Family Home Evening Thought - Aug. 16

I have spent the past several months in a study of the Book of Mormon, using a study guide. Each week, I have had to interrupt my Book of Mormon study for a day or two and read the Sunday School lesson, again with a study guide, because I spend my time in Primary each Sunday. I have finished the Book of Mormon, and decided to read as I exercise. While on the "sisters trip", I heard about having a Book of Mormon spiral bound to make it easy to prop on the treadmill/elliptical/bicycle. I came home and got one bound, and am reading that as I "ride". I decided for study time each morning to read/study the book The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister. Tonight, I would like to share a couple of thoughts that have impressed me as I have read the book and scripture references:

1. The Atonement is glorious to behold and study. Regardless of where I am in my understanding, there is always more for me to learn.
2. The time and place for the Atonement was as the Son of God stood alone in all His majestic power against all the artillery of the Evil One. It was divine love in its consummate expression battling diabolic evil in its cruelest proportions.
3. Elder McConkie said the Atonement is "the most important single thing that has ever occurred in the entire history of created things; it is the rock foundation upon which the gospel and all other things rest."
4. The Atonement is the heart of the Gospel, the lifeblood that quickens every gospel precept, the center and core and heart of revealed religion.
5. The scriptures promise, again and again, that if I ask, I will be given. I plan to do just that. (See D&C 42:61, 6:7, 11:7, 1 Nephi 10:19)

I am so excited about the opportunity to have the opportunity each morning to study His gospel, to learn more of His ways, to become more like Him. What a blessing to have the "new" scriptures, with footnotes to all the other scriptures, as well as explanatory notes. My children don't really remember not having them, but many of us do. The work put into cross-referencing everything is a great blessing. Just as astronomers today can learn more of the heavens than Galileo could, not because they are smarter, but because they have better tools, I can learn more now than I could before, because I have better "tools".

The Gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, Mediator. Isaiah said, "...come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name." (2 Nephi 9:41) I may not understand all He did for me or how it was possible, but I can spend my life learning, with an eternity hereafter to continue that education.

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening - August 9

Home again, after a wonderful trip with three of my sisters. We left Salt Lake City on July 25, flew into Washington, D.C., toured there until Thursday morning, when we headed for Mount Vernon, then Williamsburg, VA. We returned to D.C. early Saturday, July 31, with time for a temple session before flying back to Salt Lake City that evening. I've thought alot about our country and the things we saw during that week. We visited the usual tourist attractions in D.C., saw the same things many others have seen, walked many miles, rode the Metro (great!), talked many hours, prayed, laughed, worried about family at home, saw sad things and exciting things, places where history was made, and places that reminded us of our many blessings. The thing that stands out in my mind this evening is the condition of our country today. We visited the National Archives, and saw the documents that established this country - the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Constitution. In the American History Museum, we saw the tattered remnants of the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner. We drove around the battlefield at Yorktown, ending our tour at Surrender Field, where the British surrendered to the colonial army. We walked the grounds and mansion at Mount Vernon, and watched Boy Scouts lay a wreath at the tomb of Washington. We walked around the monuments to Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, as well as the World War 2, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Marine Memorial, with the famous statue of the flag being raised at Iwo Jima. We walked the hills of Arlington and watched the solemn changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We also sat in the Senate gallery and watched the proceedings there. What I saw in the Senate didn't impress me. We all had the same impression - our country was established by statesmen, today we have politicians. For me, the most striking example was as one senator was speaking, many of the senators present (they weren't all there) were having side conversations. In fact, one very recognizable senator continued his conversation with three others, totally ignoring what his colleague had to say. There was no sense of courtesy for what another elected official was saying.
I was reading Ether from the Book of Mormon while on the trip, and read these words, "this land became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof." (Ether 13:2) I was saddened by what I saw. Brave men and women sacrificed, many giving even their lives, that this country may be established. I don't believe they would be happy with what is happening today. There is a seeking for power and riches that blinds men to the source of their many blessings.
May we always remember the cost that has been paid for this land, and remember the promises made by God to those who live here. It is my prayer daily that we, as a nation, will remember those two words from the Pledge of Allegiance, "under God", that we may remember who is to one day reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Love, Mom