Offending the Spirit

Here's the link to today's thought: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/62?lang=eng. The specific verse for my thought is verse 10. Apply this verse to your own life; last time I wrote about how the Spirit of God is the spirit of freedom, so anything that offends the Spirit is decreasing your freedom and therefore dangerous. And, according to this verse, whatever vice it may be that we find within ourselves, whether it be swearing, certain television shows, or games, it is "expedient" that anything "found denying [us our] freedom [should be] speedily executed," or in other words, taken out of our life. If it is a television show, stop watching it. A game? Quit playing it. Bad friends? Quit spending time with them. We should do everything in our power to keep the Holy Ghost as our constant companion and guide!

I personally can testify of the power of following this counsel. About a year ago I realized that I needed to make some changes in my life. I love to read, but had started reading books that had scenes in them that were not appropriate. While I was addicted to these kinds of books, I could also tell that the Spirit had a harder time helping me and being with me because I was reading smutty books. So, I stopped. Cold turkey. And it was really really hard! I would have down time where, before I had read, and now I had to find something else to occupy my spare time, because I couldn't trust myself to not pick up a book like that if I decided to read. It has been almost a year since making that decision, and I am just barely starting to read again. I still love to read! But I now have the strength to only read good, uplifting books that won't make the Spirit leave my company. Hard things are worth it!

Stand for the Right

So, I was reading from the Book of Mormon today, in Alma ch. 60. The link for it is here: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/60?lang=eng. And as I was reading, a few thoughts popped up with this chapter. The first is that with verse 21, the phrase that I've heard people say of "you do the work and the Lord will do the rest" pops into my mind. Which is so true! Apart from that, though, this whole chapter is about freedom and fighting for what you know is right, no matter the cost. The country I live in is taking a turn for the worse morally, is on a very slippery slope, and even though it isn't always easy, and may result in things like losing friends, it is more important to fight for freedom, to fight for my Heavenly Father. It is a duty I was given when I was baptized. I need to be more courageous in doing that; it needs to be done with love, but it needs to be done. People need to take a stand to uphold the moral values that we have been given from God.

I love my Savior so much, and am so grateful for what He has done for me. So how can I not do something that in the big picture, really isn't that significant, really isn't that hard to give up, like watching movies that have sexual themes, or things like that. It's worth it in the end.

The Blessing of Scriptures

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sometimes called Mormons, and have been my whole life! I am so grateful for the influence of the Savior in my life! I am not perfect; far from actually, but I strive every day to come nearer to be like the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the ways that I try to achieve my best every day is through daily prayer to my God in Heaven, and to read the scriptures that He has given us through His holy prophets. As a member of the LDS faith, I read from the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. The Holy Bible is from the prophets in the old world of Jerusalem. The Book of Mormon is from a group of people that left Jerusalem and sailed on a ship to the Americas about 600 B.C., where the Lord ordained prophets among their midst so that they would not forget His eternal truths. The Doctrine and Covenants is a compiled book of revelations received from God by the prophet Joseph Smith. I am so grateful for all of these holy words in my life! I learn so much and through them the Lord is able to lead and guide and teach me day by day. If you want to learn more or have questions that I may not have answered, the answers can be found at www.lds.org. I hope you enjoy!