Personal Progress – Knowledge Value Experience 2

Started January 19, 2016
Finished 1-21-16

Personal Progress – Knowledge Value Experience 2

In your journal list talents you have and others you would like to develop. Read Matthew 25:14–30. Learn a new skill or talent that will help you care for your own future family or home (for example, playing the piano, singing, budgeting, time management, cooking, sewing, or child care). Share with your family, class, or Young Women leader what you have learned.

My talents are:

·         Playing the Piano

·         Organization

·         Playing the Organ

·         Good choir voice

·         Playing the violin and viola

·         Volleyball

·         Basketball

·         Understanding

·         A good listener

·         Good at keeping confidences

·         Budgeting

·         Saving money

·         Cooking

·         Baking

·         Diligent at reading scriptures

·         Diligent at exercising

·         Multi-tasking

Talents I would like to develop:

·         Staying calm and not yelling at my children

·         Crocheting

·         Being more reserved

·         Missionary

·         Patience

·         Charity

·         Better manners

A new talent I am learning that will help me care for my future family is crochet. I will continue to practice so when I am a grandma I can make beautiful baby blankets for my grand babies like my mom made for her grand babies.

Grandpa Sanders' biography

Chad's cousin shared this biography of Grandpa Vearl Sanders on Facebook.  It's wonderful.

A little more of my Dad's biography

My brother Doug has been working on a biography of my Dad.  He has shared parts of it throughout the years.  He recently wrote these pages and gave them to my Mom for her birthday this week.  They are awesome.  (Doug if you don't want this posted here let me know and I'll delete it.  But really I only have like 6 readers on most of my posts so I didn't think it would matter much.)

Personal Progress - Virtue Value Experiences 4

Started on January 5, 2016 

Finished on January 7, 2016

Personal Progress - Virtue Value Experiences 4 

Determine what you can do daily to remain pure and worthy, and write your plan in your journal.

Each day I will come unto Christ by reading the scriptures.  I will do my best to deny myself of all ungodliness and love God with all my might, mind and strength by keeping the commandments.  I will try to recognize the hand of God in my life and deny not his power. (Moroni 10:32-33)

I will also remember that I have taken upon me the name of Christ so that I will do my best to act as He would act.  I will try to always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given me. (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79)

I will kneel down before my Maker, and cry unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul.  I will have faith in Christ.  I will feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren.  (Enos 1)

I will confess and forsake my sins daily.  I will do my best to daily turn away from sin and turn to God.  (For the strength of youth)

Personal Progress – Knowledge value experience 1

Started on January 8, 2016  

Finished on January 15, 2016

Personal Progress – Knowledge value experience 1

Learn about the importance of gaining knowledge by reading Proverbs 1:5; 4:7;2 Nephi 28:30; and Doctrine and Covenants 88:78–80, 118; 90:15; 130:18–19;131:6. Think about why you need to gain knowledge and understanding about how to apply gospel principles to your present and future home and family life. Write in your journal what you have learned about knowledge, and discuss it with a family member or Young Women leader.

I need to gain knowledge and understanding about how to apply gospel principles to my present and future home and family life so I can help bring happiness to my family members and to myself.  Learning the gospel allows us to live the gospel and that brings blessings and happiness.

I have learned that to be wise I need to increase my learning and seek out counsel from other wise people. (Proverbs 1:5)

I have learned that it is important to gain wisdom and understanding.  (Proverbs 4:7)  I think this is important because understanding comes as you live what you learn.  That is how we grow and become more like Christ.

I have learned that God teaches his children line upon line, precept upon precept.  That is why we can continue to learn from the Book of Mormon each time we read it and each time we go to the temple even though we read and hear the same things each time.  When we receive what heavenly Father teaches us he gives us more knowledge.  When we say we have learned enough and don’t try to learn anymore our current knowledge is taken away.  (2 Nephi 28:30)  

I have learned that the Lord can give us knowledge about everything.  “Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms.”  He does this so that we “may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.”  It is also important to seek out of the best books words of wisdom so that we can teach others to have faith with our wisdom.   That will take work, action and trust in the Lord.  (Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-80, 118)

I have learned that it is important to be organized, especially in my church callings.  It is commanded that we study and learn and to be acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people.  To me that means I need to be familiar with those who I am sharing the gospel with.  I need to learn about them to be an effective gospel teacher. (Doctrine and Covenants 90:15)

I have learned that the intelligence we get in this life will rise with us in the resurrection.  I believe intelligence is the righteous and wise use of knowledge which comes through diligence and obedience.  Those who gain more knowledge and intelligence in this life will have an advantage in the world to come.  (D&C 130:18-19)

I have learned “it is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance” (D&C 131:6).  To me that means everyone will have to be taught, exercise faith, repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost in order to be saved.  If people don’t get that opportunity in this life then there are missionaries that will teach them in the next life and temple work can be done for them by those who are living.  When we are taught, exercise faith, repent, get baptized and receive the Holy Ghost we are no longer ignorant and have the potential to be saved.

Personal Progress Virtue 3 Value Experience

December 23, 2015 – Jan. 4, 2016

Personal Progress Virtue 3 Value Experience

Read Alma chapter 5.  Make a list of the questions Alma asks.  Answer the questions for yourself, and make a list of the things you can and will do to prepare yourself to be pure and worthy to enter the temple and receive all the blessings our Heavenly Father has promised His beloved daughters.

List of the questions Alma asks. 

1. And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? I can do better at that.
2. Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? I can do better at that.
3. And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?  I can do better at that.
4. And now I ask of you, my brethren, were they destroyed?  No
5. And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed?  yes
6. And now I ask of you on what conditions are they saved? Faith and Repentance
7. Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? Because of Jesus Christ
8. What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell?  Because of Jesus Christ
9. Behold, I can tell you—did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi? yes
10. And was he not a holy prophet? yes
11. Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them? yes
12. And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? yes
13. Have ye received his image in your countenances? I hope so.
14. Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?  yes
15. Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? yes
16. Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?  yes
17.  I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?  yes
18. Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you?  No
19.  Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?  I hope that my repentance will be sufficient so that I don’t have guilt and remorse.  I hope that I will know that I have been cleansed by the power of the atonement.
20. I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I hope so.  I am striving for that.
21. I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?  I hope so.  I am striving for that.
22. I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?  No
23. And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? I would feel ashamed.
24. Behold, what will these things testify against you?  They would testify that I am not worthy.
25. Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, and also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?  yes
26. Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white?  No
27. And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?  Yes I can feel that.  I try to stay worthy of that at all times.
28. Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God?  I can do better at that.
29. Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? I can do better at that.
30. That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?  I can do better at that.
31. Behold, are ye stripped of pride?  I can do better at that.
32. Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I can do better at that.
33. And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?  I can do better at not mocking.  I don’t think I heap persecutions on anyone.
34. And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye?  I do my best to be a sheep of the good shepherd because I know if I am not in his fold then I am in the fold of the devil.
35. Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this?  I don’t deny it.  
36. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself?  I believe that he had his testimony from above.
37.  And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? By revelation.
38. And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? No
39. Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of God, wherewith they have been brought into this church, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works which are meet for repentance— No
40. Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them? No
41. For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right hand. And now, my brethren, what have ye to say against this?  Nothing to say against it.
42. For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? I know that the Lord places shepherds to watch over me.  They are my local and general church leaders.  I will listen to their counsel so that wolves will not destroy me.
43. And behold, if a wolf enter his flock doth he not drive him out?  I will do my best not to allow a wolf to enter my life and if I notice that one has entered, I will drive it out.

List of things I can and will do to prepare myself to be pure and worthy to enter the temple and receive all the blessing our Heavenly Father has promised His beloved daughters.

• Fast
• Pray every day, at least twice a day
• Keep my testimony bright.
• Be worthy of the Holy Ghost and keep the spirit of revelation in me.
• Repent every day
• Don’t take offense
• Forgive quickly
• Assume the best in others
• Look for the good in others
• Bring forth good fruit
• Be humble
• Don’t set my heart upon riches
• Come out from the wicked and be separate.  Touch not their unclean things.
• Hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd and allow myself to be brought into his fold.
• Do not allow a ravenous wolf to enter into my life.

Personal Progress Virtue Value Experience #2

Dec. 22, 2015

Personal Progress Virtue Value Experience #2

Read the following scripture references and identify the promised blessings: John 14:26–27; 15:26; 2 Nephi 32:1–5; and Doctrine and Covenants 45:57–59; 88:3–4; 121:45–46.In your journal record what you have learned, and write about a time when you felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

• In John 14:26-27 I am promised that the Comforter, or the Holy Ghost, will teach me all things and bring all things to my remembrance.  It will also bring peace, calm my troubled heart and not let it be afraid.
• In John 15:26 I am promised that the Comforter will testify of Christ.
• In 2 Nephi 32:1-5 I am promised that after I receive the Holy Ghost I can speak with the tongue of angels, which are the words of Christ.  If I feast on the words of Christ they will tell me all things what I should do.  I need to ask and knock so I can understand the words.
• In Doctrine and Covenants 45:57-59 I am promised that if I take the Holy Spirit for my guide I will not be deceived or hewn down and cast into the fire at the last day.  The earth will be given to me for an inheritance, I shall wax strong and my children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.  The Lord will be in my midst and his glory shall be upon me and he will be my king and lawgiver.  I imagine that if I don’t qualify for those blessings than Satan will be my lawgiver.  That is a scary thought.
• In Doctrine and Covenants 88:3-4 I learn that the Comforter that I was given when I was baptized is the same comforter that the Lord gave unto is disciples in Bible times.  It is the promise of eternal life and the glory of the celestial kingdom.
• In Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46 I learn that if I am full of charity towards all men, let virtue garnish my thoughts at all times then my confidence will grow strong in the presence of God, the doctrine of the priesthood will distil upon my soul, the Holy Ghost shall be my constant companion, and my dominion shall be everlasting and without compulsory means it shall flow unto me forever and ever.

I have felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost each time it has been my turn to teach a combined young women lesson, which is every three months.  I have known what the Lord wanted me to teach to those sweet young women.  The topics have varied greatly, but I knew the Lord was guiding me to what He wanted me to teach them.  It has been a great blessing in my life.   I have also felt the Holy Ghost testify to me of the love that Heavenly Father has for them.  It has increased my love for them as I have felt that.

Personal Progress Individual Worth value experience #1

December 21, 2015

Personal Progress Individual Worth value experience #1

Write in your journal how these scriptures teach you that Heavenly Father knows me, loves me, and is mindful of you.

• In Psalm 8:4-6 I learn that I have been crowned with glory and honor, that I have been given dominion, or been entrusted, over the works of His hands.
• In Jeremiah 1:5 I learn that the Lord knew me and sanctified me before I was even born.  He knows my talents and abilities better than I know my children and their talents and abilities.  He gave me a mission to fulfil.
• In John 13:34 I learn that Heavenly Father loves me and that he loves all His children so He wants me to treat then as He would if He were here.
• In Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 I learn that my worth is great in the sign of God.  It is the devil who tempts me with feelings of low self-worth; it is him who tempts me to feel like I’m not talented enough or skinny enough, etc.
• In Abraham 3:22-23 I learn that Heavenly Father stood with interacted and talked with His spirit children before they were born.  He saw that they were good, so I am good.  He created an earth for me and his other spirits to dwell on.
• In Joseph Smith – History 1:1-20 I learn that a contentious spirit is not conducive to sharing the gospel. Joseph Smith recognized the hypocrisy of the religious sects his in time, “so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions”.  I learn that I can go to God with my questions and my problems with a sincere heart and He will liberally answer my prayers and he will not get mad at me for asking.  Heavenly Father knows what is happening in my life.  He knows my name and the things I am struggling with.  He is more powerful than Satan and can release me from Satan’s power.