Helaman 7 & 8

These two chapters give us counsel for our day. In chapter 7:21-22 it states, "O, how could you have forgotten your God in the very day that he has delivered you? But behold, it is to get gain to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity."

These verses are for our day. It is so easy to get caught up in the things of this world. It is so easy to forget God, and all that He has done for us if we are not keeping our focus set on Him. These scriptures explain that as we set our hearts on riches, and the vain pursuits of this world, we will forget our God, and find ourselves in iniquity.

This isn't something that happens over night. I think it happens in slow degrees. Satan cannot pull us down with one massive pull; however, he can lead us away little by little if we allow him to do so. If we stop saying our prayers, if we stop reading our scriptures, if we stop doing the "little things", I think it is then that we will find our hearts set on the things of the world rather than God.

In chapter 8 we are given more direction on this matter when Nephi compares their day to the days of Moses, which then can be compared to our day. Nephi explains that the people in Moses' day only had to look to a serpent and live; however, many did not, and they perished. He then says, "even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal" (verse 15).

And so it is with us. Are we looking to our Savior? It seems easy to focus on the Savior, and yet we don't.  The Lord declared, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3: 14-15). In Mosiah 3: 17 it states, "There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men."

Therefore, we must look to the Savior. We must make Him our focus. I think we do that by continuing with daily scripture study, and daily prayer. It seems so simple to keep our focus on Him through these two means. And yet, it can be so difficult. I pray that I will continue in the faith. I pray that I will not be deceived by Satan. I pray that I will be what the Lord needs me to be, and then when the day comes that I stand before Him, I pray that I will be ready.

Mosiah 24

WAYS in WHICH we are HELPED THROUGH TRIALS

When the people of Alma were burdened by the wicked priest, Amulon, the Lord didn't remove their burdens at first, but he lightened their burdens. And even for this "lightening" to occur, the people of Alma first asked through prayer. So it is with us--we must first pray for assistance, and then even after we pray--our trials may not be removed, but we will be better able to carry them.

There have been many times when I have wished I could pray my trials away, but this isn't the way of the Lord. These trials mold us, and form us into what our God wants us to become. Without them--we would not "become", we would not grow, our period of probation would be stagnant.

One trial I have often wished I could pray away is the trial that my little guy faces. He struggles with dyslexia, and it is so hard for me to see him struggle in school with reading. I wish our hard work could make it all go away--I'm sure it helps, but it is still a constant companion. I know that when we work at his reading, my concern for him and his struggles are manageable through prayer. When I forget to pray, I feel overwhelmed and very much alone.

I truly believe that when we are covenant keeping people, we can expect the Lord's hand in our lives. That doesn't mean that our trials will go away, but we can expect Him to carry us in the midst of our trials--just like the people of Alma. I like how verse 15 states, "And it came to pass the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."

By the end of this experience, the Lord did deliver the people of Alma from their trials--from bondage. First, they endured, and then they were delivered.

There are other experiences in the scriptures in which the Lord does this. There was the time when Joseph was placed in prison because of the wicked maiden. The Lord didn't at first remove Joseph from prison, but he carried him through that trial (Genesis 39). As Joseph remained faithful, the Lord blessed him. He became a leader in the prison, he was trusted above all the other prisoners. The Lord "lightened" his burden; however, He didn't remove his trial...at least not in the beginning. We must be willing to endure, so that we can learn from our experience. And then, as we have endured we will be removed from our trial. We will come off conqueror.

Doctrine and Covenants 10:5 reads, "Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work."

As we seek the Lord, we will conquer!

Mosiah 5

Mosiah 5

Steadfast and Immoveable

I like that in verse 15 it states, "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen" (Mosiah 5:15)

I think it is easy to become complacent in our devotion to our Heavenly Father. AS we fill our lives with the many tasks that are before us, we can easily neglect the things that are most important. As we do so, we may find ourselves on a path that we had never intended. Maintaining a testimony of the Gospel is something that takes work. WE must be diligent in keeping His commandments. We must be reading and studying the scriptures. WE must do as this scripture states, "be steadfast and immoveable" (Mosiah 5:15). There have been many examples throughout history of people who were once strong in our faith, but through lack of devotion--fell away. In my life, I know of other's who have chosen to allow the "busyness of life" to override the importance of Gospel diligence. We cannot let this happen for us. I feel protected as I study the scriptures. I am constantly reminded of the things that matter most.