2 Nephi 10:23-25

 

23 Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

 24 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

 25 Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen. 

Our study this week was 2 Nephi 9-16 and the main theme to me was choices. From the beginning there has been opposition. The war in heaven was over our right to choose and govern ourselves.  Satan and one third of our brothers and sisters did not see the value in agency and wanted the glory when we would be forced to return to our Father. I sometimes wonder if they saw the irony in Heavenly Father allowing them this choice when they fought so hard against having that right. 

Through out time everyone has been given the agency to choose, however you are not free to choose the consequence of that choice. Heavenly Father, through his prophets, has been very clear what happens when we choose bad over good, sin over righteousness. 2 Nephi 9 Jacob states it not only in terms that we can understand, but that there is no way we can misunderstand.  

We can choose to side ourselves with the devil and be dragged down to eternal damnation or choose our Savior and have eternal life. I started this blog with the scripture that held the most import to me. 

Verse 24 is so powerful..."Reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved."

In the choices we make everyday, whether large or small, are we reconciling ourselves to God? Are we making the decision to forgo the temptations of the flesh? We must choose everyday whom we will serve. When we have done all we can do it is only by His grace that we are saved.

This week as been interesting. You go through life with a perception you have of yourself and even though people tell you you are wrong it sticks. "If you knew the real me you would know I was right!" attitude. I have always felt not able to "expand my capabilities". My family and friends have always told me I was wrong but I knew better, after all I know me, right!

Wrong...this week I have gained the knowledge that I am teachable and capable to do anything I set my mind to. But only if I put my trust and faith in my Savior.  I am a Child of God and all things are possible. Here are some of the things I have learned...be teachable, God is great and I am small, be humble...Attitude, I can learn all that God would have me learn...Knowledge is eternal, what ever we learn will go with us...By being obedient and living a clean life the Holy Ghost can lead you where you are supposed to go and put people in your life that you need..."Do what they think you can't do" and my take "Do what you think you can't do".

I love the 3 keys and plan on putting it where I can see it everyday
     1. There is no limit to your potential
     2. Childlike humility is key to success
     3. A clean life will allow the Holy Ghost to confirm and expand your learning.

I also love going to the Gathering. To be able to talk about feeling the spirit while learning and having those around me agree and be like "I know isn't it great!" One of the sisters said last night that this is like the very best book club. We get to study the Book of Mormon and then talk about it with everyone and get their views and inspirations.

So I AM learning and expanding and excited about all that I can accomplish. I need to get a deep understanding make it a part of me because next semester is Math!