Day 6- 2 Nephi 7-11

Scripture Study: 2 Nephi 7-11

Mark and Ponder: 2 Nephi 2:27 Wherefore, men are free‍ according to the flesh; and all‍ things are given‍ them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty‍ and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable‍ like unto himself.

Thought for the day:
"Integrity is doing the right thing even if nobody is watching"
- Anonymous

"Perhaps the surest test of an individual’s integrity is his refusal to do or say anything that would damage his self-respect."
- Thomas S. Monson

Scriptures I marked today...

2 Nephi 8:9 Awake, awake! Put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the ancient days.

2 Nephi 8:12 I am‍ he; yea, I am he that comforteth you.

2 Nephi 8:24 Awake, awake, put on thy Strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no‍ more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

2 Nephi 9: 6-7 For as death‍ hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan‍ of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut‍ off from the presence‍ of the Lord.
7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first‍ judgment which came upon man must needs have remained‍ to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.

2 Nephi 9:20 O how great the holiness‍ of our God! For he knoweth all‍ things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

2 Nephi 11:7 For if there be no‍ Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he‍ is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.

Day 5- 2 Nephi 2-6

Scripture Study: 2 Nephi 2-6

Mark and Ponder: 2 Nephi 2:25 Adam fell‍ that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

This is one of the scriptures I remember most from seminary, mostly because it is a scripture mastery, but also because of the profound meaning. I know that everything in this life happens for a reason, and I also know that we don't always know what that reason is, even though we would like to. This scripture tells us a reason WHY.

Thought for the day:
"As you guard your virtue and purity, you will be given strength. As you keep the covenants you have made, the Holy Ghost will guide you and guard you. You will be surrounded by heavenly hosts of angels."
- Elaine S. Dalton

Day 4- 1 Nephi 19 - 2 Nephi 1

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 19 – 2

Mark and Ponder: 2 Nephi 2:11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition‍ in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

Thought for the day:
"No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love."
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Day 3- 1 Nephi 16-18

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 16-18

Mark and Ponder: 1 Nephi 19:23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit‍ and learning.

How do you liken the scriptures unto us?

When I read a book I always envision in my mind what I think the characters look like, the same is true for the Book of Mormon.

For instance when I picture Nephi this is who I see...

Captain Moroni...

The 2000 Stripling Warriors...

Wicked King Noah...

Who do you picture?

Thought for the day:
"To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort and be a source of motivation for needed change."
- Richard G Scott

Day 2- 1 Nephi 11-15

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 11-15

Mark and Ponder: 1 Nephi 15:34 But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy.

Thought for the day:

"You are chosen to be faithful women of God in our day, to stand above pettiness, gossip, selfishness, lewdness, and all other forms of ungodliness. Recognize your divine birthright as daughters of our Heavenly Father." -Howard W. Hunter

Today's reading is about when Nephi is shown his father's vision of the tree of life.

Day 1 - 1 Nephi 1-10

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 1-10 Wow 10 chapters!!-- a little intimidating, but you can do it!!

Mark and Ponder: 1 Nephi 3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

I love the primary song "Nephi's Courage" /if only we could all be like Nephi.

Thought for the day
"There is within each of us a divine spark of greatness.

Who knows of what we are capable if we only try?"
- Joseph B. Wirthlin

Scriptures I marked today...

1 Nephi 2:15 And my father dwelt in a tent. (One of Ryan's favorites)

1 Nephi 4:6 I was led by the spirit not knowing before hand the things which I should do.

1 Nephi 4:13 Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.

1 Nephi 9:6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.

40 Day Book of Mormon Reading Challenge Kick Off- Jan 31, 2012

We had our first Personal Progress Night on Jan 31. It was so much fun, we did a PINK Personal Progress Pajama Night.

To kick things off, we started our 40 Day Book of Mormon Reading Challenge. I told the girls about my experience with reading the Book of Mormon before the end of the year in 2011. I decided in November (the end of November in fact) that I wanted to read the entire Book of Mormon before the end of the year, giving me about 40 days to complete it. To me this seemed like a long time to read a book, I usually can finish most books in a few days. I didn't know how to figure out how much I had to read each day to complete this goal, but I got online and found a website that would email me a daily reading list. I ended up finishing in 21 days!!! Reading the Book of Mormon in such a short amount of time was such a different experience. I think I got more out of it and remembered more of what I read this time. So I challenged the girls to read the entire Book of Mormon in 40 days. How awesome it will be for all of us to be reading it together. At the end of this we will all have completed our Virtue Value project and will have read the Book of Mormon- awesome!

It was good to review with the girls what they have done in regards to their personal progress and get them excited to do more. So many of the girls were intimidated by the program and didn't realize that there were so many experiences that you could do quickly.