Alma 1 – Preparation Before the Test

Alma 1 gave me an unexpected theme today: preparation always precedes the test.

The people had already voted on laws they believed were just. When Nehor appeared preaching priestcraft and eventually murdered Gideon, there wasn't a political debate over what should happen. The law was already in place, and they were obligated to abide by the laws they themselves had made. There is probably an entire blog hidden in that thought alone, but I'll leave it there.

Verse 9 caused me to slow down. Gideon was "stricken with many years," while Nehor was "a man who was large, and was noted for his much strength." Gideon was no physical match for him. Yet he contended with him using the word of God. I want to be like Gideon. Not necessarily old—it's a little late for that—but spiritually mature enough that when truth needs defending, my first weapon is the word of God. That kind of courage doesn't appear overnight. It comes from years of scripture study, prayer, and walking with the Lord.

Verse 26 immediately brought my dad to mind. He was a hardworking farmer. His days were long, and his Sundays were even longer. Yet he never did work on the Sabbath that could wait. He cared for his livestock, but the rest of the day belonged to the Lord. I never heard him complain. He simply lived his faith. I'm so grateful for his quiet, valiant example.

The people in Alma's day lived much the same way. They were obedient. They worked hard. They prospered. Most importantly, they "did impart of their substance...to the poor and the needy" (see Alma 1:30). Their prosperity became a blessing because they had prepared their hearts before the blessings came.

That reminded me of something I read in Saints. After World War II ended, Church President George Albert Smith met with President Harry S. Truman's administration seeking permission to send food and clothing to the starving Saints in Germany. Government officials asked how long it would take to gather the supplies. The answer astonished them: the supplies were already collected and ready to ship. All they needed was transportation. The Saints had prepared before the crisis, not after it.

That seems to be one of the Lord's patterns. He asks us to prepare long before we know why. We study before we're asked to defend our faith. We store before famine comes. We give before we become wealthy. We keep the Sabbath before we understand every blessing attached to it.

Preparation isn't simply about food storage or emergency supplies. It's about becoming the kind of disciple who is already ready when the Lord calls.

Mosiah 29 - Be Wise and Look Forward

One of the lessons that stood out to me in this chapter is simply this: Be wise. Take time to consider. Be prayerful. Look down the road.

Mosiah did. He saw the long-term ramifications of having a king. History has certainly shown how that has played out since the beginning of time.

I smiled when I read the note I had written in my scriptures back in August 2021:

Be wise and look forward.

Such simple counsel, yet if we would all do that as we make decisions, what a difference it would make in our lives.

Did I carefully consider the long-term consequences of some of my poor choices? Honestly, not in a way that would have changed anything. I was young and foolish, to say the least. Isn't it interesting that we often make the decisions that affect the rest of our lives when we have the least experience? Career choices. Companion choices. So many life-altering decisions.

Be wise. What more is there to say? Consider the future before making today's decisions.

Even though I could easily pull on the political thread running through this chapter, I choose to focus on wisdom instead.King Mosiah had obviously spent considerable time thinking through solutions before proposing a system of judges with checks and balances. What a remarkable idea! Of course, it only works if we choose wise men and women who strive to keep the commandments of God.

Verse 19 has one of my favorite margin notes. Do we have any idea what a blessing it is that the Lord looked forward with hope? He knew we would make mistakes, yet He also provided a way for us to repent and move forward in righteousness. That truth means everything to me.

I will forever be grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that made it possible for me to change my path. What a blessing that has been from that day forward.

But being delivered from bondage doesn't happen without action on our part. Notice what the people did:

1. They humbled themselves before God. (How often do I truly humble myself?)
2. They cried mightily unto Him. I can still remember one prayer in my own life that changed everything.

I have complete faith that this promise is true for anyone who humbly turns to God. I've seen it happen in my own life. I've watched it happen in the lives of others. And I know it can happen for those of my own children who are still wandering in the wilderness.

Verse 20 beautifully reinforces this promise. After they humbled themselves and cried mightily to God, He delivered them out of bondage.

Then comes this wonderful promise:

"...thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending his arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him."

That means me. It means you. It means every one of God's children.

The key is trust.

Trust that the Lord is personally invested in us. He created this magnificent earth with all its beauty for our benefit. Why would He bring us this far only to abandon us? He won't. He desires that we turn to Him in righteousness and ask for the things we truly need.

God is not a vending machine, though. We have to have skin in the game. Trust isn't a one-time event. It is something we choose daily—sometimes hourly—as we continue to follow Him.

It's tempting to make this chapter a political commentary, but I'll simply leave one important principle here. Verse 26 teaches us to "do your business by the voice of the people." I still choose to believe there are more good people than wicked people in our nation. Many have never heard or accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ, but that doesn't mean they aren't good people striving to do what is right.

The chapter ends on such a hopeful note. Alma the Younger became the first chief judge over the people while also serving as the high priest, having previously received that sacred office from his father. Basically, he is prophet and judge. 

What a lovely ending—and a reminder that wisdom, righteousness, and trust in God bring peace.

Mosiah 29 - Preparing Without Fear

Mosiah 29 left me asking some searching questions.

Do I truly quake and tremble at the thought that some of my brothers and sisters—even some of my own children—might endure endless torment? If I do, should I be doing more? But what?

As I pondered that question, the answer seemed simple. The most important thing any of us can do is preach the word—to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and His plan of happiness. We can invite others to read the Book of Mormon so they can discover that plan for themselves.

I've also wondered about the people of Mosiah's day who were so anxious to learn about the nation that had been destroyed, leaving behind only their records. Was it simple curiosity, or did they somehow wonder if they were connected to those people? Whatever their reason, their desire to know reminds me how much we can learn from those who came before us.

Then I asked myself a more personal question: What about this chapter should change me? What will help me draw closer to my Heavenly Father?

After reading President Dallin H. Oaks' April 2004 conference address, Preparation for the Second Coming, I believe I found my answer.

To approach the Savior's Second Coming without fear requires a closer relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

How do I get there?

I hope it's by continuing the things I already know to do, but doing them with greater intention. I know from experience that there have been seasons in my life when the Spirit felt almost tangible. I've also experienced quieter times when I wondered where those feelings had gone. It wasn't because I was doing bad things. More often, I simply wasn't as intentional in my prayers, my scripture study, or my efforts to serve others.

One statement from President Oaks is quite chilling:

"Evil that used to be localized and covered like a boil is now legalized and paraded like a banner."

That observation has only become more relevant. He spoke of the fundamental truths and institutions that are increasingly questioned or attacked. It made me think of The Family: A Proclamation to the World, first presented in 1995. Who could have imagined then how central its teachings about family and our divine identity would become in our day?

For me, though, the answer isn't fear. It isn't worrying about the world around me. The answer is to become better acquainted with my Savior. As my relationship with Him deepens, fear has less room to grow.

That is the preparation I want to make.

Mosiah 27 – The Powerful Work of God

The story of Alma the Younger has always been a source of inspiration and comfort to me. It also reinforces something I've been feeling throughout these last few chapters: the Lord is in the business of gathering His children on both sides of the veil.

Can you imagine living in a society where there was no persecution, no pride, no haughtiness, where neighbors truly treated one another as equals, and leaders worked for their own support? What a remarkable place that would be. We strive for those ideals today, but our own weaknesses often get in the way.

For a time, Alma's people experienced much of that peace. "The Lord did visit them and prosper them, and they became a large and wealthy people." Yet even among such a blessed people, there were sons and daughters who chose not to believe.

Isn't that still true today?

As parents and grandparents, it's hard not to wish an angel would appear to our wandering loved ones as one did to Alma and the sons of Mosiah. Wouldn't that make things easier?

I hesitate to make this story about me, but Mosiah 27 reminds me of one of the defining moments of my own life.

Before my conversion, I found myself in a situation that I knew would lead to my ruin. I was terrified and had no idea what to do. For the first time in eight years, I truly prayed. My prayer was simple:

"Heavenly Father, I can't keep going on. Please answer my parents' prayers for me. I'll do whatever You need me to do. If You need to wreck my car or even hurt me, I'm okay with that. I'm ready to change."

When I stood up and walked into the bathroom to change my clothes, the phone rang.

That phone call changed the course of my life.

I climbed back into bed and slept peacefully through the night. From that moment forward, I was different. I had been taught the truth in my youth, and I knew exactly where to go. I never looked back.

I didn't see an angel, and the earth didn't shake. But I have never doubted that I was rescued by a power beyond this world. Faithful parents and other earthly angels had prepared the way, and the Spirit called me back to the covenant path. Like Alma, I felt I had been born again. I knew I had been "snatched from an everlasting burning."

Verse 31 is a sober reminder that it is far better to experience that mighty change of heart during mortality than to wait until we stand before God.

How do we recognize true repentance? Verse 32 gives a beautiful answer. Those who have truly changed spend the rest of their lives bearing witness of Jesus Christ and helping others come unto Him. They become instruments in His hands.

That is exactly what Alma and the sons of Mosiah did. They dedicated the remainder of their lives to bringing souls to their Redeemer, and the Lord richly blessed them.

You can probably see why this chapter has always been so dear to me. In many ways, it tells my story too. And like Alma, I can only testify that the Lord has blessed me far beyond what I deserve.

 

Mosiah 26 - No Quota; Divine Providence

Mosiah 26:19 has certainly been my experience in prayer. Heavenly Father wants to communicate with us. He wants us to ask, to listen, and to seek Him diligently. The more earnestly I have tried to hear Him, the more I have recognized His answers.

Verse 22 stopped me in my tracks. "As often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me." Have we any idea of the power in that statement?

I testify that it is true. I was a mess before I turned my life over to my Savior. Looking back, I wonder if I emphasized that gift enough while raising my children. Never has the beauty of repentance been clearer to me than this year as I have served as a temple ordinance worker. Week after week I witness the Lord's work of redemption, and it fills me with hope.

Then I read the phrase, "everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels." I admit those words concern me. What does "everlasting" really mean? The footnotes didn't bring the reassurance I was looking for.

Then I remembered something I had read just this morning from Elder Orson F. Whitney:

"Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return."

He goes on to say there may be consequences, but they will return. Then comes his counsel to parents:

"Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God."

That phrase—"the tentacles of Divine Providence"—means something to me. It describes exactly how I felt as I found my way back to the Savior. I couldn't always see His hand, but I could feel Him reaching after me, gently and persistently drawing me home.

Do you know what those words mean to a parent with wandering children? They mean I can finally sleep at night instead of pacing the floor, wondering where they are or what they're doing. Before I truly embraced this doctrine, I carried a burden I was never meant to carry alone.

So what about "everlasting"? God's judgments are everlasting because He is everlasting. But this chapter also gives us an equally everlasting truth: "As often as my people repent will I forgive them." There is no quota. There is no point at which the Lord says, "You've used your last chance." As long as there is sincere repentance, there is forgiveness.

That promise comes with a responsibility. Once we have been forgiven, we are commanded to freely forgive others.

Repentance is beautiful. It is worth every effort it takes to reach that point because it leads us back to the Savior.

The final verse reminded me of a beautiful sacrament meeting yesterday. We need to gather our families, teach them, and lovingly admonish them. More than anything, they need to know how deeply they are loved—not only by us, but by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, who paid an infinite price for their souls.

Mosiah 25 – The Same God, Different Stories

As I began reading Mosiah 25, I realized I needed a refresher on Mulek. That led me to something I had forgotten. This chapter is one great gathering.

The Mulekites had been preserved from Jerusalem. The Nephites had been led away from Jerusalem and later from the land of Nephi. Limhi's people escaped Lamanite bondage through careful planning. Alma's people were delivered by miraculous intervention as the Lord literally lightened their burdens. Different journeys. The same God.

When everyone gathered and heard each other's stories, they marveled. Their response wasn't simply amazement—it was gratitude. They praised God.

That made me think about Fast and Testimony Meeting. As we hear one another's experiences, our own faith grows. We remember that the same God who delivered them delivered me and is still delivering His people today.

It also reminds me to look for the Lord's hand in my own life. Rescue doesn't always come in dramatic ways. Sometimes it's as simple as a neighbor asking for help, giving us the opportunity to be the Lord's hands. The miracle is having eyes to recognize His tender mercies.

I also found myself thinking about loved ones who aren't gathering. There is real heartache in watching children or grandchildren choose another path. Yet the doctrine gives hope. The Atonement is real, and the Lord's promises are sure. We can choose to gather now or later, but His work is to gather His children.

Alma's message to every group was remarkably simple: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance. Those same principles still gather us today.

As I read about Alma baptizing the people of Zarahemla, I wished that blessing for those I love. Then another thought came. Baptism isn't the only covenant that changes us. Every time a covenant member partakes of the sacrament with real intent, the renewing power of Christ is available. I've seen that power at work in my own live and in one of my daughters. It gives me hope for the others.

The chapter closes with these words:

"Whosoever were desirous to take upon them the name of Christ... they did join the churches of God; and they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed." (Mosiah 25:23–24)

That's still how it works.

Faith. Repentance. Covenants. Gathering. And the Lord pours out His Spirit upon His people.

 

Mosiah 24 – Visited in our Afflictions

At this time, the name of the king was Laman. Having the king in charge being  named after Laman would hardly give me warm fuzzies. Even worse, imagine having one of King Noah's wicked priests appointed to teach you. Before long, the same wickedness that destroyed King Noah's people spread until it reached Alma's people.

This time, what caught my attention wasn't just the bondage—it was how gradually it happened.

First came influence. Amulon became their teacher.

Then came authority. Taskmasters were placed over Alma's people.

Then came persecution. I had never noticed this detail before: Amulon caused that his children should persecute the children of Alma. Hatred had become generational.

Finally, the burdens became so heavy the people could scarcely bear them.

What did they do?

They cried mightily unto God.

When Amulon discovered they were praying for deliverance, he commanded that anyone caught praying should be put to death. So they stopped praying aloud, but they did not stop praying. This is instructive: They poured out their hearts silently, and the Lord knew "the thoughts of their hearts."

I love that verse.

Some of my sweetest prayers have been silent ones—in the car, while walking, or during the ordinary moments of the day. The Lord hears those prayers the same.

The Lord didn't remove Alma's burdens immediately. Instead, He strengthened them so their burdens became light, and they "did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."

Those are covenant blessings.

Then came His promise: He would deliver them from bondage. Before leading them safely to Zarahemla, He taught them why:

"That ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." (Mosiah 24:14)

I have lived that verse.

There was a season in my life when I felt trapped, simply putting one foot in front of the other. When my focus turned to the Lord, He didn't remove every difficulty, but He broke the chains that held me. I watched Him work in the details of my life. His hand was visible. It was tangible.

Since then I've learned that covenant blessings don't mean smooth roads. They mean the Lord strengthens us in our burdens, visits us in our afflictions, and delivers us according to His wisdom.

Why?

So we can stand as witnesses of Him.

That is why I keep serving, even when life feels busy or my schedule seems impossible. My children tease me that I create my own stress, and they're probably right. But everything I do is because I love the Savior. He delivered me through His mercy and grace. I saw it. I know it.

Every chance I get, I want to bear witness that He truly does visit His children in their afflictions.

 

Mosiah 23 – Loving Our Neighbor When It's Hard

Alma taught his people "that every man should love his neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention among them" (Mosiah 23:15).

 

Those words hit me like a rock this morning.

 

Last night ended with an unfortunate conversation. After spending the day trying to help an elderly neighbor when no one else was available, another neighbor questioned our decisions and was convinced she would have handled the situation differently. We had simply done the best we knew how to do under the circumstances.

 

Unfortunately, our neighbor didn't have all the facts and was convinced we had handled it poorly. The conversation remained civil, but it certainly wasn't pleasant. Walking away, I found myself replaying it in my mind, wishing I could start over.

 

Then I opened Mosiah 23.

 

Isn't that how the Lord teaches us? He allows us to live the lesson before we read it.

 

A few verses later came another reminder I needed:

 

"Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith."

 

I wrote in my scriptures, Just because we're trying to do good doesn't mean only good will come our way.

 

We're here to become like Jesus Christ. Patience, humility, charity, and forgiveness aren't learned in peaceful moments. They're developed when someone misunderstands us, criticizes us, or treats us unfairly.

 

It also occurred to me that helping people who are aging brings its own set of challenges. Good intentions don't always produce grateful responses. Sometimes they produce misunderstandings instead. Perhaps those moments are part of the Lord's curriculum too.

 

As I read the rest of the chapter, I noticed something else. Alma's people had escaped King Noah. They found a beautiful land. They worked hard. They prospered. They built a city.

 

Then came verse 21.

 

Their trials weren't over.

 

The Lord hadn't abandoned them; He was preparing them.

 

I think we sometimes believe that if we're doing the right things, life should become easier. Mosiah 23 teaches otherwise. The Lord can lead us to a good place and still allow experiences that stretch our patience and our faith.

 

The real danger wasn't the Lamanites.

 

It was contention.

 

Satan loves contention because it captures our thoughts and if we let it, our very souls. We replay conversations. We rehearse arguments. We build entire wars in our minds. Before long, we're in emotional bondage even when the disagreement itself has long since ended.

 

Perhaps my takeaway from Mosiah 23 is simply this:

 

Do the best you know how to do. Love your neighbor anyway. Learn what you can. Then leave the contention behind.

 

The Lord didn't bring us this far just to leave us where we are. Every difficult encounter is another invitation to become a little more like Him.

Mosiah 21–22: Delivered by Degrees

One phrase stopped me today: "They did humble themselves even in the depths of humility." (Mosiah 21:14)

Humility isn't always something we choose. Sometimes life chooses it for us. Illness, family struggles, financial problems, disappointment, or consequences of poor choices eventually bring us to the place where we realize, "I can't fix this myself."

I've been there.

Years ago, I spent nearly a decade trying to solve a difficult problem on my own. I'd make a fresh start, only to find myself right back where I'd begun. Everything changed when I finally admitted I couldn't do it alone. I turned to the Lord, but I also reached out to those who loved me—my parents, siblings, friends, and ward family. They became the hands of the Lord in my life. Their support, combined with the Savior's strength, carried me until I could stand on my own feet again.

I love what happens next in Mosiah's account. The people "began to prosper by degrees." Deliverance wasn't immediate. It came one step at a time. First their burdens became lighter. Then hope returned. Eventually came complete deliverance.

Sometimes we pray for miracles when the Lord intends to change us a little at a time. He often delivers us by degrees because those small victories teach us to keep depending on Him.

If you're in the middle of something that feels impossible, don't mistake gradual progress for unanswered prayers. The Lord may already be delivering you—even if you haven't reached the end of the journey yet.

Once the Lord opened the way, the people still had to work together. They counseled together, made a plan, and each person did his part. Faith didn't replace effort; faith united their efforts. The Lord provided the way, but the people still had to walk it.

Fighting Like Lions - Mosiah 20

As I read Mosiah 20, I couldn't help but wonder what this story looks like today.

Twenty-four daughters of the Lamanites were carried away into the wilderness. While human trafficking is a heartbreaking reality in our day, I also see another kind of abduction—one that is quieter and often harder to recognize. Satan rarely drags people away by force. More often, he lures them with acceptance, flattery, pleasure, and the attractions of the world. His methods are subtle, and that is what makes them so dangerous.

I've watched this happen up close. Good people don't usually wake up one morning and decide to abandon their faith. It happens one small compromise at a time until they hardly recognize how far they've drifted.

The Lamanites reacted exactly as many of us would have. They assumed Limhi's people had taken their daughters and immediately prepared for war. Mormon says they "fought like lions for their prey" and "like dragons did they fight" for their wives and children.

Those words slowed me down!

Have I fought like a lion for my family?

There have been seasons when I believe I had to. For a time, one of my daughters consumed my every waking thought as she battled a life-threatening eating disorder. We fought using professionals, prayers, tears, and hope simply to keep her alive. Today she still struggles, but she fiercely loves her husband and son. Her story isn't finished, and it isn't mine to tell. I continue to trust the Savior with the chapters that are still being written.

Before King Limhi rushed into battle, Gideon urged him to slow down. Don't assume. Search first. Think carefully. His wise counsel uncovered the truth: the guilty ones weren't Limhi's people at all. It was King Noah's wicked priests—men who had already abandoned their own wives and children to save themselves.

Selfishness had created the conflict.

I see that pattern today. Whenever people choose themselves over their covenants, marriages suffer, children suffer, and families suffer. Satan has always known that if he can weaken the family, he weakens society.

So what is the answer?

It is always Jesus Christ.

When our greatest desire is to please Him instead of protecting ourselves, our priorities change. We become more willing to sacrifice, forgive, teach, and stay faithful to our covenants. We become watchmen over our homes rather than spectators. We are present at the crossroads of our children's lives, offering love, counsel, and the steady influence of the gospel.

It didn't take me long to move from a story about a battle between wicked men to the greater war Satan wages against every disciple of Christ. Mosiah 20 reminds me that some things are worth fighting for—not with anger or contention, but with faith, steadfastness, and unwavering devotion to the Savior and to those we love.

Mosiah 19 – Contention Destroys from Within

There it is again—that word contention.

Mosiah 19 is full of it. King Noah's selfish leadership finally catches up with him. His people are divided. Families suffer. Friends turn against one another. In the end, King Noah isn't destroyed by the Lamanites but by the anger and contention of his own followers—just as Abinadi had prophesied.

What do I learn from this?

Contention destroys people from the inside out.

When there is contention within the ranks, people become vulnerable to the enemy. We see this principle everywhere—in businesses, communities, nations, churches, and families. Unity weakens, trust erodes, and eventually something breaks.

As I pondered this chapter, I found myself thinking less about King Noah and more about our own day. There seems to be an increasing spirit of contention all around us. People disagree, but too often they no longer disagree with kindness or respect. It makes me wonder how we got here.

Then my thoughts turned inward. The real question isn't what's happening in the world; it's what's happening in my own heart.

I'm grateful we have living prophets who seem to see around corners. Again and again they plead with us to become peacemakers, strengthen our homes, and center our lives on Jesus Christ. They know that contention is one of Satan's greatest tools because he understands that if he can divide us, he can weaken us.

I may not be able to influence the level of contention in the world, but I can influence the spirit in my home, my family, and my own heart. That's where peace begins. If I want to help build Zion, I need to begin by choosing charity over contention, patience over pride, and the Savior's way over my own.

A Commandment with a Promise

As I've been reading President Dallin H. Oaks' older conference talks, his October 2008 message reminded me why the sacrament meeting is the most sacred and important meeting in the Church.

He began with a question that feels especially relevant today. In these perilous times, when we can so easily become distracted, discouraged, or deceived, how do we have the Spirit of the Lord to guide our choices and keep us on the covenant path?

The Lord gives the answer plainly in Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–10: keep the Sabbath day holy.

That promise became very real to me as a young adult.

I grew up in a home where we were taught more by example than by lectures. My dad was a dairy farmer. Cows don't take Sundays off, but somehow he never let them take priority over the sacrament. We faithfully attended sacrament meeting because my parents understood what the Lord had promised.

One weekend while I was living in Ogden, I came home to visit. I wanted to leave early Sunday afternoon, but my mother insisted that I first attend sacrament meeting and partake of the sacrament. I did—but as soon as the ordinance was over, I left instead of staying for the remainder of the meetings.

If I'm honest, I wasn't hurrying home because of work or responsibility. I wanted to drive past the store where my boyfriend worked in hopes of catching a glimpse of him.

As I approached the intersection near the store, I was looking ahead instead of paying attention to the road. I missed a stop sign and plowed into a family's car as they were returning home from church. Their car was pushed into the corner of a nearby house. Several people were injured, and the property damage was extensive.

I've never doubted that if I had been where I should have been, the accident would never have happened.

My mother didn't need to say a word.

The consequences reached far beyond that afternoon. My dad's insurance premiums skyrocketed, and I had to purchase my own insurance at a cost I could barely afford. But the greatest lesson wasn't financial. It was spiritual.

That experience was one of the first times the Lord impressed upon me that keeping the Sabbath day holy truly is a commandment with a promise.

Two words from President Oaks' talk stood out to me: weekly and appropriately. At that point in my life, I was observing neither very well. I have come to believe that the promised blessings are connected to our willingness to do our part. Think about the the sacrament prayer. The word “willing” should be bolded. I feel the same way about “remember him”. 

President Oaks reminds us that the companionship of the Holy Ghost is one of God's greatest gifts. If I truly want that gift every week, then I should prepare appropriately to receive it.

That preparation includes my attitude and my clothing. Our manner of dress reflects how we regard the sacred ordinance we are about to receive. Walking in late, treating the meeting casually, or allowing distractions to dominate our thoughts makes it harder to invite the Spirit.

After I partake of the sacrament, I try to keep my thoughts centered on the Savior. For me, that often means simply closing my eyes so I can focus on Him.

President Oaks also speaks of music as an important part of worship. As someone who loves sacred music, that reminder touched my heart. Reverent music helps prepare us to worship and to renew our covenants.

President Joseph Fielding Smith once taught:

"Amusement, laughter, light-mindedness, are all out of place in the sacrament meetings of the Latter-day Saints. We should assemble in the spirit of prayer, of meekness, with devotion in our hearts."

Those who prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament stand on sacred ground. So do we as we receive it.

The sacrament carries one of the sweetest promises in all of scripture—that we may always have His Spirit to be with us.

Every Sabbath, I find myself asking this question:

Am I preparing myself to receive that promise?

 

What Do We Get Out of Serving?

As I've been studying President Dallin H. Oaks' older conference talks, one from April 2009 stopped me in my tracks. Unselfish Service reminded me why service has always been such a defining part of life as a Latter-day Saint.

President Oaks quoted President Gordon B. Hinckley:

"He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity."

President Thomas S. Monson added another profound truth:

"You can never love the Lord until you serve Him by serving His people."

Those statements made me think of a family reunion many years ago.

Meals were assigned to different branches of the family. My mother's family, along with one of my Latter-day Saint aunts, prepared enough food not only for everyone attending but also with leftovers for any friends who might wander into camp later. That's just what we'd learned from years of ward dinners, funeral meals, youth activities, and countless Church gatherings.

Another uncle's family, who were not members of our faith, had never had those experiences. They simply underestimated how much food was needed. Those at the front of the line ate well, but the food was gone long before everyone had been served.

Without hesitation, my mother, grandmother, and aunt disappeared into their trailers and returned carrying food they could spare. Before long, another feast had appeared. I remember watching everyone else marvel at what had happened.

I wasn't surprised.

I knew exactly where that instinct came from.

Years of serving had taught them to anticipate needs, to work together, and to quietly sacrifice for others. Those weren't just cooking skills—they were discipleship skills.

It also explains why serving as camp food director for fifty Young Women and leaders never intimidated me. I loved it! We ate well because years of Church service had quietly prepared me for the assignment.

President Oaks taught:

"Our willingness to sacrifice and our skills in cooperative efforts come from our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, from the inspired teachings of our leaders, and from the commitments and covenants we knowingly make."

Someone might ask, "What do you get out of all that service?"

My answer comes quickly.

You gain experience. You gain confidence. You discover you can do hard things. More importantly, you become someone who naturally looks outward instead of inward.

President Oaks reminds us of a warning to the early Saints about having "their minds on the things of the earth more than on the things of the Lord." That counsel is just as relevant today. Our covenants continually invite us to look beyond ourselves and remember who we are becoming.

One thought from his talk is worth mentioning:

"If we love and serve one another as the Savior taught, we remain connected to our covenants and to our associates."

I also love a quote worth remembering:

"I go to church each week with the intent of being active, not passive, and making a positive difference in people's lives. Consequently, my attendance at Church meetings is so much more enjoyable and fulfilling."

That has been my experience too. I love arriving early so I can freely visit with friends I haven’t seen for at least a week.

I'm happiest when I focus on what I can give instead of what I can get. It simply isn't a very good day if I haven't found some way to bless another person.

The gospel of Jesus Christ isn't just teaching us to do good things. It's patiently shaping us into good people. Every casserole prepared, every funeral dinner served, every youth camp organized, every quiet act of kindness is helping us become a little more like the Savior.

And in the end, I believe that's what we really get out of serving. 

Thank you, President Oaks, for a reminder that, though given years ago, is as timely today as ever.

Mosiah 16 -17 Covenants, Courage, Choices

One verse stopped me today:

"And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins... having been taught all these things?" (Mosiah 16)

How can we hope for a good outcome if we knowingly rebel against God and break our covenants with Him? At first, Mosiah 16 sounds discouraging, as if Satan has complete power over those who choose evil. But Abinadi doesn't leave us there.

He immediately points us to Jesus Christ.

Because of the Savior, we have power to overcome Satan. Because of Him, death is conquered. He is "the light and the life of the world"—a light that can never be extinguished. Our choices matter. Good leads to endless life and happiness; evil leads away from Him. We choose our path every day.

Then the story shifts to Alma.

Out of everyone listening to Abinadi, only one man is recorded as believing. Alma risked his own life by pleading for Abinadi's release. When King Noah ordered him killed, Alma fled into hiding, where he carefully recorded Abinadi's words. Because of Alma's courage, we have one of the greatest sermons in all of scripture. I feel indebted to him.

Abinadi, meanwhile, sealed his testimony with his life. King Noah briefly hesitated, but his priests appealed to his pride, and Abinadi was condemned. He endured scourging and death by fire rather than deny the truth he knew.

Isaiah's words came to mind:

"But he was wounded for our transgressions... and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

Abinadi's sacrifice will never equal the Savior's, but I can't help seeing him as a type of Christ—a righteous man willing to suffer rather than abandon his witness of Jesus Christ.

Before he died, Abinadi prophesied that King Noah's own seed would suffer because of his wickedness and that Noah himself would die by fire. Reading ahead, we see every word fulfilled.

That led me to Deuteronomy 28, where Moses reminded Israel that covenant blessings come through covenant faithfulness. The promised blessings included families, fruitful labor, protection from enemies, prosperity, rain in its season, and the Lord's guiding hand upon His people.

Those promises still matter today.

As I look at my own life, I can honestly say I have seen the Lord's covenant blessings again and again. They don't mean life is easy, but they do mean God keeps His promises. Abinadi's life is a powerful reminder that even when keeping our covenants is costly, the Savior's power is greater than Satan's, and God's promises never fail.

A Song Worth Singing

Abinadi continued his testimony in Mosiah 15 by declaring that God Himself would come to earth to redeem His people. What courage that must have taken. He stood before people who mocked him and rejected his message, yet he could not remain silent. In many ways, Abinadi became a type of Christ—willing to suffer because he knew the truth of who Jesus is.

One verse especially caught my attention:

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings..."

I've often heard mountains compared to temples. Whether Isaiah intended that symbolism here or not, I love the thought that those who carry the good news of Jesus Christ are beautiful in the Lord's sight.

I also noticed Abinadi's wording in verse 19:

"Were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his people..."

He speaks of the Savior's redemption as though it has already happened, even though Christ's mortal ministry was still in the future. The plan of redemption was so certain that it could be spoken of in the past tense because it had been established before the foundation of the world.

As I reached the end of the chapter, another phrase stayed with me:

"Break forth into joy, sing together..."

That verse feels personal.

I never sang much until the gospel truly found a home in my heart. Then, almost unexpectedly, music awakened in me. Before long I was hearing songs and writing them. I've never had formal training, and my music will never top the charts, but for nearly fifty years it has been my way of bearing testimony of Jesus Christ.

As I pondered these verses, another memory came rushing back. When I was growing up, my dad often sang about those beautiful feet upon the mountains that bring good tidings. I don't remember all the words anymore, but I remember how he sang them. I didn't realize then that he was quietly teaching me to love the Savior.

Looking back, I wonder if Heaven was preparing me long before I recognized it. My father's voice planted a seed that the Lord would later help grow.

Now I understand the words of the Psalmist: "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being" (Psalm 104:33).

That verse has become the desire of my heart. My songs will never make the world's charts, but if they help someone feel the Savior's love, then they have fulfilled the purpose I believe He gave them. If that has happened even for a few people, I have been blessed beyond anything I deserve. As long as the Lord continues to place music in my heart, I hope I'll keep writing it.

The world seems increasingly unsettled, just as the scriptures said it would before the Savior returns. I know difficult days still lie ahead, but they don't fill me with fear. They fill me with hope.

Because I know who is coming.

And that is a song worth singing.

 

Mosiah 14 – He Saw His Seed

Our Follow Him podcast this morning challenged us to slow down when we read scripture. Mosiah 14 seemed like a good place to start since Abinadi is quoting Isaiah about our Savior's offering for sin and His intercession for our transgressions.

Isaiah wrote these words about 700 years before Jesus was born, yet he speaks as though Christ's suffering has already happened. Then I remembered that Abinadi quoted them more than 500 years after Isaiah wrote them. The prophecy had been preserved for centuries because the Lord wanted His children to know what His Son would willingly do for them.

Isaiah says Jesus would grow up "as a tender plant." I wonder how His nurturing differed from mine. I also struggle with Isaiah's description that He had "no form nor comeliness." Nearly every painting I've seen portrays a strikingly handsome Savior. Perhaps Isaiah simply meant there was nothing outwardly remarkable about Him. It was His character—not His appearance—that drew people to Him.

Despised. Rejected. Acquainted with grief. Wounded. Bruised. Isaiah saw it all centuries before it happened. Why? For us. For our peace. For our healing. He did that for me. He did it for each of us.

When Isaiah says, "He opened not his mouth," I have to smile. I know I would have wanted to whisper, "You're not going to like yourself on resurrection morning." But that wasn't Jesus. He remained silent because He was doing the very thing that would save even those who were causing His suffering.

Then I came to the question, How could He do it?

Isaiah gives the answer in one simple phrase:

"He shall see his seed."

He saw us.

He saw that our only hope of returning to our Heavenly Father was His willingness to complete the Father's plan. "He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied."

He bore our sins. He redeemed us from our transgressions.

He did it for me.

That makes me His seed—His child.

Mosiah 13 - It's a Heart Thing

What do you suppose it means to have the commandments "written in your hearts" (Mosiah 13:11)?

I don't think it simply means memorizing them. I think it means they become part of who we are because they have led us to Christ.

Jeremiah's prophecy comes to mind:

"I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts." Jeremiah 31:33

The law moves from stone tablets to the human heart. Obedience becomes less about avoiding punishment and more about loving the Savior. How do we show the Savior we love Him? 

Can you know the law and still not understand it? Absolutely. I did.

I knew the commandments—or at least the "do's and don'ts." They nagged at me often enough. But were they written on my heart? Not yet.

Looking back, I realize I had never really studied them. My exposure came through Sunday School and later seminary, but I had never searched the scriptures for myself or, as Alma would later teach, experimented upon the word. (Alma 32:27) I knew about the commandments, but I didn't yet understand where they were meant to lead me. I hadn’t learned how to apply them to me. Most of my infractions were in my heart and mind rather than in outward actions. I simply hadn't recognized them for what they were.

What I never fully understood in my wandering years was that there was a way out of my darkness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He paid an unthinkable price for my foolishness, yet somehow that central truth never settled into my heart. How did I miss the very center of the plan?

Was my heart hard? I don't think so. I simply hadn't learned. More accurately, I hadn't yet internalized my need for a Savior. 

I was such a good girl that I rarely thought I needed to ask Jesus for forgiveness. I don't say that with pride. I was well-behaved, but I wasn't yet converted.

That was my foolishness.

We all sin. Every day we fall short. Somewhere along the way, I must have concluded that if I wasn't breaking one of the "Big Ten," I didn't really need to repent. If I didn't think I needed repentance, then I didn't feel much urgency to understand the Redeemer.

I could follow that thread for hours.

To be honest, I don't remember much of what I was taught growing up. I remember sitting in Sunday School with the friends I had known all my life. One girl was always asking deep, complicated questions. She drove me crazy.

Now I realize why.

She wasn't the problem.

I simply didn't understand.

Today, I'm grateful that the Lord patiently teaches us line upon line. The scriptures and the words of living prophets continue to write His law upon our hearts as we live them. The commandments were never meant to be just a list of things to do or avoid. They are a pathway leading us to the One who can change our hearts.

 

Mosiah 11–12 – Who’s Your King?

There's nothing like a wicked king to remind you why the only King I truly want is Jesus Christ.

Every time I read about King Noah, I'm reminded that no earthly leader can save us. Governments matter, elections matter, and good leaders matter—but only one King can redeem us. My hope isn't ultimately in a political party or a candidate. It is in Jesus Christ.

The parting thought from Mosiah 11 wasn't just King Noah's wickedness. It was that "the eyes of the people were blinded." That stopped me. A corrupt leader cannot lead people astray unless many begin listening to him. It caused me to ask a much harder question: Where might my own eyes be blinded? Am I allowing the voices of the world to drown out the voice of the prophet?

As I pondered the chapter, my thoughts began drifting toward politics, and that's not what I wanted this blog to become. So I shelved it. The rest of my day felt strangely anxious. With our remodeling project going on, I realized I needed somewhere quiet. I found myself sitting in the temple chapel with a few extra minutes to read Mosiah 12. My mind was calmer, and I could hear the message more clearly.

I always smile when I read Mosiah 12:1. Abinadi disguised himself and then announced exactly who he was. It just makes me smile.

His message, however, is anything but lighthearted. It is just as relevant today as it was 148 years before the birth of Christ. Our prophets have repeatedly taught that the Book of Mormon was written for our day. Abinadi's call to repent is also a call to each of us.

Repentance simply means changing direction—turning away from what isn't leading us to Christ and turning back toward Him.

If we ignore that invitation, we too can find ourselves in bondage. Truthfully, I don't believe it's simply an angry God who inflicts punishment. I've learned from experience that our own sins bring us into bondage. They blind us to the mercies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and little by little we find ourselves walking paths we never imagined taking when we first stepped onto them.

King Noah's story isn't just a warning about a wicked ruler. It's an invitation to make sure the One I choose to follow is the true King of Kings.

Mosiah 10 - Where Are Our Guards?

As I read Mosiah 10 this morning, I had to stop and ask, Who is speaking? The answer is Zeniff. He is explaining how he prepared his people for attacks he knew would come from the Lamanites.

 

He armed his people. He strengthened their defenses. He placed guards around the land so they would not be taken by surprise.

 

That caused me to wonder: What are our prophets teaching us today?

 

President Russell M. Nelson, and now President Dallin H. Oaks, have spent years preparing us for the greatest spiritual conflict the world has ever known. We are moving toward the Savior's Second Coming. The battle is not merely political or social. It is a battle for our hearts, our homes, and our faith.

 

What weapons have we been asked to forge?

 

Not swords or shields, but

 

Ourselves!

 

Strong testimonies. Hearts that recognize the Spirit. Minds that know truth well enough to recognize deception. The ability to receive personal revelation so we are not swept away by every persuasive voice or popular idea.

 

President Russell M. Nelson gave this prophetic warning:

 

"In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

 

What a remarkable promise—and warning. The Lord isn't asking us to become experts on every deception Satan invents. He is asking us to become so familiar with the voice of the Holy Ghost that we recognize truth when we hear it and error when we see it. Perhaps that is the greatest weapon He has asked us to forge.

 

Zeniff posted guards around the borders of his land.

 

Where are our guards?

 

I think they look remarkably familiar.

 

Families who pray together.

 

Parents and children studying the scriptures together.

 

Faithful church attendance.

 

Clean, wholesome entertainment.

 

Time spent together instead of everyone living separate lives under the same roof.

 

As I thought about these things, I realized I was almost quoting The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Long before many of today's challenges appeared, the Lord had already placed guards around our families through living prophets. The proclamation, issued in 1995, continues to provide timeless counsel for protecting our homes.

 

Verses 4 and 5 also made me think about work and preparation. Zeniff's people were industrious. They labored. They prepared for the future.

 

I wondered are taught about those principles today. Of course! Parents who faithfully teach their children to work, to save, to prepare, and to live within their means are already teaching those eternal principles. In a world that encourages immediate gratification, those lessons may be more valuable than ever.

 

The last part of the chapter is almost painful to read. We’re talking about a family here. Yes, it’s been years, but they are still family.

 

The Lamanites hated the Nephites because they had been taught a false history. Generation after generation, lies were repeated until they became accepted as truth.

 

Satan still uses the same strategy.

 

If he can persuade people to believe a lie, he has gained tremendous ground.

 

That is why our responsibility is not simply to warn against deception but to fill our homes with truth.

 

Our children need to know who they really are. They are beloved sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents. They need to know that Jesus Christ willingly suffered every pain, every sorrow, every injustice, and every sin so they could make their way back home to Him. They need to hear those truths so often that when the world's counterfeits appear, they immediately recognize them for what they are – LIES!

 

Zeniff reminds us that prophets don't wait until the battle begins to prepare the people.

 

Neither should we.

 

I'm grateful the Lord has never left us to fight alone. He has always prepared His people before the battle. My prayer is that I will continue placing those guards around my own heart and home, trusting that the Lord knows exactly what His children will need—not only for today, but for the days yet to come.