Completion of Personal Progress - My Testimony of the Savior and His Chruch

April 4, 2016

My Testimony

Now that you are ready to receive the Young Womanhood Recognition, record your testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and His Church. 

I love my Savior Jesus Christ.  He is my friend.  He is my Redeemer.  I am grateful that because of Him I can be cleansed from sin each week as I partake of the sacrament.  I am grateful that I can use the power of His Atonement to grow and learn to be better when I am struggling with something hard or learning to do something new.  It enables me to be better.  I am grateful that because of him I can be resurrected and live eternally with my family if I live worthily. 

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ’s restored church.  I know that by going to church each week I can be edified and edify others.  I can serve and be served.  I can learn how to be a little bit better each day, renew my covenants and my testimony, and most importantly be cleansed from sin as I take the sacrament.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Virtue Value Project

Finished reading the Book of Mormon on

·         Aug. 29, 2014

·         May 25, 2015 and

·         Mar. 21, 2016

Virtue Value Project

The Savior chose to live a virtuous life. Follow His admonition to “learn of me” (D&C 19:23) by reading the entire Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Liken the scriptures to your life and circumstances. As you read, record your thoughts regularly in your journal. Note the example of the Savior. What did He and those who followed Him do to live virtuous lives? At the completion of your reading, record your testimony.

As you read, record your thoughts regularly in your journal.

Dec. 22, 2015

Helaman 4:1-4

1 And it came to pass in the fifty and fourth year there were many dissensions in the church, and there was also a contention among the people, insomuch that there was much bloodshed.

 2 And the rebellious part were slain and driven out of the land, and they did go unto the king of the Lamanites.

 3 And it came to pass that they did endeavor to stir up the Lamanites to war against the Nephites; but behold, the Lamanites were exceedingly afraid, insomuch that they would not hearken to the words of those dissenters.

 4 But it came to pass in the fifty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, there were dissenters who went up from the Nephites unto the Lamanites; and they succeeded with those others in stirring them up to anger against the Nephites; and they were all that year preparing for war.

I have noticed that when people leave the church today many times they follow this same pattern that the Nephite dissenters chose.  Those who leave the church stir people up the anger against the church.  Chad says it is so they can feel good about their decision by getting other people to agree with them.

Dec. 6, 2015

Another way we can be missionaries is to defend our beliefs.  A few weeks ago I was listening to my scriptures while I was straitening my hair for church.  I was listening to Alma 46.  The chapter heading of that scripture stood out to me.  It says:

Amalickiah conspires to be king—Moroni raises the title of liberty—He rallies the people to defend their religion—True believers are called Christians—A remnant of Joseph will be preserved—Amalickiah and the dissenters flee to the land of Nephi—Those who will not support the cause of freedom are put to death. About 73–72 B.C. 

I have been taught that the book of Alma is a type and shadow of our day.   Two definitions of types and shadows:

·         “There are many accounts in the scriptures that are intended to be ‘shadows’ or ‘types’ of something else. A type is a symbol that foreshadows a future event. We can learn more about an event by studying the details of types or shadows that foreshadow that event. https://www.lds.org/manual/old-testament-seminary-teacher-manual/genesis-continued/home-study-lesson-genesis-19-27-unit-6?lang=eng

·         “‘Typology is a figure of speech that moves in time: the type exists in the past and the antitype in the present, or the type exists in the present and the antitype in the future.’ The implications this has on our understanding of scriptural history are profound.” http://www.ldsliving.com/Types-and-Shadows-The-Old-Testament-Revealed/s/5129

So now that we know that the Book of Alma foreshadows our day and the things that will take place let’s read that chapter heading again.  There were two things that really stood out to me.

Amalickiah conspires to be king—1. Moroni raises the title of liberty—He rallies the people to defend their religion—True believers are called Christians—A remnant of Joseph will be preserved—Amalickiah and the dissenters flee to the land of Nephi—2.Those who will not support the cause of freedom are put to death. About 73–72 B.C. 

1.      President Monson and other general authorities have given us a modern day title of liberty.  Pres. Monson said, “Inasmuch as the trend in society today is rapidly moving away from the values and principles the Lord has given us, we will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which we believe. Will we have the courage to do so?” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/be-strong-and-of-a-good-courage?lang=eng

2.      Those who do not defend the gospel may risk spiritual death.

“President Thomas S. Monson has been raised up for our time. His life and teachings are the message God has sent to protect and bless us today.” https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/10/the-book-of-alma-lessons-for-today?lang=eng

Note the example of the Savior. What did He and those who followed Him do to live virtuous lives?

The Savior led a virtuous life by always doing the Father’s will.  He lived a perfect, virtuous life so he could be the light of the world.  “Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world.  Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do” (3 Nephi 18:24).  He appeared to and taught the Nephites how they could follow Him and how they should administer in the church.  He taught them the doctrine of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.  Those who followed the Savior led virtuous lives by coming to Christ through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.  They stood as witnesses of Jesus Christ, shared their testimonies of Him and taught others his gospel, goodness and of the atonement.

At the completion of your reading, record your testimony.

April 4, 2016

I love the Book of Mormon.  I know that it is the word of God.  I have read it several times.  I read from it every day, with very few exceptions.  I love the truths that it contains.  I know that reading it builds my faith and gives me protection from Satan’s influence and temptations.  I do my best to claim the blessings it promises.  It brings me happiness and peace.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Individual Worth Value Project

Individual Worth Value Project

You have a unique and divine mission to perform on the earth and have been blessed with talents to accomplish this mission.  As you complete one of the following projects, you will witness the value and contribution of others and also see the influence you can have in the lives of others.  Express your gratitude to those with whom you work and record your experiences in your journal.

My project was to

• Share one of your gifts by instructing or tutoring someone in an academic subject, music, a sport, or an artistic skill.

April 4, 2016

I completed this project by teaching Spencer, Bryant and Karalee piano lessons and by helping Marlee with her school work and reading.  I have witnessed how each of them improved a lot over time by practicing regularly each week.  Their small efforts each day brought and continue to bring great results.  I’ve noticed that when I am patient and complimentary they do well, feel good about themselves and have fun learning.  When I lose patience it makes them feel badly and they don’t want to play or read.  I am thankful for their diligence and hard work.  They are learning amazing things.  I am grateful for their bravery as they learn to play for others.

Personal Progress – Integrity Value Experience #3

Started March 8, 2016

Finished April 4, 2016

Personal Progress – Integrity Value Experience #3

The Savior is the perfect example of integrity; He did what He promised the Father He would do. Read 3 Nephi 11:10–11. Study the lives of other individuals in the scriptures who lived with integrity. Read Genesis 39; the book of Esther; Job 2:3; 27:3–6; Daniel 3 and 6; Acts 26; Doctrine and Covenants 124:15; and Joseph Smith—History 1:21–25. In your journal identify the ways these people demonstrated integrity. Think of a time when you had the courage to show integrity, especially when it was not easy or popular. Share your experience and your feelings about it in a testimony meeting or lesson or with a parent or leader.

Identify the ways these people demonstrated integrity-

 3 Nephi 11:10–11 - The Savior demonstrated integrity by doing that which he was called to do even though it was hard and by always doing the will of the Father.  “I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.”

Genesis 39 –   Joseph demonstrated integrity by refusing to lie with Potiphar’s wife, even though he was a servant and she was a higher class than him and she probably could have made his life more miserable.  He didn’t just refuse her once, but several times.  When she tried to trap him, he fled.  He knew it would be great wickedness and a sin against God to lie with her.

The book of Esther – Esther demonstrated integrity by not counting her life above the lives of her people.  She knew she had been placed in a position to act and that she had a responsibility to her act in behalf of her people.  She fasted and prayed and asked others to fast and pray for her success and safety.  She was wise and thoughtful as to how she could best save her life and the lives of her people—she waited 3 days to make her request to the king, keeping him in suspense and demonstrating how important it was to her.

Job 2:3 – Job demonstrated integrity by living an upright life, fearing God and eschewing evil.  He had integrity even when things got hard for him.

Job 27:3-6 –  Job demonstrated integrity by making the commitment to not speak wickedness nor utter deceit as long as he lived.  He said, “till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.”  He determined to hold fast to his righteousness and not let it go.

Daniel 3 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego showed integrity by refusing to bow down to an idol, even when the consequence was death.  They knew, loved and trusted God.  “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”  They did not want to offend God or break his commandments.  They showed their love to God by keeping his commandments.  Heavenly Father delivered them from the furnace and also sent an angel to be with them during that time. 

Daniel 6 – Daniel showed integrity by serving the king in such a way that “the presidents and princes [who] sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; …could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.”  They also knew that Daniel prayed and worship God faithfully so they passed a law saying that no one could pray.  Daniel continued to pray even though the consequence was to be thrown into the lion’s den.  Heavenly Father delivered Daniel from the Lion’s den.  He sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, because Daniel was innocent.

Acts 26 – Paul showed integrity by being obedient to the heavenly vision of Jesus Christ he was given.  Even when he was in prison for preaching of Christ he testified of Christ to the king and was willing to be put to death for his beliefs and testimony.

Doctrine and Covenants 124:15 –  Hyrum Smith showed integrity by loving what is right before the Lord.  He was blessed and loved of the Lord because of his integrity.

Joseph Smith—History 1:21–25 – Joseph Smith showed integrity by never denying his vision, even though he was hated and persecuted for saying that he had seen a vision.     He knew what was true in his heart.  He knew God knew he had seen a vision so he could not, nor dared not deny it because he knew that would offend God and bring him condemnation.

I show integrity by planning my vacations so we do not travel or play at the beach on the Sabbath day.