Sunday, October 31, 2010

Day 90
Read: Mormon 8:9
Mark: Mormon 9: 11-12, 21
"The Lord will never forsake or abandon anyone.l You may abandon him, but he will never abandon you. You never need to feel that you are alone." - Elder Joseph B Worthlin
Mormon's ministry ends in these chapters. Pay attention to Moroni's warnings for our day. Righteousness sometimes seems to bring loneliness? Why are we not really as alone as we sometimes feel? In chapter 9 look for reasons why you can rely on the Lord.

Day 91
Read: Ether 1-3
Mark: Ether 3:4-5
What ever Jesus lays hand upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If he is allowed to lay his hands upon the family, it lives." - President Howard W Hunter
Look at the symbolism in the account of the Savior touching the stones that lit the way for the Jaredites. What does this account teach you about the touch of the Savior's hand? How have you felt the Lord's hand in your life?

Day 92

GET BACK ON SCHEDULE
Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through: Ehter 3 or If you're up to date with your reading, take time to study: 3 Nephi 27
Who did the Lord teach His disciples about the name of His church? What is the gospel, or good news, that He has given us. What things did Jesus say we must do in His church?

Day 93
Read: Ether 4-7
Mark: Ether 6:9
"Sometimes...we get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing than prayer." - President J Reuben Clark Jr
"music is one of the most forseful instruments for governing the mind and spirit of man."
- President Boyd K Packer
In what ways do you use music in your personal worship? How do you use music to help others feel the Lord's influence?

Day 94
Read: Ehter 8-10
Mark: Ether 8:26
"THe Book of Mormon is Christ-centered. That is its essential feature, and that is the reason we are commanded to study it continually. We must use the Book of Mromon to bring us to Christ."
-Elder Dallin H Oaks
How is your study of the Book of Mormon bringing you closer to the Savior?

Day 95
Read: Ether 11-13
Mark: Ehter 12:27
" The Savior isn't our last chance. He is our only chance. Our only chance to overcome self-doubt and catch a vision of who we may become. Our only chance to repent and have our sins washed clean. Our only chance to purigy our hearts, subdue our weaknesses and avoid the adversary. Our only chance to obtain redemption and exaltation. Our only chance to find peace and happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come." - Sister Sheri L Dew
What weaknesses has the Lord helped you to overcome? What weaknesses do you still have that you want to be strengths?

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Day 83
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." -Presiden Joseph Fielding Smith
What Blessings are promised to you because you are of the house of Israel?

Day 84
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 beyound economics...I express my deepest gratitude for every blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ escpecially the 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
GET BACK ON SCHEDULE
Use your reading chart to find the capters you wstill need to read to be caught up through: 3 Nephi 26 or If you're up to date with your reading, take time to sudy: 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 doctirne?

Day 86
Read: 3 Nephi 27-28
Mark: 3 Nephi 27:19-20
"THe most imortant of all the commandments of God to the one that you're having most difficulty keeping. Today is the day for you to work...until you've been able to conquer that weekness. Then you start on the next one that's most difficult for you to keep. That's the way to sanctify yourselves by keeping the commandments of God." - President Harold B Lee
What commandments are most difficult for you? What are you doing to be more obedient? Who can help you?

Day 87
Read: 3 Nephi 29 - Mormon 1
Mark: Mormon 1: 13-15
"(president Brigham Young said) 'I want you to teach the people - and I want you to follwo this consel yourself - that they must labor and so live as to obtain the Holy Spirit, for without this you cannot build up the kingdom; withut the spirit of God you are in danger of waling in the dark." - President Wilford Woodruff
As a young man Mormon enjoyed the blessings of the Lord despite living in a wicked society. How can you keep the Spirit with you regardless of conditions in the world?

Day 88
Read : Mormon 2-4
Mark: Mormon 2:12-13
"Full repentance involves a 180 degree turn and without looking back!...In ritual regret, we mourn our mistakes but without mending them. THere can be no real repentace without personal suffering and the passage of sufficient time for the needed cleansing and turning...Chastening is often needed until the turning is really under way.!"
-Elder Neal A Maxwell
We can be sorry for the wrong reasons (Like when we're caught or punished). What can help you be sorry for the right reasons?

Day 89
Read: Mormon 5-7
Mark: Mormon 6:16-20
"The tragedy of the Book of Mormon is not what became of the Nephites but what the Nephites became." - Hugh Nibley
What led to the fall of the Nephites? What things do you do each day to stay strong?

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Day 78
GET BACK ON SCHEDULE
Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through:
3 Nephi 8 or
If your'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 mofern prphets teaching us as we prepare for Christ's second coming?

Day 79
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 or Father and His Son". _ President Boyd K Packer
What can the Lord do for you wen you repent?

Day 80
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
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 Spirity 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 critcial?

Day 82
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 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 recognized?

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Day 77
Read: 3 Nephi: 6-8
Mark: 3 Nephi 6:12-14
"I testify that no one of us is less treasured or cheriched of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us-insecurities, anxieties, self image and all. He doesn't measure our talents or our looks, He doesn;t measure our professions or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other." - Elder Jeffrey R Holland
Why is pride "the great stubling block of Zion"? What can help you be more humble?

Day 78
GET BACK ON SCHEDULE
Use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through:
3 Nephi 8 or
If you're up to date with your reading, take time to study: Helaman 13

What did Samuel the Laminite 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
Read 3 Nephi 9-10
mark: 3 Nephi 9:13-15
"An atonement was made. Ever and always it offers amnesty from transgressions and from death if we will but repent. Repentance is the excape clause in it all. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from unside. We hold that key with 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.l: - President boyd K Packer
What can the Lord do for you when you repent?

Day 80
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 ulitmate earhtly goal and the supreme mortal experience."
President Howard W Hunter

The Nephites were gathered at the temple withn the Savior visited them. How are you preparing to go to the temple?

Day 81
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 in 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
Read: 3 Nephi 17-19
Mark: 3 Nephi 18:6-7, 11
"We are commanded to rpent 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 nrenews 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 tht 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
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 Jospeh Fielding Smith
What blessings are promised to you because you are of the house of Israel?

Day 84
Read: 3 Nephi 22-26
Mark: 3 Nephi 24:7-10
"I can't list all the ways that blessings will come from obedience in this principle (of tithing), but I tesify many will come in spiritual ways that go well beyound 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 oftithes and freewill offerings."
-Elder Jeffrey R Holland

What blessings to you receive from paying tithing?

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Day 70
Read: Helaman 6:7
Mark : Helaman 6:3
"Every ( convert) needs three things, a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with the "good word of God." It is our duty and opportunity to provide these things."
- President Gordon B Hinckley
What kind of friend are you to converts, members who are new to your ward, or less active? What things do you do to nourish others with the word of the Lord?

Day 71
GET BACK ON SCHEDULE
use your reading chart to find the chapters you still need to read to be caught up through:
Helaman 7
or If you're up to date with your reading, take time to study: Helaman 5

What did Helaman name his sons? Why? Whose name have you taken upon yourself? How were the Lamanites converted through their ministry?

Day 72
Read: Helaman 8-10
Mark: Helaman 8: 4, 7-9
"How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells us what we need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness." - President Ezra Taft Benson

Even though wicked men were arguing against Nephi, some righteous people knew he was prophet and supported him. How can you sustain our living prophet?

Day 73
Read: Helaman 11-12
Mark: Helaman 12:2-3
"Afflictions can soften us and sweeten us, and can be a chastening influence. We often think of shcstiening as something being done to punish us...Divine chastening, however, is a form of learning as its admisnistered at the hands of a loving Father." - Elder Neal A Maxwell

Why do you think it is so much easier to remember the Lord when we suffer, thand when everything is going well? What can you do to remember the Lord even when times are good?

Day 74
Read: Helaman 13-15
Mark: Helaman 14:30-313
"Spiritual maturity is understanding that we cannot blame anybody else for our actions. Some factors may make it harder for us to perform according to God's plan for us, but being accountable for how we use our agency means being answereable for our own behavior." = Sister Elaine Cannon

In what ways do you use your agency to help you to grow?

Day 75
Read: Helaman 16 - 3 Nephi 2
Mark: 3 Nephi 1:12-13

"Gifts of the Spirit which the Lord bestows upon those who believe and obey the gospel of Christ are called sins. That is, their receipt stands as an evidence or sign of the presence of that faith which results from believing the truth. Signs are wonders and miracles; they always and invariably are manifest to and among the faithful saints." - Elder Bruce R McConkie

Why didn't Satan want the faithful Nephites to believe in the signs? What lies does he send today to try to keep you from believing the witness you've received as a result of your faith?

Day 76
Read: 3 Nephi 3-5
Mark:3 Nephi 3:12-14, 4:10

In providing out of home activities for the family, we must us care, otherwise, we could be like a father determined to provide everything for his family. He devotes every energy to that end and succeds, only then does he discover that what they needed most, to be together as a family, has been neglected." - President Boyd K Packer

How can you help your family receive the strength that comes from being "gathered together"?