Lately I have been reading a conference talk every morning. I lay in bed, grab my phone and read a talk without any interruptions from the kids. It is usually before they wake up. I lay there and soak up the words from our inspired leaders and it in turn inspires me to walk a little taller and to "Be" a little better. I read President Packers talk yesterday about studying scriptures and it helped me with more of a desire to read the scriptures. Everyday we have an opportunity to draw closer to our Heavenly Father through every decision that we make.
Not too long ago my Stake President in the Derby Kansas Stake challenged us to change, to do one thing for three months that will help us to change to be better and then to report back to him. Well, I am starting a little late, but I have definitely seen a change in myself in how I think and how I feel and how my day goes.
Chris took the challenge of either reading or watching a conference talk and I have seen a change in him too. We have also made a change in our companionship too. We have been reading the same chapters in the Book of Mormon and then at the end of the day we have a spiritual thought together from that.We have a little discussion and it has helped us to grow stronger together.
It has been a huge blessing in my life to read the General Conference talks everyday and I want to challenge anyone who reads this to do the same. You can get online at
http://www.lds.org/ and click on the general conference archives. Also going to
http://www.mormon.org/ they have many wonderful videos to watch that are inspiring and uplifting. I strongly recommend that as well.
This morning I sang the Hymn "More Holiness Give Me" and then looked up the scriptures that go with that hymn. I read the first one in 3 Nephi 12: 48 then looked at the scripture just above it which says, "Old things are done away, and all things have become new." As I read that it hit me. As I have been reading in Alma, Ammon taught King Lamoni and his heart was changed and he came to understand that the traditions of his fathers were incorrect and basically started over and allowed himself to be taught true priciples and started living the standards of the gospel. He was converted. As I thought about that it also made me think of what traditions I have that are incorrect and what I can do to change them and truly become converted unto the Lord. I have to do away those things that are binding and start doing those things that will make me free forever. I know that by studying the words of the prophets, new and old I will be able to make those changes in my life. "...and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God..." Doctrine and Covenants 121:45.