christ >

I love the book of Hebrews because it emphasizes how important Christ is. One example of this is Hebrews 7:1-2, "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him: To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all: first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is King of peace". In verse 3 it goes on to say that Jesus has no end and that He is the son of God. Christ is above all because of what he has done for us.

Hebrews was written by a committee and their writing shows us that Jesus Christ deserves all of the glory of the atonement. I am so thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me. I know that he should come before all things. He should come before the temptations and doubts that I may face during this life. Sometimes it can be hard to be constantly obedient and faithful because of the temptations we face, but keeping Jesus Christ in my mind and heart helps me a lot. He is with me and wants me to succeed, which is why he died for me.

share the gospel

I honestly haven't read the second half of the New Testament very much; whenever I get to it I don't pay as much attention to it as I should. In my Christ & the Everlasting Gospel class we have been talking about the different acts that the disciples have been doing and I have been loving it. In Acts 1:8 it reads, "ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth". We talked about how this verse is like the thesis statement of the chapters in Acts.

I loved reading through the first few chapters of this book because of how fast the church was growing! It gave me so much hope to see how many people saw the works of the apostles and believed in this wonderful gospel. I am so thankful for this gospel and all that it has done for me - it makes me so happy to see others feel the warmth and the strength that I feel because of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

One last thing I want to talk about from class is the beginning of Acts 3, in these verses there is a man that is healed but it took years for the healing to happen. Sometimes we may feel overlooked by Jesus, but there is a plan for everything and sometimes things take time for a reason. This gave me comfort because sometimes I feel like things aren't happening fast enough for me.

it is done

"When Jesus therefor had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost" (John 19:30). 

I love this verse so much because it reminds me of how much my Savior went through in order to die for me. He also lived through so many trials in order for the atonement to go through. He was given vinegar when he said that he was thirsty and that goes along with the sacrament. We may do things that can bring bitterness into our lives, but the sacrament can take away the bitterness from our lives. By loving Jesus and doing what he wants us to do, we can stay clean and be happier people. I am so thankful for this atonement and for all that Jesus has done for me. 

As I was reading through all of the things that Jesus said before he died, I felt how much He loves us. He went through so much pain because he wants to help us. I love this gospel and my Savior so much. 

This weekend is conference and I am looking forward to hearing all that is shared over these two days. I know that I will be blessed by listening to these talks and that I will learn more about what Jesus wants me to be. 

not what I will, but what thou wilt

"And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee: take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt" (Mark 14:36).

This verse means so much to me because it is a great example of how to pray to our Heavenly Father. We can ask for things or specific blessings, but it is His will that we should accept and be happy with, even if it was not what we wanted in the beginning. I have had experiences with prayer that I may not have gotten what I wanted then, but looking back, things played out just the way the should have. I love looking back on past prayers or past experiences and understanding things that I did not originally understand. It increases my testimony so much seeing all the wonderful blessings that I have gotten that I didn't want at first.

Another reason I love this verse/chapter in Mark is because it shows how much Jesus loves and understands us. Because he went through all of this pain, he can know exactly how I'm feeling when things get hard for me. I love my Savior so much and I am so thankful for all that He has done for me.

conversion

Converting to this gospel is more than being baptized and going to church. It is truly believing and having faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Different people are converted at different times in their lives. In the gospel of John there are two people that have stories based on their conversion; Nicodemus and the woman at the well. Nicodemus took three years to be converted while the woman at the well took about five minutes. One is not better than the other, both eventually were truly converted and loved and trusted the Lord with all their heart. Both of them had difficult backgrounds and stories that made it difficult for them to convert, but they loved what was taught to them. 

I love that in John 3:8 Jesus said, "the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound therof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth..." He is talking about feeling the spirit and knowing about it, but not seeing it. One thing that is sometimes hard for those converting is not seeing proof, but feeling it is just as promising. We feel the spirit just as we would feel the wind. We cannot see the wind when it is blowing around us, just like we can't see the spirit, but we can definitely feel it. I am so thankful the these past lessons on miracles and conversion because it gives me hope about my future and my family's and friend's futures. 

i have been found

Feeling lost and alone is one of the worst feelings that one can have in my opinion. Feeling like you've got no where to go and that you don't have anyone on your side that can help is heartbreaking. In the past my anxiety has really gotten to me and has caused me to feel so lost and sometimes make poor decisions. Reading through the three parables on being lost then found in Luke 15 is always a huge comfort. I love that they cover being lost through wandering, neglect, and rebellion because in one way or another I've experiences all of the different types. My Savior will always be there for me and He will root for me even when I make mistakes. I know that I am in the right place now, at BYU and in this church, with all my heart. 

In Luke 15:32 it says, "...for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found". What is lost can be found with prayer and work. Each type of loss has a different way to handle it. The son that leaves because of rebellion can't be searched for like the lamb that gets lost due to wandering. Waiting and having faith is the best way to bring back those that are rebellion in the same way that the son did. 

Having these parables makes me feel much more prepared for my life and all that can happen. I know that I can constantly find help in the scriptures whenever I feel lost. My Savior will always be around to find me if I do my part also. 

trust in the lord

After John the Baptist's death Jesus wanted to be alone, but instead he helped five thousand men by multiplying bread loaves and fish given by a young boy. If we give all that we have, like the boy did, Jesus can multiply it and help us in so many ways. Sometimes it seems like we're sinking - especially during midterms in college, but being able to pray and read the scriptures brings me so much comfort. I will do all that I can and I know that the difference will be made by my Savior. In Matthew 14:20 it says, "and they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up the fragments that remained twelve baskets full". Bringing all that we can to Jesus, just like the young boy did, can make a huge difference in peoples' lives. For me personally, my life is so much better because of the gospel and my love for the doctrine.

The morning after Jesus fed the men, he helped some of his disciples in a fishing boat during a rough storm. During one of the worst parts of the storm he began to walk on water towards the boat and called for Peter to come to Him. The faith that Peter showed while he was walking on the water once more showed how much trust we should put in Jesus. I am thankful for the examples that people have set for me, both in the scriptures and in my daily life.

condemn not

I don't think it's possible to go through a day without making a small judgement about someone else, it's natural. These judgements can be good, bad, or neutral, but as long as we don't completely shut out someone and condemn them due to their choices, our judgements are not bad. We often hear people making comments about not judging or how bad it is to think negatively about others, but what we should talk about is how we shouldn't condemn. In JST Matt 7: 1-2 it says, "...judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgement".

Making quick judgements about people or situations can keep us out of problems, but making those judgements are in no way condemning the other people there. I believe that these judgements are just there to keep us safe. We can't go through life not judging at all, it's a false expectation. But through these scriptures and further translation we know that if we judge righteously and not condemn others for their behaviors we are making the right choices.

People may make a choice, but it is not our place to decide that they are too bad of a person and that they shouldn't be helped. I believe that it our purpose on Earth to help others come into the gospel, even if they are making some bad decisions. People can be so good, but still make some mistakes. I am so thankful that I am able to read from the scriptures to learn more about judgements and how to share the gospel to people who aren't making the same choices that I am.

blessed are ye

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3)

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5)

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7)

These three verses are some of my favorite verses in the New Testament. I love that in the Beatitudes we are told what we can do and who we should be to receive blessings. Reading through this list of qualities and actions is so inspiring because it gives us an, almost, stepping stone like guide. We can start by being introspective and look at the qualities we want to have. According to the Beatitudes we should be meek and humble and we need to hunger after that which is right and be righteous. After being introspective we must share what we have learned and stay kind and forgiving. In Matthew 5 it says we must be merciful and be pure in heart. By emulating what is being said we can be peacemakers and have the light of Christ with us. 

These steps can also bring us to repentance. Jesus Christ is the best teacher of repentance because of the atonement and all that He knows. 

I have learned so much because of this chapter (Matthew 5); I want to share what I know and the wonderful feelings that I have felt. I am so thankful to have this gospel in my life and I want to share the blessings it brings. 

nothing is impossible

Sometimes things can be really difficult. At times, I look at my life and I am so overwhelmed by everything that's going on and everything that everyone else is achieving. Things seem almost impossible, but looking back on my life, whenever things seem impossible all I need to do is look to God and pray. In Luke 1:37 it says, "For with God nothing shall be impossible". There have been miracles that have proved to me that God is there for me and that I can rely on Him. 

There are huge temptations that come along in life and people make mistakes. I have made mistakes but through the Atonement I can once again be perfected after this life. In 3 Nephi the gospel and the doctrine of Christ are shared. Through my Heavenly Father and through the atonement I believe that the gospel and the doctrines of Christ are perfect for us and can be followed.

I have so much hope in this Gospel; I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe that if I continue to follow the gospel I will live my life in a good and joyful way. Living my life in a way that I should brings me a lot of joy. I love living and hearing about the miracles that come about. 

having faith

The four gospels in the New Testament are all very different because of the writers. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all went through different experiences that brought them to where they were while writing the first four books of the New Testament. Some include the birth of Christ while others start later in His life; Mark doesn't start his book until Jesus is getting baptized. Luke was a physician so he talked more about the birth and sickness - for example he talks about how the ear was cut off in Gethsemane. He also talks about more women and Mary's experiences.

Because each gospel writer is a different person with different experiences, sometimes there are things that don't match up. For some, it can be hard to believe in what is being taught when some things aren't right, but I trust in the Lord. There is a scripture that says "...not what I will, but what thou wilt" (Mark 14:36). Although this is Jesus Christ talking to Heavenly Father, the same goes for us. Our Heavenly Father has a bigger perspective, so even if some things don't match up or we don't get exactly what we want, there is a plan and we need to have faith.

I know people who have struggled with finding truth in the gospel and I have seen how difficult it is for them not having faith. I am so blessed to have a testimony of Christ and of this gospel. I believe the scriptures with all of my heart.

the everlasting gospel

This week in my Christ & The Everlasting Gospel class has been amazing; we went into detail in Moses. We talked about having agency, not having all the answers, and temptation. In Moses 3, it touches on the fact that Adam and Eve had agency even in the Garden of Eden. Although they were told that they should not eat the fruit, they were also told they can make decisions for themselves. I love the idea of agency; we are in control of our own lives. I think that agency and the atonement together keep us responsible for our lives. When I make a mistake, it's up to me to fix it, but it is through the atonement and my Savior that it can be done.

Another wonderful point that was discussed is the fact that we can't know all the answers, but we most continue on in the church and what we're supposed to do. When Adam was commanded to sacrifice, he did it and said "I know not, save the Lord commanded me" (Moses 5:6). I have been having a hard time with this, but I know that the Lord knows me and what I need better than I do. I'm trying to keep this in mind as I go through different trials in my life. Sometimes I need these trials in order to get to the good things in my life. I am so thankful for this class, it always seems like the lesson is directed towards me and my struggles.

One last thing that I liked about these scriptures that we went over was in Moses 5:10-11. Even in the Garden of Eden you can see the differences between man and woman. Finding small funny things in the scriptures that have awesome points in them is always really interesting.

find the truth.

In Mormon 7:8 it says, "...lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you not only in this record but also in the record which shall come from the Gentiles from the Jews..." I didn't know that this scripture existed before we went over it in class this past week. It is awesome to me that both sets of scriptures/records were planned out and known about for years and years. One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is to help us believe the Bible and all that it says.

I know that this church and it's records have been planned out, but sometimes it still catches me by surprise all that is done for things to fall in place. It definitely helps my testimony in the church grow. The beginning of this semester has been difficult for me, but knowing that the church is true and that I'm always able to pray to my Heavenly Father helps a lot. I am so thankful for this Christ and the Everlasting Gospel class and BYU. I have been so blessed and seeing these blessings brings me so much comfort despite my trials.

Overall, this past week in class I have learned a lot of things that aren't often talked about in church classes and I am blown away by all of the information that was taught.

who am i?

This semester I am in a religion class titled "Christ and the Everlasting Gospel" because last semester I was taking the first section of the New Testament and loved it. I want to learn more about Jesus Christ; before coming to BYU I never really studied Christ and his life in depth so I am looking forward to this class.

I love that in Moses 1 it says "thou art my son" (Moses 1:4) because we are like Moses and have a Heavenly Father. We are children of a God and knowing that gives me purpose and hope. This gospel - Christ's Everlasting Gospel - gives me so much hope for this life. Knowing who we are and where we come from is a huge blessing given to us in this lifetime. I believe with all of my heart that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father and that Jesus Christ was sent here to atone for our sins.

Another thing we talked about this week was that there will be difficulties in our lives, but they are sent to us so we can know the bad and the good. It is important to have trials because they bring us closer to the gospel. I know that the trials that I have had to overcome have been so important; they have made me who I am today and they have increased my love for the church so much. There have been times that I haven't felt close to my Heavenly Father or this church but because of some things that I have seen and experienced I know that He is there for me and that I belong in this church. I know who I am and where I come from.