Learning from Wars

This week in class, we focused on the war chapters of Alma.  (approximately chapters 40-63).  In the past, when I've read over these, I move as fast as possible and try not to worry too much about all the people dying.  This time however, Professor Griffin showed us a whole new way to look at it. Every trial we come upon in life is a war we need to fight.  In class, Professor Griffin pointed out that we don't go looking for war.  The advosary is the one seeking war, we just need to be prepared to fight when it approaches.  We are at war right now. We started this war in heaven.  Because Satan lost, he is constantly trying to drag us down.  What we always need to remember is Heavenly Father is ALWAYS one step ahead of Satan.  We just need to trust in him and have faith and he will lead us.  We saw an example of this when the Lamanites were fighting against the Nephites.  While the Lamanites had more men, the Nephites had armor to protect them.  When the Lamanites realized this, they got their own armor, but by then the Nephites had built fortresses.  No matter how hard Satan tries, he will always be one step behind.  I found this article, written by a non-lds man very interesting.  It went along with what I had to say in some ways and I hope you enjoy it as well.
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/52591
*Take note that it talks about our war in heaven still continuing today.

Blessings of the Atonement

Freeman Park - Idaho Falls, ID

This week in Book of Mormon, we focused a lot on Alma chapters 35 and 36.   When I read through these chapters on my own, nothing much stood out to me, but when reading through them as a class, Brother Griffin pointed out so many strong passages that taught about repentance and forgivness.  Because Alma had a first hand experience with a change of heart, he is an excellent person to learn from.  Alma spent his teen (or what we would assume to be teen) years as what we would call a trouble child.  He taught false doctrine and tried to lead others away from the gospel.  It wasn't until he was visited by an angel that he had a change of heart and corrected his mistakes in order to become a prophet.  Chapters 35 and 36 talk a lot about the differences between when he was on the path of distruction and when he was on the path of righteousness.  I wrote down five awesome quotes in my scriputures that I want to share. 

1. Misery likes company
2. You can't do wrong and feel right.
3. When Satan reminds you about your past, remind him about his future.
4. You can't come to Christ perfect.  Come to Christ as you are, and ask his help to be perfect.
5. The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.

At the end of class we also watched this video.  I suggest it to anyone who is struggling to forget about things that have happened in the past.
 http://www.mormonchannel.org/mormon-messages-for-youth?v=1795507066001

BOM at BYU

For my Book of Mormon class at BYU, we are required to get our thoughts on the weekly readings out to the world. Because of this, I have created this blog, Life of a Mormon Girl. I hope you enjoy what I have to say!

Tuesday we started in on Alma 30-35. This is such a powerful section of scriptures that I've never paid much attention too before. Alma 30 starts out strong with the people loving the gospel and doing what they should. From what we know about the BOM when a section starts out this strong, we know it will be quick to turn around as the people lose faith. Seeing this happen, I often picture our world today. We have gained so much in the last hundred years that the pride of the world is ever expanding. It seems like it's only a matter of time before our people will need to be humbled. In this section of scriptures, the trouble comese with an anti-christ, Korihor. My book of mormon teacher refered to this section as the devils handbook. Korihor has no faith in Christ and he has no interest in learning more. After pulling many members away from the church, he is brought to Alma, who questions him and ultimatly curses him to be dumb (speech wise). We noted in class that although it is not mentioned in the book, he is also not able to hear as Alma proceeds to write to him about his curse. The chapter ends with a promise about the devil in Alma 30:60 "And thus we see the end of him who preverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedly drag them down to hell." I wrote in the margin of next to this scripture "BAM." It is powerful and strong, and helps us to know that the devil will always fight against us. So many friends and family members start to see the ways of the devil as fun and enjoyable. For a while, we see that they really are enjoying themselves, but when you run into the same people a few years down the road, either they have improved their lives and are back on the right track, or they are still making the same mistakes and suffering, no longer enjoying the things that once brought so much action and adventure. Alma desired to help those who have fallen away in chapter 31. My favorite verse of the whole section is seen here in Alma 31:5 "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just--yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, of anything else, which had happened unto them therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God." I love this section and if you haven't taken the time to read it, I would highly suggest it.

**if you don't know anything about the Book of Mormon and are interested in learning more visit http://mormon.org/.