3 Nephi 19

When Jesus came to the America's there were people who traveled all night to spread the "good news", so that more may see the Savior. When I think about their sacrifice, I desire to be more like them. I am sure they were tired from their travels. I wonder if some of them missed part of the Savior's visit for their desire to share with others His coming. And then I wonder if I am spreading the "good news" with as much joy and gusto as these people did?

In verse 9, I am taught another lesson on seeking my Savior. It states, "And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them" (3 Nephi 19:9). Every Sunday we are given the opportunity to have the Holy Ghost to be with us. Every week when we take the sacrament, we are promised to have His spirit to be with us as we remember our Savior. As I think about the importance of the Spirit and the promises we have received to be able to obtain that spirit, I think I should be praying to have Christ in my thoughts on a daily basis.

It seems that the more the Spirit can remain with me, the more I come to Christ. The more I come to Christ, the more I am His servant. The more I am his servant, the more I become like Him. Becoming His is my ultimate goal.

I like in verse 23 it states, that the Savior can be in us if we believe on Him. And later it talks about how we can be purified in Christ through our faith in Christ. It seems to me that in order for this purification to happen, we need to be willing to seek the Savior, we need to make Him a part of our lives, and we need to ask for this purification. The scriptures talk about a desire that will occur within each of us

Teaching with the Spirit

With the Lord All Things are Possible

In chapter 17 of Alma, it speaks of what it takes to be a good missionary, or it rather speaks of what the sons of Mosiah did to have success in their missionary work. We have been counseled to be missionaries within our own communities. We do not have to be serving a full-time mission to be a missionary. Although the focus of this chapter is on missionary work, the thought that continued to present itself in my mind was that this chapter is a formula not only for missionary work, but also for anyone serving the Lord. It could be direction for teaching our children, teaching the youth, speaking, or whatever it is that we are called to do.

I like in Alma 17:2 it states, "they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God." And then in verse 3 it states, "they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught they taught with the power and authority of God." So, as we study our scriptures, pray, and fast, the Lord blesses us with His spirit. I seek this blessing--not only for my church calling, but also for my family. I need to have the spirit with me in order to help my children through this life. I know that I cannot, nor can my family, become what the Lord intends of us--unless we are led by His spirit.

These scriptures remind me of a saying that I have been taught from my youth--"With the Lord, all Things are Possible!" When Jesus was talking to his disciples, they were desirous to know how they could possibly be saved. In Gospel of Mark it states, "But Jesus answered, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."  [See Matthew 19:16–26; see also the Joseph Smith Translation in Matthew 19:26, footnote a, and Mark 10:27, footnote a.]

I believe this to be true in all things. If we have God as our guide, we will surely succeed!