Whew! Its Friday and I'm Caught Up!

What a whirlwind of a week. This week I've caught up on my photography assignments and what happens? My camera starts malfunctioning. I still have 2 weeks of assignments to shoot. But my precious daughters are coming to my rescue! What would I do without you? Christy is sending the software CD for the camera she gave me--it is one of the troubleshooting things I've been told to do. Sarah is sending me her Nikon camera body to use, I need to purchase a lens, but it is worth the price to finish my class on time. Thanks girls, you are a rich blessing in my life.

I had a wonderful conversation with Amber this week. She has read my blog and wanted to update me on the wonderful blessings that have come into their life. Talking to her gave me peace and comfort. We discovered that it is as important to share the good that is going on as well as the struggles and trials. I really need to hear both sides because I tend to worry about you when all I hear is about your struggles. Thanks Amber!

We were able to video chat with Dana, Valerie and Kalia. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE technology that allows me to see everyone. It was amazing to see how much Kalia has grown. She is so fun. And it was great to talk with Dana and Valerie. We are excited for their newest addition.

I want you to know that I have been reading my scriptures throughout the week, although homework has kept me from updating my blog on a daily basis. So I will try to give you an update on my studies.

2 Nephi 10
vs 2 The bottom line is that people perish because they choose to not believe in the Savior and Heavenly Father's plan of happiness. We know that in the pre-existance we all knew and loved the Savior. We all chose to come to earth to live the plan of happiness, so what happens when we get to earth? I think it is interesting to note that Jacob is talking about people who have been taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is not talking about people who have no knowledge of the gospel. So what happened to cause people to choose to not believe? Were they lax in their personal prayers, scripture study, FHE, all the "small" things that we are supposed to do every day to keep us close to the Lord and worthy to have the Spirit with us? Did they try to live on another person's testimony when what they really needed was a testimony of their own? We are not told why, we are only told that they chose to perish because they chose to not have faith and believe the Savior.

vs. 3-6 I think that we condemn the Jews too easily because of the crucifixion of Savior. What we need to consider is why people make the choices they make. We know that there were disciples of the Savior who did not join the mobs to condemn Him. These people mourned His death and were joyful at His resurrection. But there were consequences for those that agreed to His death and joined the leaders who called for His crucifixion. Jacob tells us that they were the most wicked and that no other nation on earth would have crucified their God. I wonder if we take advantage of the principle of repentance and the ordinance of the Sacrament with hearts that understand and yearn for the healing of the atonement as often as we should. If we do not repent aren't we rejecting the Savior's healing power in our lives? What is our personal standing before the Lord? That is the important question.

vs. 7-9 The gathering of the tribes of Israel is rolling along as missionary work is done. Recently I attended a devotional where the speaker was a Mission President in eastern Europe--I don't remember the exact mission. But he spoke of converts in the mission being from at least 8 different tribes of Israel. It was a wondrous thing to listen to because for so long we assumed that everyone who was baptized would be from Ephraim or Manasseh, but that is not the case. All of the tribes of Israel are coming together to fulfill prophecy.

vs 10-12 Great are the promises of the Lord for the land of promise as long as the people have faith in Christ and worship Him. I take comfort in knowing that Lord would have spared even Sodom and Gomorrah if He could have found just 10 righteous people. I am certain that this country has many more righteous followers of Christ and not all of them are members of His church at this time.

vs. 13-17 The Lord's language is very strong here about the future of those who fight against Zion. We often think of Zion as the Church or a geographical location. But here I am thinking that Zion means the pure in heart, or those that are striving to be pure in heart. As our country and our world becomes more and more polarized it is a comfort to know that if I keep my covenants and keep striving to become pure in heart I will have the Lord on my side, come what may.

vs. 18-25 Let us heed the counsel of Jacob to be joyful, lifting up our heads and take advantage of the healing power of the atonement through our faith in the Savior and our continuing repentance. I think of President Hinckley who was the most optimistic person I've ever known. I think President Hinckley was very aware of the state of our world yet he always had an optimistic demeanor. I think that is what faith in the Savior does, it gives peace and hope when all around you may be dark. We need only to look to the Savior and be at peace through whatever trials may come our way.

2 Nephi 11
Nephi bears his testimony. We know that he and his brother, Jacob, saw the Savior. Nephi tells us that he loves the scriptures, especially the words of Isaiah, and will liken them to his people. We are told to liken the scriptures to ourselves, can we do it with Isaiah?

2 Nephi 12 (Isaiah 2)
This chapter starts out by talking about people in our time and divides them into two groups. The first are those who delight in following the Savior. They are drawn to the Temple to be taught the things of the Lord. It is interesting that Isaiah only devotes a sentence or two to these people. The rest of the chapter describes the people who get caught up in the riches and pride of the world. Isaiah is clearly warning them of the foolishness of thinking that man is as powerful or knowledgeable as God. It is so easy to be drawn away from the Lord as we focus on the stresses of living in a temporary mortal world. We are told that real and eternal wealth lies in the hands of the Lord and He is willing to share all of it with us IF we choose to follow Him.

Okay, that should bring my blog up to date. May the Lord bless and keep all of you safely in His hands. I pray that you will keenly feel of His great love for each of you and yours, especially this Sunday as you partake of the Sacrament. I KNOW what it is like to try to seek the Spirit when you have little ones--but be patient the Lord knows your heart and He will bless you and your little ones.

I love all of you!