Mormon 6

Well, since I'm the only one who reads my blog I figured I could use it as my study journal as well! Today I'm reading Mormon chapter 6 in the Book of Mormon. (Available at http://scriptures.lds.org/en/morm/6 ).

This is such an important part in the book--right before the end! The prophet Mormon (in ancient america) has been trusted with the records of prophets for previous hundreds of years. He knew that the records were in danger from their enemies, so he hid them in a hill. He kept out just a few plates (metal pages) for his son Moroni to continue the record.

The wars then were so terrible that everyone on Mormon's side were killed except 24 people (including Mormon and his son Moroni).

Mormon is so sad for this people. He says his soul is rent with anguish:

verse 17: "O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!"

This is so sad to me! And yet I think often in our own lives, we depart from the Lord. We reject Jesus who stands with open arms to receive us! In our little choices, we choose to reject Christ's open arms. Instead, we find comfort in escapism, in friends, in media, in justification, in physical pleasure/comfort--when all we really need to do is turn to Christ. There have been a few times when I have decided to turn to Christ and fall into his open arms when I have found that I've departed. I know it is the only place to find comfort and forgiveness.

verse 22: "O that ye had repented..." We need to live with no regrets. I've heard that statement and though, "It is impossible for me to live with no regrets because I make mistakes all the time!" But I am realizing that we can live without regret as we repent and receive forgiveness from the Lord.

And the last verse (23): "...the Eternal Father of heaven, knoweth your state; and he doeth with you according to his justice and mercy."

I am grateful for our Heavenly Fahter who is full of justice and mercy! He loves each one of us. He loves me and I am grateful for his patience with me. Time to do better and bask in his love.

And the next chapter is fantastic as well....
I'll be back!
Hailey

p.s.
Great quote from young women general president: when you have standards and virtue, you are free to become what you want to become.

New Blog!

Hello! I went to my mission reunion last night. It was fantastic. President Watson suggested we should get a blog. So, here I am! He also told us about some amazing work that he is doing in his job at the Missionary Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the improvements to the website www.mormon.org. It was fabulous to hear from him!

Today I am watching the General Conference of the Church and loving the opportunity to listen to the prophet and apostles as they teach us! It is available live (or archived later on) at www.lds.org.

More later!