Opening Up to Spiritual Growth - Studying the Book of Mormon

Today at church everyone was baring their testimonies of their excitement of the 2024 Come Follow Me program which is studying the Book of Mormon. I concur with them. I'm exciting too!

Our first week of studies was on the introductory pages of the Book of Mormon. This consisted of the title page, testimony of the three witnesses, testimony of the eight witnesses, testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the brief explanation about the book of Mormon.

As I've pondered what I've read this past week what I keep thinking about is Joseph's father. In Prophet Joseph Smith's testimony he speaks of having been taught by the Angel Moroni and after the third visit he went to work but was exhausted and his father noted it and sent him home. He didn't make it all the way home before the Angel appeared to him again and told him to tell his father, among other things. What has impressed me was his fathers response. "He replied to me that it was of God, and told me to go and do as commanded by the messenger." I've thought a lot about that this week. How impressive and how spiritual he must have been to respond to his son as he did.

In addition, the following were great reads:

The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It? by President Russell M. Nelson. Quote, "We need to feel, deep in "the inmost part" of our hearts, that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God. We must feel it so deeply that we would never want to live even one day without it."

Our Light in the Wilderness. by President Henry B. Eyring. Quote, "Sometimes we need to look back on our lives to remember how we have been helped on our journey. As we look back, we can feel the Savior's influence again. When the scriptures say, "Remember, remember" (Helaman 5:12), I think they're telling us, "Don't just remember what you once knew or felt; rather, feel that light again.""

My Thoughts for 2024

I'm not so good at new year resolutions but I am particularly good at procrastination. So, how can I fix this? Still working on that answer! However, my thoughts for 2024 have been in the following categories BUT not in any particular order: 

• Physical
• Mental
• Spiritual

Physical: I need to be more active. I had been doing fairly good in this area when we first moved to Nova Scotia but then I got a job and it stopped. Les and I have spoken on this topic in great length and what we have determined is that on the weekends we need to get out. This might be as simple as working on our property, beach walks, hikes, etc. There is so much for us to explore as newbies in Nova Scotia, but I know I need to get in better physical shape to do some of the things that we'd like to do. Often, I feel bad that I hinder us in this area, but I also just don't know how to get out of my funk of not doing it. Make sense? Rambling. I know. Anyway, something I'm going to work on. Currently, my thoughts for myself are to do something physical when I get home from work. I can tell you now for my first week into January I went for a walk once after work. I did have a bit busier schedule BUT not THAT busy! Anyway, 1 day out of 7 is a win, isn't it?! 

Mental: Maybe mental isn't the right word when I think of this category? I'm just thinking of doing things IE: hobbies. I read. A LOT. But there is more to life than just reading. So, I need to start working on some of the other things I enjoy doing or want to learn to do. This past year I did get out and learn a few new things just to get out and try something and it was great! You might be asking what I'm thinking of. Well, let me tell you! Here is my list (again in no particular order):

• Genealogy course (this hasn't been touched for a few years)
• Pine basket making (learned to do in 2023 and now my in-laws have sent me piles of pine needles)
• Calligraphy (got the supplies and that's where that ended)
• Learning to play my guitar (started and that's where it ended) 
• All things Cricut (got one for Christmas (thank you Haddad's) and now I look forward to creating)
• Working on a quilt I started years ago

I'm sure the list goes on but that's a start. Can't overwhelm myself now!

Spiritual: I've been in a spiritual funk for quite some time and its time for me to get out of it! I'm going to start having a weekly spiritual blog entry. This helps me rethink what I've learned in my personal studies and in my various meetings. I've wanted to do this for a couple of years now and just never got to, but this is the year!

Honestly, my head is kind of all over the place as I evaluate what I'd like to improve and start working on. For now, these are my thoughts!

 Signing off.

Jen