Day 242 Today's reading: Alma 58:13-29

Question of the day: What was Heleman's strategy to regain possession of the city of Manti?

Manti was acquired as the Nephites postured to fight against the city with all their forces in the land. Then by careful maneuvering they were able to move parts of the army out of view. When the Lamanites came to battle they followed only a portion away from Manti. The Nephite army was quick enough to stay out of reach and not engage in battle, while the rest of the hidden Nephite army snuck in and took Manti. One of the great miracles is that heading towards Zarahemla gave them a significant psychological advantage in that the Lamanites thought they would end up battling a much larger army (they didn't know that little support was coming from Zarahemla at the time).

D&C: Blacks receive the priesthood. 

Day 232 Today's reading: Alma 53:1-17

Question of the day: How are the people of Ammon a symbol of sacrifice?

This was a people willing to give up anything and everything which the Lord required of them. Their lives first of all, then their substance to support the Nephites in battle (who were protecting them), and finally their sons. There were even times when they were willing to break their solemn oath that they might not be a burden to the Nephites, but of course they were more willing to follow the commandments of God.

D&C 133: So much information on the Second Coming of Christ.

Day 228 Today's reading: Alma 51:13-21

Question of the day: What is the relationship between pride and gratitude?

In my simple way of thinking I've always seen gratitude as the antidote to pride. But gratitude does not seem to come as simply 'counting your blessings'. It seems as it if is a gift that must be given from heaven, like most other gifts, charity for example. 

D&C 132: The Sealing Power

Day 225 Today's reading: Alma 50:1-20

Question of the day: What can you do to cut off your spiritual enemies from their strongholds?
How do we build up walls with timbers and pickets to keep ourselves spiritually strong. We hear of prophets saying they hope to endure to the end. If they think on this how much more do we need to, especially where Elder Hamula was recently excommunicated.



D&C 128: Joseph Smith references the Lord as the King Emmanuel, this reminds me of the reference in the Living Christ document.

Day 222 Today's reading: Alma 48:1-18

Question of the day: "Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God." Why is it important to fortify both physically and spiritually?

We are judged by our thoughts our words and our deeds. There is a progression there, you don't get deeds with out the thoughts. I think there has to be a certain amount of fortification spiritually in preparation to be fortified physically -- there is a progression there too.

There is commentary in this chapter about what Amalikiah and Captain Moroni wanted or desired. The communicated this and took action accordingly. 

I believe the Lord was merciful to give the people Captain Moroni who could be an equal and even a greater force for good than was Amalikiah. I imagine this is a type of the Savior and Satan.

D&C 124, 125, 126: Details about Quorums their keys and their responsibilities. A message to Brigham Young that he no longer needs to travel but can stay home and take care of his family.

Day 217 Today's reading: Alma 45:15-46:10

Question of the day: Why should we be wary of the "flatteries" of men??

Those flatteries will lead us in the wrong direction.

I was also thinking about how Alma was never heard of more. I suppose it was easy enough for one person to just disappear walking between cities. They knew he was headed to Melek, did they go after him and ask about him in Melek at some point?

D&C 124: Joseph is asked to write something that will go to the leaders of the nation and world, drawing attention to Zion.

Day 211 Today's reading: Alma 42:26-43:14

Question of the day: How does Alma's advice to Corianton differ from his advice to his other sons Helaman & Shiblon?

Alma knew of Corianton's sins, and of the damaged cause by his actions, and I think he also must have understood something of the doctrinal questions he maintained, possibly as justification for not following or keeping the commandments. 

It is sad to see how many dissented to become Lamanites from the Nephites, even from the church.

D&C 113: Answers to questions about chapters in Isaiah. 

Day 208 Today's reading: Alma 40:15-26

Question of the day: Who will be resurrected? When will they be resurrected?

All will be resurrected. We will be resurrected when the Lord comes again. 

D&C 109, 110: In the temple dedication they ask that the temple can be a place where the Lord can manifest himself. Then in section 110 the Lord responds that he will manifest himself there.

Day 202 Today's reading: Alma 36:25-37:10

Question of the day: What small and simple ways have you been blessed? How have those small blessings led to great things?

I have certainly been blessed in small and simple ways that have turned out to be grand miraculous blessings in my life. One way that I have seen this is when I have turned to the scriptures amid a trial or significant challenge. Every time I have done this I believe the Lord has lessened my load or made it bearable. How grateful I am for how the scriptures have helped and blessed my life. 

D&C 107: We learn so much about the Priesthood here. I was taken by verses 18 and 19 which talk about the blessings of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Day 201 Today's reading: Alma 36:1-24

Question of the day: What about Alma's conversion story stands out to you the most?

The pure love of Jesus Christ. As soon as Alma knew where to turn for relief, and he did it, he was freed from torment. As automatic as that seems, it is a manual gift from a loving Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. 

D&C 105

Day 200 Today's reading: Alma 35:1-16

Question of the day: How are the people in Jershon an example of charity?

The people of Jershon were willing to take in the poor of the Zoramites, even when threatened by the Zoramite leadership.  In my D&C reading today the saints were chastized for not caring for the poor as they ought to have (Sect. 105:3)

Day 198 Today's reading: Alma 34:1-16

Question of the day: The people had gospel truths taught to them bountifully before their dissension. What must happen for teachings to become testimonies?

Teachings must be lived, retaught, and studied. Sharing our testimonies once a month can help with this. I also believe that an principle of the gospel in which we have faith or some belief, needs to be reassured. We need to always seek the feelings of the Spirit to confirm again and again, even deepen our belief and faith in the various principles of the gospel.

D&C 104: United Order. Property assigned out. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if we still lived the United Order. I know we have tithing and fast offerings that help replace the United Order, but I wonder if my heart is in a place where I could live this order without coveting or being jealous of others. 

Day 192 Today's reading: Alma 31:1-23

Question of the day: How is the word more powerful on the minds of the people than the sword?

The word can affect the heart and the mind. Through the word one can feel the Love of God, which truly changes people. Whereas, the sword is used to create pain and ultimately instill fear. While these are motivators, their affect is on a single person. When one is affected by the Love of God, that person in turn will desire to share that with others. In other words love spreads well from person, to family, to community, to nation, while fear remains fairly well contained to a few individuals. The word brings love to all.

D&C 101: Instructions from the Lord to be faithful

Day 190 Today's reading: Alma 30:29-45

Question of the day: How does having a sign affect one's faith?

Signs follow faith, they confirm and reassure one in their faith. Seeking a sign when faith is not already present is the wicked route to knowledge, and doesn't even work. In Matthew 12:39 the Lord teaches that a wicked and adulterous generation seeks a sign.

D&C 98: The Lord teaches about forgiveness and when it is okay to defend oneself and ones family and when it is not. There are references to children's children, both being blessed and being cursed. I couldn't help but wonder towards the end of the section if the people of Ammon were an example of a generation that was no longer under a curse where their parents may have been, which kept them from the gospel.

Day 186 Today's reading: Alma 27:16-28:8

Question of the day: What has the Lord done to help you keep your covenants?

Provided His Spirit. His Spirit represents or just plain is His comfort, guidance, assurances, etc. It is the essence of feeling his Love.

I believe the people of Ammon felt this.

D&C: The Lord tells His people that He loves them. His desire for a temple is to bless them. The temple is there for us to receive power from on high. I love the temple.

Day 184 Today's reading: Alma 26:17-37

Question of the day: What did you learn from Ammon's testimony?

He was so full of gratitude, even for the most difficult experiences a person could pass through. They set out to accomplish something and they were not deterred. I think I need to have a better attitude about seeking out certain experiences, as I am prompted, and then not be deterred by difficulties or naysayers or my own bad attitudes, but continue in faith, the comfort of the Spirit, optimism, and even gratitude and praise towards God, until I have accomplished that goal. 

D&C 93, 94: The Lord explains why he called them servants, but now calls them friends. A building committee was begun.

What does it mean to be removed? How often did it happen? What does it look like today? Have I ever been removed from a position because I was not as faithful or diligent in it as I ought to have been?

Day 183 Today's reading: Alma 26:1-16

Question of the day: How is it a blessing to be an instrument in the hands of God?

Clayton Christensen talks about how he struggled to feel the spirit of the Lord in his life, despite his service in the church and careful daily habits of prayer and scripture study. He came to learn that the greater power of the Spirit were reserved for those who were willing to be on the front lines of the work - missionary work. As he made intentional efforts to share the gospel, he found an increased infusion of the Spirit in his life. That is the blessing of being an instrument in the hands of God. To have a greater endowment of the Spirit is a greater endowment of feeling the Lords love for us. There is no greater joy than that.

D&C 93: Such a deep section, but so powerful in terms of us understanding our relationship to God and our potential to receive all that the Father has through His beloved Son Jesus Christ.

Day 173 Today's reading: Alma 20:1-18

Question of the day: How do you express love for your family members of other faiths?

Had this thought while reading about the encounter of Ammon, King Lamoni, and his father. King Lamoni wanted to take Ammon to meet his father in the Land of Nephi. Ammon received the message from the Lord that he should not meet the King of the Lamanites because he would kill him, and that he should go rescue his brethren in Middoni. What is so amazing is that King Lamoni gets his righteous wish while going to do that which the Lord commanded him. Ammon meets the King of the Lamanites and starts the work King Lamoni knew he would. 

I imagine that if they had done things King Lamoni's way, and not the Lord's, Ammon's life would have been in danger. But in this way everyone's needs were met.

D&C 85: The law of consecration

Day 172 Today's reading: Alma 19:22-36

Question of the day: How has Ammon's missionary experience been different than Alma and Amulek's?

Teaching those that have not known the truth is different than those that know the truth and have chosen to turn away from it. Ammon was able to teach a people that were not already decidedly against the gospel.

D&C 84: I love verse 88 about the Lord being with us, and angels round about.

Day 170 Today's reading: Alma 18:24-19:11

Question of the day: How do common beliefs help us share the gospel?

Ammon was able to build upon the idea of a Great Spirit and show that with a few simple corrections they were actually referring to the same God.

I love the faith of King Lamoni's wife.

D&C 84: Here we have the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. I've always felt like I didn't know where the Oath and Covenant ended. The beginning is always with verse 33, but should it end at 38? or 39? or 40? or somewhere else?