Cycle for a Good Lifestyle

Book of Jarom

It took me two days to read this chapter – not because I spent so much time pondering, but because I have had the opportunity to remember what it’s like to try to find a moment to read when children are around.  I will never take credit for my good reading habits.  It is my season.

However, as I read in the quiet of my room this morning I was impressed (again) at the cycle Jarom gives for what I wrote in my margin at one time “a cycle for a good lifestyle”.  In verse 4 he gives this formula:

Not stiffnecked (without pride) plus having faith equals having the Holy Spirit in one’s life.  You can check this formula out (just like a math equation) by measuring a person’s faith. Hmmmm.  Writing it doesn’t make it as logical as just reading it.  Doesn’t “to make manifest,” mean to prove?  I think it does.  But can a person’s faith be measured or “proven”? 

That’s an interesting question.  Can someone tell by observing me that I have faith?  What does it look like? 

• Do I keep the commandments?
• Do I listen to the prophets’ counsel and obey?
• Do I pray day and night and in between?
• Do I study the scriptures and the words of the prophets so I CAN obey them?
• Do I serve others?
• Do I hope for things not seen? (Alma 32:21)
• Do I have a perfect knowledge?  No, but do I hope just the same?
• Do I value my life and the lives of others?  If so, what does that look like?  Am I kind and courteous to all?  Am I honest in my dealings with others? 

These are interesting questions and make me want to do a topical study on faith.  Am I living the cycle Jarom talks about?