time's up!
did you do
your reading?
i didn't harp on you because
a) people who do that are super obnoxious- that's a pretty personal challenge. no presh.
and
b) this blog is mostly ridiculous and not always meant for serious spiritual thoughts....
but this was cool.
i finished reading
the book of mormon in about 20 days despite setting a goal to finish it in 31 days. it was completely surprising how insatiable i was. when i initially decided to do it, i feared it would be my nightly chore and i'd need to force myself to stay awake to read my required 8 daily chapters but to my surprise, i never ever read at night. i listened while i walked, i read when i rode, and i couldn't get enough (another surprise to me).
because i've read the book of mormon before and i've grown up in the church, none of the doctrine was new to me. but it was really great to be reminded that:
- the Lord is able to do all things- according to his will -if we only only exercise faith in him.
- all we need to do is ask in faith (believing that we shall receive) and it will be given.
- men are that they might have joy (2 nephi 2:25)
- God speaks to man in ways they (individually) can understand (2 nephi 31:3)
- the words of Christ will tell me all the things i should do (2 nephi 32:3) and the holy ghost will show me (2 nephi 32:5)
- we must pray always (2 nephi 32:9)
- the word of God heals the wounded soul (jacob 2: 8)
- the Lord delights in the chastity of women (jacob 2:28)
- serve others (mosiah 2:17)
- if we keep His commandments we will be blessed (mosiah 2:22)
- if we do what he has commanded he will immediately bless us (mosiah 2:24)
- those who keep the commandments are blessed and happy (mosiah 2:41)
- pour out your heart to Him -even though he already knows the thoughts of your heart (mosiah 24:12)
- we should know of a surety that the Lord visits his people in their afflictions (mosiah 24: 14)
- judgements of man are not always just (mosiah 29:12)
- what is good comes from God. what is evil comes from the devil. (alma 5:40)
- if we believe in the redemption of Christ, we can be healed (alma 15:8)
- all you need is a DESIRE to believe and faith will come (alma 32:27)
- in no other way can man be saved but by and through Christ (alma 38:9)
- watch your pride. do not boast your own strength. (alma 38:11)
- be filled with love.
- wickedness never was happiness (alma 41: 10)
- men like moroni are pretty awesome (alma 48:17)
- if you do not doubt, God will deliver you (alma 56:47)
- listen to your mother (alma 56:47)
- remember. remember. remember (the entire bom)
- God has made us free and has given us knowledge. all we need to do is ask. (helaman 14:30-31)
- be grateful and give thanks continually.
- don't get caught in the pride cycle.
- be a light. glorify your Father in Heaven with your good works (3 nephi 12:14)
- love and pray for your enemies (3 nephi 12:44)
- pray and serve others in secret (3 nephi 13:6)
- ask, seek, knock. it will be given to you (3 nephi 14:8)
- pay your tithing. blessings will be poured out onto you (3 nephi 24:10)
- weaknesses can become strengths thru grace. (ether 12:27)
- and other nuggets of strength and wisdom and inspiration.....
so here's what was interesting:
it wasn't so much
what i was reading, but it was
how if felt when i read and the
thoughts that came to me as i read.
i was happy/safe/comforted.
i had interesting thoughts that motivated me to make small changes in my life for the better....
and here's what's really cool:
this read, i was struck by mosiah 2:24
"he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you;
for which ye do,
he doth immediately bless you."and in that moment, in the beginning of july when i had no idea what to do with my life and no money in the bank,
i could have really used some blessings/ guidance.
well, as soon as i put wheels in motion to make these changes and do what i know the Lord has commanded me to do (we're talking about 1 hr after i put my intention toward changing..), i got the call for the jersey boys audition-for which, ironically, my agents didn't even submit me.
pretty immediate, right?
in that same day, i was put on hold for a commercial and a voice over job, i have found an incredible place to live in vegas and incredible people to live in my nyc pad, my relationships have deepened and i am gentler, kinder, and easier, my health issues are being worked out and my voice is singing easily.
not all of my problems are solved and i still have an epic amount of work to do on myself,
....but things are on the upswing and i am hopeful and filled with faith that not only does the Lord know what i need (vegas? really? ok!), but He also lives up to his promises..... immediately.
i didn't necessarily expect that.
i thought i'd just have another good read and test the
book of mormon by praying about it to see if the spirit would confirm to me that it's true.....but i didn't even need to do that.
i knew it was true every single time i opened the book.
i know it is a truthful testament of Christ.
i love reading about Christ.
i love reading about my Heavenly Father and how he loves and teaches his children.
i know that reading it in it's comprehensive entirety in such a short time continues to bless me. and... honestly, as surprising as it is to me, i miss reading it as intensely as i did.
i think we should do this every july, no?
my heart is literally so full of the book of mormon and of this experience.
i'm not sure that you'll book a hit show and move across the country if you read it in one month (or you could... i dunno),
but of this i am sure:
reading this book will change your life
if you let it.did you take
the challenge? what were your thoughts?
this is one of my favorite dresses--the silhouette club look--
