Book of Mormon Minute, Pages 221-230

    Howdy! I have chosen one verse or phrase from each page of the Book of Mormon to share with my family daily.  See the list here...

Page                       Reference                                               My Thoughts

221	Alma 5:40 For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.	Today, will I bring to this world goodness from God or evil from Satan? If it’s not good, it’s not from God. Every good thing comes from God! ...Father, please use me as a tool in thy hands to bring good to this small part of the world around me.
222	Alma 5:54 ...they have been brought into this church, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works which are meet for repentance	As we are sanctified, we become more holy, like God. The Holy Spirit helps guide our actions that are meet, or fitting and appropriate, for us to receive forgiveness. ...Father, I want to set aside my poor choices and replace them with choices that will allow me to become better, and to receive forgiveness. Thanks for the Savior’s atonement that makes that possible.
223	Alma 5:60 And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.	God has warned us to be cautious as to what we allow in our eyes, ears, mind, and home. What ravenous wolves are we letting in? How can this destroy us? ...Father, please help me see the dangers of things that I may let into my mind or home that can separate me from heeding The Spirit. Thanks for the warning.
224	Alma 7:9 But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying—Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth.	He came. He will come again! Let us prepare for when he comes again. What’s something we know we can do to be prepared for his unexpected arrival? ...Father, only you know the exact time when Jesus will come again. I pray for your guidance to help myself and others be spiritually prepared to meet Him!
225	7:14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.	God can fix all our wrongs. Do we believe that He can help us change and improve? Do we believe he can help us overcome our temptations and stay spiritually strong? ...Father, I want to get rid of my sins so I can be saved. You tell us that no unclean thing can live with you. Please help me recognize and find the strategies to change in a manner pleasing to thee.
226	7:23-24 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.	This is a lifelong process. Start small. Learn what these words and phrases mean. Then, pick one you feel you need to improve. Talk with God about it. Choose one thing you’re going to start or stop doing this week. Each day, visit with God about how you’re doing. Keep improving a little each day. ...Father, I want to improve by being ___. I could start trying to __ or try to stop __. (At night… Father, please bring to my mind how my attempt to improve being ____ went today. I think I ___….)
227	Alma 8:15 Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you.	As long as I’m being faithful and keeping God’s commandments, I have no need to feel guilty or sad. Am I letting Satan steal my joy? ...Father, thank you for peace and joy and the knowledge we have of our Savior and your love for us. Please help me recognize Satan’s lies and your truths. I wanna feel joyful!
228	Alma 8:32 And it came to pass that they went forth and began to preach and to prophesy unto the people, according to the spirit and power which the Lord had given them.	What does God expect me to do today? President Nelson said, “Anytime we do anything to help anyone on either side of the veil to come closer to Christ and making covenants with Him (like the sacrament each week), we’re helping to gather Israel and that’s the most important thing we can do.” ...Father, please help me to do much good today and not just wait for you to tell me exactly what is needed, yet be willing to do your will, which often comes at inopportune times :). Thanks for using me!
229	Alma 9:13 Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.	When you face a choice… ask yourself, will this help me keep the commandments and feel The Spirit? ...Father, I want to keep your commandments and feel the peace of The Spirit always. Heaven must feel pretty amazing! Thank you for the gift of the Holy Ghost to be with me always!
230	Alma 9:20-21 Yea, after having been such a highly favored people of the Lord; yea, after having been favored above every other nation, kindred, tongue, or people; after having had all things made known unto them, according to their desires, and their faith, and prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to come; Having been visited by the Spirit of God; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation;	Wow!!! let’s read that again and imagine what it would be like to be alive at that time or have that ability now around us!!!… Maybe that’s what it’s like to be a prophet… That is amazing! ...Father, I wanna be able to be in tune with thee and to do only that which is pleasing to thee. I want to be a tool in thy hands and feel your peace and bring it to others!

Book of Mormon Minute, Pages 211-220

    Howdy! I have chosen one verse or phrase from each page of the Book of Mormon to share with my family daily.  See the list here...

Page                       Reference                                               My Thoughts

211	Alma 2:10 Now when Amlici was made king over them he commanded them that they should take up arms against their brethren; and this he did that he might subject them to him.	Don’t be like this. We should use our energy and talents to bless others and help us all come back to Christ. We are all loved by God. ...Father, I’m sorry for the times that I cause others to hurt. Please forgive me and help me as I try to be more kind, loving, and forgiving.
212	Alma 2:28 Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them.	They prayed mightily (powerfully, a lot) to the Lord and He heard them. Each time you pray, try to be intentional about your prayers. Is praying something to check off a to-do list, a memorized set of words, or a sincere conversation with your Father who created you and wants to visit with you?  Listen to the song, "A Child's Prayer"                  ...Heavenly Father, please guide me through the Holy Ghost to know how to pray and visit with thee.
213	Alma 2:30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.	Be God’s instrument. Alma was “exercised with much faith.” His faith took work, practice, dedication, and became stronger as he used his faith more. ...Father, I believe you are real, you created me, and you love me. You believe I am of great value, you want to help me come home, and you want me to continue to improve each day. Thank you for believing in me!
214	Alma 3:14 ...repent of their wickedness and turn to me that I may have mercy upon them.	God is a merciful God, yet he is also just. We have to desire to do God’s will and try. As soon as we turn back towards God, we’ve begun to repent (return to God). ...Father, I know I mess up many times each day. I’m trying to be good and do good. Please forgive my mistakes and guide me to know right and wrong that I may choose thy merciful, peaceful, joyful path.
215	Alma 3:26 ...they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one.	Our choices will lead to our consequences… Will I choose to follow a good spirit and do good and receive eternal happiness. Or, will I choose to follow a bad spirit and do bad and receive eternal misery? ...Father, I understand that my choices and desires will determine my end result. I know this life is a hard test, yet, you’ve made a way for us to all receive eternal joy… please help strengthen me and help me remember times when I’ve chosen thy path and felt of thy love and peace. I want to stay on your path and follow good!
216	Alma 4:10-11 And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges; and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress. And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.	Who are we causing to stumble? We need to reflect often on our choices and the example we are for others. Let us not be a reason someone chooses not to follow Christ. ...Father, please help me be a good example of a disciple of Christ today. I want to follow thee and my brother Jesus as I do good and choose good today.
217	Alma 4:19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.	In order to use God’s words, we have to read and learn them. The Holy Spirit can bring them to our mind and help us know what to say in different situations. ...Father, thank you for scriptures, both ancient and modern. Help me understand your words. Please help me to use your words as I strive for peace, both inside myself and with others.
218	Alma 5:13 And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.	Gods words can change our hearts (what we want and focus on). We get to show God that we will choose to put what God wants before our own wants. We will be saved with God only if we stay faithful to the end of our lives. ...Father, Please change my heart so that I want your will more than my own. As I exercise my faith and try to do what I believe is right, help me feel thy peace. Thank you for a journal that I can review and learn and be strengthened by my past experiences.
219	Alma 5:19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?	Throughout today, if you watched a video of your last thoughts, actions, and words, would they be something we’d expect from Christ? If not, do an experiment, apologize, ask for a do-over and try to fix any hurt you’ve caused and take a better path? ...Father, please forgive my last few minutes. I recognize that I was not acting as the Savior would. Please help me to fill my thoughts, acts, and words with charity. Thanks that I can try again.
220	Alma 5:36 For behold, the time is at hand that whosoever bringeth forth not good fruit, or whosoever doeth not the works of righteousness, the same have cause to wail and mourn.	What can I say that is good? What can I do that is better or best? If I got called home to God now, would I be sad or peaceful with the last day of my life? ...Father, thank you for teaching us the way to have peace in this life and in the life to come. I pray for your grace to help me today.

Book of Mormon Minute, Pages 201-210

    Howdy! I have chosen one verse or phrase from each page of the Book of Mormon to share with my family daily.  See the list here...

Page                       Reference                                               My Thoughts

201	Mosiah 27:23 And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort:	How can we make our fasts more meaningful and sincere? Even a 1-meal fast can be powerful. For those with health problems, they can even fast by eating the smallest amount of food necessary and fast from any extra. ...Father, thank you for looking upon our hearts and knowing our sincere feelings and desires. May I come closer to thee and find joy in fasting.
202	Mosiah 27:35 and 28:3-4 35 And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them. 3-4 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble. And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever.	These men are amazing examples of what true repentance is. Life was not suddenly peaceful and simple. They worked with their might to repair the damage they had caused, and they did it because of love and concern. ...Father, help me to quickly forgive and get back to your peace quickly. Help me to see everyone as someone who is special to you and in need of kindness and hope… that includes me.
203	Mosiah 28:7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.	It’s hard to let our kids go out into the world. We need to trust God to watch over them and use our faith to keep 'em safe. ...Father, I have faith, yet I need your help when my faith is lacking. Guide me to know what I need to be concerned about and what is just ‘little things’.
204	Mosiah 29:10 And now let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do that which will make for the peace of this people.	What can I stop doing or start doing that will help create peace for me and others around me. ...Father, I want to feel thy peace. Please help me learn to think differently so I can have a more celestial view.
205	Mosiah 29:20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.	How much we truly trust God will show in our words and actions and how we live our life. ...Father, you tell us to experiment on your words. I believe that you’re real. That Jesus lived and suffered for my sins so I can repent, though I can’t explain how it was done. I trust that you’ll always be there for me and I can pray to you anytime and about anything. I trust that you’ll put folks in my path to help me and for me to help too.
206	Mosiah 29:30 And I command you to do these things in the fear of the Lord; and I command you to do these things, and that ye have no king; that if these people commit sins and iniquities they shall be answered upon their own heads.	Are we living in a way that causes others to stumble and sin? Are our leaders helping us to stay on God’s path? ...Father, thank you for an opportunity to help choose our leaders. Thank you for the Holy Spirit which can tell me if the current church leaders are the ones you’ve chosen. I know you have us help with callings in your church so we can become like thee, not because we’re already amazing. We all have things to learn and make mistakes.
207	Mosiah 29:43 And now it came to pass that Alma did walk in the ways of the Lord, and he did keep his commandments, and he did judge righteous judgments; and there was continual peace through the land.	If we want peace, we need to keep the commandments of God. If we want sadness, don’t stay on God’s path. ...Father, help me make decisions today based on your truths and righteous desires. Help me to feel your peace today as I stay on your path.
208	Alma 1:7 ...but the man withstood him, admonishing him with the words of God.	When we’re not sure what to say, use God’s words. The Spirit can teach us all things to say. We study and learn and then the Spirit will bring to mind the words we need. ...Father, thank you for teaching us your truths. Please guide my words today. Help me know what to say to edify and when to stop talking.
209	Alma 1:21 Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves.	Persecution means to treat poorly. When we treat others in a way that does not help them come closer to Christ, and in a way we don’t want treated, we are in the wrong. ...Father, please open my eyes to the way I treat others. Help me choose your higher and holier path of happiness and not fall into Satan’s lesser ways that bring misery.
210	Alma 1:25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.	Staying calm and hopeful during hard times is a skill we can develop. Patience is one of the attributes of Christ that we can develop with His help. ...Father, thank you for the opportunity to set and work on goals. I know that I am not as calm and hopeful as I could be. Please guide me as I find and practice ways to help myself stay calm and be more hopeful and grateful.