Day 315 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 27:1-12 // Mark

Question of the day: What do you do to you take Christ's name upon you each day?

Again I don't have a well formed answer for this question, but it was also the question I noted in my margins. How should I take upon me the name of Christ? What does that look like? In many ways I know I already do, but how could I improve upon it to do a little better? As I pondered upon these questions a primary song came to mind -- I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ. Here are the lyrics:

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I know who I am.
I know God’s plan.
I’ll follow Him in faith.
I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
I’ll honor His name.
I’ll do what is right; I’ll follow His light.
His truth I will proclaim.

The more I think about the words of this song the more clearly I recognize the many ways I already take upon me the name of Christ and the many more ways that I can. 

In this section I was also impressed by the beginning of the chapter. The question the disciples of Christ had about what name they church should take on was really important to them; so much so that they approached it in mighty prayer and fasting. This preparation opened the way for the Savior himself to come and visit them and teach them. Pretty amazing.

Mark: Jesus teaches the higher law of marriage. The conversation is about divorce and what Moses proscribed and what he proscribes. 

Day 297 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 12:1-24 // Matthew 25

Question of the day: How do you make sure you aren't putting your light under a bushel?

There are so many ways I think we do put our light under a bushel. But what concerns me most are the opportunities to share of my testimony and my beliefs about the gospel. Not just in a missionary sense but in terms of strengthening my children, co-workers, friends, and family. Do they know of my beliefs of my testimony. And does that testimony reflect back to the goodness of God.

Matthew 25: Parables about the second coming and our preparation.

I am pleased to be reading in 3 Nephi about Jesus visit to the Americas. I'm also pleased that at the same time I'm enjoying reading from the New Testament about the life of the Savior. This will be my focus, studying the life of the Savior, through the end of the year. 

Day 295 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 11:1-17 //

Question of the day: How can we keep our ears and hearts open to the whisperings of the Spirit? 

I'm preparing to speak in church next Sunday on Honoring the Sabbath and the Sacrament. As I read this passage I could not help but think about how I need to gauge Sabbath observance by how much I feel the spirit. This led to the thought that I need to work with my family to help them learn how to be spiritually self-reliant how do we create the spiritual environment at a personal level where the spirit can be felt and influence our thoughts and actions.

Matthew 23 - Jesus tells his disciples to be careful about which titles they use. He says they should not be called Rabbi, Master, or Father. These titles are already employed by Heavenly Father and Jesus and should not be used by men on earth in religious positions.

Day 293 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 9:1-22 // Matthew 22:1-23

1. What thoughts do others in my family have about 3 Nephi 9?
2. 3 Ne 9:15 Jesus as the creator of the earth has all power over it, he can change it however and whenever he wants. Whereas, satan does not have this power. Not sure why that is really relevant but I thought about it, especially as it is in the temple, "I reign from..."
3. 3 Ne 9:15 If I ever have faith to move a mountain it will only ever be under Jesus' power, permission, and tutelage.
4. 3 Ne 9:20 The law of Moses is done away and Jesus teaches that the new sacrifice that is required is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. This is what is needed from us to worship fully on the Sabbath. 
5. 3 Ne 9:22 We are to approach the Savior as little children, I read this just as Hannah woke up came out of her room and climbed onto my lap without a word. I don't know fully what she thought or felt but it helped me imagine the warmth and comfort of submissively entering the Savior's embrace.

Question of the day: What do you think it means to offer a sacrifice of “a broken heart and a contrite spirit”? What blessings does the Savior promise to those who come unto Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit?

Matthew 22:1-23
The wedding story has always interested me. I have wondered how closely the traditions mentioned in the parable were exactly like what we read. I always picture one of our wedding receptions and somebody dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and them getting bound hand and foot and taken from the reception. As I write this I realize it is probably a little more like how we do not allow those that don't have a recommend into the temple. 

Day 292 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 8:5-25 // Matthew

Question of the day: How can we prepare today for the Savior’s Second Coming?

We need to pray with the intent to hear the word of the Lord and plan to repent every day, probably more than once a day. The Lord will show us where we are weak, we can get His feedback, we can change and we can be forgiven.

I was impressed that when it says there was destruction for 3 hours, but then it says others said it was longer, that it probably was 3 hours as the number 3 is representative of God. (3 Nephi 8:19)

Matthew 21:46 The scribes and pharisees want to kill Jesus because he gives them a parable in which they recognize that he has said they would take and kill the son of God or the Son of the Lord of the vineyard.

Day 291 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 7:15-8:4 // Matthew 19

Question of the day: What part does the Holy Ghost play in conversion?

There is no conversion without the Holy Ghost. Our role as missionaries is merely to help create the conditions where the Holy Ghost can testify of truths to bring about a conversion.

I wondered at Nephi's being visited with angels daily (3 Nephi 7:19). What would that be like? How does one get to that standing with the Lord? Or maybe it is never relevant in our day because we have prophets, apostles, Seventies, Stake President's, and Bishops.

Matthew: Read of the laborers how those they were all paid the same even though they started at different times.

Day 290 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 7:1-14 // Matthew 18 and 19

Question of the day: How and why is Satan trying to divide people today?

3 Nephi 7:14: How do we keep our hearts turned to God?  I think we start with prayer. Or at least that is where I feel I need to do better.

Matthew 19: What God hath joined let no man put asunder. Meaning we are not at liberty to just marry and divorce as wanted... We really must see ourselves as joined to that person and need to work to be one completely.

Day 324 Today's reading: Mormon 2:17-29

Question of the day: What can we learn from Mormon's faithful example during very difficult times?

Hold to the word of God. Continue to think about and fight for others (Country, family, community).

Day 320 Today's reading: 4 Nephi 1:1-22

Question of the day: How can your efforts to be righteous influence the happiness and well-being of those around you?

Certainly our attitudes and emotional well-being rubs off on others. We are brought down by sin, poor health choices, and in other ways. I think as we do our best to put Christ and His commandments first in our lives we are able to find a structure of joy and peace that undergirds the rest of life and life's activities and challenges. Then there is a hope that that peace and joy is contagious or at least that others will be curious as to why and then as they make the same choices that we can unify and help each other progress in this happiness.

Day 319 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 29:1-30:2

Question of the day: Why is it important to understanding that Christ always keeps his promises to his children?

I think it is helpful to see His promises fulfilled overtime not only to develop faith and hope in Him, but to realize He is the same God, from the beginning of time until Eternity.

Day 317 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 28:1-24

Question of the day: What joy have you felt in sharing the gospel with others or having the gospel shared with you?

There was great joy in sharing the gospel on my mission. It was hard but the joy outweighed the difficulty.

I remember finding joy in sharing the gospel prior to my mission. 

Day 316 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 27:13-33

Question of the day: How can you strive to be more like Christ in your life?

Jesus knew His Father.  I'm not sure I know all the ways He came to know Him, But I believe the same is expected of us. We cannot become more like the Savior until we know more about Him, how He followed His Father, and His atonement.  Tell me the stories of Jesus...

Day 315 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 27:1-12

Question of the day: What do you do to you take Christ's name upon you each day?

I study, I pray, I repent, and I do my very best to keep the commandments. I also think my efforts to lead my family in righteous practices is really important. To me, leading in righteous family practices is exercising the priesthood or the power of God. Somehow I think this is very much taking upon me Christ's name.

Day 314 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 26:1-21

Question of the day: How did the Nephites demonstrate their faith in Christ's words after he had departed from them?

3 Nephi 26:19 - And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another.

Sounds like the perfect way to live; Home teaching at its best!

Day 313 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 24:1-25:6

Question of the day: What blessings have you received after faithfully paying your tithing?

I'm not sure I can think of one specific example of the blessings that have come from paying tithing, but I know unequivocally that the blessings to have enough have always been there.

These verses actually caused me to go back and reflect on how I pay my tithing, or organize my finances to be ready to pay tithing.  I'm going to try something different this month and see if I feel any difference.

One other thing that has been a great blessing, when we do it, is to have a family council on the first Sunday of each month where we talk about fast offerings and other donations we can make. The children help us decide how much we will pay in these various funds. It is a blessing to hear the children talk through what they think would be appropriate. We don't pay a set amount for fast offerings any more. And we are now contributing a small amount for each child to the other donation categories as directed by the children. This month there was a special feeling as Kimball recognized that he wanted his money to go towards a missionary who just got his call. I don't think Kimball knows that that family struggles financially. When Kimball had made his choice the others all followed his example. 

Day 312 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 23:1-14

Question of the day: Why is it important to keep a record of our spiritual experiences?

In my personal notes I found myself really only thinking about the value of the words of the prophets, and this because of who those prophets are. They are men we trust speak with God, we trust their ability to receive prophecies and revelations and to act as seers. This is a good thing. But this question brings to mind the responsibility we all have to grow in the gifts of prophecy and revelation. I believe that one way we do this is through noting the promptings we get as we study. I am certainly not as consistent as I should be, but as I do I know I grow in power to do this. I also believe that those prophets and apostles whose words we value so much gained their power through these same practices.

Day 311 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 22:1-17

Question of the day: What do these verses teach us about the ""heritage of the servants of the Lord?

The heritage of the servants of the lord is protection against the destroyer (temple covenants?), but there are also promises of kindness mercy and peace.  I believe this is our day, part of the last days.

Day 310 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 21:1-29

Question of the day: What signs of the gathering of Israel do we see today?

We gather into the stakes of zion people from almost every nation through missionary work.

Where is this new Jerusalem? Where will it be? How will it be established or is it already being established as the stakes of Zion grow.

Day 309 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 20:20-46

Question of the day: What blessings do we receive when we make covenants with Heavenly Father?

The blessings of peace and joy stand out to me most of all. I very much appreciated Pres. Nelson's talk (hyperlinked to the talk) from this last conference about feeling joy even on bad days, weeks, months or even years. 

Day 308 Today's reading: 3 Nephi 19:30-20:19

Question of the day: How can you make sure your heart is open to receive the revelation that is available to you?

In my opinion this takes practice, we have to pray and ask.  We need to study and ponder - really think upon the things we are learning about.  I find this is easiest when I write what I'm thinking. Amidst that which I write I see that there is revelation, I realize the thoughts are unique and not solely of my own creation.  Is not this revelation?

It is here that we are reminded of the need to study the words of Isaiah.  That's a real challenge