Over the last several months I have been reading my Book of Mormon in Spanish out loud. I thought it was about time to read the Book of Mormon again cover to cover, and there was another family member who is doing that in their family, so I thought I'd join them. It's definitely been an experience for me, and doing it in Spanish I think has helped me to understand some things a little better than I do sometimes in English.
I love the way that the Book of Mormon is easy to understand. The storyline and the principles being taught are easy to read and understand for me, at least compared to the Old Testament. That book is just hard, and I hope to actually finish it one day. But the things that I have learned from the Book of Mormon are priceless to me. I know a lot of people have a hard time with it, but I absolutely love it, of my own volition, and love the things that are taught there. I have seen over and over how the people were humble, and doing so well, and then they would become proud and they had everything taken from them, time and time again. I was reading about all the wars they had, and how there were maybe 2 or 3 years in between battles and wars before another one came up again, because of the hard-heartedness of the people. And while I'm reading this and seeing the pride cycle over and over again, I can't help but think of the state of the world and our nation.
The world is in so much turmoil right now. You can definitely see signs of the second coming. And the thing I see the most is people saying how they are the only right one, that it has to be one way or no way, downgrading people and being judgmental, and that we can only like or love someone if we agree with EVERYTHING they say, and I can't help but think that even though I live in the promised land, the pride cycle is in the time that we are about to be struck down. Does it really matter if someone made a mistake as a parent? Shouldn't we help them instead of tear them down? Is it going to matter who becomes the President of the United States, the lesser of 2 evils, will I vote 3rd party? Make the best decision we can and then let's concentrate on the thing that will matter more. I feel more and more in my soul that I'm not prepared to meet God, and He is coming sooner than we probably think. Am I going to burn as stubble, or be twinkled? Am I teaching my children correctly? Am I doing the things that will bring me happiness in the life to come?
I understand why Nephi and Mormon and all those prophets cried into their pillows at night, knowing that their people would be destroyed because of their hard-heartedness. I see so many people in my life, friends, family, loved ones, co-workers that have fallen away. I know it's all prophesied but it doesn't seem to make it any easier to see. There are so many people who think they know better than God. There are so many people who can't deal with certain things that Father has put forth lately that they just can't stay with the church. I understand, and I love you all.
I also see how things on earth are so wicked, and it was prophesied that we would be at the most wicked that we have ever been. I also see the good, I see that there are people who are out there that are the best, and I can see the goodness becoming greater as well. I was at McDonalds the other day and someone paid for my meal. I hear stories like this all the time. Pay it Forward! I love it! I think that if the Lord is coming soon I want to focus on that. I want to focus on being a driving force for good and to make sure I am in line with God. I have so many faults, and I can't possibly count the times that I fail as a Daughter of God in a day, but my new favorite quote is "At least you get points for trying". I love the talk Elder Holland gave in the last General Conference. It gives me hope that even in my imperfect state that the Lord is going to be merciful with me if I try. And try I will.
This is the promised land, and I was saved to come forth in this time for a reason. I still don't fully know that reason, but I know that if I keep trying the Lord will help me and help my family. And one day I imagine that we will be together, in heaven, in the most beautiful and celestial place that I have ever seen in my life.
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