Chick-fil-a

Yesterday as I was walking to my room upstairs I saw my dad had the new on. This particular segment made me stop and watch some of it. It was talking about Chick-fil-a and how it is not open on Sundays. They were interviewing a manager or owner, I'm not sure which, of one in the Houston area. He was saying how it was because of God that they weren't open and how if you acknowledge him, he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:6). I've heard friends and the comedian we were watching in seminary on Friday say how its sad that Chick-fil-a is closed on Sundays because that's when they are always in the mood for it, but I'm glad that this store stands so firm in this belief when the world is changing and telling it other wise. "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8).

Have Joy

The third scripture mastery is 2 Nephi 2:25. "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

Application to my life: Because Adam fell, we were all able to come to earth and experience trials and sadness but also blessings and joy. With out knowing difficulties in life and sadness, we never would experience the blessings we get from overcoming those trials and joy of succeeding. If life was always perfect, how would there be joy? You would be the same everyday and not experiencing anything different. I am thankful for the hard times I've been through and been able to grow and experience the joy of overcoming those difficult times.

Carried Upon Thy Shoulders

Do you remember when you were a little child and if you were in a swimming pool and your dad or mom would hold you above the water or put you on their shoulders? In 1 Nephi 21:22 it says, "set my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon thy shoulders." This painted a picture in my head and it really shows that Heavenly Father is trying to bring us back to him by giving us standards that will keep us from falling away, kinda like our earthly parents keep us from drowning in the pool.

Profit and Learning

1 Nephi 19:23 is the second scripture mastery. It reads "And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning."

Application to my life: The reason we have the scriptures now days is also for our profit and learning. Sometimes I think, "Hmm now how is this event that happened a long long long time ago have anything to do with my life today?" The truth is there is so many ways that the scriptures help me in my life. I may not have to part the sea or go back and get plates but I still have to have faith in all the standards I am asked to keep. Seminary is such a great experience because it really does teach me to apply the scriptures to my life and be for my profit and learning.

Get Your Own

In life, you can't rely on somebody else's testimony to get you to the Celestrial Kingdom or to have a firm knowledge of the gospel. You have to work to know of the things for yourself and have faith. Nephi was desirous that he "might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (1 Nephi 10:17). We all need to be like Nephi. He just didn't take all the words of his father and believe in them but he had a desire to know of them and to gain his own understanding. When we go to Lord with a true desire, He will help us gain the testimony of all the things which we desire to know.

I Will Go and Do

1 Nephi 3:7 was the first scripture mastery I past off this year. "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

Application to my Life: The Lord reveals standards and commandments now days to the prophet and I have to have the same positive attitude that Nephi had to keep those commandments. In the long run keeping the commandments will keep me safe and provide me with a path to follow. This path will lead me to eternal blessings that I can probably not imagin at this moment. Therefore, I want to keep the commandments and return to my Father in Heaven. :)

Ability to Accomplish

1 Nephi 4:12
"Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands;"

The Lord isn't going to give us a task of slaying somebody now a days. We have different trial and different things we need to complete those. Heavenly Father will always provide a way for us to accomplish those things. Also since He gives us ways to accomplish these things we need to keep our standards and stand our ground. We should not be movable. We should be firmly planted in our believes that when we are asked to do something that we can carry out and accomplish those things. Remember "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:12).

Why I Started Blogging

Well basically for seminary this year Bro. Janis asked us to start a blog to share our beliefs and what we learn in class to better remember it in the future. I figure my family will be glad that I am now a blogger lol. Well for our first entry we have to share what we believe so here it goes...

I believe that I am a daughter of God, that my Heavenly Father loves me and that He wants me to return home to him. Through the Plan of Salvation this can happen. I know that Jesus Christ was crucified so that I can repent of my sins. I believe in the restoration of the true gospel by Joseph Smith. Through him we have "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ," which I know to be a true book. I know that we have a true prophet on the earth today to reveal things unto us. I know that the standards and commandments we follow help us in the long run and keep us safe.

So these are my beliefs. :)