Well, as I attended my daughter's young Women new beginnings and ponder on the theme for the year a came home and decided to read the entire scripture. I have to confess that I have read the Book of Mormon so many times and passed buy this verse, but just last night it has come with great power into my heart.
Here it is: Mosiah 5:15
15 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.
What a great scriptures, the words of a great man, King Benjamin has being one of my hero's. Someone with so much spirituality in his life and so close to the Lord. In reading this verse it just came to me the realization of how much king Benjamin knew the Lord in his mortal life, and how much the dedication to help other and to serve and have the good works, has blessed his life with the knowledge of the Savior's true character.
So I have taken the time to seat down with my girls and explained to them that when we learn about the life of King Benjamin we understand what he meant by this scriptures. It is the good works, what we do for our fellow men that brings us all this things. This verse has great promises.
If we stay; 1. steadfast ( firmly fixed in place)
2. Immovable (incapable of being moved) ( no shift in values)
3. have Good Works ( abundantly) ( a lot)
Them we will: 1. Be sealed as Christ's children ( the Lord God Omnipotent)
2. be brought to heaven
3. have everlasting (indefinitely) salvation
4. Eternal Life
5. know the : a. wisdom of God
b. power of God
c. justice of God
d. mercy of God
How is that for a promise? I just love this verse and all the words of King Benjamin. I have a great desire to , one day, know him personally.
This scripture to me illustrate the life of the Savior who lived to serve, to do Good Works.
Our Heavenly Father has said that ti is his work and Glory to bring us immortality and Eternal life. this verse illustrate who this can be done. Be consistent , persevere and serve.
What a great example of service, dedication and steadfast our beloved prophet Gordon B. Hinckley has being to all of us. A life in the service of His God and his fellowmen. he will be greatly missed, and will live in our memories forever. May we never forget our goal. To Eternal Life with our Father.
Hugs
Carmen
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
It's not enoug to have them join the journey!
Happy New Year to all!
Today is the first day of a new year and I decided to not end the day without some scripture study. Starting the new year in a great way.
Our Sunday School study course this year is the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon to me is a precious gift from our Heavenly Father, his mercy , in giving us this book,is unlimited. After the gift of his own son, this is the second greatest in my opinion.
I have to say that the book of Mormon took a new meaning in my life after I became a parent, as specially after i became the parent of a teenager.
I have become to understand that the Book of Mormon has a great impact in helping us raise our families and the role that the Saviour Jesus Christ and his prophets have in the process.
So I decided to write about one of my learning experiences in reading the Book of Mormon and being so inspired as a parent.
A few years a go I found myself teaching seminary, I loved . I learned a lot from my students and all the training we had from General Authorities and our CES leaders in Brazil. In Brazil a seminary teacher is a Stake calling.Each ward has it is own teacher and after we are sustained and set apart we are all turned over to CES to be trained. Once you are called there is no way to tell how long you'll have that calling. I was also called to teach institute at one point. I loved every minute of it.
One thing always bothered me. When I had a student who did not wanted to be there, in class .
Most of the time they had a not so good behavior and were very disruptive to the rest of the class. Our course of action was to always talk to the parents first.
many countless times I heard the phrase"at least he/she is there , in seminary!"
Many timesIwanted to say and I believe I did said a few times: "no, your son/daughter is not there." Truth is they were everywhere but in class. I and my colleges felt powerless, what could we do?
Time went on and I no longer teach seminary, but I still hear the same Fraze, even in a different language.
In study the Book of Mormon, after i became a parent, my heart always feel so heavy for the prophet and father Lehi. When I read his words to Laman and Lemuel, oh so many times. Like:
1Nephi 2:12-13 -
12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.
13 Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father.
So many times this same thing happen. When I was younger I found myself thinking: "who wants to take this 2 guys on the trip, just live them behind". But that was not the heart of father Lehi. This was more like him.
1 Nephi 2:14
14 And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he commanded them.
That is more like Father Lehi. " Filled with the spirit".
For father Lehi it was never enough that Laman and Lemeul join them in the journey, he made sure they knew all about it. He thought and exhorted them all the way. The final decision to rebel was theirs, but never because the did not new where to look for salvation, but because they did wanted too.
For Father Lehi it was never enough that they were on their way to the promise land, that they join the family on their journey, that they are at least on the ship, no that was never enough
1 Nephi 2: 8-10
8 And it came to pass that he called the name of the river, Laman, and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof.
9 And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness!
10 And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!
That is the lesson I learned and I wish I had it back them when I was a seminary teacher.
The lesson that is not enough that they are at least at seminary or at church. Just like Laman and Lemuel it's not enough for them to join the journey to the promise land. If we don't take upon our shoulders the responsibility the Lord has given us, to teach them, they will eventually be distracted by the great and spacious building and go after the world. No, sorry, but is not enough to be there, they need to hear what is said and they need to here from us, the parents, first.
So when we hear our leaders in general conference directing us to teach doctrine, gospel, in our family home evenings, we need to remember Father Lehi, and his example of never give up.
I would not have left any of my kids in Jerusalem either, I would have taken them all with me and like Lehi I would have said, it is not enough that you came. Now listen to what I have to teach.
It is not enough to be together we need to be nurtured by the Good word of God.
So let us ponder the words of a great parent.
2 Nephi 4:5
5 But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it.
May we never said "at least", may we say instead, "we'll talk about it at family home evening tonight."
May we never think that is enough for our children to join us in the journey, may we teach them a long the way, the power of the word of God, so they can hold tight to the rod and eat the fruit with us and may we all seat together in the kingdom of God.
Hugs to all
may 2008 be a great year...
Sorry about all the grammar mistakes, it's late...
Carmen
Today is the first day of a new year and I decided to not end the day without some scripture study. Starting the new year in a great way.
Our Sunday School study course this year is the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon to me is a precious gift from our Heavenly Father, his mercy , in giving us this book,is unlimited. After the gift of his own son, this is the second greatest in my opinion.
I have to say that the book of Mormon took a new meaning in my life after I became a parent, as specially after i became the parent of a teenager.
I have become to understand that the Book of Mormon has a great impact in helping us raise our families and the role that the Saviour Jesus Christ and his prophets have in the process.
So I decided to write about one of my learning experiences in reading the Book of Mormon and being so inspired as a parent.
A few years a go I found myself teaching seminary, I loved . I learned a lot from my students and all the training we had from General Authorities and our CES leaders in Brazil. In Brazil a seminary teacher is a Stake calling.Each ward has it is own teacher and after we are sustained and set apart we are all turned over to CES to be trained. Once you are called there is no way to tell how long you'll have that calling. I was also called to teach institute at one point. I loved every minute of it.
One thing always bothered me. When I had a student who did not wanted to be there, in class .
Most of the time they had a not so good behavior and were very disruptive to the rest of the class. Our course of action was to always talk to the parents first.
many countless times I heard the phrase"at least he/she is there , in seminary!"
Many timesIwanted to say and I believe I did said a few times: "no, your son/daughter is not there." Truth is they were everywhere but in class. I and my colleges felt powerless, what could we do?
Time went on and I no longer teach seminary, but I still hear the same Fraze, even in a different language.
In study the Book of Mormon, after i became a parent, my heart always feel so heavy for the prophet and father Lehi. When I read his words to Laman and Lemuel, oh so many times. Like:
1Nephi 2:12-13 -
12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.
13 Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father.
So many times this same thing happen. When I was younger I found myself thinking: "who wants to take this 2 guys on the trip, just live them behind". But that was not the heart of father Lehi. This was more like him.
1 Nephi 2:14
14 And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he commanded them.
That is more like Father Lehi. " Filled with the spirit".
For father Lehi it was never enough that Laman and Lemeul join them in the journey, he made sure they knew all about it. He thought and exhorted them all the way. The final decision to rebel was theirs, but never because the did not new where to look for salvation, but because they did wanted too.
For Father Lehi it was never enough that they were on their way to the promise land, that they join the family on their journey, that they are at least on the ship, no that was never enough
1 Nephi 2: 8-10
8 And it came to pass that he called the name of the river, Laman, and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof.
9 And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness!
10 And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!
That is the lesson I learned and I wish I had it back them when I was a seminary teacher.
The lesson that is not enough that they are at least at seminary or at church. Just like Laman and Lemuel it's not enough for them to join the journey to the promise land. If we don't take upon our shoulders the responsibility the Lord has given us, to teach them, they will eventually be distracted by the great and spacious building and go after the world. No, sorry, but is not enough to be there, they need to hear what is said and they need to here from us, the parents, first.
So when we hear our leaders in general conference directing us to teach doctrine, gospel, in our family home evenings, we need to remember Father Lehi, and his example of never give up.
I would not have left any of my kids in Jerusalem either, I would have taken them all with me and like Lehi I would have said, it is not enough that you came. Now listen to what I have to teach.
It is not enough to be together we need to be nurtured by the Good word of God.
So let us ponder the words of a great parent.
2 Nephi 4:5
5 But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it.
May we never said "at least", may we say instead, "we'll talk about it at family home evening tonight."
May we never think that is enough for our children to join us in the journey, may we teach them a long the way, the power of the word of God, so they can hold tight to the rod and eat the fruit with us and may we all seat together in the kingdom of God.
Hugs to all
may 2008 be a great year...
Sorry about all the grammar mistakes, it's late...
Carmen
Monday, November 26, 2007
Children : Believe in them!
Thinking about Family all day, I decided to find some quote before going to bed, so here it is , from Henry B. Eyring, To Draw Closer to God: A Collection of Discourses, p.177 - 178.
We must find other ways to convey our legacy of testimony, but the process of teaching, testifying, and living the truth will be the same. The scriptures, living prophets, and common sense tell us where to begin. We need to start with [pagebreak]ourselves as parents. No program we follow or family tradition we create can transmit a legacy of testimony we do not have. We must start where Alma started, so that our descendants can know that we testified from the same ground from which he testified. Here are his words as recorded in the Book of Mormon. It is what we must be able to say: "And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me." (Alma 5:45-46.)
I have a great legacy from my parents in many different aspects of life. Their dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ made all the difference in our lives. When I talk about dedication, I talk about really living the gospel and holding on to it with all they had.
I also have the legacy of them always believing in us, no matter what, always telling us that we could do much better.
I remember all the encouragement during my youth years. Like Pres. Hinckley's children said, they always believed we would turn out just fine. I guess faith does proceed the miracle.
My mom has since passed away, I miss her encouragement. But she left enough for me to live on and to pass to my own kids.
So, that it is, the legacy of believing in my children, and using much faith to see the miracle. never taken my eyes of the miracle.
Like Alma the father, asking the Lord for his intervention. Given it to him. Coming unto Christ and let him be a part of the process.
Mosiah 27:14
And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.
At the end we can see our own children speaking like Alma the younger spoke, in the scripture quoted by Pres. Eyring, yes Alma the younger, who like me, was blessed with parents who never gave up on him, who had Faith in God to see the miracle and knew that conversion only come from the the Holy Ghost, from within.
Hugs
Carmen
We must find other ways to convey our legacy of testimony, but the process of teaching, testifying, and living the truth will be the same. The scriptures, living prophets, and common sense tell us where to begin. We need to start with [pagebreak]ourselves as parents. No program we follow or family tradition we create can transmit a legacy of testimony we do not have. We must start where Alma started, so that our descendants can know that we testified from the same ground from which he testified. Here are his words as recorded in the Book of Mormon. It is what we must be able to say: "And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me." (Alma 5:45-46.)
I have a great legacy from my parents in many different aspects of life. Their dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ made all the difference in our lives. When I talk about dedication, I talk about really living the gospel and holding on to it with all they had.
I also have the legacy of them always believing in us, no matter what, always telling us that we could do much better.
I remember all the encouragement during my youth years. Like Pres. Hinckley's children said, they always believed we would turn out just fine. I guess faith does proceed the miracle.
My mom has since passed away, I miss her encouragement. But she left enough for me to live on and to pass to my own kids.
So, that it is, the legacy of believing in my children, and using much faith to see the miracle. never taken my eyes of the miracle.
Like Alma the father, asking the Lord for his intervention. Given it to him. Coming unto Christ and let him be a part of the process.
Mosiah 27:14
And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.
At the end we can see our own children speaking like Alma the younger spoke, in the scripture quoted by Pres. Eyring, yes Alma the younger, who like me, was blessed with parents who never gave up on him, who had Faith in God to see the miracle and knew that conversion only come from the the Holy Ghost, from within.
Hugs
Carmen
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Youth!
Our family is studding the Joseph Smith History for the past couple of days. We are reading from the Prophet's words on his own History and we are amazed of the many things we have learned. We stop at every point we want to talk about.
So last night we read verse 22-23,
22 I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution; and this was common among all the sects—all united to persecute me.
23 It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.
Joseph's life would never be the same and from this point on he will be persecuted until he is killed.
One thing came to me last night when we read. Our Youth, our children. Maybe to the world they do seam very normal and of no importance, but Satan know how important they are and what they can do to frustrate his evil work. As time comes to a close and the second coming is near, Satan knows he has one last chance, to drag as many as he can down with him. he has done this before.
So here is Joseph, facing the same problems our kids face.
What is today in yours , and my, kids life that is causing them to go away from what it could be the greatest work of their life. sure many will not be called as a prophet of God, but any little good thing they can do counts and by eliminating their influence, makes it easy for the enemy to work his purposes.
The enemy will always tempt us with things He knows is very hard for us to overcame.
Well, How they can stand firm? Well, you have to read the rest of the story... (hint, verse 24).
But this I have to say, even at age 15, Joseph was one of the strongest men , spiritually.
He had sorrow for all that was happening but no fear.... Verse 24 tells where his strength came from..
Let me know what you think it is...
Hugs
Carmen
So last night we read verse 22-23,
22 I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution; and this was common among all the sects—all united to persecute me.
23 It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.
Joseph's life would never be the same and from this point on he will be persecuted until he is killed.
One thing came to me last night when we read. Our Youth, our children. Maybe to the world they do seam very normal and of no importance, but Satan know how important they are and what they can do to frustrate his evil work. As time comes to a close and the second coming is near, Satan knows he has one last chance, to drag as many as he can down with him. he has done this before.
So here is Joseph, facing the same problems our kids face.
What is today in yours , and my, kids life that is causing them to go away from what it could be the greatest work of their life. sure many will not be called as a prophet of God, but any little good thing they can do counts and by eliminating their influence, makes it easy for the enemy to work his purposes.
The enemy will always tempt us with things He knows is very hard for us to overcame.
Well, How they can stand firm? Well, you have to read the rest of the story... (hint, verse 24).
But this I have to say, even at age 15, Joseph was one of the strongest men , spiritually.
He had sorrow for all that was happening but no fear.... Verse 24 tells where his strength came from..
Let me know what you think it is...
Hugs
Carmen
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Mormon and Moroni
One of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon is Moroni 9. A loving letter from a loving father to his son. It describes in detail the cause for the fall of the great Nephite nation. The times and circumstances surrounding the events is so similar to the world that surrounds us today and how important it is for our own children to understand what is causing the world to be so wicked.
Well, Mormon describes the situation to his son and give him so important formula on how to survive a wicked and deteriorating society, in other words how to be " in the world and not of the world".
He stars describing the situation.
Mormon 9: The fall of a nation
1). ver. 3 - allow Satan to stir their hearts with anger against each other. ( the word anger is mentioned 3 time from verse 3 to 5) How are your anger?
2). ver.4- anger against those who have authority from God to teach us - to call repentance.. Prophets, leaders.
3). ver. 4 - harden their hearts against teachings...
4). ver.4 - lost the companionship of the spirit. (now that is hard, with out the spirit we are definitely no only lost, but on Satan's grasp.)
5). ver.5 - Anger again
6). ver.5 - no fear of death - disregard for life.
7). ver. 5 - lost love for one another ( not just their enemy)
8). ver.5 - thirst after revenge continually, Ver. 23 - obstinate ( what away to spend you days, thinking ways of cause suffering to others)
9). ver.7 - prisoners ( think of bad habits)
10). ver.9 - no regards for chastity or virtue, morally wicked..
11). ver.10 - murderers
12). ver.11 - no civilization
13) ver.13 - delight in abominations ( became a very part of whom they are, no conscience)
14). ver.16 - starvation ( apostasy is always compared to starvation)
15). ver. 18 - no order or mercy
16). ver. 19 - strong in their perversion. ( do anyone want to be known by this? so terrible)
17). ver.19 - brutal (abuse)
18). ver.19 - delight in everything that is not good ( this sums it all)
19). ver.20 - without principles, ( imagine that, no one has principle, pure chaos)
20). ver.20 - no past feelings ( no remorse, no regrets, no remembrance of anything) Remember in the Book of Mormon the word REMEMBER is mentioned many times, over and over. So no remembrance is very danger.
21). ver.10- token of bravery, (pride) recognition, doing it to being seen and feared by others.
Very scary! Think that this is also the world that surrounds us and our families, and them listen to the words of a Man of God, a loving father, who raised his son in righteousness in the middle of all of this. Raised a Prophet in the middle of all of this.
Mormon's counsel:
1). ver.4,6 - labor with them continually and diligently (not casual)
2). ver.15 - pray for them
3). ver.20,25 - don't dwell on it, don't let it weigh you down
4). ver.22 - focus on your family
5). ver.22- keep in mind that repentance is available to all
6). ver.24 - pass on what is sacred to you as a testimony to your children
7). ver25 - Be faithful (where have I heard this before?)
8). ver.25 - Be lifted up in Christ
9). ver.25 - keep hope on the glory of God in mind
10) . ver.26 - let the grace of God abide with you forever
11) . ver.25 Think of the atonement, ( mercy, long suffering)
So there is a lot to think about it. I know that the world around this two men where very similar to the world around me, great reason to listen and apply their consul in my life... A lot of things to talk about with our children. The most amazing thing to me is that in the middle of all of this, Mormon's great challenge to his son and all of us is - Don't take your eyes away fro the Savior, don't get distracted.
ver. 25 - My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.
Hugs
Carmen
Well, Mormon describes the situation to his son and give him so important formula on how to survive a wicked and deteriorating society, in other words how to be " in the world and not of the world".
He stars describing the situation.
Mormon 9: The fall of a nation
1). ver. 3 - allow Satan to stir their hearts with anger against each other. ( the word anger is mentioned 3 time from verse 3 to 5) How are your anger?
2). ver.4- anger against those who have authority from God to teach us - to call repentance.. Prophets, leaders.
3). ver. 4 - harden their hearts against teachings...
4). ver.4 - lost the companionship of the spirit. (now that is hard, with out the spirit we are definitely no only lost, but on Satan's grasp.)
5). ver.5 - Anger again
6). ver.5 - no fear of death - disregard for life.
7). ver. 5 - lost love for one another ( not just their enemy)
8). ver.5 - thirst after revenge continually, Ver. 23 - obstinate ( what away to spend you days, thinking ways of cause suffering to others)
9). ver.7 - prisoners ( think of bad habits)
10). ver.9 - no regards for chastity or virtue, morally wicked..
11). ver.10 - murderers
12). ver.11 - no civilization
13) ver.13 - delight in abominations ( became a very part of whom they are, no conscience)
14). ver.16 - starvation ( apostasy is always compared to starvation)
15). ver. 18 - no order or mercy
16). ver. 19 - strong in their perversion. ( do anyone want to be known by this? so terrible)
17). ver.19 - brutal (abuse)
18). ver.19 - delight in everything that is not good ( this sums it all)
19). ver.20 - without principles, ( imagine that, no one has principle, pure chaos)
20). ver.20 - no past feelings ( no remorse, no regrets, no remembrance of anything) Remember in the Book of Mormon the word REMEMBER is mentioned many times, over and over. So no remembrance is very danger.
21). ver.10- token of bravery, (pride) recognition, doing it to being seen and feared by others.
Very scary! Think that this is also the world that surrounds us and our families, and them listen to the words of a Man of God, a loving father, who raised his son in righteousness in the middle of all of this. Raised a Prophet in the middle of all of this.
Mormon's counsel:
1). ver.4,6 - labor with them continually and diligently (not casual)
2). ver.15 - pray for them
3). ver.20,25 - don't dwell on it, don't let it weigh you down
4). ver.22 - focus on your family
5). ver.22- keep in mind that repentance is available to all
6). ver.24 - pass on what is sacred to you as a testimony to your children
7). ver25 - Be faithful (where have I heard this before?)
8). ver.25 - Be lifted up in Christ
9). ver.25 - keep hope on the glory of God in mind
10) . ver.26 - let the grace of God abide with you forever
11) . ver.25 Think of the atonement, ( mercy, long suffering)
So there is a lot to think about it. I know that the world around this two men where very similar to the world around me, great reason to listen and apply their consul in my life... A lot of things to talk about with our children. The most amazing thing to me is that in the middle of all of this, Mormon's great challenge to his son and all of us is - Don't take your eyes away fro the Savior, don't get distracted.
ver. 25 - My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.
Hugs
Carmen
Monday, November 12, 2007
Casual!!!!
Remember our lesson in Sunday School was about the epistle of Peter and we had a great discussion. I wish everyone had the same teacher we do. More them just teaching, knowing how to conduct a discussion.
So we are talking about about 2 Peter 1: 4-8 and how to be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the scripture lists : Divine Nature, diligence, faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance (self-control), patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity.
Ver. 8 - "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
there were many opinions about the Scripture, including mine, ( I talk too much), all very good opinions, and them a Sister gave her opinion and it just stayed with me and came to me with great power. She sad that when she thinks of "diligence" she also thinks of "casual", that if all these things are done casually and every once in the great while, it will do nothing for us, it needs to be constant. I love that, I really do. I think is just right on the dot. The Gospel is a Gospel of diligence and if we are merely casual about it, we are in for great disappointment, it will do nothing for us, it will have no power to save us.
I needed that reminder to never be casual about my spiritual growth or the growth of my family. Because all of this fruitful knowledge needs to be passed to our children...
Great comments make the lessons all the best and we never know when someone need them.
Keep them coming...
Hugs
Carmen
So we are talking about about 2 Peter 1: 4-8 and how to be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the scripture lists : Divine Nature, diligence, faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance (self-control), patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity.
Ver. 8 - "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
there were many opinions about the Scripture, including mine, ( I talk too much), all very good opinions, and them a Sister gave her opinion and it just stayed with me and came to me with great power. She sad that when she thinks of "diligence" she also thinks of "casual", that if all these things are done casually and every once in the great while, it will do nothing for us, it needs to be constant. I love that, I really do. I think is just right on the dot. The Gospel is a Gospel of diligence and if we are merely casual about it, we are in for great disappointment, it will do nothing for us, it will have no power to save us.
I needed that reminder to never be casual about my spiritual growth or the growth of my family. Because all of this fruitful knowledge needs to be passed to our children...
Great comments make the lessons all the best and we never know when someone need them.
Keep them coming...
Hugs
Carmen
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Why have I chose this subject for a blog?
I was asked this question today. I know the answer very well.
I have always loved to study the scriptures and thanks to wonderful parents who focus so much in the study of the scriptures it became a major part of my life. Seminary was the best part of my day. I had the blessing of serving as a Seminary teacher in Brazil for some years and had to prepare a lesson everyday, so the study of the scriptures was always there, daily. When I served my full time mission I also had the daily study. When i finished my mission, my president ask me to never let it go of my daily scripture study, and I promised him to keep it going.
Notice that I used the word, STUDY and not READ. I will talk about it some other post.
Well, some years in the past as I was serving as a primary president in my ward, i had so many young mothers who would come to me and ask me to please do not suggest their names for primary callings, specially in the nursery. One sister in particular was very afraid of being called and she made a big deal every time she saw me. The theme was always the same, "Relief Society is the only time during the week to gain my spiritual bust, my strength".
There I was talking to this young mother who only source of spirituality for the week was 1 hour of Relief Society meeting .
I guess one can tell, that at least she was having a one hour to open her Scriptures, and if the teacher had any scriptures to open. True. All I can say is what the study of scriptures have done for me, and that is why I started this blog.
I believe with all my being that the only thing that can truly save us and our families is the True Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love to study the scriptures because it brings me so close to home, to were I belong and I love to read of the life and changes in all those who have lived before and can testify of what the Gospel has done in their lives.
But I also know that it is my responsibility and my alone to come unto Him, that I can only be inspired to do so, by a teacher, a leader, a parent, a mission president. But at the end I have to be the one to make time and to walk with my own desire. I can't pass this responsibility to anyone else.
We have to take charge of our own growth and spirituality, or in the words of my sweet mother:
"Salvation is individual".
So , let's do it now....
That is the reason for the blog, to see if I can encourage others to find the scriptures and joy in studding them, and not depend on just one hour a week...
Alma 34:
32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
Hugs
Carmen
I have always loved to study the scriptures and thanks to wonderful parents who focus so much in the study of the scriptures it became a major part of my life. Seminary was the best part of my day. I had the blessing of serving as a Seminary teacher in Brazil for some years and had to prepare a lesson everyday, so the study of the scriptures was always there, daily. When I served my full time mission I also had the daily study. When i finished my mission, my president ask me to never let it go of my daily scripture study, and I promised him to keep it going.
Notice that I used the word, STUDY and not READ. I will talk about it some other post.
Well, some years in the past as I was serving as a primary president in my ward, i had so many young mothers who would come to me and ask me to please do not suggest their names for primary callings, specially in the nursery. One sister in particular was very afraid of being called and she made a big deal every time she saw me. The theme was always the same, "Relief Society is the only time during the week to gain my spiritual bust, my strength".
There I was talking to this young mother who only source of spirituality for the week was 1 hour of Relief Society meeting .
I guess one can tell, that at least she was having a one hour to open her Scriptures, and if the teacher had any scriptures to open. True. All I can say is what the study of scriptures have done for me, and that is why I started this blog.
I believe with all my being that the only thing that can truly save us and our families is the True Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love to study the scriptures because it brings me so close to home, to were I belong and I love to read of the life and changes in all those who have lived before and can testify of what the Gospel has done in their lives.
But I also know that it is my responsibility and my alone to come unto Him, that I can only be inspired to do so, by a teacher, a leader, a parent, a mission president. But at the end I have to be the one to make time and to walk with my own desire. I can't pass this responsibility to anyone else.
We have to take charge of our own growth and spirituality, or in the words of my sweet mother:
"Salvation is individual".
So , let's do it now....
That is the reason for the blog, to see if I can encourage others to find the scriptures and joy in studding them, and not depend on just one hour a week...
Alma 34:
32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
Hugs
Carmen
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