Week of November 8 2015: Alma 8 through Alma 29

Dear Sisters,

This week's reflection was written by Molly Cordy, President of the YSA 2 Relief Society. Thank you Molly!

This week’s reading finished up Mosiah and took us into Alma for the first time.  There are so many things to be learned from the scriptures. I love how personal, yet universal, they are in their application.

I love the use of the word ALL in the scripture. The word is used over 70 times in these chapters, and over 7,000 times in the Book of Mormon. I can’t help but feel the power of the absolute and almost a promise from the Lord- that all truly does mean ALL. There are no exceptions to this gospel. We are all not just (Mosiah 29:16). We are all created by God, ALL redeemed through Christ, and we ALL have the possibility of obtaining eternal life (Alma 1:4).

This reading also took us through one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon; Alma 5. Similar to how Elder Ballard asked us to have a personal interview with him this past conference, Alma 5 asks us questions to evaluate how we are doing, as if being interviewed by a prophet. This can be a particularly personal experience reading, if we treat it as such. One thing that stood out to me this time through was the combination of questions and remembering. Though Alma asks many questions through this chapter, he exhorts us at the same time to remember. I think this is the pattern that we must adopt when asking questions, to consistently be thinking of and reflecting on the things we do know or have experienced. With just questions we are prone to begin to doubt, with just remembering we are not making the progress that questions evoke. With the combination of both, questions and remembering, we will have the strength and faith to ask and not be shaken. How wonderful is that?  I know that our Heavenly Father will answer our questions if we have the faith to ask and receive.

Love,

Molly Cordy

Seattle YSA 2nd Ward.

Day 44 (11.8.15)

Read: Alma 12-13

Mark: Alma 13:2-4

“God has saved for the final inning some of His strongest and most valiant children…Make no mistake about it – you are a marked generation.  There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time than there is of us…The final outcome is certain – the forces of righteousness will finally win. But what remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this battle - and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to…our foreordained mission?” ~ President Ezra Taft Benson

To what callings do you think you’ve been foreordained?

Day 45 (11.9.15)

Read: Alma 14-16

Mark: Alma 14:10-11

“The right question to ask is not why good people have trials, but how shall good people respond when they are tried?” ~ Elder Marion D. Hanks

“Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long suffering and self-mastery. The sufferings of our Savior were part of his education.” ~ President Spencer W. Kimball

How do you respond to adversity?

Day 46 (11.10.15)

Read: Alma 17-18

Mark: Alma 17:2-3

“Fasting can help us overcome personal flaws and sins. It can help us overcome our weaknesses—help them become strengths. Fasting can help us become more humble, less prideful, less selfish, and more concerned about the needs of others. It can help us see more clearly our own mistakes and weaknesses and help us be less prone to criticize others…Throughout the scriptures the term fasting is usually combined with prayer… Fasting without prayer is just going hungry for 24 hours. But fasting combined with prayer brings increased spiritual power.” ~ Elder Carl B. Pratt

What experiences have you had with fasting?

Day 47 (11.11.15)

Read: Alma 19-20

Mark: Alma 20:17

“Anger is not an expression of strength. It is an indication of one’s inability to control his thoughts, words, his emotions… When the weakness of anger takes over, the strength of reason leaves.” ~ President Gordon B. Hinckley

When is it most difficult to control your anger? Why is it important to stay in control of your thoughts, words, and actions?

Day 48 (11.12.15)

Read: Alma 21-23

Mark: Alma 22:15-18

“No part of walking by faith is more difficult than walking the road of repentance. However, with ‘faith unto repentance,’ we can push roadblocks out of the way, moving forward to beg God for mercy… One simply surrenders, caring only about what God thinks, not what ‘they’ think… Giving away all our sins is the only way we can come to know God.” ~ Elder Neal A. Maxwell

What are you willing to give to know Him?

Day 49 (11.13.15)

Read: Alma 24-26

Mark: Alma 26:11-12

“As children of God we are somebody. He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our heads up, our arms out, and walk with him. What a great blessing to be created in his image and know of our true potential in and through him! What a great blessing to know that in his strength we can do all things!” ~ Elder Marvin J. Ashton

What do you think some of the “mighty miracles” may be that the Lord will work through you?

Day 50 – Catch Up or Extra Study (11.14.15)

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

or

If you’re up to date with your reading, take time to study: Alma 17

What are the things that made the sons of Mosiah successful missionaries? What is your duty in sharing the gospel now and preparing for future full-time missionary service?

Day 51 (11.15.15)

Read: Alma 27-29

Mark: Alma 27:27

True converts are those who “listen to the teachings and testimonies of missionaries and change their lives, leaving the past behind them, and moving forward into a new life.” ~ President Hinckley

What is zeal? What difference does it make to have “zeal towards God”?

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?