Come Unto Christ

Book of Omni.  Every time I read this chapter/book, I’m intrigued at those who accept the plates and then hand them off having written only a verse stating the condition of their people.  I guess I’m intrigued because journaling is something I take so seriously.  You see, I could not break away from a destructive lifestyle until I had been counseled to keep a journal of the abuse and sickness I was living in.  Then, whenever I was tempted to turn back – and it wasn’t easy – I would read and remember, which gave me the courage to continue moving forward.

Amaleki invites us to Come Unto Christ and believe.  In what?  Prophesying, revelations, ministering of angels, gift of tongues and interpretation of languages – all things which are good.  He tell us good comes from God; evil from Satan.  What are we asked to offer in return for salvation?  Our whole souls!  How is this done?  Again, we see it is a process and it is spelled out in verses 25-26:  fasting, prayer and enduring to the end.  As we continue these simple steps, we are growing (processing is what I tell my kids), and we will be saved.

Plan of Salvation

Book of Jarom verse 2 - I've never noticed this statement  before: "what could I write more. . . ? For have they (prophets before) not revealed the plan of salvation? Yea, and this sufficeth me."

Once we know where we came from, why we're here and where we're going, we know the "plan" and there is nothing else to be said except to be worthy of the blessings we seek.  And how?  By exercising faith!  There's that word again - v4 "as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit. . . according to their faith."

We need to remember that faith is an action and needs to be used daily to be strong - much like our muscles.  Simple, but powerful ways to exercise faith:  Keep commandments, keep sabbath day holy, profane not. (v5) I have also learned that studying scriptures daily, prayer, recording my thoughts on reading my scriptures and other church materials, and recording my tender mercies are all powerful tools as well.  Pondering, as we've been taught by our leaders, is a necessary part of study.

I'm going to call this paragraph (same day & study time) a "Divine Signature" (Gerald Lund's book title and a powerful read).  I'm studying the Handbook 2 and what do you think today's topic is?  "The Plan of Salvation"!  1.2.1 and first thing I read is "The plan of salvation is the fullness of the gospel".  Coincidence?  Not on your life!  I might mention the Handbook boils the "list" down to Article of Faith #3 with the addition of "endure to the end by keeping sacred covenants.  Personal spiritual growth takes place as we draw close to God through prayer, scripture study, pondering, and obedience". . ."Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. . . " 2 Nephi 31:19-20