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
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,
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?
