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