Week of October 31 2015: Mosiah 9-25

Dear Sisters,

This week's message was written by Emma Hoskisson, counselor in the YSA 1st ward Relief Society Presidency. Thank you Emma for your beautiful insights!

Book of Mormon Reflection

I have just a small thought this week about the word corruption. These last few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about the confusion of life. Many of our experiences are hard to wrap up into nice stories and sometimes we see moments of pure suffering and it’s hard to know how to make sense of it. This is mortality.

This week’s section of reading, Mosiah 9-25, tells the story of Zeniff who leaves Zarahemla and makes a deal with the Lamanites so he and his people can live in the land of Lehi-Nephi. Time passes and we have wicked King Noah, Abinadi, Alma, and battles with the Lamanites.

It’s the battles, I think, that get me, because I don’t want to read about them anymore. So much death and destruction then and now and I’m not currently gleaning anything from these except for a heavy sense of carnage. Was it really wrong for Zeniff to leave Zarahemla? He says he saw goodness. Was it shortsighted and stupid? Now everybody is killing each other… I became overwhelmed several years ago with the “war chapters” of Alma and haven’t really been able to appreciate them or other battle stories yet.

Except that recently I’ve been thinking about how for so many people in the world, war is their daily existence and there is little end to it in sight. And the Book of Mormon is for all, not just for me. And maybe the Book of Mormon does contain some stories of the horrific side of humanity because that is what mortal life was then and is now.

I was reeling in this vein of thought through the first few chapters, feeling a little stressed, when Abinadi comes on the scene. I wonder what it was like at the time, what their cities looked like and how a prophet would appear––where would he go and who would be around to listen. Were there others, besides Alma, that had been searching and questioning before Abinadi showed up, that when he came to share his message had hearts that were touched because he brought them light in their darkness?

Because Abinadi comes on the scene and speaks of Christ and immediately there is a change. Immediately I find words to hang onto and study.

Mosiah 16:9-10 says, “He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

“Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption…”

I used to think of corruption here in the common use of the term to refer to corruption in human beings, in government. “Guilty of dishonest practice; lacking integrity; debased in character, depraved, perverted.” But possibly, it refers to something more subtle that eventually builds into the larger issues that fill the news and our prayers of repentance.

When Adam and Eve left the garden, they entered a world that was not perfect, that was based on something perfect but was now subject to forces of entropy, chaos, and evil. This is another meaning of the word corrupt, “adulterated or debased by change from an original or correct condition.” So this corruption which has us entrenched in a world with chaos and senseless acts will put on incorruption. There is hope for order. It reminds me of President Uchtdorf’s April 2014 General Conference talk, “Grateful in Any Circumstances.” He speaks of the confusion and sorrow we feel and speaks of being grateful not for what we have but having an attitude of gratefulness. “This type of gratitude,” he says, “transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the pleasant warmth of summer.”

I think of this because I don’t need to feel that any experience is just to be slogged through in order to get to the time of incorruption. Of course I see and hurt and sorrow over what is not perfect. In his talk, President Uchtdorf refers to the sorrow of endings, the endings of relationships, hope, life, etc., and he says, “In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings in life, they seem unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings…Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God…Endings are not our destiny.”

So it may be no small wonder that I’m filled with confusion at what can be a senseless, corrupt world. Because I am a daughter of incorrupt, Heavenly Parents and sense there is an incorrupt form we are patterned after that we are destined for. Christ is the light in all of this that will comfort and guide us through this mortal life that I do love and treasure.

Readings for the Coming Week:

Day 36 – Catch Up or Extra Study (10.31.15)

Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through: Mosiah 25

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: Mosiah 14-15

Abinadi quoted Isaiah to testify of the Savior. What did Isaiah teach about Christ? What can you learn about the Savior from Abinadi’s testimony?

Day 37 (11.1.15)

Read: Mosiah 26-28

Mark: 26:29-30

“You always need to confess your sins to the Lord. If they are serious transgressions, such as immorality, they need to be confessed to a bishop or stake president. Please understand that confession is not repentance. It is an essential step, but is not of itself adequate. Partial confession by mentioning lesser mistakes will not help you resolve a more serious, undisclosed transgression. Essential to forgiveness is a willingness to fully disclose to the Lord and, where necessary, His priesthood judge all that you have done.” ~ Elder Richard G. Scott

Why is confession an essential part of repentance?

Day 38 (11.2.15)

Read: Mosiah 29 – Alma 1

Mark: Alma 1:6, 16

“The Nephite prophets repeatedly identified the wearing of costly clothing with apostasy and failure to live by gospel standards.”

~ Elder Bruce R. McConkie

What might your way of dressing say about you?

Day 39 (11.3.15)

Read: Alma 2-4

Mark: Alma 2:18, 28

“Safety can’t be won by tanks and guns and airplanes and atomic bombs. There is only one place of safety and that is in the realm of the Almighty God that he gives to those who keep his commandments and listen to his voice.” ~ President Harold B. Lee

Why were the Nephites strengthened by the Lord? How can we receive the Lord’s help in the challenges we face?

Day 40 (11.4.15)

Read: Alma 5-6

Mark: Alma 5:14, 26

“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.” ~ President Ezra Taft Benson

What would someone see in your countenance?

Day 41 (11.5.15)

Read: Alma 7-9

Mark: Alma 7:11-12

“To succor means to ‘run to.’ I testify that in my fears and in my infirmities the Savior has surely run to me. I will never be able to thank Him enough for such personal kindness and such loving care.” ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Why is it helpful to remember that the Savior knows what it’s like to have your problems?

Day 42 (11.6.15)

Read: Alma 10-11

Mark: Alma 11:42-44

“What a comfort to know that all who have been disadvantaged in life from birth defects, from mortal injuries, from disease, or from the natural deterioration of old age will be resurrected in ‘proper and perfect frame.’” ~ Elder Dallin H. Oaks

How does it bring you hope knowing that because of Christ we will all live again?

Day 43 – Catch Up or Extra Study (11.7.15)

Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through: Alma 11

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: Alma 5

What are some of the questions Alma asks in order to ponder the process of becoming converted or reborn?

Week of October 24 2015: Mosiah!

Dear Sisters,

THIS WEEK:

Our recent reading assignment covered the latter half of Jacob, all of Enos, Jarom, Omni, Mormon and the beginnings of Mosiah. We've covered a lot of ground and the soil was very rich. In these chapters I saw a recurring theme of the power of teaching and the need to be teachable.

In Jacob we learn that Christ will use His chosen people to fulfill His purposes. To demonstrate this principle, we are given the allegory of the tame and the wild olive trees, which informs us that we must be teachable and allow Christ to "graft" and "prune" us into His people. Our willingness to submit to His will is a vital part of taking on His name and becoming a member of the house of Israel.

In Enos, we read that while he was taught in the "language and also the nurture and admonition of the Lord", he was burdened with sin and sought forgiveness of the Lord. When he humbled himself, he received not only a remission of his sins, but greater knowledge of the Lord's plan for him. Enos then went forth to teach the principles of faith and repentance.

Moving forward to the readings in early Mosiah, we learn how the wise and beloved King Benjamin conducted himself in his personal life with his children. He "caused that they should be taught in the language of their fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding; and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord." This is a formula that we can apply to our lives today. We need to become women of understanding, striving to know all we can about the gospel and it's history. We can also be like King Benjamin and become teachers and facilitators of understanding in our families, wards and any of the many people that come into our lives. As teachers, we can strive to first live as examples of what we teach, as King Benjamin clearly did. King Benjamin ultimately established peace in the land of Zarahemla. This is no small feat, given the history of violent warfare and corruption of power contained in the scriptures. He is an shining example of the of the power of righteous influence.

Love,

Marilyn Cope

Relief Society President, Woodland Park Ward

Day 29 – Catch Up or Extra Study (10.24.15)

Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through: Mosiah 8

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: Mosiah 3-4

Once we’ve felt the Lord’s forgiveness, how do we retain the remission of our sins?

Day 30 (10.25.15)

Read: Mosiah 9-11

Mark: Mosiah 9:17, 10:10-11

“The enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity. I testify and witness that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement is real.” ~ Elder David A. Bednar

In what ways do we depend on our own strength? How can we more fully receive the strength of the Lord?

Day 31 (10.26.15)

Read: Mosiah 12-14

Mark: Mosiah 13:15

“When I was a little boy… I came home from school one day, threw my books on the table, and took the name of the Lord in vain in expressing my relief that school was out for the day. My mother heard me. She was shocked. She took me by the hand and led me to the bathroom…then proceeded to wash my mouth out with that terrible soap…and then said, ‘Don’t let me ever hear such words from your lips again.’ The taste was terrible. The reprimand was worse. I have never forgotten it, and I hope that I have never used the Lord’s name in vain since that time.” ~ President Gordon B. Hinckley

How can we keep the Lord’s name sacred?

Day 32 (10.27.15)

Read: Mosiah 15-17

Mark: Mosiah 17:11-12

“You don’t need to compromise your standards to be accepted by good friends. The more obedient you are…the more the Lord can help you overcome temptation. You can also help others because they will feel your strength. Let them know about your standards by consistently living them…No one intends to make serious mistakes. They come when you compromise your standards to be more accepted by others. You be the strong one. You be the leader. Choose good friends and resist peer pressure together.”

~ Elder Richard G. Scott

Why did King Noah not resist the pressure from the evil priests? What helps you to resist peer pressure?

Day 33 (10.28.15)

Read: Mosiah 18-20

Mark: 18:8-10

“We show by our behavior what we believe. Surely we are standing as witnesses of God when we sustain his living prophets, especially when we know what it means to sustain. We will abide by the direction and counsel of the prophets. We indeed become witnesses when we make this solemn covenant.” ~ Sister Janette Hales Beckham

What commitments are part of our baptismal covenant? In what ways do you try to keep those commitments?

Day 34 (10.29.15)

Read: Mosiah 21-23

Mark: Mosiah 23:21-22

“Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.” ~ President Thomas S. Monson

When is it most difficult for you to be patient? Why is patience important?

Day 35 (10.30.15)

Read: Mosiah 24-25

Mark: Mosiah 24:14-15

“We should seek to be happy and cheerful and not allow Satan to overcome us with discouragement, despair, or depression.”

~ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

“The Lord…loves us…, comforts and strengthens us, and enables us to bear our afflictions with patience and fortitude.”

~ Elder George Q. Cannon

How can we submit more cheerfully to the will of the Lord?

Day 36 – Catch Up or Extra Study (10.31.15)

Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through: Mosiah 25

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: Mosiah 14-15

Abinadi quoted Isaiah to testify of the Savior. What did Isaiah teach about Christ? What can you learn about the Savior from Abinadi’s testimony?

Week of October 17 2015: Jacob to Mosiah

Dear Sisters,

Another week has gone by and we have had the opportunity to feast greatly on the words from the Book of Mormon.  Last week’s assignment covered basically the whole book of 2 Nephi (2 Nephi 4 - Jacob 4).  This block of scripture is notoriously known as the “Isaiah chapters,” due to the lengthy recitation of scripture from Isaiah.  Nephi states, “Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah” (2 Nephi 25:5).

He acknowledges how hard it can be to understand Isaiah, “For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand…” (2 Nephi 25:1).  And he testifies that the words of Isaiah, “are of worth unto the children of men,” further stating, “I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them” (2 Nephi 25:8).

The chapters in 2 Nephi do tell of scenes from our day - the vision of the pilgrims seeking religious freedom by coming to America, the restoration and coming forth of the Book of Mormon via the prophet Joseph Smith, and future happenings; such as the finishing of the gathering of Israel, and the great Millennial Day.  But most of all, Isaiah and Nephi testify of Christ.  Great words such as, “for unto us a child is born,” (2 Nephi 19:6), and doctrines such as, “for the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice,” (2 Nephi 9:26), and “if ye will ...receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:5).

When we grow our testimonies and faith in Jesus Christ through reading the scriptures, and especially through reading the Book of Mormon, we can rejoice like the redeemed who shall, “come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away.  I am he [Jesus Christ]; yea, I am he that comforteth you” (2 Nephi 8:11,12).  The scriptures are important in tempering our mood, for many times we experience emotions that cannot be overcome by any other way than through the divine and miraculous power of Jesus Christ.

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26).

AUDIO SCRIPTURES:

If you find it is difficult to get a daily dose of scriptures, then may I suggest considering some alternative methods.  Namely, consider listening to the audio version of the scriptures.  This can easily be obtained through lds.org under the scripture tab, and menu “formats and downloads.”  Many have the “Gospel Library” App on their phone, which also allows for the instant playing of audio by hitting the “play” triangle found on the app menu at the bottom of the screen.  I find that listening to some scriptures at the start of my day puts me in the right frame of mind to tackle whatever the new day may hold.

NEXT WEEK:

Next week covers readings from Jacob 5 through Mosiah 8.  Look for the great Allegory of the Olive Tree in Jacob 5, the faith of Enos as he prays and is forgiven of his sins, the prophecies concerning the coming of Christ in the Americas, and beautiful discourses from King Benjamin to his people in the Book of Mosiah.

Thank you for reading this message.  I hope your efforts to read and glean from the scriptures produces uplifting thoughts and actions to help both you and others through this journey that we call life,

Cheers,

Michelle Quinn

Stake Relief Society Secretary

Day 22 – Catch Up or Extra Study (10.17.15)

Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through: Jacob 4

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: Nephi 31-33

What is the doctrine of Christ? What are some things the Holy Ghost can do for us? As Nephi finishes his record what are the things it seems like he most wants us to know?

Day 23 (10.18.15)

Read: Jacob 5

Mark: Jacob 5:61-62

“Give me a young man who has kept himself morally clean and has faithfully attended his Church meetings. Give me a young man who has magnified his priesthood and has earned the Duty to God Award and is an Eagle Scout. Give me a young man who is a seminary graduate and has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me such a young man, and I will give you a young man who can perform miracles for the Lord in the mission field and throughout his life.” ~ President Ezra Taft Benson

How can you prepare now to labor diligently in the Lord’s vineyard?

Day 24 (10.19.15)

Read: Jacob 6 – Enos

Mark: Enos 1:4

“How many of you, with or without serious transgressions, have ever prayed all day and into the night? Have you ever wept and prayed for many hours?  How many of you have prayed for five hours? for one? for thirty minutes? for ten?” ~ President Spencer W. Kimball

How often do you cry unto the Lord in mighty prayer? How can you make prayer more meaningful?

Day 25 (10.20.15)

Read: Jarom – Words of Mormon

Mark: Jarom 1:5

“We have become a nation of pleasure seeking sabbath breakers… What fits the purpose of the Sabbath? Activities that contribute to greater spirituality…I don’t believe that it is possible to keep our spirituality on a high plane by spending our Sabbaths on the beach, on the golf course…or in our own homes…looking at television.” ~ President Ezra Taft Benson

How can you more fully keep the Sabbath day holy?

Day 26 (10.21.15)

Read: Mosiah 1-2

Mark: Mosiah 2:17

“Our focus should be on righteousness, not recognition; on service, not status. The faithful visiting teacher, who quietly goes about her work month after month, is just as important to the work of the Lord as those who occupy what some see as more prominent positions in the Church. Visibility does not equate to value…When we understand why we serve we will not worry about where we serve.” ~ President Howard W. Hunter

How often do you serve?

Day 27 (10.22.15)

Read: Mosiah 3-4

Mark: Mosiah 4:30

“Work at keeping your thoughts clean by thinking of something good. The mind can think of only one thing at a time. Use that fact to crowd out ugly thoughts. Above all, don’t feed thoughts by reading or watching things that are wrong. If you don’t control your thoughts, Satan will keep tempting you until you eventually act them out.” ~ Elder Richard G. Scott

What helps you most to control your thoughts?

Day 28 (10.23.15)

Read: Mosiah 5-8

Mark: Mosiah 5:2, 7

“No one can be born again without baptism, but the immersion of water and the laying on of hands to confer the Holy Ghost do not of themselves guarantee that a person has been or will be born again. The new birth takes place only for those who actually enjoy the Gift or companionship of the Holy Ghost, only for those who are fully converted, who have given themselves without restraint to the Lord.” ~ Elder Bruce R. McConkie

How can you more fully give yourself to the Lord to experience the mighty change of heart?

Day 29 – Catch Up or Extra Study (10.24.15)

Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through: Mosiah 8

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: Mosiah 3-4

Once we’ve felt the Lord’s forgiveness, how do we retain the remission of our sins?