Day 40: Mosiah 10-11

Dependence on the Lord and the keeping of His commandments comes when we have developed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and place ourselves in service to others. Too often, people do not ask, seek, ponder, and search truth without the intent to follow. Sometimes the traditions of our fathers are easier to follow.

“False traditions are the currency of devils and fill the treasure houses of hell. With them the prince of darkness has purchased his own prophets, priests, and kings. With them he has possessed nations and generations of people. Of them Joseph Smith said: they are as ‘an iron yoke,’ ‘a strong band...the very handcuffs, and chains, and shackles, and fetters of hell’ (D&C 123:8). As the Jews lost the revelation of Sinai in their traditions, making the commandments of none effect, so the traditions of Christianity supplanted that which was brought by the Messenger of the Covenant in the meridian of time, leaving Christian and Jew to wander alike in darkness (see Matthew 15:6; Malachi 3:1).” (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p. 198)

The Lamanites believed they were wronged in the land of their inheritance. Do we not see this today in America, even other parts of the world; a sense of entitlement? Something is owed to a person, or people because their ancestors were wronged in the past? “A prime excuse for one's own folly is to blame someone else for it. At this the Lamanites were masters. They justified their own faults by accusation. The mirror in which they saw themselves, distorted and confused the past. They forgot that the Lord favored Nephi because he was more diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord.” (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p. 115)

As President Hinckley liked to say: "Let us try a little harder to be a little better." Seek opportunities to serve another, and have the Spirit with us to discern what is right.

Day 39: Mosiah 8-9

"Turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart...and He will deliver you out of bondage" (and discouragement, and addiction, etc.) This is a powerful principle resolving to live by faith in Jesus Christ. Mosiah 8:18 further states: "Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles."

Time and again throughout the scriptures, we see the blessings provided to those who place their trust in the Lord. We will see this principle in action as we read over the next few days of the Nephites under the leadership of Zeniff to Limhi. God will awaken our souls and hear the prayers of the faithful.

Day 38: Mosiah 5-7

As we conclude the words of King Benjamin, do we have thought to repeat the words of the people of Nephi? "Yea, we believe all the words which [have been written]; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."

If not, all is not lost. Rather a wonderful opportunity to see and feel in a very real sense this feeling. We are all works in progress. It is not becoming of us to judge or hurt one another. But we can be changed through faith in Jesus Christ. How do we accomplish this task? By taking upon us the name of Jesus in all we do, thus implying we ALWAYS remember Him. We seek opportunities to serve and uplift another. As King Benjamin states: "...be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works..."

Day 37: Mosiah 4

Though General Conference has ended, King Benjamin's address continues. And as we were taught from the mouths of living prophets the last few days, so the words of God are administered then and now; to name but a few:

- Be purified through the atoning blood of the Savior
- Receive a peace of conscience
- Put your trust in the Lord
- Keep His commandments
- Believe in God and go to Him in humility and prayer
- Do not have a mind to injure one another physically, mentally, or spiritually
- Love one another
- Teach your children the ways of the Lord
- Remember on whom you are dependent and show gratitude
- Do not run faster than you have strength
- Watch your yourselves to observe the commandments at all times

"Row well, and live." :)

Day 36: Mosiah 2-3

Our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson spoke on the right, responsibility, and results of our choices in life. I promise that as we choose to study from The Book of Mormon, the results are marvelous as the Spirit of the Lord will strive with us each hour of each day. And we then see the "blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God."

We are so blessed We will always be in debt to our Heavenly Father and elder brother, Jesus Christ, no matter if we turned away from them or serve them with all our souls. For example, when we do not obey, our deficit and debt to Them grows larger because of Their love and mercy towards us. As we obey, the deficit may seem smaller, but we are immediately blessed, therefore the deficit and debt continue to grow. All our Father asks of us is to keep His commandments. We cannot boast of our selves. Last night President Dieter Uchtdorf referenced a talk given by President Ezra Taft Benson:

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Beware of Pride

Another talk given in the Priesthood session given by Elder Juan A. Uceda of the Seventy referenced Mosiah 3:19 and our need to be humble and willing to submit to the Lord's will in order to have peace and harmony back in our lives.

Day 35: Mosiah 1-2

In a few hours, we have the opportunity and blessing of listening to the Lord's prophets, apostles, and general authorities of the Church. This is a time we should give thanks to the Lord and listen with open hearts and minds; fully intending to perform the work we are impressed on by the Spirit.

How timely we read in these chapters now the "General Conference" that was held about 124 B.C. and their preparations for listening to the prophet and king. In order for the Spirit to fully penetrate our lives, we too must make preparations before hearing the good word of God.

- For the Nephites, they did go to the temple to offer sacrifices and give thanks. Have we gone before the Lord in prayer and scripture study?
- Each family pitched their tents around the temple with the door towards the temple. Do we go to church to listen and watch, or if at home, keep all other distractions away during the conference proceedings; including the songs/prayers?
- The Nephites were later given written copies for those who could not hear. We are provided the words spoken in the Ensign and Liahona magazines' are we studying their words?

May we be grateful for a living prophet today and for the technology and conveniences of receiving the words of the Lord through His prophet immediately. Let us use this gift with gratitude and purpose, and enjoy conference!

Day 34: Omni - The Words of Mormon

As Amaleki's words begin and come to an end in a matter of a few verses, he recognizes the need to rely on the Lord and thus exhorts all men to believe in God. He not only asks us to give a little bit of ourselves, but our whole souls as an offering.

“Real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed! - Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, May 1995, p. 68.

“The submission of one’s will is placing on God’s altar the only uniquely personal thing one has to place there. The many other things we ‘give’ are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us." - Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "If Thou Endure It Well", p. 54.