Faith #2

2. Discover the principles of faith taught by the mothers of Helaman’s stripling warriors. Read Alma 56:45–48 and 57:21. Review what “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (see page 101) says about a mother’s role. With a mother, grandmother, or leader, discuss the qualities a woman needs in order to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths. How can these principles help you in your life today and help you prepare to be a faithful woman, wife, and mother? Record your thoughts and feelings in your journal.

September 26, 2010

~ Principles of faith taught by the Mothers of the Stripling Warriors (Alma 56:45-48 & 57:21) ~
* God is with us and will not let us fall
* If they did not doubt, God would deliver them
* Exact obedience
* They received that for which they had faith

~ Mothers' role in the Family Proclamation ~
* To have children within the bonds of marriage
* To love and care for husband and children
* To rear children in love and righteousness
* To provide for children's physical and spiritual needs
* To teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God and the laws of the land
* In the home, foster and teach and encourage faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, work, compassion, and wholesome recreational activities
* To nurture children

~ What qualities does a women need to teach children faith and help them base their decisions on gospel truths? How can this help prepare me to be a faithful woman, wife, and mother? ~
* A daughter of God needs to believe and know that she is a daughter of God. She must pray daily and know that her prayers will be answered. She must do what she has been taught and know that obedience will bring blessings. And she must show gratitude to the Lord for all that she has been given.
* Right now I feel I am facing a lot of trials and I just want them to end. But as I hang on to my testimony, as I continue to pray for relief and answers, as I continue to read the scriptures, I will have the strength and courage - like the Stripling Warriors - to face these challenges head on. And there will come a day when I will look back and see how this faithful perseverance grew my faith and testimony. Then I will pass that on to my children and teach them that the blessings will come as we are obedient with exactness to the commandments of God, always remembering that we are His children and He loves us.

Knowledge #1

1. Learn about the importance of gaining knowledge by reading Proverbs 1:5, 4:7; 2 Nephi 28:30; and Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-80, 118; 90:15; 130:18-19; 131:6. Think about why you need to gain knowledge and understanding about how to apply gospel principles to your present and future home and family life. Write in your journal what you have learned about knowledge, and discuss it with a family member or Young Women leader.

September 19, 2010
* Proverbs 4:7 - wisdom and understanding are the principal things to acquire
* Proverbs 1:5 - wise people seek more knowledge and then heed it -- Like seeking gospel knowledge and then keeping those commandments.
* 2 Nephi 28:30 - the Lord gives us knowledge and then gives us more as we keep the commandments
* D&C 88:78-80 - as we teach others what we have learned our knowledge and understanding expands, in gospel learning and secular; v. 118 - learning takes faith
* D&C 90:15 - seek to learn from all things good
* D&C 130:18-19 - the knowledge we gain in this life goes on with us
* D&C 131:6 - we must have knowledge to be saved

I think sometimes we forget how important it is to be constantly learning -- I sure do. I think I am finished with school and I have learned enough but according to the scriptures I must always be seeking knowledge and understanding -- and not just about the gospel but the good things of the world as well. But, there are things I had to learn in school that hold no interest to me, then or now. I don't think I necessarily have to have such a broad range of learning now but instead can really focus on my interests: cooking, home arts, families, marriages, piano, etc. It is important to just be learning in whatever avenues I can. Of course, always keeping the gospel at the center of that learning!

Book of Mormon ~ 3 Nephi 9:13

September 16, 2010: As the people of Nephi wait in darkness, Christ speaks unto them and says "return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you."

This has struck me today. The word 'heal' probably has a few different meanings in this context -- healing from sin, from harm and injury, from sorrow, etc. I would bet that at any given moment in my life I have needed some kind of healing; even now I need it. How wonderful it is that Christ offers all kinds of healing through the power of the atonement. I pray I can have faith sufficient to be healed and to accept the will of the Lord.

Book of Mormon ~ Helaman 14:30

September 4, 2010: Listen to this concise definition of agency: "God hath given unto you knowledge and he hath made you free." Heavenly Father has blessed us to know good and evil, to have knowledge. We must then make the decision to choose what we know to be good. But we are free to choose. That is the blessing of agency.

Book of Mormon ~ Helaman 13:38

September 4, 2010: Samuel the Lamanite tells the Nephites, "Ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure." How terrifying. Can you imagine how horrible it would be to hear that? This is why the Lord tells us not to procrastinate the day of our repentance. For myself, I want something far better 'made sure.' I pray that I will be obedient and offer up a broken heart and a contrite spirit so that my calling and election will be made sure. That is the announcement I long to hear one day.