which effected the Atonement ensured Jesus’ perfect empathy; He felt our very pains and afflictions before we did and knows how to succor us (see Alma 7:11–12; 2 Ne. 9:21). Since the Most Innocent suffered the most, our own cries of “Why?” cannot match His.
• Progression toward submission confers another blessing: an enhanced capacity for joy.
• Consecration, likewise, is not shoulder-shrugging acceptance, but, instead, shoulder-squaring to better bear the yoke.
• If we have grown soft, hard times may be necessary. If we are too contented, a dose of divine discontent may come. A relevant insight may be contained in reproof. A new calling beckons us away from comfortable routines wherein the needed competencies have already been developed. One may be stripped of accustomed luxury so that the malignant mole of materialism may be removed. One may be scorched by humiliation so pride can be melted away. Whatever we lack will get attention, one way or another.
• God’s blessings, including those associated with consecration, come by unforced obedience to the laws upon which they are predicated (see D&C 130:20–21).

Ooooh, Teaching BURN!

Below is another excerpt from Teaching, No Greater Call:

Sister Virginia H. Pearce, who served as first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, said:
“A teacher’s goal is greater than just delivering a lecture about truth. It is to invite the Spirit and use techniques that will enhance the possibility that the learner will discover the truth [and] be motivated to apply it. …
“… Imagine hundreds of thousands of classrooms every Sunday, each with a teacher who understands that ‘the learning has to be done by the pupil. Therefore it is the pupil who has to be put into action. When a teacher takes the spotlight, becomes the star of the show, does all the talking, and otherwise takes over all of the activity, it is almost certain that he is interfering with the learning of the class members’ [Asahel D. Woodruff,Teaching the Gospel (1962), 37].

Scripture Insight: Helaman 12:3

3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.

Discussion
This is very sad and yet very true. I also find it sad that there are many that when it situations like this, do not take that opportunity to exercise greater faith in the Lord but curse or revile Him instead for letting that happen to them.

Study Recap: Lessons from the Atonement That Help Us to Endure to the End by Presiding Bishop Robert D. Hales

Title: Lessons from the Atonement That Help Us to Endure to the End
Author: Presiding Bishop Robert D. Hales
Source: October 1985 General Conference
Link: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1985/10/lessons-from-the-atonement-that-help-us-to-endure-to-the-end?lang=eng
Rating: 2.5/5

Favorite Points

• My brothers and sisters, I believe in Christ, and I stand to be accountable for that testimony.
• In the gospel of Jesus Christ, there comes a point in time when we must stand accountable for who we are and what we are going to be.
• How many of us are sleeping when those around us are hurting and are in need? How many of us give our testimonies of the Lord, but then do not listen, as in 1 Jn. 4:20, “For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
• Do we not understand that we, too, will have moments in our lives when we will be brought to our knees, when we will need help to endure to the end? Even Joseph Smith showed impatience after being in jail for a few months and wondered why he could not get on with his mission. At that time the Lord said to Joseph, “All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” (D&C 122:7.) The ways in which we handle our trials are part of the maturing of the physical and spiritual man.
•  There are times when it is best to follow the Lord’s example and not attempt to answer every accusation made against us.
• Many lessons can be learned from the account of the Atonement. It is comforting to know that, though suffering, Jesus Christ was able to look down from the cross and be concerned for His mother, that she should be properly cared for, as He asked for the help of a disciple. This is one of the great messages we have heard this conference—that we turn some of our attention from our own trials and tribulations to concern and caring for others.
• Each one of us will someday, either in this life or in the life to come, have to give our testimony that He is truly the Son of God, the Savior of all mankind, Jesus Christ.
• Some years ago, as a pilot, I was taken by an instructor up in an airplane. By turning the airplane at less than two degrees at a time, the instructor succeeded in turning the airplane completely upside down. My inner ear could not detect the transition because he kept positive gravity upon us at all times. Therefore, I did not know that, when he gave the airplane to me, it was upside down. Everything on the airplane, every instrument, was exactly right except for the landing gear, which was upside down; and every reaction I made had an opposite reaction from what I thought it would have. This is called vertigo, and it taught me a great lesson.
  I would like to talk for a moment about spiritual vertigo. Although we know of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, of His obedience, of His willingness to serve and to be an example to us, and of His message to “come, follow me,” there are times when we get off course, less than a degree at a time, and do not know that we turn totally upside down.
   

Excerpt from Teaching, No Greater Call

Each Individual’s Responsibility to Learn the Gospel

In a letter about studying the gospel, Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: “Now let us come to … a conclusion that will have an important bearing on our eternal salvation. It is that each person must learn the doctrines of the gospel for himself. No one else can do it for him. Each person stands alone where gospel scholarship is concerned; each has access to the same scriptures and is entitled to the guidance of the same Holy Spirit; each must pay the price set by a Divine Providence if he is to gain the pearl of great price.

"The same principle governs both learning truth and living in harmony with its standards. No one can repent for and on behalf of another; no one can keep the commandments in the place and stead of another; no one can be saved in someone else’s name. And no one can gain a testimony or press forward in light and truth to eternal glory for anyone but himself. Both the knowledge of the truth and the blessings that come to those who conform to true principles are personal matters. And as a just God offers the same salvation to every soul who lives the same laws, so he offers the same understanding of his eternal truths to all who will pay the truth seeker’s price.

“The Church system for gaining gospel knowledge is as follows:

a. The responsibility rests upon each person to gain a knowledge of the truth through his own efforts.

b. Next, families should teach their own family members. Parents are commanded to bring up their children in light and truth. The home should be the chief teaching center in the life of a Latter-day Saint.

c. To help families and individuals, the Church, as a service agency, provides many opportunities to teach and to learn. We are commanded to ‘teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom’ (D&C 88:77). This is done in sacrament meetings, in conferences and other meetings, by home teachers, in priesthood and auxiliary classes, through seminaries and institutes, and through the Church educational system” (“Finding Answers to Gospel Questions,” in Charge to Religious Educators, 3rd ed. [1994], 80).

Scripture Insight: D&C 58:27

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

Discussion
I have mixed feelings about this particular passage. I love the insight and importance it conveys about autonomy and our responsibility when it comes to living the gospel. I also dislike the scripture because of the same reason. It makes me realize that I am not "anxiously engaged" and "do many things of [my] own free will." Indeed, I do many things because of my calling and its what I'm supposed to do. I don't murmur or complain about it and there is no resentment of any kind. I enjoy what I do. But I also know deep down I wouldn't do most of what I do without having the calling.

It makes me think of the scripture in 1 Nephi 16:2:

 "And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center."

 I'm the wicked man getting cut "to the very center." But the original scripture in D&C does give me hope though because it gives me a standard to follow so I can work towards that goal of being "anxiously engaged."