Parleys Trek 2012: Trek in 2 minutes...

Parleys Trek 2012: Trek in 2 minutes...: Here is a fun way to see what we did on trek in less than 2 minutes.  The following video is a series of 1,500 still photos combined togethe...

My Trek Experience - Denice Long (3rd Ward)

(Thank-you to Denice Long from the 3rd Ward for sharing this beautiful experience with us!) 

From the first time I ever heard of “A Trek,” I knew I wanted to go.  I have always loved the stories of the pioneers and found great inspiration in their sacrifices and their faith.  I was beyond excited when I was called to be in the Young Women’s program last August and I heard that this was the year for Trek.  I silently prayed that I would have the opportunity to go.  Unfortunately, I had just undergone complete knee replacement surgery.  The chances of me being ready less than a year later AND being asked to participate were pretty slim.  None the less, I kept the date in the back of my mind and pushed myself physically to get my knee ready so I could go if I was offered the opportunity.

Discouraged was a word I used often as I struggled to get my knee in shape.  Recovery was slow and teaching all day on my feet didn’t help.  When I was asked by Tim Hatch and Ruth Todd to be a part of the organizing committee, I knew this was my chance!  I had to prepare even harder.  I began walking more and charging up hills and pushing myself until I developed plantar fasciitis in my heel.  How could I walk when each step created a shooting pain in my heel and up my leg?  Maybe I wasn’t meant to go. 

Tim Hatch, in one of our trainings, asked us if we had had experiences that were trying to keep us from going.  I knew he was talking about me.  I didn’t lose hope.  When the committee asked me to be an Aunt, I knew I was meant to go and I was going to go, no matter what!!

I was anxious as the first day of trek arrived.  How would I be able to handle the constant pain?  Could I walk as far as I needed to each day?  The questions caused me great fear.  We only trekked about 3 miles the first day.  As I feared, each step sent stabbing pain into my heel and up my leg.  I limped to avoid the pain but that only created pain in other parts of my knee, leg, and hip.  How could I walk up to 10 miles in one day?

I started to feel a real sense of humility.  How did the pioneers do it day after day?  They must have felt pain each day.  There had to have been blisters and bad knees and plantar fasciitis.  I began to really relate to these people.  Maybe that was the lesson I was to learn.

As we trekked the next day to Martin’s Cove and crossed the Sweetwater River where one of my ancestors is buried, the spirit burned within me.  I knew that these pioneers had faith beyond what any of us could imagine.  I was touched over and over that day, but really felt the message I needed to hear by Sondra Bennion that evening.  She told us she was trekking for her grandson, who had passed away from cancer.  When he was struggling near the end of his life he prayed for strength, courage, and peace.  He didn’t pray to live or to have the pain taken away, just the strength and courage to deal with it in peace. 

The next day as we approached the woman’s pull, I was anxious that I would be able to help my “adopted” family make it up the hill.  I didn’t want to be a burden, but wanted to contribute to the success of our women.  I kept reciting the words, “strength, courage, peace,” and kept praying to play my part.  I experienced my own little miracle that day.  I felt NO pain.  There was no pain in my knee or my heel as I pushed the cart up that hill.  It startled me at first and then because it was so noticeable it made me begin to cry.  I knew that I couldn’t break down and cry right there so I thanked my Heavenly Father with great joy!  We pushed to the top and all I could feel was sweet rejoicing in my heart!  The pain returned as easily as it left, but it made no difference to me.  The Lord had answered my prayers and I couldn’t deny it! 

I understand what the pioneers who made it meant when they talked of the strength they received along the way.  Mine was such a simple thing, but it strengthened me and my testimony.  It was a hard ordeal for me, both physically and emotionally, but it was one of the most profound experiences of my life.  I will ever be grateful for our pioneer ancestors and their legacy and for my personal miracle near Martin’s Cove.

Over the next few weeks, we will be adding blog posts from some of the individuals who were an integral part of Parleys Trek 2012. We know that the thoughts and feelings that they are able to share will help those of us who were at "home", tap into the beauty of this incredible experience. Enjoy!

As you know, callings in our Church are often more fulfilling, than helpful to others. The calling to be a "Ma" on Parleys Trek 2012 was an extreme example of this.  I will admit the thought of walking around the high Wyoming desert in the summer heat, did not inspire thoughts of happiness. However, the opportunity to spend time with the youth of our Stake overcomes all qualms. It was so inspiring to watch youth, adults and leaders work, struggle, laugh, whine, exult and learn together. This Stake is full of the most incredible people I have ever known.

The adventure began as the leaders and youth gathered starting at 5:00 a.m. at our own Stake Center. 18 months of planning and hard work were about to pay off. The youth arrived and were immediately separated into "families" that they were supposed to bond with to share the experience. From these simple beginnings, the Trek family was born. It is fascinating how quickly the bonds start forming. As the week wore on this was one of the most rewarding parts of Trek. The love and connection formed allows teaching moments from Mas and Pas to "kids" and in my experience even more teaching comes from "kids" to Mas and Pas.

Your children taught me to work harder than I knew was possible. I was taught to fall to knees in gratitude to our Heavenly Father. I witnessed kids having patience, learning with simple faith, looking out for each other and helping without being asked. We are in very capable hands with the youth of this Stake. They are well on their way to being the leaders, missionaries, mothers, fathers, and faithful Saints of tomorrow.

Teri Lyn Baucom

Stake Relief Society

Parleys Trek 2012!!!

The recently completed Trek was fortunate to have four extrememly fine photographers along for the walk. Paul Bradley, Ben Haslam, Kami Hatch and Craig Jensen have willingly shared their talents with all of us. The photos that they took are spectacular and everyone should enjoy them - and share them! Click on the address below and go to:

parleystrek.blogspot.com 

to enjoy all 2000 photos. Just click on the words under each of the three photos to go to a different album. Enjoy!

Summer Continued...

If your ward was anything like ours, last Sunday's Fast and Testimony meeting was generously seasoned with testimonies from Pioneer Trek. What an amazing experience our youth had as they were able to experience the journey of the 19th century pioneers. Thank-you! Thank-you to the foresight of our Stake Presidency to take our youth to Martin's Cove and thank-you, thank-you to all of the leaders and adults who put time, effort and testimony into the planning so that the experience could be so powerful. If you want a little flavor of what they shared, check out their blog:

parleystrek.blogspot.com 

Other events coming up…If you've been out of the country for the last few months you may not be aware of the fact that our Stake has produced an entry for the 24th of July Parade!! Becky Richards and Brett Okland of the 3rd Ward have been spear-heading the efforts, with generous help from Martha Farney and other members of the Stake. The completed float will be on display Tuesday, July 10th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Stake Center parking lot. Come see what has been built and enjoy the "Scoopalicious" root beer float party with the rest of the neighborhood. (That way, you'll know which is "our" float coming down the street as you watch the parade!)

There will also be a "Parade Preview Party" at the South Towne Expo on July 16th and 17th. Each day all the floats for the parade will be on display from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission is free, families are welcome and you can vote for your favorite float - OURS!!!

Looking to Summer

There are so many wonderful activities coming up this summer! We hope that you have noticed the addition of the SL Parleys Stake Trek Logo in the right column! The youth of our Stake are preparing to travel to Martin's Cove, Wyoming to participate in a Trek experience. If you aren't aware of what's going with the youth, now is the time to listen up and get involved. Talk to your Young Women leaders - talk to your Young Women - encourage them in their preparations for this remarkable experience!

It's Almost Here!

Dear Sisters,

We are so looking forward to this Thursday and our 

"Day of Covenants"!

What an exciting time! We have looked forward to this experience over the last six months and it is almost here. We hope that you are all planning on joining us this Thursday, March 29th at the Salt Lake Temple.

Remember the schedule:

Baptisms for the Dead - 3:00 pm

Endowment Session - 4:00 pm

Chapel Meeting with Temple Presidency and Stake Presidency - 6:00 pm

Endowment Session - 7:00

 We look forward to spending time together in the Temple and in spiritually preparing for the upcoming General Conference.

See you there!!! 

Welcome to Celebrate the Christ!

We hope that while you visit today (either here in the building or wherever you may be…) you will feel inspired to comment on how your reading of Jesus the Christ or The Book of Mormon has helped you to draw closer to Christ and prepare for greater temple blessings.

Our Lord the Christ

By  JAMES E. TALMAGE

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

T

HE Man Supreme!

   In whom dwelt manhood in completeness and the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

   Under the Father’s empowerment the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

   Jehovah, The Eternally Existing One, who is from everlasting to everlasting, the I AM of eternity past, of time, and of eternity to come.

   Whom the Father called His Chosen, His Beloved Son, His First-born of spirits, His Only Begotten in the flesh.

   The Word who was in the beginning, who was with God, who was God, who was made flesh and dwelt among men.

   Foremost of all who have trodden the earth with mortal feet.

  The Babe of Bethlehem, the Boy of Nazareth, the Man of Sorrows acquainted with grief.

   My Elder Brother and yours.

   The Teacher Preeminent.

   He who was condemned as a malefactor, died as a mortal, rose as a God Triumphant.

   Redeemer of the race from death, Savior from the effects of sin, source of life eternal.  

   The first to come forth from the tomb a Resurrected Soul.

   The Conquerer of death and hell.

   He who shall come in like manner as He went and shall reign personally upon the earth with His Saints.

   He who shall deliver the Father the cleansed and purified earth, with its hosts of the redeemed, saying, “’I have overcome and have trodden the wine-press alone’ – then shall He be crowned with the crown of His glory to sit on the throne of His power to reign forever and ever.”

   He has been repeatedly proclaimed by the Father’s voice as the Son Divine, and from boyhood to sacrificial death solemnly avowed His own exalted status as that Son of Man. Prophets and apostles in both olden and modern days, and the “common people’ who heard Him gladly, have reverently affirmed His divinity. Angels have sung and demons have shrieked His name as that of power and Godship.

   We acclaim Jesus Christ as the veritable Son of the Eternal Father in both spirit and body. He lived as a Man among men yet was wholly unique in that He combined within Himself the attributes of mortality as the heritage from a mortal mother and the powers of Godhood received as a birthright from His immortal Father.

   Thus He became capable of death and died, yet had power over death, and so held death in abeyance until He willed to die. This He affirmed while yet He was mortal: “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”

   He was unique in having been accepted and foreordained to be the Redeemer and Savior of mankind, and yet again in the fact of His absolute sinlessness.

   He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Christ of the New.

   No man can return to the Father except through the Son, for the name of Jesus Christ is “the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men.”

   He has manifested Himself in person to His prophets in the present dispensation, and has spoken with them as one man speaks to another.

   He is known to be in the likeness of the Eternal Father – the express image of the Father’s person – for both have been seen and heard in this the dispensation of consummation and fullness.

   Through the instrumentality of men commissioned to officiate for Him, He has reestablished His Church upon the earth, for the last time, and has bestowed upon it His name – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

   He has officered His Church as of old, with apostles, patriarchs, high priests, seventies, elders, bishops, priests, teachers and deacons.

   Again as aforetime He has called and is calling mankind to faith and repentance, then to baptism by water, and to baptism of the Spirit through the bestowal of the Holy Ghost by the authorized imposition of hands.

   He manifests His powers through the graces of the Spirit, as seen in gifts of revelation, prophecy, tongues and their interpretation, by inspired dreams and visions, by healings, and by a diversity of gifts called by man miracles.

   Through Him Redemption is assured and Salvation made possible to every soul. Salvation includes and exceeds redemption. It is the plan conceived in the mind of God the Eternal Father and given to man through Jesus Christ, whereby the degenerating and disastrous results of individual transgression may be atoned for; it is the means by which the loathsome malady of sin may be cured. Redemption, or rescue from death, is of universal assurance, salvation is of individual attainment, made possible in fulness through compliance with the laws and ordinances of the Gospel based on the Atonement accomplished by Him alone.

   A Redeemer and Savior is essential to the accomplishment of the Father’s work and glory – “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”

   Sometime, somewhere, the knowledge of the Lord shall come to every soul with saving or convicting effect; then every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

We will be at the 3rd/5th ward building on Stringham Avenue!

Another aside...

Sisters, as we finish up our reading this week, I hope this blog can continue with shared insights into our covenant keeping efforts. Sister Beck has a short, 3-minute video from lds.org that so beautifully sums up our mission as women. I hope that you will take a few minutes to listen to this encouragement from our dear Sister Beck. (Click on Sister Beck's name - it is the link to the video.)

With love and gratitude for the wonderful women you are and the many ways you have touched my life…
Janice Rampton
Parleys Stake Relief Society President

"Now I, Moroni, write somewhat as seemeth me good…" (Ether 13 - Moroni 10)

We have come to the end of our reading of the Book of Mormon this time around (or perhaps some of us are still reading or have started again!). I hope that this has become a meaningful experience for those of us who have put Moroni's promise to the test. To "…receive these things…ponder it in your heart…ask God…in the name of Christ…with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 
And by the power of the Holy Ghost you will know the truth of all things."
I am trying not to get wordy in this last Book of Mormon post, (and I will fail), but let me give you a couple of key words and thoughts. 
-In the last chapters of Ether, I was struck by the incredible contrast between these war chapters and the war chapters in Alma (which was my last post). Spirit and preparation vs. blind hatred/anger and "harden(ed) hearts".
-Moroni 1-6 - The importance of ordinances and authority and administering by the Spirit.
-Moroni 7-9 -  lonely son's love for his father and his father's wise words of counsel for all of us. Especially the "conference talks" in chapters 8 and 9.
-thought…if I were tying off a book of remembrance for my posterity and I were to include well-loved counsel for my children from the prophets, what would I include? President Benson on "Pride" or the "Book of Mormon: The Keystone of our Religion"? Elder Bednar's "Tender Mercies"? President Eyring's "Remember, Remember"? President Kimball on "Lengthening our Stride"? President Hunter on having and keeping a Temple recommend? Elder McConkie, "The purifying Power of Gethsemane"? President Hinckley, "The Things of Which I Know"? Sister Beck "A Mother Heart"? Sister Dalton "Love Her Mother"? OBVIOUSLY, I could go on and on and more obviously this list is personal and not exhaustive. My testimony is that we have been and are being given loving guidance in our time here on earth. We are never alone and we are never without "The Way" back to our Heavenly Father. What are YOUR favorite Conference talks?


I, too, have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for my testmony of a living prophet in President Monson. I am so very thankful for the words and counsel of prophets, living and dead, which help me to increase my testimony and love of the Savior. I know the Book of Mormon is true - that it was preserved for our day and translated through the power of the Holy Ghost to bring all of us closer to Christ and back into the presence of our Heavenly Father. I have a testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ and of His life and Atonement. I am thankful to be reading "Jesus the Christ" and learning from the beautiful insights there. I have a deep testimony of the Temple and the lasting covenants that we make there. I LOVE THE TEMPLE!  May I repeat that? I LOVE THE TEMPLE!  I cherish the covenants that I have made, and even though I am imperfect in keeping them, that doesn't diminish the knowledge I have that they are the way to unite my family and the way back to my Father in Heaven. Sisters, PLEASE - come and join with us in the Temple on March 29th! If it's the first or the thousandth time you have gone, we invite you to come and join with the Stake family. It is a privilege to serve you sisters and to serve with your wonderful presidents and the women in our Presidency. You are loved!


With love and joy in the journey,
Janice Rampton

Chapters 35 and 36

I feel fortunate to make a few comments on these two chapters about the crucifixion and spirit world as described and explained by Talmage. The crucifixion scenario has been relived through the scriptures,novels, poetry and movies because of its tragic ending as well as promise.
As I read these two chapters I thought of an experience I had as a child around ten years old. The gospel was not in our home at the time but I was intently watching a movie around Easter time about Christ's crucifixion. My wonderful father, who was not a member, reminded me that Jesus was a great teacher. But I had a quiet and distinct voice tell me that "He is the Son of God." This wonderful memory returned to me in my college years as I began to study the gospel and read the New Testament.

I also reflected as I read these two chapters of an experience we had in our Sunday School Class last year when we were asked to write down three things we know to be true about the gospel that we could describe if we had a missionary opportunity. I wrote: #1 Jesus is the Christ #2 Jesus and Heavenly Father love us and #3 that we can be with our loved ones again after death. I think these two chapters eloquently explain that these three principles are true.

Probably my favorite scripture is when Jesus prays: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Even under extreme duress and pain He only thought of his flock, the Jews, and those involved . He also remembered His mother and gave her care to his apostle, John. Nephi describes this situation: "And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men." (1 Nephi 19:9) Because of His loving kindness and charity for all of us, He was able to transcend all physical and emotional pain and forgive.

If you are interested in further knowledge, Elder Jeffey R. Holland has written a book called "Christ and the New Covenant" which describes in depth Old Testament and Book of Mormon "Types" of Christ's life, crucifixion and resurrection which compliment Talmage's descriptions.

I want you Sisters to know that I have a testimony of Christ and of His life and Resurrection and hope that as I live my life that I will be someday worthy to again to return to His presence along with my loved ones and friends in the Gospel.

Jesus the Christ chapters 37-38

Hi Sisters! My blog post is out of order but these chapters are important nonetheless.

The reading includes the resurrection and the acts of the apostles following the death and resurrection of the Savior.
In these chapters the apostles are learning the reality of the resurrection. Incomprehensible as it had been, they now are receiving a witness of the resurrected Lord as He appears to them on several most important occasions and they witness the wounds in his hands and feet and side. They are given their final commission to go and "teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. . . and lo I am with you alway. . . ".

They witnessed His ascension. Talmage describes in epic verbiage and testimony:
" The Lord's ascension was accomplished; it was as truly a literal departure of
a material Being as His resurrection had been an actual return of His spirit
to His own corporeal body, theretofore dead. With the world abode and
yet abides the glorious promise, that Jesus the Christ, the same Being
who ascended from Olivet in His immortalized body of flesh and bones,
shall return, descending from the heavens in similarly material form
and substance."
And then His apostles taught with magnified zeal and conviction the gospel of Jesus Christ. The church grew in numbers and conviction. Writes Talmage: "to them faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was of greater worth than the wealth of earth. Among them, there was nothing called "mine'" or "thine, but all things were theirs in the Lord." How about the lesson in that!?

I add my humble testimony in simple phrase, I know these things to be true! I know Christ was born of an earthly mother and of God the Father under simple yet significant circumstance. I know He dwelled and taught among Jew and Gentile performing miracles of body and spirit that testified of the Father. I know he was loved and recognized by many and hated and despised by others. I know that He willing submitted to persecution of the most extreme kind and ultimately He atoned for our sins and shortcomings of every kind out of an incomprehensible love of all mankind. I know that following His ignominious death at Calvary His body was restored and resurrected and ascended to His Father, our Father to return to us again at the appointed time. I know He did "not leave the world comfortless" (John 14:16,18) the Holy Ghost is real and ready. That the Savior "stands at the door and knocks" (Rev3:20), and His hand is stretched out still"(Isa5:25). I know He loves me and cares how I conduct my life and how I bear trial. I know. . .I know! My testimony is enhanced and increased from my study of Talmage's Jesus the Christ. I wish the same for all. I write this in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen

Yours in the shared Gospel,
Shawn Morgan

Jesus the Christ Chapters 39 & 40

When we announced we were starting this reading project, I had two friends mention to me how meaningful and wonderful the notes were following each chapter. I have taken the time to read the notes and have gained a lot of insight to each chapter. For this post, I would like to focus on the notes following the chapters.

In Chapter 39, note #3 clarifies the Baptism Among the Nephites After the Lord's Visitation. "We read that before the second appearing of Christ to the Nephites, the chosen Twelve were baptized. These men had doubtless been baptized before. . . The baptism of the disciples on the morn of the Savior's second visit, was in the nature of a rebaptism, involving a renewal of covenants, and confession of faith in the Lord Jesus . . . In the church today a repetition of the baptismal rite on an individual is allowable under certain specific conditions, but is not commonplace."

The 5th note in Chapter 40 caught my attention, The Mission of Columbus and Its Results. "Unto Nephi was shown the future of his people. . . The coming of a man from among the Gentiles, across the deep waters, was revealed in such plainness as to positively identify that man with Columbus. . . 'And it came to pass that the angel said unto me, Behold the wrath of God is upon the seed of thy brethren. And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land. And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, that it wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of captivity, upon the many waters.' " I love that the journey of Columbus was known by Nephi.

I have loved reading Jesus the Christ. It has strengthened my testimony of our Savior. I am grateful for His loving example and His life I am truly grateful for the gospel and for each of you.

With love,

Liz

Towards the Promised Land Mormon 9-Ether 12

Moroni is the actual author of this last chapter in the book of Mormon. He bears strong testimony of an unchanging God. He reminds us that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. If He performed miracles then, He will perform them now. It is all based on our faith and belief. He reminds us that if we are not witnessing miracles, the problem isn't with God it is with us. Whenever I read these verses I have to stop and ask myself; What miracles am I witnessing? Am I witnessing miracles in my life? If I am not witnessing them, then I am not paying attention. They are all around! Just the fact that I am here now, writing this blog is a miracle! I made the decision at the beginning of the year( I refuse to call it a New Years resolution) to pay more attention to the Hand of God in my life. Then when I see a miracle occur I am going to write it down. This has lead to me being more aware of His hand in my life. I also decided I wanted to further document these miracles that I am witnessing. I went to Target and bought a little $2 photo album. If I see a beautiful flower, or a smiling child, I take a picture of it! I keep them in this little album and whenever I open it I see the hand of God!

It took me years to learn the lessons I needed to from the first few chapters of the Book of Ether. I have read it untold number of times. It is a compelling story. Jared and his brother are living at the time of the Tower of Babel. The Lord confounds the languages of the people and Jared begs his brother to ask the Lord not to confound theirs. The Lord agrees and they as well as their friends have their language saved. Jared asks his brother to inquire of the Lord where He is going to send them. The first part of the lesson it took me so long to learn is found in chapter 38 of Ether 1. Jared makes the statement " And who knoweth but the Lord will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the Earth". What faith that shows. Yeah I know we are probably going to have to leave, but the Lord will take us somewhere better! It is in total contrast to Lots wife. She was looking back at what she was leaving behind. Not believing that where the Lord was taking her was better than where she had been! Jared's faith was forward looking. Believing that the Lord had good things ahead for them. It doesn't mean the journey was going to be easy. Yes there was a place the Lord wanted them, but growing and faith building opportunities lay ahead for them. Things were actually pretty good for them. So good that the Brother of Jared forgot to commune with God along the way. God corrected this during a 3 hour conversation. I really would love to know all that was said during those three hours! One thing he tells him is that the Spirit will not always strive with man. If we sin, by commission or omission, the Spirit can't dwell with us. If we are undertaking a journey,and we all are, we MUST have the Spirit with us to guide us. The Lord tells Jared to build barges. He is going to take them across the waters to the promised land. We all know the story about air and light. The Lord says make some holes and you will be able to breathe. Light was a bit harder. I love the way the Lord interacts with the brother of Jared here. He asks him What do you want me to do. I love this. It shows that the Lord knows the brother of Jared. He knows he  is capable and He will honor whatever he comes up with. This is a great lesson for us. The Lord knows we are bright, capable women. He will honor our righteous decisions and touch our stones to make them glow! This is what he did for the brother of Jared. They would now have light as they crossed the waters. Now onto what has been one of the best  lessons I have ever learned from the scriptures. It is found in Ether chapter 6. This journey that they undertake after entering into the barges. They were in these vessels for 344 days. It was not an easy ride. vs. 5 and 6 speak of a "furious wind" that is blowing them and causing mountainous waves that are driving them deep into the sea. I imagine I would have been terrified. When they were buried they cried unto the Lord and he brought them up again. Did you catch that. When the journey was difficult and scary they cried unto the Lord and he rescued them. That is one aspect of this great lesson. Turn to the Lord in our difficult times, but that for me wasn't the main lesson. The main lesson is this; those furious winds were blowing them TOWARDS the Promised Land. There was purpose behind those storms. Those storms were taking them somewhere. I was reading these verses one day and the Spirit gently told me that my storms,those trials and difficulties I have, are driving me on to my Promised Land. Of course my Promised Land is the Celestial Kingdom. It is living where God and Jesus live. My individual "furious winds" are moving me forward to that place. They are allowing me to ultimately get to where I want to be. They are refining me and teaching me. They make me more like He is. They teach me, as they did the Jaredites, to turn to the Lord and He will bring me up again. It is trusting the God knows where I am supposed to be and the kind of person I need to become. My storms of life, although difficult, keep me moving in His direction. They ultimately get me home!


Julie Wilkes
RS President Parleys 7th ward

Pride before the Fall 3 Nephi 26-Mormon 8

I have spent a lot of time thinking about these chapters. It is one of the sweetest and most bitter parts of the Book of Mormon to me. In short, the Nephites go from having a personal visitation from the Savoir and living in a Zion society for two hundred years, to total annihilation. I took many notes on what seemed important but as I continued to ponder what we can learn from these chapters only a couple of items stood out strongly.

In 3 Nephi 27:27 the Savior asks a very pertinent question. He said, "Therefore, what manner of men (and I'll add women) ought ye to be?" Then he gave the answer, "Verily I say unto you, even as I am." That question has burned itself into my mind. How am I doing each day to live up to that charge? I was also struck that the term "I am" is another name for Jehovah; that had never hit me quite that way before. The Savior invites us repeatedly to COME unto him. He only wants to give us everything that he has. But we much choose to follow him. He told the Nephites, and us, exactly what that would entail. The words are fairly simple, the ability to heed them will take us a lifetime. He has instructed us to repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure faithfully. What I love about it all is that I am entirely capable of doing just what he asks if I allow him to be my guide. It is by doing the line upon line, precept by precept that we will be able to learn all that he needs us to so that we can become all that he needs us to be. He has said that he "will try the faith of his people" to enable them to develop the strength to stand firmly when the harder times come.

The sin of pride is the antithesis of Christ. Pride goes against everything the savior stands for. When we place something before Him in importance we are much more likely to succumb to pride and what I call the 3 Cs take over--comparing, complaining, criticizing. That is just what happened to the Nephites. They began ranking themselves by their worldly goods; setting their hearts upon the riches of the world not the riches of eternity. They put more emphasis on wearing the right clothes as opposed to clothing the naked. If that is the path we follow we will eventually lose the influence of the holy Spirit, fail to recognize and use the gifts we have been given, and delight in wrong doing. Mormon and Moroni give powerful examples of what will happen to society if that is the road taken.

The Book of Mormon teaches us how to avoid pride and stay true to our Heavenly Father and Savoir. Mormon gives four reasons why he compiled the lessons from all those thousands of plates that he did. They include: 1) we are accountable for our actions, 2) fortify our belief in Jesus Christ, 3) witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ, and 4) encourage all to repent and come unto Christ--persuade the faithful to continue and convince the wander to return.

Moroni tells of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in a time of great wickedness that will only get worse. As I thought about this I realized the Book of Mormon is still coming forth to many lands and people so we are right in the middle of that time. In Mormon 8:35-40, Moroni asked several valuable questions about where our hearts are focused. As I read over the questions I was reminded of Sister Kristen Westenskow's Saturday night Stake conference talk about what women in the church should be. I have thought frequently about what worldly pleasures, praises, and gains do I place as more important than things of God.

I hope, Sisters, that we will look closely at our lives and where our hearts are. Do we tend to stand more on the side of pride and let the world dictate what we become or are we standing firmly and faithfully next to Christ; taking his name firmly into our hearts and acting as he would have us do.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the work God. That it is true and contains the teachings that we will need to find ultimate joy.

Love,
Karri Hoyt, Stk RS secretary

A Reminder of "WHY" we are doing this...

Sisters,
I contacted and received permission from Sister Arline Holbrook (3rd Ward and currently serving as a missionary in Russia!) to re-post her comment from the 1st post on this blog way last July! Her comment is a reminder to us, that the reason we have been doing this reading challenge is to help us be more prepared to MAKE and KEEP our Covenants as we Come Unto Christ.


From Arline...

"I never realized before what a blessing it is to be able to have something like A Day of Covenants. I hope the sisters don’t take it for granted or think they are too busy to take advantage of it. Do you realize how blessed we are in Salt Lake? Dave and I are presently serving in Russia. In many of our classes (RS and SS) we have talked about temples and temple work, but it’s something that presently is simply not possible for most people here. After saving up for quite awhile, one fairly well-to-do couple went to the Kiev Temple. It’s a 6-day drive from here – each way (flying is even more expensive). Most people who are lucky enough to get to the temple will go once in their lives. I strongly urge EVERYONE who can possibly attend A Day of Covenants to do so. If nothing else, go for a sister in Russia who can’t!"

Sisters, there are 3 more weeks until the "official" end of our reading challenge, but we hope that if you haven't started, you start from where we are now or at least choose to read SOMETHING in either "Jesus the Christ" or "The Book of Mormon". We actually have a few more weeks to enjoy reading until  we "Celebrate the Christ" at our Saturday morning breakfast/sharing - March 3rd, 9:00 a.m., 3rd/5th Ward Cultural Hall. Even if haven't read anything, please come and share in the Spirit of these great books as weprepare to go to the Temple in March.