The Field is Ready For Harvest

I haven't posted all week because I felt like I hadn't had anything substantial in my scripture reading to post about. So you get one long post today! I'll be covering my thoughts on Sections 9-13 so I'll condense and only post on the scriptures I gained insight from.

Section 9
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/9?lang=eng

Section 9 is revelation given through Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery because he did not translate properly. 

10- Sometimes we are called and then through our actions/the Lord's will we are not meant to fulfill our calling at the present time and can be called again later. 

11- Oliver Cowdery feared man more than God which led him away from his calling to translate. 

13- If we follow God's laws and keep His commandments we shall prosper.

14- Stand fast in the work; whatever the Lord has asked us to do, do it promptly and orderly. 

Section 10
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/10?lang=eng

Section 10 is revelation given to Joseph Smith regarding the Book of Lehi and how because he feared men more than God he lost the scriptures and they fell into the wrong hands.

4- I think we often times forget this command from the Lord, to not run faster or labor more than you have strength. Sometimes the Lord will ask us to do things we do not feel we can do at the present time. That's ok, He wants you to make sure you are able to do the things He's asked in due diligence.
5- Pray ALWAYS. Good days, bad days, sickness, health, boring days, joyful moments, when things are too hard; PRAY ALWAYS.

16, 17, 18- I found these selection of versus very interesting. This is in regards to the wicked people that got a hold of the Book of Lehi and changed the wording to try and debunk Joseph Smith. The thought in their hearts was to see if God would let him translate again. They believed God was giving him the power to translate but they wanted to prove him to be false (all the thoughts of the devil). I feel that those who truly do not believe don't care this much as to thwart the ways of the Lord. Those that do but have evil intentions and allow the devil to move them want to destroy the work of the Lord.

19- They wanted to do this to gain glory in the world and that they wouldn't be ashamed in the end. Ashamed of what? 

26- Satan flatters, God invites and loves.

37- Sometimes we may have an inkling that someone is not who they confess to be. Hold your peace and the Lord will see fit that justice is served.

45- While it is sad that we lost the Book of Lehi, what we actually have in the scriptures in the book of Nephi throws greater view upon His gospel. I never realized that. I'd heard different disputes from religion teachers that we weren't ready for the scriptures in the book of Lehi or that it was a  great and tragic loss. While it is sad, the words in the book of Nephi give greater insight to the Lord's gospel.

50- [The people of Nephi] left a blessing upon this land that those who should believe in the gospel might have everlasting life. 

51- The foot note for free says "mission of the latter-day saints." It is our goal and mission that the gospel is free to any who want to receive it.

59- The Lord spoke of having other sheep which are not of this fold when He rose from the dead in Jerusalem. There were many who understood Him not and do not understand that He wouldn't just visit one group of people; He loves us all too much to not visit as many as He could.

63- Wrest means to twist and distort the scriptures until they no longer bear the truth contained about the gospel of Christ. 









Section 11
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/11?lang=eng

Section 11 is revelation given through Joseph Smith to Hyrum Smith, much like Section 9.

1 & 2- The same text is cited in multiple sections of the Doctrine and Covenants about missionary work and bringing souls unto Christ. I need to pay attention to this. 

5- Again, do not forget to ask for things from the Lord. Just because you received a witness doesn't mean you shouldn't ask more. Seek to follow Him. Thrust in your sickle and reap where you sow.

7- The mysteries of God are His riches. As we gain them we shall grow richer than any worldly man.

12- Trust the spirit that leads you to do good. Some people worry about whether a prompting was truly a prompting or their own thoughts and ideas. If it is to do something good, that aligns with the teachings of Christ and the teachings of His church and gospel, why not follow the prompting? This verse says we ought to. 

14- All things pertaining unto righteousness, if we have faith and ask, we will receive an answer. I've had this happen so many times.

16- We must be patient. I am the worst at trusting the Lord's timing; I am not a patient woman. 

17- According to my faith in Him, what I desire will be done unto me. I must have more patience and faith in Him and His will and timing.

20- We are the Lord's work and glory. Ours is to keep His commandments.

21- Because I sought to obtain the word of God I was so easily able to bear testimony of those things I had gained. 

23- Behold, thou art "________"; seek the kingdom of God and whatsoever you desire will be added unto you.

25- Do not deny yourself the opportunity to bear testimony or receive revelation, even if it feels scary.

27, 28, 29, 30- If we desire to serve Him, you need to come unto Him and know Him and believe on His name.










Section 12
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/12?lang=eng

Section 12 is Revelation given through Joseph Smith to Joseph Knight. There wasn't much about this Section that hadn't been reiterated in Sections 9 and 11. 

Section 13
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/13?lang=eng

Section 13 is the ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood.

1- The Aaronic priesthood allows men to minister of angels and of the gospel of repentance and baptize through proper priesthood authority. 














After reading those sections, I really felt the desire to serve, to reap where I sow. So, I decided to attend my midweek relief society activity, which I had never done in this ward. I'm so glad I did, it was so fun! I loved getting to know the other sisters in the ward better and the activity was fun as well. I also decided today to do a random act of kindness for a couple of sisters in the ward who had helped me to feel a greater love for my ward members and serving. It felt so good to do that, to get to know other sisters in the ward and to serve. 
I also have found a much greater appreciation for ALL of my ward meetings. 

To be honest, I did not enjoy sunday school in my new ward, no matter who the teacher was. But I have slowly yet surely been able to get something out of it (by participating!). If you don't put yourself out there you won't be able to feel the joy of the gospel, not fully.

There is pure joy in the gospel, untainted, undisturbed joy that everyone can have access to if we seek after it.

Fast Sunday

On Saturday I read D&C sections 7 & 8. Today was also fast Sunday, lots of wonderful thoughts and feelings today. Section 7 is about John the Beloved and Section 8 is about Revelation given through Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery.

Section 7

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/7?lang=eng

2- It is amazing to me that John the Beloved wanted to live on for years and years to help bring others unto Christ.

5- It is also amazing to me that bringing souls unto Christ is greater than what John the Beloved did in his life time.

6- I was wondering if he was some person that a lot of people meet that the Lord changes his looks in the eyes of others so he doesn't raise suspicion? But this is a much better solution haha and it makes sense, being an angel is different than a soul in spirit paradise. Joseph was visited by many angels. 

Section 8

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/8?lang=eng

4- While this is directed at Oliver Cowdery, it totally applies to us. We receive gifts of all different kinds and they deliver us out of the hands of our enemies when we use them and devote our time, talents, and gifts to the work of the Lord. If we are idle and do not exercise our gifts and talents then it would bring our soul into destruction.

8- Now this verse is talking directly about the Aaronic priesthood. I love how it says no power all be able to take away the priesthood. It is the individual's own agency that takes it away. That to me is beautiful.

11- For me, I'm not needing to translate like Oliver was, but I am seeking to receive knowledge and to know the mysteries of God, I know it shall be done unto me according to my faith.

Ok, now about church! So Matt and I go to his parents house for dinner after church on fast Sundays which works great when we had 1pm church but now we have 9am church so if we start our fast on Sunday, it's only for one meal which isn't a full fast. I want to get the most out of my fasting so we decided to start without dinner Saturday evening. We didn't do it perfectly but we did start Saturday night without eating and fasted until lunch on Sunday. I was grateful for this opportunity, it made my fast more worthwhile and I was really able to feel the spirit during the testimony meeting. 

I decided I had to share how my testimony has grown this week through the revelation and responses I received. I thought I felt the spirit reading my scriptures. That was NOTHING compared to how I felt standing at the pulpit, testifying of my Lord and Savior and the direct answers He gave me. I was overcome with love, knowing He is real, He is there, and He loves us all. I truly know that my Savior loves me. I could feel the spirit really strong the whole testimony meeting. 

We have an ASL group in my ward and one of the brothers gave his testimony. It was really cool, there was a moment where he didn't need translated. You could tell what he was saying. He was talking about how when he shakes the stake president's hand, he can feel the spirit. When he shakes the bishop's hand, he can feel it. When he shakes our hands, he can feel it. We are his ward family. It was beautiful, he did the same sign to show how he felt when shaking all these people's hands and you could just tell how much it means to him. 

Another brother gave his testimony about Christ's love for us, he has lost so much in the last year, so many deaths in his family, his brother has cancer, and his wife divorced him. Yet he bore his testimony of Christ's love for us and the healing power He has. Amazing! This man has lost almost everything he held near, yet he is upbeat and comes to church every Sunday and knows his Savior loves him. This was very moving to me.

So many other people got up and bore such strong testimonies that Christ is our Savior and this is His church. I just love this gospel so much!! 

Learning to Listen

So I've been praying that I can come to really know my Savior and I felt the need to be a better listener. I can talk forever but I need to learn to listen to Him, His promptings, His will. I need to become a good listener. Well yesterday I read D&C 4-5 and today I read section 6. Section 4 is about serving God and Section 5 is for Martin Harris. Section 6 has a lot of amazing things that really hit me hard pertaining to the things I've been praying about.

Section 4

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng

1- Missionary work is marvelous :) makes me think of my sister

2- I have been desiring to serve the Lord and here He gives me specific instruction, serve Him with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.

3- I have desires to serve God so I guess I'll be called to do so. 

5- We are qualified for the work by having faith, hope, charity, love, and an eye single to His glory. That means we aren't focused on our own glory, simply on His glory. 

6- I need to remember temperance and patience for sure.

7- I've been asking and here He promises to answer me. 

Section 5

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/5?lang=eng

4- Learning about Joseph Smith and Martin Harris, I think it's interesting that the Lord tells Joseph to not pretend to have other gifts other than translation until he's finished. This whole chapter He is super specific about how they are to act and behave and go about translating.

14- I love the symbolism of the restoration of the church, coming forth as clear as the moon, as fair as the sun, and as terrible as an army. I would say it's probably not actually "terrible" more like powerful because an army is powerful and so is the gospel.

16- When we believe on His words, we will be visited by the manifestation of the Spirit, I believe that this is the first moment we can feel the Spirit in full force and it is a beautiful moment.

28- Instructions for Martin Harris to be able to translate but it also applies to us in order to receive the things the Lord promises to give us, we must be humble, acknowledge our wrong doings, and promise to keep His commandments, exercising faith. 

Section 6

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/6?lang=eng

2- I have been praying, asking to know God and this section is such a wonderful answer, it speaks to my heart. I need to give heed to His word. Has it ever divided my heart asunder? YES. I cannot forget those moments.

4- I need to be willing to work, to do His work

5- Again, the message comes, if I will ask I will receive and I have been asking so I will continue to receive.

6- This totally rang loud and clear to me. I have been asking and the Lord is showing me that He has been listening, now I need to keep His commandments and seek to help others come unto Him.

7- If I continue to seek for the wisdom of the Lord the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto me. I have been feeling the great desire to be a mother, that His children are His wonder. As I seek for Him I will be blessed with this goal. 

8- I have been desiring of Him, and here He says that this desire will be the means of doing much good.

10- My gifts and talents (may not be as sacred as the gift of translating) but they are special and sacred to Him as we use them to help others. 

11- As I inquire of Him, I will know mysteries which are great and marvelous that I can help bring many to the knowledge of the truth.

14- I felt so strongly the Lord speaking directly to me, telling me I am blessed for inquiring of Him. This was a beautiful moment, I truly felt the Lord communicating with me and answering my prayers. 

16- There is no one else that knows the intents of my heart than God.

17- He is telling me this so that I can know the words I have taught and testified of in church are true.

21- I have been seeking to know Jesus better, that my skin will prick when the spirit is near and my heart will quiver. Here He tells me to behold Him.

22- Have I not yet received no greater witness? When I cried unto Him in my heart with the loss of my daughter, that I might know who she is, was there any greater witness than the truth He gave to me?

 33- The peace that came to my mind was undeniable and earth-shaking. Remember this moment to fuel my testimony. He truly is there and listens and speaks to us. 

33- Fear not to do good, whatever we sow we shall reap our reward.

The Lord truly is the master teacher. I am so grateful that He not only listens to my prayers but also answers them directly with rich layered meaning. I am His daughter. He loves me. He cares about my deepest concerns and is there to answer them. I promise you if you have ever cried out for help, He will bring true peace. 

Temple Day

Today I read in Section 2 and 3 of Doctrine and Covenants because Section 2 is super short. Some really good insights!
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/2?lang=eng Section 2
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/3?lang=eng Section 3

Section 2

3- If the earth did not have the priesthood, it would be utterly wasted at the second coming. Our efforts, would be void without having the power of God among us. It is absolutely essential for our salvation. Are you taking advantage of it's influence in your life? 

Section 3

1- The will of the Lord cannot be changed or removed. His will is all powerful. 

2- His paths are straight. This to me says that no matter what outside influences try to remove what is happening, The Lord will make His will known, He will bring about His judgement and mercy. 

4- Even if someone receives a testimony, if he is prideful and does not give due diligence, saying that all revelation is given through the spirit of God, then we will fall and incur the vengeance of God. 

6- We have all transgressed and sinned against the commandments of God. 

7- We must fear God more than man. 

8- In those moments of weakness, remember God, for if we are faithful He will extend His arm and protect us against the fiery darts of the adversary.

10- I really really like this insight. If we repent, even after we have been prideful and feared man more than God, we will still be chosen and again called to do the work the Lord needs us to do. I LOVE THAT. Let me repeat, WE WILL STILL BE CHOSEN. If we are chosen for a specific purpose, even if we mess up, IF WE REPENT WE WILL STILL BE CHOSEN. After we have repented we will be called again to do the work. LOVE THIS.

20- First we must rely on the knowledge and testimony of others, trust that it is true, then we will gain our own testimony and stand as our own witness. 




I also was able to attend an endowment session in the Rexburg temple today. Hooray! I love getting to go to the temple. That's where I get to be with my eternal family. For those who do not know me, my husband Matt and I had a miscarriage in September of 2014. It was THE hardest thing I've ever had to deal with. I wasn't very far along, only about 4-5 weeks. Long story short, I felt a great need to know more about my child. They came and barely touched my life and changed it completely. I wanted to know this special person, who they were, what gender they are, what the Lord's purpose was in having the baby come and go so quickly. 
Through temple attendance I have come to learn SO MUCH about miscarriages, SERIOUSLY. I thought since my miscarriage was so early, I'd never get to know about my child, give them a name. WRONG. The Lord truly is so mindful of what we are going through and cares about what we care about. It is amazing! Both my husband and I learned that our child is a girl (through separate revelations given through prayer). We felt prompted to name her Mary Ann Allen. (Mary from my sister Mackenzie Mary and Ann from my best friend Kaylie Ann) She is an amazing daughter of God. I usually don't talk a lot about her because our relationship is so sacred to me as the main time I can really feel her near is in the temple but I really really love her, she is so strong and full of life. I count myself incredibly blessed that I will get to be with her in eternity. 
Any how, I love going to the temple and being with her. Every time I go through the endowment, whether I'm with a friend, my husband, or going alone, I'm never truly alone. I have her as my buddy, when she has time to be with me. She helps me in so many ways. 
Through this search for my Savior, I have already begun to feel His will and more align myself with Him. I want to listen better. I'm such a talker, I need to listen to Him after I'm done blabbing haha. That's my current goal, slow down, breath, and listen. 

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