Week of December 20 2015: 3 Nephi 27-Ether 7

Dear Sisters,

This week's reflection was shared by Kelly Jones, secretary in the stake Relief Society presidency. Thank you Kelly for sharing your insights about the return of Christ, the return of light, and the return of hope!

Kelly's Message:

In Catholicism there is a tradition at Christmas time to light a new candle on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. This tradition symbolizes the countdown until Christ comes back to us. What a wonderful opportunity we have had this week to read in 3 Nephi 9-26 where Christ come to America to visit the people there. I am impressed with the love He gives to everyone. Even as He is giving his law, his tone is always kind and loving. One scripture I liked was in 3 Nephi 15:9: "Behold, I am the law and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for he that endureth to the end, will I give eternal life."  

The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is plain and simple. If we can look to Him and endure to the end we will be able to return back to our Heavenly Father.

Day 86 (12.20.15)

Read: 3 Nephi 27-28

Mark: 3 Nephi 27:19-20

“The most important of all the commandments of God is the one that you’re having the most difficulty keeping…Today is the day for you to work…until you’ve been able to conquer that weakness. Then you start on the next one that’s most difficult for you to keep. That’s the way to sanctify yourselves by keeping the commandments of God.” ~ President Harold B. Lee

What commandments are most difficult for you? What are you doing to be more obedient? Who can help you?

Day 87 (12.21.15)

Read: 3 Nephi 29 – Mormon 1

Mark: Mormon 1:13-15

“[President Brigham Young said] ‘I want you to teach the people – and I want you to follow this counsel yourself – that they must labor and so live as to obtain the Holy Spirit, for without this you cannot build up the kingdom; without the spirit of God you are in danger of walking in the dark.’”

~ President Wilford Woodruff

As a young man, Mormon enjoyed the blessings of the Lord despite living in a wicked society. How can you keep the Spirit with you regardless of conditions in the world?

Day 88 (12.22.15)

Read: Mormon 2-4

Mark: Mormon 2:12-13

“Full repentance involves a 180-degree turn, and without looking back! …In ritual regret, we mourn our mistakes but without mending them. There can be no real repentance without personal suffering and the passage of sufficient time for the needed cleansing and turning…Chastening is often needed until the turning is really under way!” ~ Elder Neal A. Maxwell

We can be sorry for the wrong reasons (like when we’re caught or punished). What can help you be sorry for the right reason?

Day 89 (12.23.15)

Read: Mormon 5-7

Mark: Mormon 6:16-20

“The tragedy of the Book of Mormon is not what became of the Nephites but what the Nephites became.” ~ Hugh Nibley

What led to the fall of the Nephites? What things do you do each day to stay strong?

Day 90 (12.24.15)

Read: Mormon 8-9

Mark: Mormon 9:11-12, 21

“The Lord will never forsake or abandon anyone. You may abandon him, but he will never abandon you. You never need to feel that you are alone.” ~ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Mormon’s ministry ends in these chapters. Pay attention to Moroni’s warnings for our day. Righteousness sometimes seems to bring loneliness? Why are we not really as alone as we sometimes feel? In chapter 9, look for reasons why you can rely on the Lord.

Day 91 (12.25.15)

Read: Ether 1-3

Mark: Ether 3:4-5

“Whatever Jesus lays his hand upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If he is allowed to lay his hands upon the family, it lives.” ~ President Howard W Hunter

Look at the symbolism in the account of the Savior touching the stones that lit the way for the Jaredites. What does this account teach you about the touch of the Savior’s hand? How have you felt the Lord’s hand in your life?

Day 92 – Catch Up or Extra Study (12.26.15)

Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through: Ether 3

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: 3 Nephi 27

What did the Lord teach His disciples about the name of His church? What is the gospel, or good news, that He has given us. What things did Jesus say we must do in His church?

Day 93 (12.27.15)

Read: Ether 4-7

Mark: Ether 6:9

“Sometimes ...we get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing than prayer.” ~ President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

“Music is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the mind and spirit of man.” ~ President Boyd K. Packer

In what ways do you use music in your personal worship? How do you use music to help others feel the Lord’s influence?

Week of December 12 2015:

Dear Sisters,

This week's Book of Mormon reading reflection was written by Stacey Unck, member of the Elliott Bay ward Relief Society. Thank you for your beautiful thoughts Stacey!

Message below:

Dear Sisters,

So much happened in the chapters we read this week. There's an exciting drama, worthy of the movies, where Nephi prophesies of the murder of a chief judge, is accused of scheming to commit the murder, and is able to prove his innocence and find the culprit all through prophesy. He is given the sealing power, persuades the Lord to replace war with famine to humble his people, and spends the rest of his days preaching with power.

We meet Samuel the Lamanite and the infamous Gandianton robbers. We find the Lamanites in a righteous state and the Nephites living in wickedness. This alone testifies of the amazing power of the atonement to change anyone, and the real ability of Satan to fool us into thinking that wickedness can be happiness.

And finally we see the signs of the birth and death of Christ and learn how different people react to the possibility of a Savior. I want to point out one scripture that reminds us of the life and mission of Christ as we continue to celebrate his birth, this holiday season.

"But did he not bear record (speaking of Moses) that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come.

And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal."  Helaman 8:14

As many as should look means there is room and an invitation for all. We just need to choose and have faith and he will guide us to eternal life. May we do so is my prayer over and over.

With love and gratitude,

Stacey Unck

This week's reading:

Day 78 – Catch Up or Extra Study (12.12.15)

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

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: Helaman 13

What did Samuel the Lamanite preach to the wicked Nephites before the Savior came? What are modern prophets teaching us as we prepare for Christ’s second coming?

Day 79 (12.13.15)

Read: 3 Nephi 9-10

Mark: 3 Nephi 9:13-15

“An atonement was made. Ever and always it offers amnesty from transgression and from death if we will but repent. Repentance is the escape clause in it all. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key within our hands… Humbly I lay claim upon the atonement of Christ. I find no shame in kneeling down in worship of our Father and His Son.”

~ President Boyd K. Packer

What can the Lord do for you when you repent?

Day 80 (12.14.15)

Read: 3 Nephi 11-12

Mark: 3 Nephi 11:10-11

“Look to the temple of the Lord as the great symbol of your membership…As we attend the temple, we learn more richly and deeply the purpose of life and the significance of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us make the temple, with temple worship and temple covenants and temple marriage, our ultimate earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience.” ~ President Howard W. Hunter

The Nephites were gathered at the temple when the Savior visited them. How are you preparing to go to the temple?

Day 81 (12.15.15)

Read: 3 Nephi 13-16

Mark: 3 Nephi 15:21, 24

“Aren’t we rather prone to see the limitations and weaknesses of our neighbors? Yet that is contrary to the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ…If we have the spirit of fault finding…that never comes as the result of the companionship of the Spirit of our Heavenly Father and is always harmful.” ~ President George Albert Smith

The Savior gave teachings to the Nephites similar to the Sermon on the Mount. He warned not to judge. What helps you to always look for the best in others and not be critical?

Day 82 (12.16.15)

Read: 3 Nephi 17-19

Mark: 3 Nephi 18:6-7, 11

“We are commanded to repent of our sins and to come to the Lord with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and partake of the sacrament in compliance with its covenants. When we renew our baptismal covenants in this way, the Lord renews the cleansing effect of our baptism. In this way we are made clean and can always have His Spirit to be with us. The importance of this is evident in the Lord’s commandment that we partake of the sacrament each week.” ~ Elder Dallin H. Oaks

How can taking the sacrament each week help you to be just as clean as when you were baptized?

Day 83 (12.17.15)

Read: 3 Nephi 20-21

Mark: 3 Nephi 21:6-7

“Every person who embraces the gospel becomes of the house of Israel…The great majority of those who become members of the Church are literal descendants of Abraham through Ephraim, son of Joseph. Those who are not literal descendants of Abraham and Israel must become such, and when they are baptized and confirmed they are grafted into the tree and are entitled to all the rights and privileges as heirs.” ~ President Joseph Fielding Smith

What blessings are promised to you because you are of the house of Israel?

Day 84 (12.18.15)

Read: 3 Nephi 22-26

Mark: 3 Nephi 24:7-10

“I can’t list all the ways that blessings will come from obedience to this principle [of tithing], but I testify many will come in spiritual ways that go well beyond economics… I express my deepest gratitude for every blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ, especially that greatest of all gifts, the exemplary life and atoning death of God’s Only Begotten Son. I know I can never repay heaven for any of this benevolence, but there are many ways I need to try to show my thankfulness. One of those ways is in the payment of tithes and freewill offerings.” ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

What blessings do you receive from paying tithing?

Day 85 – Catch Up or Extra Study (12.19.15)

Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through: 3 Nephi 26

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: 3 Nephi 11

What did the Nephites do to finally understand the voice they heard? What were the first things the Savior taught? What did Jesus say was his doctrine?

Week of December 7 2015: Helaman 8 -through 3 Nephi 6

Dear Sisters,

We hope that you have had a wonderful week and are feeling some of the warmth and joy of the upcoming Christmas season.  This week we had a chance to read into the book of Helaman, where we see an up close view of a people anticipating the arrival of Jesus Christ.  I have often felt that this book most closely matches the times that we live in.  There is a collapsing of eras:  the Nephites and the Lamanites are both reminded to look back on the miracles of generations past, recalling the promises and prophesies made to Lehi and Nephi, the prophesies of the Savior, while simultaneously preparing themselves for the Savior who is shortly to come.  

We also have a rich legacy of history and faith to draw from as women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and, as the sacred name of our church states, we live in the dispensation of the fullness of times, the latter days, preparing for the second coming and working out our salvation with fear and trembling.  As we prepare ourselves, our families, and our communities for the Savior, we can learn from the powerful missionaries, Lehi and Nephi, named for their ancestors, who preach with such strength and clarity they are surrounded by fire.  As they prepare for their missionary work, they remember the words of their father Helaman (again, the past and the future coming together):

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. (Helaman 5:12)

I pray that each of you can know and feel the strength of the rock of our Redeemer.  We each experience mighty winds, hail, and shafts in the whirlwind, and there is no other foundation we can rely on but our Savior.  He is our mighty rock, and as we take His name upon us, we covenant to provide that sure foundation for one another.  Thank you for providing a foundation for your sisters, friends, and families.

With love,

Marni Campbell

Stake Relief Society President

This week's readings:

Day 71 – Catch Up or Extra Study (12.5.15)

Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through: Helaman 7

or

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

What did Helaman name his sons? Why? Whose name have you taken upon yourself? How were the Lamanites converted through their ministry?

Day 72 (12.6.15)

Read: Helaman 8-10

Mark: Helaman 8:4, 7-9

“How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells us what we need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness.” ~ President Ezra Taft Benson

Even though wicked men were arguing against Nephi, some righteous people knew he was a prophet and supported him. How can you sustain our living prophet?

Day 73 (12.7.15)

Read: Helaman 11-12

Mark: Helaman 12:2-3

“Afflictions can soften us and sweeten us, and can be a chastening influence. We often think of chastening as something being done to punish us… Divine chastening, however, is a form of learning as it is administered at the hands of a loving Father.” ~ Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Why do you think it is so much easier to remember the Lord when we suffer, than when everything is going well? What can you do to remember the Lord even when times are good?

Day 74 (12.8.15)

Read: Helaman 13-15

Mark: Helaman 14:30-31

“Spiritual maturity is understanding that we cannot blame anybody else for our actions. Some factors may make it harder for us to perform according to God’s plan for us, but being accountable for how we use our agency means being answerable for our own behavior.” ~ Sister Elaine Cannon

In what ways do you use your agency to help you to grow?

Day 75 (12.9.15)

Read: Helaman 16 – 3 Nephi 2

Mark: 3 Nephi 1:12-13

“Gifts of the Spirit which the Lord bestows upon those who believe and obey the gospel of Christ are called signs. That is, their receipt stands as an evidence or sign of the presence of that faith which results from believing the truth. Signs are wonders and miracles; they always and invariably are manifest to and among the faithful saints.” ~ Elder Bruce R. McConkie

Why didn’t Satan want the faithful Nephites to believe in the signs? What lies does he send today to try to keep you from believing the witness you’ve received as a result of your faith?

Day 76 (12.10.15)

Read: 3 Nephi 3-5

Mark: 3 Nephi 3:12-14; 4:10

“In providing out-of-home activities for the family, we must use care; otherwise, we could be like a father determined to provide everything for his family. He devotes every energy to that end and succeeds; only then does he discover that what they needed most, to be together as a family, has been neglected.” ~ President Boyd K. Packer

How can you help your family receive the strength that comes from being “gathered together”?

Day 77 (12.11.15)

Read: 3 Nephi 6-8

Mark: 3 Nephi 6:12-14

“I testify that no one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us—insecurities, anxieties, self- image, and all. He doesn’t measure our talents or our looks; He doesn’t measure our professions or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other.” ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Why is pride “the great stumbling block of Zion”? What can help you be more humble?

Day 78 – Catch Up or Extra Study (12.12.15)

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

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: Helaman 13

What did Samuel the Lamanite preach to the wicked Nephites before the Savior came? What are modern prophets teaching us as we prepare for Christ’s second coming?