Day 80: 4 Nephi, Mormon 1-2

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I hope you are all having a great day!  I wanted to start today with a great video from Music and the Spoken Word.  What wonderful advice that we can all use in our lives.


Here is another video from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  The song is called Faith which I once taught to the Primary children when I used to serve as a music leader.  This song has such a great message for us all.

How is your reading going so far?  I am still reading but having a hard time posting on my blog every day.  We are only 10 days away from reading all of the Book of Mormon!  That is so awesome!  I hope you have enjoyed it and felt a sweet peace as you've read from its inspired pages.

Today we are reading in the 4th book of Nephi and Mormon 1 & 2.

I love the first part of 4th Nephi where all of the people were disciples of Jesus Christ.  One of my favorite verses is…

4 Nephi 3
"And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift."

Can you imagine what it would be like to have ALL things in common?  What a wonderful world that would be for sure!  I look forward to the day when we all can sit down together at the feet of our Savior.  All we need to do is press forward, holding fast to the rod of iron, endure to the end, and continue in good works and faith!  We can do it!  If you have more questions and would like to learn more from one of our full time missionaries, I would love to send them your way.  Just e-mail me at mypinkstamper@gmail.com or you can go to mormon.org.  

I found this great explanation of this book on lds.org.

Fourth Nephi covers the nearly 200 years of unity and harmony followingJesus Christ’s visit to the Americas. The people “were all converted unto the Lord” (4 Nephi 1:2), resulting in a society that people of all ages have dreamed of. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles observed that following Christ’s visit, “His majestic teachings and ennobling spirit led to the happiest of all times, a time in which ‘there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift’ [4 Nephi 1:2–3]. That blessed circumstance was, I suppose, achieved on only one other occasion of which we know—the city of Enoch, where ‘they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them’

Here is another set of very uplifting verses in this chapter…

4 Nephi 5
"And there were great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, insomuch that they did heal the sick, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus."

4 Nephi 15-18
"And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

"And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.

"There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

"And how blessed were they!  For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land."

Wow!!  That sounds amazing!!

There are many more things I would like to share today but I need to start getting my family ready for church.  

I want to close with the song, God Be with You Til We Meet Again.  What a powerful message this song has.  I hope you will continue reading the Book of Mormon with me and let me know your thoughts.  Thank you for the emails you have sent.  It means a lot to me to hear from you.  


Hugs,
Robyn

Day 79: 3 Nephi 28-30

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

I am so sorry I haven't posted every single day like I was.  We got back from our vacation and had so many things going on I haven't had the chance to sit down on my computer.  Life has been super crazy and busy but I wouldn't have it any other way!  We just found out this weekend that my friend who was diagnosed with colon cancer a week ago has stage 3 cancer.  She begins her first set of treatments next week, then surgery, then aggressive chemo for 6-9 months.  She has a long road ahead but she is a woman of great faith and an example to all.  She asked if she could speak to the women in Relief Society this past Sunday and of course I said yes.  She shared her story with all of us and her personal inspiration she has received in dealing with this trial.  She mentioned how she felt the Spirit touch her during General Conference and how she felt a sweet peace.  I'm so thankful for examples like her in my life that no matter what trial they are given they rise to the occasion.  I know that our Heavenly Father is mindful of her and that she will be taken care of.  I just watched the newest video on Youtube by the Mormon Channel and thought I would share it with you.


Today we are finishing up 3rd Nephi.  Did I already say how much I love 3rd Nephi??  Well……  I DO!  

Jesus speaks with his disciples in chapter 28 and gives them the desires of their hearts.  Love this chapter!

We close with this last verse in 3rd Nephi which is a very powerful message to us in these latter days.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

3 Nephi 30:2
 2 Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.

3 Nephi 30:2. Turn from Your Wicked Doings

• •
  At the conclusion of the Savior’s visit among the Nephites, Mormon returned to what was a major theme of the Lord’s instructions among the people—that in the last days the Gentiles will reject the teachings of the Lord and grow rapidly in wickedness to their destruction (see3 Nephi 16:10; 21:14–21). The writings in 3 Nephi seem to have had a profound effect upon Mormon. In his final testimony, Mormon revisited the Savior’s teachings and prophecies condemning the wicked and perverse and the pollutions and hypocrisies of the last days. In the last verses of 3 Nephi, Mormon offered the only antidote to these destructive conditions—come unto Jesus Christ and have faith in Him, repent of your sins, be baptized, and be filled with the Holy Ghost “that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel”

Day 78: 3 Nephi 24-27

Hello From New Orleans Everyone!

I hope you all have had a wonderful week!  My family and I got to spend some time with our friends in New Orleans for the past few days.  We are sitting at the airport right now waiting to get on a plane to take us home.   Here are some pictures of our trip…

Today we are still reading in 3rd Nephi.  This is a great book to just slow down and study.  I encourage you all to mark your favorite scriptures and come back to read them often.  I get a little teary eyed when I think how wonderful it would be to be in the presence of my Savior.  To sit at his feet and learn from him how we should be.  So many great nuggets of wisdom in these chapters today.  I'm not able to post a lot of pictures or videos today because of the bad internet coverage I have here at the airport but I will share some of my favorite verses.  

3 Nephi 24:7

"…Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts."

This small saying means so much to me.  There have been times in my life where I haven't been close to the Lord, I'll admit it.  Times in my youth when I wasn't doing what He would have me do.  I can just imagine now that he must have been encouraging me with these words if only I had listened back then.  I am so grateful that I have returned unto Him and I feel His presence in my life daily.  

3 Nephi 25:2

"But unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall."

I love the phrase "with healing in his wings.."  I have a close friend who has just been diagnosed with Colon Cancer this week.  I am so grateful for her example to me!  She has such great faith as she goes through this trial. I know that she believes that she can be healed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  

3 Nephi 26:19-21

"And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another.

"And it came to pass that they did do all things even as Jesus had commanded them.

"And they who were baptized in the name of Jesus were called the church of Christ."

Wow!  Can you imagine living in a world where we had "all things in common".  I think that would be wonderful!  

3 Nephi 27:6-7

"And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day.

"Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.

3 Nephi 27:19-22

"And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

"Now this is the commandment:  Repend, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

"Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

Okay!  Our plane is boarding but I have so many more things to share!  Guess I'd better go.  

Have a wonderful Saturday!!

Hugs,

Robyn

Hi Everyone!

 Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. I am in New Orleans visiting friends. I will be home tonight! Hope you are all still enjoying reading. Talk to you soon!

Hugs!
Robyn

Day 77: 3 Nephi 21-23

Happy Monday Everyone!

I spent the weekend enjoying our church's General Conference.  There were so many talks that were written for me.  The music was so inspiring and uplifting, too.  Let's start off the day by listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Music has a way of bring in the Spirit.


I cannot wait to share some of my favorite talks from Conference as soon as they are available on the Mormon Channel.  I took so many notes and am looking forward to reading the words and listening to them over & over again.

I thought the song If the Savior Stood Beside Me was perfect for our reading today.  The Savior, Jesus Christ, is still teaching and ministering to the Nephites in the Americas.  I cannot even imagine being a part of that.

Here are some of my favorite scriptures and thoughts from today's reading.

Chapter 21 is talking about the Gathering of Israel.  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we believe in the literal gathering of Israel.  

3 Nephi 21:1–9. The Latter-day Gathering of Israel

• •
  Jesus told the Nephites He would give them “a sign” (3 Nephi 21:1) so they would know when the gathering of Israel had begun. He then foretold the Restoration of the gospel, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the establishment of a free nation in America, and the taking of the gospel to their seed (see verses 1–7). He called the Restoration of the latter days “a great and a marvelous work” (see verse 9). In the early days of the Restoration, the Savior said “a marvelous work is about to come forth” (see D&C 4:1).
  President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of the miracle of the Restoration and of our responsibility to help move the work forward:
  “This glorious gospel was ushered in with the appearance of the Father and the Son to the boy Joseph. The dawn of the dispensation of the fulness of times rose upon the world. All of the good, the beautiful, the divine of all previous dispensations was restored in this most remarkable season. …
  “Do we really comprehend, do we understand the tremendous significance of that which we have? …
  “We of this generation are the end harvest of all that has gone before. It is not enough to simply be known as a member of this Church. A solemn obligation rests upon us. Let us face it and work at it.
  “We must live as true followers of the Christ, with charity toward all, returning good for evil, teaching by example the ways of the Lord, and accomplishing the vast service He has outlined for us” .

Here is a talk given by Elder Nelson in a past General Conference about the Gathering of Israel.

3 Nephi 22:13
"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children."

3 Nephi 22:13. “Thy Children Shall Be Taught of the Lord”

• •
  While serving as the general president of the Primary, Sister Patricia P. Pinegar explained how 3 Nephi 22:13 is used in our day to guide us in teaching our children: “The world is not a safe place. It is not a place where children will feel peace, hope, and direction unless they are taught to love and follow the Savior. Please help them know that these great blessings can be theirs, and show them what they need to do to receive these blessings” 

3 Nephi 23:1-5

 1 And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.

 2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.

 3 And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.

 4 Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles.

 5 And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things.

3 Nephi 23:1–5. Search the Scriptures

• •
  The Lord commands His Saints to search the scriptures rather than merely read them. When people search the scriptures they carefully examine them in an effort to discover something, or they explore thoroughly by serious inquiry and inspection. Searching the scriptures also indicates that we meditate (see Joshua 1:8), study (see 2 Timothy 3:15; D&C 26:1), heed (see 1 Nephi 15:25), and ponder (see 2 Nephi 4:15). In addition to the scriptures, the Savior commanded us to search the words of the prophets (see 3 Nephi 23:5).
• •
  The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) encouraged the Saints to search the scriptures in order to receive an independent witness of the truth and to obtain direct instructions from God: “Search the Scriptures—search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. No; for when men receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them. Then again we say: Search the Scriptures, search the Prophets, and learn what portion of them belongs to you” (History of the Church, 1:282).
• •
  Although searching the scriptures may be difficult at first, President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) promised that those who seriously study the scriptures will be enlightened and their spirits lifted: “I am grateful for the emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine” (“The Light within You,” Ensign, May 1995, 99).
• •
  President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency said that if we rush too quickly while reading the scriptures we are not allowing the Holy Ghost to tutor us:
  “The Holy Ghost will guide what we say if we study and ponder the scriptures every day. The words of the scriptures invite the Holy Spirit. … With daily study of the scriptures, we can count on this blessing. …
  “We treasure the word of God not only by reading the words of the scriptures but by studying them. We may be nourished more by pondering a few words, allowing the Holy Ghost to make them treasures to us, than by passing quickly and superficially over whole chapters of scripture”.

I want you all to know that I know that the things we read and studied today in the Book of Mormon are true.  This book is inspired of the Lord and we can become closer to him by reading and pondering His words in our hearts.  I am so thankful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today.  To learn more about it click HERE.  

Have a wonderful night everyone!
Robyn

 (Conference Bingo!)

General Conference October 5th & 6th 2013

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to post the link to our church's General Conference.  I hope you can watch it with me!

Where:  Click HERE to watch it!  It will also be on cable on BYU TV.

When:  Saturday & Sunday from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm MDT.  

What:  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints General Conference.  We are blessed to hear uplifting talks each hour from our church leaders.  8 hours over the weekend!  

How:  Get your journals and pens ready!  Sit back and be inspired!

Day 76: 3 Nephi 19-20

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are having a great week so far!  I've been a little crazy, busy this week.  I'm trying to catch up on everything I've missed!  We said goodbye to Elder Beus on Tuesday night.  He was transferred to a new area in Oklahoma and will do a wonderful job sharing the gospel there, too.  I met Elder Davis' new companion, Elder Reynolds, who is from Idaho, yesterday.  You can click HERE to meet the missionaries in your part of the country or world!

Here is a picture we took on Tuesday night.  One of my daughters had "Pink Out" day in school so that is why she is so PINK!  LOL!

(We were supposed to make a crazy face but I never do!)

Last Saturday night I also took some pictures of us Sisters as we gathered at a member of the church's house to watch the General Relief Society Broadcast.  If you would like to watch it you can click HERE!

I am so grateful to be a part of such a large women's organization called the Relief Society.  I have been the Relief Society President in my ward for almost 16 months now.  In our church we have what's called Lay Ministry where we are "called" to serve in difference positions through our church leadership.  They pray and ask who should serve where.  Nobody applies for a calling or asks to do something specific.  (Click HERE to learn more about Lay Ministry.)  I am only the Relief Society President right now because that is where the Lord knows I will grow and learn.  It is true!  I have grown so much in the last year and love every single sister I get to serve.  

Today we are reading more about Jesus Christ's ministry to the Nephites.  These are both great chapters to study.

3 Nephi 19:10-13

10 And when they had thus prayed they went down unto the water’s edge, and the multitude followed them.

 11 And it came to pass that Nephi went down into the water and was baptized.

 12 And he came up out of the water and began to baptize. And he baptized all those whom Jesus had chosen.

 13 And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

3 Nephi 19:10–13. Baptized Anew

• •
  President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained why Jesus commanded the Nephites to be baptized again:
  “When Christ appeared to the Nephites on this continent, he commanded them to be baptized, although they had been baptized previously for the remission of their sins. … The Savior commanded Nephi and the people to be baptized again, because he had organized anew the Church under the gospel [see 3 Nephi 19:7–15; 26:17].Before that it had been organized under the law [see 3 Nephi 9:15–22;11:10–40; 12:18–19; 15:4–10].
  “… For the same reason Joseph Smith and those who had been baptized prior to April 6, 1830, were again baptized on the day of the organization of the Church”.

3 Nephi 19:25

 25 And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.

I love that verse.  I can only imagine what that was like.  What a blessing to be able to see my savior face to face.  

3 Nephi 19:35

 35 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying he came again to the disciples, and said unto them: So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles, because of their unbelief.

3 Nephi 20:1

 1 And it came to pass that he commanded the multitude that they should cease to pray, and also his disciples. And he commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts.

3 Nephi 20:1. We Should Continually Pray in Our Hearts

• •
  After their prayer had ended, the Savior gave the Nephites important counsel to keep a prayer continually in their hearts. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles similarly declared:
  “Prophets have long told us to pray humbly and frequently. …
  “Prayers can be offered even in silence. One can think a prayer, especially when words would interfere” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2003, 5; or Ensign, May 2003, 7).
• •
  President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught:
  “Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. …
  “Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil .

There is much more that I would have loved to share today but I have to log off.  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Hugs,
Robyn