Joseph Smith the Prophet, or, Why the Book of Mormon is tangible evidence of Christ

Is the Book of Mormon true or is it made up?

"No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so." -George Cannon

And once again, I have to share something that was so well said

but not written by me.  Enjoy:

Have you ever heard people say: “Show me some real evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet, then I’ll believe”?

“Through the Book of Mormon, God has provided for our day tangible evidence that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph Smith is His prophet” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, November 1988, p. 86).

Here is what it would take to make up the Book of Mormon:

•  Write the religious, social, and political  history of some ancient people, like the Mongols or people from Greenland
• Write the book off the top of your  head, using no reference material (no Google in Joseph’s day! And no  library nearby either. 
• You must have only between 2-3 years of formal schooling (Joseph’s wife said that Joseph couldn’t compose a “well-worded   letter” at the time of the translation of the Book of Mormon, let alone  make up a whole book (Emma Smith (Preston Nibley, The Witnesses of the      Book of Mormon, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1968, p. 28.)
• You must complete the whole book in 65-75   working days.  Joseph sometimes  would produce 8 pages a day of finished text.  Eight pages!  Anyone who has written anything knows how difficult that would be.  In     comparison, modern translators who are working on translating the Book of Mormon    consider 1 completed page of translation per day to be productive, and      they are working from earlier translations with an entire team of help and  modern technology to assist!
• Your book must be full of evidence that science  will discover many years after you publish your book that verify your work  is authentic.  A great example of  this in the Book of Mormon was the last art of Hebrew poetry “chiasmus,”  unknown to Joseph Smith and learned America but later re-discovered in the  20th century in the Bible.  And lo and behold, the Book of Mormon is full of chiasmus.  Lucky guess Joseph!  Nothing like a backwoods farm boy who   knows lost Hebrew poetry.  Them type of boys are all over the place.  Read Alma 36 to see a really cool one (compare the main message of verse 1 to verse 30, verse 2 to verses 28-29, verse 3 to verse 27 and so on).
• You must invent over 280 new names the world  hasn’t heard, many of which properly derive from your ancient people’s  language (a language which you don’t know.  Have fun with that one.)
• Your book must include the fullness of the  gospel of Jesus Christ, including sermons that are so inspiring that people willingly read them again and again and again. However, your book      must also teach “new” truths unknown to common society that make unknown passages in the Bible clear.
• Your book must teach more about Jesus Christ than the New Testament does.  The Book of Mormon mentions Jesus on average of every 1.7 verses compared to  2.3 in the New Testament.  Another Testament  of Jesus Christ.  Um, yeah. (See  Susan Easton Black, Finding Christ through the Book of Mormon [1987],  6-18).
• Your book must be over 500 pages long and 300,000  words
• Your first draft must stand forever (other than very minor grammatical changes)
• You must have three honest members of your  community bear testimony to the truthfulness of the book throughout their whole lives, even when you are no longer friends.
• You must be willing to give your life, and the  life of a family member, for the book you write
• Last, the Holy Ghost must bear witness to  millions of people the world over that your book is indeed the very word of God.

We have the tangible evidence sitting in front of us. The book is either divine or it is a deception. Those who claim that the Book of Mormon is not true are claiming that the book was made up—fabricated by Joseph Smith, his friends, or someone else and pulled off as one of the great hoaxes of this world.
Note: Some of list is summarized from “Brother Joseph” by Kay Briggs.  Bookcraft, 1994, p. 13-15

 “No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.” (George Cannon, as cited by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Safety for the Soul, Ensign November 2009, p. 89).

Primary Reading Schedule for October

For my sugardoodle friends:

October 2011 Primary Book of Mormon Reading Schedule

10/2-10/8

1 Sticker Option:  4 Nephi  1:1-5 (No poor among them), 4 Nephi  1:7-13 (They rebuilt the cities that had been destroyed, no contentions), 4 Nephi  1: 15-18 (They were one).

2 Sticker:  4 Nephi 1:1-24

10/9-10/15

1 Sticker:  4 Nephi 1:24-34 (After 200 years they begin to be lifted up in pride & people begin to lose faith in Christ.), 4 Nephi 1: 48-49 (Ammaron hides the sacred record)

2 Sticker:  4 Nephi 1:25-49

10/16-10/22

1 Sticker:  Mormon 1:1-5 (At 10 years old Mormon is taught about the sacred records by Ammaron), Mormon 2:1-9 (At 16 Mormon begins to lead an army-he later leads a battle to defeat a Lamanite Army of 44,000!)

2 Sticker: Mormon Chapter 1 & Mormon 2:1-9

10/23-10/29

1 Sticker:  Mormon 6:1-6 (Mormon gathers his people to the Land of Cumorah and hides the plates), Mormon 8:1-7 (The end of the Nephites.  Moroni finished the plates for his father, Mormon)

2 Sticker:  Mormon Chapter 6 & Mormon 8:1-16

August Reading Assignment for Primary Kids

 Book of Mormon Trail Guide - August 2011

1 sticker option* = 151 v. for August

July 31-Aug. 6: Week ONE: (32 v. week's total)

Gadianton and Kishkumen plan to kill Helaman but Helaman's servant outsmarts them -Hela. 2:2-13 (12 v.) / Helaman has 2 sons, Nephi and Lehi; the church suffers from serious problems with pride -Hela. 3:20,21,23,25,26-35 (14 v.) / Church members become weak and lose the spirit -Hela. 4:11-14; 23-24. (6 v.)

Aug. 7-13 Week TWO: ( 39 v. week's total)

 Miracles happen when Nephi gives up the judgment-seat to become a missionary with his brother, Lehi - Hela. 5:4-9; 12; 18-23 (13 v.) Nephi and Lehi are imprisoned on their mission but the earth shakes and commands people to repent; A "less-active" saint named Aminadab helps convert people in the prison- Hela. 5:24-49 (26 v.)

Aug. 14-20 Week THREE: ( 47 v. week's total)

 Lamanites preach to the wicked Nephites - Hela 6: 2, 3; (2 v.) Gadianton robbers are assisted by Satan but squashed by righteous Lamanites - Hela. 6:20, 21,29,30,31,35-37 (7 v.) Nephi makes a prophecy to the wicked, telling them that their judge has been murdered by his brother, who both belong to the Gadianton gang. -Hela. 8:27-28 Nephi gives more prophecies about the murderous Gadianton
robbers, and is proven correct - Hela. 9:1-21; 25-41 (38 v.)

Aug. 21-27 Week FOUR : (33 v. week's total)

The Lord gives Nephi incredible power to seal, to move mountains, etc., and nobody can take him or throw him in prison -Hela. 10:2-7;12-16 (11 v.) Nephi persuades the Lord to replace their war with a famine -Hela. 11: 4-5, 7 (3 v.) Samuel the Lamanite preaches to the wicked Nephites -Hela 13:2-4;22,38 (5 v.) Samuel the Lamanite predicts that light will shine all night to signify Jesus' birth far away - Hela. 14:1-8,14-17, 21-26 (14 v.)

*Remember that the one-sticker option can be fulfilled by reading, by finding the picture in the gospel art kit and asking someone to tell you the story, by enjoying the story in the Illustrated Book of Mormon Reader, or by listening to the audio version at http://lds.org

2  sticker option

= 239 v. for August

July 31-Aug. 6: Week ONE: ( 62 v. week's total)

 The Lamanite leader Coriantumr kills the Nephite Pacumeni, but then Morinihah kills Coriantumr and regains Zarahemla - Hela. 1:3-31 (29 v.); Gadianton and Kishkumen plan to kill Helaman but Helaman's servant outsmarts them - Hela. 2:1-13 (13 v.) Helaman has 2 sons, Nephi and Lehi; the church suffers from serious problems with pride -Hela. 3:20,21,23,25,26-35 (14 v.) / How church members become weak & lose the spirit -Hela. 4:11-14; 23-24. (6 v.)

Aug. 7-13 Week TWO: (52 v. week's total)

 Nephi and Lehi are imprisoned on their mission but the earth shakes and commands
people to repent; a less-active saint, Aminadab, helps convert people - Helaman 5:1-52 (52 v.)

Aug. 14-20 Week THREE: (84 v. week's total) Lamanites preach to the wicked Nephites - Hela 6: 2, 3; (3 v.) Gadianton robbers are assisted by Satan but squashed by righteous Lamanites - Hela. 6:20-37 ( 18 v.) Nephi preaches -Hela. 8:1-17, 24-28 ( 22 v.) Nephi gives prophecies about murderous Gadianton robbers and is proven correct -Hela. 9:1-41 (41 v.)

Aug. 21-27 Week FOUR : (41 v. week's total)

The Lord gives Nephi incredible power to seal, to move mountains, etc., and
nobody can take him or throw him in prison -Hela. 10:2-7;12-16 (11 v.) Nephi persuades the Lord to replace their war with a famine -Hela. 11: 4-7 (4 v.) Samuel the Lamanite preaches to the wicked Nephites - Hela 13:2-4;22,38 (5 v.) Samuel the Lamanite predicts that light will shine all night to signify Jesus' birth far away -Hela. 14:1-8,14-26 (21 v.)

July Reading Assignment - Primary Book of Mormon Treasure Mapping

Book of Mormon Trail Guide  -  July 2011

1 sticker option*  = 112 v. for July

 

Week ONE: July 3- 8  (29 v. week's total) Alma 44: 1,9,10, 12-15 (7 v.) Moroni gives Zerahemnah a chance at peace, but Zerahemnah refuses and is scalped. Alma 46: 1-22 (22 v.) Amalickiah causes problems;  Moroni raises the title of liberty

Week TWO: July 10-16 ( 22 v. week's total)  Alma 49:1,4,8,18,22,23 (6 verses) Lamanites cannot beat Moroni's defenses; Alma 50: 1-6 ( 6 v.) Moroni fortifies cities and outsmarts enemies; Alma 50:25-35 (10 v. )Teancum beats Morianton

Week THREE: July 17-23 (35 v. week's total) Alma 53: 10-18, 20-21 (11 v.) People of Ammon see the dangers the Nephites bear for them and want to take up weapons;  Alma 55: 1-24  (24 v.) Moroni outsmarts Ammoron using an undercover agent named Laman and a gift of wine to make enemy guards drunk before throwing weapons in to the imprisoned Nephites

Week FOUR : July 24-30 ( 26 v. week's total) Alma 56: 5,10, 17, 45-48, 56 (7 v.)  First story of 2,000 young warriors; Alma 57:9-27 (19 verses) the trials of holding Lamanite prisoners;  2nd story of how  valiantly Helaman's 2,000 warriors fought  

* Remember that the one-sticker option can  be fulfilled by reading, by finding the picture in the gospel art kit and asking someone to tell you the story, by enjoying the story in the Illustrated Book of Mormon Reader, or by listening to the audio version at http://lds.org

                                            2 sticker option   =   250 v. for July

Week ONE: ( 68 v. week total) July 3- 8  Alma 44: 1-22 ( 22 v.) Moroni gives Zerahemnah a chance at peace, but Zerahemnah refuses and is scalped; Alma 45: 1-24 ( 24 v.) Alma talks to Helaman, prophesies about the promised land and disappears; Alma 46: 1-22 (22 v.) Amalickiah causes problems;  Moroni raises the title of liberty

Week TWO: July 10-16  (56 v. week total) Alma 47: 1-35 ( 35 v.) Amalickiah poisons a Lamanite leader named Lehonti and stabs the Lamanite king to become the Lamanite's king.  Then he tricks the people into thinking he is a good guy, and marries the Lamanite queen.  Alma  48:1-4, 7-23 (21 v.) Amalikiah inspires Lamanites from his towers to hate Nephites while Moroni prepares his people to fight for righteousness and liberty.

Week THREE:  July 17-23 (32 v. week total) Alma  49: 1-8, 23-30 ( 16 verses) The Lamanites cannot beat Moroni's defenses; Alma 50: 1-6 ( 6 v.) Moroni fortifies cities and outsmarts enemies; Alma 50:25-35 (10 v. )Teancum beats Morianton

Week FOUR : July 24-30 ( 94 v. week total) Alma 53:10-21 (11 v.) People of Ammon see the dangers the Nephites bear for them and want to take up weapons; Alma 54: 1-14 (14 v.) Moroni's negotiation epistle to Ammoron for prisoner exchange; Alma 54: 15-21 (7 v.) Ammoron's negotiation epistle to Moroni; Alma 55: 1-24  (24 v.) Moroni outsmarts Ammoron using an undercover agent named Laman and a gift of wine to make enemy guards drunk before throwing weapons in to the imprisoned Nephites. Alma 56: 5-10,  45-57  (19 v.) Helaman tells Moroni the first story of the 2,000 stripling warriors; Alma 57:9-27 (19 verses) the trials of holding Lamanite prisoners;  the 2nd story of how  valiantly Helaman's 2,000 warriors fought  

Primary Book of Mormon Reading Schedule for June 2011

Book of Mormon Trail Guide - June 2011

1 sticker option*   = 105 verses for the month of June

Week ONE: June 5-11  ( 32 verses) Alma 19: 15-18, 29 (5 verses) Abish the servant does her missionarywork / Alma 20: 2, 5-6 (3 verses)  The Lord warns Ammon not to visit King Lamoni's father and tells him his brethren are in prison / Alma 20: 8-10, 14-16, 20-23, 26-27 (12 verses) Ammon and King Lamoni fight the king's father and free the imprisoned brethren/ Alma 22:  5-8, 18-19, 22-23 ( 8 verses) Aaron teaches King Lamoni's father and his people the gospel/ Alma 23:4-7 (4 verses) Aaron and his brethren bring thousands of Lamanites to know the gospel

Week TWO: June 12-18 ( 20 verses) Alma 24: 16-17 (2 verses) Converted Lamanites bury their weapons as a testimony to God/ Alma 24: 21-24, 26-27 (6 verses) Converted Lamanites are killed by the unconverted Lamanites. More than a thousand additional Lamanites are touched by the Spirit and are converted afterward./ Alma 26: 11-16, 35  (7 verses) Ammon bears a joyful testimony and boasts in the Lord's miracles/ Alma 27: 16-18 (3 verses) Ammon is so happy that he falls down/ Alma 27: 26-30 (5 verses) Converted Lamanites call themselves the People of Ammon and refuse to fight.

Week THREE: June 19-25 ( 26 verses) Alma 30: 6, 12-14, 19-20, 37-39, 46-50 ,  52-53 ( 16 verses) Korihor, the anti-Christ, meets Alma the missionary/ Alma 31: 12, 16, 18, 19 and Alma 32: 4-6, 21,27-28. (10 verses) Alma sees the strange prayers of Rameumptom and begins to teach those who were cast out because of their poverty

Week FOUR : June 26- July 2( 27 verses). Alma 34:8, 10, 23-27 (7 verses) Amulek teaches the people about Jesus/ Alma 36: 3, 6-10, 15-20 and Alma 37: 35-37 (15 verses) Alma tells his son, Helaman, how he got his own testimony/ Alma 40: 11-13, 23 and Alma 42: 15 (5 verses) Alma teaches his son, Corianton, about the resurrection and the atonement

* The one-sticker option can also be fulfilled by finding the picture in the gospel art kit and asking someone to tell you the story that goes with the art, or by reading the story in the Illustrated Book of Mormon Reader. Or, just listen to the audio version at http://lds.org

 2 sticker option   =   276 verses for June

Week ONE: (89 verses) June 5-11: Alma 19: 1- 29 (29 verses) Abish the servant does her missionarywork / Alma 20: 1-6 (6 verses)  The Lord warns Ammon not to visit King Lamoni's father and tells him his brethren are in prison / Alma 20: 1-27 (27 verses) Ammon and King Lamoni fight the king's father and free the imprisoned brethren/ Alma 22:  1-23 (23 verses) Aaron teaches King Lamoni's father and his people the gospel/ Alma 23:4-7 (4 verses) Aaron and his brethren bring thousands of Lamanites to know the gospel

Week TWO: June 12-18 ( 60 verses) Alma 24: 1-30 (30 verses) Converted Lamanites bury their weapons as a testimony to God, and are killed by the unconverted Lamanites.  More than a thousand additional Lamanites are touched by the Spirit and are converted./ Alma 26: 11-16, 35  (7 verses) Ammon bears a joyful testimony and boasts in the Lord's miracles/ Alma 27: 1-18 ( 18 verses) Ammon is so happy that he falls down/ Alma 27: 26-30 (5 verses) Converted Lamanites call themselves the People of Ammon and refuse to fight.

Week THREE:  June 19-25 June 19-25 ( 70 verses) Alma 30: 6-60  ( 60 verses) Korihor, the anti-Christ, meets Alma the missionary/ Alma 31: 12, 16, 18, 19 and Alma 32: 4-6, 21,27-28. (10 verses) Alma sees the strange prayers of Rameumptom and begins to teach those who were cast out because of their poverty

Week FOUR : June 26- July 2( 57 verses). Alma 34:8, 10, 23-27 (7 verses) Amulek teaches the people about Jesus/ Alma 36: 3, 6-10, 15-20 and Alma 37: 35-37 (15 verses) Alma tells his son, Helaman, how he got his own testimony/ Alma 40: 11-13, 23 and Alma 42: 1-31 (35 verses) Alma teaches his son, Corianton, about the resurrection and the atonement

Picture the Scriptures is my blog that can help with the primary reading chart: click on http://picturethescriptures.blogspot.com/

Brad Pitt Says Religion is Stifling

 

I have that Shania Twain song stuck in my head today:  "So you're Brad Pitt?  That don't impress me much." This is why:

I read that Brad Pitt, our dearly beloved, world-famous, talented and handsome movie star, actually said these words:

"Many people find religion to be very inspiring.  Myself, I found it very stifling. I grew up with Christianity and I remember questioning it greatly. Some things didn't work for me. Some things did."

(At this point, I am wondering which ones worked best for him and which did not.  Perhaps he likes the idea of miracles, like the resurrection, but not repentance, which can involve uncomfortable collisions with reality and truth.)  But he goes on:

"I had a lot of the questions that the film presents," Pitt continued. "That's why it spoke to me. I grew up being told God is going to take care of everything and it doesn't always work out that way. And then you're told 'Well, it's God's will.' I got my issues. Man, you don't want to get me started."

No, we don't, Mr. Pitt. 

Oh, but there's more. 

He reminds me of another former Christian who I read about today, a not un-famous writer named Anne Rice.

Anne Rice says:

"I quit being a Christian. I'm out. In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen."   Say what!??

(I have not read an Anne Rice book, nor will I; but you would think that a not un-famous writer like Anne Rice would have a sense of logic, at least.)  But it gets worse.  It gets downright crazy:

In another post, Rice admitted, "I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being 'Christian' or to being part of Christianity."

That makes about as much sense as someone saying that she remains committed to her spouse, but she will no longer be living in the same house, sharing meals, kisses, or vacations.

It's nuts!

I tell you, anti-religionists scare me.

I've seen enough Ingemar Bergman movies to have a clue about some people's vision of religion as oppressive and foul.  And I get it.  Hypocrisy, arrogance, and priestcraft is certainly oppressive and foul.  But why do people paint all religion with the same broad brush?  It's like saying all blondes are dumb!  Or all Muslims are pro-Taliban!  Or all pizzas are created equally!  

I like how Alma, in the Book of Mormon, deals with Korihor, the anti-Christ, who seriously reminds me of Brad Pitt at the moment.  http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/30?lang=eng

For the non-Mormons or short-memory-holders out there, the short version of the story is this:  Korihor is a smooth-talking, slick and sly anti-Christ, (see Alma, chapter 30, Book of Mormon) Korihor said:

"...Why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things?  Why do ye look for a Christ?... it is the effect of a frenzied mind... there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature...whatsoever a man did was no crime..."

And Korihor "did rise up in great swelling words... accusing them of leading away the people after the silly traditions of their fathers... "

So, Alma put him in his place, with brilliant truth http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/30?lang=eng   and also, by striking him dumb (speechless) by the power of God.

Unable to talk, Korihor then wrote:  "I always knew there was a God, but the devil hath deceived me..."

Of course there is a God!  Everything denotes the fact of God-- all creation!  The planets, the people, the oceans, the sky--- of course, of course, we all know it deep down:  there is a God.

Do we understand everything?  No, but some day we will.  He will reveal anything to the least person that he's revealed to the greatest prophet, as soon as he/she is humble, willing and ready to live by that knowledge.  I believe this.

I believe in a loving God!

Primary Kids' Reading Blog: Picture the Scriptures

I realized that A.J. needs more than words or the occasional stick-figures and arrows and circles and lines I scribble for him as I try to explain what the scripture stories are talking about. 

Also, at church, for our Primary kids, we have been doing a Book of Mormon reading program with a treasure map and a monthly reading schedule.

So, for A.J. and for the church kids, today, I made a blog.  It has the full words (not simplified) from the scriptures, and it has photos-- wonderful, lively, colorful, modern photos-- of people and places and sheep and mountains and things that can illustrate the words of the stories.

I am so proud of it.

The link is:  http://www.picturethescriptures.blogspot.com/

I'm going to add to it each month, so A.J. and anyone else who wants to can read their scriptures online, with the pictures to help them keep track of who's who and what's what.

Hooray!

Osama Bin Laden is Dead

I am not normally a Barak Obama fan, but last night I was grateful for his speech as I watched it on t.v. along with millions of others.  Osama Bin Laden is dead, and now --except for a very few nutcases who viewed Bin Laden as a "holy warrior" rather than as a mass murderer-- the whole world is a breathing a sigh of relief.

I like what the Catholic spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said:

"In front of the death of man, a Christian never rejoices but rather reflects on the grave responsibility of each one in front of God and men, and hopes and commits himself so that every moment not be an occasion for hatred to grow but for peace."

I also like what a Deseret News writer, Matt Sanders, wrote:

"May Osama Bin Laden be forgotten quickly... He was a disgrace to his family and to his faith. May his horrific legacy instead spark a resolve to act with more kindness, deference, and charity among the human family."

Osama is now only one more black dot on the map of historic devils.  The Book of Mormon tells of a terrorist and his death: 

"And it came to pass that Giddianhi, who had stood and fought with boldness, was pursued as he fled; and being weary because of his much fighting he was overtaken and slain. And thus was the end of Giddianhi the robber." 3 Nephi 4:14

Long live goodness and freedom.
 

For Primary Teachers - May Book of Mormon Reading Schedule

This is the May reading guide for the Book of Mormon, for my Sugardoodle friends who are using this in their primary sharing times:  (Everyone else, kindly ignore)

Book of Mormon Trail Guide - May 2011

ONE sticker option*   =136 verses for May

Week ONE: May 1-7: (23 verses) Mosiah 17: 1-4 One of King Noah's priests believes Abinadi & tries to save him/ Mosiah 17: 5,10,20 Abinadi killed/ Mosiah 18: 1,3-6, 16 Alma begins to baptize believers / Mosiah 18: 17, 21, 23, 30, 32, 34 What happened to the believers at the waters of Mormon/ Mosiah 23:1-4 Alma and believers escape the armies of King Noah  

Week TWO: May 8-14: ( 30 verses) Mosiah 24:8,10,12, 13, 15-16, 18-20, 22 The wicked mistreat Alma's people but the Lord leads them to Zarahemla/ Mosiah 27: 8-12,14,17, 19-20 Alma's son, Alma, is wicked but he and his friends repent /

Mosiah 28:3-7  The sons of Mosiah get permission to do missionary journeys to the wicked Lamanites/ Alma 1: 2,3,7,9,13-15 Nehor tries to lead people away from the truth, kills Gideon, and dies.

Week THREE: May 15-21: (32 verses) Alma 7: 7,10,11,12 Alma teaches about Christ/Alma 8: 8,9,13,14,15,16,19,21 Alma comforted by an angel & gets a mission companion/Al. 8: 30-31 Alma and Amulek have mission adventures/ Alma 10: 31 & Alma 11:21-24 & Al. 12: 1-3,7 Zeezrom tries to deceive Amulek but then he gets converted to the gospel/Al.14: 1-2, 4, 6, 7-9, 22  Zeezrom's persecuted for believing; believers & scriptures burned by fire. Alma and Amulek persecuted.

Week FOUR : May 22-28: (25 verses) Alma 14: 24-28 Prison walls fall down as the Lord saves Alma and Amulek/ Alma 15: 3-11 Alma gives Zeezrom a priesthood blessing to heal his fever. Zeezrom is baptized./ Alma 17: 1-3, 9, 14 Alma and the sons of Mosiah rejoice in missionary work and friendship/ Alma 17: 20-25 Ammon's mission adventure begins as Lamanites bind him and bring him to King Lamoni.

Week FIVE: May 29-June 4: (26 verses)Alma 17: 27-39 and 18:8-11, 20-28 Ammon saves the sheep from robbers and wins the trust of King Lamoni.

* The one-sticker option can also be fulfilled by finding the picture in the gospel art kit and asking someone to tell you the story that goes with the art, or by reading the story in the Illustrated Book of Mormon Reader. Or, just listen to the audio Book of Mormon version at http://lds.org

 (TWO sticker) option   = 230 verses for May

Week ONE: May 1-7 Mosiah 17: 1-20; Mosiah 18: 1-34; Mosiah 22:1-16; Mosiah 23: 1-39 (that is 109 verses!)

Week TWO: May 8-14  (64  verses)Mosiah 24: 1-22; Mosiah 27: 1-20; Mosiah 28: 1-7; Alma 1: 1-15

Week THREE: May 15-21 (60 verses) Alma 7: 1-12 /Alma 8: 8-21/ Alma 8: 30-31 / Alma 10: 31; Alma 11:21-24;  Alma 12: 1-7 ; Alma 14: 1-22  

Week FOUR : May 22-28 (69 verses) Alma 14: 24-28/ Alma 15: 1-11 / Alma 17: 1-14 / Alma 17: 1-39

Week FIVE: May 29-June 4 (28 verses)Alma 18:1-28

President Monson's Marching Orders

I liked this person's post so much that I am copying and pasting the whole thing.  (From http://www.gentlyhewstone.wordpress.com/ )

President Monson’s Marching Orders  --Posted by Huston on April 13, 2011

"After every General Conference, my family tries to study the prophet’s talks to see what he wants us to work on, and we make a list of those priorities.  We usually summarize them in our own words, but this list is mostly copied and pasted directly from his text.  You might find more or less than these, but we saw 30 things he directly instructs Latter-day Saints to do:

Saturday Morning–Introduction
1. May we continue to be faithful in performing such ordinances, not only for ourselves but also for our deceased loved ones who are unable to do so for themselves.
2. Thank you, as well, for your faithfulness in paying your tithes and offerings and for your generosity in contributing to the other funds of the Church.
3. May I suggest that if you are able, you might consider making a contribution to the General Missionary Fund of the Church.

Priesthood Session

1. May we be worthy recipients of the divine power of the priesthood we bear.[start of talk] –> Safeguard it, treasure it, live worthy of it. [end of talk]
2. May it [priesthood] bless our lives and may we use it to bless the lives of others.
3. Many movies and television shows portray behavior which is in direct opposition to the laws of God. Do not subject yourself to the innuendo and outright filth which are so often found there.
4. I am sorry that any of us is subjected to profane language, and I plead with you not to use it. I implore you not to say or to do anything of which you cannot be proud.
5. Stay completely away from pornography. Do not allow yourself to view it, ever.
6. Avoid alcohol and tobacco or any other drugs, also addictions which you would be hard pressed to conquer.
7. If you have not read the Book of Mormon, read it.
8. If you do not already have a testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one.
9. Once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through obedience to the commandments of God and through regular prayer and scripture study. Attend church. You young men, attend seminary or institute if such is available to you.
10. Should there be anything amiss in your life, [repent].
11. [young men, get married]
12. Choose a companion carefully and prayerfully; and when you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another.
13. She is not to be demeaned or insulted but should be respected and loved.
14. If any of you are having difficulty in your marriage, I urge you to do all that you can to make whatever repairs are necessary.
15. Do not let your marriage get to the point where it is in jeopardy.
16. discipline ourselves so that we stand above the ways of the world. It is essential that we be honorable and decent men. Our actions must be above reproach.

Sunday Morning–Temples

1. If you have been to the temple for yourselves and if you live within relatively close proximity to a temple, your sacrifice could be setting aside the time in your busy lives to visit the temple regularly.
2. If you have not yet been to the temple or if you have been but currently do not qualify for a recommend, there is no more important goal for you to work toward than being worthy to go to the temple….Secure a temple recommend and regard it as a precious possession, for such it is.
3. Now, my young friends who are in your teenage years, always have the temple in your sights. Do nothing which will keep you from entering its doors and partaking of the sacred and eternal blessings there.
4. may I share with you some sage advice from President Spencer W. Kimball. Said he: “It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives].
5. I plead with you to teach your children of the temple’s importance.
6. As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation.
7. may we make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple and to have the spirit of the temple in our hearts and in our homes.
8. May we follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who made the ultimate sacrifice for us, that we might have eternal life and exaltation in our Heavenly Father’s kingdom.

Sunday Afternoon-Conclusion

1. May we long remember the messages we have heard. As we receive the issues of the Ensign and Liahona magazines which will contain these messages in written form, may we read and study them.
2. May we be good citizens of the nations in which we live and good neighbors in our communities, reaching out to those of other faiths as well as to those of our own.
3. May we be examples of honesty and integrity wherever we go and in whatever we do."

For Primary Workers - April Book of Mormon Reading Schedule

(Sorry I am so late getting this posted.  We didn't have church because of General Conference, so I am hoping it doesn't throw anyone off.  Have fun!)

April 2011 Book of Mormon Trail Guide

            (ONE sticker) option*   =74 verses for April

Week ONE: April 3-9th Words of Mormon 1:1-4; 10-11; 17-18;  Mosiah 1: 2,3,4,7 and Mosiah 2: 6, 17,-19, 22, 41 (that is 18 verses)

Week TWO: April 10-16th Mosiah 3: 2-10 ; Mosiah. 4: 9, 10, 12, 14-15; Mosiah. 6: 5, 6, 7 (that's 17 verses)

Week THREE:  April 17-23rd  Mosiah 7: 2, 3, 6, 7 Mosiah 8: 6, 13, 14-17

Mosiah 9: 1,2,3; 16-19 ( 16 verses)

Week FOUR :  April 24-30th  Mosiah 11: 8-11, 15-20, 26-28;  Mosiah 12: 17,19 and Mosiah 13: 1-5 Mosiah 15: 1 and Mosiah 16: 9 (23 verses)

* The one-sticker option can also be fulfilled by finding the picture in the gospel art kit and asking someone to tell you the story that goes with the art, or by reading the story in the Illustrated Book of Mormon Reader. Or, just listen to the audio Book of Mormon version at http://lds.org

 (TWO sticker) option    =123 verses for April

WEEK ONE: April 3-9th Jarom 1: 1-4, 9-11; Omni 1: 1-4,8,9,12-17,23, 25-26; Words of Mormon 1: 1-4; 10,11,17-18; Mosiah 1: 2-7; Mosiah 2: 6, 17-19, 22, 41(that's 31 verses)

Week TWO:  April 10-16th Mosiah 3: 1-27 ; Mosiah. 4: 9, 10, 12, 14-15; Mosiah. 6: 1- 7 (that's 39 verses)

Week THREE:  April 17-23rd  Mosiah 7: 2, 3, 6, 7; Mosiah 8: 6, 13, 14-17

Mosiah 9: 1,2,3,6-19  (that's 24 verses)

Week FOUR:   April 24-30th Mosiah 11: 8-11, 15-20, 26-28;  Mosiah 12: 17,19 and Mosiah 13: 1-9 Mosiah 15: 1 and Mosiah 16: 7-9 (29 verses)

General Conference Weekend

Saturday, C.E. and I went to the giant conference center in Salt Lake City to see the annual young women's general broadcast.  There were tens of thousands of 12-18 year old women and their mothers together there.  Beautiful.

I loved it.

Friday night we're going to Salt Lake City again, to the missionary reunions.  I loved my mission so much and I love hearing from my mission president and his wife.  They are like parents.  My mission president is now a temple sealer, and he married Scott and me in the Timpanogos Temple three years ago. 

He also writes books

prolifically, and they are great.

        

I remember being a kid and being soooo bored during the conference talks.  Wow.  I remember it well.  It was torture.

How things change!  Now I bask and I soak in the talks, and wish I could memorize the words.

So, this weekend I am thinking about faith.  You can't just get faith once and that's it for life.   I have to keep living it, probing, pondering, asking, moving forward, practicing, trying, hoping, learning, and feeding my little faith so it becomes mighty some day.  Like a plant, it can wither away if neglected. I have seen it happen to people, and it is sad.  This weekend is our weekend of extreme faith.  Twice a year, at general conference-- I wish it were oftener. 

Saturday and Sunday, for hours, off and on, we'll get  the broadcast from General Conference on the internet or on t.v. or from my sister's house.  My life is better for it and I can't wait.

 So, there's what's on my mind today.

http://lds.org/pages/why-conference-matters?lang=eng