As I have said in the recent past, I am a newly called 2nd counselor in our Young Women's presidency and I have the privilege of working with the 12-13 yr old girls in my church. I love them! They are full of life and energy. They are funny and caring and kind. It's such a joy to be able to share experiences with them.
As a challenge to them and to help them complete their personal progress, (Click on the link to find out more about that program) I have issued them a challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days. I have reading schedules and a book where they can write down their thoughts, feelings and favorite scriptures as they are reading, treats to be earned, a group text to share our thoughts with each other or to share on social media and other fun things to get them motivated to read! (If you are looking for some great ideas on this, check out The Red Headed Hostess! She has some great stuff) When I was preparing this, I kept looking for talks by our church leaders about the Book of Mormon and the blessings we receive from reading it. I prayed for experiences outside of what I was going to do for the girls so that they would see how important it really is to study the Book of Mormon. Each time my prayers were answered in little small ways...ways I couldn't have imagined. Of course...because the Lord knows what each of us need to hear and how it will impact us the most! Time after time they came....people bearing their testimonies in church about the strength the scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon, gave to them. At a fireside our bishop's closing statement was almost an exact copy of what one leader taught the girls in our Sunday school class about how they needed to not only know the scriptures in their minds, but they needed to feel it in their hearts by witness of the Holy Ghost that they are true.
Then there were messages in our group text about what the scriptures meant to them and why that particular verse stood out to them. I love hearing their thoughts and feelings. Then one girl shared her favorite verse for the day...1 Nephi 4:6 "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." She then said that we should follow the spirit the first time it prompts us to do something. It reminded me of the blessing I received when I was set apart for this calling..that I needed to act on my first impression. Then again at a fireside I attended last night, where the incredible Josie Solomon spoke. She too quoted that same scripture. We need to trust in the Lord and follow Him and serve Him and our fellow man. We never know whose live we need to touch. We may be the only person who can touch that person in a way that will change their lives for the better. But if we ignore that first prompting, we may miss our chance.
By the way...if you haven't read or heard Josie's story...you should! Here is a link to her blog. She is inspiring. The things that she has done with her life are incredible. She is truly amazing...a light to people. I can't say I would fight back as hard as she does if I was in her situation. She is a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Just BEAUTIFUL inside and out!
I guess in short...I am saying that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father love us. They want to help us and they are there for us always. Even if we can't see it at the time. They are woven into the details of our daily lives. I'm so thankful for this knowledge, for this inspired help and for the opportunity I have daily to make a difference in the world around me.
No comments:
Post a Comment