The Book of Ezra, Chapters 1-3

The Book of Ezra Feeling the need to better understand the Old Testament, I’m jumping over there for the morning, and opening the book of Ezra, of which I know nothing about.  So I’m starting here in the Bible Dictionary. The first thing that I find particularly noteworthy is the time period. Though Ezra appears …

The Savior Jesus Christ, The Book of Mormon, and the Power of and to Become Obedient

However, seen in its proper place as the door way of discipleship to the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience becomes the empowering principle that is also found accompanied by faith and character.  The gospel of Jesus Christ can only be experienced through obedience. Not only is obedience the doorway Elder Scott shares four principles that …

Thoughts and Impressions, 6 March 2016

In no particular order, the following notes are a collection of personal thoughts and inspiration received over the past 36 hours as a result of personal studies, hard work, and participation in Sunday church services: The value of work – the Lord calls those who are already engaged in the work. Christ choose his apostles …

The Covenant of Daily Scripture Study

First, let me be up front. I don’t know that anywhere is there a direct covenant made to study the scriptures.  What I’m trying to figure out is why I feel such a direct responsibility towards daily scripture study, and why is it that I seemed to be bound by covenant to this practice if …

Notes from GenCon Oct15: It Works Wonderfully!

It Works Wonderfully! by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Is the Gospel working for me?  Is my experience in the Church working or me? Is it blessing me and my family with the peace and joy as promised in the Gospel? Pres. Uchtdorf’s testimony to follow up on these questions is very similar to my own …

Notes from CES Devotional: True Millenials

January 2016 CES Devotional – Pres. Russell M. Nelson President  Nelson: Learn your true identity and purpose –  Pray about who you really are. Expect and Prepare to Accomplish the Impossible – The Lord will ask you to do difficult things.  Best efforts and fervent prayers.  It will become less and less popular to be …

“Thy Will Is Done,” JST Matthew 27:54

JST Matthew 27:54 (click on footnote) “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, saying, Father, it is finished, thy will is done, yielded up the ghost.” (emphasis added) It impresses me that it was the Father’s will to have an Atonement made by one who would do so in love. The temptation …

Priesthood and Personal Prayer

Just re-read this talk on priesthood and personal prayer and there are passages that I want to commit the principles to memory: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/priesthood-and-personal-prayer?lang=eng This is what I’ve learned: God is not interested in long prayers. Rather He is interested in specific prayers, and us knowing what we should be praying for. “Ye worship ye know …

Sacrament Meeting Notes, 2 Aug 2015

From a ward on the east end of Springville, Utah – Testimony Meeting Highlights Tom blessed his baby, Matt Story of the old truck. Two teen boys wrote on truck, “save me, I’m a good truck” so it is with many of us. Aisain sister read in the scriptures “jesus is my son.” God testifies …