The scripture I chose to highlight this week means a whole lot to me. I stumbled upon this little gem somewhere between the ages of 13 and 14 (also known as the age of insecurity) and I know that it was a tender mercy from my Heavenly Father. I was a typically moody teenager, and was consistently fighting with my parents, siblings and anyone else whom I deemed worthy, including myself. I hated my little self with a cold dispassion, and for some reason didn't really care to find out why. I remember that my bishop shared these verses at a youth event that my parents forced me to go to, and for some reason, I latched onto it. It became my lifeline. 2 Nephi 7:7-8 say:


7 For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

8 And the Lord is near, and he justifieth me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me, and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth. 

I am so very grateful for these two verses. They have been my favorite scripture since that age, and will be my favorite scripture for a very long time. They remind me, anytime I am climbing emotional or spiritual walls, that when I stand with God, he is already standing by me. He will always be on my side when I choose to follow him. 

I hope that as we go throughout our daily trials we will find the courage to stand by God. He has never left us alone and he never will.

With that, I leave my testimony,

Mallorie

My scripture for tonight is found in Mosiah 1:7. I came across this scripture while I was studying to find that I had highlighted it before, and so took a moment to read it closely:

7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.

In this scripture, he (King Benjamin) is talking about them - the records; the scriptures. This verse meant a lot to me, especially as I had previously highlighted it, because it is often easy to slip into a habit of comatose reading when we should be studying our scriptures. It reminded me that it is important to take something spiritual and nourishing out of the scriptures, and that that is why we read -- it isn't just to read, it is to know. It is to learn. It is for ourselves to feel the spirit and have a break from the otherwise loud things we need to remember in daily life.

I believe we will all feel the blessings of serious scripture study when we diligently seek to feel the spirit as we read, instead of just meet a time or chapter (or even page) goal.

I leave my testimony with you,

Mallorie

Hello!

Scripture of the week is found in 2 Nephi 25:20. It is a long verse, but BEAR WITH IT! It has a most beautiful message-

20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth[I would like to point out that at this period of time in the Hebrew culture, the most solemn thing you could promise on was that God lived. This is a vERy solemn statement] that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, [This is my favorite part!!]that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, [There's that promise again] there is none other name [none other] given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved. 

The reason I choose this scripture is because it pulled me out of a reverie. Two nights ago as I was reading my scriptures (but not studying them) I scanned over the words as I thought about the dance practices I had, the lessons and classes, the homework, what my morning would be - and as I hit the last bit of this verse that talks about how Christ is the only one who can and will save us, I stopped. I stopped reading altogether. I pondered that verse. I prayed about it. 

I know that my Savior loves me. I know he is watching over me as I work each day, as I strive to be like him. I want to make him proud. I am so grateful for everything he has done for me, and for the tender mercies he and my Heavenly Father provide as I toil.

I leave my testimony, 

Mallorie

SO, the week has been fantastic so far; Labor Day weekend was a dream. Of course, I used it to study up on my scripture reading, and I came upon an excellent verse in 2 Nephi 2:13. To give you a little bit of scriptural context:

This scripture was given before Lehi passes away, as some advice for his sons. The scripture heading of Chapter 1 tells us that he exhorts his sons to put on the armor of righteousness. These are some of the words he tells his son Jacob in Chapter 2:

13 And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.

As I have been going about my life – waking up at 6:00, going to class until 5:00, doing homework and then eating dinner, and then dancing late into the evening, I find there are often obstacles in my way. I get frustrated with things being difficult, and being hard to accomplish – tired of all the hard work I have to put in. But I find comfort in this scripture as it so gently reminds me that we cannot exist without opposition; that change and development is necessary. Even our own bodies are consistently working hard and adjusting to problems to keep us healthy and happy. We are created to adapt. We are created to create joy. But these things cannot exist without the adversary trying to pull us down.

From this scripture, I believe all of us can also find comfort in our daily trials, which are necessary for us to become like God.

I leave my testimony with you,

Mallorie

The first week of college as a freshman is, no doubt, one of the most transformative transitions any adult human being has ever experienced. As a member of the incoming freshman class of 2016 at Brigham Young University, I can attest to the upending insanity that ensues in that first week, what with the hours of study, the social activities, walking around campus and (in my case) rigorous dance classes- not to mention the fact that you are now expected to remember your own mealtimes and bedtimes and make yourself adhere to them. Despite Chaos holding my mind in its tight and triumphant grasp, I have found that the first week of college, though stressful, has been manageable, doable, and -almost- enjoyable.

In my daily scripture study I recently came across a verse that struck me particularly hard. I was reading in 2 Nephi 4, which is an account of the death of Lehi and the reactions of his children and his family. I believe it is important to understand the background here- Nephi has an important relationship with his father. He was taught little by little the principles of the gospel and his testimony grew because of the example his father set. Not only that, but because of Nephi's example of testimony, (for example when everyone broke their bows in the middle of nowhere) Lehi also grew in faith. Their relationship was steadily strengthened through and with the Lord - and it is difficult to imagine what Nephi is feeling when his father passes away unless you really think about his story. As Nephi is pondering upon mortality and dealing with grief from his father's passing, he bears a strong testimony about the times the Lord carried him through days he never thought he would see the end of. He writes so poetically about what a struggle it is when you're mortal in verses 18-23, and I have included a few of my less-than-sophisticated thoughts in the brackets-

 18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. 

 [This is, first of all, an intriguing thought. Does NEPHI have STRUGGLES? Up until I was junior in high school, I had never really thought about the fact that Nephi has trials like we do - and he overcame them.]

 19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

[Sometimes, when Nephi has something to be happy about, he feels like he can't because he has so many marks on his record. His heart groaneth. That is such a strong word. It groans because of his sins. But, Nephi says, he knows in whom he has put his trust.]

 20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

[Nephi knows. He knows that the Lord is taking care of him. To hear his testimony of what the Lord will do for us when we trust him is a testimony from one of the greatest Book of Mormon prophets that we know. Remember, Nephi has trials too.]

 21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

[This verse gives me chills]

 22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

 23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

Pause and think about these verses before you go on.

I think Nephi is a much better poet than I am, but I want to leave these verses here for you to ponder. It has been a crazy week at college. It has been a big transition. There have been times when I wonder why I pay so much money to be here. But these verses, along with many others, have been a blessing in my life - to give me direction, and most importantly, to give me comfort in those times I feel I just need a big hug from my Mom.

I hope you will read these verses too, and ponder deeply upon them. There is a lot of love the scriptures have to offer us, and it gets better the more closely we read.

I leave my testimony with you,

Mallorie