I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. People refer to us as "Mormons" although the more preferred term is shortened from the name of our church to "LDS." We are admonished to read from the scriptures daily. We believe in the Holy Bible (both Old and New Testaments) and also the Book of Mormon, which is also an ancient scripture written by prophets, but in the New World. I used to be so diligent at reading from the Book of Mormon every day. I thought getting married and having kids would only make it easier. But what I have learned, is that the older we get (and the more family members we add), we tend to get more responsibilities, more struggles, more stress, etc. So I have not been reading like I should. And why should I read if it just makes for another thing to do? Well, we are promised that if we read from the scriptures, we will gain more knowledge of the Gospel, learn more about our Savior, have a stronger relationship with Him, and draw closer to our families. And I personally have seen in my life the power from the scriptures. And to me power from the scriptures has been manifested by giving me answers to questions I have. I know the scriptures contain the fulness of the Gospel. I think it is kind-of easy to find answers to Gospel questions in the scriptures. But what about answers to every day problems that we face? Well, that is why I have decided to start this blog. But I have a very specific question: how can I be a better wife and mother? I started reading with this purpose just 4 days ago, and I have read 3 chapters from the Book of Mormon, in the book of Alma. If you want to look these scriptures up as well but don't have a Book of Mormon, you can go to LDS.org, click on Scriptures with the arrow by it, click Book of Mormon, then Alma, then the chapter. I have been married for 4 1/2 years. I have two beautiful boys. One is almost 3 and the other is almost 1.
In Alma 55 (known as one of the war chapters), it says "Moroni did not delight in murder of bloodshed . . . he would not fall upon the Lamanites and destroy them in their drunkenness . . . [he] had given them power to gain possession of those parts which were within the walls." When I read this I thought of the way I treat my little family. It is my responsibility and privilege to "arm" my children with knowledge, talents, skills, etc. so that they have power to be victorious in anything they want to accomplish. Sometimes I fear that I cut them down and don't let them live up to their potential, even though they are so small. But I also do the same thing to my husband. And in the end, it is me that could destroy them instead of empowering them.
In Alma 57, which is about Helaman's 2000+ Stripling Warriors, states that each young man received many wounds, yet none of the them perished. (v. 25-26) "And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe--that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power." At first reading this, I think people can conclude that if we have enough faith we will not "die" or have other trials come upon us. But this is not and can not be. You and I know many people with great faith but have hardships and trials befall them. I believe that the "miraculous power of God" it is talking about is The Atonement. These young men had faith and believed in the atonement. They were all wounded, meaning they all experienced hardships and sin. But because of the atonement and their faith in the atonement, they could repent and "live" and none of them spiritually perished. I think of raising my two little boys, who will most definitely experience hardships and not always choose the right. But if I as their mother teach them the gospel truths and the great plan of salvation made possible by our Savior, Jesus Christ, they will not only know, but can apply the atonement. They can know that they have a loving Heavenly Father who is prepared a way for them to return to live with Him. And if they follow the gospel teachings, and even if they don't all the time, they can look to our Savior and repent and "live" and not "perish." Verse 33 talks about the Lamanite prisoners who started rebelling, which impelled the Nephites to draw their swords. The Lamanites ran towards the Nephites. Some of them escaped, but the majority were slain by the sword. To me this shows that they were too prideful for the word of God. They weren't humble and therefore died not only spiritually, but physically.
