Family SOTW: Perfectly Honest and Upright in All Things

Elder Christofferson

When I say “study,” I mean something more than reading. It is a good thing sometimes to read a book of scripture within a set period of time to get an overall sense of its message, but for conversion, you should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you. Remember Alma’s description of what it feels like: “It beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.”⁶You will know that the gospel is being written in your heart, that your conversion is happening, as the word of the Lord from His prophets, past and present, feels more and more delicious to your soul.

When Thou Art Converted, Apr 2004

President Eyring

Our humility and our faith that invite spiritual gifts are increased by our reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures. We have all heard those words. Yet we may read a few lines or pages of scripture every day and hope that will be enough. But reading, studying, and pondering are not the same. We read words and we may get ideas. We study and we may discover patterns and connections in scripture. But when we ponder, we invite revelation by the Spirit. Pondering, to me, is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying in the scriptures carefully.

Serve with the Spirit, Oct. 2010

Elder Bednar

One of the best ways to draw near unto Him and to both learn about and become more like the Lord Jesus Christ is to consistently study the holy scriptures—to daily “feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Ne. 32:3).Please notice that I used the word study and not the word read. Studying and feasting suggest a focus and an intensity that reach far beyond casual reading or quick perusing. Studying and feasting, followed by sincere prayer and steadfast application of the truths and principles we learn, yield personal resolve, spiritual commitment, and the bright light of testimony. Studying, learning, praying, and appropriately applying gospel truths are all key elements in the process of coming unto the Savior.

Because We Have Them Before Our Eyes, Apr 2006

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Perfectly Honest and Upright in All Things

Alma 27:27

27 "And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end."

What an honor it is to be 'numbered among the people who are of the Church of God.' What a privilege it is to carry the name of Jesus Christ and to be a representative of Him, holding His Holy Priesthood, even the very power of God and the right to act, to bless, to serve, and to testify in His name!

Zeal... what a great word! Enthusiasm. Energy. Excitement. In other words, being ON FIRE with the testimony of this great latter day work! It reminds me of my mission, running up and down the streets of Argentina to catch the people who wouldn't stop as they passed us on their bicycles, standing up at the front of the bus and singing a Hymn and then bearing testimony of Christ and His Restored Gospel to all the passengers, standing on the park bench at the city center park and testifying to crowds of people that Jesus is the Christ, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that families can be together forever! What a BLAST! I loved every second of that time... and I hunger to have the FIRE again!

What a great example these people have given to us! I was recently asked what I would want said about me at my funeral... well, if I can live my life such that something even remotely close to this can be said of me when I die, then I will consider my life a great success! I hope we can all live so that it might be said of us and our families that 'we are perfectly honest and upright in all things; firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end.'

Love You All.

Gun

Team Members

Elder Christofferson

President Eyring

Elder Bednar

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Perfectly Honest and Upright in All Things

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