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?