3 Nephi 23-26

For class today I read 3 Nephi 23-26.

Ch. 23 -- This chapter is very simple and straight forward. The scriptures were written for us today by inspired men of God. The things that we read about are not just stories...they are real events. Christ tells the people that they need to study these things diligently. In our own lives we need to do that. We need to "feast upon the words of Christ". The scriptures are a blessing straight from our Heavenly Father to help us get through this life and return to Him.

Ch. 24 -- In this chapter, Christ explains to them the importance of tithes and offering. I have such a testimony of this!! Of the many things that Heavenly Father has given us, He only asks a mere 10%!! I know that if we give this 10% willingly, knowing that it is for Heavenly Father and the church, that we will be blessed for our sacrifice. We need to not covet that money, even if we are going through a rough time, because the Lord will provide for us if we obey Him.

Ch. 25 -- In this chapter Christ gives some signs of the Second Coming. Also, He warns the people of what will happen if they will not believe on Him. I am so thankful that we have the true knowledge of Christ's church!! I sometimes wonder what my life would be like if I did not. There are so many questions that in other circumstances I might have had, but that I know the answers to because of this church. It is just the greatest feeling to know that God loves us and is here for us and has given us the knowledge of Him and our potential.

Ch. 26 -- I love this chapter because Christ lets the children teach their parents. I don't think we realize how much we learn from our parents and can teach them. In the child parent relationship, there are rolls that both play. The parent obviously teaches and helps the child but the child has to do the same. Christ lets the children preach to their parents of the things they know and the chapter even says they were greater than anything He had told them thus far. It is just so important that we realize everyone is a child of God and has thoughts and feelings and a testimony. Everyone has something to share and we need to listen because we may learn something amazing from them that could change our lives.

3 Nephi 20-22

For class today I read 3 Nephi 20-22.

Ch. 20 -- As I was reading this chapter I was listening to my iPod. One of my favorite songs came on, it is by a band named Mae and the song is called "We're so Far Away". This song is about Christ and His coming. It was really good to listen especially while reading this chapter. I loved in this chapter that Christ reminded the people that every prophet that had come before He came prophesied about Him and His coming. It is also amazing to think that every prophet since He came to this earth has prophesied His second coming. That is such an obvious sign to anyone that He exists, that we have a loving Heavenly Father, and that we also have modern prophets!! How could anyone deny that!? It is right in our faces!!!

Ch. 21 -- I love in this chapter that Christ very plainly tells the people that those who do not repent and come unto Him, Heavenly Father will take away everything from them and destroy their homes and lands and EVERYTHING!! I don't love that these people will be destroyed, but I love that in this church and the scriptures, the consequences are out in front of us. We do not have to wonder what will happen if we do this or that, we KNOW what will happen. This is another sign to me that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us!! They care so much for us that they will tell us the things we need to do and also, they will warn us of the consequences of not following their commandments.

Ch. 22 -- This chapter is amazing!! Christ tells the people, (in a nutshell), "Yeah I have been upset with you and I've wanted to turn away and be mad, but I love you and I will always love you and show mercy and compassion towards you." This is the greatest thing I've ever read!! Christ loves us so much that He forgives us in a blink of an eye!! This is such an example to me!! I have tried to forgive those who have done wrong towards me...it is hard!! But I know that it is possible and worth it!! Also, I am trying to make everything right with those whom I have wronged. It is not easy to admit that you were wrong and to ask for forgiveness, but what is stopping you?? I would try and come up with excuses for why I was right for what I did, but they are just excuses that I came up with to not look stupid!! We need to forgive everyone and we need to constantly be asking for forgiveness!!

Project Time

For this weeks project, I read the student manual about chapters 18 and 19 of 3 Nephi. What really hit me in the manual and in these chapters is the importance of the sacrament. Both of these chapters emphasize the importance of the sacrament. In the student manual, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland says,
"We could remember the Savior’s premortal life and all
that we know Him to have done. . . .
“We could remember the simple grandeur of His mortal
birth to just a young woman. . . .
“We could remember Christ’s miracles and His
teachings, His healings and His help. . . .
“. . . We could remember that Jesus found special joy
and happiness in children and said all of us should be
more like them. . . .
“We could remember that Christ called His disciples
friends. . . .
“We could—and should—remember the wonderful
things that have come to us in our lives and that ‘all
things which are good cometh of Christ’ (Moroni
7:24). . . .
“On some days we will have cause to remember
the unkind treatment He received, the rejection He
experienced, and the injustice . . . He endured. . . .
“. . . We can remember that Jesus had to descend
below all things before He could ascend above
them, and that He suffered pains and afflictions and
temptations of every kind that He might be filled with
mercy and know how to succor His people in their
infirmities” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 90–91;
or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 68–69).
I love that Elder Holland reminds of us the things we need to remember while partaking of the sacrament. In chapter 18, Christ tells the people that the purpose of the sacrament is to remember and honor Him. I love that the manual goes into detail about how we can and why we should do this.
In seminary, a lesson was taught to me about the sacrament. I will never forget the important message my teacher gave me that day. He gave us a large amount of horseradish, a piece of lamb roast, and a cup of grape juice. He made us eat the horseradish and then we had to sit there (crying and in lots of pain) and wait for our teacher to let us drink the juice and eat the lamb. After about three minutes, he finally allowed us to drink and eat. The pain immediately went away. At first I did not understand how this lesson had anything to do with the sacrament, and then my teacher said this;
"Every day of the week, we should be yearning to partake of the sacrament like you were yearning for the grape juice and lamb. The trials we go through during the week cause us much pain like the horseradish did and the sacrament takes that all away."

I shared this story in class today with Julius and Rex. We discussed how important it is that we remember Christ and His sacrifice for us and strive to live as He would have us live. Also, we discussed how important it is to look forward to taking the sacrament each week. I loved the input that I got from these two and love the lessons that we learn together.

3 Nephi 17-19

For class today I read 3 Nephi 17-19.

Ch. 17 -- What really hit me in this chapter was that Christ was getting ready to leave and the people all but begged Him to stay!! They know that He brings happiness and they love having Him there and in their lives. They realized that there was a void in their lives and He filled it!! In our lives, we have this same void. We overcome this by reading our scriptures and praying and bringing ourselves closer to Him. He is always here for us and will fill that void and bring happiness to our lives.

Ch. 18 -- The sacrament is so important!! One of the most important things done while Christ was in America was to give the people the sacrament and teach them how. This is one of the greatest blessings in my life!! Every week I am so anxious for church so that I may partake of the sacrament. Remembering Christ's sacrifice for us is so important and we need to partake of the sacrament to help us remember better His sacrifice. Also, listening to the words of the sacrament prayer helps me to realize what I am doing and the importance of it.

Ch. 19 -- We need to recognize how much Christ and our Heavenly Father love us!! In this chapter it is so apparent!! Christ prays to Heavenly Father to thank Him for the gifts the people have been given and then He prayers for the people. It is so important to realize that They know us and love us and want what is best for us. I know that Christ is always praying for us and hoping for the best in our lives!! We truly are blessed to have this knowledge in our lives and to have Christ and Heavenly Father in our lives!!

3 Nephi 15-16

For class today I read 3 Nephi 15-16.

Ch. 15 -- When Christ is explaining to the people that there are "other" sheep and that the Law of Moses had been fulfilled...I can completely understand why they didn't understand. In my life it is very hard to see why things happen. I don't fully understand. I realize that this is normal for everyone...God works in mysterious ways and it is for our benefit...but sometimes I just wish I could know for sure!! I get so frustrated because what I want isn't always what the Lord wants and sometimes it is really hard for me to grasp. I just know that if we put our trust and faith in Him and prayer and study our scriptures, that in time we will understand (somewhat) His reasoning and accept His will better.

Ch. 16 -- As Christ is telling the people that the gospel will reach all four quarters of the earth, I get so happy and excited!! I love missionary work!! My older brother Grant went on a mission and the change that I saw in him was amazing!! He grew so much and was such a better person because of the things that he experienced while on his mission. My brother Peter is currently serving a mission and I have been able to see that change in him also. I would love the opportunity to serve a mission and am contemplating it. I would love to know that I can be an instrument in God's hands, helping to bring His children into the knowledge of the truthfulness of this gospel!! I love knowing that God has a plan and that I have a role in that plan!!