I wrote my first blog post on October 9, 2014. Ten years later, I can say that studying the Book of Mormon daily, sharing what I have learned, and striving to apply its precepts in my life has been most rewarding. Thank you for joining me on the journey!
Songs, Sermons, Lessons, and Prayers
Moroni and Paul both explained that church services ought to include a variety of content provided by a variety of people. As we share what we have to contribute and learn from others, under the guidance of the Spirit, we are all edified.
They Know Not
Acknowledging the boundaries of human knowledge can help us forgive. Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." We can also extend grace to others by assuming they will do better when they know better.
A Little Leaven
Three lessons from the Parable of the Leaven: 1. Leaven has to be in the dough to work, so participate actively. 2. Leaven works over time, so be patient. 3. Leaven is distributed across the dough, so trust that your work is part of something greater.
Receive, Find, Be Opened
God answers our prayers in multiple ways. Sometimes we simply receive an answer. Sometimes, He helps us find an answer. And sometimes, doors are opened to us which we must exercise faith to enter. We can be grateful for all three kinds of answers.
Asking Better Questions: Learning from Alma 5
A few years ago, I prepared to participate in a general conference of the Church by writing a list of questions. Some were quite open-ended, such as "How can I be a better father?" or "What can I do to minister to others more effectively?" Others involved specific projects I was working on or specific... Continue Reading →
“I Only Remain”
Elijah was lonely. After initiating a famine, he went into hiding, living in the wilderness with ravens bringing him food (1 Kings 17:1-7), and then traveling to the Phoenician city of Zarephath and staying with a poor widow and her son (1 Kings 17:8-9). After three years evading the servants of King Ahab, who had... Continue Reading →
Finding Grace
When Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, arrived in Bethlehem, they needed a way to obtain food. Ruth said, "Let me now go to the field, and glean [fallen grain] after him in whose sight I shall find grace" (Ruth 2:2). Even though the law required farmers to leave their extra grain for the poor, she... Continue Reading →
Another Generation
How long does it take to lose our spiritual connection with God? After the ministry of Jesus Christ on the American continent, the people lived in peace and righteousness for several generations. (See 4 Nephi 1:22-24, 1 Nephi 12:12, 2 Nephi 26:9, Alma 45:10-12, 3 Nephi 27:32.) But at other times in their history, the... Continue Reading →
“Keep Thy Soul Diligently”
Remembering spiritual experiences and staying faithful to them doesn't just happen. It requires intentional effort on our part. As the children of Israel prepared to enter the promised land, Moses gave them a warning: Take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy... Continue Reading →