Mosiah 23: 12/13/14

v. 10: In connection with D&C 58:4, located in the footnotes, the verse says that "after much tribulation come the blessings." When have I experienced this? The mission, or all of college...It wasn't until after certain times in my mission that I figured out the lessons, messages, or ideas to learn from such an experience. Lessons about grace, asking for help, earnest prayer, etc. College, even from a secular sense, follows this idea. Four years of serious stress (hopefully) lead to a productive, lucrative position in the real world, where I can finally start making money.

1 Kings 15: 1/12/15

A bunch of kings overtake each other, and continue in their wickedness, except for Asa, who did right in the "sight of the Lord."

Tempted above what we can bear - Alma 13

Although I enjoyed much of the chapter, I was most struck by v. 28: "...watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear..."

Is this scripture implying that we can, in fact, be tempted above that which we are able to resist? This appears to be in conflict with 1 Cor 10:13, a famous seminary scripture mastery: "...but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able..."

It continues: "...but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

Ah. I think I understand. There may be temptations that we can't bear, unless we are praying continually for His help. They way out is through Christ, as it is with many things.

Am I plagued by certain temptations? Of course, we all are. The way to escape is through constant, vigilant prayer and what Alma calls "watch[ing]." I take this to mean studying scriptures, heeding words of prophets alive and dead, and ever being mindful of the ways of the world.

It is interesting to note, however, the specific inclusion of prayer. Can't "watching continually" have prayer as a necessary item under its fairly generalized umbrella? Perhaps. However, the specific inclusion of "pray" with "watch continually" may serve to underline the redemptive power of prayer when overcoming our obstacles in life.

This tells me...that I need to pray more. Joy! In all seriousness, though, I do need to do better saying morning and evening prayers. I usually miss morning prayers. Also, prayers over food...but maybe that's because I order pizza? In contrast, whenever I actually cook something, I always require a prayer before eating.

1 Kings 17: 3/21/15

The most important lesson to be learned in this chapter is of trust in God. It's a famous story of Elijah and the widow.

When the prophet arrives at the house per the instruction of the Lord, he is received by the woman who tells the horrible fate that has befallen them: namely, that because of the drought caused by Elijah sealing the heavens, her and her son don't have enough to survive and they would soon die.

When Elijah asks for food, she realizes she doesn't have enough.

What do we learn from how she responds to his request? Elijah says that she should make a small cake for him, then she had the promise of a never-ending supply until the drought end. She bravely chooses to honor his wish, and is rewarded.

We are not told much about her. The Lord does say that he has "commanded a widow woman to sustain [the prophet]." The Lord spoke something to her heart, I believe, so she would have the faith to trust a man who claimed to be prophet.

She put her trust in the Lord first and foremost. Can I say the same? Have I been truly tested in such a way? Perhaps not. This woman was in a case of, literally, life or death. I've had smaller moments, however, where I've had to trust the Lord. I think.

I had to trust the Lord when Marcella was going to General Conference so she would get an answer. She did. I had to trust the Lord that all would work out with my finances in preparation for my mission. It did.

I have experiences where my faith has been tested, and it's worked! I haven't had something as powerful as those in a while. I hope to have more in the future.

1 Kings 14: 12/30/14

Jeroboam receives a prophecy regarding his family, the state of Israel, the fate of his firstborn. He dies, all the prophecies are fulfilled, and he and Rehoboam fight all the time. 

1 Kings 13: 12/09/14

A prophet is slain because he is deceived by another prophet. The first prophet had warned Jeroboam of his bad ways, but he didn't repent and continued in the same.

Mosiah 22: 12/06/14

Limhi's people escape the Lamanites by following Gideon's plan and getting the guards drunk. They escape to Zarahemla safely.