Alma 24-26

Quote "As children of God we are somebody. He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our heads up, our arms out, and walk with him. What a great blessing to be created in his image and know of our true potential in and through him! What a great blessing to know that in his strength we can do all things!"

~Elder Marvin J. Ashton

Question "What do you think some of the "mighty miracles" may be that the Lord will work through you?"

This is tricky to answer. I fear that any answer I may give may come across as vain and prideful, but to deny the miracles of the Lord would be worse....I know that I of myself am not responsible for any great works, but everything good I have done has been a direct result of the Lord. I don't know if the Lord has or will used me for any "mighty" miracles, but I have seen and been a part of miracles.

I believe that the gift of life is a miracle....so growing and giving birth to my children is a miracle to me. Also, the opportunity to raise them and teach them the truth in all things opens the door many types and chances for miracles all the time.

I was never a missionary, but I give full credit to missionaries because I believe them to be daily instruments in the miracles of the Lord. No, you don't have to be a full-time missionary to teach or share the Gospel, but I have not personally been the instrument for anyone's conversion as of yet. (Still holding out hope though). I do teach gospel principals daily to my children...so in that regard I am an instrument.

I believe that small acts of services can bring about miracles through the direct guidance of the spirit. I have heard and seen experiences where people were going through difficult things, and prayed for help and comfort, and later that day, there would be a knock on the door from someone who answered that prayer. I'm not sure if I've ever been that person or not, but hopefully I will be at some point.

I also believe that miracles happen through priesthood blessings. Even though I don't hold the priesthood, my faith supports the priesthood, and I always encourage blessings to be given, because I believe in their power.

I'm never going to be a prophet, but I don't believe I have to be, to be used as an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I have witnessed miracles, and maybe that will be my only part in the Lord's plan...just to testify that I have seen them, I have witnessed them, I know that they are real. I feel like Ammon, and cannot say enough about the goodness of God, and all that He has done for His children. Miracle after miracle, by any definition, they are right there in front of us! He loves us, and He wants us to return to live with Him. And gives us these miracles, some small, and some mighty, to build our faith, that we will have a greater desire to draw closer to Him, and to strive harder to do what He has asked, so that we will be able to return to Him.

Alma 21-23

Quote "No part of walking by faith is more difficult than walking the road of repentance. However, with 'faith unto repentance,' we can push roadblocks out of the way, moving forward to beg God for mercy...One simply surrenders, caring only about what God thinks, not what 'they' think...Giving away all our sins is the only way we can come to know God."

~Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Question "What are you willing to give to know Him?"

I love this whole story in the BOM where the sons of Mosiah, who were at one time not that different than the Lamanites in their unrighteous behavior, convert so many Lamanites. What touches me so much, and it goes along with today's question, is that when you have lived unrighteously, and caused pain to others, and then you come to a real knowledge of the Lord, it is just about unbearable to think that you could have been so horrible to your very own creator who loves you and has done nothing but bless you. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much, and His son Jesus Christ layed down His very own life for our sins....how wretched are we to so carelessly disregard that?

Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah, were raised with the truth, they had been taught, and chose to ignore it. They chose to try to harm the church, and behave in such a rebellious way. They had the unique and fortunate experience to have an angel come down and tell them to stop or else... What they experienced was so painful, and wonderful at the same time, that for the rest of their lives, they were IMMOVABLE! We don't all get that privilege, but non-the-less, we need to "act as though we did see an angel". We need to be as humble as King Lamoni, and recognize the truth, and accept it as though our very eternal souls depended upon it....'cause....they do!

We do need to be willing to make any and every sacrifice that the Lord requires in order to show Him that we are willing and ready to do whatever it takes to live with Him again! The funny thing is, Satan wants us to think "oh, we are giving up so much..." when in reality, not only does the Lord help us give up the worldly things, but He blesses us with even more wonderful things than the thing we gave up! It's amazing!

I'm sure it was tough for those Lamanites to give up their weapons of war, as they were a blood thirsty people, just as it is difficult for us to give up the things that we need to....but it is sooooo worth it! I can really identify with Alma the younger, and the sons of Mosiah. I didn't try to persecute the church, but I have been somewhat inactive at times in my life, and know what it is like to be "converted" to the Gospel. I have never regreted anything of the world that I have sacrificed to have the Gospel in my life!

Alma 19-20

Quote "Anger is not an expression of strength. It is an indication of one's inability to control his thoughts, words, his emotions...When the weakness of anger takes over, the strength of reason leaves."

~President Gordon B. Hinckley

Question "When is it most difficult to control your anger? Why is it important to stay in control of your thoughts, words, and actions?"

Ummmm, I need to write this quote on a post-it note, and stick it to my forehead everyday! I do have a problem with anger at times, and it frustrates me that I don't have better control over my emotions. I am a very emotional person, and I react before I think things through. And there have been times, that well....let's just say Mel Gibson and I have a lot in common. Alright, maybe not that extreme (by the way, love Mel, and feel sorry for him)....but definitely have used anger as an expression more often than I care to admit!

It is most difficult for me to control my anger when I have had limited sleep, or when I see something so outrageous that other people find acceptable (I'm sure there are other occasions, but I'll just stick to these for now).

Here is why I need to learn to control my anger....it makes me feel bad about myself! I honestly don't have one intention in my body that really wants to hurt another human being...but when anger takes over, that is exactly what happens. I hurt the people that I am angry with. No one really wants to be yelled at, or name-called, or degraded....I know I don't want to be treated that way, and yet, I treat others that way at times. I have cried myself to sleep many nights feeling guilty for being such a bad mom, or mean wife.

The other problem is that others will see that in you, and may use it against you. I know many people that have gone through a divorce and the spouse talks about how verbally abusive, or "crazy" their spouse is. That leads to question what kind of parent they are, and most likely anger management classes.

And also, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I am looked at by others as an example of my faith. What are they going to think of the Church by watching my behavior?

Alma 17-18

Quote "Fasting can help us overcome personal flaws and sins. It can help us overcome our weaknesses-help them become strengths. Fasting can help us become more humble, less prideful, less selfish, and more concerned about the needs of others. It can help us see more clearly our own mistakes and weaknesses and help us be less prone to criticize others...Throughout the scriptures the term fasting is usually combined with prayer...Fasting without prayer is just going hungry for 24 hours. But fasting combined with prayer brings increased spiritual power."

~Elder Carl B. Pratt

Question "What experiences have you had with fasting?"

I have had many fasts in my life...some more purposeful than others. I have fasted for forgiveness, sick family members, financial guidance, and many other reasons. Some of these experiences have led to immediate answers, and blessings. Other times, I haven't gotten immediate answers, but was blessed with more patience in waiting for an answer.

I won't go into too many details, because some experiences are very personal, but I will say how grateful I am for the knowledge of fasting. Fasting always brings a certain amount of peace, and always brings blessings in some form or another. I am so grateful for any means that helps me feel closer to my Heavenly Father. It is hard in the hustle and bustle of day to day things to feel His spirit...but fasting (with prayer of course) really helps me feel more connected.

I will share a true story that recently happened that touched me.... I know a woman with a 7 year old little girl, that is dealing with some very hard circumstances....the daughter asked her mother "I know I have to have faith, and pray, but if there is something I want very badly, how do I get my prayer answered?" The mother replied "Well, fasting is one way to help our prayers get answered. When we fast, we are showing Heavenly Father, that we are willing to give something up very valuable to us, in order for Him to know how much that prayer means to us." So this little 7 year old girl, on her own decided that she was going to fast! So she fasted for 2 meals without any prompting or reminders from anyone, and prayed her heart out for this request. Later that evening, she received a phone call that answered her prayer! It's wonderful for me to realize that even our youth can have these life-changing experiences, and set an example for the adults around them!

Alma 14-16

Quote "The right question to ask is not why good people have trials, but how shall good people respond when they are tried?"

~Elder Marion D. Hanks

"Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long suffering and self-mastery. The sufferings of our Savior were part of his education."

~President Spencer W. Kimball

Question "How do you respond to adversity?"

Well, if I'm answering honestly, I cry, kick, complain, and have a pity-party. Well, I guess I do that sometimes, and other times, I am humble, and optimistic, and cheerful about it. It just depends what the adversity is.

I can really relate to Amulek in this reading assignment, when he can't stand to watch the women and children be burned, and he wants to do something to stop it. I have seen someone I love very much, be put in a comparable situation, and it is UNBEARABLE! I didn't understand it, I still don't really fully understand it. I am trying to learn. And reading scriptures like this one helps me feel a little better about it...."But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day." (Alma 14:11)

What I love about this scripture is that it clears up a lot of questions about why the Lord allows so much suffering in this life, and also the gift of agency. He has given us ALL agency, and He doesn't take it away. He allows His children to choose for themselves, good or evil, and there would be no real justice if He did take it away from some, and not others.

Sorry, I'm going on a tangent....back to the quote/question. I feel that sometimes, it is better to go through the challenges ourselves, than to see a loved-one suffer....especially children. However, part of learning to depend on the Lord comes from adversity, and if our loved ones, and children had no adversity, they couldn't develop their own testimonies about the Lord.

We all have good days, and bad days....and we all probably react accordingly to adverse situations. But it is good to always keep in mind to have an attitude of gratitude for adversity, because it brings so much opportunity with it. We have the chance to grow closer to our Savior through depending on Him, and we have the chance to learn and grow from the experience itself, and we learn to have charity and empathy for others going through similar problems. Adversity is necessary for us. It is not fun to go through, sometimes, it is excruciatingly painful....but it is necessary for our growth. So, we can mope and complain, that is our choice, as we all have agency....or we can look at the problem, and say "Lord, what would Thou have me learn from this? Please help me to learn everything I can from this, and please give me the strength and courage to get through it."

Alma 12-13

Quote "God has saved for the final inning some of His strongest and most valiant children...Make no mistake about it - you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time than there is of us...The final outcome is certain - the forces of righteousness will finally win. But what remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this battle - and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to...our foreordained mission?

~President Ezra Taft Benson

Question "To what callings do you think you've been foreordained?"

Hard question for me. The only thing I feel foreordained to personally, is motherhood. I may have other things, but that is all that comes to mind for me. Well, I guess I was a foreordained "Christian", but we all were since we all chose to follow Jesus and come to this Earth. I am far from living as a prophet.

I do believe I will be on the righteous side to the battle, I guess I already feel like every day I'm on the righteous side to the battle, despite my faults and sins, I believe in Jesus Christ. I want to do better, and I want to be better. I don't think I would ever feel worthy enough, or like I'm doing everything right.....the more right or good I do, the more I realize I need to do better.

I hope when my mission is over I will be able to look back, and marvel that I was able to accomplish it.....that's a really hard thing for me to imagine in my self-critical body! :)