Of Jesus Christ

The scriptures my family chose for the last two weeks went really well together.

Last week was Helaman 5:12:

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 wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

This week is Job 19:25:

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shallstand at the latter day upon the earth:


I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He's my Savior and Redeemer. Nothing else in this world matters if you know those truths. I try to base my life on Him and on His teachings, because I know that's where real joy is found. Nothing else really matters. Either things will align with those beliefs or they're water under the bridge.

If you base your life on Jesus Christ, everything else will work out. He's waiting for us to turn to Him so that He can bless us. And He does bless us, with more than we can ever imagine!

Of the Scriptures

General Conference made me realize that there's so much I can share with the world, simply by sharing my testimony. So it's time to resurrect this blog!

I do have a testimony of the scriptures. All of the scriptures - the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the words of our modern prophets. After a wonderful weekend, I'm especially grateful for modern revelation that continues to guide us.

This week, I've chosen 2 Nephi 25:26 to ponder.


26 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.


"We write according to our prophecies." That's the part I've been missing. Not that I get prophecies like the prophet, of course. But I need to write my testimony down so my kids know without a doubt that I believe. And also so they know where they can turn when life gets hard.

I KNOW that we can find answers when we search the scriptures. I also know that when you spend some time in the scriptures each and every day, there is a special spirit that comes into your home. Your days go more smoothly. Your kids don't fight as much...

The scriptures just make life better!

Of Personal Progress

Tonight I noticed that there's still a steady stream of page views for this blog, so I'm going to try to get it back up and running. :)

Tonight, I'd like to share my testimony of Personal Progress. I was called to Young Women's in February. It's the first time I've ever taught anyone over the age of 11! So I was overwhelmed at first, but now I can't imagine life without these girls in my life!

Part of the neat experience of Young Women is Personal Progress. I earned my medallion as a teenager, but now that I'm working on it again, I have a renewed love for it! As I go through the scriptures and the experiences set forth, I can feel the Spirit more easily in our home. And I can feel a deeper testimony within myself.

If you're not sure what you want to study, I suggest working through some of the Personal Progress goals. The combination of scriptures that they present are amazing. You'll learn lots about yourself and about the Savior!

GC Notes - Elder Scott, October 2011

I've neglected this blog for way too long! As I listened to Conference last week, I made a goal that I would try to use the Internet as a tool to bring myself and others closer to Christ.

I'm grateful to others that do the same. Steph at Diapers and Divinity is one of those. She's been doing a General Conference Book Club for several Conferences now, and I've decided to join in the discussion this time around. So every week, I'm going to copy and paste the notes I make as I re-read/listen to each talk.

This week is Elder Scott's talk, "The Power of Scripture." What an amazing man!!!

My notes:

- the scriptures are a handbook for us - guidance for us

- the scriptures are pure truth

- "Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high."

- they're how we communicate with God and Christ

- learning, pondering, searching, memorizing - like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths

- "Great power can come from memorizing scriptures."

- pondering scriptures gives a great deal of direction to life

- the scriptures can heal emotional challenges

- we need to read them over and over again because they take on new meanings, as we're going through new trials/experiences

- all the scriptures are important, not just the Book of Mormon

** - I love that he shows by example - he quoted by memory a scripture from each part of the standard works

- "Those who consistently read the Book of Mormon are blessed with an added measure of the spirit of the Lord."

Look Not Behind Thee

An Unlikely Parenting Scripture?

I was reading in 3 Nephi 14 today. It's one of my favorite chapters. As I was reading verses 3-5, I was suddenly reading them in a different way than I've ever read them before. I've been thinking about parenting a lot lately, and these verses really stuck out to me. (I replaced "brother" with "child.")

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy [child]’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy [child]: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy [child]’s eye.

So many times in parenting, we think it's our job to correct our children's every mistake. However, I'm beginning to see that it's much more important to lead by example - to "first cast the beam out of [my] own eye." They'll learn more by watching me than by listening my words - I've heard that said many times. But it's finally starting to really sink in. Parenting is an inward process. I need to work on making myself a worthy example to follow. Changes will happen faster that way than if I were to tell them what to do all day!

Scripture Power - Too Cute!

God's Words Never Cease

Book of Mormon in 3 Months

I've decided to read The Book of Mormon in 3 months again, and I would love for you to join me! Last summer I did this same thing, and I learned SO much!!

I'll be starting March 1st, so you still have time to decide. But please let me know if you'd like to join me! I can email you a copy of the chart I've made up that tells you how much to read each day.

I know that reading The Book of Mormon makes life easier! Every day I DON'T read is a chaotic day!! I love reading it in all different ways - fast, slow, by topic. Each way teaches me something different, and I love it!

My email: blhvamos (at) gmail (dot) com