faith experience four

Learn more about the sacrament. Read about the Last Supper in Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; and Luke 22:17–20. Establish a pattern of pondering during the sacrament by listening carefully to the sacrament hymn and prayers. Think about why we partake of the bread and water. After three weeks of following this pattern, write in your journal some of the promises you make as you partake of the sacrament and remember your baptismal covenants and what you do to keep those promises. Record in your journal how your understanding of these promises has strengthened your faith in the Savior.

Three different accounts of the same event.  From Matthew we learn that the drink represents the blood of the new covenant, which was shed for us.  In Christ the old testaments or covenants were fulfilled.  Christ was teaching the disciples the new and everlasting covenant.  Mark teaches us that Christ's blood was shed for many.  Luke's account has more detail about the bread representing Christ's body, which was given for us.  Also that in partaking of the bread we are to remember Christ.  All accounts teach us that Christ blessed the bread and wine before the apostles partook.

to be completed: 21 august 2011

I am slowly making my way through the Book of Mormon.  This morning I read 2 Nephi 9.  My favorite verse of the day is verse 20:

O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

This verse gives me a lot of strength.  It teaches me that I don't have to know or understand everything because God knows everything!  I can trust that God will allow me to know or see as much as is pertinent to me and trust that He will work out the rest.  Talk about being able to sleep at night as long as I have trust in God and His plan.

-ARi

faith experience three

Living gospel principles requires faith. Read about faith in the Bible Dictionary or True to the Faith. Faith in the Savior Jesus Christ leads to action. Choose a principle such as prayer, tithing, fasting, repentance, or keeping the Sabbath day holy. In your own home or another setting, plan and present a family home evening lesson about how faith helps you live that gospel principle. If possible, ask a family member to share an experience that has strengthened his or her faith. Share your own experiences as well. In your journal write down one of those experiences and describe your feelings about faith.

This post, as is true with a few of the other posts will require a post in the future (Monday night) in order to conclude this experience.

Tonight I read about faith in True to the Faith.

Faith is a principle of action and power.  Whenever you work toward a worthy goal, you exercise faith.  You show your hope for something that you cannot yet see.

(Personal progress takes faith!)

You express your faith through action - by the way you live.

 That is a serious statement.  I now wonder if other's see my life and see my faith.  This is definitely something that needs further ponderance.

I'm just over two weeks into this blog.  I am currently working on two expeirences: faith one (finish: 8 August 2011) and the virtue project.  I have completed faith experience two, and on Monday, I will complete this faith experience.

-ARi

faith experience two

What qualities does a woman need in order to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths? How can these principles help you in your life today and help you prepare to be a faithful woman, wife, and mother?

 I posed this question to my facebook friends and got one response. I love this answer.

• JH It's just my opinion, but I think whichever qualities a woman wishes to teach, she should first possess herself. The best way to teach your child is through the example you provide :) Not that I'm perfect by any means & I always hope my children grow up to be a better person than I.

  Friday at 10:11pm
• 

  Ari Smith ‎@JH. I agree that we as mothers, cannot teach that which we do not first preach! And it is also true that our children pick up on everything we do. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 I think it is true.  If I would like my children to have faith and base their decisions on gospel truths, then I need to lead by example.  I especially see this in my son.  The way he reacts to different situations is almost a direct (luckily he has two parents!) copy of what my initial reaction to similar situations would be.

In answer to the question, the qualities I need to posses to help my children are all those Christ-like attributes so lovelyly (yes, purposely) outlined in "Preach My Gospel."  Faith in Jesus Christ, hope, charity, love, virtue, knowledge, patience, humility, diligence and obedience.  Then add to those an understanding of divine nature, individual worth, choice and accountability, good works and integrity and we'd be nearly there.

It is a blessing that we have a lifetime (however long or short) in order to develop this attributes and live by these principles.  We learn about them now, start to develop them now, that way as adults our garden of attributes can blossom, grow, develop and mature.

-ARi

virtue project: book of mormon reading

I am taking a break from faith experience two tonight, in hopes that some of my friends on facebook can help me with the last part of it!  Hopefully I get some great answers.

Earlier in the week I read from 2 Nephi 4.  What a great source of strength!

I know in whom I have trusted.

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:19‎)‎

Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:29–31

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:34–35‎)

I love that this teaches me I can always turn to God.  I can pray when times are good.  I can pray when times are hard.  I can remember that I am never alone in the trials I may face.  And, that things are rarely has difficult as I make them.  Nephi was a virtuous man.  He consistently did what was right, in good times and in times of adversity.  I don't know which is harder to be obedient with exactness, during easy times or difficult ones.  But the skill of being consistently obedient with eactness is a virtuous trait worth developing!

-Ari

faith experience two

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

On Motherhood:
 - love and care for children
 - rear children in love and righteousness
 - provide for physical and spiritual needs
 - teach them to love one another, observe the commandments, be law abiding citizens
 - Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of the children

As mother's we are primarily responsible for the nurturing of our children.  To nurture means to "feed and protect," "to support and encourage ..., " "to bring up; train; educate."  This is no easy task.  We are born with the capability we need in order to nurture our children.  While, as mothers, we are not at this task alone, we are counseled to make it our primary responsibility.  It takes conscience effort each day to make this work.  I have to consciencely realize that everything I do will be translated and emulated by my children.

-ARi

faith experience two

Due to the nature of this blog I am working on multiple experiences at a time.  It should be noted I have already started reading the Book of Mormon for the Virtue Project and may blog about that from time to time.

Faith Experience Two:
Discover the principles of faith taught by the mothers of Helaman’s stripling warriors. Read Alma 56:45–48 and 57:21. Review what “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” says about a mother’s role. With a mother, grandmother, or leader, discuss the qualities a woman needs in order to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths. How can these principles help you in your life today and help you prepare to be a faithful woman, wife, and mother? Record your thoughts and feelings in your journal.

principles of faith taught by the mothers of Helaman's stripling warriors:
-courage
-faith in God
-belief that God would help them
-humanity and fairness
-obedience with exactness

As a mother, I spend more time with my children than anyone else.  They, therefore, learn more from me than they will from anyone else. I need to remember this all the time.  I also need to remember that they will more from the way I act and the way I treat them, than the things I tell them.  Being a mother in the gospel takes faith.  Faith to believe that my children will be able to learn the gospel.  Faith, sometimes, to know that I can make it thorugh the day without losing my temper.  Faith to know that it will all be worth it when we are together as a celestial family!

faith experience one, day nine - Still saying prayers.  It is now also getting easier to say prayers throughout the day when I need help, instead of defaulting to frustration and anger.

-ARi

faith experience one, day eight

I took a break over the weekend from blogging, but not from working on my personal progress.  Today I read a talk by Elder Russel M. Nelson entitled, "Face the Future with Faith".  This was a great talk for me, especially as a mother of two young children. 

Start with your children. You parents bear the primary responsibility to strengthen their faith. Let them feel your faith, even when sore trials come upon you. Let your faith be focused on our loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach that faith with deep conviction. Teach each precious boy or girl that he or she is a child of God, created in His image, with a sacred purpose and potential. Each is born with challenges to overcome and faith to be developed.

 As a parent I need to remember that my children's faith and beliefs start with my husband and me and the things we teach them.  Because it its important to us, as parents, that our children grow up with a strong foundation in the gospel, we need to portray that in everything we do.  The book of Alma teaches us that actions teach better than the sword.

Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord “shall suffer persecution.”  That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives.

How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of your faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people.

 Reading excerpts like this remind me that I can be faithful.  It gives me strength.  It is so important, for me, to remember to ready scriptures and pray daily because that is what keeps me strong.  Seeing that God keeps his promises and helps his children when they ask, let's me know that God watches over me too.

Our beloved President Thomas S. Monson has given us his prophetic witness. He said: “I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.”

President Monson continued: “My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is easy for me to forget that God is in control of all and that he hears me.  But this experience, thus far, has helped me remember more to ready and pray daily.  This gives me strength.  I need strength everyday, and whenever I ask, God is always there to lift me up and support me when I feel shorted.

-ARi