2 Nephi 2 (The Choice is Our's)

Lehi gives a patriarchal blessing to his son Sam in this chapter. It is a great chapter that details the fall and the redemption that is available to us through the Savior.

In verse 27 a choice is presented. All men are free to choose liberty and eternal life through the Savior, or to choose captivity and death through the power of the Devil.

When it is presented that simply the choice is clear. I see a lot of people that seem to know the truth but refuse to make the choice to follow Christ. I have been on that side of the equation during parts of my life.

I am very far from perfect, but I am trying to do my best. Someone in elder's quorum said that the Lord will spit out luke warm people from his presence. We need to make the choice today to follow the Savior more fully in our lives. As we do this we will gain our redemption and eternal life. I am very thankful for my Savior, and I am striving to follow Him more closely everyday..

2 Nephi 1 (Put Your Trust in the Lord)

In verse 7 Lehi tells his children that they will be continually blessed in the land of promise as long as they serve the Lord. He also says that if they start to labor in iniquity the land will be cursed for them. At the end of that same verse Lehi says that the land will blessed unto the righteous forever.

This gives me great hope. I think too often we as Americans put too much trust and belief in our government. There are many in our country right now looking for a hand out or for the government to protect them from hardship. These people need to realize that they should trust the Lord. If we keep his commandments we will be blessed. I am scared to see they way our country is moving right now, but I know that if I put my trust in things that are eternal I have no need to fear.

Even the righteous will suffer as we start to see the last days come to pass, but if we trust the Lord we will be able to see the great promised blessings comming to us. Put your trust in the Lord and you have no need to fear. He will always be there for his true disciples.

1 Nephi 22 (Prophets)

In verse 20 Nephi talks about a prophet that the Lord will raise up. A prophet has been raised up in our day. His Name is Thomas S. Monson. President Monson is a wonderful man. I think in the church it is hard for people to transition when a new prophet is called. This time I think that it has been especially hard because President Hinckley was so beloved and admired. I hope that we are taking President Monson's words just a serious as we did President Hinkley's.

The proposition 8 controversy has been really sad to watch. Some of our own people are choosing to go against the church and the Prophet. If you disagree with the church's stance on proposition 8, in my eyes you are saying that you will not follow the prophet's counsel. We have defined marriage as one woman and one man. Since 1995 we have had the Proclamation on the Family to study and accept. Our prophet has given us this counsel and I for one believe in it and in him. I don't know what has changed between 1995 and today that is causing some members to question the church's definition of marriage. It is sad. I pray that we will follow our leaders and stay close to the words of our beloved prophet. He has been given to us in these last days to help guide us and keep ourselves and our families safe.