Dear Family(and anyone else who reads this, teacher? TA? (: welcome to my family blog!),
In my book of Mormon class, I needed to basically teach what I have learned so far. The choices were write a paper, make a lesson, write a blog post with pictures and movies included, a power point, and a few others that... I wasn't thinking were my area of expertise. So, since the point of the project is to teach one another, I figured I would teach my family all the things I have learned! And boy have I learned a lot. To start, this semester I decided to set a goal to comment more in class, especially my religion class. I had started getting into a really bad habit of not commenting in class because I felt SO self conscious after a few times where I was apparently, (it's the Minnesotan I think...) to honest. It was in a church history class where I was just really not happy about how some things went way back when. Anyway, when you comment in class you learn so much more. Then when general conference came around, Elder Nelson's talk made me realize, I need to say things!
I have worthwhile things to say and I might say something no one had thought of because everyone thinks very differently. So, instead of just letting everyone share their insights. I've been sharing mine too. Maybe I'll help someone who knows!
So, let me just give you a quick overview of what we have been talking about in class and then I will tell you what I personally have learned from all of this. And... be excited for that part. I learned some pretty cool stuff that I have been able to apply to my life!
We have been learning about the articles of faith. In this unit we talked about the need for a restoration. We talked about apostasy, about the great apostasy and also personal apostasies. I actually learned quite a bit from my group members. They always have interesting comments and ideas but one person mentioned that the minute you think to yourself, I would never fall into apostasy, I know the church is true. You better be on your toes, because that is when you could fall away!
The restoration is awesome!
Yikes. One of the most profound things I learned was that our church has the priesthood authority to administer ordinances of salvation. How grateful I am for the restoration! We are so blessed to have the gospel, even if... it's stinking hard sometimes! In this unit we also learned more about the Godhead in this unit. I loved this because, I love Heavenly Father, the Savior and the Holy Ghost but sometimes, because I'm human I feel far away from them. And they sometimes seem confusing. But really, if I feel that way it's because I've gone away from them. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and all of us sooo much! So much that he sent the Savior here! That blows my mind. AAAAnd, he gave us the gift of the Holy Ghost so we have unlimited learning!
Joseph Smith said "if men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves." I love that, I wrote in my notes "I am a child of God and with that Knowledge I think differently, other people in the world need the knowledge that I have." In D&C 93:36 it says the glory of God is intelligence, which is light and truth. God isn't up there unconscious. He knows us and loves us. He glories in our victories and feels sad when we do. He loves us more than I can even comprehend, I have only felt a piece of his love but I know He is there. He hears us, He answers our prayers.
One more thing I wanted to mention. There is so much I want to share!! But, that would literally takes... weeks!!!! But, the first thing I learned is that the Holy Ghost has cleansing power. I'm still learning about this but He helps us to gauge our own worthiness. He can teach us so much and help us to know how we are doing. The other thing I wanted to say was about the savior.
I love this picture of the Savior. I've always felt a kinship with Mary too. How glorious to see the risen Savior. And how blessed and loved she must have felt. AND, what faith! Anyway, The savior had and has so much power. He had the power to hop right off the cross and walk away. But He didn't, He stayed. He loves us that much that He experienced Everything! I love Him and I'm so grateful for Him.
Our Second unit was on the second article of faith. In this unit, we learned about the fall and agency. We learned about our glorious mother Eve. I love her.
She is my hero. We learned that to understand the fall you have to understand agency. We CHOSE to come here, no one forced us. I learned that there are three elements of agency: laws/options, knowledge of good and evil, and freedom to choose. Agency is so important! Because of the fall, good and bad things happened. We experience a physical and spiritual death, procreation, we can experience joy because we feel sorrow. We'll have trials and feel pain and temptation. But it is all so we can become like God. It all goes with a theme, we're learning so we can eventually be like Him.
One thing we talked about that I really struggled with, is that everyone doesn't want to become like God... Many people are happy in the state they're in now and that is their choice. That is also a part of agency. We have to allow people to make choices for themselves even if we think it's a horrible choice. We all have equal opportunities. Heavenly Father allowed 1/3 of His children to choose a different path already. I'm sure it was hard for Him. 
The third unit consisted of articles of faith 3 and 4. (see below) In this unit we talked a lot about the atonement and saving ordinances. Two of the most important things.
In this unit I learned so much about the Savior and my relationship to the Holy Ghost. I learned that there is a difference between weakness, sin, transgression and mistakes. I learned more about the plan of salvation. I learned about the celestial Kingdom and who would go there. Because Heavenly Father wants as many people to be there with him as possible. He didn't send us here to fail. Most of all however, I learned about personally applying the atonement and I'm going to tell you guys exactly how!
This Mormon message is really wonderful. I just feel like I need to hear this periodically because sometimes it's hard to have faith that everything will work out when it's not exactly what you wanted or expected.
In class brother Gardner brought up an example with his own daughter. He told us, some day we would have to teach our own children and we better know how to teach them what applying the atonement is. So, he talked about his daughter who he said had a bad self image, and never felt like she was good enough. Well, all I was thinking was hmm, that sounds familiar. Am I right?! Well, it just so happens the night before I had been feeling horrible about myself, I was so stressed I had a million projects I had to work, I was SWAMPED! Now... by this point in our lives I think we've all realized this is Satan's prime when we feel this way. So as if I needed anything else on my plate... I started bad talking myself so much! I felt sad because my grades weren't what I wanted, I felt like I was such a fatty I needed to exercise and lose weight, I just felt worthless. I went to sleep and woke up the next morning still in my schlump. Went to class, went to my next class which was book of Mormon. Someone was sitting in my favorite spot so I didn't pay super close attention the first half of class. But someone made a comment that really struck me! She usually sits around me and her comment was something I've heard a million times but I finally believed it. She said the Savior knew and knows exactly how you would and do feel. He felt your sorrow your pain your worthlessness. He knows you perfectly and He will help you and comfort you and strengthen you. And in that moment the Holy Ghost was so strong! I knew that was true and I knew those feelings I had been feeling were wrong. The Holy Ghost whispered to my heart and reminded me who I am, who loves me and that I have a purpose. I'm important I have a plan and I'm beautiful inside and out. In that moment I felt Heavenly Fathers love for me so strong! Here is the kicker though. I realized that the Holy Ghost is the one who is my communicator with Heavenly Father. And for him to be able to teach me, I need to have the Faith that He will. The rest of the day I felt like I literally and spiritually grew two inches! I stood tall and felt so happy and confident and if any doubts crept into my mind, I immediately prayed. They would wash away and I felt great.
I'm so grateful for what I learned and continue to learn everyday. I decided to write on our family blog post because you guys are the people I love most in the world and I want you to know what I learned. I love you all so much and I am so thrilled that we all get to be together on this roller coaster of life. Life is really hard and full of challenges, but I know that if we just have faith everything will be okay. Just know that Heavenly Father is ALWAYS there. He loves you, He wants to help you and He wants more than anything for all of us to return to him. I love the gospel I love the Savior and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
P.S. The temple is an awesome place.... and this picture was beautiful... I had to share it with you!
(Mandy, this picture is for you. You need this in your house to go with all your other umbrella pictures.)
P.S.S. They're are so many fantastic pictures of the savior out there... just look on pinterest!!! I wanted to put them all on here.
