By Grace we are saved...after all that we can do.

In your reading last night did you notice this scripture, 2 NE 25:23, "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." What is grace, and how does it save us without taking away our agency?

One definiton that Webster's Dictionary gives for grace is, "the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God" and I would add, "through the atonement of our Brother Jesus Christ." Girls, we aren't perfect and never will be good enough to be in His presence, however our brother Jesus Christ makes up the difference through his freely given, unmeited favor and love. However, this scripture adds a good reminder that Grace is provided... "after all that we can do." We have our agency and must use it. If we do so, and use our agency to strive to believe in Jesus Christ, His Grace will make up for us where we are lacking.

I love you. Good night.

Oh where oh where are you?

Come on girls...

Deciding who you want to be: Divine Nature

We are daughters of our Father in Heaven and have therefore been blessed with Divine qualities that come from him. Our Father has given us agency, a most precious gift. We can use our agency to carefully decide who we want to be and what we want to gain from this mortal existence. The scriptures are full of references telling us that our Father in Heaven wants to give us blessings, but he also wants us to ask for them. Once you have decided who and what you want to be, you have to do everything in your power to attain that attribute or blessing then, if it is God’s will, He will make up the difference through the grace of His Son’s Atonement.

These Dream boards are to help you decide who and what you are to be. Put things on this board that will help you to meet your goals and the righteous desires of your heart. Throughout your life, revise this board, start over if necessary. Become actively involved in the fulfillment of your future. Heavenly Father cares about all aspects of our lives. Be careful what you ask for and counsel with our Father in Heaven as you plan. Remember to plan what you want so that you don’t end up with whatever you get. If you don’t make plans, you’ll have to accept what’s leftover when everyone else has achieved their goals.

I know that within you lies great power and potential and that as you grow you will be able to become and attain all that you and our Father have planned for you. Pay attention to the following scriptures. They are but a sampling of our Father’s promises on this matter.

· D&C 66:9: “…Ask and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
· D&C 4:7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
· John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
· D&C 88:63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
· D&C 132:40 Ask what ye will, and it shall be given unto you according to my word.
· John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
· Enos 1:15 Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it.
· 3 Ne 18:20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

How are you all doing?

Are you all on track? I've had to play a little bit of catch up, but that's okay! Bring your scriptures tomorrow night to YW, and we'll take 20 or so minutes to read.

C

Take 6 minutes and watch this...

Reading the Book of Mormon makes you a better reader

I've noticed that when I am actively reading the scriptures on a daily basis with my mind engaged I can read other materials faster and with better understanding. Maybe this is one of the ways the bishop's promise to you girls will be fulfilled. As your minds ponder on the words of God, they are opened up to more easily understanding other information as well!

1 Nephi 4:6

"And I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."

Girls (and other contributors), I want to know what you think about being led by the spirit. How does the spirit speak to you and in what ways can we recognize the whisperings? I think that it's interesting that Nephi went into the wilderness with Faith, "not knowing" what he should do. How often do we want to know what we are supposed to do and do we forget that Heavenly Father won't tell us beforehand, he expects us to follow him in Faith.

Thoughts?