PUBLISH PEACE

3 Nephi 20

Verse 40 is the reason i opened up my laptop tonight. i would have just read this chapter and went to bed but there is more i can do, more we can all do. that is to "publish peace". to share what we know to be true with all who will listen. i find so much personal revelation throughout my studies and i know each and every person in this world can do the same if they desire it. why would i not want to share this with everyone i know and love? it brings me so much clarity and true joy!! and i want that for each of you! :D

so here is a play by play. (or rather vs by verse) of the things that stood out to me in this chapter. this is my own take for my own circumstances, at this point in my life.

1. the lord commanded the people to rise up and cease to pray. but to not cease to pray IN YOUR HEARTS. if you have ever felt the touch of the spirit in a powerful prayer, think of that feeling it gives you. that hope and love. wouldnt it be amazing to have that feeling and that prayer continue throughout the day. we all have things to do each and every day. we have jobs and school and a social/family life. we obvioulsy cant be on our knees all day long every day. but that doesnt mean we cant keep that prayer and that feeling in our hearts! apply that hope and love into every act of your day. look at the world through the lords eyes! he loves everyone and cherishes each moment as opportunity to learn and grow and teach!

11. i love it every time the scriptures say "remember" or repeat something over and over. we have have written documents and testimonies from profits. people who where with Jesus, who saw him and touched his hands and feet. they are here for us, right now, within our reach! isnt that in itself incredible?

11 Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of  Isaiah should be fulfilled—behold they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them— !!!

ok so i added the exclamation points but i think they fit quite well. we have such an amazing gift right before us why not open it up and really search them. see how great it can bless your life. each of us can learn and grow and understand more about ourselves, yes thats right,  you can and will learn more about YOU if you will put in the effort to study the scriptures and apply it to your life. 

12 this one is  kind of personal in the way i felt it teach me.. i applied it to completing the standard works and i felt that warmth that it will bless me to complete them for myself. i wont tell you why or what i felt but that i did find a personal goal in it. 

13 in this verse i only circled one word but i feel it is important. and it stood out to me. "KNOWLEDGE" of everything. from our savior to ourself and from school to work. make it a goal to try and understand to the best of your ability and the lord will help fill in the blanks. 

19 this was another extremely personal one to me. to me it spoke of family and who i need in my life. ill leave it at that. (it was really deep :P)

23 LISTEN open up your ears and minds to the teachings of the prophets. really listen. there is so much we can learn.

30 And it shall come to pass that the time cometh, when the fulness of my gospel shall be preached unto them; 

31 And they shall believe in me, that I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and shall pray unto the Father in my name.
32 Then shall their watchmen lift up their voice, and with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye.
35 The Father hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of the Father; and the Father and I are one.

36 "Awake, awake again, and put on thy strength," each day is full of new trials and challenges. if we didnt have struggles we wouldnt understand joys. but we are not alone through these trials. wake up each morning and put on the armor of God. hold tight to the prayer in your heart and overcome your challenges. just keep going. push on strong til the end and return with honor. 

41 touch not that which is unclean. we all have a conscience. we know what is good and wholesome vs temporal or wrong. to me it is a trembling, an actual physical shaking, i know that i must turn to the lord for strength in certain situations. it comes to each of us in our own way be we know. 

42 to me this is about our progress. sometimes we feel we are not moving fast enough, but this is not a race. our Lord and Savior is here to guide us at a steady pace, make each steep sturdy and just keep pressing on. even if we fall, just get back up and keep going. our God will be there to help pick us up if we will take his hand. its not about how fast you make it, so long as you make it. we all can have the first place prize if we just make it to the finishline. 

so there you have it. this is how i felt tonight as i read through this chapter of the Book of Mormon. i know each and every one of us can find truth in its teachings and life lessons to help us on our way. even if you dont believe the same things, i promise this book will only help you. dont be scared to give it a try. you will be amazed how much it can show you. i love this gospel and i love my family. i hope this message will help any out there who may need it. and i say these things in the name of my savior, Jesus Chirst, amen.