created for greater things.

As I was reading 3 Nephi 1 this week, I had a very special experience.  I was having a particularly hard day and it just seemed like nothing was getting better. Before I began to read my scriptures, I said a prayer. I asked Heavenly Father to bring me comfort through the scriptures. I started to read and I found this set of scriptures: 10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.  11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.  12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:  13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer ; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the m...

Lately as I have been studying my scriptures, I have made it a habit to pray before I begin my scripture study and ask the Lord to help find the things that I need to learn at this time. I have noticed a great difference in what I am learning as I have done this. When we go to the Lord with a willing heart, He in return will be more willing to help us as we strive to learn more in order to become like Him. Through this new pattern of scripture study, I was able to receive a new insight in Helaman 6. This chapter is discussing the wickedness of the Gadianton robbers and the reasoning behind their wickedness. Verse 26 to 30 (below) clearly states that Satan is the cause of their wickedness. 26 Now behold, those secret oaths and covenants did not come forth unto Gadianton from the records which were delivered unto Helaman; but behold, they were put into the heart of Gadianton by that same being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit— 27 Yea, that same...

For me, service has always been a part of my life. My mother has always taught me the importance of helping others and truly loving and caring for them. Yet, in my life there are so many opportunities I have to serve that I pass up. This scripture in Alma 60: 7-9 has caused me to reflect upon this concept even more. Alma 60: 7-9 7 Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren—  8 Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea, have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them, yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword.  9 But behold, this is not all—ye have withheld your provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their lives because of their great desires which they had for the welfa...

On January 25th, 2013, I received my mission call in the mail. My little sister had just flown in for an interview and she was able to be there when I went to the mailbox. We were jumping up and down and screaming. It seemed almost unreal. Then at 7:30 with a group of friends, I opened my call.  I am hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Guatemala Retalhuleu mission! I report to the Guatemala MTC on June 12th, 2013 and I will be preaching the gospel in the Spanish language.  I am beyond thrilled! My dream has been to learn Spanish and now I have the chance to become fluent! :) I cannot believe it.  Many of you may be asking "Why are you serving a mission?". Sometimes I have to ask myself that question as well but I have found a scripture in Alma 43 that basically sums it up. Alma 43: 46  "And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God" Although it is not re...