Mosiah 13 - Salvation does not come from keeping the commandments alone

In this chapter Abinadi teaches the Ten Commandments unto the people of King Noah. We learn many lessons like in verse 13. We learn that our God is a jealous God.This means that we should not worship earthy items over him. We can show him how much we love him through prayer and our obedience. Abinadi is commanded by God to teach the people of his commandments so that they could be righteous and be forgiven of their iniquities. in verse 28 we learn that we can not be saved by keeping the commandments alone but we must also take advantage of the Atonement and repent of our sins. We all sin and its ok to make mistakes but we should learn from them and repent of them as quickly as possible. Christ came to this Earth so that he could fulfill this plan and so that we can come back to our father in heaven one day. This chapter is just one of the many wondrous chapters in the Book of Mormon. Each chapter lays out guidelines on how to live a righteous life so that we can experience joy after sorrow and return to our father in heaven. This book opens new doors in life leading towards exaltation. If read with an open heart and mind you can find answers to your prayers.

Look to the Light

A Season of Second Chances

We are all aware of' the change in heart experienced in the Christmas season. People are either happy and full of joy or stressed to the max. If you are one of those people who is always stressed like me then I may have a little bit of advice to you. Keep Christ in your Christmas. I saw this on a bumper sticker as I was running a bunch of errands the other day. It got me to thinking about Luke 2 and the angelic scene of the savior's birth. I realized why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Its not to get stressed out over what gifts to give or to battle it out with the family but instead to remember our savior and how grateful we are to have him. Christmas should be a season of prayer and praise. During the Christmas service at my church today we listened to many hymns and readings centered around the nativity. The second to last hymn was "I Believe In Christ", as we were singing this hymn I was able to feel the spirit lift me onto my feet. I looked around me and those surrounding me were standing to. It was truly magical to be able to stand in a song of praise to our Savior and what a way to let him know we do believe in him and love him. I looked back on past Christmases and remember those many where I did not have Christ in them. Those Christmases that were centered around getting presents and partying with friends. I had made many mistakes and broke many promises as my family watched my life spiral out of control. This Christmas is different though. Now I can remember the greatest gift given to me, my savior and his gospel. This gift has given me many blessings over the past two years. It has given me a second chance. So this season grab your second chance and bring Christ back into Christmas. Remember him and all the great things he did and do your best to have the spirit in your heart. Don't let the joy and good tidings end on December 25th.

My Journey

My Journey has been a long one and it is still continuing. I have had my Heavenly Father in my life since the beginning but not in the same way he is with me now. I was born into a Catholic household. Baptized as an infant I grew up going to Catholic schools and learning about our Father in Heaven. Although I knew I had a Father even greater than my own, which is hard to believe sometimes, I was taught i did not deserve him and to fear him. The Father I learned about did not show mercy and love but instead just always punished us. I didn't get it then and when I would ask questions I was told to  pipe down and focus on the lesson. I had a few trials growing up that led me down a path going further and further away from my Father in Heaven. It had been years since I prayed and years since I wanted to go to church. It want until this point that I uttered a small prayer. "Lord please save me". A month or so later I met a boy. There was something different about him that made me feel good about myself. When with him I felt a peace of sorts. The kind of feeling I had felt way back when before I had started on the path dictated by the adversary. He was the answer to my prayed sent to save me. After many long conversations about the church I agreed to attend with him. That day I knew that I had stumbled upon something great. That week I turned my life around and started to adhere to the standards of the church, I jumped into reading the Book of Mormon and stuck too it. Immediately my world changed. I became happy again despite the rejection from almost all my family and friends for my sudden lifestyle change. A smile replaced my frown and gratitude had overtaken resentment. My questions had been answered in my studies and I learned that the peace I felt was the spirit. I learned not to fear God but to love him with my whole heart because he really does love us. I learned about his plan for us on Earth and his plan for us in the eternities. I knew that the only thing holding me back form being baptized and showing my dedication to him were my parents. They were proud of the new person I became after adhering to the standards of the church but were still uneasy. I wasn't allowed to have the missionaries over so I met with them in secret at a friends house and after church. After all the lessons were complete I knew I had to work harder on getting permission from my parents. After many debates and tears they finally said yes. On may 9th I was baptized by that young man who answered my prayers. I became the first member on the church in my family. Since then they have been very supportive. I hope that one day they will open up their hearts just as I did and gain a testimony of their own. I have never been happier than ever to have the church in my life. My testimony grows each day. That young man is now on a mission of his own and is serving the Lord just as he was asked to do. I know that this church is true and that if you are humble enough to accept it then you will be blessed just as I have been. Now no matter what the adversary throws at me, I know that I can fight it off with the sword of truth. 

"The good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold..."

(Alma 5:60)

The Great Book

The Book of Mormon truly is a great book. Through its many chapters and verses we are revealed many answers and mysteries. It was given to us for our own education so that we can come be with our father in heaven. It truly testifies that Christ lives and that he will come again. This book has blessed my life along with millions of other people in more ways then we deserve. Its many teachings have brought peace to my turmoil filled life. I challenge you to read the Book of Mormon and see how it blesses your life. You have nothing to lose.

Testimony of the Book of Mormon