Alma 30-31

Quote "Korihor's arguments sound very contemporary to the modern reader, but Alma used a timeless and ultimately undeniable weapon in response- the power of a personal testimony."

~Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Question "How did Alma respond to Korihor's claim that there is no God?"

I love Alma dearly. I know that he suffered painful repentance, and that his heart was so good that it pained him to see others following unrighteous paths. After his sore repentance, he spent his entire life trying to save souls through preaching the gospel, I believe he sincerely did not desire one soul lost.
I couldn't agree more with Elder Holland's quote...we hear these same arguments today, the same things that Korihor said 70 years B.C......"...there is no God; religion imprisons you, and keeps you from truly being free; believing in Christ is just a foolish tradition....etc".
Alma responds to him in wisdom asking him point blank if he believes in God, and in Christ....Korihor responds "Nay". Alma turns the tables on him and says what proof have YOU that there is no God, and no Christ? Alma then bears strong testimony that he knows that there is a God, and a Christ also. That there is plenty of evidence not only by the scriptures and the holy prophets, but just the existence of the Earth, and all of the planets that move in regular form testify that there is a God.
Korihor says he will continue to deny God until a sign should be shown unto him. Well, Alma had an answer for that....."....thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets?.......Behold, I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea, that ye will still resist the spirit of the truth, that thy soul may be destroyed. But behold, it is better that thy soul should be lost than that thou shouldst be the means of bringing many souls down to destruction, by thy lying and by thy flattering words; therefore if thou shalt deny again, behold God shall smite thee, that thou shalt become dumb, that thou shalt never open thy mouth any more, that thou shalt not deceive this people any more."
So, Alma gave Korihor ample opportunity to confess his belief in God, but it took the act of being struck dumb to humble Korihor enough to admit his lies. He ended up confessing about an angel he had seen that told him to go and preach these lies. (On a side note, I find it interesting that someone could see an angel, and the angel tells them that there is no God, and to tell everyone that there is no God.....why would an angel exist if God did not exist? Crazy, to me personally)
After Korihor confesses the truth, he wants Alma to remove his curse, but Alma is wise and basically says "no way, you'll just go out and do it again".
And so we see time and time again, men that preach against the truthfulness of the Gospel. The things that are happening today are not new or original arguments for why we should all just "eat, drink and be merry (and sleep with every person we meet)". But the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has stood the test of time.....because it is TRUE! It hasn't changed. Since the beginning of time we have had a record of what the people on this earth have done, their testimonies and dealings with the Lord and His angels, and there is nothing that is ever going to remove it from the earth....no matter how bad things get....the Gospel is, has been, and always will be true!!!!

Shiflet Family Reunion

So, this weekend we had our annual Shiflet Family Reunion. It was Jeff's oldest brother Bruce's turn to plan it, so we went to Ft. Grant where he lived. We hiked through the back side of Mt. Graham, it was absolutely beautiful up there....then had some really good BBQ pork. Thank you Bruce and Susie for all of your hospitality! :) (And Don for driving us around in your truck!)

Jeff and KT on our hike

Everyone standing around throwing rocks in the creek

The creek was very pretty!

Derek (Mr. D) and Austin
Uncle B taking pics

Kyle on this rickety ol' pipe thing that crosses the creek!

(He actually crossed it!)

Jeff finding an alternate route

The first rain drop of our hike!

The clouds covered the top of the mountain!

Tyler showing off his baby pinecones! He loved those things!

Then....the fall! Jeff carrying Tyler, steps on a slippery wobbely rock, and does a front flip, and sacrifices himself to save Tyler. Tyler had a scrape on his leg, Jeff slid into a tree, and the wobbely rock crashed into his leg....I was right behind and saw the whole thing....I think my heart stopped for a minute. It was steep and slippery out there!
This is the worse leg!

After we got down the mountain...Jeff took Tyler for a ride on the quad...at first he did NOT like the sound of that!

5 min later...he was nothing but smiles...again again again!!!!
Jacob brought his dads Range Rover Offroad Vehicle...so fun!
I thought KT would be too scared of the noise, but Jeff talked her into a ride, and she LOVED it!
The "guys" Dave, Jacob, Bruce, Chad and Jeff
When we first left to come home from Safford, I saw the rays of light coming through the cloud...then I realized a few minutes later where the rays were...
Shining right over the Gila Valley Temple!

This was my first time at the Gila Valley Temple...so pretty!

When we came around the corner, I snapped a pic, and then when I was looking through the pics later I saw this light....doesn't it look like an angel guarding the temple?

Alma 27-29

Quote "True converts are those who "listen to the teachings and testimonies of missionaries and change their lives, leaving the past behind them, and moving forward into a new life."

~President Hinckley

Question "What is zeal? What difference does it make to have "zeal towards God"?"

Zeal is faithfulness, honesty, exactness in keeping the commandments, and doing it with great pleasure! In other words, having no other desire other than doing that which is right and pleasing to God.

I think zeal makes a great difference when you are talking about our attitudes toward God. We can go to church and keep the commandments, and do all that which is required, and receive blessings for our obedience, and still miss the big picture of why we do it all. I think when you add zeal into the mix, you are always consciously thinking about who our Savior is, what He has done for us, and want to do every possible thing you can to show Him that you are willing to do whatever it takes to be faithful and loyal to Him, and show Him gratitude through righteous living.

The people of Ammon were known for their "zeal towards God", that they were completely honest in all of their dealings. Can you imagine a land like that today? Where no one was trying to get ahead by charging a little extra, or selling things that they know will break, or no theft or robbery, no politicians making empty promises and trying to get gain. That sounds pretty great to me!

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!